Fingering the Muse

[ehowton]

On March 26th, 2008 I changed the subtitle of my blog from the oh-so true, yet very obvious rip-off of BSG's 'My Triumphs, My Mistakes' (discussed here) to the phrase, Fingering the Muse after another one of those long "self-imposed disengagements from real-life." I was creating business cards and when it came to filling in my title, I paused. We all know how much I suck at trying to come up with names of characters (Skoal, anyone?) for example, so I just sat there, staring at the cursor.





Because my blog is so full of wonderful people telling me how creative I am, when I know I'm not - I'm simply able to expound upon other's ideas - which I then try to explain (often coming across as if I'm fishing for compliments) I find myself at cross purposes. How then, to properly explain that each of you are my inspiration? I've never claimed anything more than simply standing on the shoulders of giants so how does one go about best expressing what it is I do; that which inspires me?





This caused me to define what it is I actually do. And what is that, exactly? An easier idea might be to at least limit myself to the subjects and purposes of these new business cards. But I have my fingers in a lot of different pies, mostly because drax0r is always coming up with something new for us to participate in. Ergo even my new business cards weren't limited in scope. WHAT IS IT THAT I DO? And this, of course, is why I'm not creative. I couldn't think of a single applicable title in which to adorn myself with. Where is my muse? I mused.





Paraphrased from Wikipeida, in Greek mythology, the Muses are a sisterhood of goddesses or spirits (whose number are set at nine) who embody the arts and inspire the creation process with their graces through remembered and improvised song and stage, writing, traditional music, and dance. The Muses are used in modern English to refer to an inspiration, as when one cites his/her own artistic muse.





I decided, then, that my "title" as it were, would be, "Occasionally engaging the Muses, one by one." Well, I don't have to tell you why that sucked. "Dancing with the Muse" made it sound more proactive - something I actively sought. Excellent. But dancing is only part of what I want to do, and "Sticking my tongue down the throat of the muse" was certainly a mouthful. The more I thought about it, the more it dawned on me that I never even get a chance to bed the muse (Entering the Muse?), else I'd probably have my own ideas, instead of launching off the ideas of others. So while I briefly considered, "Flirting with the Muse" as my maxim, I know myself far too well. If I get half the chance, I'd likely be caught Fingering the Muse.





Though I skirted the question on the recent meme by using *only* the main title of my blog, ultimately, it lead at least one reader to seek out, then question my recent change. For those of you who weren't following my blog this weekend, I reiterate some of how I truly feel about life, love, and the creative process:

It started here with the question being benign enough, but sometimes the answers are so much more complicated. And that's not to say that I don't enjoy fingering the muse! WHO WOULDN'T? But as I am wont to say, each of us, has our own gifts.





Things done in secret usually require a smidgen of creativity in order to prolong them. Necessity and all that. With this adulterous relationship I have with my Muse, and given the nature of how I arrive at my genius coupled with having a desire to never be a dry vessel intellectually, and the unending draw of lust...I am constantly challenged.





And what does she get out of this arrangement? As already mentioned, my fingers are nimble - one trusts if there were any reservation it would've been brought to my attention before now. Why she does what she does, this I cannot say; I only hope she enjoys it as much as I do. Serendipity, the muse in Dogma who admittedly cannot write out a grocery list for herself quipped, "That's the cosmic joke. I can give out a zillion and nine ideas a second, but I can't keep any for myself. Her [God's] quirky sense of humor."





As you've read, I'm not limited to a single muse from which to draw my inspiration, though there are those I'd sure like to hit more than once. Just like in real life. And, fair to say, therein lies the irony. As I move through this thing called life, tapping that faucet of inspiration where I can, once I've sucked my own fingers dry the need to search out other sources is only important inasmuch as she has already moved on.





Were I one to lament the passing of such a thing, I'm sure attitude would, if not prevent, at least hinder the acquisition of my next source. But since I'm laying myself out to you, understand that it is her which usually finds me. Though I am the seeker, rarely do I find. Why I am sought out each and every time is anyone's guess. But as I was saying, were I one to lament such a passing, I'm sure I'd be far less successful than I am. I am able to reflect back that which has been given to me, freely, and at every turn will not only take what I can get, but be grateful for having been a part of it, no matter which role I play.

Comments

[schpydurx.livejournal.com]

I'm going to have to chew on this a while, butI did want to say uniqueblog might be envious of the pictures in this post.

[galinda822.livejournal.com]

That's what I like best about you, Erato sighed in bed, that's why you've become one of my favorites and why you will always be so.

Love your selection of pictures also!

[uniqueblog.livejournal.com]

Some are indeed very cool.

[uniqueblog.livejournal.com]

I have a few muses myself, but no pictures that say "muses" in theory or form.

How about graces instead?

Happy Meal by =UniqueNudes on deviantART

That's inspiring to fast food workers everywhere I'm sure. :)

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

I'm lovin' it!

[photogoot.livejournal.com]

Name: Eric G. Howton
Title: Post Modern Renaissance Man

BTW, I just completed watching BSG season 3 last week. It was only then I understood where your LJ title came from... Great! Now yet again we are moving on... ever changing you are. I get this one right off the bat though. :-)

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Erata is my personal muse and savior. Glad you enjoyed the pictures.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

I am man of logic, and of passion. The two do not well mix. Call it what you wish, simply put, I AM.

[catttitude.livejournal.com]

All that movie watching you need a massage.

[photogoot.livejournal.com]

To say the least! Nice avatar. You have been uploading quite the new arsenal I see.

[photogoot.livejournal.com]

You are.

[celtmanx.livejournal.com]

Oh, the RANK smell of hypocrisy!!!

[celtmanx.livejournal.com]

Who's that holding the drink you reckon?

[celtmanx.livejournal.com]

Very interesting and intriguing post.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

I reckon.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

You're very deep. Take your time.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Its not often I pique your interest, or your intrigue.

[celtmanx.livejournal.com]

I reckon too!!!

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

She moved to a Paid Account this weekend under the guise of needing more targeted avatars in which to interact with schpydurx as she wasn't giving up her walrus.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Without her, I am nothing.

[celtmanx.livejournal.com]

Contrary to some peoples thoughts I didn't mean the pictures.

[schpydurx.livejournal.com]

Am I that muti-facetted?

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

http://ehowton.livejournal.com/186162.html?thread=5297714#t5297714

[schpydurx.livejournal.com]

I had no clue that thread had ocurred.

In other news, how can you immediately respond to LJ comments, but not be on AIM today?

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

PFM