All Things Have A Beginning

I honestly had never thought that I would become a blogger.

They've been around for what, ten years now? Maybe longer, and yet I've never participated. In fact, I've only visited any blogs maybe a handful of times at best. Still, I never thought I would sign up for a social networking site either and recently I've been doing a lot on Facebook.

Which is probably what's led to the creation of this blog. I recently tried to post a "mini-review" of Jim Butcher's "The Warrior" on my Facebook wall and became extremely frustrated by the limited number of characters. Maybe realizing that I had something to say online developed into a desire to create an online space where I could ramble to myself, my friends, and any other poor sods who found themselves wandering over here.

And so here we are.

Or at least, here I am. Anyone else with me? If so, congratulations on earning a ticket inside the demented caverns of my mind. If you've already fled, well, some of the best conversations are the ones you have with yourself.

My last job was crap. Seriously, it involved sanitizing public restrooms for a variety of businesses around central Ohio and some of the outlying areas. Yes, this is a nice way of saying that I cleaned toilets for a living. Hey kids, this is the sort of glorious career you can have with a Telecommunications - Media Studies degree. Make my mistake of not developing any field experience and staying in a media-unfriendly environment like Columbus, Ohio and maybe you'll get as nice a career! If you end up enjoying it, try not to make the mistake of getting laid off like I did.

Ok, let's call it what it really was, I was terminated because I let my manager know that I was interviewing for another position elsewhere because I wasn't getting the advancement I'd been promised. Of course my honesty was a mistake because I knew my manager was a rat dressed in cheap clothes but I'd make it again. Some values are too important.

So I was let go on Black Friday. Fortunately Lisa (my beloved fiance and without a doubt one of the best things to have ever happened in my life - are you reading this honey?) and I had already taken care of Christmas and I was able to get on unemployment. Combine that with a VERY nice income tax return, and we've stayed afloat with help from my parents.

I've been to temp agencies, spammed the crap out of hotjobs and career builder, called businesses... and nothing. With something like 82% unemployment in Ohio (not firm on that number, so don't quote it) I guess my resume just isn't cutting it. And after realizing how much I've hated applying for jobs that I didn't want, I'm glad.

I've wanted to write since I was seven. I'd compose short stories, write short scripts, and design some unknown number of roleplaying scenarios. Always for class or fun, never taking the risk of being rejected by submitting any of them for publication. To be blunt, I was a chicken-shit.

Then it hit me: I'm 29 years old, I have a mortgage, three kids (two step-children and a ten-month old), I'm engaged... and I'm not even TRYING to accomplish my dreams. Dammit, I've always been told that I'm a good writer, whether from teachers or friends. I've always believed that I'm a good writer. It's time I stop the bullshit and make writing my full-time gig.

So guess what? I'm a writer. Next step: become a PAID writer.

You still with me? Guess I'm doing something right.

End Demented Rambling.