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The OLJs I read are written by people whose lives are similar to mine, and whose lives are mind-bendingly different; their writing can leave me alternately short of breath with laughter and pea-green with envy; some entries have made me spew whatever beverage I am drinking into the keyboard, and there are times when my eyes well up with tears throughout the day at the memory of the things I've read.

Of the nearly two dozen that I read regularly, Dee, Vonnie, and Mopie are on my "daily" list.

"Midge sleeps on my bed, I admit it. And it's a good thing it's a double bed because when that ol' girl stretches out I can find myself clinging to edge to keep from going over. But she's a darned good foot/back warmer and she doesn't snore."

I've been "acquainted" with Dee for a couple of years. She used to belong to a writer's mailing list that I subscribe to. I just recently discovered her journal, and can't begin to say how glad I am that I did. Dee's entries are short, expressive and humorous. Dee says, "This whole journal thing, for me, is like sitting comfortably with a mug of coffee and a friend, talking about anything that comes to our alleged minds. Sometimes serious, sometimes zany, always fun and relaxed." That is exactly how her journal comes across. And, anyone who lets their dog sleep in their bed is alright with me.

"I am glad I was not born traditionally beautiful. I am glad I have had to mature and change to become the woman I am right now. I am glad that I don't take my looks for granted. And I am glad that I didn't have to use my cunt as a child to have my self-worth proven to me. Of course, I did it as an adult. But that is another story..."

"I personally find my life thrilling, entertaining and amusing," says Vonnie. Know what? So do I. So why does she keep an OLJ? "I love the indirect attention that having a journal brings to me. I love writing about my boring day, telling work stories, kid stories and trying to figure out why I am such a mess most of the time..." Go on, check her out, she's not so much of a mess as she thinks she is.

Oh, and don't forget the Corona.

"Aside from hearing plans for the Stupidest Wedding in History, every time I talk to Charlotte, she brings up the bridal shower. The tone is: 'It's your job, and I better get one.' Tim hates Charlotte's tendency to try and milk free stuff out of every situation and because he pointed it out a few years ago, I can hear the little Tim in my head urging me to get annoyed with her. It's funny, though. Although I probably won't get any kind of bridesmaid's gift (I mean really. I'd be lucky to get a bag of Apple-Os at this point) there's no way Charlotte is dispensing with the tradition of, 'Someone else shells out the money to give me a party and everyone buys me presents.'"

Mopie says: "I'm 24. I'm a pop culture junkie and I'm always looking for ways to be creative." I'm pretty sure she found a way with her journal. I read Mopie (Monique) just because she cracks me up. She _is_ mean, and like they say: "If you don't have anything nice to say about anybody... come sit by me."