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Friday, Apr. 18, 2025

8:18am EDT

Members: 693

Guests: 1,858

Total Online: 2,551

Toe in the Water

by Beholden

Rated: 13+ · Book · Experience · #2223922

A tentative blog to test the temperature.

Ten years ago I was writing several blogs on various subjects - F1 motor racing, Music, Classic Cars, Great Romances and, most crushingly, a personal journal that included my thoughts on America, memories of England and Africa, opinion, humour, writing and anything else that occurred. It all became too much (I was attempting to update the journal every day) and I collapsed, exhausted and thoroughly disillusioned in the end.

So this blog is indeed a Toe in the Water, a place to document my thoughts in and on WdC but with a determination not to get sucked into the blog whirlpool ever again. Here's hoping.

Signature for those who are nominated for a Quill Award in 2021

Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

Beholden

a day ago
In response to "A Twenty Year Old Tale"

Blue Sky is such a pleasant name for a message board (that is really old computer/internet stuff). Those were the days indeed.

1 Like

tj wanderlust-words-in-motion

Apr 15, 2025 at 4:11pm
In response to "A Twenty Year Old Tale"

Back in the early days of having a computer, I was a member of a community called "Blue Sky". Numerous message boards eventually became blogging boards and we suffered the same harassment for a period of time.

1 Like

Soldier_Mike

Apr 15, 2025 at 4:06pm
In response to "A Twenty Year Old Tale"

Unsupported accusations? Mere wishful thinking? I wonder why these statements sound familiar? Oh, that's right! They're the hallmark of a certain blog manned by a certain king ruler despot person.

2 Like

tj wanderlust-words-in-motion

Apr 14, 2025 at 3:20pm
In response to "Doom"

I can't say I get feelings of doom, but on days like today, I can relate. Mine are feelings of frustration and helplessness.

2 Like

Lilli ☕

Apr 14, 2025 at 1:18pm
In response to "Doom"

Oh, I see how you came to that conclusion!
For those of us who enjoy "the dark side," they are pretty cool images!

2 Like

Amethyst Angel 💐

Apr 14, 2025 at 12:27pm
In response to "Doom"

I noticed Solace's prompts are getting a little... Freaky, these days. I've been avoiding them. For instance, I'm sure Sunday's image is pretty "doom-inducing" as well as today's

Looming doom is part of the theme of last year's ID album, aptly named Loom. Remember when I shared Take Me to the Beach?

Hope you don't have the heebie-jeebies for too long

2 Like

Kit

Apr 13, 2025 at 10:22pm
In response to "A Fleeting Thought"

I think that it can still be seen as noble and heroic depending on the circumstances. Defending one's country against an invading force? Yes. Defending allies from a brutal invasion? Yes. When the cause is more questionable, however, it also becomes more questionable whether lives should be placed on the line.

1 Like

tj wanderlust-words-in-motion

Apr 13, 2025 at 9:12pm
In response to "A Fleeting Thought"

Yes, there is still some patriotism left.

1 Like

Jayne

Apr 13, 2025 at 11:50am
In response to "A Fleeting Thought"

I updated it. The run on sentence is deliberate.

It is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country, unless it somehow inconveniences me, in which case it is more fitting for someone else to do it, and if they won't don't it, how dare they be so lazy!

2 Like

Kit

Apr 11, 2025 at 8:37pm
In response to "Stories"

It is easy to get drawn into reading stuff on a screen, but lately I've spent more time reading physical novels, like I used to in the past. And it's nice!

One way that's having some success selling physical editions is the creation of beautiful special editions. Like the Fourth Wing novels having dragons sprayed on the sides, and special art and such. It's a clever way of doing things. Shame the special dragon ones aren't sold in the UK!

I don't think that AI's close to being able to write the kind of stories that appeal to us humans. If that time ever comes, though, I reckon there are many human stories that will maintain their appeal through the ages.

2 Like

January 1, 2025 at 12:40pm

#1081795

The Value of Newsletters

The Value of Newsletters

I read WdC newsletters. And I would recommend that you do too. Read as many of them as you can, get them sent to your email, and participate in commenting when appropriate. It’s surprising what can be learned from doing so.

One of the less obvious things is that you find out about contests and challenges you’ve never heard of before. Only this morning, the first day of 2025, I found, through a newsletter, an interesting thing called The Bradbury. Attracted by the unusual name, I had a look and discovered the contest I’ve been needing all the years of my WdC membership. It’s for short stories, one a week.

That is one heck of a tall order. But I need that kind of spur if I’m to achieve even the semblance of productivity. I need pressure! And this is the kind of pressure that I need, but know it will force me to deliver the goods.

That may not be the kind of thing for you but read newsletters and you’re bound to find all sorts of thing just as interesting. And, in case you like the sound of it, here’s a link to "The Bradbury"

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Word count: 197

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