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Soooo…. you know how it is. People have been banging on at you for years to start a blog, or a website, but it keeps sinking to the sludgy, guilt ridden bottom of your ‘to do’ list (somewhere just above ‘write novel’). But you think, ‘well, I’m busy, actually writing plays and TV shows and directing things and playing online scrabble’ so frankly you should be proud of yourself for having better things to do. Then, as chance would have it, you are temporarily incapacitated by a spot of cancer, and frankly you’re not feeling up to much what with all the pills and radiation and shit (the latter being the most painful).
The thing about cancer is that it involves many things – fear, stress, hilarity, love, camaraderie, loss of dignity, more loss of dignity and lots of sitting around feeling generally a bit crap and somewhat disinclined to do any real work. You’re not doing very well at this being ill malarkey, and keep wandering off to the local Co-op where you nearly nearly keel over at the checkout into the basket of cut price malt loaf. And then when you get home your wife of just nine months tells you off for over doing it, as does your sister, and it’s only when you tell your somewhat wonderful niece about your frustrations that she texts you and says: ‘What you need, Uncle Martin, is a PROJECT. Why don’t you start a blog?’
So for want of a good reason not to, now seemed to be the ideal time.
The blogging guides recommend that you set out a kind of manifesto in your first blog, something to aim for.
Well… I like a good rant (as any of my Facebook friends will testify), but I also like to analyse and interrogate the world around me; culture, politics and other assorted collisions with life. I travel a lot, so occasionally I’ll do a bit of travel writing…. And then there’s the day job. Hopefully I can find some vaguely original things to say about writing, directing and miscellaneous other media tartery.
So let’s see how it goes, and whether the blogging itch persists beyond the dreary indolence of cancer. Or whether what I write is something you guys are going to want to read, and not just an exercise in solo air trombone.
Oh yes, and ‘Ninja Marmoset’?
That’s probably the other reason I decided finally to dive into the world of bloggery. I had guessed that my usual online moniker ‘Smartartz’ would doubtless be taken, and so when, a few weeks ago, my old friend, George Dillon, pointed out that Martin Jameson could be rearranged to suggest a cuddly new world monkey with pugilistic tendencies, it did seem to offer a more than appropriate blog-moniker.
Soooooo…
Like I say: ‘You know how it is….’
I had a premonition this would happen two days ago when daydreaming that your Facebook posts were actually blogs – I know we have silently fallen out because I fell asleep watching your offie nominated and MEN winning creative project – please forgive me I don’t have the excuse of prostrate cancer but I get really tired when I work on the radio listening to all the anecdotes and wondering where my life went not meeting Juliet binoche on the set of Chocolat or playing the villain in RoboCroc (like your blog all this is fact). I’ve always admired your zest for life which when keeling over in supermarkets and compromised by radioactivity is still maintained with the energy of your writing on Facebook or discussions about art in Manchester cafés and pubs. Writing like yours energises, enlivens and maintains a community connection between people that The bingo loving Government are ignorantly destroying – so more power to your Duracell pumped writing which will never keel over in the Co-op. What’s next?
Thanks Tony for your kind words. And just to prove that you are forgiven, I will allow you to go on being my friend despite your complete inability to meet Juliet Binoche on a film set, something that is normally a pre-requisite of any social interaction upon which I engage.
Great start Martin! I went for other distractions, not being a writer but whatever gets us through eh??? Will look forward to reading more. X
I just love your writing, Martin – it’s as if it flows directly into my cerebellum or wherever it is, so thank you for an alternative dimension in which to read it. And big hugs, virtually speaking xxx
Thanks Jilly and Helen, feel like there’s lots to talk about so keep reading – and tell any blogophile friends you may have. Might as well try to get an audience for this if I can 🙂
Will do xxx
I’m looking forward to following your adventures here Martin. Blogging is a great way to reach out to the world, share your perspective, and have a public debate. You’ll build on that fan base that is already growing! You’ve got a great talent for storytelling so seeing you bring your world and the worlds of others into focus here is going to be fascinating. Good luck with this!
Thanks Matt, I’ll put your link on my page if you’ll do the same at your end!
Absolutely! Let’s make this a transatlantic thing.