Do you hear the fanfare? The trumpets? The marching bands blaring and singers warbling in celebration? Nah. Neither do I. Which is unfortunate as this is the 500th blog post on Strange Notations from a Laborious Life!! Yes, we have reached a milestone. My mind laid bare on the computer screen over the last seven years and 500 entries. It seems a bit of a let down to write something as bland as I am going to write today. I had been watching the post count creep up from about 493 and had in mind to excite and thrill with daring tales or useful reflection but alas, we are just stuck peering through the window of this laborious life and finding little of interest.
I had hoped to run a competition, hold a giveaway of t-shirts, hats and such but I never got around to creating anything to celebrate number 500. And it all costs money. I’m unemployed you know. So, you will have to be happy in wondering what the hell I have picture of a fellow in a mask is doing at the top of the page-but we will get back to that later.
I started the blog in 2007. I had written a journal for a few years beforehand. It was a tome much more personal and dark than anything I’ve put down in Strange Notations. My life laid bare in many ways. Things I would never say to anyone, truths revealed, revelations made that may shock anyone who may one day thumb through it’s pages (yes, it was hand written!). I didn’t care so much about things written of my workmates. They would never see it but there were other things, real opinions that some who chanced upon them in many years may be upset about-and I wouldn’t be here to explain the context in which it was written. So I threw it out. And regretted it ever since!
Many of my old work colleagues had suggested that I write a book about our workplace. I don’t fancy myself an author despite the somewhat prodigious output I have produced here but a book about the many and varied personalities I have worked with at Post and their frail temperaments and awful character would have been quite a read. My journal would have come in handy for research. I could have moulded a great novel out of it alone! Names would have to changed to protect the innocent. And also to prevent me being sued. Too bad, so sad. It’s not to be.
So, I decided to start a blog instead. Nothing as tempestuous as my old journal. Nothing incriminating of myself or others although I have sailed close to the wind in criticising my employer at times. I pulled back from that sort of thing a few years ago to protect my livelihood but my output has been varied. I try to stay away from politics although the odd post has veered into that territory. Family is generally out of bounds and have left it to describe my own adventures, as mundane as they are, and occasionally make comment on the world, now or as it has been in the past.
My blog has never risen to any great heights. I’m surprised it’s still alive. Most blogs die of inattention but I always come back to it. I find it therapeutic. A soothing balm for the mind in this ever crazy world. The funny thing is over the last few weeks I have had more hits than ever before! I don’t know who is reading it-rarely does anyone comment but I hope someone is getting something out of it. Whoever you are, I hope you are enjoying it.
So, why do I have a picture of a masked man at the top of the page? Well, he obviously is painting as have I been this morning. Yes, painting window sills, the excitement never stops in this particular laborious life. We are getting new blinds and I have to paint the window sills before they go in. Everything was tracking fine until I hurt my back on Saturday which curtailed my efficiency for a few days. But I am back firing now. Perhaps not on all cylinders but working well again nonetheless. And in case you think I am malingering, writing a blog post instead of working, I will have you know I have finished in the kitchen and I am having a short break before starting again. Can’t think of a better way to spend a few free minutes than celebrating this great milestone for my blog.
There is nothing more to do now than return to my chores. I have drank coffee, rested and now it’s back to the breach. I will be back again soon for post 501 and then, onwards and upwards towards 1000. Hope to see you there.
Strange Notations From a Laborious Life 