So much has changed in the world of blogs since I last spent time on this stuff. I'll discuss those changes and my feelings in this grump post.

When I started the old blog back in October 2003, things were different. At that time blogs were basically a joke. They were beyond passé. The cutting edge of blogs happened in the late 90s before anyone knew what "Blogger" was. So, when I endeavored in this world, I realized it was more than a tad foolish, but okay as a pasttime.

Since then blogs really caught on. A new word called blogosphere came in to popular use in the media to describe any form of writing on the internet that was not done by someone with a journalism degree. Then blogs somehow became news sources. Bloggers determined that CBS's documents about George Bush's Nation Guard duty were forged. John Kerry had a blog somehow. Blog writers were showing up on tv as commentators. Radio shows had bloggers in as guests.

Not only were blogs not a joke, but they were considered serious. Right? The opposite of joke. In the meantime, I had a baby, and got inundated with a shitload of the shittiest work ever done by a highly paid professional, and I let my blog fall to pieces. Just when blogs were getting big, I was getting out.

In some ways, it seems fitting. I didn't like the high volume public hoo-hah about blogs what with MSNBC's blogosphere temperature readings and so on... I was getting barraged with spam and hate mail. And for what? So I could NOT be a guest on "This Week With George Stephanopolous". Screw that.

It seems that in recent months, "blogs" have lost their lustre and I can't help but think its a good thing. Its like this folks.... remember when R.E.M. was the coolest band around? Then they got huge and starting playing at Presidential Inauguaral balls and having #1 hits? It sucked, didn't it. Then they made a couple so-so albums, Bill Berry quit, and now they're back to being a quiet little band. And that is roughly how I see blogs nows. I simply bowed out while blogs were having their "Everybody Hurts" moment.

Thus, with over a year's worth of pent up stupid opinions, and only a little more time on my hands, I figured that now was the time to re-enter the fray. Yes, some may see this as my first steps to declaring a presidential candidacy. Think what you wish.