I want to be an expert: Can I afford not to have a blog?

In a world where an increasing amount of average citizens are minted "experts" daily and published as authors based on their online presence, their cultured opinions, colorful and thoughtful commentary on forums, and their witty dialogue on their own blogs , can I afford not to have a blog?

There is a talk show on KCRW, the NPR affiliate here in Santa Monica called “Which Way, LA”. The host, Warren Olney, calls often on “experts” to debate their theories on, among other things, local and national politics, architecture and city planning, transportation, gentrification, and the general life and times of managing an unmanageable metropolis. With very few exceptions, Warrens panel guests are articulate and focused, and leave me with very little doubt as to their expert-ness.
Most of the time.

One of my dreams is for Warren to call on me one day for my professional opinion, and to participate in a spirited debate with my equally intellectual colleagues as... an expert.

But how to become an expert? I don’t have the educational credentials. I don’t have the pedigree, socially or otherwise. Nor do I have a lofty position in the public eye. As a matter of fact, if I were the outside public listening to me pontificate, there would be no reason to accept the credibility or validity of any of my statements.

However, what I do have is an almost obsessive interest in the few things that matter to me, a very tuned-in and observant nature of the comings and goings around me, the writing skill of a sixth grader who aspires to be an author, an inordinate amount of time on my hands, and a veritable distaste for seeing many so-called experts miss the mark with their input.

A blog is perfect. Because a blog finds its audience, or vice-versa. You can read it if you're curious or want to contribute, and if you're not we're both saved the awkwardness of a conversation that's not of interest. Hopefully nobody's time is wasted.

The truth is, sometimes I have questions, theories, or observations for which I want others input and discussion. Since these questions, theories, or observations are often sporadic, and come to me while on my bike, in the shower, or in an otherwise indisposed state, the chances of me bringing up these topics while out in the world is slim. Even slimmer is the chance that the audience I encounter out in that world will have an interest (or remotely care about) the topics that I may have shared, had I remembered to share them. Add to that the issues of most of my thoughts rarely ever being fully formed when I approach them in a social setting, and my inability to listen to another person for thirty seconds without getting distracted, and I’m quickly realizing that a blog may be the way to go.

So! There it is, my reason for blogging. Now that I have justified it to myself and others, I would like to welcome you to my blog. For my friends who will possibly read out of sympathy or allegiance, thanks! If you happened to find your way here through a popular search engine, and you want to comment or share your own "expert" opinion on something I have written, Please do. I welcome the non-physical, non-verbal, non-time wasting interaction.