(Just Like) Starting Over

Imagine, if you will, that this blog is a little like a small child. It constantly requires me, its supposed parent, to feed it, clean up after it, take it out and generally show it love and affection. You might have noticed that I haven't posted much for a few days... if we stick to our charming little analogy, then this is tantamount to negligent parenting, and, gentle readers, I accept full responsibility. Little Blogsworth hasn't been out of the  virtual house in days; his nappy is full to bursting with spam and he is hungry for some fresh posting. But before you so gleefully cast that first stone, esteemed reader, just think. In this sordid tale of blogging for life and not just for Christmas, you are no better than the disinterested next door neighbour who simply stands and watches whilst an innocent blog is left wanting. Really, this is all your fault.

Blogs however, are not sentient. Yet. Until the day when I get my comeuppance with a 2001: A Space Odyssey-style Blog, I'm safe. So shall we just get back to where we were up to? We shall? Oh, I am glad, dearest reader.

Part of the reason for my oh so conspicuous absence is my being retained by employment. Some people (well, one) have asked me why I don't blog more about the day to day minutia that I experience in my fast paced career in the food service industry. Well, let's take the example about the Bible for a second. You know the gospels, right? Ripping good yarns. Imagine if, instead of writing about their friend, teacher, and all around honest to goodness saviour-of-the-world, they filled pages with how their day's went. It just wouldn't have had the same effect. In fact, that's pretty much where the Old Testament went wrong. That's not to say that I see this blog as divine revelation. But. Well. You know.

Actually, now that we've opened that can of worms that is the Bible, shall we stick with a little while? I'm not sure how many of you will be interested in this, but this week, the Pope, Benny XVI himself, shocked a lot of people by seemingly loosening up on the Vatican's stance on the use of condoms. This is pretty huge news for anyone interested in Catholic social teaching; for a while, the total ban on contraception in Catholic dogma has been a source of embarrassment and confusion for many liberal Catholics and a cause for dismay amongst non believers. One has to wonder the motivation that caused the otherwise extremely conservative Benedict to make a remark like this, and where it may take the Church next.

I promise that's the most serious topic I'll deal with for a while. I'll get back to jokes about those Chilean miners if you like.

Just a few more little bits before I sign off for tonight; I've finished recording my latest little foray into songwriting, and will more than likely be posting it over the next few days. Get excited, chums! And from you great unwashed masses, I have a question. Remember a few days ago, I posted you asking you about your favourite books? I still want to know, guys! Lets get these suggestions flooding in.

Until next we meet, (I promise I'll be a better blog parent this time) don't eat the stuff under the sink.

We Spent The Evening Unpacking Books From Boxes

Morning blogosphere. Its pretty exciting that since our star studded launch last night, I have had a total of five visitors. And the best part is only three of them were me!

I've been thinking, dear readership, about a number of things. First of all, I'm really shocked by just how difficult this blogging habit is. See, in a world of taut Twitter tweets, snappy (s)Facebook status updates and gratuitous alliteration, the empty white space of a new blog post seems like the Russian Steppes after a week hiking around your friend's back garden.

I'll be brief today, since I have to go to my place of employment soon and stand around looking interested. Let's talk books. I've just about finished the Magus by John Fowles, and I have to say, its been a real joy. The Greek myth, the Jungian undertones and a plot with more twists than all six seasons of Lost; well, what's not to like? And that the protagonist is an old Oxonian with fading ambition and narcissistic tendencies is just a further bonus. But then, isn't that the beauty of Fowles' Nicholas, that we all see a little of our ugly selves in his Aegean misadventure? Anyway, I won't spoil it, since to do so would be a crime, but I really recommend giving it a go. It is, like so many good books, bloody long, but I promise you wont even notice the quite substantial beard you'll grow as you remain captivated by its story.

I'll be picking this thread up again soon, but in the meantime, what are your best Epic Reads? By that I mean, books, that, by the time you've finished them, you can safely say you've been on some kind of Odyssey. Of course, this has nothing to do with length, but depth. So, let me know- I'm dying to fall down another rabbit hole.