Which brings us back to one of the original questions – Why. I blog for several reasons – firstly, I enjoy the process of pulling ideas and experiences out of my head and down into the keyboard. I’m my own biggest fan, and enjoy reading my writing. The process of capturing my thoughts and experiences makes them more real, and more rich, and enriches my life as a result. “Standing on the rock of my data design” – as I did in my epic twelve part “483” case study is a way to relieve an exciting and ultimately satisfying project, and to remind myself afresh of what is important.

Secondly, it is not a struggle for me. I learned how to type (don’t laugh) on an IBM 3270 green-screen terminal running TSO, at a young age. I have been an avid reader all of my life, and the words come easily to me, and right out my fingers onto the screen.

Thirdly, I’m egotistic enough to enjoy the fact that (by now) a bunch of people read my stuff every week. It is not a HUGE craving or need, more a small uptilt of the corners of the mouth. I do enjoy entertaining my readers, and believe that in some small way I’m raising the quality of writing that is available for free on the internet.

Fourth, I believe that I am passing on some of what I have learned in the course of a very eventful career. I have been richly blessed in the range of projects I’ve done, and the quality of people that I have worked with. I’m pleased to be able to capture some of my insights and impressions in this Blog, and to pass these on in the hopes that I can raise insights in you, which will inform or improve our work.

Fifth, it certainly isn’t for the money. I can foresee some minor commercialization of the interest built in my writing at some point in the future, but that certainly is not a primary motivator.

Close with a quote from another blogger, speaking of blogging and life, and the longing that connects them:

“…I feel a deep longing, saudade, for those who do and have shared my life, it is the longing for life itself, "a saudade da vida," and at the same time it is celebration of the sharing of this life. It is being alive in the life of my life, that little and insignificant life which i call mine, all mine." - Cairo Otaibi