My audacious blogging intentions for 2011

I have a confession to make: I'm not a very good blogger. While I have started getting some of my writing published over the past couple of years -- in magazines, in an academic journal and elsewhere online -- my blog itself has experienced its fair share of neglect. I have, from time to time, posted book reviews or occasional essays of one variety or another, but I haven't done so with any degree of consistency, and I've failed to keep posts short and punchy. This year, 2011, I want to be a bit better at this.

For my current day job, every day I track news coverage related to international affairs, community development, economics, global health, trafficking, trade and various other issues that matter to the poor and marginalized (and, yes, to the NGO for which I work). In my spare time I also read a variety of books. As one born and raised in Guatemala, I have a particular interest in Central America, and I seek out books and news stories accordingly. On top of that, of course, I'm a Christian and am interested in how the Christian faith relates to development and human rights and seeking peace and justice in society.

So what's my plan for the blog in 2011? Basically, I plan to post content on a much more regular basis. Whether it's a video with a news clip or an excerpt from an article or a book, I'll work to make this blog a sort of clearinghouse for the stuff I come across that strikes me as interesting and important related to the intersections of faith, justice and peace in the Americas. Sometimes I'll add commentary, and sometimes I'll just do a bit of synthesis. And from time to time, when I feel particularly inspired, I'll post an essay, a reflection, or a muse.

That's the plan. Here's to a good 2011 -- or the remaining 11 months of it, anyway.