So why does it matter what I write?  I don't really expect anyone to take much notice of my ramblings, and if they do then that's their problem - if they feel they've wasted their time then that's their own fault for reading some joe Blog's blog.  There are no identifying marks to who I "really" am, and I'm not telling anyone I know that this is my blog.  So:  why does it matter what I write?  More to the point, why have these first two posts had an air of someone making excuses?  Why do I feel I have to justify myself.  And why am I bothering correcting my typos?

It turns out that this blog, which started off as pointless, has already developed a point.  It's got me thinking about the nature of my self image.

There's more to it than simply wanting to be "a nice chap".  There's something in me that makes me over carefull about how I act - something irrational and deep-seated.  And annoying.  Why can't I just switch it off and play the fool?  I've got friends who do that and I love them for it, so what's the problem?  It would be nice if, in the anonymity of this blog, I was able to drop that self-consiousness, but no:  the ego's gripping on.  I could allow an alter ego to develop, but I'd much rather just drop all the pretense and write freely.  I intended to (and I intend to) but it seems I may still need some kind of verbal laxative ...