this place is going to the blogs
June 1, 2005 – 9:38 pmWhen I see a really dumb movie, I leave the theatre feeling gypped, but also thinking, “Sheesh, I could make a better movie than that. Ditto for bad books; I finish some piece of prosaic pablum and think to myself, “nothing novel about that; now if I were to write…”
And thus my theory: mediocrity as muse. It’s the dumb stuff, the really inane that sparks me to get off the proverbial sidelines and produce. When I’m trying to outperform the uninspired and leave the lackluster in last place, I set reasonable goals (just slightly better than dumb), and attain ‘em.
All that is to say I’ve been reading some really great blogs lately. Blogs so great I really have nothing to say. As our moms used to say, if you can’t find something nice to say, say something really nice. So here’s a rundown of the rounds I’ve been making lately:
The Dawn Patrol
My number one vice. Not only can I not hold a candle to this one, but what little writing I am doing these days is comments on Dawn’s well read and well annotated entries. Wherever there is lively debate, it means somebody’s wrong, and that means idiots are present! As I mentioned above, that’s where I shine.
The Nightfly
I first encountered the Nightfly whilst reading Dawn’s comments, and I had absolutely nothing to say. He’s hilarious and smart, and probably doesn’t even need inanity to spark his creativity. Check his recent post Sleight of mind. I could’ve written that. Problem is, I didn’t.
Ragged Edges
Yet another Dawn Patrol commentator who cramps my style just by being so sharp. Be sure to check out his recent article on the struggle against terrorism.
Crying While Eating
Not exactly a blog, I know, but still, an idea which is so simple I wish I’d thought of it. Lots of people crying while eating. Some of them are not very convincing. In fact, I just know I could cry and eat better than some of them. (hat tip: ksra)
6 Responses to “this place is going to the blogs”
Hat tip? That’s it, just a hat tip? I’m hurt! *sniff* I work my bloggers to the bone for you, you, you ingrate!
Oh, btw, can I use your camera to film myself crying while eating wasabi? El Fid might back me financially and I heard Spielberg was interested… Call me, we’ll have our people do lunch! XXXX
By k_sra on Jun 2, 2005
For a Quicktime, call…I don’t know how to do a quicktime movie. I usually import my clips into Microsoft Movie Maker and it makes micromovies from my soft clips. It’s time consuming and there’s nothing quick about it. It’s my camera and I’ll cry if I want to.
But sure, our people can do lunch. But it’ll have to be after this weekend, because I’m going out of the town.
By Joel on Jun 2, 2005
Thanks for the referral and the kind words, Joel. I wish I could claim not to know the muse Disappointment: we cross each other on the street, staring ahead; share subway cars while diligently reading the paper; pass each other on lines at the coffee shop without so much as a nod.
It’s all a lie.
I have possibly the worst flaw a writer could ask for: I can see every missed opportunity and sieze on it, making edits and corrections, but have far more difficulty in creating opportunities myself. “GIMME THAT!” is usually the spark to my fuse. Then it burns long, and exceeding slow. Finally I’m forced to admit that it isn’t all that easy, and maybe I’m not the only genius in a group of dullards, after all.
I’m learning slowly to be inspired by others’ good work - like that I find at the Patrol, or here… That Ragged Edges link, for example, was a fair knock-out. Great piece. But I find this easier when the work is in a field I have no gift for, and therefore no temptation to covet, such as music.
By nightfly on Jun 2, 2005
Joel -
Thanks for the extremely kind words. This isn’t the first time I’ve caught you sending praise and traffic my way. I tried to email you a “Garcia” (my Father-in-law’s hokey way of being funny while saying thanks), but couldn’t find an address for you on your blog. I sent it to Dawn for forwarding.
Sadly, I havn’t been able to blog anything new since Monday, as I’m knee-deep . . . no, neck-deep in a transition from one old computer w/ Win98 to one old computer w/ WinXP and a super duper new notebook, all singing to each other through the wonders of radio. Anybody know how to get a home network actually up and running??
By Ella's Dad on Jun 2, 2005
i love the ‘patrol’; i’ve read a lot of nightfly in the ‘patrol’ comment section but had never been to his site before - i’ll be back; ella’s dad’s latest thing on terrorism was very good; and while i’ve not been to k_sra’s blog yet, and after reading k_sra in the patrol comments section, i will visit there soon - but the crying while eating thing, that lost me - my camera was sitting within easy reach, but instead of shooting, i quickly put it away where i wouldn’t be tempted top join their lunacy … guess i like my own brand of craziness better
By uncle jim on Jun 3, 2005
That’s right, Uncle Jim, right this way (throws more bread crumbs) right over here! Come on, Jimmy, Jimmy, I wouldn’t hurt ya…. Come on!
By k_sra on Jun 3, 2005