To Blog or Not to Blog ...

On June 29, I sat down to start writing a new blog. I’d become a little lax in the last few weeks not because of lack of interest in writing but simply because too many other things seemed to occupy my time.

I also don’t write a blog simply for the sake of writing one. I need to have a topic in mind and once I do, the ideas seem to flow more freely.

As I sat at the computer I realized what an interesting year it had been since I first began blogging in early July 2011.

Concord NH Patch had only just come on the local scene, offering readers an additional outlet for news and information. I’d not even been aware of Patch until I did with Tony Schinella a few days prior to my June 30, book signing event for my autobiography, “Was That a Name I Dropped?” at in Concord. I did my first Blog a few days later.

Since then, I’ve done several dozen on various topics ranging from memories of the Concord I grew up in during the 1950s and 60s to showing my support for an embattled city councilor and noting certain milestones. I didn’t court controversy or take political stands although I did urge the city on several occasions to bring lighted holiday displays back to our fair city.

One of the really nice things about blogging is that you can choose your topic or subject and are not limited in what you can say. It is very freeing and I often find myself amazed and enthralled reading some of the Blogs that locals have written and shared on Patch. I don’t think I’ve missed many in the past year and while I may sometimes disagree with the stand someone takes, I love the fact that so many have the courage of their convictions and willingness to share their thoughts with so many.

While narrowing my choices for the new blog, I received an e-mail from Patch.com and clicked on it to see what it said:

"Hello Paul,
Congratulations - you are one of Patch’s Top 100 Bloggers (from our over 22,000 bloggers Patchwide)! We just wanted to take the time to thank you for your contributions."

I decided that it had to be a joke but when I realized that it wasn’t I was hit with the most overwhelming feeling of humility, asking myself how could this be.

I am far from the best writer on Concord NH Patch and I never assumed that my random thoughts and reminisces were nearly on a par with some of the more profound pieces I have been privileged to read.

Now as I begin my second year as a blogger, I want to thank the many readers who have, for one reason or another, found my ramblings to be worth a read. I also want to encourage every individual who has given even a moment’s thought to the possibility of writing a Blog to give it a try. You have nothing to lose by writing down your thoughts and ideas and you never know just where it may lead.

Next week I’ll be back with some memories of some of the best eating spots Concord had to offer before the advent of the “chains."