Medical Rants started about 2 months ago. I spent some time this weekend thinking about the blog, why I blog, and what I hope to accomplish. As you can see I have nice new digs, and I also want to comment on those.

Generally, I view myself as better at oral communication than written communication. My comfort zone comes on rounds, giving talks, and morning report. Speaking spontaneously feels comfortable. I never feel as comfortable when writing. Writing is more permanent, requires more thought, and is more easily dissected. Writing takes time. I have wanted to improve my writing, and have searched for the right place to practice.

Earlier this year, I discovered blogging. I do not remember the first blog that I read. I do remember that the concept intrigued me immediately. I found Blogger, figured ‘what the heck’, and started blogging. But I did not really know what to blog about. My rookie blogging was very boring, even to me. I was not sure that blogging was my thing. Then I read Medpundit. Eureka! I had a role model. Time to blog about my passion – medicine. I seem to remember reading advice on writing. Write what you know. The best way to improve your writing is write everyday. I had a forum. I had a place to practice. And, if nothing else, I would enjoy the daily research involved in staying up to date on medical issues.

This blog does not have a grand plan. I browse the web and look for stories that grab my attention. I rarely write about bioterrorism. The pharmaceutical industry grabs my attention. Fitness and weight loss have become a passion, so I concentrate on those issues. Medical advances intrigue me. I like reading the latest articles, and trying to put them into perspective.

As my blogging became a daily passion, I wanted a better web page than Blogger could provide. Blogger is a very good site, and allows one to start blogging almost instantly. But I wanted to improve my site, mostly for myself. I wanted searching capability. Often I have written a piece and want to find it quickly. Adding searching helps me find the piece that I want to look over. I did not realize that I was going to be able to use categories, but have found that a nice touch. Already some readers are using the comments section. Comments keep me honest, make me think and force me to write more clearly.

Thanks and kudos go to Sekimori. Stacy and especially Robyn (what a great design job she did [db claps enthusiastically] and how easy and smooth she made my transition) have my thanks and gratitude. I am personally very happy with the new site, and feel that it adds to my personal project.

Thanks for visiting and commenting. I probably would continue to blog now even if I had no readers. But it certainly is more fun when you know a few readers enjoy what you say, and you induce thinking!