It’s kind of like basketball too. I have passable size (6′-1″), but can’t jump and worse still, klutzy as all get out.: balls bounce off my feet, shins, elbows, whatever, but I can’t dribble worth spit. But I’m comforted in knowing I got that from my dad, he’s always banging into things with his head and toes (it just wouldn’t be dad without a new scratch on his forehead).

Love your comment on the creative outlet thought.  I truly envy those that are creative.  I too love music, but have absolutly no talent for it.  I have been trying for two years to teach myself to play harmonica and have little to show for it.  Practice has not made perfect.  I understand your frustration completly.And the real rub?  My mother was a music teacher!  Played concert violin-my Dad played violin, my sister plays several instruments, both my daughters can play several.  The music gene completly skipped me.  Same goes for poetry-can’t do it worth beans. 

The only “creative” talent I can claim is a little bit of ability to do pencil sketches-as long as I stick to something simple.  Frustrating as hell at times to try to do something creative and the result is downright embarrassing.  Maybe in the next life.

Looking forward to your next post.

“…for no other satisfaction than seeing my name as the author…” Yep, that’s me. But I don’t have anything published, so I don’t have that “satisfaction” yet. I’ve only submitted a couple of things for publication, and the longer I go being rejected, the more I wonder if that would even do it for me now (seeing my name in print).

That creative outlet is a kicker. I wonder why some people have that urge? I love music. I love the guitar. I took a couple of guitar classes in college 20 years ago. I own an acoustic and an electric guitar. I stink! I would dearly love to play and just riff my time away, but I’m uncoordinated and just can’t manage my fret hand for either smooth chord changes or single notes. I have really put some effort into it on at least three separate occasions for chunks of two or more years and never saw improvement. But something about musical creativity gnaws at me. But I just don’t see it happening and it really ticks me off. I feel more adept at writing.

Security in writing. I belong to an online poetry critiquing site. Many I have visited are nothing more than a place to get a clap on the back about your “excellent” work, even though most of it is crap. However, the site I belong to is brutally honest. But, if you want help becoming a better poet, that’s the place. So I have found that site helpful in creating a thicker skin.

You just made me think of my next post: the manipulation factor of those who “create.”

Now, having confessed, I’ve also found that writing is another outlet for a desire to create. I’ve dabbled in several creative outlets and have always felt a need to “make” something.

I must confess too, that I have never felt secure in anything I have written. I feel like I’m always looking over my shoulder, just waiting for someone to say, “dude, you really suck!” I’m insecure enough that if someone came right out and said that, I may just stop.

The typical non-fisherman sees an unshaven fellow with a big gut, talking to hisself, and prone to long fits of swearing – as something to avoid. Real anglers stop and ask “how many days you been wearing that tee-shirt?”

If the answer is > 10, I’m a prophet.

Oh Christ, now I’m bragging …. I think …

You know, (I’m not sure if I said this already somewhere up above and I’m too lazy to look) I find I don’t think most blogs are too bad when it comes to the bragging thing. This book I read just really hit me. I finished it about a month ago. I took a bunch of notes and reading through them I ragged on the guy pretty hard. And my remembrance of the book is the same. I’m going back and skimming (and will probably reread big portions) before writing my review for the very reason you stated about the “first read” factor. I want to make sure I really feel the way I think I do (or change it) before I pen it.

Yes, Keith impresses me with not only the amount of writing he’s able to pull off, but the variety. And the hoot factor (I’m frequently chuckling while reading).

First impressions will impact a readers perception as well.  The first time you read a blog you might well think” this guys an ass”, but after reading his posts for a period of time you might come to the realization that he just has a unique style of writing or an off the wall sense of humor that you did not pick up on at first.  Then again, there are certainly those out there that are doing it just for the “look at me” factor.

Scott-I too have wondered the same thing about Keith, but he sure does come up with some interesting stuff.

The most popular fly fishing writing is probably the John Gierach type stuff. Much of his work fits the “light and humorous” category. Patrick McManus too. And I like that type of stuff occasionally, but I tend to like the more thought-provoking pieces more. Typically fitting into the personal narrative/memoir category. I’m also trying to find more fiction that doesn’t focus as much on humor (I quite liked Travers Corners, for example). Different strokes for different folks.

“Experiencing a change of value or perception.” I like that! Something that makes me think in new and different ways about the ordinary is what I like to find and read.