Way back in the day (and I am coming up on the 19th anniversary of starting this blog – CRAZY) – but I used to do “commonplace book” entries, and even started a Tumblr called Commonplace Book. I’ve always kept little notebooks of quotes, stuff I see, hear, want to remember. Part of my cataloging, archivist sensibility. The idea of a commonplace book I’ve always loved, although I didn’t know what it was called or that there was a whole history to this kind of thing when I started it up. I can see how it was a way to catalog things, mark things down, for easy access, in the days before the internet. How else could you find one damn quote in all the volumes in your library? So I thought it would be fun to post some here – AT RANDOM. The random-ness of it is what makes it fun, similar to those Music Shuffle posts I do. Open up the commonplace book to any page, and then share whatever entry I see first. So here’s the first: Maybe it will spark discussion. Maybe it will fight against the PLAGUE of statements like “Retweets do not equal endorsements”. As though anything you say or find interesting is something you ENDORSE. Like a political candidate. The internet has forced such ridiculous and stupid statements like “Retweets do not equal endorsements” upon us and I resent it. I don’t share things because I ENDORSE them. I’m not a political candidate. The infiltration of political language into everyday discourse by regular citizens is one of the marks of encroaching fascism. Look it up. Orwell knew all about it. If everything is about what you do and do not “endorse”, then conversation becomes impossible.
So. Without further ado. This one has eerie resonance for me. I don’t “endorse” this – because that’s political language, dammit, stay in your corner – but I find it truthful and there’s a reason I copied it down.
“It is always thus, impelled by a state of mind which is destined not to last, that we make our irrevocable decisions.”
— Marcel Proust, In Search of Lost Time, volume 2, page 209
From S.J. Perelman (I like this so much I’m using it as an epigraph in my next book):
The fact is that all of us have only one personality, and we wring it out like a dishtowel. You are what you are.
Oh my God, I LOVE this.
(and … yay for your next book!!! Can’t wait!)
I like this idea and this quote. I have a working class take on this, an event I call a game-changer. It’s something I worry about as I age in my physical labor. I think professional athletes (manual workers who trade their body for bread like stone masons, carpenters, farmers…) face this risk as well: one little blip, a cough, a trip, tossing your toddler over your head in a moment of playful delight, that irrevocably breaks the body. A fleeting moment, a silly action, a surge of misplaced enthusiasm (or rage) that has far reaching and devastating consequences. I know it’s not the same thing as Proust references, but that’s where my head went with it.
Marc – Really interesting!
Life can change on a dime. And, as you say, if you make your living using your body – it can be catastrophic.
Goodness, 19 years! I’ve been blogging for almost twenty…but in the last few weeks I’ve actually migrated away from my ancient BlogSpot site for the one that I’ve owned for seven years but not done nearly enough with. Amazing to me, sometimes, that I’m still going at it!
You and I are old-school – I can’t think of many more from that original grouping – those of us who set up blogs in 2001-2002 – who are still around.
I know I eventually need to re-design this place. Get some kind of more professional-looking landing page – with links to my Blog, to writing work, to whatever. I’m overwhelmed at the thought and also quite fond of my little 2008-ish design – although it looks TERRIBLE on an iPhone, I’m assuming? You can convert to “Reader View” – but it would probably be better to just get someone to do a full-on redesign. I’m afraid of losing all those archives though – and losing all the photos in the redesign. Photos are a huge part of what I do.
so. Yeah. I’m procrastinating.
How are you finding the migration?
I’m getting used to it! I’ve used the WordPress interface for years, but not as much as the Blogger one, so I’m still developing new habits. (I did have to find a plug-in that lets me use the “old” WordPress interface, because the new “blocks” interface isn’t to my liking.) Certain things I like a lot more than Blogger, and I think making the move is the right one. It’s nothing against Blogger, but the fact that I really think I should have my own paid-for site, and not rely on some other site’s free service for my online presence, because you never know when that site offering the free service will change their mind.
As far as the appearance goes, I have to admit to using your site as kind of a model! It’s funny to hear you say you’re now thinking of updating it. I’m rather liking the fact that my site is indeed an old-school throwback, with the content the way I want it as opposed to crafted to fit expectations of SEO bots and the like. Maybe I’m wrong, but I’ve just turned fifty and I’m asserting my right to be pig-headed if I want! I do get your impulse, though–you have a much bigger and more varied writing career to think about. (And I think it renders fine on my Android phone, all I have to do is increase the size if I need to!)
// because you never know when that site offering the free service will change their mind. //
I live in fear of this. I can’t stand landlords. They can be capricious. So far WP has been very reliable and my hosting service is amazing – and over the years – like 15, 16, 17 years – when something happens, a server crashes, or whatever, and I write a little ticket about it – the SAME WOMAN responds, with helpful advice, or soothing tips like “yes we were doing an upgrade, you’ll be back on soon” – the same woman has worked there for 15, 16, 17 years. which is also a good sign.
and in re: updating . yeah, I’m torn. I see other sites which are designed to be read on PHONES – whereas mine is clearly designed for laptop viewing – that right nav is huge. I want to get rid of that nav – and have the text have more room. I don’t know how to do that though. I could probably update my “theme” but again … I’m not well-versed in any of this – and after the disastrous upgrade of 2004 when I lost tons of content and archives of photos – I am still frightened.
and yeah, I don’t care so much about SEO bots – and stuff like that. I just wonder if there might be a more elegant way to present all this shit. Like, my archives – it’s hard to find stuff. The Search functionality is good – and I love the whole tagging thing – that top nav is essential, to kind of direct people to the main subjects.
But I wonder if a landing page would be a little bit more professional. I don’t know! In the meantime, I’m fine with the status quo!
Glad to hear it looks okay on your phone!!
I love the layout of yours too – the print is bigger than mine, though – so maybe that would be a good choice? and you still ahve a right nav! Over the years I’ve simplified that nav. Bare bones it. I had way too much shit over there and i just don’t know how many people even look over to that side anymore!
Over time I began to add individual quotes that I like to my list of email signatures and have the email program randomly cycle through them. I didn’t want to subject my friends to the same signature over and over. Plus, a new signature every email (well, it cycles through 43 quotes) plays along with the notion of “how am I the same person if 98% of the atoms in my body are swapped out every 5 years?”
I‘ll add the ones you and Jincy gave, those are excellent.
I’m looking forward to this feature popping up unexpectedly.
I love the idea of cycling email signatures!
Although the second quote I put in this new series – about Hitler – and religious mania – might be alarming.