Yes.. this year will be curious and is likely to reveal some ugliness in people we wish we didn't realize was there. My objective is to, as much as possible, keep my cool.
As far as what I will write about, I'm struggling a bit to define. Not due to a lack of ideas - I have those a-plenty.
I'm committed to doing more with music - specifically better recording and engineering. I would also like to delve into weightier issues of culture and politics but have no interest in being a repeat of the well-worn discussions that can be found elsewhere.
In any case, I'm sitting with coffee this morning, doing a little thinking and planning.
Thank you again for taking time to be a reader. Thank you even more for taking the time to comment. Happy New Year!
Upon reading this, I realized that I have never made New years resolutions. It's not that I was an indifferent or blase slacker or bum. Indeed, through most of my life I was hard-driving and fanatical about self improvement and getting things done. It's just that the idea of formerly adopting new years resolutions seemed too cute or too goody two shoes. For example, I could easily see Donna Reed, on her sit com "The donna Reed Show," formulating a new years res to never forget to sift the flour when baking a cake.
When I was younger, I got things done not via resolutions but by bribing myself. In college, that's how I got assignments done. I would agree to buy a certain rock album on Friday if I got a certain paper done by Friday. Oh, when life was simple and sweet.
Don't be too hard on yourself. My only resolve is that I periodically re-asses how I am today and check in to see if there is any positive change from how I was yesterday. I realize that tings can shift in both directions. Thanks for including me in the friend category. As for being a mentor, you give me far too much credit. Be well, and happy New Year!
Well... I'm okay, to a degree, with being hard on myself. That is the stoic in me. However, I don't believe in wallowing in shame or self-loathing. I simply want a harsh self-assessment as a guide to improvement.
Friend, certainly! Mentor - perhaps not as specifically defined but you always have insight that challenges me and ideas to encourage me. That doesn't mean I listen to or adopt any of it. ;-)
Looking forward to reading/listening to you in 2024! Can't say I'm looking forward to the stress this year's going to bring, though ....
Great recommendation of The Marginalian - I've been a fan for awhile!
Happy New Year to you and yours!
Thanks Brian.
Yes.. this year will be curious and is likely to reveal some ugliness in people we wish we didn't realize was there. My objective is to, as much as possible, keep my cool.
As far as what I will write about, I'm struggling a bit to define. Not due to a lack of ideas - I have those a-plenty.
I'm committed to doing more with music - specifically better recording and engineering. I would also like to delve into weightier issues of culture and politics but have no interest in being a repeat of the well-worn discussions that can be found elsewhere.
In any case, I'm sitting with coffee this morning, doing a little thinking and planning.
Thank you again for taking time to be a reader. Thank you even more for taking the time to comment. Happy New Year!
Upon reading this, I realized that I have never made New years resolutions. It's not that I was an indifferent or blase slacker or bum. Indeed, through most of my life I was hard-driving and fanatical about self improvement and getting things done. It's just that the idea of formerly adopting new years resolutions seemed too cute or too goody two shoes. For example, I could easily see Donna Reed, on her sit com "The donna Reed Show," formulating a new years res to never forget to sift the flour when baking a cake.
When I was younger, I got things done not via resolutions but by bribing myself. In college, that's how I got assignments done. I would agree to buy a certain rock album on Friday if I got a certain paper done by Friday. Oh, when life was simple and sweet.
Don't be too hard on yourself. My only resolve is that I periodically re-asses how I am today and check in to see if there is any positive change from how I was yesterday. I realize that tings can shift in both directions. Thanks for including me in the friend category. As for being a mentor, you give me far too much credit. Be well, and happy New Year!
Well... I'm okay, to a degree, with being hard on myself. That is the stoic in me. However, I don't believe in wallowing in shame or self-loathing. I simply want a harsh self-assessment as a guide to improvement.
Friend, certainly! Mentor - perhaps not as specifically defined but you always have insight that challenges me and ideas to encourage me. That doesn't mean I listen to or adopt any of it. ;-)