Change we can blog in

You might notice some subtle changes to the blog over the next week or two. I am contemplating a moderate redesign that will make the place more attractive and useful. Here are some of the plans:

• Add a blog roll for conservative blogs on the side bar. I self-identify as a DFL/progressive blog and have been running the “Leftyblog” roll at the side for months, but I am interested in other points of view and hope you are, too.
• Add a media list for the Iron Range, Duluth and other northern Minnesota locations with links. I’d like this site to be considered a comprehensive source for information about Northern Minnesota news and politics in addition to being a home for my “not-quite-column-worthy” musings. In time, this may included feeds from local newspapers, radio and TV stations … if and when they become available.
• Redesign. I am thinking of colors. Any suggestions? Should I stick with the iron ore red and tree green I have now, or embrace the full color potential of my last name?
• Tweaking to the ads. Let’s face it, I’m not in this for the ad revenue and you don’t come here to see ads. I will be reviewing options to get some revenue going here, but that will likely not included the less effective web ads you’ve seen of late.
• Conflicts of Interest! Maybe it didn’t bother you, but I am active in my community and local political scene and feel I should be very open about my potential conflicts of interest in my writing. Plus, disclosing conflicts of interest is so hot right now. It’s like the new unsubstantiated rumor printed as fact.
• Tie ins to my upcoming book. Hate to break it to you, but I’ve been writing stuff for you to read for the last year and a half in hopes that you’d buy the book when it came out this October. Buy the book, freeloaders. It’ll be cheap and you can hollow out the inside to create an ideal location for your flask or small pistol. Like reading? I tried to make it good to read, also.

What do you think? Any suggestions?