|   mystic exit series 

...:: ahem ::...

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, the subject is:

the perils of perfectionism.

I've done some thinking about my recurring dissatisfaction
with aside and have decided I agree with Shakespeare, Updike
and Ruskin. While striving for excellence is commendable and
can be the driving force behind the creation of quintessential
works of art, perfectionism can all too easily become a merciless
demon, ultimately destroying one's ability to enjoy the thrill of
spontaneous and imperfect creation.
   Once the fog of angst parted, I remembered a small, but key
factor: this is a blog...not the Sistine Chapel, nor even a gallery
showing. It is a personal public diary, a record of transitory
insights and emotions, experiences and experiments. If one
cannot be 'imperfect' here, where can they be?
   This is not to say that aside cannot or should not be improved.
It can, and I hope to do so. How? By being more conscientious
and, where possible, more candid in its content.
   So while the quixotic nature of aside will no doubt remain, I do
hope to infuse a greater measure of honesty and thought into
its pages.
   Okay. Enough quasi-transitional copy.
   To show my fondness for each of you, I'll be serving tea and
librium in the sun room to help wash down the entries. You can't
miss me...I'll be the one in the corner, clutching a copy of The
Underachiever's Manifesto to my breast and smiling vacantly at
the spider plants...

ps  Yes, I'm still considering new layouts. When one grabs me
      I may spring it on you.

* * *


water bottle magic

I am in the process of once again re-thinking aside...some-
where along the line, my purpose in this ongoing experiment 
became muddled, lost in the gray Pacific Northwest mists of
my mind. I am no longer certain what it should be...or rather
what I want it to be.
   I may delete several entries. I may adopt a new layout.
Or not. More importantly, if aside is to continue, it needs to
be more than what it has become...a seemingly endless
collection of inane entries.
   Meanwhile, I thank you for dropping by and keeping me
company. 'Tis much appreciated.