08 March 2007

A Blank Canvas

What was jingoistic? It definitely wasn't me; if anything, I'm turning more and more into a liberal. Only last week, I switched newspapers from The Times (read by right-wing old people) to The Independent (read by left-wing, dynamic young people). Although not because of any change in political view, simply because The Times is as dull as dishwater. I don't think I've posted anything vaguely right-wing or nationalist so the name really doesn't make any sense.

So in an effort to be taken more seriously (and not to be labelled as a BNP member), I've decided to completely redesign the blog.

I think the most difficult part of the switch was the naming process. I wanted something that was witty, hilarious and deep. This proved quite a challenge. I skimmed through various different books (including my GCSE poetry anthology) and spent many days thinking up the perfect blog name, but my mind was blank.

My house is littered with canvasses; some hanging off the walls and the rest stuffed under my bed. It seemed fitting to call the blog "A Blank Canvas", since my future is so malleable at this moment in time. Who knows what will become of me in couple of years? Like a blank canvas, this is a fresh start. Hopefully It'll turn out to be a masterpiece and not some idle doodle.

(And whilst searching Wikipedia, they described a canvas as "artistic material". Well that's me alright.)

Like Smirnoff ice, this blog has been filtered for a richer, smoother taste. I hope you enjoy.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent. Another soon-to-be member of the Lib Dems (or "yellow peril" to their enemies) i hope.

And you're right, it's definitely a better name for a blog. Rather imaginative of you. Mine's just "Hunting For Witches" cause it's a good song. And quite political...

The Usual Stuff said...

Well, you really got me by surprise. Be prepared to be followed wherever you go by yours trully, (if you don't mind it, of course)since I really appreciate your writing style , which I believe will gain a lot with this new idea behind it.
Congrats on this new begininig. Salud!

thethinker said...

Too bad I can't drink Smirnoff Ice.

Now I have to go update my blogroll.

gneake said...

I should really try Smirnoff Ice. I think I am perpetuately alcoholically challenged - no matter how hard I try I shut down before I even get past four drinks. Pathetic i am.

But congrats on your clean slate, as I expect even greater things yet to be painted...

Anonymous said...

It is what you wrote that counts. Never mind too much about colour, form, etc. You will become more unmoved and detached when you grow older.

KATHBEE said...

All sounds promising...looking forward to reading more =)

sciurine said...

Your blog is certainly no less than "artistic material" - a very aptly named blog i must say. You are only of the very few talented writers around, and your posts never fail to provide me with some good entertainment ;)

I like the change of scenery.

Simon said...

Urg, now I have to go and update all my bookmarks and feeds. Its a good thing I enjoy reading your blog else I wouldn't bother.

On a side note I read the Independent too.

Jingo said...

Leo: I haven't gone that far left! (yet...). Ah Bloc Party, Not my cup of tea unfortunately.

usual stuff: I'm glad someone appreciates it! Hopefully the new blog will inspire me to write more, although that's no guarentee...

thethinker: It's the only alcopop I will drink. Anything else just tastes disgusting.

gneake: I can't tolerate much alcohol either, although to be honest I haven't really tried.

Thanks for the encouragement!

kb: Thanks! Hope to see you here more often.

sciurine: It certainly took a while to think up the name! I'm glad you like it, I needed a change.

Simon: wow, another fan! Let it be known that I appreciate your efforts immensely, fellow Independant reader.

Inexplicable DeVice said...

Ooh, switch from Smirnoff to Bombay Sapphire, then you really will have made it!

Glad you left a trail from your old place. Be careful though. Look what happened to Hansel & Gretel - the real ones, mind. The witch followed the trail of crumbs, found them and ate them.

And most delicious they were too.

So I heard.

* ahem *

DeBunkem said...

I like the look Jingo! And congratulations on your prize too. You are one smart chap.
~ DeBunkem

ldbug said...

A nice look:-) I changed the link on my site!

b. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
b. said...

i still love you Jing, either way...

blank canvasses is artistic-sounding... maybe you're more of a writer than a politician after all....

;-)

all the luck you can get,
-baie.

Miao 妙 said...

Wow, I was only reading your email one minute ago in which you mentioned that you were thinking of starting anew, and the next minute when I visited your blog I realised that you have already switched! That's fast...

Anyway I've updated your link. ^^

Jingo said...

device: I'm more of a J2O person myself to be honest. Alcopops don't really appeal to me that much...

debunkem: If I was really smart, I would have got gold!

Idbug: Thanks! Glad I haven't been forgotten.

baie: You're right! Perhaps I am more of a writer than a politician... Maybe I'm a mix of both...

Miao: Time moves so fast on the internet... Oh, and thanks for the link :D

Inexplicable DeVice said...

Alcopop?

Bombay Sapphire is Not an alcopop!

* Rolls eyes at youth of today *

It's a most delightful gin, dear.

* tuts and pours self a gin & tonic *

Torquer said...

Does this blank canvas mean you will finally stop slagging me off? Probably not.

You can clean a slate, but there will always be ingrained dirt.

Jingo said...

device: Well it sounds like an alcopop. Gin is such a sofisticated alcoholic drink... I don't think I'm ready ;)

torquer: probably... What stops you slagging me off?

Oh, and very deep Torquer. Very deep... ;)

Inexplicable DeVice said...

A most wry usage of an 'f', dear Jingo.

Dinah said...

I like Smirnoff Ice, so I'll probably like this as well.

none said...

Changed the bookmark.

I like the new blog. I'll stay tuned :)

Tickersoid said...

I prefer the stance of the Independant but the information rich Times.
Are you going to change your blog everytime your life has a minor change?
I don't think I coud keep up.
I still regard myself as a blank canvas even though in reality, there's little room on it that hasn't been doodled on then scribbled out.

Jingo said...

device: why thankyou...

dinah: I hope you do. I worked hard on it!

hammer: Glad to have your supporter. Hopefully this'll be 10 times better than the last.

Tickersoid: I like to be entertained by what I read and although the Times is full of information, it just isn't very interesting. I prefer the content and layout of the Independant by far.

And I think I'll stick with this layout. I worked very hard on it, thinking up a name for a blog is hard work!