Gettin' started.

Lord knows how you got hoodwinked into reading this, but I'll assume that since you're here you have at least a half-hearted interest in knowing what I'm up to. That's great news for you! It means you're at least mildly interested in a preeminently interesting person: me. Now guess what! More great news: you just stumbled upon what will no doubt be the blog to end all blogs, your one-stop source of so much stuff I need to make a list to accommodate it all. Here we go:

1) updates on my whereabouts and daily adventures in China.
2) funny anecdotes, which, let's be honest, are basically inevitable because I'll be a 6'4" circus-freak wandering around in a country where I'm functionally illiterate.
3) incisive commentary on the human condition (who isn't looking for that???)
4) my esteemed opinions on literature (usually poetry), music, movies, etc.
5) imprompu treatises/diatribes on civics and politics (YEAH!)
6) advice on how to be a good person (which I'll readily admit I don't always follow)
7) other bits of mishmash and mingle-mangle that defy categorization.

Now, keep in mind that's not an exhaustive list. If you want something else, I can deliver! I can appeal to the most vulgar and refined sensibilities! It makes no difference, just tell me what you want! In all seriousness, though, I'm making an earnest effort here to be less self-protective and emotionally niggardly. I'm unlocking the vault. I'll try to post regularly and give you as often as I can something informative or diverting to read. I assure you I won't be self-indulgent, self-important, maudlin, fustian, or dull. I really will try hard on this, if for no other reason than because it's got my name attached to it and I'm terrified of its permanence (I don't really understand the interwebs). So in return, I just want to know who you are. Private and public comments are welcome. Don't be shy. This here's a work in progress.