There was a time when I considered daily posting on social media a complete waste of time and energy.
I'm not saying that I now think that it's always the best use of those resources, but I've received messages from individuals who've read my musings, thoughts, and ramblings (cos, let's be honest, sometimes they are) and let me know that they appreciate them.
I'm sure they don't mean ALL of them.
But I get the impression that a couple here and there stood out and meant something to them, perhaps speaking to their situation at the time.
And it's cool to also have heard that some of these posts have been making their rounds in Chat channels on Whatsapp.
I find this particularly amusing, because it sounds like I've somehow attained the status of a "Good Morning" message.
I'm not sure if that's good or bad.
Anyway, thank you for letting me know that I'm not just talking to myself, happy as I often am to do so.
More importantly, thank you for assuring me that these thoughts and ideas have been useful to you in some way.
Ever Had That Nagging Voice In Your Head?
A nagging voice in my head told me not to plan too far ahead into 2022.
Because the pandemic will likely still be raging around the globe and a number of other issues may destabilise certain regions that I thought about visiting.
I told the nagging voice that I haven't even planned into December 2021 and to bother me when the last month of this year rolls around.
When It Rains, It Pours. Not Always A Bad Thing, But It Can Be Overwhelming.
When it rains, it pours.
In the past year or so, I've severely cut down my contact with the "outside world". I went days at a time without texting, much less talking to, anyone.
Also got off social media for some time.
But once I re-opened my doors to the "outside world", I suddenly am surrounded by loads of opportunities, interruptions, requests, connections, and so on.
It's not all bad, but it is pretty overwhelming at times.
I'm going to need to clear some brainspace again soon. But, for now, I'll be sifting through the chaff to find the wheat.
There's No Such Thing As a Fish? Really?
Some time ago, the term "fish" was used to categorise almost any water-dwelling creature - think shellfish, cuttlefish, starfish, etc.
Even dolphins and whales were categorised as fish at the time.
The term was later used mainly for "fin fish", which, as the name suggest, have fins or fin-like structures and are typically streamlined. This includes sharks which have a cartilage skeleton, as opposed to a bony one.
And then, a quote attributed to paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould purported that "there is no such thing as a fish".
It comes from the premise that "fish" are so biologically different from each other that it isn't quite right to place them all in the same category.
Of course, there are supporters, as well as opponents of this view. I'm not here to debate for one or the other.
I merely find the evolution of language and meaning fascinating, especially through different cultures and disciplines.
It reminds me that the words of today may mean something very different in the future, or may fall out of use entirely.