Yes, contrary to popular belief, I’m alive.
After a several-month-long hiatus from public blogging, I have finally come back to good ol’ Blogcritics with nothing more than a pocket full of dreams and a throat full of opinions.
I haven’t been around lately, and it could be explained by a lot of things. I’m just trying to make it through college – I have three semesters left before I receive my BA in communications from Purdue, and as for what’s next … well, talk to the numerous half-completed law school applications on my desk (God knows I’ve ignored them long enough).
Yes, it’s a simple explanation to state that I’m in college, interning, and working. Or I could just be honest and say, I needed a Blogcritics vacation.
The latter would be more honest.
Blogging is an amazing gift; it’s like journalism without the constraints of the almighty dollar, censorship, basic sense of responsibility, or addiction to black tar heroin. And Blogcritics is a fantastic hub for the “superior bloggers” to come together, share thoughts, speak out, speak in, speak up, speak down, and speak diagonally.
Unfortunately, anyone can spurt out ideas, and eventually any topic falls victim – or perhaps falls martyr? – to bitter partisanship; lefties, righties, moddies, libertarians, anarchists, and the overly common mutant retard chimp with basic typing abilities.
So you have to grow a hard skin. You get used to being called an idiot, a drone, a sell-out, a pinko (that was for you, Al) – and that’s the nicest possible outcome. You adjust to your ideas being shot down, misconstrued, twisted like a circus sideshow feature and having your own words and ideas so turned around that you yourself don’t remember what your original point was.
I thought being president of a sorority was complex and confusing. Then I became a Blogcritic.
It’s like I was told when I first pursued a career in my beloved op-ed pages – “Opinions are like assholes – everyone has one and eventually they all stink.” As much as you yourself may believe your ideas rival The Communist Manifesto, so does every other person on this site. How you respond to it will ultimately decide your fate as a blogger – are you going to sink, or are you going to swim?
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
It doesn't matter how sensible you are, Chelsea, you're still just gonna throw your own poop around the room.
2 - Elvira Black
Chelsea, that was a beautiful, funny piece! I couldn't agree more. Bravo.
3 - sr
Chelsea, Be safe. Wont opine concerning your blog. Just a protective father who thinks daughters are God's greatest gift. No comments please. sr
4 - chancelucky
well said. I'm glad that you've come back.
It's interesting. I've watched some of the longer threads here. by the 5th or 6th post, the posters have often completely stopped refering to the original post (not necessarily a bad thing). It can be fun to participate, but I've come to understand that there's no relationship between the quality of the "post" and the number of comments. There is a very direct relastionship between how extreme the POV of the post is and the amount of reaction.
5 - Victor Lana
Chelsea, nice post about not just blogging but writing as well. I once took a three year hiatus from writing (just about anything, except the postcards I sent from Thailand or Singapore or Tangier). The point is that sometimes the best writing I do is when I'm not writing (all the stuff that gets written without a pen inside my head). Then, when I'm ready, it all pours out.
Good for you for taking a break and welcome back!