You might have noticed that there hasn't been much to notice here lately. I was blessed and cursed with a bleeding heart. I'm the type of blogger who finds it very difficult to manufacture posts that aren't born out of inspiration. When I'm good, I'm good, but when I'm not, I'm no where to be found.
For those of you hanging around the Michigan Lefty blogosphere as of late, there's been a lot of drama, ridiculousness, and all-around b.s. Not one to need any additional drama in my life, I stayed out of it. I had the excuse of settling into a new job and the continual job of dealing with my health. The few times when all the drama grew to a particularly egregious level and I attempted to broker peace, I only got burned in the process, so I strayed even farther away. In the process I learned a couple new life lessons for which I'm grateful but could have done without the accompanying mess. The whole episode left me burned out, uninspired, and I really wasn't able to blog. For me, blogging has always been from the heart and something that brought me joy, and while I could have thrown just anything up, that's not who I am, so I refrained.
To be honest, the whole process of live-blogging from the State House back in September/October left me quite burned out. I joke that it is 8 days or so of my life I'll never get back. The truth is the entire thing was an incredible lesson in politicking. To be embedded there, with a front seat ticket to it all, well, that is something that no amount of money can ever buy. I feel incredibly blessed to have been part of it. I'm also honored to have been the first blogger credentialed in the State Capitol.
While I was there I also was battling a huge kidney stone, something that I'm pleased to report has shrunken in size and in the amount of pain it causes thanks to a procedure, but now has been joined by a fellow stone, so it continues to keeps life interesting, which I have also learned to expect nothing but.
Since the Budget Crisis, I've started a new job and gained a new realization. I love my job. Honestly, how many people can say they truly love their job? I also realize I'm part of a very small part of the world that can say that, so not a day goes by that I'm not thankful for the opportunity to continue doing what I love but to also be making a difference while I do it.
With cautious optimism that I hope to say I'm back, and mean it. Perhaps the blogosphere is going through it's petulant adolescent stage, something that I remember going through myself and still amazed that my parents didn't disown me. I believe the concept is called Tough Love. Part of me misses the blogosphere of '06, before the drama, before the b.s., when we were a tight-knit small group of seemingly self-described revolutionaries. Of course, I think about how far it's all come, how many more people are engaged, how practically the entire political landscape of the state has been changed in some way or another by the Internet and I stare in awe. Hopefully we're past these annoying growing pains and on to our next incredible victory. And with that, I'm looking forward to getting back to the clickety-clack of this old keyboard, the worn leather of this old chair, and the experience that is progressive online politics in Michigan.
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4 comments:
Hey LL. Back in action eh? I'm kinda burned out on the whole deal myself. Switched over to bfm for awhile. There probably wouldn't be drama if certain people didn't try to create it. Lisa and CB have something in the works we would like to talk to you about. Give us a ring sometime.
Growing pains is the way I view all the problems between blogs. Over the past couple of years, the number of Michigan blogs has increased. I see that as a good thing, but some blogs may be feeling threatened and a little jealous, which could account for some of the silliness and drama lately.
I say there is room for all of us and we should all work together as progressives for a common cause. After all, look how well that cohesiveness has worked for the Republicans these past 20 years!
Hi LL,
Welcome back. I'm so glad you are back, I really enjoy reading your insights. Also, I really appreciate the live-blogging that you and others have done at the Capitol.
Say, do you ever do any speaking at county democratic meetings? I am now getting involved in the Clinton County Democrats. I told them about the political blog landscape, etc. The group is wondering if you would consider speaking at our March meeting? We meet on the second Tuesday of every month.
I don't really want to put my personal email in this comment, but I think you have my personal email, don't you?
Rosemary F.
P.S. Congratulations on the new job, it sounds great. I'll start looking at that website, too.
Well I am glad you're back. The primary has been rough everywhere--especially here in Maryland where the Governor totally embarrassed himself by endorsing Hillary while 60% of the state voted for Obama. What was really hilarious was seeing Attorney General Doug Gansler (D-Montgomery County/future Governor aspirant) introducing Obama in front of 20,000 people.
Well this little feud made its way to the Maryland blogosphere too. The blogs which are loyal to the Governor are feuding with the ones who don't particularly mind the Governor, but backed Obama. It's kind of funny and really just part of the process.
As for writing, there are two ways to look at it. Some only write when they have something good to say. These are usually pretty smart people. Others write every day, believing that writing is a discipline and eventually they'll have something useful to say. Nothing wrong with either approach. I subscribe to the latter one, as I believe writing is a discipline, not a talent. But that's just my point of view.
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