Collared!

Yes, welcome to potential (and existing) members…

Different people have different days when they consider the year to begin, think of the Chinese New Year for example.

As you may know, for us in the Complicated Club, a new year starts on 2nd July according to the Western calendar. I say "for us", but of course there are exceptions to this rule, which I won't go into here, because it's complicated.

A new year is always a good time to welcome new members, who join for all sorts of reasons.

Membership is not automatically granted.. oh no… but the entry criteria are simple to understand. And for many bloggers, are easy to satisfy.

As follows:
A prospective member must begin to discuss a topic of genuine and personal concern with an existing member of the club.

When the existing member asks them to explain a bit more, the prospective member must convey reluctance, go quiet, or back off and then say "It's complicated". Bingo, you're in.

Although we're all equal in this club…. not!… premium grade membership is awarded to those who persistently use humour to cover up their true feelings about a topic. I would like to explain the reasons behind this to you… but…. er… it's complicated.

(Signed: Membership Secretary, premium grade)

Note: Complicated Club affiliations include:

Mixed Up Club
F#cked Up Club
and the
Cheesed Off Society

(note: the latter should not be confused with the Cheesed Off With Society League, with whom we are not affiliated.)

I think I'll keep on blogging mainly because it's another proof that we are all connected… (BTW this post should lighten up by the end)

Sometimes I go round in circles for hours or days or years… the technical term is 'being stuck'.. and every now and again someone will say something that rings true for me at that time; if they had said it earlier it would just have zinged through like a neutrino and had no effect.

Or sometimes somebody will display something about themselves, casting a silhouette or mirage, reminding me of me… often conveying a feeling as much as a thought… especially good with the hint of an inward smile...

Both of these can be the forerunner of inner change… and promise...

Then again blogging can bring the distraction I need… 'distraction' originally had no negative connotations, it didn't mean something superficial, it had the sense of "food for the soul", as if life wasn't meant to be all about duty and work.

God, so many of you fellow bloggers make me smile, both wistfully and amusingly. Cheers.

PS I made that bit up about the original meaning of distraction. I'm no etymologist, but those of you who are with me on this will know what I am on about, and why I did it.

(Ed: So... er.. when's it going to lighten up?)