One question I get consistently about this blog is “Why don’t you write more about personal things, like your family life?” There are many questions submitted, but they mostly fit into this category.

Answer: what could be more personal than discussing politics and religion in front of the world? An uncensored world at that (I do moderate comments, but for spam, I let through some bruising personal attacks for those who wish to unleash the dogs (read the first one…).)

I’d guess they’re talking about my beloved wife and cherished daughter. The answer my friends, is simple. My wife feels that blogs are “like wearing your underwear on the outside of your clothes” and thus wants nothing to do with them, especially my blog. I love her and choose to respect her wishes. Not only that, being a techie at heart, I know what is possible simply by having a name – that’s why my wife remains “my wife” and my daughter remains “my daughter” – it’s not that determined criminals couldn’t find this information, but why make it easy?

With my daughter it’s even easier, she’s a child. She has no understanding about what it means to have things written about her on the internet. While I attempt to deal with our father/daughter outings in a pretty factual way, I hope it’s clear I love her and hugely enjoy the times we have together. When she’s mature enough to make her own decisions about how she wants to be known (unknown) on the ‘net, I’ll respect her decision as well. In the meantime, I’ll make the assumption she doesn’t want to be known and keep to that until/unless she tells me otherwise.

That leaves Gracie, our dear (seven! year old) labrador retriever. I asked her what if she minded if I wrote about her on the internet and she didn’t even stir. Thus, I take that in the positive and say that Gracie is the best dog ever. She cheers you up when you’re down, always has the right perspective (can we go to the beach? can we go on a walk?) and has the added benefit of being pet-able in all situations (except post-skunk confrontation.)

So, that brings us full-circle. What is personal? You’re getting my unadulterated views on everything but that which is most precious to me, my relationships with my wife and daughter. To me, that constitutes personal information. I write it myself, I’m responsible for my ignorance and for whatever insight might appear. I know I’m not perfect, but I am constantly striving to improve myself. That’s it, in a nut shell, that’s what you see here, what interests me, an exposure or myself less the bits I’ve disclosed constitute an honest attempt at expression.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming of politics, technology, business, sports, and humor.