Last Day

I want to write today about how blogging the Summer of Jay 4 met, or was different from my expectations.
I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to set up a blog, even for a technophobe like me. Blogspot = Google, and making things easy is why Google has all the money.
When I use technology, I usually just figure out what I need to know for that one day or single use. That is why I never changed the profile pictures on the right hand side of the blog, why I did not update my profile, or add links to the blog. I don't think it would have been that hard, but I wasn't willing to embrace the technology that much. So the blog was not all that it could have been. I also thought I would work more to steer people I don't already know to check out my blog. I would have done this using things like the Runners World website, where I read a bunch in the forums, and people can post their blog addresses. I learned pretty early this summer that I did not want to spend that much time chasing readers, so I still just lurk on the forums, and don't post there very often. I did get at least one crossover reader, which I thought was very cool.

When I started to think about blogging, the presidential primaries were in full swing. I thought I would write more about politics than I ended up doing. As the summer started, the nominating process was wrapping up, and material to write about dried up like my water-starved front yard. Most of the people reading this are pretty politically astute, so adding my voice to the summer chatter did not seem like the thing to do. I also find that when writing about serious topics, I start to choose my words extra carefully. The results are less entertaining to read, and take too long to produce. That's a combination that doesn't work for anyone.

I also thought that I would write more about running, because it is such a fascinating topic. Before my 18 week marathon prep began, there was not much to write about, and now that the training is about to get "interesting," the blog is winding down. I think that the times that I ran with the camera, and people could see what part of my run looked like, it made the blog better. Pictures make any blog more fun to read, I think. Carrie, thanks for the camera!

Before the blog, I did not think very highly of my own writing. Many of you reading are smarter, funnier, and better writers than I am. Still, I wanted to give this a shot. I have to say that I have been happy with the results. It may have been mostly lunch and band reviews, but I felt like most of the posts were worth reading, even if you live far away, and cannot make it to Gene's or Las Manitas, or see an in-store.

Comments are like crack, for this blogger, at least. I cannot tell you enough how much I appreciate those who have let me know that you read regularly, or even once in a while. I put many hours into this, and it helps to know that a few people view it as worthy of their time. So thanks for your involvement in this self-indulgent process.

I may still write a little once I go back to school. I just don't know if I'll have time. Tara has said that she wants to get a "blog alert" e-mail when I have a new post. If any of you want to "opt in" to this system, notify me, and I will let you know when I write something new. Otherwise, you are hereby released from your duties as readers.

Housekeeping:
Top 3 Margaritas
In no particular order:
Manuel's
Fonda San Miguel
Z'Tejas
Trudy's
Yes, I know that is four, but it's MY blog dammit.

The gyros at the new Greek place on Guadalupe, across from the Wheatsville
Co-op are really good.

Go Red Sox.

Peace,

js4