So, you may have noticed that I haven’t posted to the blog for quite sometime. There’s a number of reasons for that:
- Busy, Busy, Busy
I’m currently on an amazing attchment from BBC News Interactive to BBC New Media. I’ve been working with James (aka Technogoggles) and Tomski, the “Loosemore Effect” himself. We’re working on one mother of a project for the BBC, which I think many of you are going to enjoy when it comes out. I’m sworn to secrecy, which is why I havn’t had much to blog about. For the time being, you’re going to have to wait a little bit longer, unless you have been lucky enough to read one of the few leaks about it in the press - “What’s the point?”
I started this blog because I wanted to promote some of my skunkwork projects. I was beginning to seriously start looking for a new job as I was getting tired of what I was doing at News. As much as I’m not shy to dig at my department when I disagree with it, I’m not going to air my dirty laundry in public as to why I was looking to leave. In the end, rather than selling out to a merchant bank for twice my salary, I took this attachment. So, I don’t have as much of a need to promote myself – and as much as I like their blogs, I don’t want to out-and-out “blog-whore” myself like these guys.
Despite all that, I have decided to continue the blog for one reason: my Dad. My Dad was diagnosed with Hepatitis C a few years back, and he finally started his long-term treatment for it in the Autumn. I encouraged him to blog his treatment, which I’m pleased to say has been a fantastic success (both his treatment and the blog!). His blog, which has a very personal narration, has helped him along during his treatment and also has helped increase the awareness of Hepatitis C (his blog is even promoted from the front page of the NHS Hepatitis C website).
The personal perspective of his blog is what makes it so enguaging. With this in mind I have decided to continue my blog, this time with a far more personal feel (like my Dads, and many others). I’ve always been concerned that my persona can do me a disservice – unless you know me, my casual nature often doesn’t reflect what I’ve got to say. Bearing in mind I was looking for a job, I was careful to keep my posts strictly formal, which in turn made them very dry.
So, welcome to Ben?s Blog v2. I?ll also sort myself out with my own template rather than the current generic one. I might even start a podcast, despite my personal dis-interest in them.
Ben, many thanks for the compliments ? and of course the technical and personal support you have given me over this time.
You know I sometimes struggle to work within the parameters of current blogging software ? and my limited technical knowledge, to produce the kind of things I want to do on my blog. So, I?ll be looking out for your new template ? casting a ?plagiarising eye? over it, as the influence is not all ?dad to techie son?!!
Ben,
Arrived here via your Dads site.
It`s fantastic to see a father and son so close and appreciative of each other.
My daughter (age 28) and I have the same relationship and are best friends.
You have done a great job of Rons` site. It`s looking a lot cleaner.
Your dads` doing good and has been a big help to me.
I love the photo of your cat. Our cat is a russian blue. She loves classical music and we have become very close during my illness.
Cats are a great stressbuster.
I haven`t had time to look at your site yet – it may be a bit technical for me.
The BBC does seem to be going through some big changes.
Broadcasting has an awesome responsibility which I am afraid it often isn`t measuring up to.
I used to be in journalism and saw some – well, lets just say interesting things.
The big cheese from CNN who had to resign recently because someone BLOGGED on him is a case in point.
The conspiracies are endless.
Look after your dad. There`s a lot of years left in that old dog,
Take care,
Paul.