Sunday, May 31, 2009

Bloggin' Again

Currently listening to: Green Mind by Dinosaur, Jr.

I've done the blogging thing plenty of times in the past, with varying degrees of longevity. As of late, I've gotten the itch to start doing it again, for varying reasons. I think most of them will become apparent as I continue to write here, but mostly I'm just a dude who's looking to spark conversation with like-minded folks about the things that interest me, learn a little bit while I'm at it, and have a good time doing it all.

As for potential topics, here's a few possibilites:

* Music of many different types. Current favorites include Wilco, Nathan, Josh Ritter, Mark Knopfler, Radiohead, Over the Rhine, and Fleet Foxes. With this one, however, the possibilites are endless.

* Roman Catholicism. Earlier this year I decided I was going to take a serious, open-hearted look at the claims of the Roman Catholic church. The reasons behind this are manifold, and the issues I've been dealing with are seemingly endless. I've found that there are a lot of folks like me out there right now, and also a whole lotta folks who have recently converted from a non-Catholic background to the Roman Catholic church. I've yet to make up my mind on what I will do, and I hope this blog serves as a tool for investigation and decision-making.

* Other Media. Books, film, television series, games...if I'm going to partake, I want to make it a social affair if at all possible.

* John Masefield. The title of my blog is a tribute to my favorite poem of all time, a simple little "sea poem" by the late, great John Masefield. For some reason, this guy doesn't get much exposure, but I absolutely love his work and want to bring him into the light.

* Money & Work. After spending years in a very stable job, I "jumped ship" last year to see what other possibilites awaited me and my family. I don't think I've found my calling yet though, and I'm looking to make that happen and hopefully make some money doing it. ; )

I'm sure I'll find plenty of other things to post about, but that's a good start on what I'll be getting myself into.

This Blog's Name Comes From...

...a poem by the late John Masefield. It's one of my favorites.

Trade Winds

In the harbor, in the island, in the Spanish Seas,
Are the tiny white houses and the orange trees,
And day-long, night-long, the cool and pleasant breeze
Of the steady Trade Winds blowing.

There is the red wine, the nutty Spanish ale,
The shuffle of the dancers, the old salt's tale,
The squeaking fiddle, and the soughing in the sail
Of the steady Trade Winds blowing.

And o' nights there's fire-flies and the yellow moon,
And in the ghostly palm-trees the sleepy tune
Of the quiet voice calling me, the long low croon
Of the steady Trade Winds blowing.