So a lawyer in New York has this thing she does:

For the past few years I’ve made a habit of stopping in my tracks every few months, glancing around the general topography of my life and taking stock.

Which isn't bad advice. And this weekend, I've made an attempt at that, looking mostly at three things:

1. The dozens of half-written blog posts sitting on my hard drive, ranging from three pages on the Alito nomination to "Happy Birthday, Bill Shatner."
2. The blog itself, which hasn't been updated in a very, very long time.
3. A half-finished screenplay and a half-finished one-act play that are two of the best things I've ever written and that I can see the endings to in my head, which is a rare thing.

I started this blog to talk about politics: I thought that because I knew more about politics than anyone I talked with, I had something valuable to say. However, I have since learned that just because you understand politics doesn't mean you have anything constructive to say. And, more importantly, a blog is a terrible place to talk about politics. Blogs encourage insta-nalasys and and discourage considered thought. They require a terrible devotion and constant attention. If you want to know about politics, read The New Republic, Columbia Journalism Review, and the occasional issue of Mother Jones and National Review.

Blogs are a good way to let people keep up with you. I know of a few people who would have disappeared from my life for good if they didn't have blogs where the occasionally post. (Mostly just you, Andrew, but only mostly.) I'll certainly let you all know if I bump into Madeline Albright at the bagel place or if I find a job that isn't boring as all hell. But if this place is pretty damn empty for the next few months, just assume that I had to chose between half-finished blog posts and half-finished plays—and that's one of those choices with a clear right and wrong answer, you know.

This is the most interesting post you have written in a while actually....but keep working on the plays and screenplays too. - Avid UT Reader

Posted by  Anonymous @ 10:45 PM

 

Real lost their season opener to Chivas 3-0 tonight. - OUCH in Real Salt Lakeland

Posted by  Anonymous @ 10:51 PM

 

dang i just started my american government class today and signed up for nytimes daily emails...
ah well.. hey send me your adrs. and i will send you an airline coupon..
student in seattle.

Posted by  Anonymous @ 2:45 PM

 

Useless, but interesting

On Wednesday of this week, at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00
in the morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06.

That will never ever happen again.

You may now return to your (normal ?) life.

Posted by  Anonymous @ 8:35 PM

 

Actually it will happen in Europe (and most of the world) on May 4 because they put the day before the month. - European trapped in an American body

Posted by  Anonymous @ 10:56 AM

 

pushy know it all americans

Posted by  Anonymous @ 11:54 AM

 

All right, I'm begging you. Please start blogitating. - UT reader

Posted by  Anonymous @ 9:24 AM

 

One whole month with no blog? I'm joining BA: Blogaholics Anonymous. = BA in UT

Posted by  Anonymous @ 7:31 AM

 

does this mean you can't write for Black and Powell either? Dammit, J'myle. I really wanted you to be a featured columnist.

Posted by  Anonymous @ 11:55 PM

 

In Tennessee blog is what you do after drinking too much moonshine. ;-)
miss you cuz j!
-cuz still in TN

Posted by  Anonymous @ 3:48 PM

 

sounds like you might have to break your addiction to "brain crack".

http://www.zefrank.com/theshow/archives/2006/07/071106.html

Posted by  Anonymous @ 12:11 PM

 

Post a Comment