...was when I began blogging.

I had no clue, y'all. And, in some ways, I still don't.

Make no mistake. I am addicted to this thing called the blogosphere. I'm linking to so many things on occasion that there are times when I wonder if all that this monster I've created is is simply some sort of virtual signpost: go here, here, and while you're at it, head around the cyber corner to this little nook and cranny. Who has the time for all that?

Apparently, a lot of people do, and for that, I am grateful. At the very least, it lets me know I'm not totally certifiable, just partly.

It also lets me know that, if all blogging is vanity, then that sort of vanity is a many-splendored, multi-faceted thing that can accomodate all sorts of things if you let it. The good, bad, ugly, warty, startlingly beautiful, cheesy, popular, obscure, insanely artful glory of individuals logging on and pouring themselves out, bit by bit, through the writings they post, the anecdotes they share, the links they choose to put out there for others to see...it's all a palimpsest of a grandly vulgarian sort. One that's kept me checking in for more and adding some of my own to it for the past two years. And every time I think there ain't no more for me to add, that I am completely spent, the company I've kept online all this time has egged me on, challenged me, taunted me to keep on keepin' on.

And, though I've been going back and forth with myself lately about continuing with this humble li'l corner of the internets, I think I will be continuing on. Because where else but the blogosphere would pictures such as this beauty be posted?:

Thanks, Ian!

Thanks for hearing me out on a regular basis, you internet denizens, you. Carry on, all. And watch your asses, because you never know when some kinda flames will be trying to crawl up your rear...