Random Thoughts...on blogging etiquette

I think I've been blogging too much lately. For example, the other night, I dreamt about Oh, The Joys. The dream in itself was rather uneventful: there were lots of computer monitors and profile names swirling about vertiginously, but Oh, The Joy's one kept popping out and talking to me. Now I've gone and admitted that...weirdness...here's another secret: I am still coming up to speed on blogging rules. For example, how do you refer to other bloggers? If I don't know the person in the flesh, or haven't even gone so far as to exchange emails, I normally refer to bloggers by their blog name. Some people prefer this, especially if they like keeping their anonymity, or if their blogging name is part of their 'brand'. But others mightn't care. For example, I'm talking about Oh, The Joys by that name, and not her real one, but I'm not sure if she'd mind either way? (Do tell me!) As for me, I don't care how I'm referred to, really, but to be honest "Misc Mum" is a more unique tag than "Karen" - (although there are undoubtedly many other excellent Karen blogger writers 'out there' who are using their own names proudly, and why not!) Another example would be Dooce. You say that name and everyone knows who you're talking about. Plain "Heather" could be a myriad of other people. What does all this mean? I find it interesting on how much power, respect and impressionability can be distilled right down to a 'name'. Some bloggers change their blogs and their names because they didn't like their original one or for more serious reasons, like being stalked or other such creepiness. What about you? Are you happy with the blogging identity you've got now, or if you had your time over, what would you do differently? etiquette blogging