It's my fault. I didn't abandon this blog, but I did put a hold on it. The events that unfolded in Newtown, Connecticut last December made me want to back off for a while. Then came the holidays, then a series of personal events that turned into excuses more than anything else. But I'm back, and I still have a lot to say (lucky you, right?).
I could go into one of the many topics I had outlined before my hiatus but before I do, I want to speak my mind about something. Hey, it's my blog, so I can do that!
No object is so beautiful that, under certain conditions, it will not look ugly
When I started this blog, I drew on people I knew and asked them to read it, mostly through social networking. I've gained a few new fans and followers since then, but most of my readers are known to me. This means that they have a personal connection to me and, by association, my writing. I've even occasionally written specific posts that address certain individuals. This has led to certain... less desirable situations. So grab a cup of your favourite beverage, get in your comfy chair, and let's talk it out, shall we?For whom the bell tolls
I've had a lot of feedback from people about the blog, which is great. I've had positive and negative feedback, which is also great (nobody's perfect). There is, however, one reaction I do not like and it's happened a lot. You see, I make observations about Breeders, and parenting in general. I'll usually mention trends or social phenomena. So in these broad stroke statements, someone recognizes themselves sooner or later. If it so happens that I'm criticizing that behaviour or voicing disapproval in some way, people take it personally. And so I'm met with a barrage of "how dare you?" and "what do you know?" and the far more common "do you think I'm a bad parent?". I will, once in a blue moon, cite a specific example or person and I will use abbreviations, initials, or made up names. What I won't do, is start picking apart any single person's parenting style for the sake of blog-fodder. Why not?
Because you're not that important
Didn't see that one coming, did you? Yup, I love my readers. I wouldn't have much reason to write if no one read this blog. But this is not an analysis of any single person or couple's parenting style. I am not writing anyone's biography, nor do I intend to. I'm also not here to point fingers and tell people what they're doing wrong (or even right, though I do a bit of both now and again). I'm speaking my mind, writing down my observations about modern society and the rift between parents (primarily Breeders) and the child free. If you have to ask if I'm talking about you, I'm not. The reaction isn't entirely a conscious one. After all, after having children, a person's world shrinks. They are far more attentive to their immediate surroundings than they are to the big picture. This is normal, they have a small human being to take care of. But no matter how small their world gets, mine is just as big. So there. We good? Yeah, we good.
Distance has the same effect on the mind as on the eye
One of the more constructive discussions I had about the blog was when someone argued with a particular point I had made - I don't even remember what it was, or from what post. What I do remember is that I took her criticism to mean that she thought my opinion was invalid. That wasn't the case, she respected my position, but she did say that I lacked perspective. And to a certain extent, she's right. Having never had to care for children for extended periods of time, I don't have experience to draw on. What I do have is a sense of observation, the ability to gather and process information, and synthesize a conclusion. Years of troubleshooting as a career have made this process second-nature to me. I also admire utilitarianism (though I suck at practicing it), and so I try to apply logic to most situations I analyze, and this tends to frustrate the parents in debate with. That's it's own post, and it's coming soon.For now, suffice it to say that I'm back, and I am nowhere near ready to shut up.
