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So I've been putting off making an announcement about future Basement Song posts until I had an exact idea when they would begin appearing again. If that sounds like I'm suddenly under the thumb of some corporate mastermind dictating when I can write I don't mean to. A few months back, probably around the time I wrote mt last entry, I was approached by my friend Jeff, who was the operator of Jefito, one of the best music web sites on the Internet. A number of things transpired and he had to begin rebuilding his site from the ground floor again. However, he decided that instead of focusing primarily on music, he would expand and cover all facets of popular culture. In addition, he also decides to branch out and act more like an editor in chief and lasso a group of his favorite bloggers and put them under one roof. Thus, "Popdose" was born.

Yes, you guessed it, he asked me to begin writing Basement Songs editions for Popdose on a weekly basis. I quickly accepted, not realizing the kind of pressure I would be putting myself under. Even now as I write this entry, my stomach is churning thinking that I have to turn in something to the other editors pretty soon for when the website goes live on January 1. Uh, yeah that's right, I haven't written shit yet.

Nice, Malchus. I would claim that I've been super busy, or that I write best under the gun, but the truth is that I'm nervous as all hell knowing that more than 10 or 20 people are going to be reading what I think and feel. On top of that, I'm supposed to write about television and occasionally about movies. What was I thinking?

Fortunately, this WGA strike continues and my TiVo is nearly empty. There is nothing but crap on my 200 channels from Direct Tv, so I have plenty of time to pour my thoughts on to the web.

Anyway, as the day approaches, I will make sure you all know that Popdose is up and running. Don't worry, though. I won't desert thunderbolt. I know there are some of you who actually enjoy reading about my misery and shortcomings. And you just love my whining and complaining. You especially love my spelling errors and terrible grammar. I know my friend, Blake, must cringe every time he reads a new post. But, he's an English teacher and I'm merely an English butcher of the language.

Aloha

Comments

Jeff said…
Dude, when I started writing comic reviews on Newsarama I kind of had the same feelings of "Holy shit! There's gonna be a LOT of people reading this and what if I say something that pisses people off? What if I sound like I don't know what the fuck I'm talking about?"

It passes. Keep in mind two bromides: Opinions are like assholes: everyone's got one; and you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. Read, recite, repeat.

All you have to do is be engaging and interesting in your writing, and try to give a different perspective from what everyone else is saying (parallax ain't just a poorly contrived DC Comics villain, y'know). Or talk about the stuff no one else wants to. Find your voice and make everyone hear it.

And if you piss someone(s) off and they curse you left and right, first off, wear it like a badge of honor because it means you stirred emotion within them. But secondly, and more importantly:

Remember that it means that they're actually READING your work.

Incidentally, every time I read Stephen King's commentary at the back of Entertainment Weekly, I always think of you, and how I can totally see you dishing with equal aplomb and authority on as many different topics.

Looking forward to reading your work, sir.
6:08 AM
Ted said…
Well, I'm going to be taking on the political writing duties at Pop Dose(along with Zack), so there will be quite a few slings and arrows to dodge.

But I agree with Jeff, if you get some angry or passionate comments, it means you've made a connection with your readers and they will be back for more!
8:30 AM
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