A new week and Iām just off the back of too many hours crosshatching a cartoon thatās really not worth the effort. During the tedious time it takes do fill a space with horizontal, vertical and two kinds of diagonal lines, my mind strayed to thinking about competence. Specifically, I suppose, I got to thinking about my own incompetence and the competence of others.
The simple fact is that Iām constantly staggered by the genius of people. I donāt mean the people who are known to be geniuses ā though, saying that, Iām staggered by the unqualified brilliance of Fiona Appleās new album ā but the ordinary people who are so very good at the things they do. Now, of course, thatās not everybody. I look around and see lots of people whose work I donāt like. And here, conversely, I donāt always mean ordinary people but the people who are known to be āgeniusesā. There really are some dire people at the top of the various trees.
Simply, thereās a lot of luck involved in any game, whether itās writing or cartooning or blogging or acting or even being an academic. Some people achieve the heights of success with a modicum of talent whilst others can be supremely good at their hobby whilst working long hours as a bus conductor.
Life isnāt fair. Which, I suppose, is why I carry on. Luck can always play a part, especially if you believe in hard work and getting better at what you practice.
Myself, I couldnāt draw to save my life years ago. These days I can cartoon with a tiny degree of competence but Iām usually a bit disappointed with the results. I can get better. Iām just beginning to worry about how many lifetimes it would take me to get to where Iād like to be.
All of the above was probably a prep talk to myself at the beginning of a new week. I honestly donāt know why I started this blog. Hardly anybody looks in and those that do donāt return. I must remember, though, itās not about people. Itās about myself.
Sort yourself out, David. Nose to the grindstone. Keep going.
Indeed. Head down.
Why would I not with nearly two visitors a day to the blog? š