Addiction
Posted by Paul Cox on September 10th, 2009
I’ve had a little experience in my life with addiction. Fortunately for me, I wasn’t the one addicted; a close friend of mine, though, had a pretty serious gambling problem, and I’ve got a few friends who’ve dealt with drug/alcohol problems. (Most air traffic controllers know at least a couple of alcoholic co-workers, though they’re often “functional” alcoholics.)
I have to confess, though- writing is a bit of an addiction for me. Over the years, I’ve done a workshop or two, tried my hand at writing a number of types of things (non-fiction, novels, plays, movies, whatever) and one way or the other, this kind of thing that I’m doing here- opinions, commentary, newsy stuff- is what I’ve wound up doing.
Writing is both easy and hard. It’s hard, like this old quote (variously credited to a number of writers) indicates:
Writing is simple. First you have to make sure you have plenty of paper… sharp pencils… typewriter ribbon. Then put your belly up to the desk… roll a sheet of paper into the typewriter… and stare at it until beads of blood appear on your forehead.
Substitute “computer” for typewriter, of course.
And yet, I guess I’m an addict, because I can’t seem to give up the writing. And I try to approach it how Stephen King, one of my favorite authors (my two faves are him and Orson Scott Card) advised:
You can approach the act of writing with nervousness, excitement, hopefulness, or even despair–the sense that you can never completely put on the page what’s in your mind and heart. You can come to the act with your fists clenched and your eyes narrowed, ready to kick ass and take down names. You can come to it because you want a girl to marry you or because you want to change the world. Come to it any way but lightly. Let me say it again: you must not come lightly to the blank page.
(King, by the way, is a guy who knows a thing or two about addiction. I’m sure he gets immediately what I’m talking about when I say that the compulsion to write is both easy and hard.)
Anyway, this is a way of saying that despite John Carr’s awesome advice in The Main Bang the other day (and thank you very much, JTB, for offering it up) I’m going to keep knocking out some blog entries here.
John is a guy who also gets it. He’s addicted as well. John, my friend, I wish to hell I could follow your advice and just give it up- but I can’t. I’m hooked, and better to be hooked on doing some research and trying to get the words out of my head onto a blog post than to go out and get addicted to something far more destructive in my life.
BUT… I’ll promise ya this- I’ll try and keep the writing to when Ginger is out of town on a trip, and the only one suffering is Indiana the Wonder Dog (who is pretty good at coming into the office and guilting me into a jaunt around the neighborhood anyway).
To you, dear readers, I’ll try and keep knocking some stuff out, and this will remain a FAA-themed blog… but I’m going to mix in more commentary on other things. If you don’t like it, you are naturally welcome to take your reading business elsewhere. If you do like it, by all means, keep coming by!
I’m still kicking around some changes to the Follies as well. First change takes place now- I’m going back to the old comments system. I really like what the Intense Debate setup offers, but the number and variety of comments here on the Follies has just dropped off too much. So we’ll go back to the old method, and hopefully people will keep it in line.
I’m probably not going to spend as much time trying to clean up comments that get caught in the moderator’s queue; if you drop some swear words in, or too many URL links, and then wonder why your post didn’t appear, take your whining elsewhere- it’s your own fault.
And I would still LOVE to feature more writers here. I’ve got to get off my butt and work on that myself, but please- if you want to contribute, by all means, knock out an email to “faafollies@gmail.com” and let me know.
Later this week… Paul’s guide on how to vote on the NATCA contract proposal.
September 10th, 2009 at 3:44 am
Paul, I am not an atc but I have some relatives that are and I enjoy your blog. Keep up the good work. We are all interested in the final vote on the contract and also the run-off election.
September 10th, 2009 at 3:58 am
Thanks Paul, I appreciate you articles and the effort you spend to inform the public.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:06 am
I like the return to “normal” comments. Hey, my screen name may be coming true here real soon! Vote Ruth Marlin if you haven’t voted yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Glad you are continuing the “Follies”.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:58 am
Paul, I appreciate what you’re doing. Thank you so much. I’ll continue to drop by daily.
September 10th, 2009 at 6:52 am
Glad to see you’re going to continue (and that you restored the comment situation). I understand JTB’s advice and I applaud your decision. I’m out of the loop, now (and have been for nearly 12 years), but once a controller, always a controller (as any spouse can likely testify–mine will) and I never tire reading about the job in which I was involved for 30 years. Please take a look at my ATC website to see what I mean.
LRod
ZJX, ORD, ZAU Retired
September 10th, 2009 at 7:33 am
Hey Paul. I am glad that you have decided to continue with the Follies. I think I am as much an addict in reading it as you are in writing it. As LRod says, “once a controller, always a controller”. The Follies, as well as The Main Bang and Get the Flick, give me the information, perspective and insight that is not available (and never will be) from everyday news sources. I appreciate the time and effort that you have all put into your blogs. I believe there are many of us that feel this way. Here’s my chance to express my gratitude. Thanks!
September 10th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Thanks for sticking around a while longer paul, always enjoy your words,
Zack
September 10th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Glad to hear you decided to keep the Follies going. It’s a great place to get the “rest of the story” as a former broadcaster used to say.
September 10th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Great news Paul, thanks for keeping the Follies going. Remember to take time for yourself.
September 11th, 2009 at 7:23 am
Paul…
GREAT news. I really like reading what you say and also HOW you say it. You’re very insightful and your delivery is great. Keep it up. (of course, it helps that I agree with you on most things….)
And thanks for going back to the old comments….I like the banter MUCH better this way.
September 11th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Glad you are back Paul my friend!
September 15th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Glad your back,…lOl Misery loves company !
Shut this blog down please. All’s your doing is keeping people miserable.