The Future

This may seem really abrupt, but I've been giving serious thought to winding down this blog. This was never supposed to be permanent, but I've begun to realize that it's been taking me away from getting other things done.

I've been blogging on and off since I was 19. Back then, it was a great outlet to channel my angst. Blogging was also relatively new, so I felt privileged to have an outlet to share my "discoveries" with others. Now that I'm older, I realize that everything is relative and sharing your life on the internet isn't particularly unique. Blogging has evolved considerably since then as well. In order to have a truly successful blog, you have to be willing to build a community, which right now I don't have too much interest in. According to my Google Analytics, I get 5-10 visitors a day. Not bad, but not enough to really keep doing this, either.

When I started posting videos to YouTube and re-started blogging two years ago, the whole point was to get noticed. I believe I have accomplished that goal, and then some. I have a more discernable focus now, and want to continue building on it by writing and make movies.

As I said earlier, I really want to work on other things now, and the time I spend blogging every day takes time away from working on other projects. I may not leave right now, but I may end this soon. I'm planning on continuing to contribute to The Film Panel Notetaker and I may even launch a new blog about writing eventually, but I don't think I want to do any more personal blogging in the immediate future.

Full Speed Ahead

Next weekend (April 3rd & 4th), I will be going to Binghamton to tape new interviews for the DVD. Right now, I am in the process of making the final arrangements for the interviews. I have two set in place for April 4th, but I keep getting the runaround from the mayor's office.

Not that it should even be on my mind right now, but I've been giving some thought to my book, too. I realize why it's been difficult for me to write the book, even if I continue to hold interest in it. If I'm going to write a book--any kind of book--I want to write the book in a way that's appealing to a reader with general interest in the subject. I want the reader to get the feeling that they couldn't help but pull it off the shelf when they saw it. Should I ever find the time and resources to write this book, the challenge in creating and writing this book will be in organizing and presenting the material and subject matter in a way people want to read.

Due to resources (or lack thereof), however, I may try it as a blog first. Today I ordered WordPress For Dummies along with a book written by my new documentary subject, and a book called From IX To V from Amazon.com. I will read the first book, then decide if it's worth my time.

Taking A Cue

Last week, I tried to write an essay on a topic that I've been researching for a year and a half. I wrote the first part Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday...that was fine. Over the weekend, I tried to write the second half, and any energy and enthusiasm I had for it fizzled out. It just...died.

Also over the weekend, I found the hard drive that has most of Are You From Bingo? on it. It's been MIA since summer. I'm taking both of these things as a sign that I really should focus on the DVD. I'm hoping to contact the interviewees for the new interviews either this week or next, and let them know I'm doing this.

I might also have an interview with Binghamton University's newspaper, Pipe Dream. Which would be good, because I'm hoping to hire BU kids for crew, so that would be good to get the word out.