4/11/06
Four years ago tonight, I decided to keep a blog for reals. I'd already put a few efforts forth, but they were desperate stabs in some very dark nights - this was to be different, a codified telling of my journey on Celexa, and perhaps I'd throw a few other heaping helpings of 100% grade-A bullshit in there as well.
Yep, it's my 4th blogiversary! Seriously, I was only going to do this for one year, which leads me to the next obvious question: why am I still talking?
Every year this blog gets a big shot in the arm - in 2002, it was my proposal to Tessa that got linked by the then-famous bloggers and started a steady stream of visitors besides just my Mom. In late 2003, I wrote the very silly blog about the anthropomorphic shapes of the United States (actually used it on the blog in 2004) that got Boingboinged. The next year was the Coastopia thing that I still get hate mail for, and last year, the countdown to Lucy's day of birth kept things at a brisk pace.
This year, the most "popular" entries are really just cantankerous fights (see last week for some doozies) that get so mean-spirited so quickly that my wife has stopped reading my blog altogether. I do blame myself for most of it - after, all, I'm introducing the subject matter, regardless of the rancor that inevitably follows.
But I am getting tired of it, and my unqualified rage, though inspiring to write, is the unicorn blood of a personal blog. It offers only a half-life, and I believe the vituperation of the comments section has scared off some old-timey friends who used to throw in their occasional bon mots.
I don't mean to come at this blogiversary as a downer, but I believe we are living in desperate times that nobody seems willing to address. There is absolutely no meeting place between two opposing sides of the political spectrum, and I'm as much to blame as anybody. For instance, if I say one thing about global warming, I get a rash of statistics from conservatives telling me why it doesn't exist, and it's just exhausting. For me, a 5% chance of global warming warrants a Manhattan Project of energy independence, but somehow these ideas just scare the shit out of certain people.
In essence, my views on anything political here have been rendered Absolutely No Fun™, which leaves two other big topics in my life: the entertainment industry (about which I could keep a HUGE BLOG full of GOSSIP and then LOSE ANY HOPE of WORKING IN HOLLYWOOD) and my family. There's only so many pictures of other people's children folks are willing to stomach, so I'm careful not to drown these pages with pictures of La Luz.
This puts me in a bind, of course, so I have to walk several edges: always write about myself without appearing self-involved; write about our various adventures without seeming like a band of bourgeois gadflies-about-the-country; discuss Philosophies of Life without stepping into the usual fetid political cow pies; and analyzing several hundred people from the past without them knowing that's what I'm doing.
Yeah, cry me a river. Must be tough, you poor blogging fool! Well, like I said, there is a certain honor in endurance. Four years and almost 1200 entries proves something, if only that I like to look at my own poopy.
As this blog goes into Year Five, I wanted to thank all you wonderful commenters out there for every time you've written - a figure that stands tonight at 10,554. You know who you are, and your four years of encouragement, light and community are the diesel fuel that keeps this blog warm.
And the few bad apples that have written comments that I've deleted, or harsh personal emails unfit for reprint, I have to thank you for giving a shit too. But here's the point: don't think I don't know what I look like. Never assume that I have no idea how I'm coming across. You may have your opinions, but I guarantee I had them about myself before you did. Just because I've given you 1200 glimpses into my life, don't think for a second you know me.
Anyway! Raise Hell This Summer!!! YAY AND SEE YA AT THE BEACH!!!! NO TENTH GRADE BIOLOGY!!!!!!
Happy blogiversary, Ian. I like looking at your poopy too! I'm so glad I found it. And I love that when I'm up late at night, my RSS feeds tell me that you are too, and I can read you before bed, before anyone else has commented. Nighty night.
Hi, Ian. You know, you could always close the comment section. That way, you can publish your thoughts without having to deal with any unpleasant aftermath. After all, this is your personal blog! We'd all still read (because your excellent writing is the appeal, after all). The fact that Tessa does not read your blog anymore is a damn shame. . .close the comments and Take Back Your Blog.
Happy anniversary, Ian - and thanks for being willing (as always) to express your opinion despite the potential critical dissent. Chhers!
Happy blogiversary!
I'd still read the blog without comments, for the same reason Laurie gives (been a reader since 2003). I realize that about 90% of my comments are opposite of Ian's politics, and I'm guilty of arguing that *man-made* global warming doesn't exist, as well as expressing other dissents, but not of attacking Ian with any vitriol. So I hope I haven't contributed to making this blog Absolutely No Fun™. If I am, let me know, Ian. I'll shut up. I'm not here to be a nuisance and would hate it if I caused you to give up blogging. I don't share the political views here, of course, but I sincerely like the people. I can't say that of any other liberal blog that I've found.
P.S. Happy blogiversary!
Happy Blogiversary!
Actually, Matt reminded me that I would kind of miss all of the other commentors. . . there are a lot of interesting, awesome folks who comment. I really like everyone! Which is more than I can saw for my co-workers with whom I spend each and every work day. Your commentors are the people with whom I would rather spend my work days, in an alternative universe.
But, this is your blog, man, and you do what you need to do!
Happy blogiversary! Thanks for the great writing which I know is why I keep coming back. It's also great to hear the thoughts of someone who sees the world from my perspective. I admit I feel weird sharing some of your thoughts after reading them ("Ian says..."). I mean, who the hell is "Ian"?? I speak of you as a friend to others and that's weird to me, but I plow on through because your thoughts are interesting and thought provoking. So - thanks odd friend! I hope you keep it up, but if not, it's been fun!
Out of curiosity, I used your archives and realized that my first comment to you and your blog was in December 2003. And, I have been blabbing ever since. And never once, NEVER ONCE, did you ask me to STFU! And, there were many times when you should have!
You are truly a class act, Ian. Happy blogiversary. I wish ONLY THE BEST for you and your family and friends.
Sometimes I wonder why you keep doing it too, Ian - but I'm glad you do. I mean, I love reading it, and reading the comments from such interesting people, but I've wondered if you consider it worth the grief. Four years of consistent blogging IS quite impressive.
I'd miss reading your entries every day, and the comments. You've accumulated this great cadre of interesting people over your years at UNC and elsewhere, and we get to enjoy their thoughts too, just a little bit. I read your comments in 13th Gen so many years ago and thought, "Wow - someone understands!", and the beauty of the internet is, you can actually communicate with people who, years ago, you never would have been able to have any sort of communication with. Your world is interesting to read about, whether it's about the arts, family, or poopy.
As for the two political sides not coming together - well, even if you can sway *some*, it might be worth it.
If you ever do get sick of keeping this blog, there might be alternatives to shutting it down completely: Writing once a week, maybe, and letting people comment throughout the week. Or having rotating guest commentators once a week (LFMD could talk about her lawyerly life). Or forcing people to register in order to comment. You've created a little community here.
To the commenters: Nice to know y'all (to the extent that reading cybercomments actually counts).
Oh, happy Passover and Easter. Gotta go cook up some sweet potato pancakes now so I don't gorge on chocolate macaroons tonight.
wow, it looks like Ian is trying to do some back peddling in today's blog
It has been a tough week for Ian, between the global-warming alarmists intimidating dissenting scientists into silence being reported about in the news and then the DNA tests came back in the Duke case and nobody is too surprised that the tests came back negative for a match.
a bad week for the NPR/DailyKos sheeple that still fall for the Tawana Brawley cases and that are trying to stand behind the global-warming hack scientists who are using mafia-tactics to shut up dissenting opinions from other scientists... I always thought the Left supported dissent, but apparently not
Ack! Don't stop blogging, Ian! You are part of my morning ritual. Diet Coke, xtcian.com, email, voicemail.
Happy blogiversary! I love coming here and reading the comments (and occasionally throwing in my two cents worth as well). I think we all learn from each other. Perhaps you can make some $$ at this like Heather does at dooce.com - we could endure some ads if it would help keep you going!!!
All I have to say is a reiteration of what people have said thus far: Happy blogiversary, Ian! I'm grateful every day that you do what you do and that I found it via Coastopia (serendipitously, I'm wearing my shirt even now). In conversations, I find myself prefacing a not insignificant number of comments with "This blog I read by Ian Williams . . ." (My husband knows it as simply "Ian's blog.") Last week's entries actually inspired a wonderful conversation with friends on Sunday: What can we do on an individual basis to bridge the gap? As well as a wonderful conversation with my father yesterday: Was it always thus? Each day's column and the ensuing discussions--even the vitriolic ones--always send me out thinking. Yesterday's lovely little rhapsody to April made me happy even before I went outside. Thank you for continuing to put yourself out there, Ian. Your community hopes you'll continue to do so, in whatever way you find workable.
p.s. Have you ever considered ads, a la Dooce, as one way to justify the blog?
Tanya: jinx! Two great minds. =)
Don't Go!!!! Like Beth and many others, I constantly reference this blog--to friends, students, my parents. . . I LOVE it here---ads would be fine, no comments would even be fine, just keep the writing. PLEASE!!! I look at evey day differently because of your POV.
hey, ian, just adding to the chorus, but i also share many of the ideas that sprout from your entires and the discussions that follow. i think stirring debate is one of the most patriotic, if i may wax a little purple, things that we can do. and you've done it stunningly and with humor and discipline. go, ian!!
i hope you'll keep up the great work, but i also would understand if/when you decide it time to put your blogging energy into something else. for now, happy blogiversary!!
p.s. jboogie, it seems to me that there's dissent all over this blog. if you were polite and resepctful of people who held views that differed from yours, like matt, then we'd have more patience with your presence. until then, enjoy your twisted view of the evil-doers! you serve as a valuable reminder of what is keeping this country down.
Ian, I'm glad I found your blog. (via the Coastopia buzz)
And you post about Ms. Lucy all you want!
Ian -- congratulations, I think. I've slung my share of vitriol here, hope none of it splashed on you.
J Boogie -- weak.
Happy Anniversary, Ian. I STILL like the idea of Coastopia very, very much. I am afraid, because I'm such a geek about it, that you'll have to include Disney World in that small clump of safe havens. After all, the Disney Company does support same-sex health coverage and benefits and was one of the first to do so.
I'm so glad you keep this blog, and keep it so regularly. The older I get, the more I wonder who's running things, because so many of the proper adults I meet seem so one-sided. But not you. You've got the wife, the kid, the politically correct automobile, the interesting job, the multiple residences, AND the opinions, the fun, and the perspective. Don't stop.
Ian, I can appreciate the mighty challenge of four years of consistent blogging. But you have to stick with it a bit longer; at least until you can spill the beans about your TV pilot project.
Happy B'versary, dudester!
This thing has been brightening up my day for a long time now.
Viva el xtcian.
I too disagree with Ian a good deal of the time. I enjoy his blog though. It's always good to read some opinions that point out another view, and as a fellow Tar Heel I know he must be a good guy. So happy blogiversary Ian, and keep serving up the grade-A bullshit.
Ian, I've read your blog pretty much every day since the start. Keep it up!
Without it, I wouldn't have gotten the immense pleasure of creeping out Tessa when I approached her at Shutters in Santa Monica and declared (in my best country accent) "I seen dat baby on the Internet." That, my friend, was priceless.
So keep up the writing, and keep the pictures coming. Four more years! Four more years!
to a job well done
4 more years! 4 more years!
i've only been reading it a short while, but i think it rocks. you are almost always totally on-point.
to me, reading the publishable writing-type entries alongside the more personal stuff is like having the dvd along with *extra* behind the scenes features.
but i hope you don't let it stifle your creativity and box you into certain topics, i think that sounds like death of a thousand pinpricks.
you can always change the format, do something fresh and different with it if you're feeling like it's due time. i mean, you could do an online or print zine for example. i'm still hoping for the graphic novel version, what are they calling them now, graphic journals? i think you can also format them so they are downloadable on a nano... in any case, do whatever keeps your creative flow happening and positivity in your life, that's my philosophy.
i'd definitely keep reading, comments or no comments. the blog has a solid place on my list.
in fact, i don't know if anyone's talked about it before, but i think it would be interesting to see what else all the other blog entourage folks are reading in addition to this site...
this is the list (in no particular order) of stuff i've either just read/about to read or regularly read, some are obscure, some are not, but overall i think you are in good company.
hipmama magazine
vice magazine
contract with god trilogy (eisner)
ready made magazine
league of extraordinary gentlemen (moore)
astro city (busiek)
the onion.com
a friend's new movie screenplay :)
elle magazine
the albourne village newsletter
lessons in taxidermy (lavender)
john mauldin's "outside the box"
xtcian.com
I don't care what you write about, really. I just enjoy that you do. You're smart, funny and thought-provoking.
Wait a minute . .. Why is jboogie still here? I thought he was ousted weeks ago. I've learned from parenting that even the very immature see right through empty threats. So, Ian say it like you mean it and at least put the little booger in timeout.
Happy anniversary. 4 years is an eon in the 'sphere.
B2
Happy Blogday! Thanks for the last 4 years. Catch a wave and you’re sitting on top of the world!
honestly, not much. not really a blog guy. I just found this website one day early last year, read the entire archive in a week, and immediately got hooked. I was so taken and captivated by this person's life and his willingness to just put it all out there. not in a disgusting, exploitative, self-promoting, reality TV way (DOWN WITH REALITY TELEVISON!!!), but in an honest, critical, classy, funny, interesting and extremely well-written manner. not only that, but I felt challenged to think harder and more critically than I had been in some time. especially regarding issues which were mostly just northeastern liberal bougie assumptions for me.
I also like interacting with people I would probably never meet in my everyday life. southerners, hip moms, tarheels, cool conservatives I both enjoy and generally disgaree with (shoutouts to matt and B2), the lunatic fringe (j. boogie), and to the people who came to live in new york city and are raising kids there: even though we're only 10-15 years apart, you guys are like my parents were, your kids will be like me -- hopefully a little smarter, a little more serious and respectful, and a little less obnoxious. I understand my parents that much more from all of you, and should I ever reproduce, have been registering all your musings on the subject.
as for what else I'm reading are any pilots and screenplays I can get my hands on, pilots and screenplays by my friends, and this amazing book called "ladies and gentlemen the bronx is burning", after which it's back to more philip roth. other than that, defamer.com, the village voice online, and hottesthollywoodassistants.com, which is really funny. (no, I'm not on there because I'm not an assistant. but it does provide a slight glimpse into my ridiculous world...)
I'm now 10 minutes late for a lunch, depending on the traffic. (see? there's another glimpse.)
just bookmarked you.
let's make a deal. i'll keep auditioning for crap, and you keep writing what you feel. you are a light.
Happy blogiversary, Ian. I really enjoy reading your posts every morning (except for some of the Duke stuff, which makes me wince). I hope someday to reconnect with Tessa and finally meet you and La Luz. Any chance you guys are planning to be in Wallingford in May for the Class of 86's 20th?
Cris
PARTY! Let's get so totally FUBAR and blogginated tonite to celebrate your successful term in orifice. To echo, I say down with blogus term limits; keep on laying down the law, even if you just give us a xerox picture of your ass (well you know what I mean) about which to comment. I"m personally thrilled that you hardly ever pass over or on an entry save well-deserved weekends off and the occasional dribble-drivel-shoot from the hip, but even then the commentary is usually enticing when I've got time to delve.
Here's a full circle list of what I've read lately:
xtcian
NY Times (free @ work to creative absconders)
lots of music and CD liner notes
David Sedaris
cereal box nutritional values
xtcianAnd in the spirit of outreach, humanity, and genteel southern hospitality in the pines, let me be the first to say unequivocally (and unofficially) on this bygones-be-bygones day of joy for Ian's blog-a-verse-ary, .. to all of his fans, both true new blue and blue and black (really bad, not fun pun), I mean baby blue and puke blew, scratch that, I mean Carolina Blue and Duke Boo, .. a warm and continued welcome to this online utopia, a true community of fellowship for one and all.
Bloggy happiversary, Ian. I have a cellar full of mots with your name on them. Ought to be bon for awhile.
happy blogiversary, ian. i first came here a year ago to see pictures of lucy and i just never left. in fact, you're my deliberate first stop every morning as I stroll through the feeds. your writing amazes me with great regularity and often makes me catch my breath. and your daughter is beyond precious. i'm even willing to slog thru the Duke stuff to be rewarded with everything else. i'd also venture a bet that most of your regular readers would be delighted to hear more lucy stories and see more pictures. don't worry, you're at no risk of becoming a "daddy blogger" (not that there's anything wrong with that...). plus, despite all the vituperation, you have the best commentership i've yet encountered in the blog world. i look forward to sifting through the comments almost as much as i look forward to reading your post.
anyway, thanks for keeping so many of us entertained, thinking and enlightened every day.
Have you ever considered writing this blog without your audience in mind? Maybe if you truly wrote it for yourself (or your wife or your daughter) you would not get the urge to make these repeated allusions to quiting. And maybe, you would lose the need for adoring fans to beg you to keep going.
Wow, hans! Thanks for making it all make sense! I would NEVER HAVE THOUGHT to look outside my own bloated sense of self-importance to heed your wisdom. Epiphany!
Hi Ian. I'm a fairly regular reader and Kmeelyon's roommate. If you're tired of doing the same old political stuff, maybe you should shake things up by writing an entry where you explain why liberals are wrong about X or why conservatives are right about Y.
The impetus for this suggestion? As I write, Kmeelyon is watching "Bowling for Columbine" with her mother, and Michael Moore is trying to connect the existence of the Lockheed Martin plant in Littleton, Colorado to Klebold and Harris' rampage. Now, liberal as I am, and I'm pretty freaking liberal, that strikes me as...unlikely. MM goes on to say that, when LM trucks its missiles to some silo, it does so at night, when the children of Littleton are asleep. Gee, that's odd, I thought. I would have supposed that LM would truck its missiles to their destination silos in the middle of the night not because that's when the children of Littleton are asleep, but rather because THAT'S WHEN ONE MOVES OVERSIZE ITEMS ON FREEWAYS. And if LM trucks its apparently shameful missiles to their silos at night, when the children of Littleton are asleep, then doesn't that reduce the possible connection between the existence of the LM plant and the psychopathy of Littleton's teens? So (again) liberal as I am, and (again) I'm pretty freaking liberal, nothing pisses me off like a liberal making a stupid argument. I guess I have high expectations. (Would that more conservatives get pissed off when conservatives make stupid arguments...)
In sum, Ian, you write well. Challenge yourself and surprise your audience. Tell us why the federal government shouldn't spend another dime on primary education, or why Democrats should root for the Supreme Court to overturn Roe, or whatever.