admin's blog
Excuses: My big opportunities
When I sit down to write, I face two problems. One problem really, just that it's two-sided. And both sides kick my ass.
On the one hand, I look at my websites and think "No one reads these anyway". Which isn't exactly true, but with readers I can count on a single hand, it's as good as true.
On the other hand, I find myself so often thinking "Whatever I write will be crap". Which also isn't exactly true. I am a good writer, but I write so infrequently, especially and at Tin Cup Chalice, that I have no developed the writing skills I know I possess. So I have some idea, I try to write it out, and golly gee, it comes out crappy.
And of course, anyone with either common sense or writing background (the two, I believe, are mutually exclusive) will see that I am killing myself with excuses. Instead of writing, I make excuses. I know I make excuses; I'm not stupid. But here is the problem I have with excuses.
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the Simple Pleasure of Socializing
today being the 4th Wednesday of the month, it was Drinking Liberally time! i host the Corvallis chapter, and we've been meeting 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at Squirrel's since September. it's a great idea: liberals and progressives meet and talk and have fun, and no one has to worry about campaign finance laws! i'm looking forward to these during 2006; with elections going on (and the Rs being beaten to a pulp), such social events should be good times.
we've had a different crew every time, too. tonight was 4 completely new folks, plus me. of course, i knew them all -- Jay, Marion, William and Kathryn -- they're all good Dems and folks i see a lot. but it was their first time to DL, and we had a great time. i have a feeling i annoy William in ways at times, but i'm so frikkin' charming that now and then, i do make someone especially giddy in my presence. the holiday season is a bad time for any program or activity, so just to have 4 folks turn up like that is very encouraging.
being social: it's something we tend not to think of very often. there are a million ways to interact with other people, many of them pleasant and fun. but socializing, simply getting together for the sake of getting together. when college students do it, they're looking to get laid; it's not the same thing. socializing is about meeting with friends and doing nothing. i know people do this, but america is the land of the lost free time. we work longer and take fewer vacations, and we hide at home with our tv's and pooters and all the rest. taking an hour or two just to sit and chat with friends, especially in a public venue, is so refreshing. everytime people come to DL or a similiar non-event, they have a great time.