Eric’s Blog

About me:

I’m a 39-year-old, white male living on the Eastern Shore of Virginia with my wife of 20 years, our two children, and our Siberian Husky. I’m currently serving on active duty in the United States Navy as a Master Chief Petty Officer. I’ve been in the Navy for the last 21 years and I’m looking to retire within the next three to four years. I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up yet, but I do know that I don’t want to get to the end of my life and say, “man, I wish I had done [fill in the blank]!” Life is too short; I’d rather do it all and see even more.

Why am I doing this?

• I wanted to create something instead of just consuming things.
• I enjoy writing and I want to improve my writing skills. I figured the best way to do that is to write more often.
• Computers and websites have always held a certain fascination for me. I want to learn more about how to use computers and design websites instead of just using the cookie cutter social media that is fast losing its appeal.

Q & A:

These questions came from the example introductory blog post, and because I just sort of jumped in without a real plan, I decided to answer them to give you a better idea of why I’m here and what this blog is going to be about:

• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
  • I do keep a personal journal, but those are thoughts I’m not yet ready to share with others. I write them down to keep a record of my thoughts, feelings, and ideas because there are so many and I feel like if I don’t write them all down, I’m going to forget about them. I’m using this blog to help get some of those thoughts, feelings, and ideas refined and out into the world.
• What topics do you think you’ll write about?
  • It may have been easier to answer the question, “What topics do I think I’ll not write about?” I have many interests and hobbies, I’m better at some than others, but I don’t proclaim to be an expert on any of them. I just enjoy learning and trying new things. I could list all my interests and hobbies here for you, but I don’t want to lose you on the first day, so let’s just leave that open-ended and say that no topic is outside the realm of possibility.
• Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
  • I don’t have anyone specific in mind that i’d like to connect with via my blog. It would make me happy if other people read my posts and enjoyed them.
• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?
  • I tend to say whatever comes into my mind without pause or filtration to anyone that may be within earshot. Writing gives me the chance to express myself more clearly and concisely through filtering, proofreading, and editing. At the end of a successful year of blogging, I’d like to express myself the same way verbally.

Things you should know:

I tend to think in movie quotes, musicals, memes, and obscure references. I’ll try to put links on things (when I figure out how to do that) when I’m referencing something that I decide is too obscure for general knowledge. My mind works faster than I can type, I get distracted easily, and if I’m not careful, I can shift topics without completing my original thoughts. I’ll try to avoid that at all costs, if you have any questions about what I’m referencing, and I haven’t explained myself, just ask. I like to think I’m an approachable person, and I’m willing to take constructive criticisms, just follow the Golden Rule, “Treat others the way you want to be treated.”

I consume and process a lot of data (e.g. talking to people, self-reflection, books, movies, art, music, etc.). There are bound to be things that pick up from somewhere else. However, I’m not looking to rip someone else off; I promise that what I post will be run though my filter before posting them. If I post someone else’s material, I will obtain their permission before using it. If you find that I’ve inadvertently plagiarized something, let me know. I’ll either take it down, explain myself, or obtain permission from the author/creator.