You'll notice some changes around here over the coming days and weeks. Probably not the changes you'd like to see -- for example, contrary to popular desire, Correspondent Ed is NOT leaving -- but rather the changes we'd like to see. And as this is our website we're going to make them. Because we think farlieonfootie will be the be better for them. And this whole endeavour is continually about trying to get better, sharper and more enjoyable for you, our valued readers.
For one, we won't be publishing our updates daily, as we've done every single day for the past eight months. At least for the next 45-60 days or so. As we slip into a football off-season filled with non-events, transfer rumors and speculation, we'll take some time off to stop and smell the non-football roses in our life. I'm not sure yet as to the exact new schedule, but we'll take it as it comes. Please continue to check this page regularly as I hope we'll continue to put out quality writing --- just not as much of it in the short term.
We're going to slant a bit more heavily toward beer reviews during the coming month or two. Sure, we'll offer our thoughts on new signings, announcements, and world football news, but we'll also be sipping and reviewing the world's best craft beers in an effort to introduce you to some new favorites. Drinking beer is not a bad way to spend the summer, and we're kind of looking forward to the opportunity.
I recently read an excellent piece by Richard Whittall (@RWhittall on Twitter) which confronted me with the question of why I was doing this whole blogging bit. I'll let you in on a little secret: it's not for the money -- at least not yet.
Sure, I have this bit of a fantasy about how I'll suddenly be "disovered" as a soccer/football blogger of the highest order, and some news organization will throw wads of cash at me in a bid for the privilege of publishing my witty bon mots from the next World Cup (Ed. Note: As if there's a news agency with wads of cash, other than a "new media" agency; surely the "old world" media are penniless). But that's not really the driving force behind this blog.
Blogging also gives me a creative outlet, and allows me to express the many thoughts that appear from nowhere only to end up in my head at some point during a game. Sure, there's also Twitter for expressing those (and that's another whole column, because I am absolutely in LOVE with Twitter), but the blog offers more than 140 characters at a time to record the many thoughts and emotions that football imparts upon me.
But it's more than that. It's more. Writing a blog allows me to connect with people who share my interests and passions, who form a community with which to interact. Whereas Facebook allows you to connect with people you know, or knew in a former life, a blog allows me to connect -- a basic human need, after all -- with people I may never "know" in the physical world sense, but probably should. People who share my interests.
