Ragan stopped paying me to write this blog about a month ago. This really frees me up to write about days like today, when it was sunny and the temperature got over 50.
This morning, with a round of golf planned, I felt that first leap in the throat.
And this afternoon, after the golf and a little work, I walked the mile to get Scout at school and we walked home together, over the little black remnants of giant snow piles she was climbing over three weeks ago.
At the top of my lungs, I sang James Taylor's song "One Man Dog" while Scout skipped and danced to the tune down the sidewalk.
I sang sincerely, "All I need is a little girl to be walkin' at my right hand," and Scout asked if she could take off her coat. "It's easier to skip and stuff with your coat off," she observed.
Next to the food factory there were a bunch of workers playing mariachi music out of their boom box and chugging Coronas next to their pick-up truck. Scout was a little scared, and the Mexicans saw it and we all laughed.
Mom pulled up and then we all had dinner in the Irish joint and I explained what all those green decorations were for.
And spring doesn't even start for another week.
Comments (7)
David, I love those days!!! Those moments cannot be scripted and yet they are some of the best memories. And I am glad you are still blogging. Reading your blog is one of the things I look forward to each day.
Posted by Susan | March 14, 2008 9:00 AM
Posted on March 14, 2008 09:00
As I discovered when I very seriously considered stopping the blog: Writing my blog, and interacting with its readers, is one of the things I look forward to each day.
Posted by David Murray | March 14, 2008 9:15 AM
Posted on March 14, 2008 09:15
What's the scoop?
Posted by Diane | March 14, 2008 10:08 AM
Posted on March 14, 2008 10:08
No scoop, Diane. Ragan simply decided they ain't payin' for no blogs no mo. I told them, "Well, then I won't blog no mo." They called my bluff. I soul-searched for a month, and decided this is
A.) A valuable way for me to vet ideas with a smart and sensible group of communicators, and learn from them.
B.) A way to keep my family and close friends up on my life, ironically enough.
C.) A fun part of my life, a way to publish ideas that nobody wants to pay for.
So I kept on truckin', and I'm glad I did.
David
Posted by David Murray | March 14, 2008 10:35 AM
Posted on March 14, 2008 10:35
I should add that Ragan's move was part of a larger change involving the company's transition from being largely print-based to being largely online-based (myragan, ragan.com).
I should also add that it wasn't a big part of my income--more like an honorarium that I always used as an "excuse" to blog, rather than a central reason.
Posted by David Murray | March 14, 2008 10:51 AM
Posted on March 14, 2008 10:51
Let me just reiterate what others have said:
I'm also glad you decided to continue David, because the conversations that happen here, aside from being spontaneous, hilarious and completely unpredictable, are also filled with helpful advice for work-a-day communicators.
This blog is one of only four that I check every morning as part of my "start the day" routine and I would truly miss Shades of Gray if it went away (Ew, sorry about the bad rhyme - completely unintentional I promise!)
Posted by Kristen | March 15, 2008 4:57 PM
Posted on March 15, 2008 16:57
Thanks, Kristen. I'm embarrassed and flattered and looking forward to breaking bread in May.
Posted by David Murray | March 17, 2008 1:27 PM
Posted on March 17, 2008 13:27