Lately I've been posting more than once a day, but I couldn't tell you why. It just happens. I have a thought and BAM! Why not air it out a little?
One need look no further than this page to see that I've written a lot of words. Good grief! Look at all the little things, strung together in ways only a mother could love. Happy, sad, lonely, joyous, silly, stupid and on occasion, angry, posts about all sorts of things, large and small (usually small). I write something, it flaps in the virtual breeze for a while, then gets buried in a morgue-like place known as Archives.
Few people venture into the Archives, and I don't blame them. Live in the present, not the past! "What's new, T-Bone?" Nobody asks, "What's old?" When I've blogged for a year, I'll post links to some of my nuggets that retain their importance to me, if not freshness of original publish date. I've left pieces of me behind that will melt into the ether when the Internet explodes. But I got them out of my head, and that's what counts.
Here's some more randomness:
Randomness No. 1
When I was much younger, I wanted to grow up and design automobiles. I doodled cars on any piece of paper I could find, on my wall (sorry, Mom), on notebooks, in books, etc. My artistic talent notwithstanding, I fell in love with words and left my doodling in the margins of my life.
It still fascinates me how carmakers sometimes carry on the lineage of their histories through a slow, practiced evolution of design. Sometimes there is a time gap, as with the Volkswagen Beetle and New Beetle, when for a few years no example of the model was produced. Other times, such as with stalwart pickup trucks, the latest model takes on only a slightly different face. The 2002 Chevrolet Silverado had rectangular headlights that in 2003 became turned upward at the corners. Fascinating! At least to me. I don't even believe in the theory of evolution for animals and humans, but it seems to fit in many cases for cars.
Randomness No. 2
There are many things in life that, with practice, one can become better doing. I think writing is one of these. At least up to a point. I found my writing improved by leaps and bounds when I became a copy editor. By refining others' work and noticing their mistakes, I am able to organize my thoughts better and not be doomed to repeat their gaffes. For the most part.
Much like if your goal is to have a stronger back, you must work the opposite muscles – your abdominals. Editing isn't exactly the opposite of writing, but I hope you get my point. If a writer does not sit on the other side of the table now and then, he will carry on as he has, improving slowly through the use of words. It is when we venture from our comfort zones that we can see measured growth. This is my opinion, at any rate, and how I became "better" at this ... this stringing of words together.
Wow, I've just written a bunch more words bound for a one-way ticket to Archives. Bon voyage, fruit of my muse!
Howdy T...
I agree with you that there are things we can improve upon with practice.
Having to proof other people's writing or resumes definitely HELPS you realize grammar gaffes!!!
I think your example of strengthening your abs/core muscles to get a stronger back is a good one -- but not so much in an opposite sense as more of a complementary one... Strengthen one, the other comes along...
(Works for other opposing/complementary muscle groups - bicep/tricep, etc...)
But enough of the anatomy/physiology tangent...
:)
How much longer do we get to enjoy multiple T-bone uh,daily emissions, before you're off to the new job?
What you say here is true. I haven't had much post thoughts lately....ask me why??? Who knows. Such is life.
I don't worry about archives. Recently I find myself deleting posts immediately to save time. ha.
the archives are a dark, dinghy place, best not venture there!
Lately I've been commenting more than once a day, but I couldn't tell you why....
deja vu all over again.
Sometimes the words come easier if I am just letting my thoughts drip through to my fingers on the keyboard. Not trying to compose a grammatically correct paragraph, just a medium for my musings. I do wish I had the self discipline to write a novel. Maybe someday.
Archives serve the most purpose for the individual... analogous to a song of the past that brings back memories.
Cheers.
T-Bone... I found you! I thought I had linked to your new blog correctly a ways back, but I hadn't. And then I became so slackerish about posting that you didn't come to visit anymore. But then you did! And I grabbed the URL off your comments. Hurrah! Together again. Phew. Still slackerish about posting (work still crazy) but glad to have found my juicy steak fix.
xoxo
Good editing (like good writing) is an art. You've got to keep flexing your creative muscles - keep the fingers flying! (In my case, it's best to try to *at least* keep your fingers attached to your hand as well.)
How true!
My writing improved substantially when I started editing. Although, it's depressing to acknowledge how poorly some highly educated people write. It's sacrilege.
And I hear you with the cars. Although - I prefer older models, the classics... with some exceptions. :)