Friday, February 3, 2023

Welcome Back Blogger

 I won't say that I can't believe it's been almost a year since I posted on my blog...so, moving on. I was moved many times over the past year to post as this crazy world never lacks for material to opine on, but I stopped. Why bother? There were/are innumerable bloggers and with the growth of YouTube, one is just lost in a sea of "noise". I mean opinions (or takes) are like noses; everyone has one and why should one pay any special attention to mine. I considered starting a YouTube channel, but the same dynamic applies. Besides, it's a lot more labor intensive to do it right and requires cashola for decent equipment. In addition, you have to be prepared to deal with more real-time interactions via comments. Blogging seems more leisurely, where YouTube seems more frenetic. Kind of old-school vs. new. 

So, I had to answer the questions I asked myself. The answer was/is to look at this differently. Two points held sway: I have decided to write for the sheer enjoyment, not to impress or convince anyone (although I would be pleased to accomplish either or both). As there are people who play a musical instrument, or sing in the shower, or take photos without any hope and or desire of garnering a large audience; I can practice my craft for no other reason than it's fun. In addition, it may be true that my take on things is no better or unique than many others; however, it certainly is no less worthy to exist in the marketplace of ideas either. It's rare that I read anything that is truly a "hot take", espousing a view that is singularly brilliant. And this applies to Joe or Jane Schmo commenting to an op-ed to Ben Shapiro writing an op-ed. 

That is why I have decided to pump some life into this blog. I just couldn't bring myself to let it just fade away to nothingness. I realize that I'm probably (no wait...almost certainly) the only one that feels this way, but I'm a little biased for sure. It was kind of sad when I poked around some other blogs via followers and such and found so many had just ceased to post. Almost like a garden that's not tended and becomes overgrown with weeds. A little sentimental for sure, but isn't that why most of us started in the first place; sentiment? Understanding there are blogs of a more practical nature, but I'm referring to those that speak to the more visceral, such as relationships, reviews of books/movies, family, God, etc. I do get it that people move on from stages of life (especially the young) but a lot of the "abandoned" blogs I saw could have, it seems, been maintained. Maybe not to the same degree, but to a degree. Maybe many have moved on to other formats like YouTube, but I hope they didn't give up discouraged due to lack of followers. If anyone could have used that criterion; it was/is me. The most followers I ever had was maybe seven (and two of them were family!).

So, here's to those of us scarce in followers, but not necessarily talent, and certainly not passion. Maybe I'm just making noise, but it's my noise. Think: If a tree falls in the forest and nobody hears it, does it still make a sound? Of course it does! If I write a blog and nobody reads it, does it still make a difference? It does to me. Someone might fairly ask why not just journal? That had occurred to me, but it's not the same. It's private thoughts that you want to keep private. Besides, unless you are relating a unique experience, such as riding a Yak bareback across Siberia; who cares? If you just want to yammer on about your trip to the mall or your cat's trip to the vet, just post it to Facebook. That's what Facebook seems to be used for by most; public journaling of mundane affairs. At least us brave bloggers are putting it out there! We're taking a stand; not just "reporting" events. We have a take! 

So, this is a short introduction to my revitalized blog. I'm going to follow the same format I always have in putting a Biblical spin on general musings or current events; hopefully with a fair amount of humor. In spite of living in these horrendous days where we can't define woman and homosexuals are accepted as normal, where speaking Gospel truth is hate speech; I like to think a little humor can help us cope. As Provebs 17:22 reminds us: A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Too much is drying our bones these days, we can all use a little medicine.


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