Did you ever sit down at your computer, fingers poised over the keyboard, and realize you don't know what to write? Why is it that writers--of all people--occasionally draw a blank when it comes time to write?

Funny how one moment the mind is nearly drowning in ideas, but when it comes time to commit those thoughts to the screen, they don't want to materialize. Or at least in the intelligent, meaningful pattern they appeared to have while still in the noggin'.

Sometimes it helps just to start typing away. Throw any sort of words, phrases, or sentences on the screen. Do they make sense? Is there a pattern? Maybe, maybe not. But it gets the brain functioning and concentrating on something. Eventually one idea will leap out from the bunch, and you'll have something to work with.

Take a trip to the library, which I do nearly every day. Use the time to read one or two papers and perhaps a magazine or two. Then I hit the computers to check e-mail and review some websites. Try to get in some research as well. Today, for example, I'm looking into the Kelo v. New London decision handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court in summer. Big issue. Really big--and hot--issue.

I'll save the meat of that issue for another blog entry, but the point is that during this otherwise routine visit to the library I decided to log into Blogstream and post a message. You'll note that I haven't written anything in a few days. And I thought to myself, "What am I going to write about?"

With no concrete idea in mind, I thought I'd start typing. Just to see what would transpire. Nothing spectacular, but it got me thinking more about the Kelo decision and what I need to do for the project More importantly, it gets me focused on writing. That's what I'm hoping to do for a living, and feel I should do a ton of it whether for pay or no. (One reason for the blog.)

It's all about doing. As the great fiction writers say, ya gotta just plop yourself in front of the computer each day and pound out the copy. For them it might be a dozen or so pages. For mere mortals like me, perhaps a few hundred words on the blog to get things going.

That's why I initially tried to get myself to write the blog the first thing in the morning. That worked for a few days, then like every other New Year's-type resolution, it got pushed aside. You know the feeling: Something else comes up (too tired to write, need breakfast, have to get out of the house, etc. etc.), and pretty soon the great plan is history.

So I now log in when I feel like it. Try to write something substantive, but somedays, like today, it's more like rambling. Something, as I said above, to get the neurons flowing and the brain thinking about writing.

Back to my research.

Another fine weekend is in the books.

Spent a couple days with Dad at our family's cabin in western Wisconsin. The weather was beautiful: sunny with temps in the 60s to 70s and light to moderate breezes. Great Fall weather, and probably the last we'll see in Wisconsin for awhile.

It never ceases to amaze me how a couple days away from urban life can recharge the batteries and create a fresh outlook for the week. In the 20-plus years we've had the cabin and land I've visited there dozens of times. I know the area like the back of my hand. Yet each trip does wonders for me. You just can't beat getting away from it all.

Our cabin isn't fancy by any means. Not like the resorts and cottages some folks put up "up north." But it suits us just fine. The fresh air, peace and quiet, and some occasional work do wonders for the soul. Throw in a couple cookouts and campfires, and you have a complete weekend.

I often wonder about city dwellers who have no place of their own. How do they get away? Where do they go? I realize some go camping, others take trips to places near and far. Either way, they're getting away from the city life and all that goes with it. But there's something special about owning a piece of land and a cabin.

That's the key: Having a place to call your own. It need not be all that fancy, either. You make it what you want it to be. And because it's yours, you can visit any time, with no reservations or costs (other than provisions for the weekend, or course). Yes, there are the ongoing expenses of property taxes, upkeep, utility bills, and so on. But they are minor compared to the benefits derived.

Fall is here, and winter is just around the corner. Not the best seasons for camping, but one can still get out and enjoy the fresh air and quiet. While I yearn for summer already, I know that the cabin is a special place even in the winter. It beckons still.

What a shame. Just under five years ago the nation sat through a nail-biter of an election. When the dust in Ohio finally settled, the country realized it had elected George Bush, whom conservatives believed would finish what Ronald Reagan began. They we wrong.

Disregarding the war in Iraq--which is neither a liberal nor conservative action--look at what Bush has done as CEO of the nation: expanded federal control (The No Child Left Behind Act among others) and spending; an unwillingness to veto any budgets, despite the billions in embezzled funds (oops, I'm sorry; I meant earmarks); and now the nomination of lame candidates for the Supreme Court. Liberals are exhaling a huge sigh of relief. Conservatives can only shake their heads and cry at a golden opportunity squandered.

For what we hoped to see was an administration committed to fiscal responsibility and returning power and authority to the people. What we got instead was a sham and borderline lie. Yes, Bush pushed through tax cuts which, along with the reduction in lending rates, helped jump-start the economy. And, of course, we had no idea in 2000 that the nation would be attacked and that the economy would recoil as a result.

Still, Bush could have done more on the domestic front to buffer the country and economy. Like not going into Iraq, but I won't go there now. Bush obviously isn't a mastermind when it comes to economics, but he seemed to be on the right track--pun intended--regarding Supreme Court nominees. At last, conservatives thought, we'd see the court continue on the path started by the late Chief Justice Rehnquist. Alas, we were mistaken again.

For his first Supreme Court nominee, Bush chooses John Roberts. By all accounts he is a bright and capable person. He doesn't have much of a paper trail, and we learned very little during his confirmation hearings. The Democrats (which includes the Chairman, a so-called Republican) spent an inordinate amount of time grilling Roberts on "privacy," which we all know is a code word for the Roe decision. So much for not applying a litmus test.

What about some of the other portions of the Bill of Rights? Such as the 2nd Amendment, the takings clause of the 5th Amendment ("Hey, Judge Roberts, how would you have voted on the Kelo decision?"), and the 10th Amendment. He was understandably coy and vague, but really too vague for some of us.

Then there's Harriet "Who the hell is she?" Miers, Bush's pick to replace the retiring Sandra O'Connor. Here is Miers' background: a veteran corporate lawyer and Bush friend. Oh, goodie. We're to accept Bush's statement that he trusts her to follow the constitution. Sorry, Mr. Bush, but we've trusted you all along, and you've let us down too many times. One hopes that the Senate rejects the Miers nomination flat out. Bush would be forced to nominate someone worthy of being on the bench and carrying the torch.

Why has Bush acted this way? Part of it appears to be his desire to be seen as a "good" President: the touchy-feely, soccer mom-loving type who looks out for the kids (hence the Educrat Retirement Act mentioned above) and everyone else he can think of.

But we also sense an unwillingness to take on Congress. Bush simply doesn't have the spine to do what is right. Among other things, veto budgets and nominate strong candidates to the Supreme Court. Bush is tough when he's dealing with al Queda, but is a wimp when it comes to dealing with al Congress.

What's next? Who knows? But the Republicans stand to lose big in 2006, and it's all because of Bush. He had the momentum once, and let it slip away. Like father, like son.

Day 2 of my life in Blogsville starts cool and partly cloudy. Guess we should expect that as it's now Fall. Too bad summer had to end. That is my favorite season, after all. One nice thing about winter is that we get to look forward to spring and summer. (Yes, I know: winter is a cool--no pun intended--season as well.)

Thanks to Scratch for stopping by yesterday and leaving a message. Considering the number of blogs out there, the odds of any one in particular being visited have to be pretty long. Especially when the owner doesn't promote or mention his blog. Which I don't intend to do for a bit. I'd rather get some valuable experience under my belt, and with any luck, eventually leave some interesting and informative material for others.

As a writer I'm constantly looking for new opportunities. The 'net sure makes it easy to reach out and touch someone. Last night I got the crazy idea to contact a foreign firm about assisting with their copy needs. Essentially I offered to edit their text so it sounded better, more natural.

I'm sure you've seen the stuff from overseas--usually signs--written in English but so garbled as to be funny. I can't translate into English, but I can make what has been translated read better. I had been introduced to this foreign company over a year ago while I was employed in the real world. Interesting products, but their website needed help big time. Especially the copy.

So I visited their site again yesterday. It's much better than before, both in content and design. But the copy on one page was a bit stilted, so I fired off an example of what they should say instead. Offered to help out in that capacity for any of their marketing needs.

Freelancers understand that in order to survive they have to be really diligent about prospecting. Once the work starts flowing in, and the relationships become established, the person can cut back a bit. But during the initial months the person really has to get out there and shake the trees. That's where the internet--technically, the World Wide Web--comes into play.

Literally the entire planet is accessible from one's own home work station. The possibilities are limitless. Of course, the 'net offers its own set of challenges, such as establishing a relationship from afar.

In the good old days the sales rep would visit the prospect. Nowadays it's a bit different. But with the proper game plan and some solid experience, it's possible to develop strong, profitable working relationships with clients near and far. And in some cases, you may never meet the person face to face. Ain't that a kick?

Well, here I go.

A ten-year veteran of internet and e-mail (though as more of a casual user), I finally decided to take the plunge into blogging.

What is blogging? In the little amount of research I've done it appears to be much like the World Wide Web: nearly whatever the participants want it to be. In a way that's cool, but for neophytes it's a bit confusing, because we're not sure what to do with this process and capability. But, ya gotta start somewhere and somewhen; may as well be here and now. As is the case with the real world, OJT is the best teacher.

An ad grad from many years ago, I was released from an ad agency over a year ago. No real surprise there. It was a struggle to bring in new business. We parted amicably, though it was their decision, not mine.

After some soul-searching, I decided to try my hand at freelance writing. Although my previous employment had been on the sales side, I occasionally had the chance to do some writing for clients and prospects. Usually feature-type stuff: business profiles and similar pieces. I'm trying to leverage that experience into something profitable for clients around SE Wisconsin. It's been a bit tough so far, but I'll keep plugging away.

Meantime, I'll make this a regular "pit stop" for thoughts, ideas, and anything else that comes to mind. (That's what blogging is all about, right?) In the process you the reader will--I hope--feel satisfied with your visit and I will gain some additional writing experience.

Let the fun continue....

Tom