So, the basics are all in place. Good.

Now, what on earth is it that drives someone to place their thoughts in a public venue, to be shot at by their fellow, men, women and other sentient beings? Is it a form of narcissicism? Maybe. Exhibitionism? Well, there's plenty of that about on the blogosphere, but not necessarily here. The disconnectedness of modern life? Possibly. Michel Houellebecq would make a great, but possibly highly opinionated and certainly controversial blogger.

Some blogs are about the great political issues and challenges of the era. They have a purpose, like a soapbox in the Speaker's Corner of Hyde Park. Does this blog have a political purpose? Well maybe, but only in the sense that every thinking person has opinions, whether they express them openly or not. I have great respect for those who use the blogosphere to air publicly what they might not otherwise be able to express without personal risk or disapprobation, like my friend Jewaira, who manages to combine humour, literature and serious comment on her collective pages. I may express political opinions, but only in passing.

Some blogs are predominantly about titillation. I have no problems with that. They probably get more hits than most, which just goes to prove that there's an enormous demand for it and that to deny it is an unhealthy form of hypocrisy. Each to their own, as long as no-one is harmed in the process, as the old Hollywood caveat about small furry animals goes. You won't find much to titillate here, for which I apologise to those on the look out for something salacious.

So, why? Predominantly so I can give my friends and acquaintances somewhere they can have a go at me. Or where I can immortalize my thoughts in HTML (chunks of Portland Stone being expensive and unwieldy for this particular application).

So, you ask (both of you), is this going to be Pooterish posturing? Maybe too early to tell.