This is what I aim for
By some cosmically coincidental path, I recently stumbled across the blog of Marieke Hardy. The particulars of my journey there are lost amongst the feverish information consumption I partake in after my evening scotch, but the point is I've found a voice that engages me and a personality that somehow, I feel I identify with. Marieke can be heard regularly on JJJ radio, the radio station that also happens to represent a voice I cling to as a rare, consistent, genuine and intelligent beacon in amongst the petty clichés of mainstream media. I think that strangely appropriate combination of interests is the reason I'm not afraid to say, at 26 years of age, that I have a 14 year-old crush on Marieke.
I compare it to the crush of 14 year old not because I think it is immature, but because I think it is based entirely on ideals and not on personal connection. I've never met the lady, she's never heard of me, but I'm attracted to the way that she lays bare her identity to be consumed by those that are willing. Her candid, funny, unashamedly nerdy writing captures me in a unique way. Ultimately, this is the kind of writing I aspire to.
I see Marieke blithely lay out phrases like "You may even come a little in your pants", and surround it by considered expressions such as "Why not pick up a novel and ... become so engrossed in Carson McCullers' searingly dry prose" and compare it to my own stunted, emotionless efforts. When I write "the particulars of my journey there are lost amongst the feverish information consumption I partake in after my evening scotch" I feel it is conceited and contrived.
This blog is creative outlet I enjoy (it's contrasts well with the rigour of my primary passion, engineering), but I especially like that I get to look up to the unpolished writing of others and learn. Have a go at this gem:
Breaking a sweat is boring as fuck, but good for the brain. If you're able to balance William Boyd on the LED display thing or whatever the hell it is trying to convince you you're cycling through the Parisian streets, you are doubling the awesomeness pulsating through your receptors. That's right, cerebrovascular affairs are my specialty subject.
PS. Marieke's blog is anonymous, so just imagine that I said "Ms Fits" every time you thought you saw "Marieke".
PPS. I've been on a rather inspiring date tonight, hence the embarrassingly romantic post tonight.