Blog Blobs: On Growing Up
Back when I started this blog almost five years ago–when it was called Blog on the Run and ended with .wordpress.com–I did so for a very simple reason: to share the stories that often crowd my head. Almost everything I do or see becomes a narrative. I can’t stop it. So I started a blog to set the stories free.
In recent years, I’ve worked on making this site something that is useful. As such, I’ve become more focused on providing information rather than story. This is not a bad thing. As a teacher, it is my goal to answer questions. But the problem is, the stories never stopped. I just stopped sharing them.
I stopped sharing my stories for many reasons. Lack of time. The fear of cultivating a focus-less travel blog. The lack of the perfect header photo to accompany a post (seriously). But I’m tired of suppressing the stories. So, instead, I’m organizing them–into a series that may or may not take off, called Blog Blobs. Blog Blobs are just what they sound like–blobs of story, floating alone in time and space, not informing, not directing. Just telling of a moment, a thought, or an experience. You know, in a blob-like way.
Blog Blobs will look an awful lot like this:
Blog Blob the First: On Growing Up
Happy hour–one of the few benefits of growing up.
Today, after work, I went to the beach, wearing a Johnny Cash tee I’d bought as some Band Merch. I’m working outside of Wilmington, North Carolina, and even though I have a million things I should be doing, I chose to take an hour to go to the beach, still in my work clothes. And I walked in the waves, sandals in hand, red patent leather coach bag–grossly out of place–flung over my shoulder, dress soaked to my upper thighs. I sat in the sand, tilting my face towards the sun. I took photos of seagulls, sand castles, and my feet in the surf. And then I found a bar with and outdoor patio and ordered a local beer while the wind blew the napkins around.
Driving back to the hotel, I looked in my rear view mirror. Behind me was a car driven by a beautiful but very young girl. She was maybe 18, but probably younger. Her blonde hair was long and all wind-swept, and she was smiling and laughing with her friend in the passenger seat (also blonde and pretty and young—apparently they travel in packs).
She looked so free.
Of course I took a selfie. Who doesn’t document beach hair? (Also, please note: this was taken in the parking lot of a restaurant–no one was ever in danger of selfie-induced vehicular death.)
Suddenly I got a picture of her fifteen years from now. I saw her wild hair tamed into a short pony tail, her smile more restrained. I saw her go back in time from this vision of the future—a child, a white dress, a cap and gown—back and back to what she is today. And for a moment I mourned the misery of growing up.
Then I looked at my own reflection in the mirror, beach hair an absolute mess, above my rumpled, semi-professional dress. I curled my toes and felt the sand in my shoes—grey patent leather birkenstocks—and noted the gleam in my eyes and the sheen of salt and sweat on my cheeks and forehead.
And I knew that girl behind me might be ok. I whispered a little wish that she never grow up in just the same way that I never did.
So tell me–do you like the Blog Blobs concept? Or is it too old school, to diary-esque, too narcissistic? Please let me know in the comments section below. Thanks!
Do I like Blog-Blobs? YES!!!- Make that H…. YES!!!! It is just this style of writing that first brought me to your site! And who says it isn’t ‘informative/educational’? Some just might be. And many- if not most- will make people THINK! Even if those thoughts are just- “yeah…. been there”, or “whish I had said that”, it’s ok. They might just think “OH, never thought about it that way before!” Or maybe… “hum… didn’t see that angle, how did she get there?” And those are excellent things for people to think!!!!!
Your writing has always been good… make that excellent. But your ‘blobs’ may be the best writing that you do. At least in my humble opinion (which is worth exactly what you pay for it).
And as a former teacher, I have to remind you that the greater variety (ie types of writing) the greater the chances for improvement, growth, etc.
Besides- it’s FUN ! Isn’t it??? And fun is VERY important!!! Especially in the type of work you do.
Take your fun where you find it…. and if you don’t find any… MAKE IT!!!
I’ve said it before and I will say it again and again–you, Toni, are my biggest fan. Little hearts.
And yes, I know variety is important. I also know that I need to work on my writing. The thing about writing is–it is hard. Well, good writing is. It takes skill, time, and inspiration. The combination of those three things so rarely occur. I know I CAN write well, I just need to take the time to do it–and allow inspiration to happen. This post was written (along with three others like it) in a two-hour flurry of inspiration a couple of weeks ago. Had I gone through it and tightened it up, it would have been even better. But, again, time. That elusive final ingredient. 😉
And your opinion is more than humble to me. It is golden.
Not every piece of writing needs to be perfected. Just like every thing you read should not be fully analyzed, parsed, and totally delved into for symbolism, etc. That would totally ruin reading! Do some of these JUST FOR FUN. Or just to write. Again, like reading, the MORE you write, no matter what you write, the better writer you become. As you saw, in a 2 hour ‘flurry’ you got a great deal done. Even without ‘inspiration’ you SHOULD take SOME time to write. EVERY DAY if you can- at least every other day.
After meeting you, I wonder if dictating a bit everyday would help with the inspiration. You have a great wit and wonderful insights. Just record snippets of thoughts (in writing or as sound) and I bet you could go back and review them during the ‘dry’ times when inspiration is lacking and find plenty to spark your creative side. Oh that I had done that as a teacher or administrator. I’d have LOTS to say/write now— LOL! Inspiration doesn’t just ‘happen’ very often. It often is there- unnoticed or forgotten in the fast paced moment. So try jotting down/recording those bits and bobs and revisiting them later. Many will be just little nothings.. but I bet you find plenty to inspire you.
In fact- why don’t you sit down and pretend you are giving a class some choices for journal assignments and make a list of crazy titles. Then revisit that on occasion. They could be travel related, life lessons, etc.
I really like ‘those types as much or more than some of your specific travel pieces. Maybe because I don’t get to travel much anymore…..
Oh well… through preaching…. for now….
I actually used to have a running list of things I wanted to write about (a la Writing down the Bones. Or maybe Bird by Bird. One of those books.) This is back when I used to use an actual typewriter to write (not because I didn’t have a computer, but because I liked not being able to backspace). I still have scores of typed pages–and the original running list of topics–in a binder in my office. I’ll share the list with you some day.
For now, I must sleep. Or I will die. But I did have a blob floating around in my head. I shall write down the idea for it. And then sleep. 🙂
Thanks for the inspiration, as always. You are much appreciated. <3
So glad you are doing this. And BTW, the beach looks good on you.
Aww–thanks, Violet!
Yes! Love it. In fact, the quirky name alone is what behooved me to click thru from Facebook. And I was rewarded! Nice. Btw, I’m back in NJ soon for 2 months AND with a car!! We MUST catch up this time! I’m there most of Aug/Sept. 🙂
Happy you liked it!
And yay to in town (with a car!) I’m away most of August, but as of now my September is pretty free. We WILL meet up!