“first”

(Originally published in my blog, “Undertaken Seriously”, on January 27, 2017)

I might as well introduce myself before we begin, if this is to be a proper introduction post. My name is Max. At the time of writing this I am sitting in my bedroom on a quiet, overcast, sort of Saturday; sleepy, yes, but not quite melancholy (the day, that is, not me). Thanks to the suggestion of the default page, I’ll enlighten the readers as to why, in fact, I began the blog. As to why they’re reading it, I have no such answer.

Writing is an enduring and earnest passion of mine, which I have nurtured over my 20 years into an above-average, not-so-marketable, taken-for-granted sort of skill. I almost regret it (not). Writing is easy to me; soothing and self-confirming, the type of activity where you enjoy each step of the process equally. The outcome is not always the most satisfying bit: One can find order and epiphany in the brainstorming and planning stage, or the act itself, and the latter tends to be my favorite. A favorite English teacher of mine once said, rather graphically, to “spew” your words onto the page, whether through pen or pencil or keyboard. The vehicle for the thoughts matters not, so much as the speed of the thing.

The idea is to create the smoothest possible pathway between your mind and your medium. Not to pause for reflection until afterword, nor to critique or correct while the flow is still going. To write is organic, as much of a natural facility as speech or thought itself: You can’t stop once the ball is already rolling, or you are asking to be crushed under the metaphorical immensity of its weight.

Not to get too poetic though. Still, I find language—especially its expression through text or otherwise—to be fascinating. To understand communication is to understand a large element of the human condition, the foundation of the relationship-building that we all unconsciously crave (and need to survive, actually). For this reason and others I pursue a degree in Communication Studies, in hopes of gaining some priceless knowledge to this process.

This blog will explore that, among other things. Topics will include, but definitely will not be limited to: music (in any and all forms), art, politics (oh boy), food, and literature. Anything and everything sufficiently bohemian is fair game as well.

My hope for you, the reader, is to think. Despite its reputation as the foundation of the reality of every conscious being on the planet, thought seems to be in unusually short supply lately. I want to change that.

Thank you for your kind attention, more than anything. Enjoy the blog.