Like I Was Saying...
I want to talk a little more about what I'm calling Skating the River.
A couple of years ago, during my "writing comedy" phase, I stumbled onto English Comedian Richard Herring's website. I've yet to see his comedy, but Richard does seem to be doing well.
But he had this post called Warming Up.
I read it and loved the idea and had always wanted to do something like it.
One thing I love about the idea is that Richard is practicing his writing.
I am trying to improve my writing and to force myself to think about how things have made me feel. But it is something I am doing quickly, half an hour tops, and something that I am not going back and editing. So there will be mistakes and things that are frankly rubbish and embarrassing.
I’ve always loved this idea, but yet to put into practice. Sure, I’m a tad weary about the not going back and editing part. But, we’ll see. I’m really bad at writing.
I agree with Dan Milnor that writing is the highest form of art. Yes, this includes photography and video - even short-form content like TikTok.
Writing you can do anywhere and post it anywhere.
Do people read like they used to?
No, I think the world is moving on to other forms of "content," but a few people still read long form.
Writing is still a good way to articulate one's thoughts. And conveying an idea through writing takes practice.
And Lord knows I need the practice.
Other artists I admire who still write long-form blogs, like Dean Wesley Smith and Matthew Dicks, both writers and storytellers.
When I think about artists I'd love to emulate; these two guys come to mind.
So I want to try this out.
Like Herring Skating the River will be a diary or journal of sorts. But I aim to have other writing in here as well. Plus, what Eric Kim calls turbo thoughts.
Plus, my photography and links to YouTube for my video.
At least, that's the plan today.
Where does the title Skating the River come from?
Of course, calling this exercise "Warming Up " would be gouache." That's Richard Herring's title; using it would be stealing in my book.
So when I thought of how I would title this exercise, a 1999 Mystery, Alaska popped into my head. The movie is about an ongoing hockey game in small town Mystery, Alaska. The locals play this game until they're unable to play. Unfortunately, an aging Russell Crowe is being voted out of the match by the town council to open a slot for a younger player.
Advocating for the younger player, a council member mentions that the kid has been "Skating the River." Everyone in the room understood what this meant—even the aging Crowe.
Now back to the movie opening:
Mystery, Alaska opens with this beautiful shot of a snow-covered Alaska. The camera comes down, and we see this lone solitary figure whizzing over a vast frozen river in the Alaskan Wilderness.
This is skating the river.
It's what a player has to do when you want to play in the biggest game in town.
You skate the river.
This is my attempt at Skating the River.