(Note: Anytime you see a word or phrase in my blog that is underlined and in a different color, that is a link to a web site to coincides with what is underlined.)
I've been a writer since I first learned to write. It was always very important to me as a small child to not only write neatly, but to write well. I wrote stories, poems, plays, radio shows, essays, letters and even started a few books by the time I was 8 years old. Through out my life, I took a liking to my other creative talents like music, acting, dance and photography. No matter how much I excelled in those other areas, it always came back to writing. As much as I love graphic design, photography and even painting on occasion, the only way I have ever found to truly express myself is as a writer. It's who I am. I am a writer.
Long before I started my blog, I was writing blogs. I had always wanted my own newspaper or magazine column. As a matter of fact, I would still love one. So before I knew what blogs were, I was writing my column and sending them out via email. I was most well known for my end of year emails, or even ones I sent out around my birthday or Christmas. In January 2006, my friend and fellow writer, Rick Andreoli, suggested I start my own blog. I was already a fan of his blog Mondo Ricko. On January 17th in 2006, I started my blog and on the 18th, I published my first blog, "Goofy F*cked Me and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt!" It was a story about the night I had some members of the touring cast of "Sesame Street Live" over to my house for a party. It's quite a funny story and true through and through. It was that post, my first post, that made me realize I had finally found the right outlet for me as a writer. And the best part is that all of my postings will remain on the blog in order of when they were posted.
For the past three years, I've used my blog to basically chronicle the human condition. Mine, others, the world's, etc. I try not to get up on a soapbox too often, but when I do, I make sure you know it by posting a picture of a soapbox at the top of the post. I've gone into detail about the struggles I've had with my family over the years. I written about my feelings about the world, my community and even pop culture. I've even published stories about my time in the Army and Desert Storm. I take public figures to task at times I feel they deserve it. From Larry Craig to proclaiming "I'm Not Gay!" to Annie Proulx for her being a sore loser when the movie based on her short story didn't win the Oscar. I talk a lot about music and even help promote my favorite local bands and musicians. I have even sought out various actors and musicians that I admire and interviewed them on my blog such as the openly gay rap artist Cazwell to the actor who played Lt. "Godfather" in the HBO miniseries "Generation Kill," Chance Kelly. I think the most important thing I've ever written about is the death of my mother. She passed away last August. It was the most amazingly beautiful and heart breaking experience of my entire life. It changed me in a way I never knew possible. It also inspired some of the best pieces I've ever written.
Here we are in February 2009. I'm nominated for a Best of Portland Award for Best Blog for the third time in a row. I would really like to win this year. Not because I want to see my name in the paper or because I think I'm that popular. It's because I know I deserve it. The first year I won the award the editor of the Phoenix said, "His is what a blog should be." I pour my heart and soul into my blog. I am brutally honest and not afraid to admit when I am wrong or not living up to my own potential. I don't think I would have survived 2008 without this outlet. I am appreciative to have it and even more appreciative of YOU the people who read it. Who knows? Maybe some day I will get a publishing deal or be offered my own column, but until then I'll be happy to keep writing my blog.
Thank you to Rick for getting me started, hoping I'll finally meet you and Steve this Spring when I make my jaunt out to LA. Thank you to Russ and all my friends here in Portland who have been so supportive of me in all my creative endeavors. And most of all, thank you to all of you who take time out of your busy day and lives that deserve your attention to read my blog. If you feel so inclined, please for vote me at http://thephoenix.com/theBest/Portland/Vote/ in the City Life section. It would be great to win. It would be a great way to honor my mother one more time. We had a difficult relationship, but she was always supportive of me as a writer. If you feel so inclined, send a link of my blog to friends and have them vote as well. You don't have to live in Portland to vote.
Thank you for reading. I hope that you're surviving winter. Just remember the March comes in like a lion and out like lamb. Bring it on....
