Site News for the Steam Vent!
Here's a few updates on what's happening with the Steam Vent in the next week or so.
First and foremost, Scott from Highly Sophisticated Rednecks and I are going to be doing what is called a "Blog Exchange." More or less here's how that breaks down-- he writes a piece for my blog and I do the same for him. I'm pretty psyched about this opportunity, so if you're not familiar with his content, do that now. This is most likely happening on Friday.
Second, I'm going to be designing a new layout for the blog. The current template is pretty dreary and perhaps not as conducive to comedy as I'd like, and seeing how I used to be a contracted web developer, there's no reason why I can't do better. Much better.
I'm hoping to branch out in readership, by which I mean actually advertise this sucker so more people will read it. There's a service called blog explosion (linked by a button on the right side of the page), whereby you browse other people's blogs and for every 2 blogs you visit, a new visitor hits your site. It's ingenious in its simplicity, really. Does wonders for my traffic already, but it only works if you have the time to visit and read other people's blogs (the site knows how long you spend on each blog, and if it's less than 30 seconds you don't get credit for reading it).
Of course, the real down side of this is that you have to read other people's blogs. Which, if you've ever gone blog surfing, can be relentlessly brutal (emphasis on 'can'). Obviously there are exceptions (here and everywhere I link to, for instance), but for every one good blog you find, there's a ton out there that just plain suck. I could delve further into this subject but many many people have done this already, and I'd hate to do anything so redundant (no comments about writing about the Yankees, please).
In other news, the girlfriend is moving to Alabama this week for the summer. Most likely, she'll be returning in the fall, but you really just never know. This could turn out one of several ways-- a) I'll be channeling periodic updates of a native Long Islander's experience in Alabama (no, she doesn't have the accent-- I have standards), b) I'll only blog about crippling depression of having your girlfriend leave, c) I'll rename the blog: In Search of a Happy Ending - The Exploits of a Rebounding Womanizer, or d) none of the above.
As with all things in life, I'll just be taking this a day at a time. Expectations often lead to disappointment, and I'm not a planner, so I'm just going to enjoy it as it happens. Isn't that what this whole ride is all about anyway?
Right, sorry to get philosophical there, on with the updates.
Since the girlfriend won't be around, I'm going to have more free time. I think this will be the point in my life that I actively pursue a career in journalism. I'm young, I'm single, I'm mobile, I haven't been drained of my youthful ambition, and I hate my job as a computer programmer. Any words of advice or encouragement would be much appreciated.
So stay tuned. It should be good reading, if nothing else.
posted by BJC @ 12:06 PM
Your thoughts (4 so far)
4 Comments:
On journalism: lower your standard of living.We make nada cash.
Scott's right. It's no joke that journalists do it for love alone.
I left a job in the insurance industry last year making righteous bucks, as Spicoli would say. Took a 50% pay cut to do what I have always loved to do, should have been doing years ago.
The money sucks, the hours are pretty good (particularly for sports writers), and you get paid to watch baseball, football, basketball, and softball. (Unfortunately, the downside is covering golf and soccer, which truly taxes the creative soul...only so many ways to say "rifled a shot off the tee...ripped a monster hit onto the fairway...lipped the cup...)
My favorite part is this: In your town, I'm sure there are plenty of computer programmers. (I used to be one when I lived in Florida). There are lots of cops, a boxful of firemen, and more realtors than you could shake a Victor trap at.
But, at least in my town, there is only one sports writer, and I'm it. (Scott may not be able to share this claim, since he works at a REAL newspaper, the Statesboro Herald, but no matter where you live, you're in rarified air.)
If you can afford it, writing is a pretty sweet gig.
And occasionally, you even get to do some good for humanity and your community.
*Morris Workman
www.morrisworkman.com
workmanchronicles.blogspot.com
dvtsports.blogspot.com
I forgot to mention...I've read your blog. You have the goods as a writer.
I'd hate to see you waste your gifts on '=if([LastName]="Beauregard","Doofus",index([MoronNames],1,2)'
Funny what commands the big bucks, eh?
*Morris Workman
But admittedly, journalism DOES pay a little better than "Ninja."
*Morris Workman
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