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Podcast Album Art for the G-Spod Episode #170

I’m so excited about the ways blogging has been getting me out in front of people. Previously, as an artist, I had little trouble putting my artwork out there for others, but I was generally a quiet and reserved buy who would rather stay in the studio working than go out and be around others. In other times during my life I was a teacher, and a lay preacher, and in both of those capacities, I loved putting myself out there, but in both cases, it was within the confines of the prescribed environments- the classroom or the Sunday morning service. Blogging, on the other hand is encouraging me to be out there in front of others in a wider variety of ways, spaces and endeavors, and this is very exciting.

I suppose, it would be easy to be a blogger, and never leave my computer. To sit, alone, reading the web, and adding to it for others, but detached from the rest of the interacting world, but for me, becoming a blogger has done just the opposite- opportunities have presented themselves to step out of my comfort zone- what an awesome gift!

This week, a neighbor, Linda mentioned that she had seen me on TV. She was referring to the televised proceedings of the County Council meeting where I spoke in favor of the Allegheny County Human Relations Ordinance. This is something I would not have done before becoming a blogger. Even as late as January, when the legislation had a public hearing, I would not have done it. I sat through the hearing, listening to others, till I knew that I had a perspective to share and saying it aloud, was in many ways like writing a blog entry- I can do that!  So, at the meeting for the vote, I placed myself on the list of speakers. Blogging provided this growth.

Yesterday, I made my debut as a podcast guest on The G-Spod (iTunes link), episode #170. I wrote about it just after we taped, but now the damage is done and the evidence is out there for everyone to hear. DJ G and Carman pride themselves on producing a real gay podcast that isn’t 60 minutes of talking exclusively about Brittany or Cher. Their result is a fun filled listen of great music (podsafe)  and interesting dialogue and conversation. And their show is a real winner in my book. I hope my presence doesn’t lower their ratings- they are both quick witted, intelligent, and fun on air.  I had listened to the show a number of times, starting almost 2 years ago, but haven’t been a regular listener recently. I wasn’t nearly as prepared as I thought I was, for G’s interviewing style, but afterwards, I thought it went well. I hope you enjoy it, and become regular listeners for their show.

This is something I never would have done, had I not started blogging! And I hope it wasn’t the last. We talked about a regular 3-5 minute segment about politics- maybe that will happen. But either way, I love the way, that sitting behind a computer is also bring me out in front of other people. Bringing all of me out there my thoughts and ideas as text, and the whole of me as well. Blogging is good stuff!

So, I’ll close this with a plug for Podcamp Pittsburgh 4, October 10-11, 2009

PodCamp Pittsburgh is a FREE community UnConference, run by and for people who create, enjoy, or are interested in learning more about blogging, podcasting, and social media.PodCamp Pittsburgh started out as an UnConference for a very specialized group of techies – podcasters – but has grown over the past four years to include sessions aimed at helping all sorts of groups–teachers, nonprofits, corporations, job hunters– harness the power of social media.

I met Carman and G at Podcamp last year. another example of how blogging took me out of my comfort zone and the result was opened doors and opportunities.