I’ve not been blogging recently as I’ve been struggling to find reasons to. Normally something would make me outraged and I would blog about it. Then I started to post Excel stuff in order to share what I know about Excel. I got stuck after a while and that fell away as well.

Blogging is a really interesting thing to try and do on a regular basis. It takes a lot of hard work to come up with good topics to talk about regularly. One thing I have learnt is that I really need to blog about the things that interest me most. Talking about things that really get me revved up (so to speak) will help me to blog more regularly.

I keep saying that I need to work on a new blog layout, but I think I’d be better off working on what sort of content I want first. Then the layout can be done.

Hi loyal reader. I’m sure there is at least one of you.

When I began blogging back in December 08, I didn’t put too much forethought into this place. All I wanted was a site which allowed me to express my opinions on things. So each time I had a bright idea, I’d create a new topic. Eleven topics later (you can’t count them on your fingers, unless you’re special) and I decided that enough was enough. I’ve cleaned up my list of topics to just five.

• Civil Liberties – I’m a strong believer that our rights can and will be eroded if we do not monitor what politicians, advocate groups and other interested parties try to force on us. I’ll present my view on the issues that I think are important or that affect me personally.
• Internet – If I’m posting about Twitter, the current No Clean Feed debate or the new National Broadband Network, then I’ll post it in the Internet Category. I will expand this as time goes on to look at other issues of interest to me.
• Politics – I’m an interested political observer and enjoy commenting on the current political landscape in Australia and the world. I’ll sometimes agree with those in power, but often not. Either way you’ll hear about it in this category.
• Religion – I’m a believer in a secular society free from the interference of religions and deities. I used to believe in the Christian version of God, but now I’ve come to understand that there is no God and that religion can be dangerous in some forms. So from time to time I’ll blog about issues I think need to be discussed. I’m also tolerant of other’s beliefs and options, even if I don’t agree.
• Meta – I left this to last for a reason. My wife suggested the name for this one as I was stuck. What should I do with stuff that isn’t really related to my other categories, but is either related to me or to this blog? That’s what Meta is for. It isn’t a miscellaneous file but will contain posts either about me or what I’ve been thinking about lately. Perhaps a clip on the Internet that I’ve enjoyed and think will add something to your life.  I’ll also cover other information related to this blog. I think it’s important to get a better understanding about the blogger behind the posts, so hence the need for Meta.

I hope that this new set of topics make more sense for you the reader. After all, they are really just a way to help you navigate the site better. Please let me know your thoughts and any good suggestions will be taken, mashed into my brain and taken on board.

So after a brilliant attempt at blogging properly over the last couple of days, I’ve managed to delete the last three posts. One was only a very lame April Fools Day post, so that isn’t anything to worry about. Unfortunately I deleted my posts on the new Bikie Gang laws that Queensland is set to introduce, and my post regarding the public service. Perhaps the deletion of these will serve to be a blessing and not a curse.

You see I’m starting to realise that being objective is good in a business sense and when you are dealing with the facts and only the facts. But I’m not like that 24 hours as day, 7 days a week. I have a life filled with love and passion – something that’s been new to me over the last few years. Perhaps I should spend more time talking about me and what I think about the world than rehashing whatever is in the papers.

It’s fair to say that I really enjoyed writing those posts and I do find joy in writing about the world and rehashing whatever is in the papers. I also love heading to events and talking about what has happened and providing first hand reports. Ah, so much to choose from.

I’m sure somewhere along the line I was talking about… Ah yes! The deleted blog posts. Always keep a copy of your blog posts offline. You just never know when you might need to get back an old post from yesteryear. Or even yesterday.

Oh, and here is the prank video again – because I can.

No, I’m not walking around shaking the maracas and shaking my rump. It is way too humid and hot in Brisbane for that today. I’ve lived in South East Queensland for all my life and I don’t remember anything like the humidity and heat combination that we had today.

Perhaps growing up in a Queenslander may have something to do with that, as they seem to work very well in the climate (as I guess they should really). Living in a concrete box with other concrete boxes all around seem to be a good recipe for a hot and sweaty day. Hopefully we’ll get a few showers tonight to cool things off.

Natalie and I visited Melbourne over the Christmas/New Year period and it was just lovely. We would really like to move down there in the next year or so, particularly as the humidity is no where near as bad down there.  It can be awful hot but at least sweat will evaporate to cool you, unlike here.

I’ve been pondering what sort of direction to take my career into. Moving to Melbourne would mean leaving the security of my public sector job, and that might be a good time to take stock and reconsider where I am heading. To be honest, I fell into this career path and whilst I’ve enjoyed it immensely, I do wonder what else is out there for me.

I’ve considered becoming a trainer, perhaps in a business setting or holding workshops. I could become an emmcee or public speaker, although I’d need a little bit of practice and experience. Both of these tie in well with some of my most proudest times at work, holding intimate training sessions for 15-30 people or presenting the latest reports to a larger audience.

I could also move into writing, which could be business writing (of which I’ve done my fair share) or even a career as a blogger. Now, don’t laugh. Blogging is a career for some and if I found my audience I could make some dollars along the way to support me. Perhaps just being me is enough. For now, I’ll stick to the blogging because I want to/because I enjoy it/because I think I can make some sort of difference to the world.

This year is the year where I decide where I want to head for the next ten or so years, and I’m in no rush to decide. I have no need to leave my job any time soon and I enjoy what I do. I have the opportunity to have new experiences and find new passions. I have a loving wife who will support me whatever I decide to do.

Wow, the world has never looked so interesting and exciting.