Copy Cat

I used to read this blog everyday. Lately however it's lost a little of it's witty, fun flavor and delved into an abstract writing style. Normally I love that style, it gives a piece a flavor of intimacy and mystery straight off. However, I just can't get into his version of it. I also couldn't understand why he went from fairly easy to comprehend-yet-complex storytelling to abstract fuck-the-establishment-and-your-need-for-exposition story-not-telling.

Then I realized that he'd been spending time with Mimi who is the third point in that whole "Bigshot New York Blog" phase that's going through the media right now (specifically the NYTimes). I never really got into Mimi's blog because it is written in that abstract style and jumping in the middle of that it's hard to find the hook. However, she is much better at it than "Rob" probably because she started in that style and Rob started as a narrative writer.

However, though one may think this is a critique on storytelling styles, it is not. The really interesting thing in the new writing development of a favorite blog is how influenced the writer has become by his companion. They say that after living with someone long enough you start to look like them, but you start to talk like them even sooner.

My husband and I have a lot of shared speech habits. I often find myself wondering how they started and who introduced them. For instance: whenever we see a little car, like a mini or a miata, we chirp out a happy "Meep meep!" I believe I started this based on a anecdote of his about japanese horns. Regardless we both now do it almost subconsciously.

His phrases have seeped into my vocabulary as well, "dumb ass" "vroom vroom" "you are fill of shit" "uh..."

However, as I start to list them, I realize that a a lot of the phrases I've picked up from him have been interjections. They have not replaced my personal exclamations such as "cool" "groovy" and "idiot".

I do know that a lot of my mannerisms have sneaked over to him, and a lot of my physical stances have originated from his. None of these, at least on my part, are conscious. I can't speak for my husband though. I do make a conscious effort at times to not say something anymore, but I pick up things from my husband like I pick up mud on my boots It just sticks to me.

I like it. It's much like having him being a part of me all the time. But I do wonder if it means more than we just spend a lot of time with one another.

In the case of the characters "Rob" and "Mimi", Rob declares himself an Alpha-male. Which usually means he's the secondary partner in a relationship. It's that whole freudian, projection thing going. (Please keep in mind I'm talking about the blog characters they portray on their blogs, I consider them about the same as I consider Heathcliff and Cathy.) In the case of my husband, he does not refer to himself as an alpha male. Which usually means he's the one in control. I usually take the role of making a lot of suggestions at once, choosing one about half the time. But often, even when it's me who chooses, we'll change our plans or ideas at the last minute based on his opinion. I don't mind at all. If I want something really bad I'll make sure to stomp my feet until I get it.

So does he.

I think he got the foot stomping from me.

Of course rather than it being a ying-yang thing. A balance and fight over power, it could be hero worship. Perhaps "Rob" really looks up to "Mimi" the way I look up to "C". Perhaps not. We could be looking for a guide. Maybe we want to become someone better through immolation. In my case I don't want to be like my husband at all. In fact that is the last thing I want to do. And I am certain he does not want to be like me. But I do want to be closer to him. I can literally hear his voice in my head when situations come up that I know he would comment on. I know what he would say, I know what he would do, and I wish he was there to say it. Instead, though it's C's voice in my head, it's my voice to the rest of the world. So I talk like him. He's everywhere I am, and no one knows it.

Reading "Rob's" new style though...I wonder if C's words come out just as awkward and loose fitting as "Mimi's" writing comes out broken and too tight on his blog. Perhaps the rest of the world can tell when I switch to my C-words. Perhaps I'm the only one who thinks it fun and comforting.

So in keeping with the theme of stealing from other bloggers I'm wrapping this up with a question:

Am I the only one that thinks this is fascinating? Do you have any habits you picked up from someone else?