I haven’t written for over two years. I don’t think I can name one specific reason. I put a lot of pressure on myself to do long well-argued posts. The effort takes time and energy. And I haven’t had a lot of either in the last two years, like most people in business. Simultaneously we’ve had to navigate a succession of events beyond our control, ranging from the pandemic to rampant inflation. Like most midsized companies we only had a few people who can manage. The whole madness just took it out of me. Inflation took the biggest bite, causing financial chaos that tossed us into a sea of misery from which only now, two years on, have we emerged. Healthy but bowed.
Given that things likely won’t get boring soon, I’ve decided to take a different approach to the blog. Namely shorter entry’s, more often (that’s not hard) with the aim of dropping something weekly. I’ve missed writing, which shows up when I edit someone’s email or rewrite my own. I revise with a zeal that indicates the frustrated writer wants out. The author in me has taken to passing out copies of Strunk & White’s classic writing handbook “The Elements of Style”. It would be far better if I just put the principles to work myself.
I’ve missed doing these entries. I have ideas and thoughts to share and I love playing with words. Writing, even as a journalist doing a news story, transports me into a different universe, a playful creative one, that I rarely visit. Sometimes it even feels deeper. “In the beginning was the word…..” St. John begins his gospel. He conflates God and language. I think he was on to something.
This entry serves as an explanation and an expression of hope. Why I disappeared and what I aim to do. By the end of this week I’ll put something up on an issue and then come back to the keyboard week after week until it becomes rote. I hope the blog gets conversation going, or helps move one along, that enriches all of us. And I hope it brings a little more happiness to my life, which can use it after the last two years. So thanks for reading and see you back here soon.
Welcome Back… Looking forward to sharing Your ideas & thoughts. Mary Anne
I thank you for your ideas and thoughts. Of course, I am not a polished writer like yourself. But I can fully comprehend what you’re trying to get across. During the last several years we all have gone through trying times. Life goes by so fast, before we realize it our children are grown, it’s time to think about retirement and have we all saved and planned well to have that comfortable life. I believe I have done all of that, but the thought of not belonging to this fabulous industry which I have been involved in for almost 50 years truly causes me an enormous amount of stress.
I find that our world also causes a high level of stress, and that someday the individuals who run this country can meet somewhere in the middle. That we can send our children and grandchildren to school each day and not worry that it may be the last time we see them. I pray that our children will have the same opportunities in life that our generation has had. A home, a secure life and the good faith of living an honest lifestyle.
God Bless you – and thank you for the many opportunities you have provided me.!
“Dog Lips” boss it’s about dam time you got back on the horse. I for one have missed your mis-sive and muses and have been waiting with bated breath for you to reappear. Guess I will have to wait a bit but you know how short I am on patience. Please hurry…
Very nice to see you are writing again Kevin, I’m looking forward to your next post.
I’m looking forward to your weekly posts. Great pic with Cormac in London.
Take care
Glad to have you back! I do enjoy your musings and style.
When I’m feeling down, I realized it’s because I haven’t played my guitar in a while (I had to go back and check a while vs awhile-I think I chose the right one).
As soon as I do, I feel better.
So please do keep it up and we will keep reading.
Be well!
Good to read your words again, Kevin! I look forward to learning what you have to say. Oh, and I commiserate with your experience of the last 2-3 years. Your shorter more often rhythmic blog posts may recreate some order in the world.