בוקר טוב עולם

I. About Me (בת קול)

I’ve always wanted to have a blog, but I never got past the step of brainstorming a fun name. Yet over the years, the likelihood of sharing my thoughts in writing, with strangers*, has shrunk to a vanishing point.

I was the type of little girl who received notebooks as presents, and filled their pages with cringe-inducing free verse. High school English teachers read my essays aloud to the class, while I maintained a facial expression that delicately balanced feigned embarrassment with beatific grace. 

The back half of my life has been decidedly less accomplished, writing-wise. Working on my college thesis taught me that I am (was?) really NOT willing to put in the work to intensively research and publish on a topic.** Since then, I’ve built a fulfilling career, which has not required further formal education. I now hold the dubious honor of being among the least educated people in my social circle.

Everything I want to say here is already being said somewhere else. Usually, by a person with some relevant qualifications to say it. So if I write, it’s not to share new information, or change anyone’s mind. It’s to revive my buried identity as someone who writes.

II. About the Blog (קול כבודה)

What is this blog about, and what is it not about? I believe that the answers to these questions will emerge through the writing process.

Here is what I know so far:

- This blog is about the topics that are on my mind. This will probably include Judaism, human-centered design, literature, running, Israel, thrifting, prayer, cultural criticism, language learning, architecture, resource conservation, and interior decoration.***

- I hope the voice of this blog will be like my best self: highbrow and lowbrow, funny but serious, or as my husband perfectly put it when asked to describe me in one word — pro-FUN-d.

- As a non-expert in most things, and due to my aforementioned aversion to research, I will try to accurately represent my knowledge and confidence level on the topics I discuss.

- That said, I give myself permission to express and substantiate my opinions, even without being an expert.

- I will try to cite sources and influences when I have them. But I won’t knock myself out with footnotes, except the just-for-fun ones.**** After all, nobody’s making money off of this!

I think that’s literally all I know right now. If you’re reading this, then I have to say…why? And also, thank you! Hope you enjoy.

______________________________

*I say this while recognizing that my readership will likely round down to zero.

**Not to worry, this halfhearted endeavor still got an A-, but not without groveling. My advisor’s parting words: “you’re lucky you’re a good writer.” Encouraging?

***Note how the topics are artfully mixed up for effect. Tbh, there are just 3 things: Judaism, books, and design.

****Now THIS is a footnote!