[note: insert dramatic sigh]

I'm having another one of those Who-Am-I-Kidding-I-Can't-Write-Worth-Crap days. Ugh. Still, it could be worse. On Really Bad days, I even consider removing Humour in front of the word Columns from the nice orange banner up above because I've decided that not only can I not write, but also that what I do write isn't the least bit funny. Not even a poke-fun-mainly-at-myself-because-it's-rude-to-make-fun-of-others type of funny. Oh, the verbal self-flagellation that goes on! Eventually it does stop of course, but I still haven't found an effective way to prevent it from starting up in the first place.

The one thing I've learned though is that wandering around in the blogosphere when you're having one of those days is not, I repeat NOT, a good solution in trying to convince yourself that you have at least a smidgeon of writing ability, and that pulling the plug on your blog is rashly premature. No dear readers, do not venture into other blogs on Really Bad days because you will soon realize that at least 1,041,410 other bloggers have the right to claim to be writers, whereas you, well, you have at most what can be described as a vivid imagination when it comes to judging your own level of skill. [note: insert another sigh here, with perhaps a hand-across-the-forehead gesture for extra effect.]

It's true though. There are many talented writers* in this blogosphere and there are enough days when the only way for me to keep on writing is by accepting the fact that I have to write, regardless of ability. Thankfully there are also days when I can look back at some of what I've written and deem it not too bad, but I suppose in the end it doesn't matter; I write because I can't even imagine the alternative of not writing.

* One of the first blogs I was lucky enough to encounter was Calvesgarden Calendar, and I realized right away that his was special. I'm in awe not only of his writing style (he has the loveliest metaphors), but also of his extensive knowledge of books AND the proper names of things. That, snort, won't be found here. And check out the other blogs in the sidebar as well—talented writers all.