The Perils of Guestblogging

Hi.  Chris from Rude Cactus here. 

Jason kindly asked me to guest blog today and of course I was more than honored. But then I started getting uneasy.  Uneasy because, well, it's guest blogging.  I mean, you can fall flat on your face in front of your own readers but that's certainly not something you want to have happen in front of someone else's. Allow me to illustrate my concerns.

Let's say you make a mean meatloaf.  Careful preparation, long cooking time (hey, I don't know, I'm a vegetarian) all make this the most perfect meatloaf in the world as far as you're concerned.  So, after a while, your meatloaf is the stuff of legend in your circle of friends.  They even ask you to prepare it for them.  Naturally, when other people get involved, where the expectations of others are at play, you get concerned about your meatloaf-preparation skills.  Is my meat good enough?  Will my loaf remain firm?  Will my meat stay tender?  And juicy?  Will my friends find my meat tasty?  All these are things that enter your head as you thrust your loaf before your friends.

I think the metaphor is clear.  When asked to guest blog, I was initially thrilled but then doubt started to sink in.  Could I, in fact, live up to any expectations that Jason might have?  And those of his readers?  Would I let him and everyone else down while looking stupid in the process?  And what the hell would I talk about?  But, alas, I am a professional.  I am here.  Gaze at my meat, I say, for it is indeed tender and juicy.