Monday, October 31, 2005

Truth?

I have lived most of my life in tiny villages. Yes, I was born in a major city and spent 5 years in the heart of Manhattan but most of my time has been in little places like Embudo, New Mexico or Nichols, New York or Cockeysville, Maryland. I have also a few years in larger towns like Kotzebue, Alaska. I only bring this up because of vetting, to let you know I have experienced and may be an expert on the issues I have witnessed.

The concern is, "What is truth?" It is certainly not immutable, at least not where people are involved. It does seem to have something to do with perceived reality, belief, and trust and little to do with proof or knowlege.

Sunday, October 30, 2005

The First Entry

I doubt I have the determination to keep this up...but here goes.

It is a chilly day, about 20F. I just read where Seth Kantner was awarded $40K for his work. I'm pleased for him though slightly jealous. I am absolutely positive that I am a better writer, of course I will need to write before I can make a true comparison.

The writing thing has kinda been on a boulder strewn road lately. I still haven't quite decided what to make of the response to Definitive Guide to Kotzebue. The young woman who was at the center of my fame has not, as of yet, ever written me directly though she does make disparaging personal comments, calling me lazy, or "technically white" and stuff like that, and presumes she knows me....though I don't believe we've met. I suspect James supplied the misinformation to keep up the story.

And that brings the thoughts around the circle. James Mason certainly deserves some recognition at least as much as Seth. I can't imagine how difficult his job must be writing a newspaper where the truth is not politically correct. His photography seems to suffer there too.
And I think it is the "truth" thing that effects it. Look at his Bosnian and Yugoslavian work and compare it to the girl's basketball shots of today. Grizzly shots of suicides, child abuse, headless walrus and the like certainly would cost him his job. Seth, I envy his luck, James, I envy his talent and am saddened by his situation, assuredly of his own making.

I understand being ham-strung by politics of place or association. It is an excuse I use frequently to avoid writing or to hide in poetry. I hope I get over it and get back to the grind and get something done then I can righteously complain about Seth's good fortune.

Congratulations Seth!