Starting a blog reveals a dual conceit. By placing one’s thoughts on the web the writer would like to think: (a) that his or her writings are worthy of publication; and (b) that others are interested in reading them. I plead guilty to each of those. But before sentence is handed down, I would plead, by way of mitigation, there is perhaps also a more therapeutic motivation.
During news broadcasts, I shout at the TV – a lot. My wife reminds me that ‘you know they can’t hear you…’. It doesn’t do her much good; she just sighs now. My daughter scowls. Therefore, this blog is a kind of therapy. The hope is that, by venting, advocating, arguing, and/or taking the piss out of[1] views, politicians, governments, institutions and anyone else that finds themselves in my crosshairs, I just might avoid premature death, insanity or becoming a bore.
I understand that blog pages are supposed to have an ‘About me’ section for visitors to decide whether they could even be bothered reading on. Here’s a quick sketch of what you could expect from me.
1. I am an Australian. I am not a member of any political party, and I reject all ‘labels’ imposed by others to describe my political leanings.
2. I am over the age of 50, married with one child (who is no longer a child).
3. I have a legal background (currently non-practising). I disclose this because inevitably it comes out.
The opinions expressed are entirely my own. Any resemblance between my opinions and those of others, is probably because they have read this blog and are suitably impressed with what they read!
4. I am not above criticism, so if you have a contrary view to my own, I am all ears. Keep it nice, because if you don’t, I will know that I am right, and you’re wrong because you aren’t able to stitch coherent thought together without abuse. I am already reeling from the machine-generated critiques of my grammar and writing style, so please save any pointers about grammar and readability for someone else.
Special credit will be give to those comments that contain wit. Naturally, I am only too willing to receive fawning praise.
5. Unless I claim otherwise, you should assume that limited or no research has been undertaken by me in writing any particular blog entry. Criticism along the lines of ‘you don’t know what you’re talking about….’ will be met with a smile and a shrug of the shoulders (because I may well not know what I am talking about). Remember this blog is largely about me, and for me, and not you. Besides, if Donald Trump is able to post unresearched crap, why can’t I?
To provide light relief from the serious or earnest tone of many of my posts, I will weave in the odd ‘not so serious’ one. Indeed, if this blog thing works as therapy, the serious stuff may become thin on the ground.
[1] To mock.