Entry #1: The Black Dog Mission Statement

From where I sit, I can see the neighbor's dog stretched out on the driveway, enjoying a nap in the cool of a mid-fall morning. How I envy him. His is pure contentment. No chores await him. No deadlines. Just the basic decisions of a simple life: pee on this tree, or perhaps that one over there? Maybe dig a hole in the frontyard? Nah. I'll just lie here and let the smooth asphalt warm my fur. Wrapped in his own thermal blanket, he is a self-contained bliss machine, if for just this one moment.

Goddamn dog. I hate him.

I'm starting this blog as an impetus to write something, anything, as often as possible. I've toiled for 19 months writing small town news and feel good features for the local newspaper, a bumbling operation at best. Editorial miscues, small and large, have driven me to total distraction and, right now, I can't even bring myself to think about cranking out 1,000 words about the same school board meeting that happens every two weeks. Not to be arrogant, but I am the best player on a very bad team, and to apply another overused sports analogy, love of the game ain't doing it for me anymore.

So, there's this. An attempt to jump start my brain and head off down another track.

That said, on to meatier topics.