BLOG ON BLOGGING - THREE MONTHS WRAP

The internet is a billiard break shot by a black swan, possibilities scattering into unimagined and unimaginable alignments. Just ask Julian Assange. 

Five years ago, while still in 3G range, I pulled off on the side of the road about 50 kilometres from Coober Pedy. I had an appointment to skype an English colleague on the small Japanese Island of Shikoku. As the flies buzzed in the Australian desert, his kimono-wearing wife walked past and bowed to my laptop.

You could be reading this on wireless in Alaska, dial up in Venezuala or an iPhone in Broome. The world has changed.

There are winners and losers. Massive men whose status was once gleaned from the power of their arms, now aim fat fingers at keyboards while children deftly manoeuvre around the cosmos. The 'tyranny of distance' has been overwhelmed, its battlements stormed by nerds. While still holding dominion over most goods and some services, information and images have rebelled.

The Electronic Swagman is just another possibility spawned by this seismic change. It is exciting for me, allowing my love of Australia, travel and writing to be captured and shared. After 3 months these are some of my reflections, my Blog on Blogging.

On a presonal level my mind is better for the discipline of weekly writing. Where life concerns defined my day, their narratives now largely do.  The jewel is replaced in importance by the setting. Where I would once have argued with Joe from Morgan when he complained about the injustice of gays being able to prance around with their arses hanging out, I could hardly restrain my excitement. It's a story.

I am trying to be honest. If I am not them there is no point. The eSwag mission statement is to bear witness to an Australia that remains either hidden or only partially in view. The Blog has attracted around 10,000 reads to this point. Even more gratifying are the regular comments.

The reunion with old walkers through the blog is brilliant. Most even appear to still like me even after we have shared a week on the track. Well perhaps 'like' is too strong a word.

I love projecting words into Tommie's spirit. He is the gentlest of animals, the kindest of souls. As I write, or help write, his blog, that lovely energy inhabits me for a while and I am grateful to him for it.

We have written a book together and it is scheduled for publication later this year. The writing was made easier by his companionship. At each narrative block I could turn to him for a twist, or a dog perspective.

As I mentioned briefly last week the book will be published by Halstead Press, a publishing imprint that emerged from Angus & Robertson with its long tradition of printed books. They intend that the book, entitled THE ELECTRONIC SWAGMAN, be a beautifully produced volume that includes colour photos, quality paper and a larger print size.

Their decision to publish was assisted by the eSwagBlog. Halstead saw in this journey a vehicle that allowed the book to be a living document.

I had entertained the notion of self-publishing but the chance to be associated with a company who will edit, design, print, mentor and assist in the marketing of the book was compelling.

I want to continue with my little films of which NOSKOPAR was just the first. I see experimental outback dancing, SwagCam, desert karaoke, meditation, cooking, online therapy not to mention skin care as areas for further exploration. These films have a message to tell. It's just that it's not very important.

I am pleased to introduce DARYL FROM OODNADATTA  today. I am hoping Daryl will regularly contribute his thoughts on alternative health. I apologize for his language but felt it best to stay true to the vernacular.

But what are the men doing? Women inhabit every aspect of my work and creative life and I am not a gynecologist. I am a walker who goes into remote places. We sleep under the stars and trek mountains. Surely this is as much a men thing. Even the Swagman is attracting 90% women. The comments are mostly by women. Huston we have a problem.

So there we have it. This is an enjoyable journey that really kicks in now as I prepare to leave my old home like a balloon escaping a kid's party. I hope you follow us and bobble around the coasts and the outback of Australia.

Raymond