It's a Man-log, Not a Blog.

Something has been bugging me for a few days. What's troubling me? I feel uncomfortable and ashamed to have my own blog. It was only tonight that I finally realized why. The blogs I know are for sharing feelings with anyone and everyone then hoping that they all feel the same way. Blogs are for gushing about your favorite sweater, movie or pastry. Blogs are also about quilts, recipes and homemade picture frames. Blogs are for girls.

I finally realized this tonight when my blog gave me the same feeling I had in the third grade when I took my cabbage patch doll to school for show and tell.

Mom, why did I even have a cabbage patch doll in the third grade? I know I probably asked for one when I saw Amy get one, but that's still no reason to give your son a doll, let alone let him take it to school. Dad, I'm sorry.

I'm ashamed that I didn't realize this sooner, but knowing what I know now, I can no longer be a blogger. Not like this. From now on, this posting site is not a blog.

This online record is a man-log. It's topics will be limited to cars, golf, barbeques, inventions, how to get rich quick and my family. Topics will not include favorites of any kind, cake recipes or photos of flowers.

Why don't I quit all together? I know that this is my only hope for any record of my life and legacy. And since I wrote in My 100 that I would never be the type to maintain a nightly journal, this is my only reasonable alternative. By the way, that whole "My 100" thing,... another indication that blogs are for girls. How many guys do you know that wrote their 100?

So, read it if you must, but please be advised, this record is no longer a blog.

I feel much better now.

To Do or Not to Do

They say they are going to do something, then they don't. Time and time again they promise they'll get to it, but they don't. The tragedy is that they actually believe they will get to it, whatever it is. Good intentions don't mean a thing, do they?

Too many times I find myself being that person. Lately I've been getting a little better. My biggest hurdle; I forget what I have committed to do. I've been keeping track of what I promise I'll do for others and I can't believe how much it helps. At work anytime I tell someone I will help them with a task, big or small, I add it to the list. It's scary how quickly that list grows. It's also scary to think about how many commitments I must have forgotten about before my list.

I also have a list at home. Ashley manages that one. She hates to nag (which I love about her), but unfortunately I could use a little nagging every now and then. The list is the perfect reminder. Right now the undone items on the list are:

• Finish the shed


• Register my 1974 BMW


• Make the PGA Tour


• Write a letter to Charlie


• Sort my inbox


• Fix Ashley's old computer

Now that I've got my lists, let's hope I remember to look at them.

Continuous Online Journaling

Just a few days ago my work group was tasked with marketing a new product we are working on. The product deals with continous data protection, or the ability roll back your computer program to any previous point in time. One of the features of this product is "Continous Online Journaling". That got me thinking. I'd like to start my own continuous online journaling. Online being the operative word. I kept a written journal for years and never refer back to it. And I'm pretty sure noone else ever will. So, if I'm going to put in the work to write my stories down, I want to know that somebody has the chance to read them.

So here we are. I've got 31 years to catch up on, and you've obviously got some time on your hands because your reading this blog. I could recommend dozens of more worthwhile activities than reading Tyler Carter's blog, but I won't because I like the fact that some sucker is reading this. Sucker, that's a fun word. I'll have to work it into my stories.

Speaking of stories, I should come up with a list to work from. I'm sure serious bloggers would tell me that you're not supposed to retrofill your blog. I disagree. I don't think the here and now is always that interesting (at least not my here and now). Eat it bloggers!

Idease for future entries...

• Band Camp - Okay, I didn't go band camp, but that would have made a good story
• Greatest American Hero
• Baseball and My Broken Nose
• Cliff Jumping
• Europe
• Fire in the Back Yard
• Ashley & Halloween
• Signal Orange
• Pinewood Derbies
• Spyglass
• Inventions
• Self Improvement, The Viscous Cycle (yes Viscous not Vicious)
• Finding Ashley
• Dating 101