Saturday June 19

A Call To Arms

I had two telephone conversations today regarding my recent blog negligence. My friend Charis called late this morning, and I spoke with my mom tonight after work. They both expressed disappointment with the recent increase in time between rubydawn posts. I looked back, and although it has only been three days since the post about camping, and less than a week since the previous one (demanding aren’t they?), I understand their frustration. Every morning and every evening after work I sit in front of this rickety beast of a computer to get my daily fix of media. I start with the blogs. My first stop is rubydawn to check the comments. Then I wander over to Justin's place to see if he’s got anything new. From his blog, I hop onto Erin's, Molly's, and No Sword's. It will come as no surprise to those of you who knew him when he lived here, that Justin has befriended some very interesting people in Japan, and I enjoy reading their blogs a great deal. Then I might hop over to see if my favorite linguist has written anything overtly political lately. Next comes the news. If it is the beginning of the week, I start with the Onion. Then I check the gaming news on Game Spot. They help center me before I depress myself with the New York Timesor the BBC. I always look at this siteto see if there’s a new preview. Finally, I hit the webcomics. I start at Diesel Sweeties and move right through Questionable Content into Megatokyo and Penny Arcade.
You’d think that would take up a significant amount of time, right? If someone who wasn’t already on that circuit tried to jump in, it might take a good chunk out of their morning. However, most of the times I’m online, at least eighty percent of my favorite material is the same as it was the day before. I usually wind up getting one new comic, two comments, a headline or two, and a blog entry. THAT’S NOT ENOUGH. My first thought was that Justin, Molly, and Erin are frickin lazy, and they need to write more dammit! (Actually, Molly is pretty prolific; she’ll often do two or three posts in a day. Don’t tell my mom though; she’ll want hourly baby photo updates. Here’s a rock and roll picture to tide you over Mom.)

Then the real problem hit me. Of course they aren't lazy. The rest of my friends and family need to start their own blogs; if not for their enjoyment, then for the sake of enabling my computer dependency. Didn’t I tell you people that I gave up TV before Ruby was born? I need help! Please, just a little bit. I can handle it. I've got it all under control. There are lawyers and doctors who have regulated and controlled heroin habits. I can certainly handle a little blog addiction.

Charis, you should get Derby involved and write a mother and son blog. Everyone would love it. Cornelius, please do an online version of INTRUDER ALERT. I miss it. Charlene, you are a hilarious writer, and you live far away from your hometown. What better way to keep in touch? Jordan, geez little brother, aren’t you the only college kid in the world without a blog? Dan is another brilliantly funny writer, and who wouldn’t want to read a blog about being in a pop band? My mom is also a great writer, and I’d love to read about her challenges as an ESL teacher, but she could at least start by posting a comment or two here! I would give Ani a hard time, but she’s excited about the new rubydawn, and she’s working hard with Photoshop and dreamweaver to get some fun stuff over there.
Blogging. It’s free. It’s fun. It’s easy. I’m jonesing for a little online love. Gimme somma dat blog!

Oh yeah… Here’s another baby picture for Nonna:

Here’s a dog picture for dog lovers everywhere: