Hear a second for the First?
Copyright 2005 Ben S. Pollock
Jan. 1, 2005: I won’t look back to a year ago in the Brick. I try not to look back on much. There might be too much I might regret. Any regrets are too many. Besides, as cautious as I can be (though I take more risks than lots of similar people I know, a few truly life- or lifestyle-chancing risks) to spend time regretting is a waste mainly because I spend so much time on the hypothesizing and conjecturing side. At some point early on, planning is a stalling technique.
If I were to look back, I recall that in that January page is some sort of resolution of more frequent Brick entries. Brick wasn’t so bad in 2004, I am certain without checking. Oh: It began in December 2003.
I hate New Year resolutions, for as a continual if not obsessive plotter and a regretter, I also make resolutions continuously. Yet we must acknowledge the magic of beginnings. The Jewish New Year has no stated resolution tradition, but it is implied, in closing the book on the old year. The whole period from Selichot through Sukkot provides only a little liturgical anticipation of coming lunar year. This is probably because people don’t need reminding, compared to the impulse to forget to seek the forgiveness of others which is commanded to be done.
To truly close the old year and right wrongs does leave one ready to start anew. Rosh Hashanah or spring’s Passover or Jan. 1, doesn’t matter. Even pessimists can begin fresh dreads. If you have a lot, then you can be said to running on a dreadmill.
Be that as it may, I resolve for 2005 to create and upload more Brick thoughts (see how I avoid “blog”?), and shorter ones wouldn’t hurt, either. 600 words each would be more comfortable to read; 750-900 is my instinctive essay length so brevity will be lovely challenge.
I have below three links I meant to put in the December 2004 page. To be honest I put them here because now is when I got around to it. How honest is this, though? Readers should be cautious of all of us, even the ethical ones. I’ll be uploading this on the 2nd. This morning’s newspaper says a columnist is not writing today. This means she took a day off last week. Radio, even NPR from a fan who accepts its veracity, even-handedness amid human error, uses a similar sleight of hand to imply immediacy.
I meant to get this off on New Year’s Day. I’m close, aren’t I?
A week ago today — I do mean Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, my employer, published my book review. This should download without fee-based registration, unless Little Rock has “improved” the Northwest Arkansas link.
Here are two ways to access the obituary of my mom. Each comprises all of that day’s notices so scroll down or do a word search on “Pollock.” The Times Record of Fort Smith [Link to obit has expired.]. The Northwest edition of the Demzette. I wrote it, deliberately in the dry style newspapers share. If you didn’t know Mom, the adjectives of a brief tribute wouldn’t convey her in 9-point type that smears so why mock or sap later opportunities I will take following reflection. -30-
