Viewing the voyeurs - my new favorite sport

[susandennis]

A while back, I got an email from someone - not even sure male or female - asking me, not unkindly, how I could live with a webcam on me all the time.  I answered and asked in my reply, how they came to find my cam.

I have two webcams (different views of the same room) and while neither are hidden, finding them randomly wouldn't be all that easy, I don't think.

The person replied - quite shocked to have heard from me - that one of my cams was on something called Openpedia.  I'd never heard of Openpedia but I easily found me. It's a webcam site that appears, for the most part, to be non-porn webcams around the world.  It looks like they are added by bot and include geographical info with a map. It's really kind of cool and a little addicting.

At the time, there were a couple of comments which were amusing.  The funniest was the one where someone who had seen the cam without me in it for a while and then saw me and was shocked.  She did not expect someone who looked like me to have a room like that.

Then, yesterday, I got a notice that someone new on Flickr had added me and left comments.  The comments were really sweet and one indicated that she had done a fair amount of research on me and was respectfully appreciative and curious.  It sounded a lot like Openpedia so I went back.

Now I have 84 comments and a bunch of conversation - someone found my Google profile so now they know more about me and the bears.  And they don't like the living room rearrangement - and, honestly, I don't blame them but it's the best I can do with the air conditioner, I think.

Anyway, it's hilarious to 'listen' in on a conversation about me based on my living room.  I'm kind of tempted to join in the conversation but I don't want to ruin the fun.

Comments

[johncomic.livejournal.com]

“She did not expect someone who looked like me to have a room like that.”


..... what the what???

[susandennis]

I would have had the exact same reaction as the commenter. I would never expect someone who looks like me to live in a place like this.

[johncomic.livejournal.com]

I mean, I guess I could see it if you were dressed like Batman or Darth Vader or something... :\

[yesthatjill.livejournal.com]

Dress like batman one day. Please?

[shutterbug.livejournal.com]

I know I've said it before, but I truly love your taste in decor and colors.

[susandennis]

thank you!

[viridescence13]

Fun! I do think it would be "ruined" if you let on that you're reading their comments. They'd probably feel the need to censor themselves.

Hmmm, maybe they expect you to be younger or more flamboyant looking with decor like that? But clearly that's how you like to express your personality. :) I love your style as well, and when I end up in the home I plan to live in until I die, I'm going to be more colorful.

Hi Susan

[(Anonymous)]

I view Opentopia and I absolutely adore your apartment! The design is colourful and well thought out and I envy you. It has made me think of using stronger colours in my house which is under going full renovation. I live in the north of England, where the cold dominates, more than it should, in contrast to your weather. I also enjoy your cats and their antics. Thank you for letting strangers into your life, we must seem a bit sad to you! (I'm "Jules" on Opentopia - otherwise known as Julie.) I used to live in Canada, but grew up mostly in California. Thanks again!

Re: Hi Susan

[susandennis]

Jules, thanks so much for this note. I'm kind of glad you 'outed' me. I left a comment on Opentopia.

You guys do not seem sad at all! It's great fun to have such a following.

California, Canada north of England??!! wow!

[howeird]

Opentopia, actually. Openpedia looks like someone's attempt in 1990 to build a web site.

I don't know whether to be relieved or insulted, opentopia does not seem to know about my 4 cams.

[fyremaven.livejournal.com]

Wow. I didn't realize your cams were searchable. It's addicting at times and especially for me because when my granddaughter is here she wants to see the "Bear Lady." When you aren't in your chair knitting she is sad....isn't that weird?? lol.

It's ok, I just tell her you are swimming at your class and she's fine. It's just sort of odd how you can become connected online to things, though, isn't it?

Sounds like you are rather a star!

[susandennis]

I love that she is a fan!

And, yes, it's very addictive. Now that I've found Opentopia, I'm now addicted to some cams myself!

[badrobot68.livejournal.com]

When I first got the internet, I was fascinated with webcams...mostly the ones with naked men, but whatever. They're all kind of fun to watch.

[empresspatti.livejournal.com]

To me, being on camera on all the time - and broadcasting out to anyone - sounds like Hell on Earth. Why do you do it? Have you done this for a long time?

I know I sound uber stoopid - but is this a thing people do all the time? I don't even have a Facebook page......

[susandennis]

Ha! I don't have a Facebook page either :)

The webcam thing started back when I first figured out I could do it and how - probably around 2000ish. My Mom was a relatively recent widow on the East Coast and loved to do internet things - like look at me on a webcam so I kept it up and used her for an excuse.

After she died, I kept it up because I kind of forgot about it. Now, my brother has a monitor in his computer shop in Texas where he keeps my webcam up 24/7. He watches out for me :)

And, no, I don't believe a lot of people outside of the sex trade have webcams on them all the time :) I do it because I can and it's fun and it's only brought me new friends and it's a great incentive to keep the living room clean!

[empresspatti.livejournal.com]

Huh! You've been viewable since 2000? WoW. It would never have occurred to me to do....

Well, your living room looks great & I hope you are safe. Trust me when I tell you that you'll rarely see so much as a photo of me online.....I must be really old, plus old school/dinosaur/uncool.

[susandennis]

See, I take the opposite view. I got nuthin' to hide from nobody. My pictures, my real name, my address and my telephone number are all readily available all over the internet. That kind of exposure has brought me nothing but fun and friends. I get postcards from all over the world. And even flowers - twice - from a secret friend and that secret is still safe with the friend.

I do live on the 4th floor in a secured building full of nosey neighbors. I'm very safe.

[catmomma.livejournal.com]

ok sounds like you just tuned me into a website that could seriously suck some time out of my life, LOL.

By the way I spent a week in your fair city last week and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Still trying to talk my other half into moving there.

[susandennis]

So where did you end up for brunch?

[catmomma.livejournal.com]

We woke up early and since that was our first morning there we ended up hitting the Mecca Cafe for regular dive bar breakfast instead of waiting for brunch time. I think we ate there 3 times and their sister property The 5 Point 3 times during the week :) Best bacon EVAR

Guilty

[(Anonymous)]

::looking down and kicking at nothing on the ground::

Okay, I confess, I'm the one who saw your empty living room and didn't imagine you living in it. But the fact that it is you is what keeps me coming back. I'm 47 years old, married, with kids, and I spend my days working way too hard for far too little money, and with very little time to myself, as one does at this stage in life.

You and your living room make me happy, and give me hope that someday I will get to be me again if I don't lose sight of what is important in life. You are an inspiration, and appreciated, just for being you. Thanks so much, and for checking in with us on OT.

Re: Guilty

[susandennis]

NO need to feel guilty at all!!! At my age, it's amazing to be different and unexpected. I love it and I cherish it but when it's so clearly recognized by others, that's really the best.

And honestly, between you and me, if I didn't have my life, it is exactly the one I would want. How lucky is that??? And yet another reason for sharing it even if it is only via webcam/journal and other online ramblings?

Re: Guilty

[(Anonymous)]

You are just fabulous! Keep inspiring those around you, whether you intend to or not ;-)

Homely

Re: Guilty

[susandennis]

Thank you! it's so fun to see my new Opentopia friends over here! You guys are really the best and fine judges of character and style!!! :)

Nice to meet you.

[(Anonymous)]

I was a little concerned when I first saw you on Opentopia that you might not know that your cam was open to public. But now that I have found you here I feel better. At the end of a long night of work and before going to work, looking at your empty living room or sitting here knitting along with you makes my day. Its nice having a knitting buddy...

Re: Nice to meet you.

[sandra-lynne.livejournal.com]

This was my comment it was not supposed to be anon. I had to sign up so my name would show.

Re: Nice to meet you.

[susandennis]

It's pretty difficult to set up a camera and make it public by accident.

I'm delighted at having you check in and glad to have a buddy, too!