December 16th, 2005

This is an environment composed almost exclusively of words. They may be written, they may be spoken, and they might even be converted into images or code and thus need to be interpreted, but ultimately this is about words.

Some of the words I like, others I don't. Some of the words may incite me to anger and despair, while others inspire and entertain. I have changed my mind based on words; I may have even changed minds with words of my own.

There are people who can wield words like a master painter his brush, or play words like a concert pianist her piano. The rest of us, we're usually happy if we can write a post without someone pointing out spelling errors. Oh, and don't get me started on punctuation and something or other dangling.

I have written words that have sparked a frenzy of feeding and I think wistfully of Amazonian rivers and small, busy fish with very sharp teeth. Other times, the words lay there on the page, not even a quiver of regret to mark their passing. (And one is never so glad, at times like these, to see the reverse chronology in action. I have been known, a time or two, to hasten the end of such words–a mercy killing, if you will.)

I've also had my words thrown in my face, slapped across my cheeks like a glove beckoning me to a duel. Sometimes I've picked up the sharpest of my words and have cried, "Have at ye!" Other times, though, I wander, confused, through the jumble of scratches on the page and think at it, "What did you do? What the hell did you do?"

My favorite words are the the ones we skip across the page like a rock across a pond; only exposing our selves when the word is in the air. Ha! Try reading these words through an aggregator.

I never tire of working with words. I never tire of reading others work with words. I do weary, though, of reading, "Oh, but I didn't mean that…" when one is challenged, because its easier to orphan the words than acknowledge or stand by them.

Comments
1
Darryl - 2:39 pm 12/16/2005

The rest of us, we’re usually happy if we can write a post without someone pointing out spelling errors. Oh, and don’t get me started on punctuation and something or other dangling.

Not to completely miss the point of the whole post but for what it's worth I don't mind if somone points out errors in my words.

Heck i'm tickled pink cause at least then i know someone may have read them.

2
Jim - 3:16 pm 12/16/2005

Ditto everything. I have fallen in love with the written word over the past several years, and I never tire of writing or of reading what others write. I think that's part of why I enjoy the blogging community so much — I have the ability to share my writing and read what others are sharing, as well. It is very gratifying to write and then receive feedback, however positive or negative.

3
DaveP - 10:35 pm 12/16/2005

As I understand it, Shelley, it's us menfolk who have to worry about something or other dangling. Good reason not to blog nekkid.

4
Mike Golby - 11:40 pm 12/16/2005

I'd say that by they time they get to my age, DaveP, the womenfolk are generally one up on us. Okay, now that we have Shelley's attention (the seventh word from the end should be "than", Shell, not "then") we can comment.

Ah, Bird, your blog has always been a symphony, a melodious blend of human endeavours mixed to lyrical delight. An ocean brimful… aw shit, okay, I've always dug your writing (tech excepted) and photography, but you know that.

Your closing point is wonderful. It's also the one of writing's greatest attributes. Who are we to claim the meaning inherent in the words we write? This is all about sharing (or should be) and it's our readers who give meaning to our words. Once written, there's nowhere to run to, nowhere to hide. It's a done deal. What *we* mean may be different than others' interpretation of it, but it's futile (or scurrilous–or a refuge of scoundrels) to duck responsibility for the interpretations (worlds) we open to others.

We wrote 'em. We live with 'em. Period.

PS: Haven't been around much this past year but, to stretch a metaphor, I'm hanging in there and hope to get around a bit more.

5
Shelley - 12:28 pm 12/17/2005

You guys _always_ have my attention!

Mike, it has been too long a time, and it's wonderful to see you around here again.

We wrote them, we live with them — damn betcha.

6

"I do weary, though, of reading, 'Oh, but I didn’t mean that…' when one is challenged…"

Shelley: Particularly since they often don't even mean that. What they really mean is "I was wrong about something, but I don't want to actually admit that in public."

7

Hmm. When I orphan words, as I often do, I mean "I wasn't writing for words, maybe not even for ideas, but for the mindset behind them, and if you don't now agree with me that m should be n then I need to find some new words, and perhaps even some new ideas, because I didn't mean to produce that reaction."

8
Shelley - 4:56 pm 12/18/2005

When you do this, Phil, you're not orphaning your words; you're saying you did a bad job with raising these words and you want to do better with the next generation.

By 'orphaning' I mean disavowing the original intent; not because you no longer believe in what you were saying, but because it's expedient to do so.

Thanks to all those who have contributed to the discussion. Comments are now closed, but you can contact the author of the post directly.