20 years later, CUBlog defies odds
~~~~~
Are you still out there, dearest readers who have a vested interest in the movie history and related film culture of Champaign, Urbana, and the cities beyond, spread far and wide throughout the state of Illinois? We certainly hope so, because we are still in here at the Secret MICRO-FILM Headquarters and would like to share with you, in some fashion or another, our continued purpose as we’ve reached this point on the calendar today, Wednesday, February 25. It’s the twentieth anniversary of the moment we went live with the first post from yours truly, the forever editor and publisher, on Saturday, February 25, 2006, in which a simple question was posed – “What is C-U Blogfidential?” – that really couldn’t be answered at the time, even though a precedent was explored in the pages of our flagship journal, MICRO-FILM.
By all rights, a singular forum devoted to the particular thrills of cinematic pursuits, in and adjacent to a pair of specific Midwest college towns, should not have had legs over such a long stretch, never mind a prayer to exist in the first place, during which the faces, places, creations, and achievements of a local pedigree might be covered at length and in knowing detail. CUBlog could have been shut down at several junctions for various reasons, especially during the last few years when my personal challenges and family responsibilities ramped up to an extreme, yet I’ve chosen to continue on for various other reasons and, in the coming months, we’re going to get chatty about how we plan to change our approach to movie coverage and chronicle in east central Illinois. My personal skin in this game is tougher and less elastic than in the past, and middle-aged sweat equity can have dry spells. It’s time to flex different muscles.
~~~~~
~~~~~
Until we expand on where CUBlog goes from here, there is no harm in celebrating the longevity of a DIY pet project that has more or less maintained that very character. If nothing else, it’s a way to say that CUBlog has never been conformed to corporate interests or blunted by outside pressures – it’s central voice and conscience have always been my own, warts and all – while the definition of its “success” is probably way more subjective to define than one might think. I often let out a sigh of relief that I still find value in doing CUBlog and (usually privately) bemoan how it is probably destined to never become a viable business entity, a beloved local institution, a fashionable presence in the current C-U zeitgeist, or a cult classic with a devoted following that willingly seeks you out instead of the other way around. It’s just “here” until it’s not anymore. And it won’t be here anymore if I say it’s time to flash “The End” up on the screen. Our scene du C-U will keep going no matter what, so I’m good with choosing my own ending.
I plan to share further thoughts on CUBlog so far – watch this space around or on March 3 – and constructive blather on what CUBlog will be – look back for more on or around March 15 – so this is as deep as I want to tap the well for today. Even though my comments here may seem a bit deflated in spirit, it doesn’t mean we haven’t been active; every single month since it launched, CUBlog has posted content and there is plenty of it for you to catch up on, we’d bet. Another level that CUBlog has never unlocked is “award-winner,” so I decided to make the 20-years graphic that you see above and on our social media accounts; we’ll call it a “badge of honor” and, if you are so inclined to help spread the news, you can right-click on either image and download a larger file to share in your spaces, hopefully with a kind word and a link directing your circle back to us. Thank you, friends and neighbors. We will C-U at the ‘blog, then!
Jason Pankoke
Editor & Publisher
C-U Blogfidential
Champaign, Illinois
& Mendota, Illinois