Reboot: Album Of The Week Feature

In the spirit of renewing this blog, I'd like to update one the features that I haven't touch in a LONG time… the Album Of The Week.

I initially started this feature as a way to share what I was listening to and what I thought was good out in the world of the music. I did try to stay current and relevant by only featuring new(ish) albums, but as time wears on I'm finding it harder and harder to find new music that I enjoy. Call that a symptom of age or a symptom of a failing music industry, either one is probably applicable.

I'd like to at least try to re-boot the Album of the Week feature. However, I'll be focusing more on what I'm actually listening to that week whether that be new or old music. I might feature a new rock album one week and the next could be an Mariah Carey's Music Box. Whatever strikes my fancy will be fair game!

You'll be able to join in the fun by listening to the sample clips in the upper left of the main page (or if you're an RSS reader, simply click on through to the blog) helpfully provided by Amazon. If you're feeling the music (or nostalgia) and want to buy it, just click through to Amazon MP3 and if you buy the tracks, I'll get some tiny percentage of a penny added to a pathetically small pile somewhere on my Amazon account that will never actually be used. But it'd be nice of you anyway!

I'll also give my full write up of the album and why I picked it for Album of the Week. Most likely you'll see the post on the weekends or by Monday at the latest, if only so I have time to actually digest any new albums I might throw into the fray. That said, expect a new Album of the Week to be up soon!

Welcoming Myself Back

I've often heard that Silence is Golden, but I would have to say that in the sense of a blog, Silence is Laziness. And I've been pretty lazy over here at I'm Just Gaying… But that changes today.

Not too long ago I repurposed this blog to be more personal, more about my wedding plans and my life experiences. I still plan to take it that direction, and since my wedding passed without any fanfare here on IJG, I think I'll have to let that part go. I do have a few posts in the works talking about my wedding and married life, but I do have to apologize for not writing more about it in the run-up to the big event. Things just got a bit hectic in my daily life, and the blog became a lower priority.

I also had been putting quite a bit of time and effort into my gaming blog Rainbow MMO. After some consideration, I've decided to step back from that blog. There's some information as to why in the linked post, but the short and sweet is that I want to focus my energies other places. I have other goals in my life right now and I'm much more inclined to write about the things I'm focusing on than on gaming at this moment in time.

In any case, thanks to those few readers that have stuck around this baron posting space. You can look forward to more regular updates here, and I'm glad you've stuck around. If you're just joining the fun here at IJG as a reader from Rainbow MMO… welcome, and get ready for a Flinstonian gay ol' time!

P.S. - The image attached is just a teaser for our wedding pics. More to come as we get through them ;)

Redirection

I've been quiet over on this blog for a bit. Part of that is that I've been putting a lot of focus into my gaming blog. I've gathered two really good writers to work with me and I've been putting a ton of effort into coming up with a redesign of the site and will shortly start working on networking and trying to promote the blog. That site has pulled in a lot more traffic than I'm Just Gaying… and I've even been approached about a couple ad deals, although I haven't accepted any just yet as I'm not sure what direction I should take there. But that's not the biggest reason I've been quiet here.

The biggest reason I've been quiet here is that I'm just not sure if anything I can say will truly make a difference. Now, this isn't a pity post or a post to garner some moral support, it's more of a reality check for me. My words here, in the grand scheme of things, just aren't making a social impact, which is what my original intent was for I'm Just Gaying… I never expected to be a Andy Towle or a G.A.Y., but I did want to make something a bit bigger out of my perspectives on societal ills than I've been able to accomplish.

Growing up, I always felt that I'd be some sort of mover or shaker in the world. I felt like I had a drive and a voice and I was determined to make the world listen to me. But I've also learned that we all have voices and we all want to make an impact, and in many respects we have to take a step back sometimes and see if what we're screaming about is being heard, and if it's not being heard we need to figure out why. It's always one of two reasons though: What you are saying just isn't relevant/important or Someone else is saying it better than you. In my case, I think my voice isn't being heard as loudly because there are others saying things louder and better than me, and that's completely ok with me.

So that leads me to what exactly I want to do with I'm Just Gaying… I'm not abandoning this blog in any respect, but I think it's time for it to take a new direction. Less news, less politics, less bickering and hateful posts. More about me, more about my interests, and more fun. This blog has always been about me and my perspective, and I have a lot more to say about life than politics and anger. I have sprinkled many posts about other interests into here before, namely about my love of music, and more recently my posts about my vacation and engagement (more on both coming soon), and I'd say expect much more on those fronts coming from I'm Just Gaying…

The biggest focus I want to take on is my engagement and the build up to our wedding. I want to share this process and I want my readers to come along this part of the journey with me. I'll also be talking a lot more about more frivolous subjects, because that's just where my heart is these days. Sure, I'll likely still throw in a rant from time to time about some Republican ass-hat or Christian Scare Bear, but those will be far fewer than before. And once I get things more stable at Rainbow MMO, I'll start working on a re-design for I'm Just Gaying…

So stick around folks, there's plenty more to see here! ;)

How To Find Me

This is the list of recent searches that have brought people to I'm Just Gaying...

I'm now worried about my readers. I love you.

Blogging Addiction: I Haz It

I started blogging last year, and I think I've become addicted.

Hi. My name is Dickie and I'm a blogging addict.

Anyway, I just love to write, and I love to have fun with writing, and if others find my writing and enjoy my writing in the process, then even better!

I figured I'd give you a quick update on what I'm working on right now:

Homotron - The gay tech blog that started it all! These guys were the first to give me a space to rant, rave, bitch, moan, complain, celebrate, sing praises, and generally dance a merry jig about all things techy, and preferably gay. It's part of the Gay Gamer family, so if you're into the gay geek scene, check them out for blogs about everything ranging from games to tech to comics and even pop culture.

I'm Just Gaying... - Well... you're here now, so you have an idea what it's all about. All things gay, particularly political and/or social. And me. And Boystown. And the crazy people I see on the CTA.

Rainbow MMO - My newest venture, started as a way to get out some thoughts on my favorite hobby: Massively Multiplayer Games. The topic will usually focus on the game I'm playing at that moment, which happens to be Warhammer Online and the occasional Lord of the Rings Online.

So there's my story. Check out the sites. Also, if you read this blog and you're not on my blog roll over on the left, let me know! I'm not here to get all greedy and such, I'm here to share thoughts with friends. Shoot me an email or leave a comment on this post and I'll update my blogroll.

We're Not In Kansas Anymore

I was reviewing some of my older posts today and I have to say that I'm a little bit saddened. Not by my older posts, but really by my newer posts.

I'm not disappointed in my writing. What am I saddened by is that when I started my blog, I was able to keep things fun and almost frivolous, with just a touch of outrage and anger. Now it seems to have completely flipped around. I feel like now I spend more time venting and yelling than I do enjoying what it is to be gay.

Partly, I know that's because I feel that we as a community are being robbed, sacked, blinded and beaten more and more everyday and that if we don't start mobilizing now it will be far to late. I think you've heard me say that once or twice… a day… But I want to be able to return to a more fun-loving blog.

Sadly, that probably won't come for a time yet. The biggest point of this blog was for me to get out things that I might have a hard time vocalizing. Not because I'm shy or anything, but literally I have a hard time orally expressing my thoughts some times. Writing can be easier a lot of the time. The second reason I started this blog was to entertain, inform, and motivate, in just about equal parts. I feel like I've almost forgot about the first part of the trio.

I suppose where I'm going with this is that I'll be doing my best to redirect this blog to more positive stories soon. This past month of constant negativity and anger is taking a toll on me as well.

Needs Your Help

Hey there my dedicated, gorgeous, lovely readers! I LOVE that shirt! And your hair, it's looking absolutely perfect! Seriously, I think you've lost weight!

Is that enough flattery, or should I go further? See, I need some help spreading the word about I'm Just Gaying. Readership is good, but it hasn't been growing lately, and I'd love to have more sexy readers like yourselves!

So, if you could help me out and tell some people about this here blogy-thing, I'd be greatly indebted to you. I set up a group on Facebook as well, so if you haven't checked that out yet, please do so. Join and discuss, send to friends, etc.

I love y'all, thanks for the help!

Giving Of The Thanks

So tomorrow I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving here in Chicago, several hours away from my family.  I'll be here with my amazing and lovely boyfriend, but I'm not thinking we'll do anything fun or exciting, except maybe scrounge up some turkey and catch a movie. 

I'm glad for the break from work nonetheless.  I'll be posting very lightly most likely through the weekend, but as usual, if something piques my ire, happiness, or something in between, I'll be sure to update!

Until then, happy Turkey Day and even happier Consumerist Day From Hell!