Blog Updates: Moving forward

I have changed a few things around, and will continue to do so for a bit since I view my "return" as an excuse to do so. Thematically I will be changing things as well, but won't really explain that, because I honestly don't know the full extent yet. I know some will enjoy the changes, while others will not... but honestly there will be nothing lost from the old Joe.

The best way I can explain the changes that will occur on here is that I will be taking a lot of "guidance" from Archbishops Chaput and Vigneron. Both of whom I admire greatly, and both of whom I think spread the message of how to live the life as an American Catholic, correctly.

Some of the updates are "Design" related, while some are content. Here are some of the current and proposed updates:

• I have reduced the number of posts that are on the main page from 15 to 10. I know that this cycles things out rather quick, but you can easily go back at the bottom of the page. Just click: "OLDER POSTS." This will help the blog load faster, and it will also allow the blog to load easier on smart phones. 
• Since I have a smart phone now (droid 2), I will be posting "remotely" when I find it appropriate. I don't know how I will implement this, but I am sure there will be times it will be helpful.
•  I will also be utilizing Twitter for the blog more, and in the way Twitter was designed. More ReTweets, links, and quick updates. I post the Twitter feed on the left side-bar, so even when you are on the blog, you can't miss it. You can click from there to check out my feed, and you do not have to have an account to read the blogs feed. 
• I will be posting about the topics that this blog claims to be about, but haven't always focused my time on. Things like politics, sports, culture, etc... I know that some people severly dislike Catholic blogs that post on politics and other things, but I have two answers for that complaint. First, you can skip those posts, and second, we are called to be active in public and political life. Read Chaput's "Render Unto Caesar." Ignoring the problem will not make it go away.
• To that same effect, I have included on the right side-bar new links that relate to politics. They are mostly larger political sites, but there are some of the more well known "blogs" as well. 
• I will be updating the other lists as well. I know a lot of people read my blog, and it is one of the few blogs they read, so I try and make it a place where you can come to and find a lot of good information. I could never list all the sites I visit, or that I think are important. I have tried, and gone insane trying to find a coherent way of listing and linking them. Hopefully what I do provide is a good set of links that give folks a good jumping off point. 
• There are other things that I have in store that I might start to do, but for now these are the major updates. If you have any ideas or comments, please let me know and we will see what I can do.