I’m afraid this is yet another one of those posts where I bleat on and on about writing without actually doing any of it. Well, of course, I am writing, but I’m writing about writing, which I could pass off as some sort of meta exercise, or as a meditation on the creative process, but it is nearer to an act of public self-absorption, or at least an avoidance of writing about something more worthwhile than the act of writing itself. Read the rest of this entry »
I’m generally late to the whole Next Big Thing party, and this is no exception. Still, I figured I’d be the 978,544th blogger to share this track from Lana Del Ray. I think it is pretty wonderful. I hope whatever follows lives up to the promise, as quite often I’ll hear a new act, get all excited and then feel disappointed when they get around to releasing an album with the same idea spun out 12 times. Then I realise I’m just a fool for hype, a video full of vintage footage and a single good song. Anyway, before disillusion (possibly) sets in, enjoy.
I figure throwing up a video or a fun picture now and then with a little bit of my rambling kind of almost nearly makes up for a lack of posts with Content. I’ll try and get in at least one Proper Post before the week is out. You lucky things.
As I may have alluded to in the past I used to frequent a fair few blogging tips and advice sites. I’m sure I absorbed some useful information. Yet, pretty soon I figured out that at best they were stating the obvious (“Be nice to your readers! Make your site look pretty!”) and at worst were carny schemers looking to part gullible or trusting people with their money (“Subscribe to my newsletter to become a blogging star! Buy my pdf report to find out how you too can become a Full-Time Blogger!”). Beyond all that, these people were sermonising on how to be a better blogger, yet were often terrible, wooden, formulaic writers. I need never see a How Blogging Is Like *insert cultural influence here* article ever again. Read the rest of this entry »
I’ve never really been comfortable with the idea of meeting my heroes in person. A few years back I was sitting in a bar in Austin (long story, and not a particularly interesting one), and who should walk in but quite possibly my favourite singer-songwriter/alt-country guy, Ryan Adams. I decided against going up and speaking to him. First, he seemed like he was having a fun, relaxing evening and didn’t need me annoying him with how much I loved Heartbreaker or Cold Roses or whatever. Secondly, what if it wasn’t a pleasant experience for me? If that were to happen would it ruin all that great music I loved? Would it spoil the memories I had of his songs pulling me through my sadder moments and soundtracking some of the happier ones? I couldn’t risk it. Read the rest of this entry »
