Day 1 – Topic/Concept

Yes, I know, my blog looks like it was created in 1994.  Here’s why: For the next 31 days, you will decide the fate of my blog’s design.  I’ll walk you through the stages of development and you’ll vote.  I will make changes daily based on the results of my polls. Polls will stay open for one week, just to keep things interesting.

Blogs are like stars. They are born, they glow. People and other blogs gravitate toward them when they get bigger. Some fizzle out, some explode, some consume dozens of other blogs when they collapse. And there are billions and billions of them.

Okay, cheesy metaphor, perhaps, and there probably aren’t billions and billions of blogs.  But try reading that introduction in a Carl Sagan voice.  It’s too good to pass up.

For all you youngsters out there, this is Carl Sagan:

The beginning of every blog design is a little like Carl Sagan’s “billions and billions” philosophy. Yes, we are insignificant.  But we are unique, and nonetheless deserving of our niche in the universe.  Today, on the first day of this crazy project, we’re talking about the Blog Salad, and what my little speck in the blogosphere should be.

Every blog begins with a concept, a niche, an idea or a topic.  Without that, no matter how good the design, the blog remains an amorphous blob, er, blog.  Sure, the Crabhead Nebula is beautiful, but it’s no star.

In the past, I’ve avoided this discussion. I’ve been flippant, professing that Blog Salad is a gallimaufry of ideas, topics, and stories.

For those who don’t already know, I’m a freelance writer, a web designer, an a work-at-home father. I’m a lover of technology and the outdoors and food. I’ve written about [intlink id="1154" type="post"]freelancing[/intlink], [intlink id="1075" type="post"]blogging[/intlink], [intlink id="964" type="post"]food[/intlink], [intlink id="1786" type="post"]my family[/intlink], [intlink id="1539" type="post"]Twitter[/intlink], [intlink id="2157" type="post"]politics[/intlink], [intlink id="1241" type="post"]my mother dying[/intlink], and [intlink id="2121" type="post"]current news events that are probably best left alone[/intlink].  Throughout the process, I’ve gained readers, alienated others, and generally left myself confused—it’s not easy being nebulous. While wandering is in our nature, it’s hard to be found when you’re on an adventure into nowhere.

So, here’s your chance to tell me what you, my past, current and future readers, what this blog should be.

Don’t feel like voting in today?  Leave a comment explaining how you decided on your blog’s topic/theme/niche instead.

Tomorrow’s Post: LAYOUT – Let’s get organized!