Tuesday, November 25, 2008

I's a scribbler, I is.

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Ain't he cute that little guy to the right? Shouldn't he be sitting in front of a computer though?

Ian, over at Or So I Thought bestowed upon me this lovely award. It was great to see this after a hellish Monday, and knowing that Tuesday will probably be just as bad. Thank you Ian for thinking I scribble superiorily -yeah, I know, not a word, but there you go. Does that lose my my superiority in scribbldom?

Looking at this award though, I'm struck at how we no longer write. On paper. With a pen. Other than my journal (which means, I suppose that I write for "real" more than most people), I don't use pen and paper anymore to do anything other than jotdown shopping lists and notes to myself to remember this that or the other. Actually, I find myself jotting more note as the years go by and the old brain begins to turn to mush.

I can't remember the last time I took the time to sit down with my pen to write a letter to someone. A real, chatty email of a letter. A how're you doing, last week I this and that happened and on and on. I used to write a couple of 5-10 page letters a week. No longer. It's sad really, because somehow, typing doesn't hold a candle to the sensation of a fountain pen sliding on a good sheet of paper. Anyone want a letter?

Change is good, but sometimes what you leave behind, though it's much slower and less efficient, is even better....

Well, enough maudlin bullshit.

I don't know how many people I'm supposed to pass this onto, but I'll do two men and two women:

Dumdad - an expat journalist Brit living in Paris, his blog has been one of my favourites since I discovered him through... hell I don't even remember how I discovered him.

Joe - A writer photographer living in Florida. His photos are awesome. He takes ordinary moments and makes them extraordinary. His short stories are wonderful. Sort of like his pictures. Only problem is they don't come often enough.

Jocelyn - Everyone's favourite Midwesterner. College teacher and smartass, if her life is as hilarious as what she writes she must spend all her time laughing.

XUP - The Ex Urban Pedestrian. I discovered her with her first blog, where she was writing about being a pedestrian in the city. Literally. It was all about walking and the evils of cars. It was great. She returned and is a prolific and hilarious blogger. Read her if you haven't already. READ. HER. BLOG.

And because I like to break the rules when I can (and I haven't been able to do much of that lately) even if they're my stoopid rools, here's another:

Dorky Dad - He's insane. And funny. And his stories about family life have me on the floor laughing. I need laughs. Thus I love him. I'm a simple creature I am.

And to all you others I follow religiously, it's for you too, so if you want it take it.

Edited to add: Dumdad pointed out that he had given me a Dummy way back in February. A Dummy. All for myself. My very own Dummy. But since I'm an idiot, I had never noticed. Thank you Dumdad for recognizing my dummyness.


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15 comments:

furiousBall said...

"I'll do two men and two women"

hot

Dumdad said...

Oooo, Jazz, merci beaucoup! I'm very honoured to receive this. I notice the boy is left-handed. No reason why he shouldn't be, of course.

I saw your comment on my blog on Beaujolais nouveau. You're right it IS sort of unfinished. You're obviously a woman of good taste - my wife is no great fan of this wine either. But I'm a pleb and I like it!

Ian Lidster said...

Mighty fine choices and I hope your Tuesday is going better than anticipated.

Dumdad said...

Talking of awards, I awarded you a "Dummy" (Feb. 2, 2008) but it's nowhere to be seen on your blog. Have you sold it? I hear they go very quickly on eBay.

Joe Jubinville said...

Jazz, I'm honored from my toenails to my hair follicles, by your kind words and this awesome recognition realizing, as I know you do too, that a scribbler is a scribe without a deadline. In heaven, everybody's an amateur.

You don't want to see my actual handwriting. It used to be so good. Now it looks like the electrocardiogram of a frightened rhinoceros.

Here's a 'tink' to my fellow honorees, scribblers, and frightened rhinoceroses, wherever they may be. May all editors, as we pass, politely step aside.

Jazz said...

Fuball - AND I did an extra guy!

Dumdad - It's ok, be a philistine. I love you anyway.

Ian - It seems to be on an even keel, but it's only noon.

Dumdad - You did? I missed it? I always wanted one of those!!! I am truly blessed.

Joe - yes, may they step aside indeed.

VioletSky said...

a letter? on parchment paper? written with a fountain pen? in lovely cursive script?

oh yes, please.

Anonymous said...

Congratualtions. And I don't write penand paper letters much anymore either. Although if you'd seen my handwriting, you would know why people are thankful for that.

Anonymous said...

Wow - what an exciting day! First this award from you and then a nomination for Best New Blog in the Best Canadian Blogs thing (shameless plug). Thanks Jazz. I love you and your blog, too.

Jocelyn said...

You make-a my day, sister. Thanks!

And now I have to go visit a couple other of these blogs. I love getting turned on to new blogs!

Jazz said...

VioletSky - I can pretty much confirm that the cursive script would be far from lovely...

Citizen - I think the fact that everyone types (and how neat and straight that is) makes cursive look sloppy. That and the fact that not writing doesn't help you handwriting look decent. This being said, I don't have a great handwriting either.

XUP - Congratulations on the Best Canadian Blogs nomination!

Joce - So do I. Except if this keeps up I'll have to quit my day job in order to keep up with the blogs.

Rachel said...

the novel Im writing for nano is about 75% pen and paper.

seriously!

I transcribe what i've written onto the computer every couple days. for some reason, I find it is easier to "flow", to not think with a pen and paper. the keyboard demands too much. and the light from the screen intimidates my thinking cells.

Susan Tuttle said...

You are right -- there is just something about a fountain pen.

Susan

choochoo said...

A friend of mine sent me an actual letter not that long ago. I had to stop and look at it a little before my brain actually grasped what it was. Hehe.

geewits said...

I used to write real letters, but with osteoarhritis in my thumb it's unpleasant to even sign my name. I still make an effort to write a little note in birthday and Christmas cards and I always use a felt tip pen that matches the card. It's kind of an OCD thing.