Monday, September 7, 2009

It's Never Simple

Good morning everyone! I am back and feeling somewhat better from Thursday's minor medical procedure (boil on neck removed). The three day break helped tremendously, because between the procedure and seriously jacked up sugars, I was pretty much burnt toasties for the weekend. Hopefully, the culture will come back negatory tomorrow and thus the worlds can be properly aligned. And now, on with our show.

Writing a blog post.

Sometimes, writing a blog post is incredibly easy. You pick a topic or the topic comes to you, and just like that, the words start flowing out. Next thing you know, you got a brand spanking new post that is ready to be unleashed to the world.

But sometimes, writing a blog post is like pulling teeth. You sit there, staring at a blank document on your computer screen, or in my case, staring at a blank piece of paper, and nothing comes out. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

Or say you come up with a topic, but you have problems on what to say, or you know what to say, but you can't rein yourself in. What do you do then?

Using me as an example (and why not?), I can truthfully say that I write wordy posts. Always have and always will. A a matter of record, the only short posts I've written, were the lead in's to my shorts on my other blog. Go on, I'll wait for a few minutes while you click on the tag "Two Page Shorts" and verify my statement.

Whistles "Life Sucks Then You Die" by the Fools while waiting

Was I right? Of course I was.

I will say that I have admiration for the following people:

Lynn
Jannie Funster
David Cranmer
Pamela Villars
Talon
Septembermom

These people can write the shortest posts imaginable and yet get their point across like no other. I salute their ability to do what I can't.

Now back to me.

I actually had a topic of choice for this post, which was walking. But somehow, it morphed into writing about writing a blog post. So the only mention that this post had about walking, was this short paragraph.

Also came up with another topic while writing about this one. And since we're near the end of the post, now would be a good time as any to share it with you.

I spent the past half hour writing this post outside today (8/5, yeah I know. I really am that far ahead). I sat on a rocking bench in my front yard and savored the cool evening breeze while writing this post. The breeze was an enjoyable switch from the mugginess of the day. Directly in front of me and directly to my right, I saw people walking their dogs.

Off to my left, I watched the sun slowly drop in between the trees and get ready to go to bed. Off in the distance, I can hear the high pitch whine of someone's lawn mower. I can hear a child down the road laughing. I can hear a few birds from the mountain chirping and singing.

Yes indeed, it is never quite that simple.

But sometimes, it really is.

29 comments:

  1. Thanks G! And here I thought my posts were to short. Actually, with all my traveling it's become a necessity to be pithy. But I've read where Blog rules suggest people don't read much farther than half a page anyway.

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  2. David: You're more than welcome.

    I've probably read that somewhere as well, but sometimes, if I come across a long post, I will read a few paragraphs to see if it grabs me. If it does, I'll hang around to read the entire post.

    I'm kind of strange like that.

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  3. I've been having trouble with the last couple of posts because they are more political and not my usual fare. Sometimes it comes easy, sometines not.

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  4. Charles, that I can understand. I have stayed away from the national political scene, simply because I have a tendency to shoot from the lip.

    I feel more comfortable lambasting my local political scene instead. But even that I have to watch what I say as well.

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  5. I don't care if a post is long or short, as long as it grabs my attention. I do find reading white text on a black background really hard and rarely hang around to read that much.

    I never have a problem writing anything simply because if I can't find anything to write about I just don't bother. I only ever hit that "New Post" button when I have something to say.

    Also, I started life as an artist and graphic designer so I tend to be into visual images too, so that can inspire a post.

    As corny as it sounds, as long as I'm keeping it real, the words come. Whether they are the right or correct words, is another story. :D

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  6. Well, I'm glad to see you back posting again. Even a short time away from your blog and you are missed.
    I post staring out my window most of the time. Thank God for Mrs. Williams typing class. Thank God that Mrs. Williams had a little metal flask of something in her bottom left hand drawer, of her desk. hmmmm forgot where I was going with that. :)Bea

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  7. LL Cool Joe: white text on black background...yeah, I can see where that might be a problem.

    Sounds like you got a good plan there. Me, I've taken to writing my posts out by hand before slapping them on the blog. Because I have about two weeks scheduled in advance at any given time, it allows me the luxury of thinking about what I want to say.

    Artist and graphic designer, that is very cool. I can see how it really influences what you put onto your blog, not only the posts but the visuals as well.

    And whether or not the words are correct doesn't matter much in the long run. So long as they're in the proper order is all that counts really.

    Bea: Thank you for that compliment. I've always tried to make sure that my readers know what's going on with me whenever I can. Since they've taken the time to search me out, the least I can do is let them know if there'll be any hiccups along the way.

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  8. I actually don't post if I have writer's block. Fortunately, I almost never have that.

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  9. Riot Kitty: Interestingly enough, I don't get writer's block a lot. Usually, I get a case of the "ehhhhs."

    Which means I have to force myself to write something.

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  10. You always get your point across to me! I truly appreciate the honest and unique voice that you bring to the blogging world. You must have something good going on here since we all keep coming back for more!

    Thanks so much for mentioning my blog. I'm glad that there are people who "get" what I try to say in my posts. Some days I wonder if I'm just rambling on :)

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  11. Why, thank you, G! What a fine compliment that is.

    I laughed out loud at your paragraph about the walk you never ended up posting about. And then I smiled because I loved your description on writing your blog post outside.

    I post whatever inspires me in a day...and quite often it's inspired by something I've photographed. I've had times when I've had nothing to say, though not too often as I`m a natural-born chatterbox.

    I`m glad you`re back and feeling better, G.

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  12. Oh Georgie - how nice of you to include me in that list. (I did click on "Lynn" thinking you might have meant another Lynn!) I love blogging and my blogging friends. Thank you. (Hope that procedure turns out positively.)

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  13. Yes, When did simplicity get that complicated?

    I've noticed some of the shortest posts will get the biggest number of responses.

    Really, you wrote this weeks ago? I hardly ever write ahead, except holiday stuff maybe a day or two. I don't pre-think bloggy much at all, except what not to divulge.

    I used to avoid telling my problems, then recently decided they could no longer be ignored (the mold, n the eye), for cutting down blog-time, so may as well explain myself-

    Sometimes the little observances around can suffice. I find they can prompt secondary themes.

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  14. Septembermom: Thanks for the compliment and you're more than welcome for the mention.

    I know it can be tough to find out whether or not people can "get" what it is that you post, but for those who do, it is satisfying.

    Talon: Glad to give you the mention, and I'm glad I was able to give you a chuckle for the day.

    And I'm glad to be back as well. Not doing my blog nor making my rounds really was an adventure. Even though I appreciated the break, I really did miss being around my blogging friends.

    Lynn: You're more than welcome. Like I said, I tip my hat off to people who can write posts in seventy-five words or less.

    Snaggle: Yup, I wrote this about three weeks in advance. I have a lot of down time at work, and since writing blog posts is way more easier than working on a short story (plot details, etc.), I've been writing out my blog posts by hand and I have them stuck in a folder. When I get down to about five scheduled, I pop a couple of more on.

    I decided long ago to tell about my problems. Mostly because when they do kick in, I usually undergo a rapid personality change. Believe me, nobody wants to be around me when I'm like that, so when I'm like that, the very least I can do is make sure I don't inflict me on you.

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  15. I agree! Sometimes, short and sweet is most effective.

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  16. I agree with Joe. I find white text on black kind of hard to read.

    Now, I'm going to check out the links!

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  17. Pink: How could I forget you! You're another one I tip my hat too.

    To be able to write short and sucinct posts is a talent that I hope to acquire. In the meantime, I simply keep on visiting those who can do better than me.

    And yes, short can be a good thing.

    Mama Z: I can usually handle most multi color fonts on multi color backgrounds, but for me, any dark color on any dark color will drive me bonkers. Especially at work when people think that they're being cute using that kind of stuff.

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  18. I couldn't help but chuckle on the choice of song to whistle while you waited. hehe. Far too many of their live shows in my youth!
    Hoping your procedure has a good outcome.

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  19. Kim: I first heard that song in the mid 80's when I used to listen to a local radio morning show called "Picozzi and The Horn". That was their Monday morning anthem. Thought it was appropriate for this post.

    So far, I haven't heard word one yet from the doctor, so I guess no news is good news.

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  20. Ahhhh, good old WHCN. yeah, they were good. I enjoyed them much more than Sebastian on CCC.
    The fools were an absolute riot live. it was a show in the truest sense of the word. juvenile, frat humor, but a blast, nonetheless.

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  21. Well then, you'll be happy to know that Sebastian was just fired from WCCC this past week.

    Picozzi is now taking over the morning show on CCC (I believe he is now either a program director or a personal director).

    You would be sadden about the current state of CT radio. WHCN is now an easy listening station of sorts, so the only rock stations are WCCC and WMRQ (104.1).

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  22. Using me as an example (and why not,) I loved this post! And not just because you linked me up in it.

    It's G at his funny silly rambling finest, my genuine buddy.

    Whistling "Life Sucks Then You Die." Never heard that tune, been missing out obviously.

    Writing bout walking while not writing about it.

    And the last two paragraphs are so beautiful.

    Hope your results come back fine.
    xo

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  23. Jannie: The song was a popular Monday morning anthem back in the mid to late 80's on rock radio out my way.

    Thanks for the compliments. One thing I can do relatively well, is descriptive scenery. That day, it was easy enough to come up with those two paragraphs. Like I said, I live in slice of country smack dab in the middle of suburbia.

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  24. Ahh, wmrq! they always sponsored the warped tour. I have a huge pile of old bumper stickers still.
    One of the favorite parts of HCN was the Litch in the afternoon. and when Cross Country concerts did their "where are they now/what is this band up to" call in show.
    I can't believe Sebatian was still at it..LOL

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  25. I'm impressed. Tell me, where or when did you live in Connecticut? You really are a breath of fresh air and a welcome addition to this blog.

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  26. Glad I've found your blog too, feels a little like home! :)
    Actually, I've never lived in CT, but thankfully got great radio reception where I lived in the Northampton, MA area. There was WAQY, WHMP there but they changed formats far more often than I cared for. I loved classic rock even when I was in my late teens/early 20's, and was a self described music junkie, spending all my money on concerts and records and later cd's.

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  27. Music junkie? You'll like some of the other commenters on this blog as well. Quite a few of them have great taste and careers in music.

    LL Cool Joe is DJ by trade in the UK.

    Jannie Funster is a singer/songwriter who just released her first CD.

    Lynn loves southern rock and is a music afficianado.

    Pink Ink plays in a cover band.

    Lane Savant composes modern classical music.

    And I'm very glad I found your blog as well. Always like getting a different viewpoint of the world around me.

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  28. Thank you, G, I'm flattered and pleased. I've tended to get negative feedback on how little I write - all the way though school, at work for skipping points in emails and even in fiction. I assume people can follow me and don't fill in the blanks well.

    So you've made me very happy and I envy your ability to create vivid details, which I lack.

    And huge congratulations on the mountain piece - it's lovely.

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  29. Pamela: I used to have the reverse of what you got: I would frequently go so overboard in whatever it was I was writing (e-mail, homework, etc.) that I would frequently lose my place.

    Out here, it would always impress me that people who could write reasonably short posts that can get their point across in as few words as possible.

    As for creatig vivid details, thanks. I think that you can do it much the same way with your poetry, so don't knock yourself on that.

    And many thanks about the short story.

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Go on, give me your best shot. I can take it. If I couldn't, I wouldn't have created this wonderful little blog that you decided to grace with your presence today.

About that comment moderation thingy: While yes, it does say up above I can take it, I only use it to prevent the occasional miscreant from leaving thoughtless and/or clueless comments.

So remember, all of your comments are greatly appreciated and all answers will be given that personal touch that you come to expect and enjoy.

G. B. Miller

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