Isn't style fascinating? Each of us has a unique style about us. It's reflected in how we dress, whether we are day or night people, grasshoppers or ants. It shows up in the type of housing we choose, whether we have kids, what type of job is satisfying, whether we can let an old love go, our sense of humor, and if we have close ties to nature.
Style is on my mind because of the diversity of blogs I read. Since the day I first tripped over Billy's blog, he's been a daily read. He writes an amazing stream of consciousness, but in each essay he produces, there's likely to be a reflection that ties his past life into the one that's coming, something wildly funny, and something heartfelt. I never know what the subject matter will be, but I always know that I will have been given a snapshot of his life, a clear unobfuscated view.
Essay, at StupidAngryCanajun is very discriptive of the morons who people her part of the world. Her sense of humor is sharper than Billy's, edgier, and she gives you a clear view of how aggravated she is through her personal rating system. There's a lot of heart in this blog, and humor that comes from looking realistically at life.
Speaking of heart, Sgt. Hook has heart. His style of writing is clean, and forthright. Frequently he writes about military matters, as you would expect of a military man. But the heart shines through when he talks about patriotism, his loved ones, or military wives. And he has a quiet sense of humor that leaves you grinning.
Ms. Roberta and I have a lot in common, but I have a lot to learn from her. She's likely to present an imponderable to ponder, or focus on an esoteric thought during her day, but when she writes about family, I'm glued to the screen. Her's is a world of correct spelling, appropriate grammar and a fascination with the oddities of life. You get the feeling that the bedrock decisions she made years ago have freed her thoughts to question "What if...."
Pobricito, from Life in the Hard Shoulder, leaves me wondering if I've understood the entire message. I flip-flop between feeling I'm the only one who's gotten the joke and feeling that I've missed the boat, but his writing is so wonderful that I hang on, wanting to know more. The pictures at the top of his blog prepare you for what you'll find.....a glimpse of Pob here and there, but never the entire picture at one time. This is not a coy blog, but the work of a man who doesn't want to be hurt again. Read him for the wry sense of humor and the unfolding story.
Bogie has that economy of language that makes you think she could be a native Northeasterner. Some days I can almost hear the "AaaYup!" in what she's said. The range of topics she chooses is amazing, but the comments about the realities of living life in the boonies of New Hampshire are what fascinate me. Here is a practical woman. When I read her blog I think of Victory Garden, New Yankee Workshop, This Old House, all the Storey publications on gardening and those books from the sixties that taught you to live off the land. Let's sit back and watch the new neighbors with her, and see just how long they last.
And then there's Jamie. I don't know how to describe Jamie. Endlessly entertaining, a terrible speller (and most likely giving me the finger for this as you read), a sassy woman, a staunch supporter and great friend. No one has a style quite like Jamie. She's UNIQUE! I doubt I'd be here blogging without the influence of Jamie and RedEagle. Thank you, ladies!
I wish I could be a chameleon and absorb all the best qualities of these blogs. Each of them has a distinct style. How they put words together, how tight a focus they choose, and the depth of character they display, are all very personal choices that keep drawing us back to read more.
Write on!
Comments (12)
I guess we all do have certain styles, and it definitely is reflected in the writing on our blogs.
Posted by Dr. D. | October 21, 2003 8:40 PM
Posted on October 21, 2003 20:40
I was blathering, wasn't I, Doc??
That's the bad thing about writing late at night when you're a morning person....you blather, and you leave friends out. Sorry, Dr. D. You certainly do have style!
Posted by Buffy | October 21, 2003 10:09 PM
Posted on October 21, 2003 22:09
Hey I resemble that remark about spelling and for the record I did flip you off when I read that comment LMAO - how I'd hate to disappoint you *big grin*
Posted by Jamie | October 22, 2003 12:50 AM
Posted on October 22, 2003 00:50
"Economy of Language" sure sounds better than "she has no imagination so can't spice up any of her posts with humor or insightful descriptions"!
I sure wish I had the magic of words like a lot of the bloggers that I like to read - sigh.
Posted by bogie | October 22, 2003 1:00 AM
Posted on October 22, 2003 01:00
...unobfuscated??...unobfuscated!!!...unobfuscated?????...yeah, that's what I aim for - unobfuscated!!...un - from the initials united nations...ob from the word observations...fu - from the expression fu** **u...scat - from the word scatter-shot...and ed - from the word editor...so, unobfuscated means I produce a passage of writing that is a world view of people who annoy me totally at random and it needs editing - yep, sounds like my stuff :^)...
Posted by billy | October 22, 2003 7:15 AM
Posted on October 22, 2003 07:15
Jamie....I was hoping you'd take my comments right. You know I visit your blog all the time. The spelling isn't distressing enough to keep me away! *G*
Bogie, "economy of language" is one of my best compliments, not a slam. *S* Your blog reminds me of Norman Rockwell's pictures, and that's a compliment, too. Please don't fret about your writing, and please, don't change!
Billy....I was regretting this post, feeling that I had done more damage than good. But it was worth it all to have that comment from you! That was BRILLIANT! btw.....could I have a little of whatever you're on?? *G*
Posted by Buffy | October 22, 2003 11:36 AM
Posted on October 22, 2003 11:36
I know it wasn't a slam and didn't mean to leave the impression that that was what I thought!
The quote was what "I" tend to think of my writing, not what I thought you meant. I truly enjoyed your description of my blog!
Posted by bogie | October 22, 2003 3:36 PM
Posted on October 22, 2003 15:36
...just open your lungs, breathe deep, look at the person next to you and fall in love...it's simple, it's easy - if you find a wall/boundary kick it down...love everyone and if they hate you ignore them :^)...it's the internet, 756 million people - and I don't give a damn :^)...I only need 42 people to know me and love me to keep me alive :^)...
Posted by billy | October 22, 2003 7:19 PM
Posted on October 22, 2003 19:19
1. Billy is unobfuscated? Just as is Picasso. They both produce/produced masterpieces, but unobfuscated?
2. What you (probably) don't know about Bogie is that 20 years ago she collected Foxfire books, and it was she who wanted her great-grandmother's armstrong butter churn and coffee grinder and her coal oil lamp. Bogie would be right at home among a band of survivalists! And I am convinced that she and her WS can do anything.
Posted by Cop Car | October 23, 2003 7:50 AM
Posted on October 23, 2003 07:50
FOXFIRE!!! That was the series I was thinking about. My husband and I were discussing them last night, and finally came up with the name....just too late to put them into my comments.
I didn't collect those books, but I read them. I happen to own two of my grandmother's coffee grinders and the oil lamp they used at the first house on the farm. I thought I recognized a kindred spirit! *G*
I looked up "unobfuscated" in dictionary.com...and to my great surprise they said there wasn't such a word. However, one of the definitions of "obfuscate" is to confuse or perplex, so I'd have to agree with you. Sometimes Billy is VERY confusing. But, I think you get a clear picture of the joy that is slowly resurfacing in his life. See what he just said about being high on life??
Posted by Buffy | October 23, 2003 1:51 PM
Posted on October 23, 2003 13:51
Thanks for the nice words and the link. I'm glad somebody gets my sense of humor.
Posted by Sgt Hook | October 25, 2003 12:22 PM
Posted on October 25, 2003 12:22
WOW, nice sense of humor*rolls eyes*, it was kool, *lmao*.
Posted by Zero | July 4, 2004 5:10 PM
Posted on July 4, 2004 17:10