Why this web site?
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Why this web site?
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Notes on Swine Hall, prior to October 2003:
Like the difference between the headlights of oncoming traffic, and parking lights; A website, as opposed to occasional emails sent to a group. More passive, less intrusive.
As much as I like to know who I've written to (it's a means of connecting) sometimes there are things to say that I wouldn't impose on you by way of an email. But if I posted them to a personal web page, your eye could wander there, should it interest you. Of course I would eagerly invite your reply.
It's for me, and it's for you.
It's something for my children, for them to know me, and for them to see themselves as I have seen them.
It's for my friends, men and women. It's for long-lost people, and for ones I hope I'm yet to know.
It's an attempt to transcend the mundane.
I imagine this sometimes as a forum, of miniature proportions, and sometimes as a means of living in an increasingly virtual world.
If I could, I would create a virtual living room for you and me - available at your leisure. Not quite eye-to-eye, but it's available when you're on a break at work, at home minding sleeping children, or on another island or in another city.
Creating this is one of those things I can enjoy during this adventure into single life. For everything there is a season. At times I am lonely and wish not to be alone. But almost invariably, before long I find immense enjoyment in something I can only do alone. This is one of those things. I do hope that there's something in it for you.
You see (and I see) that at any moment, you can click, and say, "Eric you're being an idiot," and either go away, or write to me and say so.
If I open my mouth, we are guaranteed that I will put my foot into it sometime. (I've done that now) But how can one live, without relating with the world around, as best as one can.
We have different
speeds, each of us. With a small group
of people tonight I saw once more that I often run at a slower speed
than those around me. Sometimes I listen and observe (and maybe laugh),
not able and maybe not wanting to jump into the conversation at that speed and
intensity. It was a fun time, and I was okay with not being the same as
some of the others. But I look for ways of relating that my being
allows. This is one of them.
As I continue to add to this site, I feel that for one to connect with what I've posted here, one might have to slow... down. This can be difficult in a fast-paced life. My own experience is sometimes that I take a look at the site while I'm at the office, in the midst of employment pressures, and skipping through pages, I have trouble in understanding what led me to issuing some things. "Eric, what were ya thinkin?"
That may not be the only reason you'll need to slow down here. If your internet connection is not fast, I'm afraid the images may cause you a lot of waiting. I'm sorry about that. I'm trying to find the best method of balancing image quality and download speed. I'm eager to hear feedback on this.
Because of all those forwarded emails, telling me to make sure that loved-ones know that they are, before I get hit by a truck, unless of course I forward the email to ten people within five minutes.
Good question. It's an utterly ridiculous thing to do.
Because Christmas cards don't have to be given only at Christmas. I think that any opportunity one can find to sincerely wish another well - to convey love - is precious.
Because of music. I often float along in nothingness, or in the mundane, until I am ignited by something in a piece of music. It inspires, strengthens, soothes, settles, and helps me find home. Though these pages are silent (for now anyway) almost every thought or image was either born out of, or accompanied, someone's wonderful music.
The world has given me a lot of warm-fuzzies, and has thrown me some hard curves too. I suppose in this web I try to return to it some reflection of what I have seen. My expectation is that I will try to reflect some image of the beauty I see and hear around me. But honesty too, if I am to practice it, means that not all is beauty, and I am also unable to know all that will unfold.
James Brown says, "Give it up, or turnit a loose."
If ever I get really lost and lonely on the net, I can always return to my home.
A desperate attempt at self-preservation?
To bridge.
Sometimes this can be difficult.
Back to Why?
Why is it called Swine Hall?
Created Dec. 2002. Last updated 17 Jun 2005
