When this blog started, its title was “An Ongoing Experiment”, an idea reflected in its then url: “perpetual-lab.blogspot.com” . I didn’t know where it was going, but it has followed its nose like an unleashed dog on a trail of adventure. Any person or thing which has continuity in time acquires defining characteristics, and these are the same as unwritten rules for behaviour. Deviate from them and someone will say “That’s not like you!” A blog is not the face of its author, who remains shadowy and unknowable. This one follows a set of unwritten rules, which if they were written down might appear somewhat like this:To write under the inspiration of the sky, the shape of clouds, the fresh air of outdoors (that realm without frontiers which keeps us all alive) and the new-distilled rain
– To reflect and propagate joy
– To write good English reflecting respect for the education I’ve received throughout life, and the value of deep-rooted ancient things
– To produce practice-pieces exploring content and style
– To create respectful spaces for readers and visitors
– Not to create a platform to preach opinions or beliefs
It has broken all these rules at one time or another, if not in this post. If you don’t break a rule you don’t know its boundary. After I had written out the above, I came across a passage of Nietzsche, which as you will see above is the blog’s new subtitle:
Sit as little as possible; credit no thought not born in the open air and while moving freely about—in which the muscles too do not hold a festival.
I did not know your motives or inspiration for this blog. However, I am sure I was drawn to it because of them.When people inquire as to my taste in music, I reply I like “Happy Music”. What I mean by this is that I enjoy music that brings a smile to my face.This is the same reaction I get from your Blog. Also, at times, it brings comfort. It provides a kind of nurturing of ideas and emotions that need some assistance to end up in a positive place.I also feel that the people who have joined your blog to comment, have intuitively understood it’s purpose.Truly a wonderful tool you have created here for all of us.
Like
I always enjoy stopping by, perhaps with a cup of tea or a glass of wine, and lingering over what you have to say.my blog has unfolded and changed over time, but always follows the path of my obsessions. to most I think that means that it follows no path at all, but for me the freedom to follow my thinking where ever it leads is paramount – whether that path be small and mundane, or tackling the largest questions.
Like
one more rule:pickup nw friends and leave a lasting impression.
Like
I think we can all relate to looking over things we have posted and written and wondered where THAT came from. But I now think on this writing as equally important to that I feel more connected to in purpose. It is part of the process, the unfolding, getting it out, getting it written, sometimes to clear out clutter that may be blocking some other concept we wish to explore, sometimes just because we are asked to follow unconditionally and without question wherever the heart is leading.
Like
Well, I come here to read and think and enjoy the atmosphere of real international flavors, knowledge, and life in the very real human fashion. And from that I get a sense of a very real person behind it all, one that I would visit in a physical setting as well. Add to that the Art involved, and how could I stay away.
Like
Thanks for all these comments, Charles, Hayden, Ghetufool, Joanne & Jim.You have reminded me of another factor, or perhaps it can be turned into an Unwritten Rule; and that is to be respond to the influence of readers: their comments and sometimes their lack of comments, which speaks louder!If the possibility of blogging had manifested prior to Gutenberg’s printing press, would we have books today? there are so many advantages to blogging.