This blogging business

I have given a fair amount of thought recently towards my blogging and writing in general. I know, I know, I said I would quit months ago, but I am not exactly barking up that same tree. This thing (cosa nostra) is an important part of my life, who am I kidding?

The reality is that I put an inordinate amount of time into this near daily column and the credit side of the ledger is still nil. Now, there are all kinds of fancy stratagems one can employ, from Paypal donate buttons to advertising to outright pleas for sustenance, it all just seems so downright seamy.

Luckily my real gig is still sputtering along and I am pretty good at it. I make money occasionally and in the hours or days between, this keeps my brain functioning and keeps me out of the bell towers and off the meds. Ot most of them anyway.

Friend Kevin wrote today that I need to write a book and I have given it some thought. Because there is no credibility in blogging. I read journalists who scoff at lowly bloggers all the time. I read just the other day... guy buys a keyboard and thinks he's a writer. Just like everybody is suddenly a photographer with the new technology, the old guard is a bit sniffy nowadays about the democratization of their respective guilds.

Now I am not saying that I'm no Damon Runyan, bless his eternal soul, but I can bang fairly effectively around the keyboard. How's that for modesty. I have found, through this nascent forum, that people get a kick sometimes out of what I have to say. Not everybody mind you. As much as I have fallen on my sword to be fair and balanced, some actually doubt my veracity and true intentions. Bill L., one of my conservative friends who I try to direct my comments to, says that as hard as I try I'm still basically condescending, even when taking a conservative slant. Someone else told me that I feigned humility but really didn't believe in the concept. Touche.

So the blog allows people all over the world to grab my pictures for free, something I see quite often but also gives me exposure to those who find the Blast interesting that I would otherwise never get to speak with. I get to shpiel with a lot of folks. So it's really a new paradigm for communicating. A time consuming one to be sure, for me and you. I am sure that many of you scream when you see another one of these bastards in your in box.

I think I could write some decent fiction but I get very bored in the middle of my attempts. And more than a couple of you hate my fiction, mostly my family members I think. But it is possibly getting better and ideas are actualizing quicker. Maybe this blog is pony leagues for some fancy major league writing gig. Although reading is a bit of a lost art. So maybe I just keep doing it as long as it makes me happy, is still read, and not too stale. Long as I have something to say. Like this pandering, narcissistic, monologue.

I researched and found that I can get a bound hardcopy of my blog for around 3 or 4 hundred dollars. Because it is pretty long. I would hate to spend the money but if a mainframe at google goes out or we get hit with a chinese emp blast, poof. No record. Or if I piss the wrong person off. It happens from time to time. You think it's worth spending the money? If so, send a buck. Even though we all know that everything should be free.

Doug Frazer's headed to the city of fallen angels to do the L.A. Fine Art Show. He just sent me this picture of the dark skies over the Tejon Pass taken with his i phone. Retha emailed about flooding near North River. Please everybody be safe.