Thursday, October 05, 2006

The "I worked the Cheshire cat into my blog" Blog

Eight days. Unless you count the Lucille Ball quote, I haven’t posted anything (here) in eight days. Regular readers (and bloggers) know that the nature of this forum is that participants come and go… some come back and many just disappear. I have not disappeared; like the Cheshire cat, my smile still remains.

Yesterday, however, even that was in danger of fading. I had every intention of writing the post of all posts, the blogger’s blog, the piece de resistance, the coup de grâce, even… the cat’s meow. Alas, nothing. I dropped back and punted. I pulled an old rabbit out of my hat with an ironic twist.

I used to find famous and not so famous quotes and post them here with a portrait that I unashamedly stole from somewhere in cyberspace. Often it applied to something I related to or was experiencing during that moment and other times it was simply a backhanded way of saying, “Look how smart I am.” Yesterday it was all that and something more.

It is true that I am extremely busy. It is also true that I have been under a lot of stress of late. And some of it is self-imposed. The need to put up something, anything on this blog was manifested in trying to combine the profound with reality and use it to say, “Here, this is why I’m not maintaining this blog,” with a quote that states I should be able to do it and more because I’m so busy. Whew!

Hold on, I’m not even done yet. All this begs the question: To whom do I owe these regular pearls of wisdom? Me? Good one! I already know. The world? It has done nicely without my commentary for a very long time. Even my regular readers know (as you all are among the smartest people I know) that I owe you nothing. There is not and never was any external pressure to write anything for this space. It was all me.

The point of all this is simple enough. I have embarked on a career as a writer. At the moment it is primarily news writing. I have very real pressure to do most of the writing I do – I get that and its ok. This space was originally setup for my pleasure and inner peace. It has, due to my own warped perception of duty, become a chore – until now.

Today I rededicate this space to pressure free, freestyle and free form writing. There are no rules, no structure and most importantly… no deadlines. My postings will come when they come and won’t when they don’t. I don’t have to nor will I conform here. (Self? Are you listening?) There, I fell much better now.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you feel better! You know your faithful readers are not going anywhere, we will be around waiting in the wings for the days you FEEL like posting. If you feel like you HAVE to, that just takes every ounce of enjoyment out of it.

Ease up on yourself, Mike. Keep that Chesire grin.

Michael K. Althouse said...

Thanks Barb. I have found myself in an odd space lately and, interestingly enough, I have been able to light my own fire to move past it. This is NOT my usual MO. And that is a very good thing indeed.

CyberKitten said...

Ah.... The pressure to post something (indeed anything) on a daily basis for the (hopefully expected) audience....

I think we all know that feeling... [grin].

Keep up the good (if somewhat sporadic) work... It's always worth coming back.

Michael K. Althouse said...

CK ~ I knew I would find a ssymathetic audience! I tend to gravitate towaards those who share some of the same characteristics as myself. Whaat aa surprise.

Ellen said...

Ditto what the girls already said. This is supposed to be for fun, and keeping in touch... not a job of any sort.
You already know I'll be around to read... even if I'm sporadic in my commenting.

Snaggle Tooth said...

Those who are self-whipped win the race... (Is there a prize?)

I do the same guilt-pressure of thinking it's a day off n I owe it to blog-dom to post... But really, I DO just like it! Also, there's the purpose that my kids n friends know I'm still alive, n show them still have the ability to type! I can pull a photo out sometimes (for fun) too-

We'lll read you no matter when n what you post- By all means, "Writer's Choice Rules"-

Kathleen Jennette said...

We all lapse into....well---whatever. I consider the blogging world a "no worry" zone for me. Its a place to read and relax and to vent and get out what's within--and to write when I feel like it. If one was to constantly think "I have to write" I think that is just a lead-in for boredom. I love reading the blogs and, yours in particular. It brings me back to home in places and people you write about. So, with that.... relax as much as you want as long as I get to read your wonderful stuff!

awareness said...

There's a real difference when all of a sudden I find myself in a head space where I'm second guessing myself as I write a piece.......wondering...how will this be perceived? Or.....ooooo, I don't want to offend anyone etc, etc as opposed to writing freely.

Like you, I started this blog thing as a personal outlet to explore my ideas, to experiment with different techniques, to play with words. I love the interaction and feedback, but like you I want to continue to write how I feel, when I feel, and the way I feel...........

Our lives are so full of other pressures and responsibilities ....geez.....last thing one needs is another "rock" to throw in the backpack........

mckay said...

i have nothing profound to say other than, happy sunday morning. the pressure to be witty has me tongue tied.

enjoy your day, sam.