Why blog?

I am an admitted late-comer to the blogging party. It wasn't that I was technologically incapable of creating one; I just wasn't sure I saw the point. Most of the people who are interested in my life are already involved in it. I don't have relatives scattered across the continent who need updates on the kids or who want to know the latest home-town gossip. So why blog?

I know that there are also other reasons for blogging, not the least of which is sharing your thoughts on the subject du jour. This kind of struck me as arrogant (and this from a guy who knows arrogance first hand). Why would someone care what you thought about the presidential race, global warming or Britney Spear's comeback? Do you fancy yourself the guru who lives atop the mountain ready to dispense nuggets of truth for the seekers who are willing to make the pilgrimage? Please.

(OK, reality check time. I have often seen myself as the smartest person in the room who is quite willing to opine on most subjects (it's a character flaw, I know) and I do like to spend time in the mountains. I have, however, never asked anyone to make a pilgrimage.)

And yet, here I am. But I'm not blogging for family or friends or for those in search of great knowlege. I'm sure I will have curious friends stop by and they may in fact learn something about me they didn't know. I may also be able to say something that speaks truth to someone. That's all fine, but it will be a by-product rather than the purpose. No, I am not blogging for them; I'm blogging for me.

This will be my place for recording my thoughts, my spot to jot down events -- both significant and not -- that decorate my journey, my area to note the things that others say or write that speak to me. Basically, this will be my file cabinet to hold my periodic memory dump.

Of course one of the disadvantages to arriving anywhere late is that all the good seats are taken. Such is the case with blogspot. BryanSimpson.blogspot is already taken, ironically by a college minister in the Northeast. So after trying to create some really catchy name, I just decided to add the "r" (it's for Ross). For those who might follow along, please take note.