As an actor and writer, husband and father, I have two often-conflicting monkeys on my back: Monkey number one is Creative Monkey. He occasionally digs his claws into my brains, and refuses to let go until something wonderful comes out. I love him. Monkey number two is Pragmatic Monkey. He regularly wraps his prehensile tail around my neck and only eases his grip when I’m doing the things I need to do to support my family. I don’t necessarily love him, but I’m glad he’s here. From time to time, I can satiate both monkeys, like writing Games of Our Lives, working on CSI, or touring with Earnest Borg9. More often than not, though, I can only satisfy one monkey at a time, and when push comes to shove, Pragmatic Monkey always wins; with a family to support, I just don’t have the luxury of turning my back on him. For the last few years, I’ve been luckily enough to to strike a Balance that makes both Monkeys happy . . . but for most of this year, Pragmatic Monkey has been squeezing the everlivingfuck out of me, and in an effort to make him happy, I’ve ended up taking on far too many responsibilities, and given away way far too much of myself to other people. I’ve rarely seen Creative Monkey, let alone felt his wonderful claws in my brains, and that’s got to change. I miss him.
I believe that everything happens for a reason, and I believe that I didn’t come down with a crippling case of mono that forced me to bring my life to a complete halt just because The Universe hit a two-outer on the River to take me down. So over the last couple of weeks, I’ve taken a very hard look at my life, and looked for The Lesson. After a lot of soul-searching, and long talks with the two most important women in my life (my wife and my mother) I’ve come to the following conclusion: I’m tired. Really, really tired. I guess it’s appropriate that I got mono, because my body physically manifested what I’ve felt emotionally for a long time.
Call it what you want: over-extended, spread too thin, burned-out . . . the bottom line is, in an effort to put lots of irons in the fire, help some people out, and increase my opportunities to retire in style at the age of 25, I’ve given too much of myself to other people, and there hasn’t been enough left over for me and the people I love. The scary thing is, if I hadn’t had to cancel the Red Hat Summit appearance, I may not have realized it until it was too late. When I had to cancel the Red Hat Summit, I was shocked, that, rather than expressing compassion and understanding, I was called “unprofessional,” and a lot of people got very upset with me, because my health prevented me from speaking at their precious conference, and it made them “look bad.” I felt like I wasn’t even a person anymore. I felt like I was an object, a commodity, a number. For months, something had been bothering me, and I couldn’t put my finger on it. It was like seeing something out of the corner of my eye that vanished whenever I tried to look directly at it, but it suddenly came into focus: I have felt, for a very long time, like people wanted a piece of me, and I’d willingly given it up. I was filled with empty spaces. I had to take a step back, and redraw my boundaries. To quote my favorite TV show of all time: “I am not a number, I am a person.”
There are so many things I want to do, and I haven’t had time to do them. I want to plant a garden. I want to walk my dog every morning. I want to write fiction. I want to finish the two books I’m working on, so I can get into the third. I want to play more poker. I want to take my wife out on dates. Mostly, though, I don’t want to miss out on what little time I have left with my stepkids before they fly right out of the nest in a couple of years. I was working my ass off to provide enough financial security to do all those things, but I had hardly anything to show for it. I was undervaluing myself and my work, and at the end of each day, I was emotionally exhausted and I couldn’t even think about enjoying time with my family. All the while, these people who had gotten a small piece of me — some of them business associates, many of them random Internet readers — kept demanding more and more and more.
When I was so sick about ten days ago, I had a fever-induced epiphany: I needed to make several changes in my life. I needed to redefine some boundaries, and re-organize my priorities.
So let’s get to it. The first thing I have to do is refocus my creative energy, which brings the following changes:
- I have written my last column for Dungeon. When I started, I was under the impression that I could write whatever I wanted, as long as it was related to gaming. So I wrote about games I love, like Illuminati and Car Wars. I wrote about playing Magic with Nolan, convention gaming, and playing True Dungeon at SoCal GenCon last year. I really enjoyed writing the columns, but the feedback I got was largely negative (it’s really time to just get the fuck over Star Trek, nerds), so Erik Mona, my editor at Dungeon, asked me to write columns that were focused purely on D&D. I tried my best, but my life was just too full to put in the time that running or participating in a campaign requires. It was very hard to write a column about D&D when I couldn’t play at least once a week, so I told Erik last week that I felt that I couldn’t provide the quality and consistency that he and Dungeon readers deserve, and he graciously accepted my resignation. I loved working for Erik, who is a fantastic editor, and I will continue to read both Dungeon and Dragon, which I feel have improved tremendously under his leadership. I’m sad that I can’t be part of it any longer.
- I’ve resigned from igrep. I like the people who created it very much, and I completely believe in their technology — if you’re a developer, and you’re not using igrep, you’re wasting a lot of time — but it’s clear to me that I can’t provide the services that they need from a spokesman, and it’s best for everyone if I invest my time and energy somewhere else.
- I am not doing any more conventions this year. I don’t have anything new to offer in terms of creative content right now, and I’m not going to go out and rehash the same old shit. It’s boring for me, and the audience deserves something better. So I’m taking the rest of the year off to work on new material.
Hopefully, these changes will allow me to reclaim a lot of time and energy that I can spend with my family, tending that garden, and writing.
I also need to make some fairly significant changes to my blog. I have to keep perspective and focus: I write this blog because it’s fun and enjoyable, and ultimately I have to write it for me, and I have to write in a way that keeps me comfortable. There’s this guy named Paul Phillips, who the poker pros call “Dot Com,” because he made a megatillion quatloos during the dotcom boom. He retired in style, and became a seriously good poker player. He also writes one of the greatest blogs (actually a live journal) that I have ever read, and I don’t say that with any hyperbole. He writes about poker, other players, technology, geeky things, and his baby girl with wonderful, honest, prose. But he’s got his boundaries, which he makes very clear. His Live Journal helped me come to the conclusion that I could redefine my boundaries and still have a blog worth reading and writing. For example, his FAQ is unambiguous and makes it clear that he’s not interested in any bullshit. It doesn’t mean he’s a dick, it just means that he knows what his boundaries are and that he’ll defend them. I respect that more than I can possibly put into words, and I intend to follow his example. (Though I probably wouldn’t have folded that Queen-high flush to TJ Cloutier at the Bike, when only two cards in the deck beat me ;). I’ve also read and thought about another blogger I respect, Tony Pierce. Tony recently wrote a great post about what happens when bloggers experience blogger burnout. At one time or another, I have been guilty of every single entry on his list, right up until today. Starting right now, I will change that. I don’t think everyone is going to be happy with these changes, but I think that will say more about the individual than it does about me. In fact, if you see me as a fellow blogger, writer, stepparent, privacy advocate, spouse, pet owner, poker player, [whatever] aficionado, geek, or human being, I’m pretty sure you’re going to understand all of these things. As a matter of fact, if these changes upset or offend you, you should probably not be reading WWdN in the first place, and I hope you’ll leave.
- I hate Reality TV, and I feel like my blog is dangerously close to crossing the line from ” this interesting thing happened to me” to “come with me while I take a shit in the woods.” I need to tell more stories, and bear less soul. You know what I’ve learned about The Internets? It’s full of freaks, and if a high-profile person bears too much soul, they really come out of the woodwork and latch on. It’s a little creepy. So, I need to reclaim a lot of myself for myself and my friends and family. If that means people stop reading WWdN, I’m really okay with that. In fact, I hope it has a bit of a Darwin effect.
- When I get the redesign launched, there will be minimal advertising. I’m doing this because I believe I’ve found a tasteful and non-intrusive way to help support my family. I will never allow WWdN to become a billboard, and I will never allow my writing to be influenced by, or secondary to advertising or sponsorship. I do plan to enter a few affiliate programs, and if I ever link to something that could go through one of those programs, I’ll do it. Again, I’m sure this won’t sit well with everyone. Deal.
- As my blog has grown out of my control in the last year, and taken on a life of its own, I have self-censored several times. Mostly, it’s when I want to rage about what a colossal fucking liar George W. Bush is, what a disgrace he is to my country, and how the mainstream corporate media have completely failed to hold him and his administration accountable for countless lies. I’m a passionate person, and I’m passionate about politics. I’m going to write about it, and I’m not going to pull any punches. It won’t be my primary focus, and I will never be as great a political blog as The Moderate Voice, Josh Marshall or Atrios, but I’ve turned away from political posts for too long. If the world were a bar, America would currently be the angry drunk waving around a loaded gun. Yeah, the other people in the bar may be afraid of him, but they sure as hell don’t respect him. And as soon as he drops that gun, he’s going to get his ass handed to him. I’d rather my country be respected than feared, and I’m going to do whatever I can, however small, to make that happen.
- I will move most of my Los Angeles-specific content to blogging.la, including news about local readings, ACME performances, and the like. I estimate that there are less than one hundred local readers, so it makes more sense to put local stuff on a local site.
- Because I make my living by writing, I’m going to focus most of my time and energy on completing the books I’ve got in production, even if that means I write fewer blogs (though I have noticed that it’s almost axiomatic that when a blogger says, “I’m going to blog less” that they actually blog more). However, I’m not going to keep material off my blog because I’m planning on including it in a future book. I’ve already written a successful book, Dancing Barefoot, that was entirely composed of previously-published material, and Just A Geek would have been even more successful if O’Reilly hadn’t mis-marketed it so badly, against my wishes and advice. I’m not worried about losing book sales because some, most, or even all of the material is available on my blog. I believe 100% in the Long Tail, and I owe much of my success to it.
Still here? Not foaming at the mouth in anger and resentment? Cool. I’m happy, and I’d like to close by sharing a few very cool things that I’m adding to my life:
- For the month of June, I am guest-editing the Technology section of the SuicideGirls newswire. (Newswire is Safe For Work, the rest of the site is not.) I will be putting up about three new technology stories every day this month.
- I’m also guest-blogging for the poker blog pPlayer.com this month. I haven’t posted anything at pPlayer, yet, but I plan on running some book reviews, as well as some interviews with well-known pros, poker bloggers, and authors. Both of these gigs allow the two Monkeys on my back to happily intersect: I get to write about things I love, and I get to support my family a little bit by doing it.
- I’m putting the finishing touches on a podcast. I’m not going to go into any details, because several things are up in the air, but I think it’s going to be pretty damn cool.
If you’ve gotten this far, I probably don’t need to say this, but here it goes anyway: I love writing my blog, and I’m grateful beyond words that so many people have continued to read it through the feasts and famines over the past few years. By making these changes, and announcing them so bluntly, I don’t intend to disrespect or take for granted any of the people who have come with me on the journey from Has-been to Hope-to-be. My need to pull back a little bit and keep a bit more of my life to myself also isn’t intended to disrespect or insult any of the thousands of people who have commented or e-mailed their appreciation of my willingness to be open and honest. In fact, I will continue to be open and honest because that’s the only way I know how to live an honorable and respectable life. (Ironically, it was that openness and honesty that earned me the “unprofessional” charge. Nice.) I just plan to be a little more selective in the things I choose to write about. Like I said, if you’ve gotten this far, I’m sure you understand.
I’d like to close with a little blast from the past . . . a thought for the day:
A small leak will sink a great ship
-Anonymous
Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Good for you! Do what you need to take care of you and the rest of the world will respect you for it. If anyone seems not to, then they shouldn’t be part of your world anyway.
Oh, and with respect to #3, ROCK ON. I love reading (and writing) about the injustices going on. It means the word is getting around instead of being hidden by The Press/The Corporation.
Rest easy.
Good for you Wil. You need to focus on what is best for you and your family. I look forward to reading more of your books. (Except poker, I don’t do poker) It sounds like you feel better.
Lorraine
Wil,
You should know that the true “Friends of WWDNtm” are always behind your decisions, and we come here because we like the writing. Not because we are sitting in dark rooms in our underpants looking for ways to put down a character from a distant show we once worshipped solely to make ourselves feel better about our pathetic lives. Rather, we read because we like, we read because you write, and we read because you inspire us to experience our own tribulations as we share, however reservedly, in yours.
And remember: Those who hate, who spam, who demand, they are pitiable. They have to live with themselves 24-7
“I believe that everything happens for a reason” that’s pretty cool. me and my friend wrote a book called “everything happens for a reason” (we didn’t publish it yet) but the theme is that no matter what happens, everything happens for a reason. just thought i’d mention that because i thought it was cool.
Fine… I like your writing. If you stay the same we will all get board. Good artists of all forms must evolve and change either in style, format or content. I am interested in your life as you seem to experience things in a similar way. (Our ages are close) Do what you need to do, I will read, anyone who doesn
Congrats Wil. I like the sound of all the changes. I’ve stopped by your blog a few times over the last couple of years but this post really connected with me.
Looking forward to hearing some political rantings. Take care,
Connor
If people give you crap for your decision, I say let them get a life! What do most celebrities give to their fans? Faces hid from papparazzi, and their work- nothing else. Whatever you write, it’s more than most everyone else and I say a huge THANK YOU that you take so much time to blog what you do. Personal- that’s your choice to tell what you want. I enjoy any insight into living in California and the craziness of getting acting gigs and the frustration/joy of the writing process.
THANK YOU, WIL, FOR SHARING WHAT YOU DO! Don’t worry about the creeps who demand more; they need to get a life!
If people give you crap for your decision, I say let them get a life! What do most celebrities give to their fans? Faces hid from papparazzi, and their work- nothing else. Whatever you write, it’s more than most everyone else and I say a huge THANK YOU that you take so much time to blog what you do. Personal- that’s your choice to tell what you want. I enjoy any insight into living in California and the craziness of getting acting gigs and the frustration/joy of the writing process.
THANK YOU, WIL, FOR SHARING WHAT YOU DO! Don’t worry about the creeps who demand more; they need to get a life!
This is an excellent post, there’s a lot here that will probably be helpful to other ambitious people who need to prioritize and get control of their obligations & personal strength.
Wil, let me say that I *read* this blog because it’s fun and enjoyable, and because you write it for you, about you. If you break “you” in the process of writing it, then no-one wins.
Example: I know nothing about Poker, and it is not an area I’ve ever been interested in, but from your writing I saw that there was something to it, so I had a go. Lost, of course, but I enjoyed losing. So learning poker goes on my “Someday/Maybe” list. Could you have done that as well if you’d been writing about something because you felt you had to?
Now, go write that next book, 99.99% ‘cos you are a good writer and want to, and 0.01% ‘cos I’ll feel cheap if you ever come over to the UK and I have to ask you to sign my copies of JAG and DB without buying something new.
It’s only right that you keep something of yourself for you and for your family – i’m only sorry you had to find out the hard way. I know you SAY that you don’t care what the maniacs will say when they read about the changes, but i have a sneaking suspision that you will mind, just a little. well, let me be the first to say *expletive* them up the *expletive epxpletive*. you have been an inspiration to me as as a writer since i started reading your blog a year ago and espcially since i read Just a Geek. oh, and a brother in arms as an actor :-)…i find myself crossing my fingers for you whenever you go to an audition and yeah, quite probably as an act of good karma! your true fans will support you in this new endeavor because, you see, we are not crazy and don’t believe you belong to us because we read a damn blog. we’re your on-line very distant and in no way related family of fellow artists, poker players and work dodgers. we’ll love you no matter what. no, i take that back. i’d leave you in disgust if you turned out to be a closet Bushie, but i gather from the bit about no longer holding back on political opinions that probably isn’t the case. 😉
Wil, glad to know I’m not the only one who’s had a similar epiphany. I used to work for an international IT company in a big city. Like you, I realized I was giving far too much of myself to the company and not getting enough in return – neither financially or on a professional or personal level. The final straw was when management asked me to attend an important meeting and a training session – at the same time. I quit a few months later, and I haven’t looked back. The irony is that I’m more financially secure (and happier) in my new “smaller” job than I was in my old one.
Good luck with your new endeavours, and I look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.
Wil,
Your entry and plans are spot on! Your post could have been mine about five years ago when I found myself in a similar situation and needed to make things right in my life. I’m proud of you (for what it’s worth) and happy you’ve come to this point with such wonderful resolve. I can’t wait to see what you do next!
Be well and my best to Anne and the boys.
spacewriter
Wil,
I am glad your making these changes because it sounds like your posts will become more interesting. As for those who rant about being a loser, unprofessional, etc…criticising what you say in a rational fashion is acceptable and should at least be looked at but being insulted and put down, especially when you’re sick, need only be ignored. Regarding politics and the behavior of our gubbimint I can’t wait to read what you have to say. (If I was a right wing knee jerk I’m sure I would disagree but if they don’t like it they can change the URL)
I’ve been reading your blog for a few years now and just wanted to comment on how much your writing has meant to me. My life has been on somewhat of a rollercoaster over the last few years and I’ve gone through some bad times and seemed to have sacrificed a lot in order to pursue a ‘dream’ of what I want to do in life. Anyway, in 2 weeks time I have an interview with a prestigious film school in London, and I truly believe that this will be an important turning point in my life, and will make all the hard work and dreaming pay off. Reading your blog has helped me, and so I, for one, wish to thank you for the contribution you have made to my life, and to the lives of thousands of readers across the world. Thank you.
The changes to your blog sound great. I’m excited that you’re going to censor yourself less, and honestly I’m glad that there will be less LA stuff since I’m on the other coast. I look forward to reading many more great posts of yours!
Two years ago I had a massive kidney hiccup that left me virtually comatose for about half a year. Hurt like hell, kept me from doing anything productive, and I re-thought life. Your list is completely different than mine, but the gist is the same. All I can say is: you’re dead-on, and don’t doubt it. About a month after I started to recover, I had trouble sleeping at night because I was sure I’d buggered my entire life up, and I started putting useless energy into trying to fix mistakes that didn’t exist. Keep your post like a mission statement and don’t second guess yourself.
Furthermore: write fiction, cause I really want to know what kind of fiction comes out of a mind like yours…
I pretty much enjoy reading whatever you write here, so write whatever you want. 🙂
And definitely play more poker. Just don’t play like I have been lately.
“To thine own self be true.” wrote that immortal bard dude so very long ago… and no more succinct or truer words have ever been written.
Doing anything outside the boundries of that statement is pretty much cow pats.
Good for you, Wil.
Don’t ever let the cow pats take over your field of dreams.
doc2005: I hope you come back and read this. I’ve learned something about auditions like the one you’re about to have: you should do everything you can to ENJOY the experience. You’ll be focused on every moment, rather than the hoped-for outcome, and no matter what happens, it will be a memorable experience.
Break a leg 🙂
Wil,
I read your blog because you’re an excellent writer – the same reason I bought your books. I’m hanging around.
And I agree with Connor. I can’t wait to read more political postings.
Hey Wil,
So glad to have you back writing. Your blog actually inspired me to blog, I know not as great as retiring at 25 but I’m glad I came across your site.
I think it’s awesome that you’re a gamer (me too, and yet we both manage to have significant others!) and I wish I’d been aware that you were a writer for Dungeon! I guess I’ll have to order a few back issues!
Well it seems you have chosen a path that will bring you peace and I’m glad you aren’t dropping the blog as I feared a few days ago.
Thanks for the inspiration,
Jeremy
Wil,
I think all the changes listed above are outstanding if you think its what’s best for you. I’ve been an avid reader of your site for a couple of years and hope that it will continue for years to come. Your site has inspired me to attempt a blog of my own, and I always look to WWdN as an example of a successful blog. Glad to hear your illness led to something positive and glad to hear you’re feeling better.
Bravo, Wil. It takes a strong, intelligent person to realize– and make changes– when they have over-extended themself. I admire and applaud your dedication to your family. I’ve found that in this day and age it is sadly a rare thing.
Good luck with your personal re-org. Have fun in your garden. Time on this Earth is much too short and before you know it we look back and say “Man, I wish I would have spent more time…”
From a self-imposed stay-at-home Mom who knows…
Good luck, Wil. I do fear for where you say you’ll bear less soul — although you write well, the uniqueness of your posts has often been the courage you’ve displayed in sharing your emotions through moments of joy and moments of tragedy in your life. It’s what pulled me in and made me pay attention to you, frankly. At the same time, I do understand and respect that you don’t like making yourself vulnerable to unbalanced people out there on the ‘Net. I just hope you’ll be able to strike a happy medium between the two. But despite my trepidations, it sounds like you’ve charted yourself a course for the future in expert fashion, and I wish you luck for it.
I read your blog for your writing, I love it (though not always understand – I read the poker stuff with a dictionary open ;), so whatever you want to write is fine with me. It’s a *gift* to us anyway, so fuck anyone who tries to demand anything. Take your life back. Live it. Be happy. Anything else can wait.
Hi Wil, I’m glad that you are feeling a bit better. I think that the reorganization of your life is a great idea. There are so many beautiful things in our lives that quickly slip away…like spending time with family. Best of luck in your new path. I’m looking forward to the changes!
To Wil:
Rock on. I didn’t come here to live vicariously through you, relive my past by reading about ‘that actor who used to play Crusher’, or because its what the cool geeks do. I read what you write because I enjoy that you aren’t some mouthpiece, that even though I dont agree with you on a lot, that you seem to have a firm grasp that America isn’t about agreeing, its about discourse and, yeah, some arguments if need be.
That further confirmed it. Suh weet.
Respectfully,
Sarah C
Wil — I can certainly understand the need to reevaluate one’s life. We all do it, regularly if we’re lucky, or when circumstances force us to do so (Remember: The unexamined life is not worth living).
I hope you link the LA blog to your main site. I’m not really ‘local’ since I’m from San Diego, but I’ve been tempted to drive up, and trying to keep track of 2 blogs may be taxing. maybe not.
best of luck, and I think we’re all glad you’re feeling better. People who claim illness is unprofessional deserve respect (we all deserve that) but should not be taken seriously. Illness is not a moral failing, though American culture treats it as such.
Isn’t the quote:
“I am not a number, I am a free man”?
Good onya, mate!
There’s a fine line between helping folks out, and having the marrow sucked from your bones.
Be seeing you.
(a Prisoner ref, not some psycho stalker bullshit)
(It’s sad I needed to explain that, but there you go.)
When I first opened the plastic of the Stand By Me Deluxe Edition DVD, I wondered to myself, why in the world does Wil Wheaton get top billing for this movie? Wasn’t he just that hack kid on one of those Star Trek shows? Isn’t he just a joke? Why would he be billed over acting greats like Dreyfuss, Keifer Sutherland, and John Cusack?
For years I had heard about your website, but had ignored it, continuing to separate myself from anything related to Star Trek, having despised both the original and cartoon. I never watched your series, and dismissed you for the only thing I had ever known you to do. How wrong I was.
After watching Stand By Me, I’ve come to the realization that you are more than just “some kid on Star Trek.” In that movie, you did more than act, you brought Gordie to life. Stephen King may have created the character, but you personalized him. When Gordie laughed, I laughed. When Gordie winced, I winced. When Gordie fainted, I thought that I was going to. And when Gordie cried, I cried, too.
I cannot say why I had been so quick to judge you, especially upon unfounded notions. For that, I apologize (though I never did so in a way that could have discredited you). Now, I know better than to form an opinion of you based upon one movie, as I had done so based upon one television show; instead, I am going to make up my own mind based upon fact.
I find it ironic that I would watch your movie and first visit your site on a day when you have come forward to express your decision to change a few things about your life and your blog. I, too, have been in a state of contemplation since November and I still haven’t figured everything out. I’m glad that you are on that path, and can agree one hundred percent that your family is the most important thing in your life. I applaud you for loving your stepkids like you do. Few people in this world are graced with an outstanding father, and those who have the chance to be one often do not realize their riches.
You are a lucky person. You have a family, you have a broad career, and you have the opportunity to make your dreams come true. Isn’t it also ironic that the little boy who played the aspiring writer would grow up to be one himself? I hope that you make the most of the opportunities afforded you and wish you the best of success. It might be a little late for you to retire at 25, but then again, who wants to retire anyway? Retired people go to Florida and never find the Fountain of Youth; working people have a reason to live. If the only work you do from now until the end is write, then maybe you will succeed in making yourself a happy person. Take a page from Stephen King’s book and write yourself into old age. Don’t care whether you make a fortune off of it or not. Remember, some authors have written shelves full of books never meant to see print, though they are now held up as classics and taught in school as examples of the craft.
Whatever you do, whether it is writing, or blogging, acting, or simply horsing around in the backyard with your kids, do it for the one true purpose in life — to bring pleasure to yourself and those around you. If you are appreciated for it in your lifetime, then the world has recognized your talent and work; if you are appreciated for it posthumously, then those who come after us are wiser than we were; and if you are never appreciated for it, then it is a loss suffered by society, but not you.
I hope you do not mind my attempts at offering advice. I’m just a guy with a few too many words to fit in his size seven-and-three-quarters head, and I often look for creative places to deposit them. I hope you understand that I am only posting in support of your career, past and present, and your choices, present and future.
Wil,
You probably won’t read this post since there are so many that have similar or identical content, however…
If you need to do something just do it, don’t let anyone but you and the people you love influence your life. I’m ecstatic that you are going to make the changes in your professional, personal, and online life to help make yourself not only happy mentally but physically. Not to mention make your family happy since they will actually have you around every now and again ^_^.
I have been reading your blog for about 5 months now and have come to enjoy your down to earth presence despite most people’s immediate associaton with you and your “shadow.” And to think you’ve been actually censoring your own posts is sorta shocking too, however, I’m very happy that you aren’t going to censor yourself anymore. This is your blog, say what you want and feel.
With your comments on the Media/Bush/Congress etc. I have actually been motivated to push my congressmen/women as well as my states senators to oppose everything that the Bush Administration and their political “kneecapping” have done or will continue to do to our country.
In your sick and somewhat feverish state know this one thing, you are influencing people. And I hope that it means as much to you as it does to me that you speak your mind.
Keep up the wonderful work, keep getting better.
Humble Regards,
Sean
Good for you! I grew up watching Trek in all forms. I began to visit this site for that reason. I stayed around because of your progressive political views since I am very much a grassroots progressive.
I hope to read many more of your political views in the future. I am anticipating rational, well-researched blogs about the fate of our country and ways that we, as common citizens (unless you are a multimillionaire, a corporate CEO or a politician you are a common citizen) can promote a better future. Good luck to you and I look forward to reading a blog that I hope can be passed on to other political forums.
Wil-
Wow…. I’ve been “lurking” here for awhile, but I’m now moved to post. I found your website while researching Los Angeles happenings, culture, etc. I’m planning on moving to LA in the next couple of months, primarily to be closer to family, but also for career considerations (film/TV editor).
Your post has really helped me put my anxieties into perspective, and I’m inspired to remain true to myself, whatever the obstacles may be.
I’m officially a fan, Wil. You’re a gifted writer, and I’m going to buy your books (although perhaps not the future poker books – I’m a chessplayer).
Thank you.
good choices, thanks for sharing and thanks for everything. You’re OK.
You know we love you.
And those of us who care about you as a person are going to understand, and those who don’t understand…fuck ’em. You have all the love and support you need right there in your happy home. The rest of us are just gravy. 🙂
But you know that. And that’s what makes you cool.
So fret not, we still love you.
All I have to say is: Good for you Wil. I’ll still be a loyal reader regardless and I think you’re making a move in the right direction.
i’ve been reading for a long time, and i know that i for one simply enjoy your writing, not necessarily what you write about. thanks so much for everything that you do, and know that i’ll not be leaving anytime soon.
i’m one of those kids who was watching Star Trek when we were even younger than Wesley, and trust me, a lot of us look up to you. you’re a great guy, and i’m glad you’ve had one of those ‘what’s it all mean?!’ moments – after all, it makes us college kids (who do it every other week) feel a lot better. ^^
Wil,
I’ll jump on the “We heart Wil” bandwagon, and add that in the end, only YOU know what’s best for you: not your agent, your clients, or your fans. I think the majority of your readers will support you in whatever you try to do, just as you support your family and friends. I wish you the best of luck in your retrenching.
Good for you, Wil. Glad you’re feeling better.
Do whatever you feel is best for your family and for yourself. Don’t worry about what other people think–if they don’t like what you have to say then they don’t have to read it. I hope your feeling better.
I have been reading your blog so long now I don’t even remember how long it has been. I don’t comment often, but always have enjoyed your blog whether or not I always agree, but usually I do. I sincerely RESPECT your choice to pull back some. And for whatever strange reason that made me more emotional in a good way than any other blog entry I have read. I have always enjoyed your acting even when you didn’t believe in the final project sometimes I still did, and now I have come to enjoy your blog, so whatever you write about and no matter how often, I will still be here as I imagine a lot of other people will.
First of all, Brad Johnson, welcome! I’ve been reading this blog for almost three years. It’s my homepage, and has been almost ever since I found out about WWDN. You’re in for a treat!
Wil- Whew! I was really worried that you were going to pull the plug on WWDN. I should have known better. I have always appreciated your candor and openness here, and I continue to do so even as you say you are going to pull back a little.
Regarding politics, it’s about freakin’ time, man! With the lack of fair and balanced political newscoverage in mainstream American media, the internet has turned into the only source for any real news. Because of this self-imposed gag order by the corporate media, we all have a responsibility to talk about what the Bush administration is and has been doing. Americans must politicize their thoughts and take action now if they want to avoid another Vietnam, not to mention the continued loss of our personal liberties. Strangely, I find myself a strong supporter of states’ rights nowadays.
Wil, I look forward to hearing what you have to say. I hope you get some people to think, just think, about what’s going on in our country.
Take care, and continue to get healthy.
Wil:
So glad to see you are feeling better. Everyone must evaluate their priorities from time to time. Sometimes, we do it willingly, and other times, well, we get smacked upside the head. If we’re lucky, we can say, “Ah-HA! I get it now.” 🙂
Your honesty, passion, and integrity are only three of the qualities that have lead so many people to follow your work. And we will continue to follow your career because you do have an undeniable talent. Making the changes to your life and career that are necessary only reinforce those qualities which we admire in you. Best of luck!
– MollyB
Wil,
I’m Glad your feeling better. The most important thing is Your Love… For family, friends, and ever in what you do. Love To You and From you makes the human spirit soar!! Spread your wings! And don’t worry about a few ruffled feathers.
I’m new to blogs and found yours interesting to follow thru the archives…sheesh I didn’t know you had a book out nevermind 2! I better get on the ball here!!
It’s your site Its Your Style DUDE..ITS YOU!
All My Love to You and your family.
(ps. I’m sorry for your recent loss of your belove pet. In your heart never forgotten.)
Glad you’re feeling better. Being sick (especially THAT sick), sucks. And I’m going to keep reading. I read your stuff because I think you’re an extraordinary person, pretending to be just one of the regularfolks. 🙂
More political posts? Right on, it’s about friggin’ time (even though I don’t always agree with their content). Fewer weird creepy stalker types would also be very cool. All in all, I suspect that I will like the changes you implement on your blog (I don’t read Dungeon, I’m not a developer, and I usually avoid conventions because of Smelly Gamer Syndrome, so the other things you’re cutting out don’t really affect me).
Great post, Wil. This post is an excellent example of current practices of blog etiquette and guidelines. Thank you for leading.
Is ‘driver 8’ a reference to Dale Earnhardt, Jr?
*Enthusiastic and emphatic applause* for the re-focussing; I think you’re wise.
Also: Thank you for your decision to be more open with your political opinions. Way too many high-profile people are keeping their disgust and dismay to themselves when we all need to stand up and shout our horrow at what that unelected moron is doing to our world.