Saturday 3 January 2015

Annual introspection session


In a somewhat pathetic (but, I hope, understandable) and desperate attempt at escapism, H.I. and me ploughed our way through the entire collection of Harry Potter dvds this Christmas, and jolly good they were too.

Last night, when the 3rd repeat of the 3rd repeat came onto the radio, we wondered what we could watch next, and I remembered the BBC version of Wind in the Willows, with Bob Hoskins as Badger, Mark Gatiss as Rat and Matt Lucas as Toad (I'm not going to read out the entire cast-list).

This has become a cherished classic for me from the first time I watched it, and - though I have lent it out a couple of times - stays way up on the shelf of the permanent collection ready for the next viewing. I realised last night that one of its appeals is that it covers all four seasons, including a snowy Christmas (reference only, as the animals are ruled by Pan and not Christ) and a dreamy, butterfly and firefly-filled Summer river bank. Sigh...

Once again, I have been forced to ask myself what I think this blogging business is all about, and I came so close to the conclusion that - in my case - it bore such a strong resemblance to masturbation in public, that I almost closed myself down in disgust.

On the few occasions I have shared these thoughts about this blog, I have felt even more disgusted with myself when some of you have said things like, 'Oh no, don't do that! We love it', etc. and I appear even more wanky and self-obsessed than before.

I'm afraid that recipes and interior design just don't do it for me, even though I genuinely do believe that they fulfil a useful and universal public service role for anyone who can speak English - a bit like wedding catalogues, but with the difference that we all eat every day but usually only get married twice in one lifetime.

Nobody has sat down and written with only themselves in mind - not even Samuel Pepys. You might as well just talk to yourself and save the paper - actually, I do that too.

I often write stuff thinking that if it only gets through to one person, then that is a job well done, even if you have a million followers.

But when one person starts to believe that everything is written for them alone, then it all goes bad and the whole thing becomes a stinking waste of time which repulses everyone.

Of course it is all highly personal, but it has to be of some use, general appeal or just mild amusement for it to be worth doing. I hate it when I lose what little self-deprecating sense of humour I have.

I have just been told that the former keyboard player for Ultravox lives and works in Bath as a psychotherapist, so I suppose I could always go and see him if things get too much... Only joking!

Right. That's enough introspection for one day.

27 comments:

  1. Howdie Tom:
    We watched "American Horror Story: Freak Show" and "Hinterland" over the holidays - no wonder I have been in such a funk. Didn't have my traditional viewing of "It's a Wonderful Life" until NYE.

    I think we all feel naked blogging at some point (or always) -to get around that, I usually think of my best pal and some of my sibings reading it, and it makes me feel like it's worthwhile - a way of notifying them about how I have been keeping myself out of trouble. Not to dismiss other readers of my blog; but it is people who know me personally and for a long time that I concentrate on when I'm feeling wobbly about writing.

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    1. We usually watch It's a Wonderful... every year, but this year I could face it - to tell the truth, I needed something more English.

      I do not write for my family, and I know they wouldn't be interested anyway.

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    3. Ah HINTERLAND one of my better productions

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    4. Better than the one you deleted?

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    5. John, another one of your recommendations, and so nice to see you on film!
      We enjoyed it - but I really have to stop watching such depressing TV - now we're onto "Black Mirror" - yikes!

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  2. Tom, I keep meaning to sit down and write an article on Blogging for people my age. At present I lead a very full and active life and I am rarely at home (the farmer will endorse that, considering the number of times he has to get his own lunch). But were I to suddenly be unable to go out so much then for me the fact that I blog with folk all over the world would be a lifeline. It keeps me in touch with a lot of people, it makes me read what they have written, and most importantly, it makes me have to think of something to write which is not completely inane (I hope). So don't dismiss the whole procedure before considering how important it is to some folk. I only wish more folk over sixty would embrace computers. A lady I know who is almost ninety requested (and received) an i Pad for Christmas - she has no computer but is determined to learn how to use it. Communication is the name of the game.

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    1. Well I decided - and told someone recently - that for me, it has nothing to do with communication, other than the way it is reassuring to hear a distant plop after you have chucked a stone down a well. That's just my attitude, though.

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  3. I guess we all blog for different reasons Tom, I've drifted in and out of several blogs of mine and yet never seem to settle on a theme so I just write drivel and cast it out there now. I enjoyed reading your words, though not always agreeing with them, yet I never take them personally or believe that you're writing to me....they are just your thoughts that you choose to share and that, I think, is how it should be.

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    1. If I did try and write for one person who is not myself, then I don't know what I would say, really.

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  4. I really don't like the way people who think they have much to say and think they write well, seem to have to slag off ' lifestyle ' blogs. I happen to be intelligent, had a very good education but, happen to love my home and have an interest in what I put in it. I do have an artistic bent in that respect. Those who like to belittle ' lifestyle ' blogs seem to like to do it on a regular basis, which seems to say more about them.
    ….and, for your information, our son is not a DJ … he is a music producer. He has produced the music for the London New Year fireworks three times ….. twice when he worked for the BBC and just got his ordinary wages and this time, now he is freelance, Boris Johnson asked specifically for him ….. he has won two Sony Radio awards and that's why they pay him the big bucks !!!!! His first job with the BBC was in the archives where he improved the sound on many programmes, many of which are broadcast on Radio Four.
    Just thought I'd put you straight Tom. XXXX

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    1. OMG - I think this is the biggest faux pas I have made in a long and illustrious career of sticking my foot in my mouth, Jack@

      I honestly had no idea that it was your son who produced the music - I am not so insensitive as to say what I did on your blog if I had known that.

      I can't take it back now and there is little use in apologising, but I am sorry anyway. I may be digging myself a hole, but my only beef about the music was the disjointedness of it, and the reason I mentioned DJs is that if there is one thing they specialise in, it is making the perfect 'drop' so that there is no harsh stops between tracks and rhythms. I don't mind if you tell him that.

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    2. I think that the reason it often sounds disjointed, especially on television or YouTube, is that the bangs of the fireworks drown out the music sometimes. Also, he has to please all of the people from old to young. Boris wanted some First World War references, others from the Mayors office wanted something else and, because there were so many people putting their oar in, it was only finished about 10 days before New Year !! I know that many people of a certain age want music from their youth but, it can't be like that …. also, many songs can't be used because of copyright and, Boris always wants all the music to be from British composers and to be about London, which is right. Sydney always have fantastic fireworks but their music is atrocious …. very old-fashioned….. at least London is always contemporary { apart from the WW1 references } …… I know that our son cannot please all of the people all of the time but I still think it was fantastic….. but then, I would say that, wouldn't I !!!! XXXX

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    3. There was one full-stop which I really loved, and that was 'Mind The Gap'. Yes, it must be hard trying to please everyone, which is why I never try to!

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  5. I find that version of WITW a little too jokey. As you say, it has a wonderful cast, but for my taste it could have been a tad more true to the book. Nitpicking; I know.

    Surely, one of the pleasures of blogging is that one can write any old rubbish, and the world can take it or leave it. The on/off switch syndrome.

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    1. The elusive pleasure for me is trying not to write any old rubbish, and trying to keep people switched on.

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  6. I will get the "Wind in the Willows"-DVD - till now I always read the book, especially in young crisp spring.
    Certain books and DVDs one always returns to: husband and I discussed that topic yesterday, because I have (beside a lot of new books) quite a ritual of "seasonal" literature. So nice to meet old acquaintances - and always finding something new in the what one thought to know. . .
    As in your blogs. I love your grumpy humour (though I sometimes am hurt when you sell your grandma for a good laugh, as we say in Germany - meaning: especially if you are praised you leash out). But that is soon forgotten, and laughed away. And you make me laugh a lot, and think a lot, and have a voice of your own: that is something very special in these times. Thank you for that!

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    1. Have you forgiven me for pretending to want to push that cream cake into your face?

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    2. Forgiven - being capable of adapting, I use it as a face pack, (hoping you used one with organic cream)

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  7. Tom, first of all I want to steal your phrase "wanky and self obsessed" as new title for my new blog if ever I start one. See ? You have great value as a blogger. More than you'll ever know (Because most folk steal things from other peoples blogs and never bother to ask)

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    1. Your are most welcome, Donna. Someone needs to take the mantle from my shoulders.

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  8. I'd be sorry not to switch on your station and find you replaced by some genre you despise.
    I enjoy reading a a reasonably large spectrum of blogs and enjoying the bit of the human condition they add to my perspective.
    I did a day of Harry Potter on TV channel once. There is a hook; no commercials the first 45 minutes, then commercials in increasingly close together until just a few minutes apart at the end, consuming five or more minutes and in so rapid fire one cuts off another. Like the Rocky Horror Show, it becomes part of the fun. Sometimes, passing out material at a meeting of trustees I have been know to add with every paper slapped to the table, "A pistol for Ratty, a pistol for Moley. A knife for Ratty, a knife for Moley." My secret: all the pistols and knives are mine!

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    1. Yes, that trunk of weaponry is something disallowed in Britain these days, and my only criticism of this production is the wanton use of sabres and cudgels against Weasels without showing the after-effects.

      But with dvds there are no commercials you cannot usually skip.

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  9. Have just read your comment above Tom and I rather like the analogy of the stone 'plopping' down the well. I may well think of it in that way on those days when I feel uncommunicative - so thanks for that. What is the weather like down your neck of the woods? Very cold up here.

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    1. It isn't cold enough for me, Weave - wet and windy, but not cold despite the wind turning into the East.

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  10. You're still my blogger hero Tom :~)
    Steinbeck wrote that you should write for one imaginary reader, rather than the teeming masses. After all, I guess you are actually reaching one mind at a time ... and it takes some of the anxiety out of pleasing everyone.
    Happy New Year x

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    1. I try to envisage an imaginary reader every now and then, and it usually ends up as me. This is a disaster, because I am so difficult to please.

      Happy New Year to you too!

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