Sep 18 2006

Years ago, back when I was in high school, I can remember vividly a question my baby sister asked me. While in high school, and to this day, one of my best friends was Marcus. If we weren't at his house, we were at my house. One day my little sister, who was what...about 5 or 6 at the time asked me "Seanie...what language is it you speak when Marcus is around?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You sound funny when you talk to him."

Well, it turns out that when I was around Marcus I "sounded" different. Different voice inflection, words, and phrasing which sounded to her like a completely different language.

Why do I tell this story? Well, first off obviously to embarrass my little sister, and because it describes a challenge with this blog.

One of the things I'm looking forward to is the opportunity to write a little as part of this blog. Oh no, I have no dreams of writing the great American novel, "Where the Wild Things Are" has already been written and how could one top that. But rather short stories about the pictures, what I was thinking when I took it, what it means to me...or maybe it's something completely random like this. But I'm sure you're thinking...Sean, why would you want to do this? You're already a published author." (ok, nominally...and let's be honest...I don't even think my mom read that one.) The answer to that? Not sure...just something I feel like doing and I'm the one paying the monthly bill for this site and until I'm on the no fly list I can do whatever I want.

How does this relate to the embarrassing story regarding my sister? One of the challenges is going to be finding my "voice". The audience for this blog includes family (you have no choice), friends (ditto), internet co-horts, co-workers, and random folks on the internet. How I would talk to one set of people is probably different than how I would talk to another set of folks. For example, I'd probably say something like "damn" in front of family, "shit" in front of friends, and "well, that probably isn't the best result" to co-workers. How I'd describe a trip to Vegas would be a tad bit different depending on who I was talking to, I'd be hesitant to tell family about that one time in the Vegas strip club when a friend I was with got busted by his girlfriend. So, bear with me on this one, it's probably going to take awhile.

Oh, and a special note to Dale who glibly pointed out that "grammar is important" and I should spell check. I did spell check Dale! Didn't you quit thereby meaning you couldn't harass me anymore! I did have it right! Word changed it from Who's Visited to Whose Visited. I type 80 wpm and can't possible be expected to thoroughly read everything everytime! Technology is there for a reason and just because it looked wrong does that really mean I have to check a reference site to verify? And for those of you who find yourself in Lawton, Oklahoma looking for a place to stay, feel free to call on Dale at Bellaire Apartments...the finest apartment community in Oklahoma. Mention this blog and you'll receive $5 off your monthly rent (actually, I have no idea if that's the case, but it doesn't hurt to ask).

And lastly, what does this picture have to do with all this? Absolutely nothing, but I like it. Taken December 2005 on the dunes at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in Utah.