Knock on wood, we'll bring the young 'un home tomorrow, which will be very nice indeed.
As you can imagine, I've been pretty stressed out by this whole situation. Actually, I've been feeling like I've been through the spin cycle*. It's been hard to blog much, and I've found myself going back through my archives. Reading a random selection (say, July of last year) leads me to the conclusion that I'm losing my edge. It seems that I was finding more weird funny stuff, had sharper snark, and deeper political insight.
Not even blogging two years, and it's not particularly reassuring to think that my best blogging might be behind me. So to my fellow bloggers, have you found yourselves in a similar situation? If so, what (if anything) did you do?
* Alas, my washing machine has no clothes wringer.
I've only been blogging for a year and I struggle.
ReplyDeleteI take the occasional hiatus and read my favorites until the desire comes back.
Or buy a new gun. That one always works for me.
Well, I'm brand new, so I doubt I've found my internet voice, let alone lost it... but I like to just hit the random, and hit it hard. Sometimes you have something important to say (and you are very good at that), and sometimes you just have to share a dumb picture of something you saw around town.
ReplyDeleteKick that funk in the shin, and find a weird video on youtube.
First, I'm glad to hear that things are not Condition Red chez Borepatch. I am gladdened.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I understand the feeling of "dunce," but I feel that you're not intersecting any point on that plane. Not even close. For evidence, I provide you with my very own URL.
QED.
So the old blog burn out syndrome comes knocking at the Bore Patch door... I don't know many blogs that have been around a while that haven't gone through a creative dry spell, had to reevaluation their content and message, needed to step away and get a fresh perspective, or just had real life's unavoidable speed bumps get in the way.
ReplyDeleteI believe it's just part of the inevitable process territory of this public format.
I personally use the going bonkers defense and take what ever time I need to get rejuvenated, reawaken the fire and brim stone, and then just keep plugging away as it strikes me up side the head.
I also wanted to send my best wishes to the the mini-me bore patch, and am glad to hear the young 'un will be back in the home patch tomorrow.
Six, there are (sadly) good reasons why buying a gun is not a good option for us, at least now. That may actually be part of the funk.
ReplyDeletebluesun, you are the win under my wings. Check back tomorrow. ;-)
Scotaku, thanks. But if I'm so danged smart, how come your new blog look kicks sand in the face of mine?
BP,
ReplyDeleteI look at what I am doing now, and I find that it has little vim or vigor, compared to a year ago.
I think that the first year or so you're trying and really pouring out all the stuff that you've thought about for the last several decades, but didn't put into writing.
Now most of the stuff that fermented, stewed and percolated for years, has been put down on paper. What's left is ideas, pieces, and outlines that we try to flesh out in record time.
I can't do it fast enough! I have almost 40 drafts in the "Draft" folder, and I continuously work my way through them. Some of them still come out well before their time much to my disappointment when I look at them a couple of days later.
I don't really have an answer on how to get around it. Some folks have a knack for good writing. I have to work hard at it. I've always said that for every hundred posts, twenty are worth reading and five are actually good. 5% that's it.
Keep plugging away, that's what I do!
Regards,
Albert
AGI AR15 Armorers Course Review
The Range Reviews: AGI Armorer's Course 1911 Auto
Albert, that's a very, very interesting idea.
ReplyDeleteAnd what's also interesting is that I don't tag more than 5% of my posts with the "Best Posts" category.
Agreed that good writing is hard. My Easter post was really hard; last year's Easter post just came by itself.
It seems like it's getting harder, but maybe I'm just in the middle of some turmoil, and it's the stress talking.
Blogs are like lives, they change and ebb and flow with what's happening. All this means is that you get to think of new labels under the posts. "Dry spell" "life in the stress lane".
ReplyDeleteI think if a person thinks about what to write it can jam things up. I don't really plan a thing that I write it just happens as it does. As far as blogging under stress, this is my outlet for the hospital stress and all, always has been.
VERY glad the hospital time is SHORT!!!
Live a bit of life, see what comes up. I'm glad your son is on the mend, perhaps that will spark something one way or another.
ReplyDeleteJim
It's easier with two people. When I'm on Empty MeatAxe can post the Smart Stuff, and then when my Clown College degree kicks back in I can splutter and melodramaticize a bit.
ReplyDeleteOr post about Tolkien.
Knocking on wood!!
ReplyDeleteAnd me? Well, if you avoid blogging brilliance to begin with, then you don't find it lacking if it wanes. And in the meantime, post kitteh pictures. :)
Hugs!
You know what you need?
ReplyDeleteRecoil therapy.
Dr. J. prescribes it in copious quantities.
I'll be back from Disney on the 25th. Let's see about fitting something in then.
And your best stuff is yet to come, trust me...
Bacon and Caffiene work for me when I hit a mental block.
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed the post about one of the off spring being unwell. I'm glad that all seems to be getting better now.
ReplyDeleteAs to blogging, don't force it, let it come naturally. Somedays, I just have nothing to say. That's when I'll put up a random something to keep my vast readership interested.