Saturday, December 29, 2007

The Year In Review

As we close on another year, it seemed fitting to spend some time, while nursing a holiday cold, and reflect on the past year – both personally and professionally.

First – this blog.

When I began this blog in January 2006, I did so out of conversations with some close friends who felt that I needed to open up and share my memories with others – if not the world. Honestly, I had always thought of putting pen to paper and documenting my life – since it truly has been quite a ride. But the idea that anyone else would be interested in reading my ramblings – seemed a bit presumptuous to me.

So I began – I started with safe stories about my club life – things I’ve told in public and had no fear typing out. Then, I began to sense a peeling away of hardened layers that had embraced me for years. With each post I felt more and more alive. I could breathe – even if no one read my posts, the fact that I was finally expressing myself was exhilarating!

Then, the dam broke – I decided to just let loose and write about everything; my carefree party days as a youth, my first love and my battle with losing so many friends to AIDS. I told My Story – one that was known by some in drips and drabs – but once I began typing, I wasn’t able to stop.

A year past and the blog had served its purpose – but now I felt like I should do something more with this – I had discovered my joy for writing and had inspired some readers to start their own blog and their own journey. This blog became bigger than just a cathartic exercise. So I’ve struggled with what to do with this space in the Internet – I spent most of 2007 trying to figure out what guidelines I should apply to this URL and then – as fate would have it – I met an incredible human being in summer ’07 and that gave me a beautiful distraction to this blog.

However, recently I have felt like I need to turn my attention back to writing – I really enjoyed it and I’ve not allowed myself the time to express myself creatively via this blog. I have more stories to share about my life, my past and my view.

So, this is my resolution to myself – 2008 opens itself up to a new and improved sense of dedication to this blog … I truly appreciate those readers (like you) who stuck with me this year while I found myself and my focus.

I wish you a healthy and soothing entry into the new year and I’ll see you on the other side!


Thanks :)

4 comments:

Liz said...

I loved bloggers from the very beginning and that is why I wanted to become one. I'm very serious about my blog. When I was in a miserable cubical job, my blog was my creative life line. I respect and admire you Robert and I look forward to your posts in 08'. It's not always easy, but it's worth it. Hugs*

Anonymous said...

have a Happy New year!

I am looking forward to more entries and your wonderfully honest stories in 2008 :)

Anonymous said...

thank you for sharing yourself with us! Love to you and Jon!

XXOO

BoogieMan said...

Wow, I know it's a late comment but, I read your piece on "Music On The Go" (Jan. 8, 2006). You know, my ball radio was bright yellow. If it wasn't for your picture of one, I never would've remembered them. Then again, lately, everybody seems to have a better memory than me. What up wit dat? Oh yeah, it's called aging. As far as 8 Track tapes, I still have a couple dozen of them. Can't find the courage to get rid of them. Maybe, my holding on to them, is reprentative of some type of Freudian security "Beach Blanket Bingo". Up until about 6 years ago, I still had an 8 Track stereo to play them on. I had the darn thing, still in it's original box, unopened, from the 70s. Bought 2 of them back then and, packed one away until I found it in 2002. Sadly, it got lost during the move to my current home. Who knows, maybe someone took it for it's intrinsic value. I also read your most recent post. You're a better man than I am, when it comes to opening up and telling ALL about your partyin' days. Boy, the stories I could tell. When I was 16, my friends and I would "Hijack A Bus", (as we used to call it due to our rampant behavior with the other fares), from Paterson to NYC and spend the day (and sometimes nights) in Manhattan, usually the Red Light District. Oh, remember the "House Parties" of the early 80s (you're just a few years younger than me)? And, yeah, I lost a number of friends too, who couldn't break-away from that scene. Anyway, thanks for the nostalgic walk-through and, thanks for commenting on my blog. If you did reciprocal links, I'd add you to my page but, I don't see any on yours. Maybe I could be your first, let me know.