What's a Blog to Do?

I've been glancing over this blog, trying to figure it out. I think it has an identity crisis. It's random.

Now that my research and writing is back on, I've been wondering what role this blog can play. I think from here on out I'll use it exclusively to support the completion of my scholarly manuscript. That's my story for the next year, and I'm sticking to it.

So I hereby renew a few vows.

• I'm back to getting up early, writing first thing (after running).

• I'm also cutting out distractions. Eventually, I want a life full of all kinds of interesting goodies: travel, parties, kids, work, the outdoors, the arts, reading, cooking, community service, politics. But for now, I'm stripping it down. I'll still have some of all of these things, but less - UNTIL THE BOOK IS OUT. I want to stay out late and get a little wild. But instead, I go home at 11, so I can get up early and get back to work.  I want to start tutoring math at a local middle school. But instead, I reserve as much possible free time for cranking out the final leg of research and revision. I want to volunteer for the Obama campaign. But I will let the other many willing Austinites take on that role. Once the book is out, all bets are off. For now, I gotta drive this baby home.
  

• And I'm recommitting to what this blog can do: give me a sense of public identity to support the very solitary work of research and writing as an independent scholar.
  

So, buckle up. Here we go.