They Say It Happens To Every Guy At Some Point

I suppose it happens to women to, right? yes, of course, I am talking about writer's block. to what did you think I was referring?

I can't say with certainty that I have writer's block though I am at a bit of a standstill...

Though I still (though this time, sitting) contend that for a blog to be good, relevant, prolific, important, or even hint at any one of those descriptors, a blog has to be nothing if not consistent.

And that had been my greatest challenge thus far in this blogging endeavor. Perhaps it isn't even all that challenging, I have just failed ot update with the regularity everyone seeks. (which must also be the reason that even in a strained economy, the prune industry thrives. okay, now I am being parenthetically silly).

What is a challenge is to be consistent while being interesting. Maybe even interesting isn't the be-all-end-all. The death sentence for a blog or any written piece, or perhaps anything period, is to avoid the void of non-interest. I'd say a writer cannot be boring, though if boring is the only thing from which to escape, anyone could write--unless you are a middle schooler where your world is boring. At least, your vocabulary would be greatly limited to the word boring until you reach around the middle of your 9th grade year.

Note I haven't declared that this blog, or any blog, has t be or even can be consistently good, it just needs to be consistent. Consitently updated, fed, cared for, loved, talked to...you know, like a plant! Or even better, like a friendship.


And so, the forecast is pleasant for future blog pieces. I have an idea! Actually, I have several ideas--more than several. It's discipline I lack! Discipline, time, and a high speed internet connection are what's really missing in my bloggist life. I am not missing inspiration, it is all around. There is beautiful music everywhere! I am listening to Radio Paradise as I write today, and I guarantee that 'beautiful' is the word to describe the feelings and emotions that well up and gush forth from the most intelligent repitiore of eclectic sounds this morning--even with a hint of The Rolling Stones (Waiting On a Friend) all the way to Simon and Garfunkel (Bridge Over Troubled Water)! RP is typically much more ecletci than those two, but they'e just nice!

I am currently in the middle of, or at the beginning of, rather, 10 books. I have to do better at this, and I am narrowing on down. I have a spiritual classic, Reaching Out by Henri Nouwen, that I am determined to finish by Thanksgiving Day. The book is thick, and I do not mean in the sense of length. Though there is a great peace about it.

And I am engrossed in Born Standing Up, the autobiography--or biography of someone he once knew to hear the author tell it--of Steve Martin. I would have never suspected that 'The Jerk" could write with such emotion and eloquence. I should have, but I didn't. I have been inspired by Steve for, well, most of my life. I saw the aforementioned The Jerk at a very young age, and not a few times, with my parents and my aunt and cousins (the dearest people in my life then, and now. Now, the list is just a little bigger). Martin is a genius, not just of comedy, of art. Yes, Steve Martin is an artistic genius! I said it! I find him to be a bit of a kindred spirit. I hope to be, at least. Not only have I always appreciated his understated sense of comic time...ing, and really, everything about his canon of work, I am starting to embrace my inner--and outer--artist. Life is being better balanced as I do this. I am a guitarist, a lover, a student, a teacher of the instrument. And so, I embrace it. If I want to listen to Coltrane, I listen. If I want to work on my sight-reading for piano, I work. If I feel like playing guitar, I play. I little Gumpian in this sense, perhaps.

Though embracing the inner and outer artist is about letting yourself be inspired, and then letting your self inspire others through your art. Being an artist is about seeking beauty and sharing it. These are but two qualities that I feel an artist cultivates. There are so many more. I look forward to the journey, and I believe the search will uncover some creative gold-mines: both mine and the gold in others.

There is great beauty in the trees and on the ground through yesterday's leaves--tomorrow's mulch. The air bites with crisp, though loving, teeth. A love bite! People are starting to act like they know what time of year it is. And just what time of year is it? You tell me. Really. Tell me.

While this latest blog piece has contained its fair share of stream-of-consiousness style wander-rambling, it was born out of a newly rediscovered condition of wonderment, the practice of the blissful. Inspired by beauty. Blog by Matt.

For next time, I will practice a device that successful writers practice: ergonomic use of material. For example, I have noticed that many of the better preachers and writers out there will present a particular sermon or article or paper in a number of mediums and forums over a period of time. This is not 're-using', 're-cycling', and by no means is it being lazy--not coming up with something 'new' or 'fresh'. It is the wise, methodical, responsible practice of thematic development. So, for next time, I will do just that. You dear readers will get, at least the beginning of--the chronicling of our journey to New York City--the pilgrimage to baseball's high cathedral: Yankee Stadium. It's fresh a relevant, and modern, chic, important--all that good stuff--for the blog. And at the same time, it is something I have needed to do for some while! I can then be a good little travel writer! And if that isn't responsible reuse, I don't knwo what is!

And so, until we meet again, may your palette by filled with inspired beauty in a way you have never known!

standstill averted!
au revoir~