Disconnected?

It seems like a lot of people whose blogs I read have been going through a change of sorts. They are questioning why they started up a blog in the first place, if they have lost their "voice" or originality...

I don't think that I'm necessarily having the same internal struggle, but I have wondered as of late if all of this blogging hasn't cheated me out of personal interaction.

I read my friends' blogs and feel like I've touched base with them. I know what is going on in their lives, sometimes I comment, and then I go on. It can turn into days/weeks/months that I go without making actual person-to-person contact.

Am I losing my ability for REAL friendship?

Am I forgetting the art of picking up the phone and having a genuine conversation with someone?

When I was younger, I lived for the phone. I could (& did) talk for hours with friends that I had seen just earlier that day. I often complain now that I don't like the phone because it takes too much effort - that it interrupts my day. But now I'm wondering why is that bad?? Why shouldn't I take a moment out of my day and connect with my friends?

I don't want to give up my blog - I'm enjoying this creative outlet - but I think I'm craving more human contact. And I don't want to give up looking at my favorite blogs - they inspire me too much - but I think I want to get on the phone and find out more.

I need to rediscover real relationships - go to lunch, the park, have people over...

I need to be a better friend.