Step 2: Buy a hosting package. I use 1&1 to host, and so far, they’ve been swell. All you’ll probably need is the beginners Linux hosting package, it comes with a domain, 10 MySQL databases, and 10 gigs of space. It’s $3.99 a month (but there’s always specials to be had). You can host elsewhere, just so long as you have a MySQL database and FTP access.

Step 3: Profit! Just kidding. Download the latest from WordPress.org. There’s a bunch of steps here, but rather than just plagiarize, I’m just going to point you in this direction for the general directions, and to here for directions using 1&1 hosting.

Step 4: Time to customize! You can find easy to install themes to make your blog look more “you”. I believe in crossposting, because not everyone is going to put your blog in their RSS Reader, or even use one. Here’s a handy MySpace Crossposter and a Live Journal Cross Poster. I also import my blog’s feed into my Facebook. You probably want to use something like Disqus or IntenseDebate to turn your comments into conversations (I use IntenseDebate and love it). If you make pages such as the ever popular “resume” or “about me” pages, you may want to checkout this post on removing the comments section from the bottom of a post. If you see any customization on my blog that you’re curious how I’ve done, let me know.

I’ll try to expand on this as I learn more myself, but for now this should definaely get you on the right track. Happy blogging!

[Update: I'd recommend reading 10 Things to do after Installing WordPress after this post. It's got additional tips, especially regarding search engine optimization.]

Fist, an unordered list of random things I enjoy:

• Hanging out with good friends
• Meeting new people
• Exercise that’s cleverly disguised as fun
• Big band music from the 30s and 40s
• Being goofy and silly and people finding that cool
• Feeling like a rockstar, if only for one song
• Figuring something new out and then perfecting it
• Covering up the “oh-no-tomorrow-is-Monday” dread

Add all these things together, mix thoroughly, and *BAM!* you have swing dancing. How much do I love dancing? Well, I bicycled about ten miles on Friday, hiked almost as many miles on Saturday, and went canoing on Sunday – my body was basically ready to mutiny on me, but I just couldn’t stay away from dancing at the Century Ballroom tonight. Even when my legs are ready to fall off, I start swing dancing and forget it all, I could dance for hours.

Another bonus: it’s physically impossible to be sad while swing dancing or even shortly thereafter. At least, that is, until you accidentally drive over a little white mouse on Denny Avenue on the way home. Oh, that made me so, so bummed.

But I digress – dancing is awesome. One of the things I love is that the crew that I go with is equally enthralled with dancing and we’re always trying to figure out new and interesting looking moves. We’ll work on a technique until we nail it, and then integrate it into our dance “vocabulary” for the future. We’re all getting better together. We also usually have an even ratio of gals to guys, meaning we all get to dance every song, and everyone has their own style. Tonight we even did a bit of a “do-si-do” during which the whole group of us would simultaneously change partners several times during one song. It was a blast. We took some great shots tonight, once the guys upload them I’ll be sure to add to this post.

I think it goes without saying (but people always follow up that phrase by stating the obvious, and who am I to break societal norms?) that I highly recommend swing dancing. Special emphasis on the Lindy Hop, which is like all the awesomeness of swing dancing plus the coolness of ten ninjas. If you’d like to give it a go, I’d recommend just running a Google search for “swing dance” plus the name of your town and you’re likely to come up with a lot of options (assuming you live in someplace mildly entertaining). Swing has a huge following all over the United States.