I frequently stroll through the featured blog list and attempt to read the posts and gain insight into how to end up there. I mean, why not? I have a friggen ego that needs to be leveled.

Anyway, a couple of blogs caught my attention. Just not for their outstanding content. I'm confused and don't know what Sir Mr Blogging Master sees in them. Have I been blinded and lost my ability to recognize good writing? Perhaps - maybe so - but probably not.

The lack of comments on at least two of the blogs suggests that others share my opinion. I see these two blogs as disinterested in anything outside of their world. Complete self-obsession, as evidenced by the lack of favorite blogs on their lists. Not that everyone shouldn't feel free to write about what they want or become as involved as little or as much as they want. Just that, based on writing, story content and original or popular ideas, I would pick different blogs.

Maybe some of you bloggers are better than I and have decided that if you have nothing good to say, then don't say anything. Sometimes I can't keep my mouth shut. But, come on folks, tell me what is good about these blogs. Maybe they are so self-contained and interesting that no one sees a need to make a comment. Maybe I'm just an idiot who needs a Blogs Anonymous meeting.

My little gripe doesn't include everybody on the festured blogs list - there are some I like very much. Maybe I'm just tired of the list and want to see a new one. Maybe I'm just jealous or fancy myself better than Mr. Blog Master does.

Help me solve this mystery. Show me the light, I'm willing to listen.

It seems as if DeBunkem came back to his blog quicker than anticipated because a streak of humanity, brought on by the comments of concerned fellow bloggers, opened his eyes. I originally saw DeBunkem as a fun prankster type only concerned with getting laid. Amusing with no depth. His new insight has turned my initial impressions upside down and disturbed my own sense of responsibility in this Internet world - and maybe outside in the real world. If I ever get off this computer and go out there to check it out.

Well, Debunkem came back so I'm off on to other things. Actually, the blogs are rich with wisdom, thought and talented writing. Roaming through the Internet and reading people's personal accounts of their lives and their view points gives me the feeling of being a stalker.

When I interview someome for a story I never think this person is lying and I'm going to check them out and prove their lies. Unfortunately, too often I check out facts and sources and the story doesn't match up. Then I get mad at being lied to and about believing the story. Something comes over me, I can't control it, and I begin digging deeper for the truth. I can't stop until I have found the truth - even if I'm proven wrong.

Because of my need for the truth, I've taken a step back. Well, a few steps back. People don't care - they want to hear the good stuff - the victory - not the defeat. Hey, I like good stuff too, if it is true.

People want to hear that the fat man is walking every step of his journey from San Diego to New York, that he is losing weight, never accepts rides, eats the right foods and is still camping beside the road at night. Unfortunately, none of that stuff is true.

I know because I checked him out after interviewing him last summer. Oh, I felt inspired by his journey and wished him well at the time. But, soon after the interview I realized the need for photos of him out walking on Route 66 and not just standing in front of a motel. But I couldn't find him anywhere, which was frustrating given the cost of gas. I drove the roads and asked about him at different businesses along the way. No one had seen him. Then he writes in his guest book at thefatmanwalking.com that he walked past an area one day and the next day says he is walking 55 miles away. How did he get there? When did he get there? My questions were met with anger, hostility and excuses. I couldn't write a story about this guy without the whole story.

Days and weeks went by and his guest book entries didn't match up. Instead of the nice guy trying to improve his life, he became the angry man not walking. Based on a hunch, I drove to find him walking and maybe get that photo. I only discovered the motels he stayed at for days at a time, the places he ate, the description of the car he rode in, the name of the photographer with him and that Oprah was supposed to meet up with him. I asked everybody if they'd seen the fat man walking and not one person had. I drove the highways, making stops along the way, but could not find him walking anywhere. I asked truckers to keep an eye out for him - one guy saw him walking into a Petro one time. But, that trucker drove the route from Oklahoma City well into Texas everyday and never saw him again. People told me he looked fatter than the photo I had of him. Obviously he was gaining weight.

Well, I never could find the fat man walking (even though a reporter wrote that I tried to find him riding in a car). He is gaining weight back and staying in motels for long periods of time and his anger appears to have deepend. Money - he got an advance on a book deal and was seen on the Today Show just before I met him. Before the money and the fame it seems like he was walking and he had lost weight.

He lied to me, I had to find out the truth. But, everyone else can judge on their own. Just like we all are free to do. And, he could still turn things around and find the things he was looking for. We can only hope for the best and some of us must tell the truth.

Is there a truth anonymous meeting anywhere?

Blog Stalker

" I am not angry just disappointed that some people would rather try and discredit me to help drive traffic to their blog than do it with good content. You have never interviewed me and have obviously mis-read the walk by getting your information from the "Guestbook" instead of the journal. I have met a great number of wonderful people on this walk and that fact is an experience that will always be with me. Even after the nonsense has faded away. I you were so concerned about finding me and saving gas money wouldn't it have been smarter to contact me and ask where I was? Or maybe have ""Interviewed"" some of the hundreds of people that have met me along the way? Of course you would only have done this if you really wanted the truth. But the truth isn't enough fun is it. Thanks for the chuckle Steve Vaught"

by thafatmanwalking on Friday October 28, 2005 @ 10:07 AM

" Vaught, be careful what you say for you don't know who you are talking to. Everything written in reference to you is 100% documented fact. I'd be happy to share it all. Go back to your motel room and hide out for another week.

by Blog Stalker on Friday October 28, 2005 @ 10:21 AM

Mary, find another hobby or get a brain transplant - not everyone lies.

by Blog Stalker on Friday October 28, 2005 @ 10:25 AM

prove it :)

by Mary on Friday October 28, 2005 @ 10:38 AM

Mary, when one disbelieves everyone there is nothing anyone can say. Believe yourself first, the rest will come. Thanks for stopping by. Blog Stalker

by Blog Stalker on Friday October 28, 2005 @ 12:10 AM

That's a pretty profound statement to make considering there are people who believe untruths and spread those untruths as being true. You say believe yourself first and what if all I believe is untruths. Tsk tsk on such advice. I investigate before saying anything so that I know what I speak of IS the truth. Can you say the same? It is you to prove what you speak of as the truth.

by Mary on Friday October 28, 2005 @ 4:21 PM

Vaught, be careful what you say for you don't know who you are talking to. Everything written in reference to you is 100% documented fact. I'd be happy to share it all. Go back to your motel room and hide out for another week. I have nothing to hide and you have nothing to show. If you did we would have seen it already. This is weak.

by thafatmanwalking on Friday October 28, 2005 @ 7:24 PM

Mary, the length and thoroughness of my "investigation" speaks for itself. Why don't you conduct your own investigation and draw your own conclusions based on whatever facts you find? I don't care what you or anyone else believes - to be perfectly blunt with you - but thanks for sharing your valuable opinion.

by Blog Stalker on Friday October 28, 2005 @ 10:43 PM

You know what they say Steve, timing is everything. Your battle is with yourself and you really are old news. Too bad you didn't turn out to be a nice guy - that evil twin will get you every time. Good luck on the rest of your journey. Don't bother looking back but look ahead.

by Blog Stalker on Friday October 28, 2005 @ 10:46 PM

You are right stalker, I don't really care what you think either but clearly people are reading what you write and assuming you are correct. You saw it as documented truth - where can I find these documents - assuming they are from reliable sources. I know who my source is and I know how reliable it is. Maybe you should try my hobby a little - loosen up, relax and enjoy life without being mean. It does work ;)

by Mary on Saturday October 29, 2005 @ 2:41 AM

Like I said. You got nothing. You said that you have 100% documented truths. Well then show them.

by thafatmanwalking on Saturday October 29, 2005 @ 3:50 AM

Mary, read the rest of my blog and the comments that go along with it - lots of good laughs along the way.

by Blog Stalker on Saturday October 29, 2005 @ 10:44 AM

Like I said Steve, timing is everything. Good luck with the remainder of your journey."

Name: Sammy Country: Date: Sat Oct 29 01:08:16 2005 Comment: You will soon cross over to my state, Steve. We will watch every move you make, stake out all hotels, places to eat, gas stations (we know what you are riding in) we will be watching every road that you could walk on in 1 hour shifts. You are a Fraud and a Hoax. Its not going to be a welcome party when we find you FatMan. Nice. Real nice Sammy

by thafatmanwalking on Saturday October 29, 2005 @ 1:48 PM (del)

Sorry Steve, you'll have to look else where on the Sammy fellow. Guess there are more of us. But hey, if you start walking you'll have nothing to fear. Good luck and God bless on the rest of your journey.

by Blog Stalker on Saturday October 29, 2005 @ 3:35 PM (del)

I actually do like your blog Stalker, I just don't like mean things said about someone who does have good intentions but may falter. That's all. Maybe I'm just too nice, oh well. Well back to my "hobby" *wink*

by Mary on Saturday October 29, 2005 @ 4:49 PM

by Blog Stalker on Saturday October 29, 2005 @ 10:46 AM

I'm creeping through the vaults of posts and delving deep into the lives of others. Getting free kicks out of pains and fantasies. Looking for interesting things to write about, stealing thoughts and ideas. Investigating mysteries. Like where is Debunkem going to? Is he ending it? And, how many blogs does he really have?
Stay tuned as I creep through the pages of blogs and guest books everywhere..