August 2006 Archives

Yesterday’s post was a hot mess of incoherent ranting high on emotion and low on actual information, I know. Today I’ll point to some people who might be a little more eloquent in their outrage.

Yes, many news outlets have reported today on the one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and most seem to insinuate that more progress should have been made. It’s particularly hurtful when most of that onus for progress is placed upon the shoulders of the evacuees, people who didn’t have much in the first place and who now have less than nothing. Even if our government were to expedite the recovery of the affected Gulf Coast areas - and ESPECIALLY New Orleans, one of the largest ports in the world, it would still take many years to aid a major city that has sustained 80% damage.

Introduction to Polls
One of the reasons I’m blogging again is that it’s so easy to chat with friends around the table about the issues that affect our lives and our world. Polling for your opinion on some of these issues is an extension of that. Start out with this: a poll about polls. Because even though we get stats thrown at us in news as if it’s the Bible, when’s the last time that you or anyone you know participated in a public opinion poll? Over here, polling is unscientific and anonymous. It’s your vote that counts more than anything else.

Cecily Switchs to Photoblogging
She’s focusing on her beautiful photography now.

“I Am Gay”
The New York State Black Gay Network’s impressive campaign for Black gay men’s lives against homophobia in Black communities. It’s chock full of friendly faces like Charly (who I owe several calls, I know), Durrell over at GMHC and Baron. And I’m sure Kenyon had more than a little to do with this.

Jim Crow and “No Fats, No Fems”
Kevin Bynes compares Jim Crow segregation to “no fats, no fems” ideology and an interesting discussion ensues.

Blogging well is really hard work. I define ‘blogging well’ as consistently writing with personal style, intelligence, honesty and wit while also being focused and succinct. And engaging readers, encouraging them to engage each other, and pointing them all to the good shit. And, try as I might to resist the draw of the popularity game, blogging is public expression. The moment you publish that post is exactly the moment you say to the world “Hey everybody, come and read what I wrote! And leave a comment!” Yes, to the whole wide world.

So, for the most part, my blogging hasn’t lived up to my definition of ‘blogging well’ and I apologize. I usually focus on trying some bleeding-edge coding that I’ll spend a lot of time developing to accommodate some difficult design choices, but who really cares about that? It’s time to work on giving y’all what you want, if I can. Stay tuned …

Deep Woods Off: apply to
repel gnats, bees, mosquitoes
and helicopters.