Beginning
I’m not sure how many weblogs begin without the author’s knowledge or consent, but that’s exactly what is happening here today. Think of it as a launching that decided to skip the unnecessary fuss of a countdown. Besides, there’s been more then enough waiting already. Everyone will tell you that.
Every weblog, like every story, needs a place to begin. Some stumble into existence, barely noticed, while others dive recklessly into the fray headfirst, arms swinging. There is no right way to begin. No best way and certainly no perfect way. The beginning, after all, is just one step among many.
This weblog happens to begin here, with the help of a few borrowed words that some others** once found fit to begin with themselves. Words and sentences pieced together in no particular order, just like our own stories. The words are nothing special. Or maybe they are. We must walk awhile to find out.
So let’s begin.
If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth. Truth? I’ll tell you what. I’ll make my report as if I told a story, for I was taught as a child on my homeworld that Truth is a matter of the imagination. How about that? Will that work for you?
My wife Norma had run off with Guy Dupree and I was waiting around for the credit card billings to come in so I could see where they had gone. I can see by my watch, without taking my hand from the left grip of the cycle, that it is eight-thirty in the morning. To my left, the Minotaur sits on an empty pickle bucket blowing smoke through bullish nostrils. To my right, it is the last quarter of the twentieth century, at a time when Western civilization was declining too rapidly for comfort and yet too slowly to be very exciting, much of the world sat on the edge of an increasingly expensive theater seat, waiting—with various combinations of dread, hope, and ennui—for something momentous to occur.
You think you know how this story is going to end, but you don’t. So you might want to read on. Oh, one more thing. Beware thoughts that come in the night.
**Special thanks to J.D. Salinger, Ursula K. LeGuin, Charles Portis, Robert M. Pirsig, Steven Sherrill, Tom Robbins, Christopher Moore, and William Least Heat-Moon for helping ‘mouse take his first step.
The rest of the journey is up to him.
blue and orange, good Florida football colors. But was this keith or ‘mouse? ‘mouse, I know you’re there, are you in shock? i can see you signed in, even. I suppose we’re all members of you now,si?
Posted by e on 08/21 at 11:32 AMIn. Shock. Si.
Posted by mouse on 08/21 at 11:56 AMOh, but ‘mouse, honey, this is a very good thing. I know, I know, you’ve fought long and hard. You even managed not to succumb after the lovely job you did manning the keyboard at PTMYB last summer. But please, dearheart, no more elegant defense. You have fans, enthusiastic ones, and they are thrilled that you have a forum.
If you’re still casting about for how to start, how about that lovely mango essay from June (it was June, right?) 2004. I think everyone in the known world needs to read that. Please.
Posted by Bakerina on 08/21 at 12:13 PMonce outted, ‘m, there’s no more innies.
Posted by e on 08/21 at 12:36 PMYou must know, ‘mouse, that Keith has done here what others have considered, nay, have even discussed, perhaps more than once, perhaps at some length.
Is it possible, shy trapped reluctant rodent, that you might someday come to love this little ‘mouse-house?
Posted by Kimberly on 08/21 at 04:59 PMOh mouse! Wonder that is you! Post early and often! This is my blogvice. That way, any given post, even if lame, or eloquent, or even boring or riveting, is soon followed by something else, and your readers will be so confused they won’t be able to argue.
Posted by on 08/21 at 05:54 PMi don’t know exactly what to say. except...continue… i’m listening. i don’t think i’ve ever heard a man give so much credit to another man without sounding at least somewhat cynical about it.
i would stay and cheer, wait for pst to catch up to me, but apparently, i have someone to add to my male lagging blogroll.
Posted by goliard on 08/22 at 02:08 AMEven thought you’re no longer blogless, I’m sure you will still pen the best memes. Now you can participate in them at your very own place. So what’ve you ridden? Had any ten sentence days lately? I know, I know, that last one isn’t yours, but Kieth does alright, too. Oh, and we will still know you are brilliant when you write things you don’t like much. We do it all the time, don’t we, ladies?
Posted by mercuryfern on 08/22 at 04:10 AMCount me among the ‘mouse fans who know this blog would be a great fit for you. Have a good time.
Posted by Beancounter on 08/22 at 10:54 AMI tried to post a comment last night, but it failed, sadly.
Welcome to the blogging world, oh beloved ‘mouse. We’re looking forward to great things from you.
Keith did a very fine thing.
Posted by Snow on 08/22 at 11:54 AMI am excited for you, ‘mouse, and for all of us who get to indulge in a peek at your talent. Congrats and enjoy.
Posted by on 08/25 at 10:16 AM
Next entry: A Dream