The Flame Still Burns (original)

Where to start... I'm new to blogging, but I guess a good starting point would be to explain where this blog is coming from. Those who know me already know I'm not the extrovert type and that I generally keep my thoughts to myself. So blogging is not really part of my nature.

So then again, why this blog? I think the answer that best describes the feeling I have is in the lyrics of a song by Strange Fruit. If you've never heard of them, let me try to help: go and get your hands on a copy of a movie called "Still Crazy". Buy the dvd, rent it, download a copy, it doesn't matter what you do, but you should definitely see this movie. It's funny, it's moving, it's light and it has a great soundtrack. This is not one of those movies who will get you thinking about life, about what we are and where are going to. But it will stay in your head for years and you will still smile when thinking of it. The movie is about a rock band called Strange Fruit.. and one of their songs, the one I'm thinking of, it's called "The Flame Still Burns".

Now, if you have seen the movie, you are probably confused, since it has nothing to do with blogging. Listen again the song I mentioned - you can do it on youtube, here. Be careful to watch the version I linked - there are others with extracts from the movie and they would only ruin the movie for you. Actually, the song's version featured in the movie is... incomplete and the only lines that are missing are exactly the ones I was thinking of when I started the blog. Ironic, isn't it? Well, I can't be mad at the director, the lines are replaced with a guitar solo and the moment the guy hits the first chord of his guitar it's one of THOSE moments. You know what I'm talking about, one of those moments that deeply move you, instants of pure beauty. I'll not say more, because I don't want to ruin the film for you.

Well, to get back on the subject, these now famous lines from the song from the movie I keep telling you about go something like this:

I, I want my thoughts to be heard
The unspoken words of my wisdom
Today, as the light starts to flow
Tomorrow who knows who will listen

And there you go, this is how I feel. I don't consider myself the wisest person on Earth, but I do use my head from time to time to produce some thoughts. Thoughts and opinions that I would like to share. And it somehow feels easier to share with "strangers" than with real life friends. Moreover, I have noticed a long time ago how writing something down (or simply explaining it to someone else) helps you clarify your thoughts and ideas.

An example of what I'm talking about is that sometimes I read a book before I go to bed. And when I put the book down and turn of the light, I'm thinking about something I've just read that has marked me. So instead of just sharing those thoughts only with my wife while we are stuck in traffic the next day, I could just blog about them. Expect a lot of random subjects, there won't be a common theme on this blog. And don't expect daily updates, sometimes I'm reading something just to empty my head of any thoughts.

I don't know whether I will have the perseverance to keep this blog going for a long time, this is something that only the future will tell. I know I won't hide myself behind the "lack of time" excuse - if I really want to share something, I can find the 30 minutes needed to do so. Eh, let's not get ahead of ourselves, I'll take one step at a time and see where I end up. In the words of one of my favourite authors, "It's a dangerous business,  going out of your door. You step into the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to."