Writin' or not

[original posting April 2009 ]

A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult 

than it is for other people. -- Thomas Mann

There was a time in my mid-twenties when I was determined to be a writer. From that experience I can honestly say that determination has nothing to do with the task of being a writer. I suppose that is not a unique observation. Many endeavors require skill before commitment and at least for me, writing was one of them. If you can't you can't. Banging your head against a wall you have no chance of climbing or painting is just crazy. You know the old watching the movie over and over waiting for a different ending.

When writing finally came to me, it was completely unexpected and not something I was seeking. But there it was one day, my voice had found the tips of my fingers and I just started to write.

Which brings me to the last week or so. I have been banging on two screenplays, nibbling around the edges of my sci-fi book and churning out gobs on internet SEO material and even getting a head start on my summer WSOP obligations. But nearly every day I have returned to this blog and come up empty, blank, move on. What is that about?

I ran into an old friend who started a blog and has managed four posts in just under a year. I joined Twitter and found lots of folks have 140 character voices.

I think I will speculate myself out of my blog malaise. Blogging is a different form of writing, just google it. You will find cyber-reams of thoughts and even "rules" about what blogging is and is not. But from a personal level, there is an aspect of blogging that you either consider or you just accept and that is: Just how comfortable are you with putting your insides out there into the webosphere?

Where is your privacy line? What won't you disclose? What is truly private and off-limits? Once you think you know this, try to blog every third day. Eventually, I guarantee, your "third day" will be an off day for you. Something is not quite right with your world and, of course, that is what is up for you and "should" be blog fodder. But you hesitate.

There really are rules of blogging. The ones that are important reside inside of you, in your heart, in your soul, in some deep dark recessed places. Until you come to grips with them, you will either show up only on the surface of your writing or you will post pictures of baked goods and sunsets. Nothing wrong with that, we just are more interested in hearing from your inner writer.

2019 - the same rule applies to your novel, if your brain or heart or soul ain't in it . . .

How Do You Know?

In these times it is critical to know the source of your facts, alternative facts, rumors and fake news. I chose to always trust my most important organ and I wish some of my family and friends would take a long hard look at what they consider their most important organ.

Some things need to be believed to be seen

Did you read the title carefully?

How's your imagination today?

How about now?

Some things need to be believed in

to be seen as possible.

Brown Bag Dating

A truly unique idea that I propose be taken to the world of online dating.

No profile pictures, no "body type" check boxes. Let's see how many of us are really interested "in the person" not the package.

I suppose there could be brown paper bodybags covering everything. Maybe you could decorate or color the surfaces with your best qualities or inscribe with favorite quotations.

Perhaps just a head bag would be sufficient. I mean I would date the woman below, as long as she was open-minded, liberal and made me laugh.

Oh, she can't be allergic to cats or sarcasm.

And a sense of humor would be good.

Too bad she smokes. We could have been so happy.

The Ultimate Catch-22

This Ian Stewart is quoted, not the Rolling Stone guy.

All Beliefs Are Not Equal

Please before you rant back, read to the end. There are several stalking horses and straw men set up in this post. This next paragraph comes from thoughtcatalog.com, the writer sets up belief as a bad thing. Maybe not bad, but certainly confining, limiting and anti-intellectual. The point is seductive.

"Believing something is not an accomplishment. I grew up thinking that beliefs are something to be proud of, but they’re really nothing but opinions one refuses to reconsider. Beliefs are easy. The stronger your beliefs are, the less open you are to growth and wisdom, because “strength of belief” is only the intensity with which you resist questioning yourself. As soon as you are proud of a belief, as soon as you think it adds something to who you are, then you’ve made it a part of your ego. Listen to any “die-hard” conservative or liberal talk about their deepest beliefs and you are listening to somebody who will never hear what you say on any matter that matters to them — unless you believe the same. It is gratifying to speak forcefully, it is gratifying to be agreed with, and this high is what the die-hards are chasing. Wherever there is a belief, there is a closed door. Take on the beliefs that stand up to your most honest, humble scrutiny, and never be afraid to lose them."

Provocative thoughts, particularly the example of speaking with a die-hard. Someone who by implied definition would die for their beliefs. Lost in the argument are those "beliefs" that are long and well thought out. Those that reflect our true nature, our ethics and morals. True, some beliefs are actually disguised prejudice. Most certainly you see the "other guys" beliefs are just that.


I mean how can you be against two loving people being married? You must be a bigot.


How can you condone the killing of unborn children? You must be a murderer.


Where and when were beliefs and judgment so cruelly intertwined?


A very provocative point being made here by the Thought Catalog writer, one that will be instantly rejected by anyone immersed in their own belief system. The problem is some beliefs defy the obvious strictures of right and wrong, the most obvious being the taking of a life. You are not justified in killing the infidel because of his beliefs. Equally droning anyone to death because of what they believe is wrong. Actions have consequences, beliefs should not. Particularly not in the country that alleges to believe in free speech and the freedom of religion.


Black churches should not be burned to the ground. Synagogues and mosques -- ditto. On the other hand, five Catholic men on the U.S. Supreme Court should not be able to impose their religious beliefs on the uterus of every woman in this country or the rights of queer Americans. Yes, I know, I'm supposed to write LGBT Americans, but fuck PC strictures, did I happen to mention this is a free country. Next, you're going to tell me that disrespected is a real word.


Beliefs should be questioned, reconsidered; brought out into the bright light of day and the dark, contemplative shadow of night. We each should stand responsible for our own beliefs. I like to take mine out for a stroll every now and then, personally I find them best illuminated by the light of a new moon.

One of My Favorite Quotes

"Love is a gross exaggeration of the difference between one person and everybody else." 

George Bernard Shaw

I've always liked this quote since I first heard it in 1966 on WJMD, the Kalamazoo College radio station. Actually, my friend Bob Snyder heard it and relayed it to me. Where are you these days, Bob?

Anyway, it's not cynical. How can it be, I mean George Bernard Shaw; he actively encouraged marriage across lines of both race and class. He also co-founded the London School of Economics and he like shortbread.

So go out there today and grossly exaggeration how you feel about someone.

Juxtaposing All Over Again

And how would this message be received if the man pictured with these word didn't look Arabic, Middle Eastern, foreign or simply like one of them?

The End of History Illusion

  “What we never seem to realize is that our future selves will look back and think the very same thing about us. At every age we think we’re having the last laugh, and at every age we’re wrong.” -Daniel Gilbert

The end-of-history illusion is a complex psychological postulation in which humans from teenage years through old age believe they have consistently experienced significant personal growth and changes in both likes and dislikes until the present, but will somehow not continue to mature in the future. Despite knowing how much we have changed in the last decade or more, we believe that ten years from now, they will think and feel the same as we do today.

There is a simple explanation for this phenomenon. In the past we are quite easily able to observe who we once were and then assess the changes we have made. Change that has already happened is personal history. Predicting or anticipating change in the future is much more difficult. Life will enfold in ways we cannot presently conceive and therefore we find it difficult to predict the processes of growth and change we will experience.

However, now that we know about the End of History Illusion; one might think we would at the very least alter conscious projections about our own future and anticipate the seemingly inevitable potential for change and personal growth. Now that you are aware of this illusion, you certainly will change your attitude towards your own future, won't you?

Which leads us to the question: What changes will you make in your life and how will those changes reflect in the person you will be in 2014?

pdf of full article from Science, 4 January 2013

Game of Thrones

"The best thing on television" is not an oxymoron. Despite the vast wasteland of the glass teat, I do believe there is gold in them thar flat screens. Furthermore, I have no issue with your personal selection being Downton Abbey or Here Comes Honey Boo-Boo. To each her or his own, however watching certain shows will severely limit your chances of receiving a highly sought after invite to my dinner parties. But all of that aside, I declare Game of Thrones to be the current ultimate prize of the visual airways.

I have just completed a most enjoyable reviewing of the thirty episodes of the first three years of GoT, as I prepare for a deliciously indulgent weekend of the first several segments of year four. What I most look forward to is not more naked sex or creatures from beyond 'The Wall.' Although those are titillating and cringe-worthy, I hold my breath in scrumptious an-ti-ci (say it! say it!) -pation of three grown dragons.

Kudos all around to the author of the original books, George R.R. Martin and several if not many of the actors, including high on most viewers lists: Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister) and Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen). Five stars all around.

But what high praise and fawning appreciation would be complete without a singular criticism. In my case that falls to the producers/writers/directors who participate in the Inside the Episode pieces attached to the DVR offerings. There exists a golden rule of writing - 'Show Don't Tell' which strongly and rightly suggests you allow your reader/viewer to dwell in the story and create their own context. Yet in the post-production pieces the men behind the scenes direct the viewer as to how they should see, think and feel about the story and the characters. Bad form gentleman, fiction shall remain fiction; your invasive gleeful posturing is unnecessary and even detrimental to the engaging, creative world of Game of Thrones.

Why?

This illustrated an article titled: Causes of Back Pain

Postal Rorschach

I buy postage stamps about once every two years. I just don't send much mail. Only when online banking and email won't suffice do I need to resort to USPS. So when I do purchase stamps I go to usps.gov and buy a book or a sheet of the current Forever stamps. I can't keep up with what a first class letter costs and I was honestly surprised yesterday that the going rate is now 49 cents.

More interesting were the two art choices for stamps these days. Do you think the postal service is doing some psychological testing with these two options?

We're Back to Pictures Again

Whilst I ponder in which direction to take this here blog. There are always images I have gleaned from my ramblings about the web. No most browsers you can click to enlarge.

Enjoy.

We're Back to Words Again

The wonderful camera that has entertained us all for the last few months has returned to its rightful owner. This means I must once again consider the continuing fate of this misty gray blog. For the moment there are a few stray thoughts to catch up on. Then, well who knows, I certainly don't.

Um

Signs, signs everywhere signs

ditto . . .

belasfotos.com

Peyton Manning & Martin Heidegger

Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) is perhaps the most influential philosopher of our time. The fact that his work has been written about so extensively by the other great contemporary philosophers I believe bears this out. But there is a flaw in Herr Heidegger's resume, he was an early supporter of the Nazi party in Germany. Now whether he later refudiated those early positions, which he most certainly did in private and equally as certainly did not do so in public, he still was at some point a supporter of National Socialism.

The enduring question for many scholars is: How does a personal or political belief reflect on one's life work outside of the political arena?

In the case of Martin Heidegger, the question may never be answered. Despite his influence over areas beyond esoteric philosophy, in psychology, art, political theory, design and anthropology; he still somehow was able to embrace the Nazi agenda.

So why discuss this today, one might ask? Professional football and pizza, I say.

You see Payton Manning, formerly the quarterback and savior of the Indianapolis Colts and now record-setting leader of the Denver Broncos has a similar questionable flaw in his non-professional character. Despite being beloved in Indianapolis before the vagaries of injury, the draft and the incessant drumbeat of money in the NFL forced him out; Peyton Manning is the chief celebrity spokesman for Papa John's Pizza. The owner, CEO, founder and 'ah shucks' advertising face of Papa John's is Papa John Schnatter. The founder of the 4th largest Pizza franchise in the U.S. is an entrepeneur of some note and a right wing ideologue. He was one of the first corporate CEOs to speak out against the cost of the Affordable Care Act and suggested he would be likely to make this staff part-time workers to avoid providing them with health care.

During that political dust-up pictures of John Schnatter's 24,000 square foot home modeled after a Roman villa began to appear juxtapositioned with his whining that he was going to have to raise the price of his pizza by 14 cents. Regardless of the politics of the Affordable Care Act or John Schnatter's political bent, how does this reflect on Payton Manning's decision to become a franchisee and owner of 21 Papa John stores in the greater Denver area?

Does the NFL star under contract for $21.5 million a year have any obligation to anyone but himself and his family or might he have some connection to the fans who not only are expected to patronize his restaurants but also in many cases work there without health insurance for a boss who doesn't think he should provide them with benefits.

Where do we draw the lines around celebrity and greed? Profit and poor labor conditions? And does supporting a clearly evil political agenda have any effect of your existential philosophy or your ability to throw the deep fade route?

A Grey Smoothie

I like to start my day with a smoothie. Actually like to start my day with a slice of chocolate cake but I no longer give in to that particular addiction. About six months ago I decided to once again try the smoothie for breakfast health thing. I had run across an interesting concoction on the net and gave it a try one morning, it didn't sit well with my delicate constitution - too much citrus. I tried a variation a few days later, same result. I pondered for a few days and then came up with the brilliant notion of only putting in the blender things I liked to eat unpulverized. I had a basic banana and strawberry smoothie. Liked it but well not quite, it just wasn't quite there.

Shortly thereafter I was surfing late night television and saw an infomercial for a single serving blender that basically would crush rocks. Off I went the next day for my first visit to the mall in nearly a decade. Even the stores that were advertised as having the super little blade crushing device did not. So I wandered into the Macy's seeking a kitchen department. Now you must understand me in a mall is like a cat in a swimming pool. However, the gods of consumerism were kind this day, a very understanding and knowledgeable lady pounced on helped me, she even got some points when the secret store detective swooped in and asked me a couple of questions about her helpfulness. When did retail get secret police? But I digress.

What she told me was I could buy their version of the one serving super blender with the equivalent of a ferrari engine or I could spend a bit more and get a full size blender with six blades the engine of a Boeing 767 and two single serving attachments. My mind was at this point numb from the permutations of simply buying a blender but I got the message and came home with the big one.

The next morning I had a marvelous smoothie with nary a stray strawberry seed. This contraption did indeed pulverize anything I put in it. Later that day I shopped for all natural juices, fresh berries, bananas and to my enlightenment a host of frozen fruits. Experimentation over the last four or five months has discovered several palate preferences. First a small braeburn apple is an excellent base for any morning drink. Frozen berries come in a mix pack at a very reasonable price. Frozen peaches are divine.

So what's with the 'grey smoothie'?

Well one morning I was deep in thought over a particular chapter I was working on and not paying attention as I threw together my morning drink. In retrospect I tossed in a banana, a handful of blueberries and some frozen blackberries. Back at the keyboard  I tipped up the single serving vessel/tumbler and noted the grey nature of my creation. Would this have been Jamba Juice or Smoothie King I might have sent it back but being that I am the proprietor of this establishment I drank what was, of course, a delightful and refreshing medley of nature's bounty.

Which led me to the next step and the very next day, I added . . . kale to a lunch beverage, one serving of vegetable hidden behind a wall of peaches and pears. Since then I have discovered that my little blender could disguise nearly all leafy greens as well as broccoli and flaxseed. You just gotta get by the color sometimes.

In The Beginning . . .

Today marks the artificial beginning of the actual cosmic phenomenon we call a 'year' - the time it takes our planet to orbit once around the sun. The Gregorian calendar we use today was created in 1582 because the church didn't like easter moving around so much. For no logical reason the year begins today rather than a dozen days ago on the winter solstice.