RAISE YOUR GLASS

Why do we read fiction? The answer is simple. We read it because fiction, as an image of life, stimulates and gratifies our interest in life.
—Robert Penn Warren

Why do I write nonfiction? To deaden that sense.
—JR’s Thumbprints

I have one small announcement to make. Nothing as grandiose as the belated toast I gave in a crowded church hall, a toast to my brother and his wife, where I said, “For those of you who did not attend their wedding, don’t feel bad—neither did I.” I’ve never been one to make excuses or vague references to anything unusual I did or did not do. What I have to say really isn’t that big of a deal at all, so I’ll just come right out and say it, “This is my 200th post.” I’ve been blogging now for 8 months straight, which is not that long of a time. More like the tail end of a sentence. Shit, I know inmates that can do eight months standing on their heads.

A few weeks back I clipped a blurb out of the Detroit Free Press’s Asked and Answered Section. The question: Just how many blogs are there? According to Technorati, the blogosphere doubles every 6½ months, or 175,000 new blogs each day, or 2 new blogs per second. The 50 millionth blog allegedly came into existence on July 31,2006. The Freep quotes David Weinberger, a new-media advocate, “On the Web, everyone will be famous to 15 people.”

I’m a firm believer on setting time limits on anything I do. My blogging days, like so many other fellow bloggers, will eventually come to an end. Andy Warhol was absolutely correct, “Everyone will have their fifteen minutes of fame.” I’m not sure whether I’ve had mine or not, but I do know this—my uncertainty keeps me going.