Expanded Blogging

Within weeks of my impending retirement I began thinking about the first thing I wanted to do when I was no longer tethered to a job. I wanted to do something with my free time which more than quadrupled when I became unemployed.

After deliberating for a bit, I decided I wanted to start a blog. The purpose of the blog was solely for me to learn how to write creatively. While I still feel I haven't achieved that goal, I feel it would be safe to say that I'm making progress.

The blog was never meant to be read by other people and it's purpose was simply a playground for me to write things down and try to make it interesting in case one day I decided I wanted a few friends to critique my entries.

I started my blog and made my first entry on December 26th, 2008. A little over 8 months later I've managed to write more entries than I ever imagined I would. Why? Because I did what I said I was going to do. Once I had a few entries under my belt I asked 2 friends to read what I had written and looked for constructive criticism. Not only did they offer their opinions but they thought the entries were of "pro" caliber.

I scoffed because I thought they were simply appeasing me. I continued to make entries but the blog morphed into personal stories rather than updates for my friends back in California. The feedback continued to be positive but being the perfectionist I am, I still felt I had a long way to go to make things interesting.

Awhile later I decided I would dip my toes into FaceBook. It turned out that I've reconnected with so many friends that I felt FB was a great decision and spend a great deal of my time there each day.

After I had more posts added to the blog, I went out on a limb and decided to put the link in my profile. It was at that point that word spread quickly the blog was definitely worth reading. I got more and more positive feedback that embarrassed me more than it encouraged me. But I continued to write due to the outpouring of support my friends gave me.

I remain very critical of my writing and still get embarrassed but I'm still encouraged after every post I add. Some are winners, some are losers but several more people said I should write professionally. I'm just not good enough for that. As entertaining as the posts are to my friends, I'm afraid that strangers may not find it so entertaining.

Lately I've had a lot to say but none of what's on my mind really fits this blog's format. I don't want to use this place as a pulpit for opinions on people, current events, new items or anything of the sort.

I want this blog to remain fun. It's where I cut my teeth and I want to continue to learn to write creatively. I've received nothing but wonderful feedback from my FaceBook friends and you guys have no idea how good that makes me feel. It encourages me to continue writing during a time where I thought I might hang it up for awhile. It's not that I want to stop but I seem to have dried up creatively.

Those of you who write realize it's an art. And artists require inspiration. I'll know when the time is right to continue but other things are consuming my mind right now. One example is the small Beatles CD review I posted this morning. It doesn't really fit the format of this blog and neither do the other things I think about from time to time.

So to preserve the overall feel of this blog I've decided to start another one. A new one. A place where I can throw my opinions on the wall in a somewhat reckless format. The new blog is in addition to this one. I will continue to keep this blog light and hopefully entertaining.

The new blog is going to be the antithesis of this one. I'm sure I will still put my writing style into my opinions as that's just my personality but the topics will cover every facet of life. In fact, one of the first posts is the short review I did on the new Beatle's CDs. But trust me. I have a LOT to say on a lot of issues.

Now comes the kicker. The blog is locked. It has come to my attention that things have been stolen off this blog, even though I'm protected by copyright laws. What's funny is my own content was used against me, unsuccessfully I might add, and it didn't get the response it wanted.

In fact, the person who contacted me and I had a good chuckle about it and they even complimented me on my entries. Funny how things didn't work out for it.

So to protect my content, my opinions and the right to remain uncensored I have chosen to lock the new blog and make it available to people who choose to respond and respect what I have to say in an intelligent manner. I don't mind debate or criticism but dragging a third party into a blog entry is just idiotic. We can have fun, debate as adults and like the television, if you don't like it: turn it off.

All you need to do is email me privately and I will send you an invitation. It's easy and it's simple. Yeah, it's an extra step but it allows me no-holds barred opportunities to express myself on issues that don't fit here.

Write me at spacenacho@gmail.com for the invitation. Be sure to give me the email address you want the invite sent to. Some people use different addresses for different things.

I hope it's as interesting as this one. But one never knows what or who will show up over there. Again, it's really just a place for me just to brain dump random thoughts. Some days it will be a one liner. Other days it will be a novel. One thing's for sure, nothing is off limits there. Here, I try and make the subject matter appeal to the masses as a lot of people have grown to love this blog, which is humbling and flattering. But the new blog isn't going to be all warm and fuzzy.

And because what I write is my own opinion in my own words, you'll be seeing a LOT of this:

© R. Cottingham, 2009.

It's sad to have to do crap like that but since one idiot tried to make me eat my own blog, I'm left with no choice but to protect that site from some of the things that will be said.

Anyway, sorry for a buzzkill post in the middle of a light hearted blog. I look forward to the fun I'll have on the other one and hopefully you will too.