An opening...

"Once upon a time" is a funny phrase. Who on earth came up with such a strange idea? How are we supposed to think of being "upon a time"? Certainly just using "once", which would capture the sentiment perfectly, does not quite have that same melodic ring to it. Yes, we are marking an arbitrary point, in an arbitrary construct -time- but the notion of time, as far as I understand it should not be something which is upon-able. Though I admit being "at" a time seems to allow it to be made more physical, and most things you can be "at" you can be "on" too.

Hmmm.

I think I ought not use that phrase as my opening. False start. Rewind, and rewrite...

So. Why write a blog? I have long been the type of girl to completely shun diary writing. Why on earth would I write down either my boring day to day activities or juicy, opinionated inner thoughts. Both spell out stupidity to me. My life is not that interesting and my opinions ever changing and often quite private. I have read enough books and seen enough films to know the pains incurred when such ramblings reach voyeuristic and ignorant eyes.

So I ask again, why write a blog?

Perhaps it's clarity. I do understand trying to organise ones thoughts. Minds digress and writings direct, so why not sensibly order ones thoughts in a convenient place. Though it needn't be accessible to the world, only you. And why somewhere which archives those thoughts when one could chalk them down somewhere ephemeral, which can be wiped once the sorting is sorted?

Perhaps it is practice. Writing is an infinitely useful skill. If you can phrase things with sense and wit you can go far (though obviously that is a "can" and not a "will" as my burgeoning cynicism reminds me). Indeed I should like to be able to write a good article, be articulate and work as a "a communicator" on some level. A skill necessary in almost every job ever, so probably a worthy one to cultivate. Yes, this seems to be getting closer. Sure you can do this in private to some degree, but publishing to even a couple of people, like a child submitting their homework for proofreading, is better for opinions, learning and affirmation. Yes, you should be your own council, able to criticise yourself and self-teach. But there is one factor that is always a factor. The ultimate reason to blog, and engage with any other human being.

Vanity.

There is no getting round it. There can be no other reason, all the rest are leaves on the trees. It is affirmation of existence and boastful too, and I freely (though grudgingly) admit it. For some reason I believe my thoughts and words worthy of airing and so deem myself tuned enough to join that great choir of bloggers out there for the small slice of extra existence that can gently caress my ego.

So now that that is admitted; now that the ugly cat is out of the bag and ready to strut its stuff (in your face, no less!), I believe we have an opening.

I'm ready for my solo...