Post #1 (Introduction)

Today is the first day of autumn. September 1st. For some reason, when I woke up, I remembered one of those Japanese traditions of old. Really old one, adopted by politicians and noblemen some thousand years ago. 

Oh, did I forget to mention distant lovers?

I am talking about the custom of starting a piece of writing—especially external business letters and emails—with Seasonal Greetings. Examples would be “Every time it rains, it feels like spring” in March, “The late severe summer heat” in August, “The season of falling leaves has arrived” in November. In Japan, the usage of such greetings is heavily based on the season, weather, temperature. Feelings?

I could draw a parallel with something like “Dear Sir/Madam, I hope this message finds you in a good mood” in European culture. And yet it seems to me that it does not show the whole depth of Seasonal Greetings. Moreover, this kind of opening is somewhat dead in the West. Modern people communicate with much familiarity with each other and use informal means to do so. To be exactly clear, they do not write letters or even emails anymore. Or at least that is what I think. 

And yet in the Japanese environment, Seasonal Greetings are no joke. They should be used appropriately. It is considered one of the norms of social behavior and etiquette—the show of respect and sincerity toward the person. And the impression from the chosen greeting will linger afterward for a long, long time.

For example, a New Year postcard (something similar to a Christmas card) sent to a family member or friend or boss must have a Seasonal Greeting on it. Absolutely. Needless to say, the used greeting must be carefully considered. It is no good to just write “although the severe cold continues” when the end of December was particularly warm and hope to get away with it. There should be some common sense, if anything.

Some of those Seasonal Greetings are easy enough to use, for they refer to some common weather patterns (like a sunny or rainy day). Some of them are astonishingly beautiful but hard to use in the modern language. Many of them are a bunch of nonsense. Or at least I feel so.

Of course, not a single person in his sane mind remembers all Season Greetings. There are just too many of them. Way too many. Instead, people google them or even copy-paste from their previous emails when needed. As easy as that.

Thinking about it made me wonder if life was tough in pre-computer Japan. Perhaps it was. But where was it easy back then? And yet, what is even more interesting is that this is only one of many Japanese customs that maintains its significance even in this rapidly modernizing world. No jokes, it really does.

Anyway, let me start again.

Today is the first day of autumn. September 1st. And the proper greeting.

“The mornings and evenings are getting cooler.”

Feels different, right?

Well, maybe not.

Especially for someone from Mexico. I do not think it is cool in Mexico in September. I also do not think someone from Mexico will be reading this.

If you are someone from Mexico, shoutout to you, buddy. 

Yes, this is my first post. There will be others, to be sure. Posts where I pound on thoughts blooming in my mind. On the self-developing universe and why the hell there is a burned hole in my carpet.

Some of the posts will be fascinating, well-structured, deep. Others will be chaotic, fractured, making no sense whatsoever.

But much more important is that all of them will be linked with one common notion.

A belief that I have.

I believe that there can be an idea (a world-building project in my case) that is not tainted by modern capitalism. By money-making systems that geld the concept until it is mashed enough to be consumed effortlessly. By the Message and the Free Speech that wish to protect your rights and set you free. Free to do as they tell you.

And, last but not least, by your own frame of mind. 

Please, do not get me wrong. I have nothing against any of it. I agree that art itself is expression and satisfaction in all of its forms. And that minorities need to speak and be heard through art. And to make a living on passion.

But I feel like there must be some boundaries to it. Not every film should exist with the sole purpose of satisfying the masses. Not every book should be chocked with diversity. And not every life goal should be money and money alone. I feel like there are too many genuinely interesting concepts that failed to preserve their essence. Failed to remain organic to enhance rather than detract.

Of course, not all of them. There are many projects and pieces of art I am in love with, and they are flourishing despite the odds. And yet, many things continue to...shrink amidst the overwhelming influence of modernity. Lose that depth and individuality that once defined them. And abandon itself in this whirlwind of madness we call a “fast-paced lifestyle”.

Yes, I am talking about some fifty-year-old epic space opera.

Sad.

I would be a liar and criminal if I started to rant that I do not need money. I do want to earn some money, to be sure. Trillion dollar money so I could sit on my arse and worry about nothing and just write. And write and write and write until I am a madman.

And while it would be nice to have some spare coins, it is not a primary goal. It never was. The true goal is to prove that I do not have to sell my own soul for success. Prove that I can do what I want to do, not what the market dictates. And still feel myself.

I want to prove it. I really do. I want to show myself and everyone that it can be the other Way. I can be whatever I want to be. I can build my dream. Even if I am alone and the whole world is against me. It has never been a problem. The destiny itself cannot bend me to its will. It fuels me, and through this blog, I hope to share this inspiration with others who seek to create without compromise.

Oh yes, but it only inspires me...