State of the blog, 2010 fall

Originally I had planned to have the monthly LOVIEE posted by now as well as a long overdue recap of an event that now happened over a month ago. Both are going to be delayed a bit, the latter probably much less than the former of course. And it’s a reason I don’t like calling attention to, but it kind of strikes at the core of what this blog was originally supposed to be about. Worse, this may have been a problem obscured by a statistical anomaly I have yet to figure out the cause of, which I’ll try to explain.

When I first began publishing to my regular schedule about a year ago, my traffic levels were much higher compared to where they were today. There have been a few days recently where my schedule combined with the days on which I would usually get visitors means that it’s doubtful anyone saw the weekly LOVIEE in time to make much of a difference. For several weeks, I have been getting blasted with an obviously anomalous quantity of visits from (mostly) mainland China. This finally cut out and now I could see a clean graph again. I knew my numbers had been falling a bit but I thought I had at least retained most of my traffic.

The weekends are even more hectic for me right now due to reasons I don’t want to get into. As much as I hate to celebrate the first anniversary of the wide launch (October 5) by sending the blog into at least a brief hiatus yet again, circumstances leave me little choice. I’m not sure how long this hiatus will last; it will be long enough for me to refocus and possibly organize a re-launch effort. If you want to help with that, drop me a line.

I know that the downtime didn’t help. Remember, the Facebook page and Twitter feed will stay up even if the blog itself is not. Those will usually have the reason for the downtime posted, as well as notice of every post to the blog, and sometimes upcoming events I learn about at the last minute or planned to post with the weekly/monthly LOVIEE and find that it will not make it up in time to be useful (usually that means at least 4 hours or so before the event).

Those that are still out there, I’m all ears for feedback. Where’d I go wrong? And no, before anyone even gets into that… I am not now, nor was I ever trying to be, her. I do my blog my way, and other bloggers do their blog their own way. I have no control over whether other similar blogs shut down after seeing mine, so please do not try to feed me the blame for that. That’s out of my hands.

The only reason I’m going on hiatus yet again is because I care about what I do. I’d rather take a full break from something than keep doing it half-baked and putting my name on it. My name is better than that, despite attempts to muddy it by certain people, and this blog is still in some respects my pride and joy.

 

2010-09-13/19 Weekly LOVIEE

This week finds me at a loss for words, so I’m just going to get right down to the events. I know this feels a bit light; I will probably have a late addition or two.

Continuing This Week

The Doctor’s Dilemma, Main Street Theater – Rice Village, 2540 Times Boulevard, $26-$40. See monthly LOVIEE for details. 10-MSTDD

Wednesday 09-15

Smart Chicks Kick It Tour, The Refuge, 13150 Memorial Drive, 7pm. Seven authors of young adult paranormal fiction will be on hand for a meet-and-greet. This stop in Houston is part of a unique, independent, author-organized national tour. 10-W37-1

Thursday 09-16

The Katie Stuckey Band, The Tasting Room, 2409 W. Alabama, 8-11pm. Locally based country/folk band. 10-W37-2

Friday 09-17 and Saturday 09-18

Come As You Are: HOUSTON, DiverseWorks, 1115 East Freeway, 7:30pm, $5. A provocative exploration of queer sex through performance art. Featuring Nancy Douthey, DumpTruck, Gendermyn, Michael Harren, Daniel-kayne and Michael Clay, Jonatan Lopez, Daaimah Mubashshir, and Julia Wallace. 10-M09-1

Saturday 09-18

KPFT Benefit, Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar, 1031 E. 24th, 7pm. Featuring The Mighty Orq, The Hightailers, Jack Saunders, and Tom Loud. 10-W37-3

 

2010-09-06/12 Weekly LOVIEE

Yes, I know this one’s a bit late, too. I had hoped to have it up earlier in the week but this is the best I can do. I’m going to go ahead and start on next week’s LOVIEE as soon as I post this so it’ll be ready by Tuesday night at the latest.

Continuing This Week

The Doctor’s Dilemma, Main Street Theater – Rice Village, 2540 Times Boulevard, see description. Main Street Theater kicks off their season with the story of a doctor who has found a cure for tuberculosis but can only take one more patient. Unfortunately, he has a choice of two: a kind but pauperly fellow doctor, or an artist who is intelligent but has a devious streak. Making the situation even more tumultous is the artist’s wife, who the doctor falls in love with. Tickets to previews are $10 (Sept. 8 at 7:30pm); remaining shows (Thu 7:30pm, Fri-Sat 8pm, Sun 3pm) through October 3 are $26 to $40. 10-MSTDD

Thursday 09-09 through Sunday 09-12

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Heinen Theatre, 3517 Austin, Thu 7:30pm, Fri-Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm & 7:30pm, $15-$35. This is the original play which differs substantially from the later film adaptation. Presented by Bayou City Concert Musicals. 10-W36-1

Friday 09-10 and Saturday 09-11

Dominic Walsh Dance Theater Season Kickoff, Miller Outdoor Theater, 8pm both nights, free admission. The well-known contemporary ballet company kicks off a season with a dynamic program of audience favorites including Walsh’s own I Napoletani. Saturday’s performance is preceded by “Picnic in the Park” for $25, which includes cocktails, a boxed supper, and a reserved seat for the performance. 10-W36-2

3rd Annual Houston Fringe Festival, FrenetiCore/Frenetic Theater, doors 7:30pm, show 8pm, $17 (adv.)/$20 (at door). Annual performing arts festival offering independent film, theatre, music, dance, and visual arts. This is the final week; the show ends with an “Anything Goes” theme. 10-HFF

Friday 09-10

Opening Reception for Before (During) After: Louisiana Photographers Respond to Katrina and Under-Standing Water, DiverseWorks, 1117 East Freeway, 6-9pm. Before (During) After is a photography exhibition exploring changes in subject matter, technique, and media from work created before Hurricane Katrina to work created after. Photographers whose works are included in the exhibit include: Eric Julien, Elizabeth Kleinveld, Rowan Metzner, David Rae Morris, Thomas Neff, Samuel Portera, Frank Relle, Jennifer Shaw, Mark J. Sindler, Zack Smith, Jonathan Traviesa, and Lori Waselchuk. Under-Standing Water features sculptural installations by Rondell Crier, Jana Napoli and Rontherin Ratliff alongside photography by Jan Gilbert, Debra Howell, and Krista Jurisich. 10-W36-3 / 10-BDAUSW

Saturday 09-11

Symposium for Before (During) After, DiverseWorks, 1117 East Freeway, 1-4pm. This panel will be moderated by visual sociologist Tracy Xavia Karner and will also feature: Elizabeth Kleinveld (director/photographer), Tony Lewis (art historian/curator), Carl Lindahl (folklorist/oral historian), and Jan Gilbert (artist). The gallery will remain open after the panel until 6pm. 10-W36-4 / 10-BDAUSW