Can’t we all just have fun on this blog?

Blogs, by their very nature, are supposed to make us print-journalist types more interactive with the public.

I can’t help feeling, though, that engaging with folks on a blog is a little like going on a blind date. Unfortunately, I have this idea that most blind dates don’t end up fostering long-term relationships.

If you listen to the media experts, however, they will tell you that the future of journalism will be somewhere in cyberspace. Still, some of us, including yours truly, have dragged their proverbial Converses when it comes to embracing a blog. I know I just aged myself with that reference to the old Chuck Taylor shoe.

My blog turns a year old this month. It’s an awfully young 1, though.

I launched my blog in the middle of the busiest of the three high school sports season. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. Frequently, I still feel as if I’m trying to navigate this brave new world with a flashlight that desperately needs its batteries recharged.

Just when I was starting to warm up to the blog last year, the school year ended and we broke for the summer. At the time I returned in the fall, it was much like starting over.

Here we are in January and I’m just now starting to feel like I’m finding my blog legs. I don’t know where we’re headed, but I’m beginning to like the journey.

So we need to go over a few ground rules. I’ve mentioned some of these on the blog, but all of us need to be on the same page.

“Let’s have fun.

“Let’s treat each other with respect. We’re each entitled to our opinions.

“Let’s have fun.

“Let’s refrain from naming student/athletes if we have criticisms.

“Let’s have fun.

“Let’s refrain from specifically criticizing coaches. You may not agree with his or her strategies. But coaches don’t coach to get rich. They’re grossly underpaid. Be thankful you don’t have to coach because if we’re honest, most of us would be poor coaches.

“Let’s have fun.

“Let’s celebrate what’s good about high school athletics.

I think you get the idea.

If you have any ideas or come across something you like on another blog elsewhere, let me know.

Feel free to call or e-mail any time. Or just ask a question under one of the items on the blog (spokesmanreview.com/sports/ blogs/idahopreps). I’ll do my best to respond.

If you have any fashion tips for me, feel free to pass those along, too. (That’s an inside joke for those who’ve been following the blog.)