I am Smitten

Our first contributor is a journalist that has "had about 4 or 5 distinct web sites since [she] started making pages (for Lynx *gasp*) in late 1994." According to I am Smitten's creator, Allura Ellington, "it was not meant to be a web journal, but rather a collection of writings by me, for me. However, as time went on...people asked me to write more. I meant to write daily essays on non-personal topics, however I found it was much easier to write personal narrative. And I am Smitten was born a web journal."

We found I am Smitten one of the more delightful heart warming journals we've read of late. The entries date back to the beginning of July 1997 and are daily up until the end of the year where they taper off. "I am Smitten, the web journal, trailed off into nothing in early 1998," Allura tells us in her prologue. Nevertheless, new readers needn't be concerned about a lack of entries. Those of us at here at OnCommon started tearing through I am Smitten a week ago and we were still at it as of publication. What's more, should readers tackle the entire site there's more writings (and even poetry) located on her personal website (http://www.allura.net/). We'd even go so far as to suggest checking it out beforehand as it provides an excellent personal account of who Allura in effect is.

What appealed to us particularly about this journal was the way its creator is so poetical in her analysis of her love life (or lack of it). There seems to always be some guy, somewhere, that's playing on her emotions. Moreover, in between bouts of smitten, she provides the reader an intimate look into her troubled childhood; one that seems to continue to haunt her well into her college years.

We're saddened to know that I am Smitten is, at this time, no more. However, Allura informs us that "when I have more time on my hands and when the people involved in my life are willing to take responsibility for their actions (including the way I choose to portray them), I will write again. That's my promise." And we look forward to the time when she returns.

I am Smitten is one delightful and absolutely irresistible journal that we found we couldn't put down. In fact, we imagine we'll be back at it, skimming through the archives somemore tomorrow. We hope you'll doing the same.

just your surface friend

From the creator of nobody's princess, mental hypochondriac, and staring at the sun is our next featured site, just your surface friend. It's a succulent chronicle about Lucie, a "fiesty" 18 year old college freshman at Indiana University, who describes herself as "just your ordinary 18 year old college freshman [who doesn't] really know what I'm doing with my life right now; but who really knows at age 18 anyways?"

She begins her journal in June of 1998, as she's finishing up high school. And for anyone who can't remember their post-high school jitters (those of us at OnCommon find it a little more arduous every year) Lucie affords us the opportunity to go through it all again with her as she graduates and heads off college where she meets "the love of [her] life," Josh who she is absolutely smitten over.

just your surface friend is a tale of captivation, passion, and love as Lucie documents her breakups at 'home' and her reawakenings at Indiana University where she discovers her new roommate, new-fashioned friends, and new way of living. Readers can journey with Lucie as she dreams of her future, and when she cries with regard to her present. Those of us at OnCommon found ourselves empathizing with her from beginning to end, but still screaming at her throughout regarding decisions she'd make. Regardless, the one thing we felt certain about was that no matter what else could be said about it, just your surface friend is definitely one helluva rollercoaster ride that'll leave you coming back for more.

New readers can easily begin their fixation by checking out her 'top ten' entries that Lucie describes as "some of my personal favorites...I think that if you don't know me and it's your first time at my journal, these 10 entries will kind of explain who I am." We highly suggest checking out just your surface friend as soon as you possibly can. We believe you'll find it habit forming in no time.

We'll finish this edition of OnCommon by noting that there are myriad of creative columnists out there and oftentimes they're only a nom de plume to us. So, the next time you're out surfing the 'net for good journal we'd like to suggest starting your journey here at OnCommon. And if you've examined our selections for the week and are looking for more, why not check out our Diary Registry. You'll finds dozens more listed there.

Next:

What would you, the reader, like to see? Why not write us here at OnCommon and let us know. We're always open to new topics and ideas. Just be sure send us the URL of the journal you're submitting for consideration using the submit button above. Please include your name (and URL of your homepage if its not your journal you're suggesting) along with any submitted entries in order to receive credit.

And remember to tune in a couple weeks from now, because at OnCommon only 'The Neighbor' knows.