Navel Gazing
November 7, 2008 by Bird
Filed under Blog, Navel Gazing
I don’t update as often as I’d like to; do you know why? It isn’t just my insane work schedule as I scrabble to make a crust out of being…well.. whatever the hell it is I am. It’s because I deliberately limit myself as to what I write here which sometimes makes this feel like an oddly formal environment. Yes, I like writing; in fact I love writing and yet I rarely use my real voice in anything I’ve written here, and that is deliberate. I set out to write a blog purely about the natural world, and I often feel that anything that includes my personality gets in the way. Look at what I actually am writing though; I can’t get away from myself, I’m there in every single page, albeit a watered down version. And as to content, my intention was to write about nature and I produced a highly edited travelogue instead, albeit one with lots of pretty pictures. Hmph. What to do?
First of all I intend to simplify my categories – hold your breath though, as like everything around here it will take me an age to get round to actually doing it. From now on I intend to just have two – Nature, and Navel Gazing. The latter will be for those times when I just can’t help myself, like now. Secondly, in order to stop myself wincing every time I introduce a rankly commercial post showing off stuff I have to sell I have set up an entirely seperate (and as yet empty) craft diary, here. I hope to express a little more of myself there once it gets going; right now there is just a lot of tumbleweed blowing through. And as for this blog here, I intend to write more about the small everyday things that I seek and sometimes find in nature, whether that be in a rainforest, a bit of waste ground in the city or a neglected kitchen window-box. If all I have to write about is the spider that spins it’s web there, then that’s what I’ll write about and in my own voice too if I can find it. It might mean that I only post here once a week or less, but I will be going back to what I always intended. And who knows, maybe I’ll even get that starlings post I promised you written up.
First visit..I don’t think you can leave yourself out of writing about nature..you are letting others see through your eyes. I try to keep it about nature and not let the crabby side of me come out..LOL…I have another blog for that….
You know, sometimes I wish I were a bit more discerning in my own blog. . . but then I’d just about NEVER get anything posted! LOL.
However you choose to organize your posts, I find your writing and photos very enjoyable. Thank you!
Kudos for deciding to liberate yourself into the spaces of the blog. There’s plenty of basic information about things and places on the net, but it’s what the writer has to say about them that makes it really interesting, particularly since I probably won’t ever make it to most of the locations. I’m looking forward to your local windowboxes, tiny spiderwebs, plus wherever you decide to take us.
What a sweet photo!
I look forward to what’s coming. The two categories are great. Spiders and their webs came into one of my old poems and I’d love to read your impressions of a spider…..and STARLINGS!
I’m glad you are going to use your \own voice\ (much more interesting to read… even if you are writing about my favourite subject of \nature\). I must admit I write for myself first and others second … just how I am. I would never get round to doing it otherwise. Look forward to reading your next post! Jane
Think I know what you mean as I’ve got issues with my blog…can’t decide on categories, design, my head’s always in a swirl and for gosh sake I can’t even get my about page up because I can’t decide what I’m about!
No matter how you’re feeling on the inside I also think that info is a dime a dozen and that it’s the writer’s spin that gives it interest—and you do that. Be assured that you’ve got a great writing style that keeps bringing me back! Oh, I come for the great pics too!
)
Well, this is my first visit and I’m finding your blog very cool. It’s hard to run away from yourself or not include yourself even in a blog … I’ve tried, lol.
@Hi Michelle, thanks for visiting! I’ve come to realise that that is true – I can’t leave myself out of the writing. Apart from anything else, that is such a “serious” attitude to take, and who the hell am I to think I’m so important that I could outshine a spider, or a flock of starlings. I have thought seriously about having a separate rant blog though, that is a good idea!
@Kit:- Thank you, that’s so kind!
@James, this is true, and as I am certainly no expert I guess I have a naive point of view that might (or might not) see something new. I’ll just have to give it a go!
@Lydia, hello again, and thank you! I’ve been trying to sort out those categories but it seems the hierarchy is too tangled and complex to fix up with any speed. I’ll get that starlings post done, but I can’t lie, it may be a couple of weeks. I have to edit the film you see…
@Jane Adams:- we’ll see if my voice changes at all I guess… I know what you mean about writing for yourself, I started off that way and to some extent it’s still true, but once you know people are reading… you get self conscious. Or at least, I have!
@Roadgurl5:- Thank you so much! It took me maybe at least a year to get a decent about me page up and I’m still not entirely sure about mine – this whole self expression thing is hard work
I think your blog is great, in fact a perfect example of how letting yourself into the words is part of the fun.
@Drowseymonkey:-Hi Drowsey, thank you for visiting, and thanks for being so kind! You put your finger right on it, “running away from”, like as if that’s possible. Your blog has a strong personality in every word, which is what makes it a cracking read!
Namaste’ Bird. I just realized I did not have you on my friends link…oh forgive me! I just added you. I really laughed when you said this
“whatever the hell it is I am.”
Is that not the beauty of living, always evolving? even if you knew who you were right now this minute, that might change the morrow dear soul. ;0) so enjoy being whatever the hell it is I am, for right now, and who cares if you don’t label it.