WIL WHEATON dot NET: 1.5

I think you're being a bit harsh on yourself Wil. I'm a relative newcomer to WWdN, so without trawling through the archives, I don't really know if it "worse" (for want of a better word) than previously, but I enjoy reading it (enough that I bought Teh Audio Book). Its perfectly reasonable not to want to regularly bare your soul to the world, but what you are writing is regulary funny, moving,or thought provoking, or all of those at once. Just keep doing what you feel comfortable with, and we'll come along for the ride.

PS - All this poker blogging has got me interested to have a go - I played for the first time yesterday - I went all in with a full house (Queens full of Kings) and ran straight into another full house (Kings full of Queens) This game hurts!

I've been reading this damn blog for 2+ years now and pretty much never post. I guess some people read it for the stories - some of which make the cut and end up in a genuine Wheaton meatspace book. But I'd wager that there are a lot of people (like me) who have been reading for quite a long time and who just basically care about you in a very human way. I don't think I'm a drooling fanboy and I'm definitely not a stalker or anything. I just have read about the goings-on in your life long enough that I am genuinely interested to see what happens next. I frankly didn't notice that things had "become less exciting" in the last few months, but now that you mention it, I guess maybe the WWDN postings have stalled a bit. But whatever, man. This is your space and you do with it what you like. Quit right now if you want or go on for years. I think rational blog readers would understand either way. Maybe you're in a funk and it will pass or maybe this is a turning point. If the latter... well, it makes me think of a movie: The Truman Show. At the end, when Truman escapes the set that his been his entire life, people who are obsessed with watching him actually cheer! And then they sort of shrug it off and find something else to do. It's because more than being entertained by watching him, they actually care that he ends up finding what's really *right* for him. I think it's the same thing with WWDN. Or at least it ought to be. The sane portion of the people who formed the community that you (once) loved will be happy for you if things are going well even if you disappear from blogspace, and the slightly (or largely) off people to whom you are simply another form of entertainment will be annoyed. But fuck the latter. I think they're the minority anyway.
Jeez. For someone who never posts, I can ramble. Bottom line: do what's best for you. If you keep writing, I'll keep reading. Even if you don't, I wish you the best of luck.

Hey Wil, sorry to hear about your voice agent. His loss. Anyway, while not a big poker fan your blog did get me somewhat interested in it. Looking forward to your new books when they come out.

I've been reading your blogs since September of 2001 after seeing you at a ST convention in Las Vegas. I have to admit though, since the soapbox was closed I haven't been back as often. I do try and catch up every few weeks or so.

It would be a shame for you to stop blogging. One reason is that you're known to have the best celebrity blog on the net. Aside from that ... it's seems that sometimes you need to blog. To let us know what's going on in your life, and to reach out to us, the unwashed masses (OK, I shower every day, so I'm not really unwashed). We see you as someone who is very human. Someone just like us. We cry with you when you're low, and we laugh with you when you're funny, and we support you and your goals.

If you need to move past this blog, then we'll support you too ... but you, and it, will be missed (if you make that decision).

I hope I didn't give the mistaken impression that I'm LEAVING FOREVAR PS I HATE YOU or anything like that. I'm a long, long way from turning off the lights and locking the doors behind me.

This guy observed that things are different, so I thought about it. I'm just thinking out loud, about where this is going, and why I'm doing it. In the grand scheme of things, especially in light of the suffering down on the Gulf Coast, this is just a blog, and it's pretty inconsequential if you think about it.

In other news, it looks like I'm tired enough to try to get some sleep before I get up at 7 to get the kids off to their first day of school. w00t.

Well, you're being honest. Thanks for being honest. It's so rare these days and it's hardly ever pretty. So yeah... thanks for just being straight out honest with us.

Wil-

I don't know what it is, but you echo my own sentiments so often that it's really uncanny. There's a small part of me that thinks blogging is a cheap substitute for therapy, and after a certain number of successful sessions, it's just time to move on or adapt or transform into something else. In many ways, at least to a casual observer, your blog has been the means to an extremely successful end. What began as a soul-searching quest for meaning and direction has pointed you forward and opened doors perhaps impossible without an enormous online presence. This blog shifts tides on the internet and has spawned countless doppelbloggers (myself included). But this is the original. You could stop blogging for a year and then return to find most of your original audience waiting where you left them. I hope you find the answer to the future of WWdN. Mostly, I hope it sticks around even if it remains only a shadow of its former self. Otherwise it would be like when Bill Watterson stopped drawing Calvin and Hobbes or Michael Jordan retired from the Bulls or Stephen King stopped writing books set in Derry, ME. It just wouldn't be the same.

Hey Wil,

I only discovered your blog about six months ago, but it has quickly become one of my favourite blogs. Just because something has changed over time, or seems incosequential, doesn't make it less worthwhile, and it certianly doesn't make it a bad thing. Of course, your family, career, privacy etc are all more important. Really, I just wanted to let you know that if you continue to write, I'll continue to read, and appreciate it. Sorry if we don't say that enough.

Kris

It almost sounds like you're trying to find an audience for your blog, but you really don't need one. I keep a blog, and I think three people read it (my close friends) and some strangers appear to stumble in every-so-often. But I don't write it to entertain my friends or strangers or "fans", I write it for myself. If I don't write in it for three months because other writing obligations are wearing me out, then I don't write it in.

There's nothing wrong with having a blog for yourself. People aren't paying for this content, so they really have no ground to stand on when it comes to complaining, do they? If they demand great epic story telling*, then they should be more than happy to spend the money on your books and help support your living as an author. Don't let some people get you down or start doubting yourself.

You've always taken criticism of your blog very personally -- why do you think that is?

*I enjoyed your WSOP epic story, and I plan to keep your blog on my bookmark list for a long time.

We all have our off days/weeks/months *delete as applicable.

I think it's fair to assume you go through periods like any of us where your creative juices just don't flow and you couldn't be arsed to blog.

Thats fair enough - don't do it then and when you're ready do some more.

If poker's your current passion, then do it - play and write about it. Everyone has different interests and you can't be expected to be all things to all your blog readers.

Personally I am not a fan of the Poker blogs either, but I still come back for the "in-between" bits which are funny, poignant and fascinating.

Your blog has a life of it's own to a certain extent and I think you just have to go with the flow and pay no heed to, well, people like me who read it and complain that you've gone off on something they don't like. It's not about them, it's about YOU!

You struck a chord with me once. It was a few years ago and I stumbled upon your blog by accident, don't even remember what post it was. I thought, "Wil Wheaton has a website. Neato." and thought nothing of the fame aside from "I like the characters he plays."

The main difference between 'blogging' and other forms of written media, as you are aware, is that 'blogging' is supposed to be a uniquely personal experience of communication. I don't agree with anyone who says that people read blogs because they find what others have to say interesting. I believe people read them because, at some point, a chord has been struck, common interest has been found (either through both parties enjoying the topic or through the reader enjoying the way it is written about), and the reader enjoys the ability to talk back saying, "Hey! Neat post." or "Well, I don't agree."

I read your books for your storytelling. I read your blog because I want to know what Wil Wheaton is thinking that he deems important enough to post. Some blogs are all about what the reader finds important. randsinrepose.com is one of my favorite blogs, and he writes extensively of management, the internet, and music. I really only have interest in music, but he writes articles on management and technology that are amazing, so I love reading those too.

I come to your blog because it is about Wil Wheaton, and what he enjoys and finds interesting. Your writing in your blog will always be different than your writing in novel form, and you get the best of both worlds by reading both. Wil Wheaton, the actor. Wil Wheaton, the writer. Wil Wheaton, the dude who keeps a cool website.

Hi, I'm Bryce Prewitt. You struck a chord with me once as Wil the dude - who is much better at being concise than I am - and that is a beautiful thing.

So beautiful that I could care less what your name is or where you live, and I think most people will back me up on this - it's just cool to know who you are and what you're thinking. Anonymous internet blogger or Wil Wheaton, family man and poker player.

That's the reason I come here, and that's the reason your writing - be it book or blog - no matter how personal or how random - will continue to strike chords with me.

Take care.
-bp

Hey Wil

I think you are being too hard on yourself. People here have stayed with you through good and bad times, helped when you needed good thoughts, and care what happens to you. To be honest, I never watched any Star Trek other than the first crew in repeats, so I am not here as a ST fan or movie fan. I saw you on TSS and started reading your website after that. I like the poker stuff, and your inside look at how hard Hollywood can be. The Hollywood stuff is interesting, because most people dont have to deal with that type of hassle.

If you need breaks, take them. I know you dont need a fan base, but to be honest, if I was a fan, it would be of your book, and your writing. I dont watch much tv anymore, so Im here just to see how a friend is doing.

I hope you keep the blog updated, even without the long stories. I read that you appreciate honesty, so I do miss a bit of the family stories, but hey, its personal and your right. Its something people our ages are going through, you dont have to be close friends to understand it.

I hope you get your mojo back :) Good luck with the voice and the agent. Until then, you have us here lol

Take care and stop punishing yourself. I think most of us are here because we like you, not because you were on TV. Im not a fan boy in anyway, but you seem like the type of person, that most of us would want as a friend.

Cheers
John

Understandable re: privacy/blogging

Sucks big rocks, really big ones re: agent

Good luck and may fate be kind, re: poker (omaha here, small-time grinder).

...and speaking as an occasional visitor, i still like the site; these things do tend to have a certain ebb and flow to them. you're certainly much better at keeping it going than most people would be.
At the risk of suggesting something that you may already have done on some subsection/link i've not visited ( and given that i haven't been on here in a while, and just skimmed the front page): what about spending some time talking about big ideas, if nothing else much postable is going on? could make for some good debates anyway...
Anyway, i hope you get it all sorted out for yourself about: agent/representation, acting, site's future, sleep, etc...

On the subject of big ideas, did you know that canada ( home sweet home) is tabling new copyright legislation (http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/09/05/CRIA_reax20050905.html and www.cbc.ca search for: copyright ) ? not as bad as it could be, but bad enough; not to mention the timing with the big court decisions in the USA and australia. we could use some active help/support up here on this, if anyone out there cares to get involved...
(we're also revising our drug laws to de-criminalize pot but that one seems to be going ok; lol ...not my issue anyway)
I think i've written enough here, sorry for the run-ons; it's 3 hours later where i am, and i'm not as good a writer to begin with.

Hope all things are good on the personal/wheaton homefront, friends, family, etc.

Oh. and as "I Robot" was the big story when i last visited (loooong time ago, i know), i just wanted to close by saying that i thought the film sucked, really truly sucked profoundly... i know im not the only one who felt this way, but i wanted to add my vote.

that's all, bye.

Occasional Reader

P.S.: Just one samll complaint... when i first wrote up this comment, and tried to post it, i was informed that i had to sign-in/join typekeys.
I have no particular objection to requiring a registration to post comments, but just above the comment box was a nice little caption telling me " Thanks for signing in, now you can comment.", and the sign-up process for typekeys took several pages and a jump back to check my email ( if i were on internet explorer rather than firefox, i would have given up at this point).
Perhaps there was some small warning somewhere that i missed, but it would be helpful, in any future redesign/revision/debugging of the site, to make this requirement clearer...
Would also be good if the page remembered your already-typed-in comment when you get diverted to sign-in, instead of giving you a new, blank box (had to go back and cut'n'paste; would definitely have given up at this point otherwise. i wonder if anyone actually reading this wishes i had; this has certainly grow far beyond the small, brief and hopefully pertinent comment i was trying for... ).
I can think of some possible privacy issues with the site remembering readers that well, but think the convenience might be worth it.
Sorry for the punctuation, capitalization, etc my fault but @ 5 a.m. i'm not exactly at my best (not sure why the formatting doesn't seem to be working tho, i am spacing things here...). i did try to minimize the chatslang anyway. that's it, thanks for reading. shutting up now. :)

hm, one small revision; the preview does not show the formatting of posts correctly when it comes to spacing, paragraph divisions, etc. it just shows as all one big ugly lump, while the posted comment was formatted as intended; a bug? or inherent shortcoming in the software?

Wil, I love your stories, and I must admit that your site has gone from a 'must check every day' to a 'glance at once in a while' over the past 6 months or so... which makes me sad, as I used to enjoy it so much. (I have been reading for 3 years btw).

Like it or not, if you want to make a go of a writing career, you need to maintain that 'presence' and maintain a fan-base or your books will not sell. Which would be a shame, as you are a fantastic story teller. I can appreciate that you no longer want to live your life as an open book, but in that case you probably need to look to making your money in a non-entertainment way. You are either a public figure or you're not. It won't work both ways, I'm sorry to say.

Best of luck Wil xx

I heartily second everything said thus far.
You're blog is about a stiking a chord with people. It is about Wil the Guy, not necessarily Wil the ex star trek actor, although I'm sure that's why some of us came in the first place - we've stayed because you've been open, honest, funny, intelligent, poignent (is that spellt right), enthusiastic, sad ... well you get the idea!

Being honest, I don't know how to play poker, so I don't really get any of the poker blogs - they're way over my head.

But you're RSS feed is on my google start page, just so i can come by and check when you're posted afresh.

When I'm not working I'm sitting in my little dungeon (basement - but it seems like a prison at times) typing away on my 'puter and reading your blog makes me feel more "connected".

Your site, your life, your blog, do with as you see fit, but if you disappear from the blogspehere, I'll be sad, I'll miss reading about you.. but (in the nicest possible way intended) I'll get over it :)

Well said, Dirty J. Well said.

And Shane's right, Wil. If you took a year-long sabbatical, or just posted once every couple weeks... we'd have our RSS feeds ready for your 1st post back.
------------------

On another note... not that you have any free time with those Pod People to keep your back turned away from...

My two, old roommates, that moved from O.C. to Hollywood to be site reps/PAs/location scouts/etc. for the past 6-7 yrs. have decided that they've seen enough hacks [and real pros] shoot, that they've started shooting their own short film.

It's about a slacker location scout. They're writing a scene for me, as a producer. But I don't live that close [or far] from them and I think, scratch that, I KNOW you'd play it much better than my non-actor-ass ever could. [i.e. Walter on CSI. But with a sharp looking suit and slick hair, perhaps???]

I'll have them write it for you, instead. It'll never get shown, most likely. Just to their own circle of friends, but, hey... you've got way more experience with it than I do.

*************

Oh, who am I kiddin'. You've got more than a couple, very talented, co-horts that you could easily do your own short with. [What's a "hort", anyway???]

I just read your post, and — I'm sorry. I can't focus on what you wrote, because I'm still getting over the mind-bending arrogance of someone letting you know they won't read you any longer because they've lost interest. I could see the point if the reader didn't want to date you anymore, but as far as I'm concerned, it was absurd and rude.

Your blog is about you and your life and what you choose to put out there. I find it entertaining, but that's incidental; presumably, you're running WWdN for your own gratification and no one else's. If a reader no longer finds it relevant, all they have to do is stop clicking on the URL. There was no reason to send you a Dear John letter.

....life is but a dream....

Well I check this site every day for any updates to your blogs. Yeah, the content's not as "entertaining" as it used to be, but what I like about it is your expression. I don't care what you write about, I just enjoy reading it. I know absolutely *nothing* about poker, but the way which you write about it is so good, that it's just really interesting to read, even though I can't understand 99.99% of it. Just keep on writing, man. You're good. :)

I do not care about the poker things either but I found your blog only a month ago - there is always the archives to dig into! I'm looking for your book in the Finnish bookstores now. No luck so far...

I want to echo the thoughts and sentiments of many of the comments above. I am also a relative newcomer to the site, and check most days for new posts. Why? Cos it is honest and original. I look forward to the visit. Simple as that.

Postscript: I wouldn't care if there were ads all over the place, principles don't usually pay the bills.

But now? I think that I keep this blog because it's a risk-free creative outlet with no deadlines. I can write about whatever is on my mind. Sometimes, that's great, but other times . . . well, it's not so great. Such is the nature of our lives, right?

Exactly. And what we're interested is a tiny tap into the Universe of Wil. (and Re: your comments about creepy people; we understand if that tap is isolated from your real life; we all have those same fears and issues).

So I don't know what the future is. I don't know what, or how often I'll be writing here in the near future. I don't know if I'll ever be able to return to the Golden Days of WIL WHEATON dot NET, when I felt a real tight sense of community, and I had the time and energy to heavily interact with everyone who showed up to read my lame blog. I agree that a lot of what made WWdN great has fallen away in the last eight months or so, but my life has also changed a lot in the last eight months or so. And since WWdN is a reflection of me, well, what you see is what you get.

And that's why we keep coming back. If we wanted pre-packaged crap that was absurdly consistent, we'd go watch the Fox network or something.

We come here because we see in you a connection to the extraordinary, and yet we can sympathize with your life as a normal guy. You carry with you the memories of being a part of the best incarnation of Star Trek, and also tell stories of your messy garage. The two sides of Wil combined in the Westley diaries in a way the could only be done by one Wil Wheaton, and no one else.

And I'm not saying that I want more of this, or more of that, or more writing about Wil and his action figures. I'm just saying that's a superb example of a piece of WWDN that I'm pleased to say that I read as it was unfolding. I read those posts live, so to speak, and looked at the ebay auction between posts. It's sort of like I can also say that I read Slashdot the day that Rob "Commander Taco" Malda
proposed to his now wife, Kathleen.

Captain, I detect rambling...Right; so what's my point? My point is that we're not here because some cost-benefit analysis sends us here. I, at least, am here because Wil represents a bridge to something that I can never aspire to (acting, writing, being a part of Star Trek), but yet does a lot of the same sort of things that I admire in people that I know personally (he builds his own bloody window managers from source for crying out loud!)

So even if the ride only goes 1.04540024E-07 Cochranes, I still call shotgun.

Wil, you just keep on ramblin'. How does that saying go, reading your laundry list would be better than the tripe some others write? Something like that. :)
Hope to see you at the $5 & $20 Pokerstars tourneys next week, I finally got Neteller to give me an account and got signed up yesterday.
Keep smiling.

on the subject of wackos.
you, being in the limelight as a young person
can Probably speak with more experence than most,
on the subject of wiredos. so i wouldnt blame you
if you left for that alone.
infact you would have my best wishes.
but if you blog it i will read it,
unless ofcorse you go the route of right wing nutjob and start backing the kidd dubya.
cheers.
C.

I think that is very ironic. People grow and change through the experiences they have in their lives. One could not expect anything other than for the content of your thoughts and writings to change...but eh. Whatever :)

I'm of a firm mind that you could read out of the phone book for 2 hours and somehow or another it would be interesting, if in no other way than watching the faces you would make when you got to a strange or difficult to pronounce name.

Write about what you're doing. Write about what you're feeling. Don't write anything at all. Do what you do, man. When it comes down to it, if people are there, then they're there. Otherwise, screw 'em.

*makes pissy face because next to poker events are at 2pm her time and she's at work and cannot watch, pouts in corner*

. . . it's true, I don't really get the poker stuff, or a lot of the other things you've been writing about the past couple of months, but I have always come back here for a certain good heartedness that always shines thru no matter what you are writing about, even if you cranky :) I quit my own blog for a couple of months, and then things shifted in my life and I am back writing. But it is different and I found that over the past four or five months I lost a lot of readers. But big whoop right? The questions you ask yourself, the concerns you have with your blog are ones I share. I kept asking myself: why do this blog thing? And I guess it gets down to the ability to be creative in a way that I can't do anywhere else, a freedom with it that is also shared. I can't imagine the amount of insanity you encounter with the amount of hits you have and the celebrity thing you have radiating around . . . but for those of us non-wackos :) we sure appreciate the proof of goodness, humor, and tales from your struggle of living that your blog is . . . May your day be lovely . . . :) Katherine

Well, I don't really know what I can add that others haven't said already, but here goes... Sorry if it doesn't make much sense... After all, I am in the Insomnia Club as well. *sigh*
I came to your site a couple years ago, after thinking, "Hmm... I wonder what that Wil Wheaton guy is up to. I'll just do a little search." Ever since then, I've been hooked on your blog. I love the way you write, and the fact that you seem like such a cool guy. I have no experience with being an actor in Hollywood, or being a parent, or doing any of that poker stuff. But when you write about those things, you do it in a way that everyone can relate to. I come here because you are a good writer, and I enjoy reading your opinions and stories, which, even though they may come less frequently, are still excellent. Now, as far as the wackos go, I definitely don't blame you for not wanting to attract them. Egads, man, there are some nutjobs out there.

Just do whatever feels right to you. At the end of the day, this is YOUR outlet. I'm certainly not going to complain if you want to change things. I'm just along, enjoying the ride. :o)
And best of luck on finding new representation. We're all pulling for you!

dude ... don't apologize or beat yourself up over somebody taking off or your not supplying the unwashed masses with loads of free entertainment.

blogs are weird little things. they are part diary (even when they're not the intensely personal, "i want to share my entire life with the public because i really need THAT much attention" type of tell-alls). they are part storytelling (when done right). they are a look into one person's mind -- whether it's you sharing stories of star trek or parenting or poker.

so you've "run down" for a moment and real life is making posts here less frequent and less interesting to some people. so what?

i read blogs for the insight into how people think and to look at the differences in our lives. (and not how any one person thinks, but how people in general think) not just the blog writers -- but the posters and the interactions between everyone. why did one commenter react this way and another one react that way?
how did someone else react to this world or national or local event?

how are we alike even though our backgrounds may be very, very different?

and then there's stuff like: ooh, cool music i wouldn't have found otherwise! :)

dude, sometimes you just worry too much. and it's cool that you do that here. it's just one more thing that makes you human and accessible instead of some hoity-toity grand high pumbah.

write when you wanna write. write what you wanna write.
you can't please everyone, so you gotta please yourself.

peace,
ender

Eh. The key here is it’s YOUR blog. Who cares if you’re famous and have a fan base? It’s an outlet for you to write what you want. Just because (and I know this is hardly the same) I have one or two people who read mine regularly doesn’t mean I feel the need to write “more exciting” stuff. I write what I want because it’s my little outlet on the net. You being famous doesn’t change that.

I read this blog because of an interest in your career and you that I’ve had since I was young. I grew up on Star Trek, thought it was a huge deal when my Gramps let me watch “Stand by me”, and now I’ve read “Just a Geek” to my fiancée and gotten him to love Star Trek too. I read this blog to see “what’s up” with you, a person we all have an easy time relating to (especially us geeks).

Are there days where I kind of just skim because I’m not fascinated by poker? Sure, but I always come back. Write what you want, Wil. We’re all still interested.

I've stopped blogging completely a couple of times. I've gone back to it simply because it helps keep me from going completely braindead--corporate zombie that I am. I also don't blame you for holding back on the personal stuff. I've stepped back from posting too many intimate details recently myself, mainly because when I read some of my older posts, I seem just too damn whiny!

Your on my blogroll for the same reason all the others are there--you post interesting stuff. I'm glad to see that "UPDATED" notation has been next to your link more often lately!

Hang in there, man. Your stuff is still great, it's just different now. As you said, you/your life are/is changing, so the blog content is changing. Keep up the good work. If you are meant to write the kinds of things you did before, you will. If your writing is meant to evolve into something else, it will. Let it flow, man. Let it flow.

Don't feel guilty about not writing the way you used to! First of all, it is YOUR blog, you can put anything you want in it. ANYTHING. Including the cuss words that make me flinch everytime I read them.
Second, most of us ( ai am speaking for everyone, is that ok?) read it because it is interesting, not because you are a famous actor/geek/celebrity/whatever. It is like reading a novel that goes on for, um, 4 years or so.
Thirdly(and hopefully lastly), blogs are like online diaries. People write them. People change. Therefore blogs change. You dig? Anyone who expects that your content will be teh same everytime probably gets mad everytime a character leaves ER. These are the same people who yell at the books they are reading when something happens to a good character (ok, I DO THAT but I think you catch my drift.
The bottom line? Write if you wanna, we'll be here to read it. If you don't wanna, we understand. We just like what you write!

Wil-

As a new reader, I have to say that I hope you don't close up shop. BUT, if you eventually do, I (along with others) completely understand. I'm new to blogging myself and usually edit for content the things I have to say just in case the "wrong sort of person" reads it. I've encountered enough wack-jobs from the internet to really have a mind for keeping myself and my family safe, so I know how you feel on that front.

All in all, this is one of your outlets (if anything else, something to do until you get tired enough to sleep). Post here if you like, we'll keep reading. I personally find your humor and writing refreshing and amusing, so I'll keep coming back regardless.

Take care, and good luck to finding a new agent.
Cathy

Life has ebbs and flows. I would imagine it difficult to keep a consistent pace and produce steady content for your blog.

As with many things, the cycle will pass and soon you'll be overflowing with ideas.

The "golden era" of WWdN was probably only made possible by the backlog of ideas you'd kept prior to blogging. Now that the repository is empty, your readers will simply have to ride the waves along with you.

Those of us who have been here a while are behind you in all your decisions, wil. Vicariously what's best for your career is best for us, and we've plenty of patience.

Tight communities, like tight families, don't need to talk all the time to remain tight.

Coincidentally, I'm rereading Just a Geek right now, and I just (one of) the parts where you say you're "not a good enough writer" for fiction. Well, how about taking some of the amazing creativity that you used to put into creating backstories for your characters and drafting some short fiction? You could post those here, get feedback from your loyalest geeks, and quickly develop those chops. You may never actually decide to write fiction, but just being able to do it will make you a better writer. Sure, many of us out here grew attached to your family stories, but we grew attached to them because of your style and your sense of humor. Good stories without good writing get bid goodbye.

I think the posse would enjoy hearing about the inspiration behind some story ideas, and I know the posse respects your privacy (especially with the boys old enough not to want you do talk about them in public - cool stepdad or no).

Just an idea.

Frankly, it's your humanity presented in your blog that compelled me to buy your books. As humanity goes, so does blogging.

Melatonin! Seriously, try some. Insomnia kicks my ass and lack of sleep makes me weepy. When I've built up my melatonin levels I can usually maintain a sleep pattern for a while without taking it. Though, the first week on it I have some pretty goofy lucid dreams.

If you are ever coming through NV, stop in Wendover and play some poker. I'll buy ya a free drink. But then, when gas is 3 bucks a gallon, I'll forgive you if you don't.

Hi Wil,

I know I'm just echoing the excellent comments above, but I've been reading your blog for a couple of years now and I have a confession. I don't read your blog because it is interesting. I read your blog because, in a weird (non-stalker) way, I think of you as a friend. I imagine your blog as a giant rec-room where people pop in to hang out for a while and then take off when they have stuff to do. Sometimes the joint is hopping and we have a lot of fun. Sometimes it's one group hug or therapy session. Sometimes it's a big rant and I'm there to say "yeah...me too!"

Basically, I hope you keep this blog going so that I can continue to pop in. (Also so I don't have to pick a new start page for my browser!) I know things have been a little less dramatic in your on-line life because your off-line life has gotten busier and more exciting. But I'm looking forward to seeing you grow as a parent, a person and a writer/poker god/sometimes actor. What ever you want to share...I'm happy to hear it. Someday, I hope you'll post about the boys dating, graduating high school, getting into college. Someday I want to hear about how you won the BIG poker tournament, got a totally bad beat, or met a really cool PokerStar. Someday, I want to hear about your rise up the best-sellers list, your book tour, and your how Anne stood beside you through it all. For now...I'll take the minutiae of day to day...cause that's what makes a life between the big stuff. Take care and just keep having a great life!

I always had grand plans of being one of those important bloggers, and I usually fall far short of that goal. I want to be groundbreaking, and I end up just being a bore. But you inspire me, Wil. You make it okay to occasionally have the "what I ate today" post. You prove it's possible to be mundane and still be fascinating.

It's a shame that your agent dropped you, like that. I'm sure things will work out, though. Just give it some time.

You're doing the right thing, by censoring your blog. There's no need to post personal things that could inspire obsessed fans and paparazzi to stalk you and your family.

Wil,

I think you summed up my feelings exactly with this...
"I doubt this would ever make it past an editor . . . but isn't that the point?"

That's exactly the point, and that's exactly what makes reading your blog so fun. It's different from the books... your blog is the "DVD Extras" of your books and that's why I love it. It doesn't matter if you're talking Poker or dog walking, it's the little details that flesh out the whole.

As to the insomnia, have you tried putting a bit of lavender in your pillowcase? It seems to work for me when my mind won't settle.

Best of luck, and I hope you get some sleep.
-Jerry Ann

We may not be in the same boat, but we're definitely on the same river. I was super busy all day yesterday throwing myself a pity party because I got rejected AGAIN by a job I had worked my tush off to get. I sold myself like a little whore, did absolutely everything right in the first interview. It was by far, the best interview I've had but alas, two weeks went by and I heard nothing. Then, a phone call. The dude totally made it sound like an offer. So what do I do? I tell absolutely everyone I know that I've gotten the dream job. Come to find out that what it really was was a second interview because the person they HAD hired got sick and couldn't fill the position. So they bring me in on Tuesday night at about 5 o'clock for this second interview. I wait until Friday and no phone call. My chances drop from good to extremely slim. So I send a thank you email, thinking that if they hadn't yet made their decision, this might help my chances. I get one back saying that they'd hired someone and that person had started work THE NEXT DAY.
Now I ask you, WHY THE HELL WAS I BROUGHT IN AT ALL???? Do they not know how much gas cost these days? I drive a Neon but it's got a 12 gallon tank. If it's empty, it cost almost 30 bucks to fill! They obviously knew that they weren't going to hire me. Was it "Well we already told her to come in so we might as well go through the motions."
Trevor has a twenty thousand dollar piece of paper that says he has this degree that the workforce says he has to have and he's working at Taco Bell to make ends meet. I've got an entire body full of skills but because I don't have a $20K piece of paper, I can't get a job anywhere that pays more than 5.15 an hour.

Why, Why, Why, Why, WHY?!

So during my pity party, I took time out of my hosting duties to write an essay for this Twentysomething contest. Who am I and what's going on with me, is what they want to hear. It turned out pretty good and the prize is, get this, $20K. Do I deserve to win? No more than anyone else. Do I want to win? PLEASE GOD, YES!

So throw yourself a pity party and don't feel ashamed for doing it. It's okay. There isn't anything wrong with it if it makes you feel better. Whoever said that you shouldn't feel sorry for yourself sometimes and dwell on the crappy aspects of your life from time to time has never lived on the outside of their jewel encrusted box.

What can I say that others before me havent already put more eloquently? I love reading this blog for your stories, insight, and humanity. Write about what you want (if you want) and anyone who doesnt like it can piss off. Your loyal readers who care about you as a person, and enjoy watching you grow as a person will always be around to support you.
Best of luck in all your future endevors (and lots of good mojo from NM)
~Anj

Bah... your blog has its up times and its down times. You basically said the same thing at the end of the summer you were working on finishing JAG and promoting DB (although I didn't really see it then either). You've had some gems since then. No one (including yourself) can expect you to be "on" at all times (this isn't a convention you know).

Sorry to hear about your agent. I know that has to be a downer. My grandmother always used to tell me to "count my blessings" when I was feeling bad. That generally made me feel worse since it completely discounted my feelings and added guilt that I shouldn't be feeling bad. I say this with the best of intentions: From my perspective you have a pretty amazing life. You wanted to act. You got to act in major motion pictures. You liked Star Trek and you got to be in Star Trek. You wanted to be a writer and a publisher picked you up (okay... mixed blessings). You liked poker. Now you are a professional poker player. And most importantly you get to spend nearly every day with a family that loves you. I'm not sure what my point was here. Maybe its that you seem to succeed at whatever you work hard at. I have no doubt that if you keep that up everything is going to turn out great for you.

Wil,

I can relate to what you're experiencing. I feel the same with my personal blog sometimes. You have to protect yourself & family at times, others it's just that your life isn't as interesting as it has been (we all have those times).

While you have so many comments, you may not read this one, but I'm going to try to put this into perspective for myself, and others.

It's kinda like the music industry. The Beatles are the only group that I can muster at this moment because they are so historical. If you notice their first music it was young, hip and fun. No real hidden meanings, just music. As they grew as musicians and adults, the music changed. It became darker at times, deeper, and meant something to them and others. It started a new movement from the time the got off the plane from Liverpool until their last times together as a group.

We all grow, it's inevitable. Our priorities change. What was once fun is now not-so-much. We discover new interests, and grow through those. The world changes. We become more engrossed in what's happening around us, than what's happening to us. It's just the way life is.

I admire you for letting your readers know what's going on with your feelings about the blog, and allowing us to respond one way or the other. You have done a great job, and give me something to read and enjoy from time to time. It's nice to see (sometimes) that things to remain stable (like comfort food). Seeing that Wil Wheaton is still around, that he's a real person, and has many of the same views that I do, is very cool, considering I've followed your career since I was 12 (that's 20 years).

I'll still be an avid reader and fan, regardless of where your future takes you.

Take care, and best wishes to you & your family. Good luck with the first days of school & the poker charity event!

-Kari

I understand but don't get rid of the blog. I actually have enjoyed it even if your blogging less than you used to. I have you in my RSS feeder and whenever you post I make sure that I fire Safari and beat a path to it to start reading. I don't need to know the intimate details of life and family but sometimes (really most times) your musings on what is happening outside your window reminds me of home.I moved away from San Diego, SoCal and miss the air and breeze and when you just muse about those things I feel I'm back home in San Diego.But it is your life and if you must go then you must. Even TV shows have to finally end no matter how much you love them.

Alle Beste!!

lost interest???
I never thought about poker being fun (besides strip poker which I think all the girls here would love to play with you on that but I'm sure Anne won't let us) but reading about it - you had me looking up how to play - I even got out some cards & goofed around with it (please note pincole(SP??) cards make some really great hands)

& the other night when you describe the sounds that you could hear in the middle of the night - you made me hear them in my mind - most things I read don't do that. The orange tree - I remember you talking about that - you made me look around at my trees & vines & really look to see how pretty they really are. You have a way with words that I wish I had. You are caring & it shows.

If you need a break - take one
I'm just happy to hear of the everyday things - just knokwing you have the same normal problems like everyone else.

you know, everything will be alright in the end. I'll keep you in my prayers - good things are coming your way - I just know it so hang on

Reddy

Let's put it this way... I've linked to your site and I'll check it faithfully... and whenever you feel like writing whatever you feel like writing, I'll be reading. The moments when you've shown me the human being that CAN live in a public persona's body (without the EGO) have been priceless and I've valued those moments. I'll be here.

I have to admit I don't understand poker so I gloss over those posts but if that's what makes you happy -- go for it! Yes, I miss the stories and the "good old days of WWdN" but things change and you do what you need to do. I, and many other people, are simply just "fans" of you, your non-existant-acting-career, your literary talents, your poker skills, and did I mention just *you*? Over the years I've found that I think you're a rad person above and beyond the things (acting, writing, poker) that I first came to know you for. I've personally grown out of my pre-teen fandom days and respect your posting and non-posting on your personal life decisions. So don't feel pressured to keep up the stories for our sakes. It's your life and your site. I miss the internal view into your life, but I guess that's what books are for and honestly if you don't want to let us into your life as much that's totally your call. I won't stop reading. And I'm sure even the people who have stopped reading still care. Just not about poker. =)

You don't have to maintain a fanbase, Wil -- we're still here and not going anywhere. I think we're all just a little changed. Your blog's been up for years -- we've all grown away from where we were years ago. But I've been a fan of you for half my life -- you could talk about nothing but poker for the rest of your life and I'd still check in. =)

cheers!

i don't know, i imagine it is hard to get a letter like that. i imagine if someone sent me a letter like that about my blog i would be saddened. but really, when it comes down to it, are blogs not for the blog author?

whenever someone apologizes for going on a 'blog vacation' or writing 'boring' stuff, or, well, anything with their blog, i always feel the need to pipe up "your blog is *YOUR* blog".

why people write probably varies from person to person. and there are no doubt some who write solely for the audience. and some who could care less if anyone reads it (although, if that were really the case, why would it be on the interweb and not on their hard drive).

either way though, it still comes down to the author. this is your plaything. you get to make it into whatever you want. if you want your playdough person to have three arms, then make it with three arms.

do what makes you happy.

the rest of us, don't worry about us, we can take care of ourselves, and there's a damn good chance that we'll still come over to play with your three armed playdough person, but if we don't, well, you get more playtime with it, right?

i think somehow people are holding you to a different standard 'cause you're 'famous' but, well, that's bullshit. famous or no, you're still just a person, right?

Wil,
Your blog is so not lame. It would be a shame if it wasn't here to read. I look forward to eading it everyday when I get online. So what if it isn't like it used to be, it's still good.

I read your blog via LiveJournal. It shows up on my "friends page" along with the journals of my LJ "friends" (some of whom I know in RL, some not at all). Nobody on my friends list is consistently entertaining in their posts - mostly my friends post a jumble of family/relationship stuff, interests, work, event announcements/recaps, TV/movie/book talk, and introspective ramblings.

Hmm - sounds a lot like your blog. Go figure.

We all read you blog because we all care about you as a person Wil. So if things are just kinda slow right now and you don't feel the need to blog or uncomfortable with blogging whatever is happening then thats ok. We read because you are an amazing writer and person. So don't feel bad about not blogging or being uninteresting, because quite frankly you are in no way uninteresting. Even when you blog about possibly not blogging for a while it is still interesting. Don't know how you do it( I guess thats what makes a great writer right?) but you do. So whatever your decision is, I guess I'm just saying the same thing that the other 52 people who have posted have said, we'll be here to support you no matter what.

Oh and on a side note about insomnia. I've found that if you really can't shake it then use the extra time to be productive. Things that you may not be able to get done during the day or may not want to deal with during the day can be done while awake at night. :) You never know what can happen at night. Its a strange part of the day. anywhoo. best of luck with everything Wil.

-Cara

Hey Wil,

I have come to realize there are a lot of selfish people who think only of themselves in this world. This is your website, and what you write about or don't write about is your business and no one elses. I have read your website for a while now and I will read it until you decide to lay it to rest, which I hope is never! Writing about your problems or something that makes you feel happy is nothing but good for you. I enjoy all of your blogs and whatever you write about I will read. Best wishes to You and your family!

I'm sure you keep a blog for pretty much the same reasons most of us do. It's a place to think out loud. It's a place where you can maybe influence others. It's just a place where you can be you, as much or as little as you want to be. And yes, your blog has been a bit on the boring side lately... but that's okay. Hell, it's not like nobody else's blog has down times. William Gibson revived his blog awhile back, after publicly ending it.... and then he just sort of quietly disappeared again. Mega lame. And he's one of my favorite authors. So just keep on being you, and we'll keep on reading. Or not. And who really cares?

P.S. I bought Teh Audiobook, and it rocks.
P.P.S. See if you can't encourage PokerStars to write a non-Windows front end for their poker. I'd love to have a chance to sit and play with you sometime. So far the only places I've found that work with Linux use a Java web app, but that's not the best...

Wil,

I was pondering this same thing a few weeks ago. I was wondering where the creative, engaging, family-life posts had gone - because that was the meat of what I came here for and enjoyed. It did seem like recently things had changed somewhat. That's not a bad thing - it just is what it is.

I will say that the poker posts don't interest me at all, since I'm not a poker player. I'm sure a good deal of people feel the same way.

But hey - you gotta do what you gotta do. If it's in you or not to post, so be it. You can't make the blog something it's not just to feed the people.

--*Rob

Wil:

I signed up just to answer this post, even though I have been reading you for a long time. The thing I love the most about your blog is your humanity, you are just simply "YOU" that's it, you are not trying to be somebody else and that's what's keeping me coming back. You got me. I care.

I don't know Wil, I think maybe the problem is that you've gotten into this rut where everything has to really mean something. The truth is that I started reading your blog because you are Wil Wheaton of Star Trek fame, but I continue to read this blog because you are also a husband, father, son, and friend. You are what I am, or was anyway, now that my wife is gone.

Now that you've published stories from this blog you seem to think that you have to continue writing those stories or we'll not be interested. Bullshit! You wrote those stories before anyone was interested and before you ever thought you'd compile them into a book. Relax, just write, screw everything else. Every entry does not have to be a work of art, it just needs to be you. That's all most of us care about anyway.

I love that someone whose work I've enjoyed is willing to share a small piece of himself with the world. It seems...right somehow. The fact that you seem like the kind of guy I would be friends with is what keeps me reading. I don't want to know intimate details, just things like the other night when you wrote about the neighborhood sounds at night. That was good stuff. It painted a very nice serene picture in my head, and since I'm going through a nasty divorce, I really needed that. There are a lot of people that just want to know someone else out there feels the same way they do and that, Mr. Wheaton is your gift. You do.

Hey bro, I used to do some acting and play in a band and draw and stuff, but it was pretty hectic, so I've gone back to school to study computer science, and I'm really happy right now. I'm starting to get back into composing and stuff - but for fun, not to put food on the table.

One thing I've found is that the needs I met by acting and playing are met much more satisfyingly when I go to the source, i.e., if I have a problem with something I fix the damn thing, rather than sublimate and embellish it as art. This has led to more satisfying personal relationships with stable and trustworthy people, some activism and political experience, and FAR better personal health. As I get back into composing, I expect it to lead to more personally satisfying art, too.

I don't know if those aspects of my creative life describe you as well (this is the first time I've read your blog -- ran into it from a link at ONE.org). It's just (a tiny part of) my story.

Good luck.

I understand if someone feels disappointed that you don't have a fresh, snappy, pultizer-prize-worthy blog entry every day, but... Blog for yourself, and those who want to read will. It's not as if you owe anyone sterling blog entries all the time; hell, other than there are slightly fewer posts, I hadn't noticed a change in quality. I'm just as entertained as I was when I first found the blog a little over 3 years ago (has it been that long...? maybe 4 years? wow) But then small, shiny things entertain me, so maybe I'm not a good judge ;)

Just keep rolling with the ebb and flow of life. We're all still here aren't we? Keep putting your energies where they are most needed and self beneficial. Keep the blog as long as it serves you.

I'm not a reader because of your 'name' or status. I get more than enough fodder for any sort of starstruck ambitions at work, and truth be told, most "big names" are the most annoying people. ever. These are the same names that before they are even in earshot, the PR person has to run around and announce them just so that we can feed their ego by pretending to "recognize" them. Then, in the case of a rap star or heiress that shall not be named, we try and break through their drugged/drunken stupor long enough to get some semblance of a smile for the camera while praying our flashes don't send them into an epileptic seizure.
After an hour of rinse, wash, repeat, I get to eat a lovely dinner of hors'doeuvres, see if I'm lucky enough to get a gift bag, and wait for vallet to find my car. (come on. how HARD is it to find probably the only Saturn you parked all night?)

I'm here because its a joy to read about someone being NORMAL. About the pain an fear of loosing a beloved pet... to the roller coaster that is raising teenagers. I think the only thoughts of who you are come into play with the "thats cool" thoughts on how you use this site and its readerbase to help support some very worthwhile causes.

You are a very passionate man. Anyone who has read either of your books or even this website, can see that passion in your writing plain as day. Its the same passion that fuels the "Prove to everyone" character of your persona, and fuels your compassion for those in need in times of crisis. I don't think youve ever lost the passion that fueled the writing for this site... I just think its been redirected into more needed areas of your life.

Nolan and Ryan are lucky to have such a great stepfather and role model. Even if they don't show it now. Just keep up the great job, and don't ever let anyone take away your passion.

I admit it, I came because of the CV, albeit late to the game, but I stayed because the blog genuinely interests me, and to be honest, it's the less 'Hollywood' entries which I love the most. However, from keeping my own online diary for the past four years, I've realised that my enthusiasm for writing it ebbs and wanes, and that even if, despairing at the lack of subject matter, I go for weeks without making an entry, I will always return to it. The reasons for writing a blog may change, as does its content, but as long as you find interest in it - however sporadic that interest may be - it is worth preserving.

Hell, if nothing else... venting online is strangely cathartic.

Hi Wil,

I've been following your blog for almost two years now. When I stumbled across your site while working as a ski tech at a shop in the Deer Valley ski resort, located above Park City, UT, two Decembers ago I became interested immediatly because of my (family's) history with Star Trek and the roll (no pun intended) your character played in my life. I thought, "Wow! Here's the guy that played Ensign Crusher!!"

I'm not a sci-fi elitist and never have been. I watched Star Trek because I like the stories it told and I loved the adventure, the growth in the characters (especially Wesley, I'm the youngest in my family and have always been surrounded by older, less interested individuals) and I would look foreward to these stories everyweek.

Here, I found myself intrigued to see what you had been doing with your life and really what you are like as yourself, away from a lot of the celebrity drama people wrap themselves up within, instead of going out and creating their own lives and living out their personal dreams and I was given Wil Wheaton. I lifted any veil of impersonal, characterization I'd created of you throughout my childhood and embraced a nerdtastic, game-loving, literary, actor and, most important of all, down to earth family man.

I'm not saying that having kept this blog has cut you down in my eyes, not at all. In fact, the opposite is true! Through reading your blog, I've discovered that we have many many things in common and I love that! What I love the most about you, is that you are almost aggressively creative and you've built up a great support system for yourself in the process. I love that you're a step-dad and so invested in your kid's lives and that they like taking after you and your interests (even if they've been replaced by pod-people for the time being) and that Anne is just as nerdy as you are (well, maybe not JUST as nerdy. She is very supportive of your quirks and passions and isn't running for the hills and that's a plus). Most of all, I love that you are aware of the world around you and not lost in your own private reality (See "An Evening With Kevin Smith: Disc 2", scene index: Prince)

You're an inspiration and it's just time I thanked you for that. This moment of gratitude in my own life and this most recent post of yours just so happened to coincide with one another (and I'm someone who doesn't really believe in accidents).

Thank you for your compassion, your creativity, the dreams you have and the results you create. The love you unabashedly express to your family and the extended family of WWdN and everyone else you hold in your life.
Thank you for being genuine.

~Rick

Wil~
I only recently discovered your blog, then read Just a Geek, and check in daily. I just signed up today for the purpose of letting you know that I loved Just a Geek, I really enjoy your blog, and I'll be watching for your future writing projects. As a young woman trying to decide if I want to continue to pursue acting, your thoughts on the subject have been so timely.

Perhaps the shifting of your interest in this blog is just a natural ebb and flow. I hope you continue to post, because I will continue to read.

Damn... sounds like CardSquad outbid Up For Poker for your spectacular poker-writing skills ;-) I guess I should have offered more than an AlCantHang commemorative shot glass!!!

Just kidding...

As a blogger maintaining two blogs (soon to be three) I know what you're going through. Sometimes one languishes more than another. It's why I love collaborative blogs. More minds = more content.

Bottom line, I write for me. Our coverage of Hurricane Katrina down here in Louisiana gave me lots of new material.

Sometimes inspiration comes when you least expect it.

When one of the most popular bloggers is having second thoughts about blogging, that means trouble for all of us. I know I've always been too lazy to keep a personal diary or journal, and just knowing that one person sitting in Nome, Alaska is reading what I write makes me sit down and think about stuff that I normally wouldn't think or write about. Blogging is a very weird endeavor that is part writing, part confessional, and part hanging out in a virtual coffee shop with virtual friends.

And there's always something to write about without making family members pissed at you for gossiping about them in public.

Hi Wil,
I've been reading your blog for about a year now and I've never felt left out of your life. No matter what we do in our lives we're still here going through the motions no matter how small. Your true fans enjoy hearing about your garden, your kids, parenting, poker stars etc. We're the ones who are happy just to read about anything you're willing to share. I appreciate your honesty about you wanting to keep certain things private. You could've just done it without explination but you didn't. You told us all how you felt. Not many writers would do that. I write an internet diary every day myself and know that my life isn't exciting all the time but I chose to share even the most of mundane and boring things because that's who I am and those things make up my life. They're mine and I own them.
We all admire the things you've accomplished in your life - from small to huge. We just like Wil the way he is.

XOXO
Rosemary

I just started reading your blog recently. It was on a friend of mines blog list so I thought I would give it a try. While I knew your name I have only seen you in a couple of movies. I did not even know you where an author. I read your blog and found it interesting. I hope you keep blogging here. I enjoy reading it. I read it because I find it interesting. Not because you are an actor or writer or whatever. So good luck wherever life leads you.

What you might of think as "boring", we might of think as "inspiring". Thinking you are boring and that no one cares is just a state of mind that we are all guilty of feeling at some point in our lives.

You aren't boring Wil. You are just human.

I know you don't write to entertain us, but I think sometimes you get caught up in hoping you are interesting and worry if you are worth reading about, even in the slower times.

The answer is, HELL YES you are worth reading about. We don't care what you write, just as long as you write.

So write about the boring stuff, write about times past, write about your dreams... the ones you have and the ones you wish for.

Just write.

:) Kel

Crikey. It's very good of you to question yourself about what you're posting -- I mean, that sort of self-analysis can be very healthy, and very useful as a writer -- but at the same time, this is your blog. Which is different than it being your book. And the rules of appealing to your audience are different.

I know, I know. There are how-to-promote-yourself sites all over telling new bloggers to avoid just meandering on about their lives. And sure, there's a grain of wisdom in that. Maybe even five.

But blogs are a different genre than books, even books that are also memoirs. Everyday musings are essential to the genre. They just have to be written well. And you manage that admirably.

Just because you're a celebrity-via-writing or a celebrity-via-TNG doesn't mean you have any more responsibility than anyone else (non-celebrities) blogging to make every single post scintillatingly brilliant/funny/moving. Only every other post -- no, I'm kidding. In the blogosphere, we're all equals. That's part of the beauty of it.

And in case it isn't clear, I like your blog.

You have also shared a lot with us, Wil. Just knowing that you lost some very special companion animals explains the general "malaise" you seem to be in when posting.

But that corny bit about time healing all wounds?

It works.

In time you'll be more like your chipper, eager-to-share-too-much self.

But you're right that it will never be the same as it were before.

How frigging BORING would that be.

Your writing in art, and like all art, it evolves. It's a living thing shaped by the environment and the artist's desire to change the art. You're experimenting with these verbal colors and using different media and styles. Some of it works.

Some doesn't.

But a Picasso is still a Picasso even if Picasso thought the piece was all for crap when he was done.

You're an artist. Your palatte is life itself. Words are your brush: Say them, write them, record them, etch them, play them; whatever you want.

Just get them out there for your sake.

WHEN SLEEP ESCAPES YOU

Mr. Wheaton,

Some advice that was passed along to me...
If you're having problems sleeping, honor it. Don't deny the problem or try to go back to sleep. It's important to acknowledge that a part of your mind (one of those monkeys of yours, perhaps) must be preoccupied with something you've been avoiding to interrupt your body's natural habits. Fear and anxiety can paralyze, or merely demoralize, when it comes to money, success, and survival.
Sorry to get all Freudian on you, but trouble sleeping usually means trouble elsewhere.

Wes Crusher would never give up!

Hey Wil:

I've been reading your site for 8 months now and I genuinely dig following you along life's path. Nope, I'm not a freakazoid who wants to stand on trash bins to peer in your windows.
I'm just a soul who appreciates hearing others ruminate on life and how they're livin' it.
And your blog is ...well...it's just a damn good tale of one guy's life.
Keep writing...whatever you want. I'll read it.

cheers.
L

You know Will...
Rather than put forth the time and effort of a standard blog, I'd (we'd) be totally happy with more of your Audblogs or better yet, a simple podcast!

You've always got such awesome thoughts running through that head of yours, it would be a shame to board up that door to keep those thoughts chained up inside.

An occasional blog entry would be fine if the void were filled with a podcast.

Let us Listen...
SjN

oh wheaton -
just shut up and write.
don't worry 'bout us. we're fine.

i am a total fucking internets wacko, and will keep reading your blog. compulsively, obsessively, fervently hanging onto every word you write, every bit of your punctuation, from your dainty commas to your luscious... apostrophies. woooooo!

Hey Wil! dont worry about that reader you do have many others ... I personly know some of them . you are a great writer .my openion is that you are one of the great writer/actor's. please keep writeing your books have show me what your talents are. and I pass them on to my friends. so never give up,if you do the people who think you cant do it will win. reather you are witeing to entertane us or to brag about your wonderful family it should not matter its always intersting to read about you past and present
life.:-)

I log in to read your site everyday. As a matter of fact, all I have to do is type- "wi" and zap! my faithful computer takes me right to your site.
I would have to go into rehab if you ever decided to stop writing in your blog! Ha! My family doesn't quite "get it" but they allow my addiction.
What is special to me is that you have a wonderful way of relating to readers just by putting words on paper. I can smell the rain and hear the thunder when you write about the weather you see out your window. That's what I look for in a writer--someone that can put you directly in the book where you can get lost in the story.
I don't understand everything about poker, but I follow the links and read what you write anyway. If you want to write about poker, go ahead, I'll read anything that might educate me and increase my chances of bringing home a bigger penny pot in the one time a year I actually play. (New Year's Eve with a bunch of adult Scouters)
Just write when you want to and write about what moves you-- take yourself off the hook and maybe you'll start sleeping again. It's OK. We'll still be here when you get back.

Hi Wil,

Personally, I read your blog to read about your everyday life... (I've recently 'hatched' a pod kidlet, too - and it's nice to know there's other people going through the same thing!) I also like to read a husband's view of the world around them - and you never write with any added bs- it's always just the way that it is. I have an appreciation for that.

Hang in there!

Wil,

So that's why I can't find your books in stores... "Star Trek books don't sell?" Hmmm.

Personally, I think that your observations on life are quite interesting. I think you are a really cool guy - not just an actor. Not even just a geek.

Though I can't speak for everyone, I believe your fanbase would still love you for the person you are.

Hey Wil,

While I can only speak for myself, I do believe many others share some of my sentiments. I read your blog for a variety of reasons, and one of the top reasons is the humanity of your entries. You relate to Everyman with your posts. Then, of course, is my personal favorite reason: you're a damn good writer. The way you phrase a description of something as simplistic (yet beautiful) as sitting in your office on a sunny Sunday afternoon listening to the birds chirping while the cat naps in your lap gives hope and encouragement to we aspiring writers (OK, maybe just me ;-)). And for those of us who just enjoy damn good writing, we have the pleasure of your talents. THANK YOU.

I hope you don't decide to stop blogging, but in turn I can understand it's your decision and it's a very personal one. I have felt for a very long time that folks have to start remembering to live their lives for themselves - and to their own standards. It's so easy to get caught up in the commotion of living life, and to forget who and what it's really all about.

Best wishes to you and yours.

I can't possibly put it better than others already have, so I'll just reiterate - your blog is YOUR blog. Write whatever you want, and we'll keep reading because you're a great writer and a damn cool guy. Just because I don't understand most of the poker stuff doesn't mean that I don't enjoy reading it - you're that good a writer. I totally get that you want to protect yourself and your family from all the wackos out there - don't post about them if that's what it takes to keep them safe. The beauty you see in the small things in life and the way you express those thoughts and moments are inspirational as well as a nice way for me to end my day - although I am sorry you have to suffer insomnia to wax poetic about the serenity of the still of the night.

To make a long post short - I like what you write because I like how you write. But the important thing is that you write for yourself. We'll keep coming back to eavesdrop.

Anyone who loves to play Destroy All Human can blog whenever & whatever they feel like. Living is far more important & raising a pod IS LIVING! So create as you feel. We'll be here. Raising our pods too.

Holy Balls . . . I think the number of posts says it all. I just have this page on my Safari "Daily" tab . . . I just think, "I wonder what Wil is up to?" . . . not in a nosy, intrusive, reporter way . . . but in a quick chat over a cup of coffee way . . . mostly because you come across as a decent person . . . and not an arrogant prick who's so uptight you couldn't get a greased beebi up there butt (Line from Mr. Baseball 8) ). Anywho, who cares . . . do what you want - this is just a bonus anyway.

so here are my thoughts and i haven't read the other comments and the 'over the shadow' was the first post i read. i came because i liked games of our lives on the onion, it's the first thing i read and i love lloyd schumer sr.

as i read, i thought, okay, i missed the golden days of the blog. and you talked about halo! i thought this was all going to be 'clash at demonhead' and explanations for why it's seemingly impossible for some people to beat the original zelda and others said it was a sugar snap. and if there was a cheat to kill the wizard in kings quest. questions which i still ponder in elevators.

but then i thought -- you know what, the wizard just showed up and killed you for no reason and you're wondering who the hell designed this. and you're like, wait, i have a life, i don't need to restart the game. you're just forgetting something -- you always restart the game. because walking away without seeing the ending or making it through the castle is just personal failure.
so just restart the game.

"I think that I keep this blog because it's a risk-free creative outlet with no deadlines. I can write about whatever is on my mind."

To me, that's exactly what a blog is. They aren't always interesting, they aren't always happy, but they're you. They're what you feel and hear and think. I know mine's not always great but when I need to vent, or jump for joy or just communicate it's always there.

Wil,
I found your blog through teh soapbox and after reading some of the entries became fascinated with you. Not because you are a celebrity, NOT because of your movies or tv shows, because you are a fine, upstanding, kind man who chooses to share part of his life with the general public. I (like many others here) have come to think of you as a friend and it hurts me to see you in pain but, if thats how you feel and you want to tell us, that's fine. We can be there for you for as long as you need.
I understand the insomnia thing, I go through chronic periods and, believe me, it can bring you down and skew your thinking. All I can offer is my wisdom...it will get better.
I will be there in the $5 and $20 tournaments next week, something YOU inspired, remember that.
Take care and know that you are loved.
Lucy

Wil, when I first heard about your blog, I admit I was curious because of your Star Trek background. But I certainly didn't stay around because of that. I stayed around because I like what you have to say.

I sometimes think it's a generational thing. The blogs I like most are written by folks close to my age whom I identify with. And there's a lot of what you say that just resonates with me.

In my blog, I write when I feel like, don't write when I don't. At the end of the day, you have to do what you want - and we'll like you regardless of what you decide.

I started reading your Blog in the past 8 months and I am totally addicted now. So if it was even better than it is now, I can't wait for the turn around. Maybe your step kids teenage years are rubbing off on you psyche and creating a false anxiety about your postings. Self criticism is something I constantly battle, so it's always refreshing to see a person as talented as you are break their work down. Your honosty is always refreshing and I will always check in as long as this post exists.

Hey wil, quite simply this is YOUR show man.
You do what you want to do with it.. in all honesty.. the point to this is for this to serve its purpose for YOU that you need it to. If that means less entertaining or less personal than that is what it means. I know that there are quite a few of us that don't come here to be entertained, we come here for the same reason we read other wwdn Live Journals etc... because over time we have come to consider you a friend and we are just checking to see how things are going with you as we do our other friends. For that portion of readership you NEVER have to worry about entertaining.. just let us know your doing alright or let us know when you need that monkey mojo and you know it will be there for you.

Do whatever you need to do wil, we will still be here. ^_-

I have been reading for years and will continue to read no matter what it morphs into. I am commenting today to let you know how much your blog has given me inspiration and comfort. I agree with so many of the above comments and they have said it more eloquently than I could. I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy and appreciate your blog and how much it is a part of my routine. I'll read it whatever you post.

I think that's about the saddest think I've read all week. If there's one thing I've learned while visiting your website it's that blogs are made up of things that the WRITER finds interesting, not the readers. Now that you've found something new that interests you it's bound to affect what is written in your blog. If you feel like writing then write, if you don't feel like writing then don't. Either way people are still going to visit your website...just to make sure you're still there!

You're blogging for the same reasons I do. I really don't expect you to entertain me in these pages. The web is full of entertainment, but not so full of positive content.

When I'm done reading here I always feel a little more upbeat. The fact that you're a writer who works out some of his chops on line gives me something in common with you beyond the fact that I used to know entire Next Gen eps by heart. I hope you'll continue to do what you're doing here, whatever it is. It works for you, so it works for me.

I think that with 3 books in the planning stages, your creative energy is pretty well tapped as far as stories go, so it's understandable that you wouldn't be able to make your blog more "interesting" because, hey, you need to save the good stuff for the books!

Your agent dropping you is absolute suckage, and the fact that he didn't have the courtesy to call you makes it seem absolutely cold, especially considering your no-doubt lengthy history. I hope you find a new one soon.

I don't care much for the poker stuff, but I'm not going to complain about it like others have because 1) It's your blog, and I'd be a huge dick for telling you what to write, and 2) Other WWdN readers might actually be interested in it. Personally, I wouldn't let the poker-haters censor your blog because they can't simply ignore those posts like the rest of your readers.

As for the necessity of a blog, I don't think anybody who's serious about it blogs because they necessarily need to. There's lots of reasons to blog. Your reason is good, because a blog is a good creative outlet, seeing as you have total control of the content. For me, I use it as a dumping ground for my thoughts, good or bad (mostly bad, sadly). There's millions of other reasons, I'm sure. I doubt that they establish a "need" though, at least to outsiders.

Anyways, you just do whatever you need to do. The people who read this because they wanna know how Wil Wheaton is doing will certainly understand, while the people who want to be entertained will bitch, moan, and move onto "the next big thing."

And if you need a cure for insomnia, just read my blog. ;)

i've not commented here before either, but want to throw in my voice among the community. keep posting here, whatever it takes. like you said, you've got a family to think about. think about the gift you're leaving them; imagine grandkids and great-grandkids reading your thoughts years down the road. what i wouldn't give to have that kind of record for my own relatives from long ago.

I hope you continue posting and keeping us (me) entertained with your wit and humor. (hope I'm not sounding too creepy) Fact is, when I need a quick pick-me-up or in need of a reality check, your site is the one that is the first choice. But whatever you decide to do in the future the best of luck to you.

Hi Wil,

I've been reading you for almost 4 years. The poker lingo was making me wish for a babblefish translator but the Katrina/Poker caught my interest and now I'm loving playing on PokerStars® and may even try and learn the language.

Do whatever you want to do. Personally, I think you're a much more interesting person than you were 4 years ago (no offense).

See you at your tourneys next week!

Dude, the poker stories brought me here, but I stayed for everything else. Just keep up what you got going on now. It's good stuff, really.

Sad.

It just struck me as sad.

I think the pure volume of the response to this blog entry says it all. People are reading your blog. But, blog for yourself. it's a meditation, and it's a creative outlet. You can try things on, and it doesn't matter as much -- but when you get it right, it rocks.

Personally, I am one of those who miss 'the old days of WWdN', and while I respect your decision to make it all a little less personal -- it's exactly that personal touch that brought me to your blog in the first place. I like to hear what's making you tick, and you still let it out every once in a while. I guess 'Pod People' will do that to you.

I do have to say that I'm completely bored and lost with the poker stuff, and instead of threatening you with 'oh, I'm gonna leave', I just choose to skip those posts. It's what you're into right now, and it brings you joy, and you're not alone in your interest for the game. I am wholeheartedly for your enjoyment of it, and keep on rockin', especially when it means earning money for those who suffered the wrath of Katrina and the poor planning of this administration. Just, if you can, try to break it up a bit for those of us who have no idea what the hell you're talking about. How's that D&D game going? :)

So, yeah. times change, moods change, styles change. Keep with it, however. The blog has been good to you, and will continue to be good to you. You're a permanent fixture on my copy of NetNewsWire, even if I hit space through half your posts now :).

Hey Wil...

Don't you just love late summer and fall? I have found (well since becoming an 'adult') that this is the time of year where I start to reflect and prepare myself for new chapters.
I am going through a similar process myself with wanting to 'update' my life and move forward. I'm feeling horribly stagnant and that is just not me.

There's just something about this time of year... I wish I could put a finger on it. All I know is this is the most profound change I've gone through in a while.

***As a side note- I want this huge change in my life, but sometimes wonder why it's not happening fast enough for me, when will I move forward, basically WHEN WILL I GET OUT OF THIS CRAZY TOWN I LIVE IN, blah, blah...
About a year ago I taped a quote from you blog onto my computer...When I start to get anxious I repeat it to myself...
"If you are specific about your goals, and put yourself in a place where your good luck can do you some good, the universe will absolutely conspire to make your dreams come true."
Your Mom told you that, and I have made it a mantra of my own. I will also share it with my son one day when he's facing his own decisions.

You have done a terrific service to yourself (I'm sure) with you blog and to us readers.
I know you're not quitting... Just know this... Your blog is enjoyable and your work is appreciated. (How corporate did that sound?)

I have to admit, I'm glad the poker stuff is elsewhere. So there's less here, that's OK, I'm hellza busy myself.
Anyhoo, it's your blog, I don't think any of us are entitled to have a problem with it. As you say, the internet ain't what it used to be (been doing it since '93). C'est la vie.

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