Ten Fingers, 6 Strings: Malaise

August 24, 2006

Malaise

I've been engaged in this whole blogospheric mess for well over five years as a reader, and about year-and-a-half as a participant. I don't really consider myself a blogger, as I think that term has evolved into something that demands a little more commitment and a more defined roll than what I do.

When I used to skateboard as a kid, calling yourself a skater because you bought a skateboard and started sassing back to "the Man," without committing to the craft of trying to break every bone of your body, didn't really make you a skater. If you claimed to be one without demonstrating some true scrapes, bruises, castes, etc., you were just a poseur (to this day, I have yet to find a craft who's community is so intent on sniffing out poseurs than skateboarding).

I post in flurries, and all of my content is what I'm passionate about, something that amuses me, makes me think or helps me to think. In the time I've written, I've been quoted only a handful of times.

The purpose of this site was never to be a source for mass consumption, but lately I'm feeling as if I'm just writing into the ether.

So, here I stand/sit at blog burnout.

Part of the reason why is because I haven't been challenging myself to become a better writer. But also, it has been a bit of a bummer knowing that some of the bigger bloggers will never listen to what you have to say about anything, no matter how articulate. That's not their fault by any means, as just in real life outside the internet, finding common reference points that people can relate to are important in getting your point across. Quoting me at anything is like asking a hang-glider to be your wingman.

Anyway, this post is neither funny, nor interesting, but just an explanation as to the lack of output. I don't know if it will be a common trend, but my lack of enthusiasm about writing has been rather apparent.

Don't go away (all five of you), because I'll still be around, but I just need to find a way to get a little more inspired.

Apparently writing about crack-whores works, as I've gotten more comments on that than anything I've written in the past week.

Cheers,
TF6S

Posted by 10 fingers 6 strings at August 24, 2006 12:42 PM | TrackBack

Comments

TF, I am a contributing writer at another blog, and I have a sense of what you are talking about here. I have noticed a number of excellent blogs expire due to the same causes you cite here. But I will tell you that you have some written some excellent material, and said things that needed to be said. And you can't judge the impact of your blog solely by the number of comments and trackbacks that are logged in at your website. In fact, let me make a couple of points for you to consider. First, you probably will never know the impact your material has on most of your readers. It's kind of like preaching about Jesus or salvation - what you are saying may bounce off many people, but for some, it will make a difference in their thinking, and perhaps in their lives. Unfortunately, you may never be aware of that, but I have found evidence of that on our own website and can forward a example to you if you wish. Secondly, we tend to be fact oriented on our website. This does not lend itself to ongoing dialogues between writers and readers, and that is ok. Sometimes the truth just has to be put out there. Thirdly, blogging starts off as a "fun thing" and seems to evolve towards becoming "work." It takes a lot of time and effort to do research, and going it alone can become more that a labor of love at some point. I do not mean to pontificate, and if this comes across as such, please forgive me. My intent here is to encourage you to plug away, and keep putting "the world as you see it" out there. I enjoy reading your stuff - even though I have not previously commented.

Posted by: R.A. Allen at August 27, 2006 10:24 AM

Crack whores are just funny material man.

Never give up, never ever ever give up blogging TF6S. I enjoy reading your posts dude and also find it hard to believe you write this stuff. I never thought you were so profound when we were in college. I mean, a semi-genius yes, but ...

Posted by: Rick at August 28, 2006 05:01 AM

Don't despair. We read your blog almost every day, but because our days are filled with changing dirty diapers, chasing screaming kids, and side-stepping pointy objects embedded in the carpeting (like an original Darth Vader action figure with the lightsaber pointing up), we don't keep current enough to have a truly educated dialogue with you. So, hang in there and know that you keep us as up-to-date as is possible for us these days. We can only handle so much Sesame Street, after all...

Posted by: Michigan cousin at August 28, 2006 09:26 AM

Perhaps you should write more about your passions... M&M (no not S&M and not those chocolately delights)....Music and Mountaineering. Perhaps you just need a break. I think I can speak for all five of us when I say we'll be here waiting when you're ready to wow us with your intellect again.

Posted by: Penelope Pitstop at August 28, 2006 11:41 AM