One year ago, I started this blog with the intention of trying to change the world one word at a time. Well, at least my little corner of the world. I think I might have succeeded on some levels, certainly on a personal one. I tried to blog as much as I could; most especially during the election, once or twice a day. Lately, I’ve been ill and it was the end of the summer, so I took some time off to spend with my kids before they went back to school…but I have a lot of free time back on my hands right now, so I’ll be posting at least three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. I might even pull a column from the past as a reprint on the other days of the week, especially if it deals with current events.
I have to admit, bloging is an interesting experience; you just sit down with a blank canvas and “go” on some days; and on others it’s like pulling teeth. That’s why I am not a great believer in forcing a post on a daily basis; if it’s taking me that long to write something, then it’s not worth posting because chances are it’s of low quality. (Although I have to admit a few times I did post that sort of stuff and incredibly people loved it. Maybe I’m too hard on myself). It’s been great talking about everyday events and trying to put a funny spin on them, or writing about an historic election that I must admit at times had me pulling my hair out (and thank God I have plenty of that left). I also loved being able to share some of my philosophy and beliefs in the Universe with you, and if I touched something in you along the way then I was doing my job. That’s what writers do: we are SUPPOSED to touch something inside you, make you feel a certain way or think twice about your own beliefs…at least that’s the way I see it.
I also started this blog one year ago in a very different place than I am now. I was at the verge of accepting what happened to me on 9/11 and the results thereafter. I was definitely at a crossroads, and this blog helped me to focus myself on what had to be done personally and hopefully professionally as I embark on writing a novel. The past few months have been rather a lull for me creatively and personally, and sometimes that can be a good thing. You take the time to enjoy and appreciate your family. You take the time to get ideas and get some sketches down on paper. More importantly, you interact with your friends and other human beings more instead of furiously typing away at the Mac. All of these things combine to refresh the spirit and create a new beginning. So now I am ready for the next phase of what has to be done in my life…and this blog is certainly a part of it. Hopefully, you’ll stick around for the ride…just make sure you fasten your seatbelt!
Special Note: Tomorrow I will be re-printing a piece that I wrote a few days after 9/11 that kind of went viral back then and every year that I reprint it, it does the same. It’s my first hand account of what happened to me on that horrible day 8 years ago, but it’s also accompanied my my current thoughts on the event. I hope you’ll read it again, or for the first time; it’s one of the pieces of writing that I am most proud of. It’s unfortunate that it had to come from such incredible events…then again, when you are witness to history, sometimes you have to tell your piece of the tale so that no one will forget that day and so that it will never happen again.
Intersections In Real Time 