Sometimes I like to revisit old posts and see how they have held up. I wrote The Blogger I Want To Be in November of 2006. I can’t say that I always remember writing each post but in this case I do. I had just finished speaking with someone who was very important to me. We had been speaking about the future and it made me think about what I wanted from blogging.
The Blogger I Want To Be. I like the sound of that, kind of reminds me of the old standby essay that teachers made us write: What I did on my Summer Vacation.
I like it because I love summer. It is my favorite time of years. I love going to the beach and camping trips. I love leaving town and doing a little globe trotting. Summer reminds me of hot dogs and barbecues, summer loves (ok, all you Danny Zuko and Sandy wannabees you can stop humming ‘Summer Nights.’) and just endless possibilities.
Endless possibilities, that is what the beginning of every summer felt like to me. Who knew how many cool adventures lay ahead of me. I never did, but I always looked forward to them.
The Blogger I Want To Be knows how to tell a good yarn. He can take those endless Summer nights and compose a tale that is too compelling to skim. He can come up with tremendous insight into the human psyche and what our roles are in the world.
The Blogger I Want To Be can write about politics and history. He is erudite, refined and witty and he does it all without coming off as being stuffy. People seek him out because it feels good to be near and to share in his community. He is not arrogant nor pretentious although his detractors wish that he were.
The Blogger I Want To Be is not just a myth or even a mister. The Blogger I Want To Be is a goal that I set for myself. I don’t know if I will ever be that guy. In part because I am very much human and subject to all of the failings and frailties of humanity.
But without The Blogger I Want To Be as a goal I am not sure if this blog would worth visiting. Goals are important. They help to keep us motivated so that we always try to do our best. Why work if you are going to give a subpar performance. If you are going to do it you might as well do it well.
I’d write more but I hear the roar of the ocean in the background and I desperately need to feel some sand between my toes. I think that I am going to go commune with the sea for a while. I’ll catch up with you all later
ChopperPapa says
I want to start conversations and ask readers to look at life a little differently. If I can do that then I’ve been successful.
Jack says
I love the conversational aspect of blogging. It makes all the difference.
Aidan Donnelley Rowley says
Endless possibilities. Yes. That’s what blogging is all about, huh?
Jack says
Blogging is most definitely a chance to explore that which lies beneath the surface.
Ginger says
I really enjoyed reading this and think it’s a great idea. I’ve thought about this of course, but never actually written it down or blogged about it. Maybe I will.
Jack says
It is just something that was kind of fun to think about. I never cease to learn things about myself this way.