Sunday, August 02, 2015

Wait. I play chess?

That’s how it feels this summer. I’ve been caught up with typical life things called work and family. I haven’t been doing anything chess related since my last post and oddly I’m Ok with that.  I’m working on an interesting medical device at work and spending extra time learning new things.  Putting time into learning new skills seems to provide more bang for the buck  than boning up on the latest variation and nuances of the Caro-Kann defense.

Speaking of other satisfying pursuits, I’m also in a part time band. Again, learning new songs and techniques also seems to satisfy the neural plasticity excitation I was seeking for a long time with pure chess endeavors.  A part of my past is that I wanted to be a rock star back in high school ( who didn’t).  I had a parallel life.  Dad tried to convince me that the right girls were attracted to the guys in the chess club for their intelligence.  I doubled down and played in a rock and roll band because, well, Dad wasn’t always right.

This brings me to another topic, I’m writing about those wanna be rock start days and how it didn’t quite work out the way I had dreamed coming from a small college town in Brunswick.  I was inspired after reading several biographies of Rock and Roll stars, that I thought “ What about those of us not growing up in London, New York or San Fran who had a lot of misguided attempts and misconceptions and tried anyway.”  So I am investigating my misspent youth and how the partying and rock and roll attempts usually ended up in the wrong place.


Would any of you readers be the least bit interested in reviewing early material here as snippets from my chapters?  I am toying with this idea or do you want chess only posts from me?

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Welcome back Blunderprone!

regarding alternate material, your not alone. another talented chess player/blogger now regularly adds non-chessic posts to his blog too.

IMHO, this is a blog not a chess magazine and your absolutely free to write about what engages you. I don't know how talking about other stuff will affect the your readership.

will it be that those people that have included you on their watchlist; will stop visiting so much once you talk about rock and roll. maybe people that like rock and roll will learn a little bit of chess- once you get a reputation of having interesting rock and roll posts?

in all likelihood, though, there seem to be so few people in the blogosphere it doesn't really matter. Also, I have always considered my blog to be a personal extenstion of what I am thinking about- and I will zealously insist that I have a right to comment and talk about what I am interested in.

a blog isn't a book. it isn't a publication. its a journal entry. on the side, it is nice to think that someone might profit from my ideas. on the other hand, I have had several interesting and thought-provoking discussions with high level chess players because of some of my thoughts. I have no idea how it will affect those conversations.




Tomasz said...

I agree with Jason. You may share at your blog whatever you wish. From my point of view - if the "non-chess" addition will be connected with chess - it is more than great!

At my blog I try to share my thoughts related to chess, but in a connection with many various things. This way I feel my blog is more original than others - those related to "pure chess" things.

From the practical perspective: you can try to publish more often, even when you have not so urgent and important posts (thoughts, reflections). This way you may have a better relationship with your readers! :). Hope this helps!

Liquid Egg Product said...

Non-chess stuff is more than welcome! Post away!

Seeing multiple dimensions/aspects of a person makes them more interesting. It's mainly cartoon heroes/villains who need be one-dimensional.

(As far as a high schooler who didn't want to be a rock star? There's at least this person...)

Anonymous said...

Feel free to post anything you like, but I am left contemplate if you feel that the time and energy spent on chess all these years may have been a waste.

Tomasz said...

Hello George!

Did you lost interest at running a blog? I notice you have not posted any articles for ONE year. Did you quit chess or maybe some obstacles got in the way? Just curious (as I really liked reading your articles).

Good luck in your private and chess life :)

BlunderProne said...

I still love chess, but I have a lot of obstacles in my path these days to devote the amount of time this game requires in order to not bleed hard earned rating points. My private life has taken some curious turns with new demands and most I wish not to get into publicly in a blog. I've been finding an outlet in music lately playing in a local band. There's a whole different reward/ cost ratio in that one.

I am hoping after the holidays, I may re-emerge in the chess world as I do miss the arena.