The beginning of the end?
Jun 24th, 2008 by Jesse Moore
I’m trying to wind down enough to go to bed, and I just watched a scene in a television episode where a frustrated novelist turns to writing for a blog in an effort to rid himself of writer’s block. If he were listening I could tell him that it doesn’t work that way, which is a realization that I’ve been coming to over the last few days.
I think best when stuck with loud mundane tasks. Today I pressure-washed our back patio and mowed our lawn, which was about 2.5 hours of the loud and the mundane. As I swept the sprayhead back and forth like a metronome I realized that it might be time to end the blog. It’s had a good run - over four years of at least weekly posts, sharing thoughts, pictures, events and media with friends and family. But life is becoming more and more complex, and it might be time for me to simplify things. I don’t know yet for sure, but it’s a fertilized egg of thought that will soon have nailbeds and teeth.
My tv recommendations haven’t gone that well in the history of the blog. “Creature Comforts” was pulled after three episodes, despite years of success on the BBC. I loved it, but many of you weren’t too impressed. I tried to turn my family on to a little known show on Spike TV called “MXC” - which is just a japanese game show with dubbed American voices, and as funny as anything on tv. Most of the laughs come from watching an uncoordinated contestant take an uncomfortable fall into a big lake of goo, but the dubbed commentary is side-splitting as well. ABC has replicated that show in a new offering called “Wipeout”, with American contestants and American commentary. There is an element of the entertainment that is missed (the eccentricity of Japanese showmanship and its interpretation by dubbed American voices), but the physical humor remains. I watched “Wipeout” tonight, and I can tell that I’m going to have a hard time turning it off.
The beginning of the end?! Say it aint so! The blog has really been a good tool for all of us on the outside (of Seattle) to keep connected with you, Kami and Selah. I think it safe to say that there are many of us that would miss your musings and input if the blog went away. Sporadic as some of your postings have been, we still get the chance to connect. That’s my two cents, bro. The flip side of that coin is that many of us who used to comment frequently have significantly dropped off, too. Life may be busy, yes… but not too busy to keep in touch. Again, the blog has been a good vehicle to do so.
I caught the tail end of “I Survived a Japanese Game Show” on ABC last night and it was great. I see what you mean about “the eccentricity Japanese showmanship”. It was pretty good.
And for all of you out there that know Kamela and me, our baby girl was born Tuesday June 17th. We named her Elinor but call her Ellie. She was 6 lbs 6 oz and was 20 in long. Jesse, I’ll send some pics to you when I get the chance.
Cheers all.
Thanks for the comment Aaron. I wish I could say the dissent was overwhelming, but yours is a lonely voice. I won’t give up the blog entirely, but my self-inflicted guilt over posting on a regular basis will end. I’m having to spend more time maintaining my blog for work, I have other goals for writing, and I kind of feel like something has to give.
I haven’t seen “I survived a Japanese Game Show” but I recommend at least watching the first fifteen minutes of “Wipeout” next week - feels good to laugh.
I have to say that if your blog ends, it was a good run. I enjoyed the funny videos, the updates on Selah, and even the political commentary. Thanks for all your dedication to your faithful followers.
I agree with Aaron and Brandon. I may not comment much but I check the blog often to see what’s going on in your life. I’ll certainly miss it if it goes away.
And Aaron, if you’re reading this, congratulations!
Me too! Since I don’t know you (your parents are friends of mine), I don’t feel qualified to comment often, but I check in daily and enjoy your blog immensely.