After many years of procrastinating, I have finally put up my first blog post. Yes, it’s 2008 and there’s something akin 112 million blogs out there so unless you’re specifically looking for me, you probably won’t find this small drop in the ocean. Even so, there are reasons for me starting this blog, some personal, some professional. If you’d like me to bore you, continue on.

Firstly, why has it taken so long?

I’ve owned the mentalblank.org domain since 2004 and have done absolutely nothing with the site except for using it to host files and play around with web designs. Why? I hate writing. Absolutely hate it. I’m a graphic designer and I love photography. If I have a design or an image in my head, I can open up photoshop or take out my camera and make that design or image.

If, however, I have thoughts in my head that I need to put down as words, I’ll be staring at a blank document forever. It just doesn’t work. I know what I’m thinking, I just can’t form those thoughts into words.

Writing has been the bane of my existence ever since high school. Any essays: blank. Science reports: blank ( except for graphs, I loved drawing graphs and diagrams ). Written exams: blank. Art critiques: blank. Bio for CV: blank. Cover letters: blank. Blogs: blank.

Well then, the mentalblank.org domain suits quite well, doesn’t it?

Okay, so why start now?

In a word: practice. As in all things, procrastinating probably won’t make you better at something. The reason I don’t write is not just because I’m not very good at it, it’s also because I’m not very comfortable doing it. It doesn’t feel natural. Some people have writers block. I have it all the t**ting time!

But for the sake of improving myself in this regard, I’ve taken the uncomfortable plunge into blogging.

Why not just start a journal?

What’s the point of writing if I know no one else is going to read it? Not that I’m expecting many people to read this blog, but if I’m doing this to improve my writing in a professional manner, I feel it would be better for me to make my writing public.

This will, hopefully, challenge me to write better. Also, I can put up pictures on a blog. I love pictures.

What will be on this blog?

I have no focus for where I want to take this blog so far. I’m guessing just my thoughts on matters regarding news, technology, design etc. Anything I have an interest in really. I’ll list a few of my interests below:

Design – Since I was a kid, I have always loved imagery. That’s just the way I work. Very visually. I’m tone-deaf and can’t sing two notes if my life depended on it, so thank goodness for design!

Photography – My interest in photography started when I was 12. That’s when I got my first SLR. I loved mechanical things and I loved imagery. Perfect!

Technology – I love gadgets, electronics, mechanical things. I just love the way things work. This ties in well with my love of design and photography.

Foods – I enjoy cooking as much as I enjoy eating. I think of cooking as another form of design. Having a taste in mind, I will set out to make it.

How often will this blog be updated?

Who knows. I’ll strive to update it as often as I can, but it won’t be easy. I’m never in the mood for writing. But if things come up that I’m interested in, hopefully I’ll have the motivation to write about it.

Wish me luck!