Friday, April 07, 2006

No Subject

"A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five." ~ Groucho Marx

I am bored with discussing politics. It is frustrating for me to continue to rage against the machine when I know that

1. I can't change anything.

2. No one listens anyway.

But that's not the reason I started this blog in the first place. All I wanted to do is express my own opinions, whether they impress anyone or not. So I guess in that way, I have accomplished what I set out to do.

I almost didn't post a comment today, but I have obligated myself to this task of posting thoughts daily. And I don't know why. Sometimes it is very rewarding. Sometimes it isn't. One thing I've noticed, which probably proves some peoples point that I don't know what I'm talking about, is the fact that I never know what posts are going to get a reaction and which ones won't.

Sometimes I give my subject matter a great deal of thought, and even open Microsoft Word and hammer out a rough draft days ahead of time. Then, after writing and proofreading and making appropriate changes several times for just the right wording, I post it and think to myself, "Wow, this is really good. This is Pulitzer prize winning prose". Sometimes. Not often.

And then, after all is said and done, it is a big flop.

Other times, I can't even think of anything to write about, and sit down at my keyboard, and just start typing out whatever thoughts that creep into my little peanut brain. This is one of those times. I publish these jumbled, rambling thoughts, and all of a sudden, I get 40 comments!

To illustrate my point, when I sat down here today, I was thinking I'd write about getting pulled over by a policeman last night, which has my typical (You know, it can only happen to me) unusual twist to it, or just talk about my dog.

It is only after typing out my introduction to my subject that I notice I have a subject to talk about already, that subject being the fact that I have no subject to talk about.

Go figure.

By the way, just before I opened blogger dashboard, I noticed, on a previous post, that I quoted Dan Trabue when he said, "What a strange little world you live in". At that moment, it occurred to me that, although he probably didn't mean that as a compliment, he hit on exactly what I've been saying all along, and that is, I have a different perspective than most people. That is why the original title of this blog was "4 rows back in the bleacher seats". It was meant to go along with the site address, which is "Left field perspectives". As in, my perspective comes from so far out in left field, I am 4 rows back in the bleacher seats.

So, I will take that as a compliment.

There are many subjects I could write about. Many happenings in the world of politics and newsworthy items to discuss, but the reason I don't comment often on some of the more important stories out there, is because everyone writes about those things. I will write about them, too, if I feel I have a fresh perspective that others have yet to explore. Or if I am passionate enough about the subject.

If you want to get me riled, all you have to do is bring up abortion or homosexuality, for instance. I have very passionate views on those subjects. If you can figure out a way to relate those two subjects, (and it has been done, believe it or not) I will really blow a gasket.

So, all that explains why even some of the people, who usually agree with me on just about everything, voiced disagreement about my last subject. I see their point, but I still think most of them fail to see mine. I suppose terrorism isn't the most appropriate word. But at the same time, my point was that the word terror basically means fear, and in that way, those minor inconveniences are, at some level, terrorism in their own way. I did say there are many levels to terrorism, you may recall.

And, I might add, that at my age, the prospect of losing my job is frightening to me. Therefore, if someone threatens to do something to me that threatens my livelihood, which happened last night, I can, and will call it terrorism to some degree.

Ok, so I will put that matter to rest now. Three consecutive posts about the meaning of one word is getting a little out of hand, I think.

Oh. The unique twist I mentioned about getting stopped last night is this: I was pulled over and questioned and had my car searched by a "Conservation Officer". A Game Warden.

And my dog is a Pug named Beast.

11 comments:

Francis Lynn said...

The Conservation Officer probably pulled you over because you were driving a...mustang.

The WordSmith from Nantucket said...

I post it and think to myself, "Wow, this is really good. This is Pulitzer prize winning prose". Sometimes. Not often.

And then, after all is said and done, it is a big flop.

Other times, I can't even think of anything to write about, and sit down at my keyboard, and just start typing out whatever thoughts that creep into my little peanut brain. This is one of those times. I publish these jumbled, rambling thoughts, and all of a sudden, I get 40 comments!


Mark...your blog is rather unique, because people come here from both left and right and debate and disagree in a manner that can be impassioned, yet civil.

Sometimes you make a post that maybe I should just leave a "good post" comment. But instead I don't say anything. It might be because I'd have a lot to say, but don't have the time to be long-winded; maybe it's because there's a series of comments, and if I respond to those, I'll probably have to come back and debate it- and this can get time consuming.

I also hate the comment moderation, because I don't want to say something when several people have already commented ahead of me and I just can't know, until you post 'em up.

The number of comments you receive is only a partial test of whether or not you have a good post. Sometimes the comments themselves can be better than the post itself. Who's to know? What I'm trying to say, is that people choose and don't choose to post for a variety of reasons, and you shouldn't feel insulted if I allow a day to go by where I don't say anything.

Now...for what I really wanted to come in here to say:

Mark...I want to see a picture of your pug. Show us the Beast!!!

Trader Rick said...

My dog is a Parson Russell Terrier named Patrick; and Siberian Huskies named Bandit, McKenzie, Redbone, Misty, Buck, Denali, Gunner and Kea;and a Malmute named Nikki; and a wolf hybrid named Loki.

Dana said...

I know exactly what you mean about writing.

There were so many times before that I would pour everything into a post and get nothing. Focusing on politics (especially post-Katrina) felt like beating my head against a brick wall. Eventually, I realized that all I was doing was giving myself a massive headache.

Since my headaches have subsided, I feel like I can resume the writing. I, too, am going to write everyday, but now I will not always focus only on things that I feel need to be changed or things that frustrate me. That should make blogging fun again. Stop by and check me out again.

I hope you have a great day and drive carefully.

Lone Ranger said...

I think you need an attitude adjustment, young man.

A blog should be fun not work. It should be a stress reliever, not a source of stress. It should be something you look forward to doing, not something you dread. You're taking it too seriously.

When I sit down to my blog, it's because I have something already in my head and I want to tell someone about it. Who do I want to tell? Myself, of course. I'm the one who counts. There's something about seeing my thoughts solidified on a screen that is much more satisifying than just having them bounce around in my head. I doubt whether I've put more than 10 minutes of work into anythnig I've ever posted. Most of the time, I make it up as I go along. Believe me, nobody gets a bigger kick out of reading my blog than I do.

As for comments, you care too much about what people think. As it says on my masthead, others have opinions, I have convictions. There comes a time in life when people have to take their education and life experiences and turn their opinions into rock solid convictions. Crap or get off the pot. There are others who spend their entire life dithering. They have no direction, no moral compass, no solid convictions. They are not up to the task of applying life's lessons to their own life. I really don't care what those people think about anything. You aren't going to change their mind. Usually, the opinions they express are just the opinions of others that they are parroting. I don't respect them and I make no bones about not respecting their opinions. You've seen how I can eviscerate the occasional nitwit who dares to comment on my blog. You're too nice.

I'll go for days without posting anything except my daily history of Republicans. Then, three or four things will come to mind and I'll post all of them at once. I usually keep them short and simply and try to make them funny and pointed. I couldn't write like you do. It's too much like homework. I stopped thinking so hard when I became a journalist. But that's me.

Find a syle you like, write only about things you want to write about and don't worry what others think. They have their life and you have yours. I didn't even have my comments turned on until blogger came up with a way to screen them. It never occurred to me that I'd someday develop a small group of loyal readers. But I did and I still write for myself. Bask in the glory, and disregard the pollution. It's all part of the fun.

Erudite Redneck said...

If you knew you could end homosexuality be causing abortions in mothers carrying fetuses who would become adults with a homosexual orientation, would you?

Goat said...

Want to get riled up check out California's proposed legislation, SB1437, forcing the GLBT agenda on kids down to kindergarten. It is all about indoctrination in the gay agenda along with San Fagcisco being declared the gayest community in america with an HIV rate of 25% according to Reuters. This bill is a horror, maybe you can get some wider attention to help us Ca conservatives out.

Gayle said...

Mark, I'm sorry it took so long to get here, but I've been very busy. In fact, so busy, I can't keep up My Republican Blog any longer. I have posted I am shutting it down. I have a weekly blog and am going to try to keep up with it. The political posting does feel exactly like beating your head against a stone wall; I can't argue with that! :lol:

You probably have way more readers than you realize, they just don't comment. I checked your blog for sitemeter but couldn't find it. If you download sitemeter you will probably be amazed at the number of people who are reading you that you aren't even aware of!

And Wordsmith is right, we need a picture of Beast!

Poison Pero said...

You think too much, Mark.....:)

As far as comments go, try living in Peroville.......I get about 10% as many comments as you get (if that many). Hell, I've went weeks without comments. This has never bothered me. It's not why I blog.

I've always said, blogs have to be about your passion. You have to do them for yourself.

"Writing is the mirror of the mind." - Prager

My blog is pretty predictable......But yours is always a treat to check, because I never know what I'm going to open up to. Makes me wonder what is going on in that mind, which is why I keep coming by twice a day.
--------
I agree with others, the moderation set up sucks.....We all want to see our words of brilliance instantly.

Poison Pero said...

Hey Goat, what's with posting only half the GLBTTBNP? That's just wrong.

You better be careful or the "T"rysexuals, "B"estials, "N"ecrophiliacs, and "P"edophiles might look to sue you for excluding them from their rightful place.

Mark said...

ER, You ask, "If you knew you could end homosexuality be causing abortions in mothers carrying fetuses who would become adults with a homosexual orientation, would you?"


Cn't happen, ER. no one is born that way, they choose it after birth. Usually years after birth. it's a bogus question posed in such a way as to get me to admit that a sin isn't a sin one way or another. But sin is sin no matter what flowery words you attach to it.

Opinions can change. (look at the modern Democratic party for proof of that) Truth never changes. Homosexuality is sin. And so is abortion. Has always been sin. Will always be sin.