Writing and Semicolons Thread

I...ridiculously abuse the emdash - at least it's an affectation I can't seem to shake. Uuuusuaaallly I write like I talk (thus that monstrosity of repeated vowels =.=) and the emdash represents a pause in speech - for example, when I insert another thought - that isn't quite as jarring timing-wise as a semicolon. It just doesn't sound like me; I don't place independent clauses like that in my speeching!