Life After Jerusalem: Going Dark

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Going Dark

I sometimes wonder how many potential recruits we lose when a good blog suddenly goes dark.

One of my favorite ones just did, and I am pretty bummed about it. Some of you have figured out which one and have asked me about it.

I asked the author why they shuttered the blog, and the blogger told me that post had asked that it be deleted.

And why??

This blog never that I saw mentioned anything of "official concern." The blogger had a really funny take on our experience, and anyone who knows me knows I place a high premium on humor. (It is one of the main reasons I married my wife...she is seriously a riot!).

It is sad for me to see this happen, because this blog was just the kind that would convince good folks to join the service. And if there is anything we need, it is more good folks.

I have asked the blogger to consider going anonymous.

I really hope it happens.

18 comments:

I'll Take Mine... said...: I've had a blog sitting on your blog roll of wanna-be FSOs so long that the type-face should be green from mold… anyway… it seems like being a public (named) blogger with State is kind of dangerous. And if not dangerous to one's career, it sounds soul-sucking, creativity-squashing and first amendment limiting. I worry about social media and other technological innovations being touted as great for getting out the message of the US, but as for me, as a person, well, I better sit down and shut up if we become part of the Foreign Service. Even if it has nothing to do with the sensitive topics. I agree, the blogger you mention is funny and honest.; 2:44 PM
Alexandra said...: I love anonymous blogs.... You can be so... honest! Thanks.; 3:42 PM
Jen said...: I think I know which one you mean, I was really disappointed it stopped, I agree she was funny, and had helpful info, and absolutely could be annon. Though see no reason why she should have to!; 4:38 PM
Anonymous said...: I loved her blog!!! So sad...so sad.; 6:06 PM
Anonymous said...: Which one was it?; 8:54 PM
Unknown said...: Someone want to clue me in via e-mail? I think I know which one it was...; 9:07 PM
Anonymous said...: I've tried the anon blog thing (my blog does not appear on your blogroll). It's really not as easy as it sounds...it's almost impossible to write at length about one's experiences and not mention telling details. It's also nerve-wracking when you start seeing hits from state.gov in your statmeter, despite all attempts to maintain a low profile (or, worse, when a large outlet links to you without asking). The "open to registered users only" route seems more sensible...albeit less fun. Sure wish they'd just clarify and standardize the rules.

(ps I'm the person who startled you at FSI one morning last week with praise for your blog -- sorry about that!); 10:33 PM
AMS said...: Hi Digger,

Can you add my blog to the blogroll? When I started my blog, it was private, and then I went quietly public not so long ago, and I have been lurking for more than a year now (before I started this blog) on countless FSO blogs. I've been somewhat ambivalent about becoming too public though I have found myself commenting un-anonymously more and more, but, well, this just makes me angry. I don't know whose blog you mentioned, but FSO blogs helped me feel connected to this community before I started and were such an incredible resource for me. So many others eloquently express what I'm thinking-often, before I've articulated it for myself. I love FSO blogs. Full confession: before I started, all I focused on were the technical aspects of the job; the amazing work that could be done, and the opportunities. But,since I've started, every day my pride in being able to serve this country and its people grows. I truly believe that the work that we do showcases some of the best of who we are as a people, and I don't believe in being quiet about that.; 10:37 PM
Caitlin said...: Ditto to your comments, her blog will be missed!; 11:55 PM
Destinaish Unknown said...: Pewp. Said blogger was high on my list of those most "in need" of an EFM, too. Hope I didn't give it away too much...; 2:40 PM
Anonymous said...: Well you do not know me...but i have been looking up blogs about the foreign service to know more about it before I sign up for the exam (after all it's free). As such...I e-mailed a particular FSO blogger (her e-mail was on her blog profile) that I had enjoyed reading..as she was a single and young female like myself...just to ask a few questions about being a foreign service officer and the application process. Needless to say..I never received a response..nor an e-mail. So maybe I creeped her out..which was not my intentions at all. She, just like others and yourself as well are the blogs that popped up when i googled foreign service blogs. Anyways..I hope my e-mail is not the reason her blog disappeared. I apologize if so.; 4:22 PM
s (anonymous) said...: PS..from prior post..my e-mail went something like this..you can tell me whether it sounds creepy or not..and oh it was sent on 3/12/11
Dear ......,
I hope you do not mind me e-mailing you to ask you a few questions about the Foreign Service. I found your blog while browsing the internet for Foreign Service information. I just found out a few weeks ago (sad, i know) about the Foreign Service and have been searching the internet for more and more information. I will graduate with my 2nd undergraduate degree in Political Science (my first was Geography with a minor in Sociology) at the end of this semester and am looking for all sorts of opportunities (grad school or a career (better pay/satisfaction) to replace my part-time, low pay supervisory Cafe Barista job. While graduate schoool in urban planning is another option, the Foreign Service Officer opportunity is awesome sounding and i am thoroughly interested in the whole kitten caboodle of it all. The Foreign Service seems like such an enriching, yet challenging opportunity and thus, I am in the process of registering for the exam (after all, it's free unless you don't show up). Your blog is very insightful and entertaining and I was wondering if you could tell me what you did to prepare for the 1st stage---the written exam? I understand it is a very long and competitive process so although I have a gazillion questions about the Foreign Service itself, I'll stick with the first process as I need to pass this before fantasizing about THE LIFE.

Again, I hope you do not mind my e-mail and any advice that you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

SB
"Your Attitude Determines Your Latitude"; 4:32 PM
James said...: Hey Anon/SB -
I can't comment on whether or not you creeped out "she who must not be named" (mostly, because I don't know her name), but I can tell you that there are some Yahoo groups and wiki resources for FSO-hopefuls at various stages of the game. You may know this already, so my apologies in advance if I am underestimating your sleuthing skills.
Here are two useful links for me:
http://fsot.wikidot.com/fso-test-overview
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fswe/

I learned about the Foreign Service in January (just in time for the Feb test), took it, passed it, and have submitted my narratives for QEP now. I'll probably be waiting until July...blog-stalking all the public and private FSO's I can until then. :-)
-James; 3:56 PM
Digger said...: Antoinette, I will add you right now! And Anon, your comment had nothing to do with that blog going dark. Fear not. I get emails like that ALL the time so I suspect others do to.; 12:36 PM
Jersey Beth said...: Please tell that spanish speaking oh-so-funny girl that we miss her and wish her well. I would have loved to have read her views as she adjusts to her first Destination (yup, meant that).
Thanks for clarifying where she went. Glad to hear nothing bad happened to her.; 3:39 PM
Destinaish Unknown said...: Uh did Dead Man Working also go dark, too?; 9:24 AM
Digger said...: They have a new post today.; 2:15 PM
Destinaish Unknown said...: Whew, I must've clicked shortly after the new post was updated cause it gave me errors when I tried to see it yesterday!!! And the title of the post was "thanks for your support" so then I freaked. Sorry :-); 9:30 AM