Despite being offline for the better part of two weeks with nothing but a spattering of posts here and there, August was the best month I've had since I started bloggin September 4th, 2002. The overwhelming majority of visits are from Google searches for things like live action evangelion, flcl cartoon network, msra infection, definition of the american dream, VW recall, and Browning Hi Power.
I believe the 7-12 "regular" readers were mostly missing because of my absence. It's now my duty to rebuild that base...however, I'm changing my blog's focus.
To the extent that it even had one, it will now turn towards the political climate and events in Austin, TX, the state of Texas overall, and things our "representatives" both in and outside the state are doing to us and for us. The emphasis will be the impact political events will or may have on individual liberty and it's corollaries (free enterprise and markets, personal responsibility, and the persuit of happiness). I've been thinking about this for some time, but haven't built up the motivation to go through with it, mostly because I'm lazy and cherry-picking news items from around the country and globe may be good for quick outbursts and chuckles...however, they don't do much for me on a deeper level.
Besides, it would be nice to run across an Austin collectivist who searched for something of mine and felt the need to vent about it in my face.
I'd like to "connect" more with my readers like that. :)
Anyways, this is my full announcement that I'm back.
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I'm not sure whether to say welcome or good bye. As one of your half dozen or so regular readers, I read your blog mostly for your Austin, Texas perspective. (I'm from Texas, and spent some formulative years in Austin.) So you make me happy when you say you're going to focus on local and state issues.
From my observation, you're a Right-leaning libertarian who probably votes Republican more often than Democrat, but without a lot of identity for either the political party or its leaders most of the time in most ways. I'm a Left-leaning libertarian who votes Democrat more often than Republican because they're less likely to put me in a camp somewheres, and I despise the leaders of both parties equally.
So how close are we and how far apart? I believe that government should not do for people what they can and should do for themselves and it should whatever that is as economically as possible, but I have a strong, Texas populist streak which is completely cynical about the levelness of the playing field when it comes to rich vs. poor, corporation vs. individual, or state vs. individual. You can see why I think your point of view is interesting.
Do you think you'll keep the name or allow it to evolve to more reflect your new focus?
Anyway, looking forward to your observations.
rlbtzero
Posted by: Ray on September 2, 2003 10:25 PMI think "tag along for the ride" might be more appropriate. :)
For too long I've neglected what I originally set out to do: apply my political and social philosophies (as evolving as they are) to the events and people in Austin and the world around me. I have to say that I occupy a minority voice coming from this part of Texas and I had wanted to really expand that voice...but so far have limited it to the smoking ordinance and a few minor things. State-wide is different, but even then the approach has been the same as mine with national and international issues: read something, get all angry, and whip out a quick post. The focus isn't there.
As to how far apart we are politically, I doubt we'd come to blows over an issue. If I had the time, it would be fun to apply the first part of your beliefs to the second and see what comes of it. But in the end, we probably agree more often than not. Interestingly, the most prolific commenters in this blog's earlier days were dissenting voices (such as "LC," a guy I know from Animeboards.com). I'd like to get more of that negative constructive feedback, and I'd really like it to be local-oriented.
The name stays. It's just too unique to give up. :) However, there may be some minor subtitle/graphic tweaks down the road.
Posted by: Drizz on September 2, 2003 10:48 PMi dee here oooo
Posted by: Dr. white mugu on December 5, 2003 04:12 AM