Oct
23
2006
In need of more time for important things
Just returned from my vacation in Eastern Canada. Beautiful trip, made even more beautiful by the presence of my soon-to-be family: Fiance Kerry, and stepdaughter A. I'm still digesting the trip and its effects, but I must say that a few things have come into sharp focus.
Firstly: I need an extended break from all events. Longer than a few months, as alluded to in a past entry. I'm done until spring. The calendar is cleared. Nothing. Nada. No Xmas parties, no readings, no event planning (save my wedding plans). I've already turned down three gigs. Perhaps most importantly, and for the first time in years, I won't be fronting the Raving Poets for the fall series. I don't have the mental muscle to handle it. The Roar 2006 took a chunk out of my soul and that burned out, almost resentful feeling seems to grow larger with each passing day. The thought of carrying a weekly reading series on my shoulders at this point makes me want to blow my head off. Here are the big questions for me right now: Am I writer or a poetic event organizer? Can one do both with success? Should one do both? In any case, and for my own mental health, I'm out of commission until further notice so that I can ponder these questions.
Secondly: THE BLAHG. Or more precisely, the value of the blog. Why do it? What is the point of blogging? Beyond vanity, that is. I don't think I want to stop publishing online, but really, what benefit does the activity hold? This is probably a bit of burnout talking but it's been gnawing at me for some time now. A person's work gets an audience that otherwise would not be there (ideally, anyways), and that's worth something. Does authoring a weblog lead to other, more "professional" writing opportunities? Does it lead to a book? I don't know. I dearly love writing StreetRag, but it chews up time that might better be spent on preparing a manuscript or submissions. More things to consider.
So I'm out. You won't see me for awhile. I'll be updating this site and StreetRag as per usual. Oh yeah, almost forgot. I'm cancelling my phone service for the next five months. I'm also foiling my windows, placing the new Hip album on repeat, and placing a standing order with Chicago Deep Dish. Every day at 6:00, one ten inch Hawaiian and two cans of Root Beer get delivered. Every fucking day until March. So if you need to get in touch, do it here. Okay. See you later.
