Mostly, it's been a process of figuring out what got me excited about writing short personal stuff like this in the first place, and understanding the connection, if any, I should maintain to something that seems both very brief and disposable, and also sort of static and permanent.
This is also mostly unimportant; it's certainly not the kind of struggle to dwell upon. Though it is important for me to think very seriously about the way I'm reflected in the things I write, for one thing.
It's also clear to me that the process of thinking like that, in a serious introspective way, about crafting communication, is energizing and healthy. It's also sort of what I'm about, in a professional/philosophical/political way. So there's that.
I think what I need for now, then, is only to identify and observe the "point" of putting stuff here, outside of making feel guilty for neglecting it. By "point," I suppose I mean the thematic/subjective/conceptual constraints of the thing.
And to get to there, I'll observe this: that Alaska and myself are not the same thing. But we (the state of Alaska and I) are also not complete opposites. We have some things in common, perhaps some things that even tie us together at this point.
So: at this point, that's what the material here will attempt to be "about"--exploring whatever it is that makes what goes on in my head either close or far away from what I think "goes on" in the "head" of the state of Alaska. What makes us similar and different.
Things that maybe fit within these constraints: coffee, the wilderness, education, politics, curling, agriculture, wine, bunny boots, the construction industry, furniture, Carlos Boozer, bear attacks, the Internet, Joe Strummer, and poker. Things that maybe do not: talk radio, bathing suits, Tony Dungy, muscle cars, TMZ, dog sweaters, and Pokemon (unless it regards Herman Cain).
What I hope and think will happen as a result is that I'll be more compelled by the opportunity to maintain some form of "personal" writing, which feels important and promising. The writing here also has the chance to be more clear, cohesive, and fun.
