ALL THIS … AND MORE!!!

Welcome. Here it is. The first entry in a new ‘blog.

We all know what a ‘blog is, right? (Actually, although the word is a contraction of the new-tech term Weblog, and thus the apostrophe, it has rapidly become common coin so henceforth I’ll omit the apostrophe, employing the more common blog.)

While this particular blog appears associated with the website of public broadcasting station WEDU it is – as a reader will quickly divine – not the formal pronouncement of that station. Or anyone else. Not a formal pronouncement, that is.

What it is and will be – claiming nothing more – is a collection of the random ruminations of the guy who’s privileged to host the broadcast called “A Gulf Coast Journal” which appears on WEDU most every week (unless pre-empted by begging – pardon – fund raising).

The blog will share some of my own insights into the stories we cover on AGCJ, some of the challenges and quirks of shooting the stories and putting them together. As they say at the beginning of some programs – “all this and more.”

As a warning, I need readers to know going in that this blog will be personal, idiosyncratic, at times dyspeptic and always unabashed. A blog, I figure, should never be abashed. WEDU’s Veep, when informed of the blogger’s intention to be candid replied: “I like the scary rides best.” Hang on.

Oh, and one more thing: You know how at the end of a voiced editorial on radio or television the commentator will often say “That’s our opinion; we welcome yours.”

My evil-half is tempted to tell you this blog won’t be saying that.

But my kindly half, dominant at the moment, reports that, yes, we ARE saying that. We hope you’ll offer your comments and suggestions. That’s what’ll make this thing work best for all of us.

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice which makes our program possible stresses not only the word but the concept of “community.” This blog is meant as our way to expand that sense of community to all.

So check in often. I’ll be here, rambling on.

jp