Blogging, objectivity and honesty

I've been avoiding starting my own blog for years, for multiple reasons. Whenever I imagined starting my own blog, I always saw this entry as the first and last. So far, half of that equation has been disproved.

Blogging terrifies me. The idea of writing to a nameless, faceless and countless audience nearly horrifies me. I majored in English, with a focus on writing, and print journalism while I was in college, so my writing experience is extremely well-rounded. I've written pages on pages in workshops, classes, newsrooms, magazines/journals, various employers and of course in my own journals. I've always directed my writing at professors, classmates, colleagues, experts or myself. A blog is the only setting where it seems absolutely impossible to identify an audience, or determine whether there is one at all.

Without a direct audience, it has been impossible for me to pick a theme, and I am clinging to the notion that a specific theme is not necessary. The only other blog I ever wrote thealtproject.blogspot.com, was hyper-focused on a specific task in a specific time frame. Here, I'm not exactly sure what will bloom from Rose Wood Prose. Without a particular audience to point to (other than Chris Matarazzo, at the  moment, who has been an unknowing guide to me for years), the only real theme I can note is the writing itself.

This is my attempt to share my humanity and humility, as well as my passion for the written (typed) word. I spent so many years in formal settings, with specific requirements, word counts and agendas that have shaped me into the writer I am today. I’ve been taught to write about writing in order to learn how to write objectively. I embraced the idea of arguing both sides so thoroughly that my biggest challenge is writing any type of opinion piece because I just end up arguing with myself. Most of my journalism colleagues have thrown the concept of objectivity right out the window. Many consider true objectivity to be fiction in itself.

I enjoy the thought of objectivity and the idea that people may still value arguments free of opinion. However, an honest opinion is hard to find and a well-researched one even harder. So, as a disclaimer, because I have no idea who may be reading this now or in the future, I believe every word I say, and I apologize if you are offended, but do not apologize for saying it. There. Phew.

As noble as a completely objective writer may seem, I'm tired of trying to be objective. Here, I will just be honest.

Technology Tantrum

Wireless technology is supposed to connect our lives through our devices. Gotta be smarter than the device, though, right?

I spent half of my day on the phone with Verizon tech support, figuring out why my internet was going to be down for two days because I wanted to add a land line (who does that anymore, anyways?), so I guess it's my own fault. Representative after representative told me it was a hopeless cause, that I'd have to live two whole days without internet access. I panicked. How could I survive two whole days?! How did those cavemen do it? Finally, a sympathetic woman answered my distress call to be connected.

A few phone calls and quite a few hours later, my internet is finally running. So is my new landline. It's as if the sparks from slamming all those rocks together finally made a little flame.

Now, on to the printer. It's a brand new wifi printer, copier, scanner and fax machine. I've got the faxing and copying down. The scanning and printing works on one of the two computers (my fiance's computer, of course), but the wifi is a never ending battle of connecting and reconnecting LAN wires and reconfigurations that set my head spinning. I'm giving up on my technological tussles for the evening, but I still can't help but feel defeated by all of my devices.

I am a member of Generation X, but I feel like a baby boomer. My exposure to computers and technology began before elementary school, and I excelled at all classes, but I can't figure out this darn printer. I can design a Web site, a brochure, an entire news section, but I can't make my wireless printer do its wireless trick. With some rest, a fresh approach and a reboot of all devices, I'll be able to figure out to connect all of the members of my home network. If not, they just might be the perfect materials for a nice warm bonfire.

New Beginnings

It's been a while since I've been an active participant in the word game. The responsibilities of bills and life in general often sweep us away, sometimes erasing the memories of who we once wanted to be. I'm ready to re-realize those memories and goals, taking baby steps into a new writing career.

I've spent the last seven years earning my bread as a server in various restaurants. My last place of employment broke my spirits, and jaded me against the general population. For a while I thought hope was lost. Could everyone be capable of being a rude drooling mess, slobbering with buttery fingers and screaming at innocent waitstaff over bread? I'm trying to convince myself that only a select few are capable of this behavior....I'm not buying it so far.

Regardless of the horror stories of the restaurant industry (oh, and let me tell you....there is no shortage here), it supported me through my high school and college careers. Now that I possess my degree, where to? I've discovered that I can't suffer to work for other people anymore, but do I have enough discipline to work for myself?

My recent resignation was sparked not only by dissatisfaction in the workplace, but at home. Waiting tables is an entire lifestyle of irregular schedules and late-night fiascoes. Trust me, I am not a 9-5 or 8-4 person. I'm ready to govern my own life. I just hope that I can support it as well.

So, here's my attempt at starting fresh as a freelance copywriter. Knowing the thrill felt from fingers gliding on a keyboard, there is no other occupation that I could desire more. Sitting here, in my new home office, eating  scrambled eggs, I've found my own perfect dining experience.