What would you do?

[juliebata]

The first week or so of my being on Livejournal, I did a lot of looking around. I'd pick a topic, get a nice long list, and open up some journals at random, just to see who's out there. I came across the journal of a college student in Alaska that absolutely blew me away. This gal had recently had her heart totally fucked up by a guy, and the way she wrote about it was riveting and powerful, and it really struck a chord with me (being that my heart was recently fucked up, too). Now I find myself reading her journal, she's funny and sarcastic, and seems to be doing a lot better now. I really like the way she writes, and I want to know what goes on in her life. She reminds me of me at that age, though she has it a lot tougher than I did.
So, the question is: do I talk to her?
We write what we write for ourselves and for our friends, it's easy to forget that if we don't lock it down to friends only, random strangers may sometimes come across what we write. Some people might want that more than others. Do you think she'd want to know that her journal really resonated with someone she's never met? If you were her, would you want to add me as a LJ friend?
I feel funny continuing to read her stuff without introducing myself. Has this sort of thing come up before? Opinions, please...
-Juliebata

Comments

[holyoutlaw.livejournal.com]

The very first time I added someone to my friend's list who I didn't know (or hadn't been recommended to me by someone else on LJ) I worried about it -- would she think me a stalker? were my actions appropriate? -- but it's turned into a pretty good connection. We both share an interest in art cars, and she's come around to Seattle activities (she lives in Tacoma).

And, if something I'd written had resonated with someone the way you describe this woman's writing resonating with you, I'd love it if they introduced themselves. I'd get a big kick out of it, in fact.

The only caveat I have is that I'm pretty free about adding people to my friend's list. I've never regretted it, and I've only occasionally chosen to later remove someone.

Hope this helps.