It's a Fair Question...

Because I'm going to be dead soon.

Sorry to be so blunt, but the obvious question anyone would ask when coming across a new blog is "Why?" Blogs are now as numerous as the stars in the sky, so asking what purpose is served by starting yet another one is completely reasonable. And now I have answered that question.

I actually tried this blogging thing once before. Started one on my birthday, in fact. And had a pretty good time doing it, too. I especially enjoyed the discipline of writing something every single day. (I think anyone who fancies herself/himself a "writer" should write every single day.) As it turned out, I erred in trying to create a blog focused on a single topic. There were too many days when the posts felt forced, or gimmicky, as I made good on my promise to say something every single day. Eventually, I simply threw in the towel, and turned out the lights...

That was two years ago.

I have a different concept in mind this time around. There are some things on my mind, things I want to say before my lights get turned out. I am hopeful that people who read what I write here will find it worth their time. I am hopeful that people who knew me will read what I write here and think fondly of the times we shared together. And, of course, I am doing this because I can't not write, much as I've tried...

If you read the "What Is This Place?" box on the left sidebar, you'll be able to tell what the blog will be "about," in the broadest sense. But it won't be about that today. Today's post, the first, only needs to do three things, to wit:

First, the blog's title is actually emblematic of the sort of pop culture references that will be marbled all through my prose. I'm sure Game of Thrones fans won't need an explanation, and if you're NOT a GoT fan, no explanation would make much sense. I presume anyone who reads this blog will know what a "curmudgeon" is, but just in case you don't, you can click on the word to find out what it means...and you should click anyway, as the definition I linked to is pretty funny, especially if you know me. (See, I told you there'd be "sneaky vocabulary-building tricks," didn't I?) I reserve the right to expand on the title's significance from time to time, as the mood strikes me...

Second, I feel a sense of urgency about speaking out because I have loved language my whole life, and spent that life teaching young people how to master language so as to better express themselves. I taught my students to be unafraid to express their thoughts, and to express those thoughts in powerful, elegant language that would move readers and listeners. But we have come to a pass where there are forces in this world determined to, for lack of a more elegant way of putting it, shut people up. Everywhere one turns these days, someone is telling us to shut up, lest we "offend" someone, or "trigger" someone, or whatever the excuse of the moment is. The most shocking aspect of The New Censorship is that it is primarily emanating from college campuses. More (MUCH more) on that topic in the days ahead. For now, all you really need to know is that this is one voice who will steadfastly refuse to shut up, who will counsel against others doing so, and who will ruthlessly mock and belittle the pinheads who are pushing that philosophy.

Finally, I chose this date for the launch because seven years ago today, on May 19th, 2008, my dearest friend took his own life.There has been a gaping hole in my life ever since. This blog won't fill that hole, of course...but I like to think that my friend would enjoy what I intend to say here, and would have encouraged me to pursue the project even when I felt like scrapping the notion. I know he would understand my desire to get some things off my chest before seeing him again...and I think he would smile at the sentimentality of my choosing this particular date...

Anyway, thanks for reading...I'll do my best to make it worth your time...that's all any writer can promise...

Before I go, I'd like to introduce the blog mascot, and my wingman, The Lucky Eat-Anter (bonus points for fans of Johnny Hart's B.C. comic strip who get the joke)...

Duly noted, thanks. Anyway, we'll both be back tomorrow. I'll leave you with a bit of music that sort of ties in to what I'm feeling these days. Take it away, Joe...