IDK who that is in the background
What better way to start this off than use the chorus from an old song by the rapper whose name helped me determine what I’d call my first personal site in 3 years? I’ve been looking forward to this post since I bought the domain name in November 2010. Eventually it’ll also be accessible via the url www.articulateblackguy.com. Figured it’d be a good idea to put that domain to use since I paid for it during a frenzy of purchasing “property” in a predominantly white and blank e-neighborhood. I’ve got a couple other names, but those are for my grown folk entertainment businesses that I’m recruiting talent for. There are a lot of ugly people out there.
Man, I’m so happy to be home!
I’ve spent nearly 3 years tied up in increasingly successful and award-winning group blogs. Three Ways to Take It was my baby with a dirty name. When I wrote my last post there, I shed a thug tear on my keyboard. As I was scribing away, I realized how much time, energy, and dedication had been put into running that site. It was the first thing I created on the internet that people really read and came to expect a certain level of quality from. Without 3 Ways, I probably wouldn’t have ended up writing for Single Black Male and who knows where I’d be?
That tear that hit my keyboard on that last post wasn’t just a tear of sadness. It was also a tear of relief. Between my increasingly hectic yet lovable day job, taking the reins at SBM, trying to interact with people on Twitter, going to networking events, running 3 Ways, and trying to live up to some ridiculous expectations from people that don’t know me and from myself, I was stretched and stressed. And within all this, I was always concerned about my personal brand. As much as I loved both blogs, I felt like I was diluting myself.
I experienced a lot of frustration over the last year. I’d go out to events and introduce myself and mention 3 Ways and people would get the twisted face. Then I’d mention SBM and it would click and they’d start introducing me as thee SBM. I had people blatantly tell me they would read one blog but not the other, which in turn meant they wouldn’t see much of the work that I dedicated hours of my life to. Do you know what it feels like to log 15-20 hours a week on stuff that you’re getting minimal to no credit for? Yeah, I love writing and love running a website, but I also love recognition. I’m decent at running sh*t. I want credit for what I’m good at. It’s difficult to get that when you’re buried behind the scenes like a roadie.
Truth be told, I considered leaving SBM in January. I had started writing a goodbye post in my head that never made it to WordPress, but trust me when I tell you it would’ve been one of those 1,000 worders that was written in 20 minutes. I wanted my pen name to mean something and not just be a character in a book I didn’t conceptualize. I wanted to reinvigorate 3 Ways and take us out of the rut that was starting to resemble that awful Cleveland Cavs losing streak. “What’s going on with 3 Ways?” became much more a sharp pain in my side than a concerned question. After all, I created that and my name was at the forefront of the site. I took responsibility for it. I couldn’t blame the other writers for achieving success in their own lives and not having the time and energy to dedicate to a blog that didn’t pay their bills or help their careers in any way.
But for a myriad of reasons when I started thinking rationally and not emotionally, I stayed onboard with SBM and decided 3 Ways needed to be decommissioned. It’s turned out to be the best decision(s) I’ve made…next to starting up this personal blog. I feel like a writer again and not an intellectual tap dancer. I’m looking forward to being able to post what I want, when I want, and with no expectations other than the post will go up when I hit publish. For those of you that are joining me as I navigate the labyrinth in my mind via prose, thanks and I hope you enjoy. Do check out my work on SBM. I could use the help on Mondays.
I’m so f*cking happy to be back.
Cartwheels in Boxers,
P.S. I’m still doing some work around the house here. This is new and all. I think I need to have a housewarming party.
Congrats on your new place!!
I have a bottle of Crown and a bottle of Jack for the housewarming party…
I support both of those to the fullest.
woowoo! i'll bring the party hats!
…no? lol
I'm all about the party hats…
*straps it on sideways*
Giggidy.
Awesome! Now I have an opportunity to check you out in Real Time! Woo Hoo!
Congratulations! Been following you the last few months on SBM and love your posts. Let's see what can I bring to the housewarming party…? I am partial to tequila. Patron it tis!
You got room to do cartwheels inside your boxers? Hmmm… :-p
Congrats man. I miss 3Ways, but I'm loving the changes at SBM, obviously the lurkers do too. I love seeing them crawl outta the depths. Job well done sir.
good sh*t. it was nice to meet you in dc, btw
Thanks yall. I'ma really find a way to have a housewarming party too. Looking forward to interacting with folks here and at my other spots. And…I'm bout to get an avatar so I don't look so mysterious on here.
Big ups to you being back in the paint!
Congratulations!!!
Can't wait to see what's in store!!
=)
hi! irie here, i follow you on twitter, probably after a max any10, i dont quite recall. even tho you already have a following i am partial to "new" blogs cus i'm the kinda person that feels overwhelmed when i see a post that has 1400 comments…i just read and move along. ergo i'm happy to get in while you're still on the ground here. i have added you to my reader, looking forward.
uhm…yeah irie here… oops.
You make a good point. I'd be perfectly fine if this site never turned into a mega monster. Thanks for following and will hopefully see you around as I post randomness. lol
Yay! At Last (In my Etta James voice)
Congrads to my ninja Slim
I know you were kinda tight with how threeways went down.
but eff that, you know your people are always here to suppose whatever you do.
FTW
I was a regular reader of 3ways, but a lurker; am a regular reader of SBM but never comment. Congratulations on your new space. Looking forward to reading your posts.
*dances in late with Patron and shot glasses* Congrats, looking forward to reading you!
Hey lookee here. Congrats!! I'm happy for you and may this grow into something huge for you. I look forward to reading. I hope you overshare and let your hair down.:-)
Oh word? OK. *adds to Google Reader*
HEYYYY, Slim! Glad you finally got this going. *flings bawse-shaped confetti* (imagine that shaped as you will)
I didn’t know confetti could be shaped like me.lol
*stands up* My name is Henewaa and I'm an anonymous lurker.
But not anymore, lol. Anyway I read a few of your posts on SBM and it brought me here. Even though I've never commented, I liked most of your stuff and I'm looking forward to this blog.Soooo…*scratches head awkwardly* I'll be back. lol
Hi! (waving frantically) I follow u on Twitter and have been a reader and even made a few comments on 3ways and SBM…excited to see what you bring to your e-bachelor pad!
Ummm, I should introduce myself huh? I'm Sane (pronounced Shawnay, get it right). I'm a regular reader/commenter at SBM and was also a regular over at 3Ways. Even though I've been a bit more sporadic in my commentings on SBM lately, I still love all your Monday posts. Oh, and this will be added to my reader, obviously. #thatisall
congrats again on the new digs!!
I’m looking forward to being able to post what I want, when I want, and with no expectations other than the post will go up when I hit publish.
this is exactly how i feel about my blog-space. i dont have nearly the credibility or presence that you )and other bloggers) have, but i like having a virtual home that allows me to share my thoughts, opinions, and feelings.
look forward to reading!
Good job!
Looks like this blog is going to be just as successful as the others. Looking forward to following the story.
Appreciate these words!
Good luck with the new endeavor sir. I look forward to pissing all over your pseudo floor.
Good luck with the new endeavor sir. I look forward to pissing all over your pseudo floor.
Butter and hoes,
Seattle
Looking forward to checking this out. Guess I got the spoons and forks.
I'm looking forward to checking this out. Guess I'll bring the spoons and forks.
I know I’m a little late, but glad to see you finally started your own blog.
**cues “Without Me” **
Looking forward to checking things out over here.
Congrats on the new digs.
Congrats. I'm a happy subscriber to The Real Slim Jackson.
Congrats; I'm happy for you. I agree that it was a wise decision to stick around on SBM, and I wish you all the best on your solo journey V.2.