So here’s a quick review of what this is: Every Tuesday, I reach back in my own version of the internet time machine and roll the clock back to an earlier blog post in order to see how I have grown/changed from that post. It is an occasionally solemn time of personal reflection done publicly. Why? For the same reason as the blog: I don’t think I am very special. I think there may be a lot of people like me going through things, and I know that it means a lot to me to see other people who are going through things come out on the other side. It is why I read and often why I write. So, that is tonight’s what. The when is 3.174: Phone it In. I want to share a quote from that slice of time in my life and growth:
“I believe there ought to be some manner of ritual to writing. I’ve played with many and haven’t gotten it down still, but the importance of one is. If lost on me. “
Yep. Still there. It is fortunate that I fell upon this particular post this evening, because tomorrow is my last day of classes. My teaching, my partner’s schedule, and my kids’ school and sports determine my daily routine. Now that we’ve both ended the teaching phase for a few months, that schedule is going to be built around some other thing. I want it to be writing. I need it to be writing. I need to find that ritualistic way of coming to the page and leaving feeling fulfilled, not feeling like I did a little, so that is okay. Writing matters to me, but I don’t show that. Only in the last few years have I expressed to family and co-workers that I actually publish stuff and then only at my partners behest. I need to lock in on a ritual to remind myself how important the craft is. I need to get back to that and back to the basics of producing good work. It’s a step towards the me I truly expect to be.
Some Thoughts:
- People are going to be who they are. It doesn’t matter how that rubs up against your ‘way’ and perceptions. If they won’t change for you then you have to accept that and find a way to live with that. Having many and varied children taught me that.
- Excited for the Madden beta this June.
- Less excited for what amounts to a 12 hr flight with three kids who are first timers to this sort of thing.
- Yet, excited to tear through the new Titans series, because that is going to happen.