So I’ve spent the last few days thinking about this blog and how it can best be put to use. Keeping in mind that it is really just meant to complement and enhance Pete’s talk show, my biggest fear is that it will detract. We all have to remember that anything any of us posts here appears under a big picture of my little brother’s unsightly mug. And my loyalty to him is going to trump all other factors in determining where we take this little experiment.

After talking with Pete, reading all the recent comments about the future of the blog, and emailing with several of you, I’ve come to conclude that the blog deserves one more chance. If I am able to put in the kind of time I would like to, then I’ll be handling the blog more like I was a few weeks ago: posting links mentioned on the show, calling for more comments on particular topics, etc. I’ll also be posting more original topics, like traditional blog-style comments on items in the news, maybe my own analysis of some topics discussed on the show, etc. I’ll also try to get some more behind-the-scenes stuff up, since I think most readers/listeners appreciate that. (I scanned a bunch of pics of young P-Jimmy, so stay tuned.)

I have also posted some new “decorum” rules for the comments. Nothing that isn’t common sense, and nothing that hasn’t already been said. But now it’s all in one place, and no one can deny it.

Finally, I’ve added several new features to the comments section. You will have to register and be logged in to the site to post comments, now. I realize that’s a slight pain, but it is necessary to weed out the colossal amounts of spam we’re receiving, and it will allow us to ban users who are repeatedly abusive of this forum we provide. Second, I have converted the comments to a “threaded” structure. You are encouraged to reply to particular comments, when appropriate, and thus future readers can more-easily seek or avoid particular threads of conversation.

I’m going to miss the first part of today’s show because I have a doctor’s appointment, but when I get back I’ll get right into it and hopefully we’ll start having some real fun here. (Note the new quote at the top of every page! Let it serve as a reminder to us all…)

Update: Tip: When you register yourself as a user of this blog, go into your profile and give yourself a nickname and then select that to be your display name. This way you can have a different username to log in with and a display name that is like Jill from Hill.

Now that the show is really starting to take off, my little brother (he looks older, but don’t let the hairline fool you) wants to add a medium to the daily broadcast. So while he’s running that big mouth of his for three hours a day, I’ll be posting to this blog. And we’ll both try to post to it even when the show’s not on, so check here for previews of upcoming guests and topics.

We’ve got a lot of fun new bits to try out on upcoming broadcasts, and some of them will have interactive elements. We’ll be looking for your feedback on the show and various topics it covers here, so read along while you listen from work or home, or check in when you get off the road.