1. Give this editing thing a try. - If you're a reader of this blog you know that, too often to be honest, I'll post things on a whim and then go back and edit them for clarity. If you read my Houston 2015 Predictions Post earlier this morning go back and re-read it now. Typically, when I do this, it's only to clean up readability and what-not. If I make substantive changes I note them at the bottom of the post and try to use
In 2015 I resolve to try and edit things more tightly before I hit the publish button. As usual however, there's no money in this blog so you're really getting what you've paid for. If you find something egregious just leave a comment and I'll correct and give you credit. For your editing assistance you'll be paid exactly the same as I am for writing this blog. Go ahead and spend it all in one place.
2. Don't partyblog.....ever. I am not now, nor have I ever been a fan of partyblogging. The only thing worse is blockquote blogging.
In 2015 I resolve to try and never, ever write a post that is nothing more than a glorified press release for either a political party or political candidate. The one exemption to this is if I specifically note that I'm reprinting an e-mail or some other form of communication (with permission of course) that is a rebuttal from a politician to something I write.
3. More Video. - Because I think it provides a classy feel to the joint.
In 2015 I resolve to try and incorporate more video clips into my blog(s). Not only 3rd party (with proper attribution and within the bounds of fair use of course) but also, possibly, personally produced stuff as well. Don't worry though, I also resolve to make sure that I'm on this video as little as possible, if at all. I respect my remaining reader base after all.
4. Podcast, a lot. I am a big fan of what they are now calling "Internet Radio" which is really a live podcast which is then recorded and saved online in traditional podcast form. Given that this technology is many years old I think it's high-time I get off my tookas and bring things up to the 00's here.
In 2015 I resolve to incorporate a podcast into my blogging. Fair warning however, this will not be a politics only podcast and will probably run the gamut from Houston issues, to food, drink and sports, with a big nod toward my love of sports betting, poker, sports, Michigan football and travel.
5. Don't sell out. Don't ever sell out. For almost 10 years now I've been blogging/livejournaling on various platforms and various blogs. I've, for the most part, kept this blog as an independent voice.
In 2015 I resolve to do everything that I can to not allow myself to be infected by the fatuous optimism that uncritical thinkers possess. The question is not, nor has it ever been, whether the glass is half full or empty. The question has always been "Who in the blue hell has been drinking my beer?" Some people think that this means I have a sad life, or that I'm perpetually angry. Those who know me understand that this is the far from the truth.
The fact is that I find humor and heart in #BadPolitics, #BadSports, #BadBusiness and especially #BadMedia. While I want everyone of these entities to just get better I also understand that it's easier to sit down and write about the bad while ignoring the good. I hope that I will never stop giving my ideological opposites credit when they strike upon something that is right, nor will I ever stop criticizing when my ideological fellow-travelers do something wrong. As always, if you don't like this blog I encourage you to go find another in which you do. Or, even better, go start your own local politics blog and get your well-reasoned, logically flawless point of view out in the open. The more attention paid to State/Local issues the better.
6. Drink more (with y'all). In my early years of blogging there were blog meet-ups on a fairly regular basis. These were fun, bipartisan affairs that usually ended with all of Houston's problems solved on the back of a cocktail napkin that inevitably had beer or wine spilled on it and was thrown away. That said, it was great meeting the people and putting names with faces.
Unfortunately, none of it stuck. As blogging became more party-centric and more "official" certain bloggers decided that the free exchange of ideas was less important than talking and meeting with the other side over oat-sodas. While I think the true bi-partisan blog meet-ups are a thing of the past (too many members of the InterLeft are bitter, partisan hacks who refuse to meet with the bitter, partisan hacks on the right) I do think there's still a chance to return to the social atmosphere that made blogging more fun.
In 2015 I resolve to establish and host blog meet-ups on a regular basis. While it's true that, in the beginning, these meetings might be nothing more than me sitting at a bar, watching sports and drinking a beer, I'd like to think that, eventually, one or two people will show up and the beginnings of a local blogging discussion group can begin to form. I'll make my first announcement some time in early January, at an as yet to be determined bar on the West side of Houston. I've got some early candidates in mind.
And Finally......
7. Free the comments! I admit, in 2013-2014 I've taken a negative view on comments. If you read the comments section almost anywhere you can see why.
In 2015 I resolve to restore my comments to a more open status to try and foster communication across the blogosphere rather than to maintain this closed system. Ironically, as I shut things down my readership numbers have gone up so I'm not sure how long this is going to last. I sure want to give it an honest 2-3 month effort however and see where we stand. Maybe there's hope for comment sections, maybe not. I don't think that this little blog will be the ultimate arbiter of that argument but I would like to do my part.
I truly hope that everyone is not too hung over this morning and that you all have a wonderful and prosperous New Year and that the good far outweighs the bad for the remainder of 2015.
