Monday, February 13, 2006

Priorities

I am finding myself with an acute shortage of time. I started this blog for a variety of reasons, one of which was to fill some of my free time in between semesters at school. It has turned out to be so much more than that. This space has, in a very real sense, become a daily ritual – almost, but not quite – an obsession. It’s not just sharing my thoughts through my writing, but also experiencing other’s through theirs. The exchange of ideas, sentiments and feelings has been nothing short of inspirational. It has also been eye opening in that there is an abundance of excellent thinkers and writers.

I have established written relationships with a number of my readers. I am committed to the daily reading of all the new entries of those on my link list as well as a number of others that I haven’t had the time to add yet. There are so many more I would like to read, if I only had the time. It is with great regret that I have come to the realization that I will have to limit the amount of time I am devoting to this passion. And it’s not just the writing; it’s the reading, the commenting, the responses and the overall interaction that has seriously improved my perspective in a number of areas. There are only, however, so many hours in the day.

My visits therefore will be of a limited duration, but at least still (hopefully) on a daily basis. Some of my upcoming posts will be some of the stories I am writing in school. I will be unashamedly plagiarizing myself! Since my classes consist entirely of government and journalism, you may expect these posts to reflect that curriculum. In government, I am taking constitutional law, California state politics and public opinion. In journalism, it’s news writing 1 & 2. I have received my beat assignment and submitted a few story ideas. Soon, some of these stories will be written, and I intend to share them here.

It is truly amazing that not long ago, I had no direction whatsoever in my life. Now, I have so much to do, things that I am passionate and excited about, that I am having trouble getting it all in. Perhaps I’m making up for lost time! I am certainly not complaining, I am at the height of my game and it’s only getting better, but priorities I never even dreamed of are now playing a role in my life. I have to make choices and while I want it all, I have all I need.

At least that much hasn’t changed.

12 comments:

X said...

Well I hope you don't go completely AWOL, but I would understand if you do! :)

Try and sell your stories for class to local newspapers. Even if it is a small weekly or a huge daily, either way it's something to add to the portfolio and some extra cash in the pocket. Good luck with everything! :)

Bar L. said...

Awesome - I am happy that your life is full and has purpose. Just don't abandon us completely okay! :)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I know what you mean Mike...Blogging and reading other people's blogs takes a lot of time and I find the Blog Friendships so very wonderful that I just can't seem to break the habit of it all...And I think there are some truly Amazing writers out there...Wonderful, Wonderful!
So...I'll bumble along here and ewnjoy all that there is to enjoy...
By the way...I spoke with my brother about Truckee...and it was definitelt where we were...He remembered that the man who owned the ranch was named Olsen. Beither of us could remeber his first name... and we made a friend there, a teenager named Guillermo Veni Cruz...I had forgotten his last name but I did remember the first name...and we would swim in The Truckee River, which was like a swimming hole, where we were....

Thanks for setting off all these memories, Mike.

Now don't disappear all together, please...I don't like seperation enxiesty.(LOL)!

neal said...

I understand, priorities have to be set. I know in my own case I will have very limited time starting mid-March up to about October. I will have to begin transplanting some bonsai in early spring. Then there is the bi-weekly fertilizing, the daily pinching of buds, the snipping back of shoots, and the hours of watering to keep them healthy. Bonsai need as much care as a newborn baby, so I can relate to a shortage of time for writing.

Spring is glorious but it sure leaves no time to spare for other things. Good luck with your courses and I am looking forward to reading your stories.

BarbaraFromCalifornia said...

We all have been where you are at. I even had a post up about blogging being an art, or investment (as in time)

I too hope that you continue to write, at least for yourself, and keep putting your words down.

Saur♥Kraut said...

Of course. I understand, having faced the same thing. It's tough to juggle it all, I can't blame you.

Happy V and Lupercalia Day, Mike!

UltimateWriter said...

That's cool. Time is the most important commodity. Your honesty is to be appreciated. Don't be a stranger.

Sadie Lou said...

I'm excited for you!
I remember how I felt when I first started reaping the benefits of blogging.
I have enjoyed your comments on my blog and I have also enjoyed our interaction here, at your place.
Looking forward to those stories!

Ellen said...

I will stop by regardless if you've posted or not... just in the off chance you have. It's been a lot of fun to come over here to regain brain cells that get burnt out during the regular day.
Looking forward to the plagerized posts... and hope that all is going well for you in school.

Dawner said...

I will check in every now and again. I have found it harder and harder to keep up with the blogging too. Full time school and work. It is a nightmare. Hope to hear from you again soon.

Jade L Blackwater said...

Good luck with school! I completely understand... my list of blogs that I frequent has grown ridiculously long!

Snaggle Tooth said...

I've hit a slowdown recently myself, due to time pulling me away, n understand the blog pull...

Just want to add that I read (in Stephen King's "On Writing") the idea (sic) that it's true all people are born writers, but not many decide to improve the skill, or share their work freely...