I’ve never really been comfortable calling my website a “blog” anyway. I used to spell it “blahg.”

It’s a goofy word with a hundred meanings.

You’re right, I think. It’s just people with websites.

*This comment was edited to add that last sentence.

Many of the online journals and portfolio sites developed a “News” page or section that was periodically updated. The “News” page talked about recent changes and additions to the websites, and things happening in the life of the website’s owner. The owner even linked to other things the s/he thought was nifty.

The “News” section became more and more prominent until, for many people, it essential *became* the site. These became Web Logs WebLogs bLogs Blogs.

I was writing before there was an internet. I’m one of those dreamers who wanted to write a novel, or have an essay or two published in a magazine somewhere. I was a member of a writing group. We met on Thursday’s once or twice a month. We’d read our stuff to each other. Critique. Talk about writing. Occasionally bragged about being published in a small magazine or the local rag.

And then the internet exploded –

I got my own site that was going to be a portfolio site for my writing. But the “News” section became the important section. Suddenly I had an audience reading what I wrote. The more I wrote the more people came. I became a better and better writer. I was finding my voice and being comfortable with it.

I had a weblog. And, I’m sorry Ms. Huffington, I almost never publish my first draft.

Maybe I don’t have a weblog.

(Sorry, Jay, for co-opting your website. I return you back to your regularly scheduled programming …)

(ps This was a first draft.)

*The difference between a blog and a forum however is like the difference between a talk radio host taking calls about a particular subject verses open lines where users pick the subject matter.