Reaching the Point
I’m sure quite a few of my readers have noticed I haven’t been updating as much here as I used to, and i figured you’re owed an explanation.
Primarily, work has been REALLY busy. I’m a grant writer working in one of the worst funding climates I’ve ever experienced. So I’ve been really busy looking for grant opportunities, and kind of overwhelmed at work. So that’s part of it.
Also, I’ve been working on a custody agreement for Sam, which has sent me on a few trips to Montreal. I can’t really write too much about that process because its ongoing. We’ve got a basic document, but until it’s been finalized and registered with both legal systems, I’ve gotta stay mum.
One factor that’s played a role in the decreased blogging is that I signed up with facebook. The way that application monopolizes time took me by surprise, and it has had a REALLY serious negative impact on my daily writing. I’m currently debating whether to delete my profile or not: it’s been useful for reconnecting with people, staying in touch, and keeping up to date with music stuff, but it’s thrown a big ol’ wrench into my productivity.
Another factor has been my gig at the Philly Weekly (by the way, a new article is up today, and I hope you’ll visit and leave a comment or two), which is kind of like having a homework assignment due every Thursday/Friday. My buddy at the Daily News was right when he said its harder than it looks. Writing something that’s supposed to be fresh when it’s published a weekend after it’s produced is quite a challenge.
But what’s really put the kibosh on writing has been that I’ve reached the point where it’s hard to care. I’m not the only one: my friend Ryan sent me an email last week apologizing for being out of touch, and explaining that he hasn’t been on line because he’s pissed off about the state of our politics. Ain’t THAT the truth? I mean, does it really matter who Pennsylvania Democrats choose to represent them when the only reason they’re voting is to prevent Pat Toomey from achieving a de facto lifetime appointment to the Senate? Either way, we’re electing a Democrat who is far less than progressive by any measure, a choice a career military man who’s fine with letting people have abortions or be gay but who doesn’t believe in the 4th Amendment, or a career politician man who’s fine with letting people have abortions or be gay but who doesn’t believe in the 4th Amendment.
I’m not interested in writing about the adventures and career-paths of oligarchs whose connection to daily life is tenuous at best. And it’s damn difficult to write about health care reform either, given that it’s clear the Democrats have no intention of living up to their promises. Oh sure, I’m calling and agitating for reform as much as I can… but I don’t think anyone’s listening.
So that’s it: I’ve reached a point my father got to a year or so ago. He doesn’t care anymore, and I find myself wishing I could reduce my own capacity to give a shit to the negligible level he’s achieved.
And that’s where I am.
October 5th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
I hit a similar wall about 18 months ago on my personal blog and never got the steam back up. Best of luck on all fronts
And I hear you re: Dems too. I keep my expectations low. Whenever any of the talking heads refer to any of them as “the most progressive/liberal/… of all time”, it floors me, because I really think the dems have gotten a little centrist for my taste. On fb, I have a friend in Chicago and one of his friends stated Chicago didn’t get the Olympics because now that Obama’s president and the country has gone down the liberal drain and noone felt safe coming here. And that was a major “huh” to me, because BUSH is who I remember getting that reaction. Except if you count all the rednecks giving themselves public conniptions because we’ve had a black president for over 6 months and noone has lynched him yet (which, all this going to town halls armed, “you lie” DURING the presidential address crap, MO is a slut for wearing shorts in August crap to be insane) – that stuff should make the world afraid to visit but it is not Obama’s fault.
October 5th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
The best antidote to not caring is to have low expectations. The American people have a history of muddling, after much agony and backtracking, in the general direction of the right answer.
The key word there is “muddling.” Do not ever expect Americans to get it right; just expect that, each time, they get it a little less wrong.
My activity is down too, but that’s because it’s difficult to ready a house for sale and be bloggerific at the same time.
Don’t give up. Every time someone gives up, it’s a point for the bad guys.
October 5th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Brendan-
I get the inability to give a shit. It’s like my protective shell of misanthropy that lets me get through the day. Take time off, do what actually makes you happy.
Then come back in when you have to.
Right now I’m back to being merely amused by all the graft, the comfortable lies. It will still be here when you get back.
October 5th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Brendan-
I get the inability to give a shit. It’s like my protective shell of misanthropy that lets me get through the day. Take time off, do what actually makes you happy.
Then come back in when you have to.
Right now I’m back to being merely amused by all the graft, the comfortable lies. It will still be here when you get back.
October 6th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
2frank: I can’t do low expectations. At my job, I am held to HIGH expectations. I have high expectations for my son’s school performance.
And I’m supposed to have low expectations of my elected government? FUCK. THAT.
October 11th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I’m listening.,,,,