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July 28, 2003Screw ItYes, I know a Southern Gentleman would not normally use that kind of language. Yes, I know it continues the trend of Adam acting out of character. I’ll allow myself the indiscretion. I’ve given a lot of thought to my decision to stop blogging. I’ve been the fortunate beneficiary of a great deal of advice on the decision. Simply, the support and response has been very humbling and flattering. It is truly an honor to know there as many people who support, read, and believe in me. There have been offers to guest blog, co-author new blogs, encouragement to start a new one, and support to continue this one. These messages in person, by phone, in a chatroom, in emails, and in the comments, have had their effect towards their intended response. I reverse my decision. Buck The F*ck Up! Cowboy Up! The blog goes on. I want to note that I have continued writing despite my earlier decision to pull the blog down. Maybe I needed to write for myself; perhaps it has become habit. Regardless of motivation, I enjoy writing and having been to that tree of fruit, I have not been able to leave it. My dilemma has been whether to let those words remain on paper or place it here for the entire world to see. My generous gentle readers and fellow bloggers tipped the scale. I hate to feel like the little boy who cried wolf, but I do to an extent. I hope y’all will forgive me. This being the case, staying true to the blogosphere code, I am happy to offer the appropriate credits to those who have convinced me to carry on— Yeti Jim: Unknowingly, Jim called as I had just decided that I would shut the blog down. For various reasons, I didn’t get to tell him that I was shutting it down. In the comments, he was the first to suggest an alternative platform with an anonymous pseudonym. He followed up with a phone call Saturday to encourage and persuade me not to stop blogging. Yeti names me as a long lost brother on his perma-roll; I return the compliment here. Rita: My first blogmudda and the mother figure for all the Arkanbloggers. Her comment personifies her status as a a blogmudda, “Young man, don't you dare quit.” Who can argue with that? Rita and Mike: The first bloggers I met in person. Finer folks you will have a hard time finding. As Mike has been swamped at work, they invited me to guest blog at Mike’s site. There are few better compliments than to be invited to guest blog. Thank you both for that honor. You will now find the Single Guy In The South both here and at The Blinding White Light. The ‘mdabloggers’ chatroom crue: Put twelve people together well after midnight with serious cases of sleep deprivation and/or martini inebriation after blogging or monitoring blogging for fifteen hours, and what do you get? An at times group therapy session, group gossip session, at times group rant, at times group silliness, at times a blog philosophy session, and overall, my second coming of age as a blogger. I’ll touch on each, the blogathoners first— Kevin: The single most patient guy I’ve ever known. When I moved to MT, he helped through despite me taking excruciatingly small baby steps in the process. Together, we discovered the new term “fuck bucket.” Michele: Still one of my favorite bloggers. Sunday a.m. was the first real interaction I’ve ever had with her. She’s another real blogger who has had her attacks and still has no fear laying it all out. (She called me a dork, too. I deserved it.) Meryl: A blogger who I was aware of and read on occasion. Meryl is a an excellent writer and long time veteran of the blogosphere, she’s going on the blogroll. Lair: One of the blogs I often visit and the one among us to fully bust a United States Senator out. He knows how to make a mean pretzel and has inspired me to figure out how to v-blog. He has joined my blogroll. The cheerleaders— Dean: Dean was the attending physician for my transition from the blogspot womb to my birth as a blogger with my own domain. As the chat session had tended towards a group therapy session, he was never without perfectly placed words of advice and encouragement. In three words, he captured what all others have advised—“Don’t Quit Blogging.” Thanks Dean. (besides I’d feel pretty crappy quitting after he took so much time to move me over…heh) Kate: The oh so venomous one. Kate and I have been blogging for about the same length of time and she has a much larger following than I do, elements of which were discussed that early mroning. A sweet lady with a soft heart, despite her electric venom. WindRider: The proprietor of Silent Running was also very supportive and offered gems of advice regarding to blog or not to blog. He has even gone so far as to offer to help me fix the last few things that I need to complete the transition from blogspot. I made a new friend. Jen, John , Susie, Starhawk, and Margi: New to me and now blogrolled by me. Those wee hours in the blogathon taught me a lot. I remain grateful that the grown-up bloggers invited me to take part. There have even been those who have blogged about my decision. Some with disappointment, some with advice, some with their own personal insights. They have played a role in my thinking as well. Rita: Yes, my blogmudda Rita again. Reading her post, I felt as if I had hurt my own mother’s feelings. Ouch. Dax: Dax weighed in and whether he intended to or not, he made me feel a hint of wimpy with the whole Dixie Chicks, Sarandon, and Robbins remark. Nope, Dax. I won’t be taking their route. Thanks to a fellow Southerner for checking in on me. Acidman: I had no clue the Acidman actually knew I exisited. He added a post and recounted a similar situation that he faced recently. Love him or hate him, I appreciate his counsel on this one. To quote the Acidman, “I'm not going to shut it down in a fit of existential angst. I went through that once, and I think it's over now. I am here to stay.” Julie: A blogger I hadn’t know of before who appears to be in a similar rural environment as I. She adds her thoughts on what it’s like to be known in a small town, and for anyone in such a position, it is good advice. However, Dax and Julie, don’t throw me on that old bone pile just yet. And last but not least, the readers who have emailed or commented. Holly: A fairly new friend in the blogosphere, but one who also lives in a small town in the South. She has been very supportive throughout and I look forward to the football flaming to come! Oh, and Holly, about that all expense paid trip to the Bahamas? Tam: An old blogging friend and fellow Arkanblogger. Thanks for caring sweetheart. Christy(1): A longtime blog pal, and all around great girl. I guess you knew me better than I knew myself on this call. Courtney: A fairly recent blogging pal and an incredibly cute and talented Texan. The Hogs are still going to beat the Horns, though! Kin: My first international blogging pal who made me step up and be real or admit to being all talk. Thanks friend, we’ll talk more about Jen, later. Christy(2): Christy, the groovy chick, another Arkanblogger and hailing from my old stomping grounds of Jonesboro. She offered advice from experience and support. I tell you, these Arkanbloggers look after their own! DaGoddess: One of the bloggers I’ve been a long-time fan of and respect a great deal. Her post from when I hosted the Carnival almost made me cry and that says a lot coming from me. She didn’t sugarcoat a thing, her point came across loud and clear. Dane: Another blogger, I had no idea even read me, sent a message even louder and clearer. He spoke the language of a Southerner and it’s hard to say no to that. I’ll be frequenting his blog now. Marci: Her sigh is enough to make any blogger feel butterflies in their stomach. Jen: I don’t know if she meant me, but there is one post that I hoped she did.
Kin's Kouch linked with The reports of his demise... Res Ipsa Loquitur linked with Look Who's Back Comments
oh, darnit. i have slacked in my reading, and also in commenting. i am entirely un-helpful. well, regardless, having toyed with the idea of quitting blogging myself, i decided not to, because it works for me. so if it works for you, keep it up. you can do with it whatever you want. it's you, it's yours. enjoy. Posted by: sassylittlepunkin at July 28, 2003 01:45 PMYEA!!!!!! I was missing my morning read on your site this morning! Bahamas???? I am working on it! ;) Posted by: h at July 28, 2003 02:14 PMWow, 3 links in the same post? Thankee kindly, sir! I'm downright embarrassed by your fulsome praise, but glad you decided to stick around. I'll get you all fixed up over at Mike's place right here directly. Ack! I go away on vacation for one day and you almost quit blogging! No! Don't stop! Posted by: anne_nyc at July 28, 2003 03:35 PMYou have just made my day!!! I can't tell you how awful it felt when I read the one post. I am very happy (the screaming kick up yo boots kind of happy lol) that you've decided to stay. The blogworld would NOT have been the same without you. One of these days I am going to meet you in person and give you a big ole hug!! You are the best. ((HUGS)) Posted by: Tam at July 28, 2003 05:52 PMGood on ya! It's a good day when ya can stand up and be yourself. Now, dazzle those small town gossips with story upon story and let 'em figger out the truth - if any. ; > Let the chips fall where they may... Posted by: Claire at July 28, 2003 09:24 PMglad you decided to stay!!! And thanks for your kind words...I will continue to read of YOUR exciting adventures lol Posted by: Christy (2) at July 28, 2003 09:24 PMYea!!!! Adam, I'm so glad you'll still be around!!! Thanks for your kind words. You're awesome!! Posted by: Christy (1) at July 28, 2003 11:25 PMPost a comment
 
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