Om Malik kicked my *** last Saturday over breakfast, right in front of my fiance, saying how I’ve been slacking off. And you know what, he was right. I guess the amount of time I’ve been taking in my personal life, professional life and social life has all amounted to my being less the blogger/journalist that I have become. And that’s not cool.
The blogging is back, and so are my opinions. Sometimes we all need to recharge and other times we need to be able to take a step back before plowing ahead again. I know that the last three weeks have been a body slamming blur for me. Between dealing with a refi of my house, two huge conferences, clients to work with and a new business opportunity that needs some degree of attention to get rolling that is not technology related, I tend to forget that there are people who rely on what I have to say, and the stories I tend to highlight. Well Om’s wake up call over breakfast has reawakened me.
While I won’t post just to post, I will be writing more and highlighting less. You see, I’m finding out from you that you do read me. The comments I’ve gotten here at VON have fed my ego. But having to eat humble pie from Om, who I respect as journalist and as a friend, is what made all that taste sweeter.
Yesterday at the Blogger Army Panel, I clearly validates that what I realized was true. Based on the reaction of the audience and the input from the panel members, it’s clear to see important blogging is to the VoIP industry. Just like the hobby press was to trading cars, the enthusiasm, passion and zeal with which bloggers ply their craft is beyond that of the reporters who cover a beat because it’s their job. While the reporters have a boss to report to, the blogger reports only to themselves and their readers. Thus they are not held to the same standards in some people’s eyes. I hear that at future VON’s Jeff Pulver will be creating a registration category for Bloggers. That takes guts. It’s also takes vision. Jeff has that because just like his conference business, he knows that the bloggers help propel the industry.
My name is Andy Abramson, and I’m a blogger.