So says, apparently, a German teenage author, or "author," in this New York Times piece. The article details how plagiarism is increasing on college campuses, not necessarily by students trying to cheat, but out of ignorance over who owns certain information and whether citations are even necessary.
The idea that information on the Internet is available for public use and consumption without need for attribution is a frightening one. It ties in directly with ability of citizens to distill which sources are valid, solid and reputable, and which are potentially unreliable, unstable and questionable. The irony in the Internet Age is that while we now virtually drowning in information, and are presumably better and more easily informed, there is a heightened need to determine from where every piece of information is derived.
As some of my friends will attest, I'm still an unabashed backer of the Mainstream Media, primarily for this reason: there is a tried and true, though not at all flawless, system of vetting and confirming information that is blatantly lacking in many newer media outlets online. On one hand, it seems second nature to many of us who went to college at the dawn of the Internet Age that you should recognize and use primary sources to support your text; that you should reference such sources, or any other resources you've used; and that your sources be able to stand up to scrutiny from a professor or reader.
However, as the New York Times piece explains, there is a decreasing sense of such responsibility among students who grew up with the ability to access information quickly, but who give less thought to who or what provided such information.
Wikipedia is probably the best and most popular example of readily available information that may be coming from unreliable sources. I've spent a lot of time on that site and find it extremely useful and a pretty brilliant idea, in general. But, by its very nature -- an evolving resource that can be edited and written by anyone -- it is an unreliable source for any serious academic writing. That does not mean, however, that it doesn't have value. Its intended use, I believe, is to inform quickly, but also encourage you to further investigate the concepts using more solid sources and media. To that end, many -- but, not all -- Wikipedia entries include references to primary sources, which would more than likely serve as reliable reference, or, at the very least, offer support to the text. Merely copying and pasting content from a site like Wikipedia should feel inherently wrong to a student. I haven't been out of school so long that the entire concept of having to properly cite has reached extinction.
In any age, with any medium used, that's just plain laziness -- as a college senior says in the Times article. The author of the article seems to imply that because college-age people have grown up stealing music digitally, being bombarded by "mash-ups" and sampling in popular music and seeing pop icons whose actual identity is secondary, they simply might not know better. I don't see the correlation. In each instance, there is an originator, an author and a definable source of the information they are obtaining. I'm willing to bet if someone has illegally downloaded the entire Lady Gaga catalog, they can still identify the songs as being her performances. The younger generation might think it's irrelevant, but I doubt they are ignorant to the concept of authorship. If there is ignorance, it lies in thinking authorship and idea origination are not important.
It is the onus of teachers of writing in middle school and high school and professors at colleges to continue to teach and emphasize the concept of reliable sources (shout-out to Howard Kurtz there) and of intellectual property. An idea is not for the world's consumption without deference to its thinker. Its importance at the academic level is surely important, but more broadly, it is an essential concept that our next generation of national thinkers and voters need to understand. In the age of the blogosphere and cable news outlets dominating the national conversation with seemingly little regard for accuracy and vetting in their reporting, it is of dire consequence that, at the very least, the people absorbing such information be ever vigilant. They must be able to differentiate between the reliable and the suspect, the solid and the questionable.
The Internet Age does not spell the end of originality. Nor should it be the death knell for innovation or the concept of intellectual property. These concepts are still essential components to having a nation of experimenters, tinkerers and thinkers -- the people who ultimately take societies and civilizations to a future unimagined, the people willing to risk total failure to see an idea through. Their successes should never go unnamed and unremarked. The ability to distill and process information properly continuing respect and reverence to the concept of authorship are absolutely intermingled. If it is believed that the source doesn't matter, then the information is inherently suspect. If one's ideas can be copied and pasted in perpetuity without regard for their origin, there will be a dearth of innovators.
Originality is important. Respect for the creators is important. Teaching teens and 20-somethings that these concepts are only more important now is imperative for the continued success of this country.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Forgotten albums: Bad Religion's "Into the Unknown"
From the moment I first heard about this mysterious, disavowed album from punk/hardcore legends Bad Religion, I've been intrigued. In the liner notes to the early years compilation, 80-85, guitarist Greg Hetson makes reference to the Into the Unknown, first making sure to say he and bassist Jay Bentley had nothing to do with its creation. Apparently, this album -- only their second full LP -- pretty much broke up the band for a minute.Scouring their Wikipedia page many years later, I was reminded again of this lost record's existence. Bad Religion's...PROG ROCK album?! Seemed too weird to even be true. I also was kind of bummed out that they only produced 10,000 copies of this album and it would most likely be a difficult and expensive find/listen.
Enter badreligion.com! You can stream all their albums on the site, including...INTO THE UNKNOWN! Today was an exciting day for that reason only, my friends. Excuse my nerddom.
So...I giddily pressed play to hear this travesty of an album. The record opens with a keyboard swell, immediately signaling a change in direction that must've freaked out a hardcore kid or two back in 1983 on the heels of their savage classic, How Can Hell Be Any Worse?
Funny part is, though, as someone who became a Bad Religion fan a decade-plus into their existence (with Stranger Than Fiction in 1994), the music doesn't seem all that out there. Hell, if you took out the startling keyboard flourishes in some of the songs, it wouldn't sound so different from some of their 90s output.
So, I tried to put myself in the position of someone who had bought that first record and saw their shows at the time. The contrast to the first album is, indeed, shocking. Slower, mid-tempo tunes. Greg Graffin singing for the first time with that inimitable voice that's become their trademark -- instead of the raspier half-yell of the first album. And, of course, longer song lengths. Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of this album is Brett Gurewitz's lead guitar work. The dude does some heavy rock guitar shredding here. I suppose, though, in the days where anything resembling slow, excessive, '70s arena rock was reviled by a lot of people, these new (for Bad Religion) sounds were not welcome.
The keys seem to be what make this a "prog" record (along with the spacey album cover). There aren't, however, the twists and turns of time signatures or ultra complex riffery and drum patterning that define most progressive rock music. That's probably a good thing.
Also included on the page for this album are two short, but great interviews with Brett and Greg -- the masterminds/criminals behind the weirdest album in the Bad Religion catalog.
In the aftermath of Into the Unknown, Bad Religion would regroup, releasing a more "Bad Religion"-y EP in 1985 -- with the self-consciously appropriate title of Back to the Known -- and, eventually, in 1988, releasing arugably their finest record, Suffer, and becoming the phenomenal band we all know and love. But, perhaps that wouldn't have been possible without a brief foray into the unknown.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Work and Non Work, Guitar "playing" and the All-Star Break
Hello, hello!
First, a disclaimer to my out-of-work friends: the following is not intended to brag nor rub anything in or complain. Well, maybe the latter a little.
So, after a month back at the grind, they've run out of things for me (and I assume the other Quality Assurers) to do. So, I sit there...daily...with nothing to do. While it sounds nice, and was at first, it's actually pretty fucking annoying. Especially considering I work not in a cubicle, but what amounts to a converted janitor's closet with a dry erase board. My closetmates seem equally unoccupied. The ad guy left at 4 today. Got in at 10. Wish I had the balls. Instead, I show up at 9 and promptly get my read on for 8 hours. I guarantee by now I'm the most well-informed person "working" there. But, as I and some of you know, there are worse things. Anyway, since I'm just looking for anything and everything to pass the time (except blogging more regularly, obviously), I've gone back -- half-assedly -- to the job hunt. I figure if work is this light now, no way they're going to keep me after December. So...time to start gearing up for being out of work in the new year! Hooray!
This week, in lieu of baseball, which is on break this week and which typically dominates my after-work life hours, I decided to dust off the acoustic guitar I've had for years and try to actually play the thing. I decided, too, not to tune it and not to learn anything, you know, proper. I think I came up with a couple cool things just fiddling and experimenting -- at least, my guitarist tells me so. I'm finding that fretting hurts my delicate fingers as does picking without a pick...those are my excuses for sounding terrible. Also, I've decided my axe-slinging stage name is Rudy Mentary. You'll be hearing from me -- er-- him.
I need to mention that I hate the All-Star Break. I used to really care about the All-Star game as a kid because I hated the American League so much and the National League were dominant then. Not so much anymore. They really need to get rid of fan voting in this thing, too. A popularity contest for what amounted to a game for bragging rights is one thing, but if they're going to base home-field advantage on it, then the fan should be left out. Mostly, because fans are idiots. (Trust me, I am one.) Also, I'm definitely done caring about the Home Run Derby. It's fun for like 15 minutes, then it's just mind-numbingly boring. Not to mention it somehow manages to make Chris Berman even more insufferable. I just can't take him anymore. Sorry, no Mets baseball makes me cranky...but, then again, so does watching Mets baseball most of the time.
Well, let's not end on a whiny, sports note. Let's end on a fun and interesting music note. This week, one of the true mad scientist guitar players in the rock realm today, Nels Cline, is doing a string of solo gigs at the Village Vanguard. I believe it's mostly instrumental, freeform noise, free jazz kind of stuff, which makes me smile unendingly. Here's a sample of the man at work:
Nels Cline Singers
Here's the man shredding with his dayjob band, Wilco, from the show I was at last year. Highlight of their set by far.
Wilco: Impossible Germany (solo excerpt)
I'm going to try and hit one of those shows this week. Come join me for some face-melting good times!
First, a disclaimer to my out-of-work friends: the following is not intended to brag nor rub anything in or complain. Well, maybe the latter a little.
So, after a month back at the grind, they've run out of things for me (and I assume the other Quality Assurers) to do. So, I sit there...daily...with nothing to do. While it sounds nice, and was at first, it's actually pretty fucking annoying. Especially considering I work not in a cubicle, but what amounts to a converted janitor's closet with a dry erase board. My closetmates seem equally unoccupied. The ad guy left at 4 today. Got in at 10. Wish I had the balls. Instead, I show up at 9 and promptly get my read on for 8 hours. I guarantee by now I'm the most well-informed person "working" there. But, as I and some of you know, there are worse things. Anyway, since I'm just looking for anything and everything to pass the time (except blogging more regularly, obviously), I've gone back -- half-assedly -- to the job hunt. I figure if work is this light now, no way they're going to keep me after December. So...time to start gearing up for being out of work in the new year! Hooray!
This week, in lieu of baseball, which is on break this week and which typically dominates my after-work life hours, I decided to dust off the acoustic guitar I've had for years and try to actually play the thing. I decided, too, not to tune it and not to learn anything, you know, proper. I think I came up with a couple cool things just fiddling and experimenting -- at least, my guitarist tells me so. I'm finding that fretting hurts my delicate fingers as does picking without a pick...those are my excuses for sounding terrible. Also, I've decided my axe-slinging stage name is Rudy Mentary. You'll be hearing from me -- er-- him.
I need to mention that I hate the All-Star Break. I used to really care about the All-Star game as a kid because I hated the American League so much and the National League were dominant then. Not so much anymore. They really need to get rid of fan voting in this thing, too. A popularity contest for what amounted to a game for bragging rights is one thing, but if they're going to base home-field advantage on it, then the fan should be left out. Mostly, because fans are idiots. (Trust me, I am one.) Also, I'm definitely done caring about the Home Run Derby. It's fun for like 15 minutes, then it's just mind-numbingly boring. Not to mention it somehow manages to make Chris Berman even more insufferable. I just can't take him anymore. Sorry, no Mets baseball makes me cranky...but, then again, so does watching Mets baseball most of the time.
Well, let's not end on a whiny, sports note. Let's end on a fun and interesting music note. This week, one of the true mad scientist guitar players in the rock realm today, Nels Cline, is doing a string of solo gigs at the Village Vanguard. I believe it's mostly instrumental, freeform noise, free jazz kind of stuff, which makes me smile unendingly. Here's a sample of the man at work:
Nels Cline Singers
Here's the man shredding with his dayjob band, Wilco, from the show I was at last year. Highlight of their set by far.
Wilco: Impossible Germany (solo excerpt)
I'm going to try and hit one of those shows this week. Come join me for some face-melting good times!
Monday, June 21, 2010
I heard you missed us, we're back...
...I brought my pencillll...(Van Halen, Anyone? anyone?)
or keyboard.
So, hello once again. You've all been champing at the bit since May 26, I know, so here're some updates.
I once again work! Blog name FAIL. But, so far so good. I'm still adjusting to life post-vacation, but fortunately, the gig so far is pretty chill and easy. We'll see how long before I hate it. I'm mostly excited to be among the mass transit commuters once more after too-long a stint as an angry Turnpike driver every day. Yeah, that not one of my better ideas. My daily ride into the city isn't too terrible. I walk alongside the skyline to the light rail to take me to Hoboken, where I tunnel underground and magically appear on 14th Street. Though, most everyone would consider me "laid back," I must say I do function slightly better within this frenetic, chaotic energy, so this is working for me thus far.
But, what of the ultimate goal of Permanent Saturdays! you exclaim incredulously. It's definitely not on hold, but I felt incredibly guilty for almost turning down this job just to continue to try to "find myself" or whatever I was/am doing. I'm just not good at living on the dole, whether I've been contributing taxes toward it for years or not. I got a little frightened that I was rapidly getting used to my life of leisure, so I took this job mostly to shake myself out of slackerdom, which comes way too naturally to me.
I've been thinking semi-half-seriously about the idea of teaching English abroad. (Thank you, M. McG, if you do indeed read this.) It seems to be a near perfect setup for me: different place, long-term but not permanent, subject I can handle and potential for adventures. The lure of Europe is ever-present with me, but not in a "Oh, it's so much better over there!" annoying kind of way...more like in a "I like girls with accents" kind of way.
But, seriously, I want to do more traveling and idea of being some nomad teaching people English around the world is pretty tempting. I'm increasingly starting to realize I should embrace my antsy, restless tendencies and find something that would allow me to give into them and not be totally reckless -- just a LITTLE reckless.
So, perhaps the modified goal is Permanent Transient Saturdays?
or keyboard.
So, hello once again. You've all been champing at the bit since May 26, I know, so here're some updates.
I once again work! Blog name FAIL. But, so far so good. I'm still adjusting to life post-vacation, but fortunately, the gig so far is pretty chill and easy. We'll see how long before I hate it. I'm mostly excited to be among the mass transit commuters once more after too-long a stint as an angry Turnpike driver every day. Yeah, that not one of my better ideas. My daily ride into the city isn't too terrible. I walk alongside the skyline to the light rail to take me to Hoboken, where I tunnel underground and magically appear on 14th Street. Though, most everyone would consider me "laid back," I must say I do function slightly better within this frenetic, chaotic energy, so this is working for me thus far.
But, what of the ultimate goal of Permanent Saturdays! you exclaim incredulously. It's definitely not on hold, but I felt incredibly guilty for almost turning down this job just to continue to try to "find myself" or whatever I was/am doing. I'm just not good at living on the dole, whether I've been contributing taxes toward it for years or not. I got a little frightened that I was rapidly getting used to my life of leisure, so I took this job mostly to shake myself out of slackerdom, which comes way too naturally to me.
I've been thinking semi-half-seriously about the idea of teaching English abroad. (Thank you, M. McG, if you do indeed read this.) It seems to be a near perfect setup for me: different place, long-term but not permanent, subject I can handle and potential for adventures. The lure of Europe is ever-present with me, but not in a "Oh, it's so much better over there!" annoying kind of way...more like in a "I like girls with accents" kind of way.
But, seriously, I want to do more traveling and idea of being some nomad teaching people English around the world is pretty tempting. I'm increasingly starting to realize I should embrace my antsy, restless tendencies and find something that would allow me to give into them and not be totally reckless -- just a LITTLE reckless.
So, perhaps the modified goal is Permanent Transient Saturdays?
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
I'm back!
Before anyone starts posting my face on milk cartons, here I am!
And here are a couple reasons why I was out of commission here lately:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUiTCmR1I9E
http://queens.ny1.com/content/top_stories/119160/mets--k-rod-triumphs-over-a-rod-in-subway-series
This weekend -- hopefully, a long one for those of you with gainful employment -- my apartment becomes an inn. I got friends from Nashville, Philly and Cleveland all crashing here at some point from Thursday-Saturday. Should be interesting, just hope they're not expecting food...or a bed.
On the job front, I have an interview tomorrow in the city with the good folks at WebMD. While I'm not panicking just yet (unemployment starts tomorrow, apparently), I am starting to get antsy as far as life direction. And I still can't get that damn green apron out of my mind; it's become a near-obsession. I have a feeling no matter what happens, I'll end up trying to get in there, if only for some extra spending cash and discounted coffee.
Alas, not much else too exciting going on here. I'm getting a couple new(ish) music projects off the ground, since I have ALL THIS TIME. If you have any fun band names in your head, just screaming to get out, lay some on me!
Take care, y'all.
And here are a couple reasons why I was out of commission here lately:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUiTCmR1I9E
http://queens.ny1.com/content/top_stories/119160/mets--k-rod-triumphs-over-a-rod-in-subway-series
This weekend -- hopefully, a long one for those of you with gainful employment -- my apartment becomes an inn. I got friends from Nashville, Philly and Cleveland all crashing here at some point from Thursday-Saturday. Should be interesting, just hope they're not expecting food...or a bed.
On the job front, I have an interview tomorrow in the city with the good folks at WebMD. While I'm not panicking just yet (unemployment starts tomorrow, apparently), I am starting to get antsy as far as life direction. And I still can't get that damn green apron out of my mind; it's become a near-obsession. I have a feeling no matter what happens, I'll end up trying to get in there, if only for some extra spending cash and discounted coffee.
Alas, not much else too exciting going on here. I'm getting a couple new(ish) music projects off the ground, since I have ALL THIS TIME. If you have any fun band names in your head, just screaming to get out, lay some on me!
Take care, y'all.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Weehawken outlaw...
So, I really need to open my mail in a more timely fashion. I opened one of my many Official Notice letters from one of the many surrounding towns (I hate parking tickets and "forget to pay them.) and realized that there was a warrant for my arrest for a real-deal ticket I got. (That epic commute I used to do really did wonders for my driving record.) So, I had to post $160 bail yesterday and I have a court date next Tuesday. All this for improper, but totally understandable, passing.
Then, tonight, I was scheduled to attend night court to fight a different ticket. I take the "independent" bus ALL the way there (10 minutes) to find there is no court tonight. So, you can blame the Weehawken Town(ship?) for no witty Night Court comments here or fun Night Court YouTube videos. Wee, indeed.
However, today, there was some production from this modest apartment! I give you answer to the oft-asked question: what do you do with your money? (Bookcases built by The Dad Depot.)
Exhibit A (brought to you by ESPN):
That's what I did today. Redecorated. So, at least when people do come over, they'll think I'm a man of wealth and taste. The truth will be our little secret.
Fifteen followers! Counting never gets old to me, obviously. Thanks for caring!
Then, tonight, I was scheduled to attend night court to fight a different ticket. I take the "independent" bus ALL the way there (10 minutes) to find there is no court tonight. So, you can blame the Weehawken Town(ship?) for no witty Night Court comments here or fun Night Court YouTube videos. Wee, indeed.
However, today, there was some production from this modest apartment! I give you answer to the oft-asked question: what do you do with your money? (Bookcases built by The Dad Depot.)
Exhibit A (brought to you by ESPN):
That's what I did today. Redecorated. So, at least when people do come over, they'll think I'm a man of wealth and taste. The truth will be our little secret.
Fifteen followers! Counting never gets old to me, obviously. Thanks for caring!
Monday, May 10, 2010
....and we're back!
OK, so the weekend came and went and I didn't blog. I guess that is actually counter to the spirit of this blog. Mission statement fail.
Hello again, dear followers. There are now 12 of you. I appreciate all your support and Google reader additions!
First, an employment update!
I still don't have a job.
...and, now, sports....
Actually, I'm cautiously optimistic that I'm going to land this medical writing gig in Hoboken. Sure, it's not The Dream, but tough to knock The Paycheck I'd be getting. Also, it would be on a consultant basis, which is perfect for my flighty, noncommittal self right now. I'm also very lucky to have a solid recruiter working with me on this, as I apparently have NO idea what my skills are actually worth. I undersold myself by about $10-15 an hour, but fortunately, she corrected this messtimation. For God's sakes, Jim, I'm a writer, not a salesman.
I've also become increasingly preoccupied with becoming a part-time Starbucks barista. Please take a few moments to imagine me in the green apron. I think I'd look dashing AND fetching. My main motivation for this wild career turn is that I'm nearly 89% sure that they offer health insurance, even if you work part-time. And there is one located right down the cliff from me. Convenience, mindless work, benefits: that pretty much screams my name.
There's a lot going on this week in the land of Permanent Saturdays. Most interesting among my plans is attempting to build a horseshoe pit in my parents' backyard. Please take a few moments to imagine me doing any sort of manual labor. OK, that's enough laughing. I have no proof, but I'm fairly convinced that my parents have a bet with each other about whether or not I'll actually do this. I'd also be fairly certain that my mom is the one who bet on me, as she is wont to do. So, I sort of have to do it now...if only to see the old man lose his shirt. Of course, there could also be no bet...but, there still would be a pretty bitchin' horseshoe pit. Everyone wins.
Speaking of overactive imaginations, I'm also going to restart my scattered mess of a book I've been working (used loosely here) on for about a year. I just wish I had any idea about a plot, storyline, theme, etc. Instead, I have a few pretty good scenes and one interesting bar description... New York Times Book Review, here I come!
Hope Monday treated all you productive working folks well!
Hello again, dear followers. There are now 12 of you. I appreciate all your support and Google reader additions!
First, an employment update!
I still don't have a job.
...and, now, sports....
Actually, I'm cautiously optimistic that I'm going to land this medical writing gig in Hoboken. Sure, it's not The Dream, but tough to knock The Paycheck I'd be getting. Also, it would be on a consultant basis, which is perfect for my flighty, noncommittal self right now. I'm also very lucky to have a solid recruiter working with me on this, as I apparently have NO idea what my skills are actually worth. I undersold myself by about $10-15 an hour, but fortunately, she corrected this messtimation. For God's sakes, Jim, I'm a writer, not a salesman.
I've also become increasingly preoccupied with becoming a part-time Starbucks barista. Please take a few moments to imagine me in the green apron. I think I'd look dashing AND fetching. My main motivation for this wild career turn is that I'm nearly 89% sure that they offer health insurance, even if you work part-time. And there is one located right down the cliff from me. Convenience, mindless work, benefits: that pretty much screams my name.
There's a lot going on this week in the land of Permanent Saturdays. Most interesting among my plans is attempting to build a horseshoe pit in my parents' backyard. Please take a few moments to imagine me doing any sort of manual labor. OK, that's enough laughing. I have no proof, but I'm fairly convinced that my parents have a bet with each other about whether or not I'll actually do this. I'd also be fairly certain that my mom is the one who bet on me, as she is wont to do. So, I sort of have to do it now...if only to see the old man lose his shirt. Of course, there could also be no bet...but, there still would be a pretty bitchin' horseshoe pit. Everyone wins.
Speaking of overactive imaginations, I'm also going to restart my scattered mess of a book I've been working (used loosely here) on for about a year. I just wish I had any idea about a plot, storyline, theme, etc. Instead, I have a few pretty good scenes and one interesting bar description... New York Times Book Review, here I come!
Hope Monday treated all you productive working folks well!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Mets and Howard, Mets and Howard...
It feels as if the Mets and Howard Stern both know I have nothing better to do with my time but watch/listen to them. The Mets have played quite a few day games and The Stern Show has been pretty great of late. Of course, the Mets lost yet another extra-inning game to the Reds, so their generosity I can do without.
Today was one of those days that I truly enjoyed, but worry I can get used to too easily. Met up with someone who also isn't working (but, at least she's in grad school) and just chilled out. It's been frighteningly effortless to drop out of the real world and become accustomed to not having any daily 8-hour obligations. Of course, I do get a sudden dose of reality often enough when people want to go out on Cinco de Mayo (tonight) and I'm like, "Yes! No, wait, I have $300 to my name for the rest of my life..."
Well, hopefully not. The unemployment folks need to interrogate me next week before they gave me my hard unearned money. So, the earliest I can get some Obama Bucks is probably around this time next week. Fortunately, my last paycheck came through, so I was able to pay rent. Riveting stuff, I know. Aren't you glad you're following this, 10 followers o' mine? (Thanks, by the way!)
Also, though, I know that the inevitable feeling of losery will creep in when I realize that I really should be doing something with my time besides zoning out to various distractions, entertaining though they may be (for 9 innings, at least...stupid Mets). As I said before, my career aspirations are fanciful, but it does appear that now is the time to at least try and go for them. I need to get over the fact that they a) sound really delusional when you say them out loud (writer and/or musician [or drummer, for you people who actually can play notes out there]) and b) they require the kind of dedication and motivation I've yet to show on a consistent basis for the past 31 years. And then there's that: at 31, is this really the time to be trying your hand at what probably is a younger man's game? The game where the odds of success are laughable? My old man and some friends tell me I'm still young enough to take a few risks, though that time does seem to be rapidly dwindling.
Seriously, aren't you glad you're reading this? Will he or won't he? The suspense!
Well, what he will be doing is at least getting these two freelance projects done this week. Typical of me, these have been ready to be written for weeks and now and I've just spaced out on doing them. This week, for sure. Perhaps if I write it and people read it, I'll feel more obligated to do it. On another friend's blog, she wrote that no matter what has come up in her life, she has known that, at heart, she is a writer. That was at once inspirational and deflating. Deflating because I've spent most of the past few years talking a good game about being a writer, but with nothing much to show for it in terms of output and ideas. I guess that's where this comes in, something to keep me at least typing away on something not Instant Messenger or Gmail.
Anyway, folks, when those freelance pieces that I WILL be writing this week are posted, I'll link you to them here so you know I did, indeed, follow through.
Thanks again to the 10 Apostles!
Related media:
Today was one of those days that I truly enjoyed, but worry I can get used to too easily. Met up with someone who also isn't working (but, at least she's in grad school) and just chilled out. It's been frighteningly effortless to drop out of the real world and become accustomed to not having any daily 8-hour obligations. Of course, I do get a sudden dose of reality often enough when people want to go out on Cinco de Mayo (tonight) and I'm like, "Yes! No, wait, I have $300 to my name for the rest of my life..."
Well, hopefully not. The unemployment folks need to interrogate me next week before they gave me my hard unearned money. So, the earliest I can get some Obama Bucks is probably around this time next week. Fortunately, my last paycheck came through, so I was able to pay rent. Riveting stuff, I know. Aren't you glad you're following this, 10 followers o' mine? (Thanks, by the way!)
Also, though, I know that the inevitable feeling of losery will creep in when I realize that I really should be doing something with my time besides zoning out to various distractions, entertaining though they may be (for 9 innings, at least...stupid Mets). As I said before, my career aspirations are fanciful, but it does appear that now is the time to at least try and go for them. I need to get over the fact that they a) sound really delusional when you say them out loud (writer and/or musician [or drummer, for you people who actually can play notes out there]) and b) they require the kind of dedication and motivation I've yet to show on a consistent basis for the past 31 years. And then there's that: at 31, is this really the time to be trying your hand at what probably is a younger man's game? The game where the odds of success are laughable? My old man and some friends tell me I'm still young enough to take a few risks, though that time does seem to be rapidly dwindling.
Seriously, aren't you glad you're reading this? Will he or won't he? The suspense!
Well, what he will be doing is at least getting these two freelance projects done this week. Typical of me, these have been ready to be written for weeks and now and I've just spaced out on doing them. This week, for sure. Perhaps if I write it and people read it, I'll feel more obligated to do it. On another friend's blog, she wrote that no matter what has come up in her life, she has known that, at heart, she is a writer. That was at once inspirational and deflating. Deflating because I've spent most of the past few years talking a good game about being a writer, but with nothing much to show for it in terms of output and ideas. I guess that's where this comes in, something to keep me at least typing away on something not Instant Messenger or Gmail.
Anyway, folks, when those freelance pieces that I WILL be writing this week are posted, I'll link you to them here so you know I did, indeed, follow through.
Thanks again to the 10 Apostles!
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Tuesday, May 4, 2010
When writers lose jobs, writers start blogs...
....and then foist them upon their friends. You're welcome.
So, this is actually kind of embarrassing. Yet another writer-type with a blog. We're as prevalent as herpes in Belmar. Was that snarky? No, I think it was. And I apologize; I loathe snark.
Anyway, this is my maiden voyage toward ending my lifelong poserdom: writer who doesn't really write, reader who can't finish a book, nerd who actually knows very little, etc., etc. I'm pretty sure the definition of lazy is dreaming big and executing small. Well, no more! I'm dreaming smaller...
I'm choosing to view this second bout with unemployment with the ultimate of silver lining perspectives. As someone who has very successful and stable friends, I've often felt envious that they were able to figure out their passions early and drive steadily toward achieving career incorporating those passions. My career aspirations, for better or worse, sound as fanciful as they did in kindergarten. So, I'm actually here to announce that I'm becoming a farmer/firefighter/Michael Jackson.
Anyway, I invite you all to come with me on a journey to...somewhere. Disclaimer: it might be short-lived if this one job pans out. The lure of steady pay is strong with this one. However, the pull to throw all logic and sense out this here window and take some of the chances I've been too lazy or fearful to...take...(Someone provide me with a better word there!) is becoming equally as strong.
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So, this is actually kind of embarrassing. Yet another writer-type with a blog. We're as prevalent as herpes in Belmar. Was that snarky? No, I think it was. And I apologize; I loathe snark.
Anyway, this is my maiden voyage toward ending my lifelong poserdom: writer who doesn't really write, reader who can't finish a book, nerd who actually knows very little, etc., etc. I'm pretty sure the definition of lazy is dreaming big and executing small. Well, no more! I'm dreaming smaller...
I'm choosing to view this second bout with unemployment with the ultimate of silver lining perspectives. As someone who has very successful and stable friends, I've often felt envious that they were able to figure out their passions early and drive steadily toward achieving career incorporating those passions. My career aspirations, for better or worse, sound as fanciful as they did in kindergarten. So, I'm actually here to announce that I'm becoming a farmer/firefighter/Michael Jackson.
Anyway, I invite you all to come with me on a journey to...somewhere. Disclaimer: it might be short-lived if this one job pans out. The lure of steady pay is strong with this one. However, the pull to throw all logic and sense out this here window and take some of the chances I've been too lazy or fearful to...take...(Someone provide me with a better word there!) is becoming equally as strong.
Related media:
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