Something That Happened.

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Thursday, September 11, 2003

Regrets...
I've had a few.
But then again,
Too few to mention!
--"My Way",
written by Paul Anka
When I hear that song, I think of Frank Sinatra, and sometimes Elvis or Sid Vicious -- all of whom have been known to perform, in their own unique manner, that wonderful song. Wonderful because -- though I don't always enjoy hearing it, I've heard it so much -- the song is a wonderful personal anthem. That's something we all need: a personal anthem. A song that praises our individuality; a mark of devotion to oneself. After all, they say you're going to have a helluva time loving anyone else unless you've first learned to love yourself, right?

This is not to replace your love for your God, or your spouse, or your family. I'm simply saying that we all need to give ourselves a bit more self-love at this time of year. (No, not that type of self-love !) Too many of us beat up on ourselves throughout the year, and then nearly destroy ourselves at year's end. No wonder there are so many suicides during the Holidays; the messages bombarding us are to Buy Buy Buy and to Give Give Give -- but what if you have nothing to give but love? If you have a dearth of that good stuff, then you'll have a bitch of a time spreading it around to your neighbors.

So be good to yourself, whether you're Christian, Pagan, Wiccan, Athiest, Hindu, Islamic, Mormon, Podcastin, or otherwise. Don't take the pills, they won't do you or anyone else any good; you'll simply miss out on the Next Big Thing (which may turn out to be Your Next Big Thing). Just do things your own way, singing that little hymn as you do so:
For what is a man,
What has he got?
If not himself,
Then he has naught.
To say the things,
He truly feels,
And not the words,
Of one who kneels.
The record shows,
I took the blows
And did it my way!

Monday, January 02, 2006

Okay, it's time for my bi-weekly explanation and repurposing of the Something That Happened project. (That's a joke; in fact, I haven't repurposed this project for at least a month!) But first, a video update regarding Mom's headache (which I spoke of a few days ago):

"Hammy for my Mammy" [QuickTime video; click and wait a few seconds, or maybe several, or perhaps minutes or even hours or days]

Now, back to The Explanation. Something That Happened is exactly as described: something that happened. Like natural selection, it is a random event, carelessly and thoughtfully planned. It's foundation was purposeful, and the project is not restricted to any particular form. It is not a blog; it is (currently) composed of journal entries that are posted on a regular basis and generally displayed in reverse chronological order.

I contradict myself often, but only in the name of art. This is perhaps because I am one confused individual -- but I mean no harm.

Honestly (or I should say, more accurately, since I don't even know what I believe anymore), Something That Happened is neither purely a website, nor purely a blog, nor purely a podcast. It is a Becoming. (Whatever that means.) Seriously, though (and I'll really try and be serious for a moment here): It is not simply a linear tale, though in many ways, it is. It contains stories of all kinds: commentary, fiction, nonfiction (Is there such a thing?), true accounts from my personal life, personal journalism; yet it is also one big story itself: the story of me, and you, and my mom, and my dad, and my loved ones, and you, and anyone else who chooses to participate (and thus, enter the narrative).

Yes, it has boundaries: there will probably never be any porn distributed through Something That Happened -- at least, not any that can't be passed off as art (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) -- and you won't ever find any snuff films here -- that is, as long as I don't accidentally electrocute myself or something during a live webcast. You won't find any solicitations here either, except for -- perhaps, one day in the future -- money.

The project began its life -- well, it's difficult to say, really. It seems to have begun its life offline, conceived in the deepest recesses of a mind influenced by the art of Those Who Came Before. Yet one can also argue that it was officially born online, the day Something That Happened made its first appearance as a website. In any case, the project has extended beyond the web, to devices such as the iPod and iRiver, and one day it may even become a book. Your mom may one day even know about the project, when it's a multi-dimensional virtual reality she explores after reading about it in the Times! (That'll be in the distant future, though, so we won't bring that up again for awhile.)

So enjoy Something That Happened, and participate in the project by commenting or emailing or subscribing or telling your friends about the project or by calling my Skype number and leaving a voicemail (ID haroldjohnson; in fact, if you leave me your number, I'll call you back, recording the conversation so that it will be incorporated into this project somehow), or by using one of the contact methods described on VoyagerRadio's Contact page. (VoyagerRadio is another project of mine.) Another way to participate would be through hiring me; I have great difficulty getting myself up to the task of seeking employment, so if you find a job for me it would change my life considerably! (What can I do? Oh, just about anything...and you already know I can write and podcast and stuff!)

Okay, I've explained enough for now. Watch the damn video if you haven't already. I love you. Be my friend.
posted by Harold  1/02/2006 05:23:00 PM
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I once posted, in this space (this right column), the following:

If I had friends they would be listed here

That particular bit o' text, that silly and idiotic phrase, was repeated a dozen or two dozen or so times and was intended to be temporary. I had been working on a project -- a new layout for this blog -- and had intended for that text to be placeholder content. That is, the text was supposed to temporarily replace the content that had previously occupied this column (which was a list of links to friends -- that is, other blogs and web sites I linked to). I didn't know what content I was going to place into that (this) space, so I placed a bunch of duplicate phrases here as a placeholder so that I would remember to fill in this space again later.

At the same time, I thought I was being cute with the heading:

NEW & IMPROVED FRIENDS!

The fact remains: I still don't know what content to put here, in this column. Links again? Pictures? Video? Audio? Ads? Oh, hell no! It hasn't come to me yet, but I'm sure it will eventually, and when it does it'll come quick and (as usual) with consequences.