In a moment of insanity I decided to build my own website. Or, more accurately, have Claude build me a website. I reserve the right to completely change direction whenever I want to, but here are the four foundational purposes for this site.

First, I want to have fun. I've never done anything like this. I'm not an artist or creator as I typically think of people who are, but I think it would be fun to make something new and different (to me). I like photography, I like writing. I'm not necessarily any good at either, but I enjoy them, and this gives me a place to collect them and an incentive to add more.

Second, I want to own my own stuff rather than give it all to the tech giants. Alan Jacobs has been an influence for me here, including pointing to the IndieWeb is Punk website.

Third, I want a space to write myself clear. As is true for many people, the act of writing helps clarify my thoughts. This site gives me an incentive to write and thus an incentive to think.

Fourth, and this will be the most aspirational of the four, I want this site to be a place where I can exercise what my teacher John Dickson calls the six ways of doing public Christianity: Declaration, Defense, Concession, Beautification, Critique, and Affirmation. I imagine I'll have to grow into this.

Here we go.