To Blog Or Not To Blog

One of the really nice things about blogging is that I at least get to keep up on the goings-on in the lives of my friends and acquaintances. One who almost always gives me something to think about is my friend Deb, who now lives up on Washington State with her (relatively new) husband, who I also know from LinkUp.

One of the challenges she -- and a lot of us, I'm sure -- faces is trying to remember an idea for a blog. BTDT. I try to keep pen and paper handy so I can jot down notes, but it doesn't always work out. (Another trick I've tried in the past is carrying a micro cassette recorder. That's not always feasible, but it helped when I had it.) Of course, from my own Zen viewpoint, I had to point out that once in a while she (as well as the rest of us) needs to "empty her mind". It takes time to develop that skill, but it pays off.

Of course, the other challenge is deciding what to blog about and how to go about it.

As regards the "what", that's the easy part -- whatever strikes one as being significant at any point in time. I'm not one of those people who insist on posting/writing something every single day. That's way too contrived. Some days, there's just nothing of note to write about. Other days, there might be lots. Or there might be something from the recent past that strikes one as significant in the new moment. Blogs and journals were made for people, not the other way around.

The "how" really ought to be just as simple. What's your particular "take" on a subject? For me, being (at least nominally) a Christian, but also being -- philosophically and politically -- a l/Libertarian, the approach is rather easy. The one fly in the ointment is the ability that all Zen Masters have of seeing a situation from many sides simultaneously, without necessarily agreeing or disagreeing with any of them. So I fall back on the Christian and libertarian aspects. As well as my own warped sense of humor. (For the record, Deb also has a wicked sense of humor, so she brings that to the table.)

Bottom line: your blog should be about you -- about the things you see as significant, seen from your unique perspective.

At least, that's the way I see it. And I thought it important enough to blog about. :-)

Company Leave Policy

To: All Employees
Subj: New Leave Policy

1. Sickness: No excuse! We will no longer accept your doctor's statement as proof, as we believe that if you are able to go to a doctor, you are able to come to work.

2. Leave of Absence: (For an operation) We will no longer allow this practice. We wish to discourage any thoughts that you might need an operation, as we believe that as long as you are an employee here, you will need all of whatever you have, and you should not consider having anything removed. Also, we hired you as you are and anything removed would certainly make you less than what we bargained for.

3. Death: (Other than your own) This is no excuse. There is nothing you can do for them, and we feel sure that someone else with a lesser position can attend to the arrangements. However, if the funeral can be held in the late afternoon, we will be glad to let you off 30 minutes early, provided that your share of the work is ahead enough to keep things going in your absence.

4. Death: (Your own) This will be accepted as an excuse, BUT we must have two weeks advance notice, as we feel it is your duty to train someone else to do your job.

5. Also, entirely too much time is being spent in the restrooms. In the future, we will follow the practice of going in alphabetical order. For instance, those whose names begin with "A" will go from 8:15 to 8:30, "B" will go from 8:30 to 8:45, and so on. If you are unable to go at your time, it will be necessary to wait until your turn comes around again.