Tags
Calvin and Hobbes, Curriculum of the Spiritual Life, Hiatus, Listening to Understand, More Enigma, Philosphy, Prayer, serial monologues and insults, The Art of Dialogue, Theologians and Philosophers, Thoughtful Dialogue
Dear Readers,
When I took a course to learn how to create a blog (this betrays my age and low technical ability), it was with eight others my age or older. Only the instructor was under 30, and happily told us how she, on her own, created her wonderful and well read blog (and it is). At the first class, she asked each person to describe the kind of blog they hoped to write. Everyone else in the class spoke cheerfully about their’s being either a travel, food, or fashion blog…
… when it came to me – the only male and second youngest in the room – I tried to describe what I was after in “More Enigma.” The instructor paused, and innocently asked, “who would read that?”
It is a good question, and I often wonder why you would grace this post.
My answer was, “probably five others on earth who think like me.” Or rather – since many do not “think like me” – I might say: “others who think – because they like to think as I like to think.” This desire to “think” came out of the realization that there was little actual thoughtful dialogue in places like Facebook or in the comment section of news articles. I decried the low-level discussion and diatribe that tend to erupt in response to “join the conversation” (a most ironic invitation which gives the illusion that serial monologues and insults pass for real “conversation”).
Anyways, I admit, my articles are often overly philosophical, filled with minutiae and dendritic pathways along a circuitous route. Each article aims to speak to the enigma of our worth, the enigma of God’s work in the world, and the enigmatic current that undercuts dogmatic world-views in a time when moderns find it increasingly more difficult to follow a train of thought longer than a seven-second soundbite. Minutiae get’s lost in marketing and yelling past each other. It’s difficult to carry on a conversation when the art of dialogue (you know: actually listening to someone else’s point of view for understanding, and responding respectfully with yours) is eroding before our eyes.
All this to say that I will be taking a hiatus from writing More Enigma during this very busy summer in order to attend to family matters and other writing projects. It is not because there is little to say; it is because there is so much to say, and I will not have the capacity this summer to give the time I need to write in “More Enigma than Dogma.”
I am reminded of cartoonist, Bill Watterson who’s Calvin and Hobbe’s cartoons were a massive hit in its day. Watterson celebrated the longer cartoons of his youth like Pogo. He delighted in dealing with deeper subjects and creative perspectives that demanded more of him than the joke-a-day single panel comic. He noted that there may be some artists who might be able to churn out a cartoon by noon in time for an afternoon golf game, while he might take an entire day, or days to finish a creation from concept through writing to completed artwork.
Far be it from me to compare my articles to Watterson’s brilliant cartoons whose title, Calvin and Hobbes, gave allusion itself to theologians and philosophers… but my blog, as you already know, isn’t a flash of travel, food, or fashion photos. There’s nothing wrong with those; it’s just not what I am interested in.
It takes me hours of research, weeks of preparation, many internal debates, several conversations with others, and numerous edits (while still managing to miss the typos and grammar mistakes) till I post something that I can reasonably defend. All the while never knowing who will read and respond.
“I’ll be Back!”
Nevertheless, I expect to be back soon enough. In the meantime, may I direct you to my “Prayer Blog” – entitled “Curriculum of the Spiritual Life.” There you will find short posts of “Poems, Prayers, & Proverbs that speak to what it means to be a living curriculum of the Christian Life.”
Grace and peace to you.
Rusty
stacilys said:
Hey Rusty, have a great break. Have you ever read Kenneth Justice’s blog, “Culture Monk”? He feels the same way when it comes to modern culture and the lack of ‘thinking’. He just got his masters in the liberal arts. Anyhow, if interested, you can read his stuff here:
http://culturemonk.com
See you when you get back. Or maybe I’ll be on hiatus then. Haha. I am planning on writing a devotional book called, ‘Art and Devotion’, which will demand too much of my already limited time. That and taking a photoshop course.
🙂
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R.H. (Rusty) Foerger said:
Thanks Staci. And thanks for the link. I have been looking at culture monk already. All the best in writing your book! I too am working on a book, but at this moment we are with our daughter waiting for our first grandchild. Shalom to you.
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stacilys said:
Oh wow. Congratulations.
Thank you Rusty and Shalom to you.
Have a great summer. As for me, heading into winter. Today I am feeling it. haha.
🙂
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Elle said:
Bummer, but also glad you are continuing to write. Hope you find peace and serenity through the word of God and your relationship with God and others. See ya soon!
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R.H. (Rusty) Foerger said:
Thanks! I look forward to…it all! Off to this short sabbatical. Grace to you.
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petraperkov said:
Dear Rusty,
May you have a wonderful, prolific summer.
God bless you.
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R.H. (Rusty) Foerger said:
Thanks Petra. I appreciate your blessing.
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dswoager said:
Just came across this tonight. I’ll have to follow you so I can pick back up when you come back. Ironic that the first post of yours I saw was for a hiatus. Have a nice summer.
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R.H. (Rusty) Foerger said:
Thanks dswoager; I am comfortable with irony (smile), and here’s to hoping you have a tolerance for enigma. I just scanned a few of your posts (and returned the favour of following), and suspect you too are interested in what I will call “better” conversations about any of the issues of the day. Though I have already started some articles to be posted the first Wednesday in September, you will have to contend with what I have already written on various topics around “relationships, culture, and current events”. Grace to you as you move your untenable whale. Rusty.
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Malcolm said:
Rusty my friend. May you be blessed and bless wherever you are!
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R.H. (Rusty) Foerger said:
Thanks! I am blessed, and hope to be “blessing” wherever I am. What a wonderful blessing to be blessing! And more, thanks for your friendship and encouragement.
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