I’ve said it before, but one of the delights of blogging for me – and one of the things that keeps me going – is the interaction with others that it gives us. There are a number who regularly comment on my posts, and whose posts I visit and comment on too. I’ve never met any of them in ‘real life,’ or even spoken on the phone or by one of the messaging apps, but they feel like friends, like we’re in a community together. And sometimes we get a kind of chat going in the comments too, which I always enjoy.
That happened recently, when Yvette picked up on a comment from Pete on my annual review post, 2020 Hindsight. They are both regular and very welcome followers, likers and commenters, and their blogs are both very enjoyable too – I recommend them, if you aren’t already following them. One of the delights of Yvette’s comments is that she seems to have switched on ‘Swahili’ as the default option for her spellcheck, as you’ll see. Actually, I’m probably being very unfair to her in saying that, as I’m pretty sure that her typos are due more to the speed with which her mind works than any lack of linguistic knowledge! The important thing is that her words are fun, and I’m always pleased to see them. But in the process we seem to have agreed on her inventing a new word.
This is what she said in response to Pete’s comment:
“Hey Pete and Clive – wanted to piggy back in what Pete said about clives msucucao knowledge – because yes it is a strength of his
But I find the real charm of his music posts is that very special Clive-style refleting that offers his personal connection to the music (if any) and other tidbits with the music info – but never verbose and with such flow.
It really is a Clive-style kind of unique approach to writing about music.
Okay – wishing you both a great day”
See what I mean? Lovely words, “refleting” the fact that they were written by a lovely person, but a wonderful typo in there too. I know she has a good sense of humour so in my reply I queried what ‘msucucao’ was:
“Thank you so much, Yvette, that is so kind of you. As I said to Pete recently, I try to put in chart positions and any history I come across to give some context, and if I have a story to tell and can talk about myself so much the better!
Btw what’s msucucao? It sounds like musical chocolate!”
I wasn’t disappointed: she picked up on my gentle teasing and came back with this:
“Oh Clive – I think we have a new word on our hands –
msucucao
Was supposed to be “musical”
It does sound like music chocolate or some special
Musical drink!
maybe it can be the term for the Clive-style kf music exploring –
msucucao: the term for exploring music according to genre, historical context and occasional statistics while also adding the author’s personal connection to the music (if any). msucucao, where the root “msuc” is derived from music and the cucaco “from curating a blog post at take it easy blog with Clive”
How is that?”
Of course, we both knew all along what Yvette had intended to write, but the idea of musical chocolate did rather appeal to me. After all, I have an addiction to both, so what could be more natural for me? They both bring pleasure to my life and to many others. Both can be sweet and smooth, or dark and a little bitter, so I think the comparison is a good one, and they deserve to be linked. It isn’t exactly unknown for me to switch on some music and enjoy it with a bit of chocolate, either!
This exchange got me thinking, though. I have posted a lot of music on here, especially since last March when I started Tuesday Tunes, and even more so when I ran my Advent Calendar for the first twenty five days of December. It got me looking back over previous posts to see how I might have changed tack, and actually, I haven’t – a good dollop of music has always been here. At the risk of repeating myself, I began this blog to talk about mental health, and I still do – there will be a post on that again soon. But music has an important place in all our lives: I can’t imagine mine without it. It is recognised as a form of treatment for mental health issues: in the NHS Trust for which I worked, the music therapy sessions were a wonderful way of helping people, both individually and collectively. I was once given the honour of being allowed to sit in on a session, and found it very inspiring. So do please keep in mind that when I’m sharing music in a post there is a meaning for me in why I’m doing so, over and above hoping that I’m giving you a pleasurable reading, listening and viewing experience.
I have debated with myself a lot recently about whether I should reduce the amount and frequency of the music I share – usually after a Tuesday Tunes post hasn’t done as well as others in terms of likes and comments(!) – but have come to the conclusion that this what I do, and everyone is perfectly free to read or not. I’d never compel anyone to read my posts, even if I could find a way to do that. It might improve my stats, but I always come back to something I told myself very early on in my blogging days: if my words bring pleasure, enjoyment or comfort to even just one person, then that makes the post worthwhile. I’ve long since accepted that I’m never going to be one of those bloggers who attracts a massive following and huge numbers of ‘likes’ for every post, but I’m happy in my little niche. Shouldn’t that be the case for all of us? If not, why are you doing this? There are many blogs I follow which all share their writers’ happiness in what they do – I wouldn’t read them if I felt the author wasn’t engaged in what they were doing. Hopefully, my engagement with what I’m doing is clear – if not, I can’t be doing this very well!
Now I’m off to ‘explore music according to genre, historical context and occasional statistics while also adding the author’s personal connection to the music (if any)’ in preparation for my next venture into Tuesday Tunes. I’ve chosen the theme, but it is proving difficult to come up with some good musical choices to match it – hopefully I’ll get there in time, for my next piece of msucucao. And who knows, we might invent another new word while we’re at it.
Until then, I wish you well and, as ever, thank you for reading and being a part of my community. I’ll be reading quite a few posts before then, too.
I always enjoy your Tuesday Tunes and the little history bits, Clive, and have often downloaded some songs I like. Perhaps the word is ‘Muso’. You’re a Muso, Clive!
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Thank you, Stevie, that’s kind of you. ‘Muso’ sounds good to me – it makes a change from being called ‘sumo’ 😉
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Lol! My youngest son is a muso. It’s all good, as he would say.
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I just listen to it – I don’t have his talent for it, sadly.
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He’s given me an earworm. I can’t stop singing ‘Anastasia’ by Slash and Myles Kennedy. Have a listen to it – it’ll drive you mad.
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I’ll have a listen – thanks for the warning!
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I love the idea of musical chocolate and I think you should have plenty available here. Music and chocolate are both good therapy. Typos and predictive text are always ready to get us into trouble. Never try sending messages or worse, commenting on a blog on your phone in bright sunlight; you could be sending complete rubbish or even insults. Yesterday I told someone I had bought pants at the greengrocers.
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I try to make the musical chocolate happen whenever I can! I have to be careful, as my short fat fingers make it perilous to use the iPhone for any kind of messaging – the bigger buttons on the iPad are much safer, but still don’t prevent the occasional brain fail. Your greengrocers sounds interesting…
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You have said a mouthful! I love the playful connection with musical chocolate, and the typos that are so easy to do. And I agree with things you have said about the blogging community and the connection. Like Laurie, that is so much more than I expected when I began my blog a year ago, and I have ‘met’ many people I think of as friends, and some, because of many interactions and conversations I think of as close friends. I get caught up in my own life and get behind in reading but I try to balance reading with writing so if I am having a week when I know I won’t have time to read, I may or may not post something, but I won’t do a link party without adequate time. Thanks so much for this post. Michele
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, and saw it in the spirit in which it was intended. From the comments I think the consensus is that the community aspect is important to all of us. I try to read every day: I’d feel guilty if I didn’t, but I’ll be honest and admit I don’t read every blog I’m following all the time!
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I love reading your posts xx I love to comment on other blogs as I feel as if we are chatting about things over a cuppa. I also love comments and likes on my posts too. We cannot meet in person but we can interact here. #SeniSal
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Thank you, that’s very kind of you – and likewise! From the comments I’ve received on this post I think a lot of people share our view that they make it worthwhile 😊
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For me, it’s precious too to interact with fellow bloggers, and they are all very kind also. I remember that we were taught on our online courses to interact with other bloggers’ work. Did we not ‘meet each other’ on a WordPress online course?
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It’s what makes it worthwhile for me, Maria. Sorry, but we didn’t ‘meet’ that way: I’ve never been on any of the courses. I’m quite reactive in following blogs, i.e. I usually follow back rather than follow first, so I guess you must have found me first, somehow!
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Now I know! Was it via the Bernadette Senior Salon?
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That sounds very likely! The reins of the Senior Salon have been taken up by a lady called Esmé. This is the link for today’s new one, if you’re interested: https://esmesalon.com/discover-147-senior-salon/
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Interacting with fellow bloggers was the biggest unexpected plus when I first began blogging too. I pictured writing as a lonely endeavor. I have gotten to know so many generous thoughtful bloggers in the 3 years since I began. And I like the idea of musical chocolate too!
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I hadn’t a clue what to expect when I started, and that is the best bonus I’ve found with it, too. Music and chocolate go so well together, don’t they!
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I always enjoy reading posts like this Clive, why people blog, how they interact and engage with others around the world and the sense of community. Likes and comments are always a good guide about what others are looking at but I’d rather do what we feel like, blog about topics that are close to our hearts. Mental health is an important subject and I know you have written about it before, but your posts are always entertaining, honest and well worth reading. Keep up the good work. That last quote is perfect!
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Thank you for your kind words, Deb. I can say the same for your posts, too 👍
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My pleasure and thank you too 🙂
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I love language, so I welcomed the invention of a new word. I know from your posts that you are a music lover—but the admission of a chocolate obsession was a surprise!
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It’s a bit awkward to say, especially with a mouth full of chocolate! I couldn’t get through a day without either of them 😉
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Your opening paragraph echoes my own feelings about my blog and readers. In the nearly decade I’ve been writing Filosofa’s Word, my readers have become as a second family … some days I like them better than my own family (except my girls, of course)! I love the comments, the back-and-forth, and getting to know my fellow bloggers, including yourself. I don’t get over here (or to anybody’s blog) as much as I would like, for I spend 12-14 hours a day researching and writing, but I do appreciate all my readers and friends!
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I think most bloggers would agree with us – if not, why do it? I appreciate everyone who makes the choice to spend some of their time reading my words, with the competing time pressures we all have. And it is a good way to make new ‘friends’ too.
I don’t think I spend that much time in a week, let alone a day!
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Yes, our minds were in the same place this week. I wouldn’t read too much into weeks when there aren’t as many comments. Sometimes it’s as simple as people having other commitments. For example, I’m running later than normal today. (Past 10:00 p.m. in my neck of the woods).
If I could change one thing about WordPress, it would be the ability to edit comments that we’ve made o others’ blogs. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve typed something and posted without double-checking the spelling and grammar. Then I look up to see some brutal typo.
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I’m sure you’re right. It was only a throwaway comment anyway: as I said in the piece, there’s no compulsion on us to read a post!
I agree on the inability to change a comment – very frustrating!
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I always look forward to your Tuesday tunes blog because of the msucucao you put into each one. I also like your music and chocolate connection…
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Thank you, Jim. Good to see you back, hope you’re feeling better now 👍
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thanks, Clive. it is good to be back. I am feeling much better. Although a few words I say come out kind of funny because of my swollen tongue. Should be interesting when I start teaching on Monday… 🙂
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That’s good to hear. On balance, I think you’ve been lucky that they found the trouble and dealt with it so well. I’m sure the kids won’t mind if you slur a few words – they’ll probably think you’re drunk 😉
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yes, I do feel lucky.
the slurred words, the mask over my mouth, and teaching in quite a large room – what could go wrong… 🙂
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Just pull the mask over your eyes and pretend they aren’t there…
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Some f them probably wish I wasn’t there… 🙂
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😂
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Keep the music posts coming Clive. I like reading, listening and refleting on them! I’m sure I’ve missed some typos in my posts. I’m an awful proof reader.
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Thanks, Paul. I wouldn’t dream of picking up a typo in a post, but this was in a comment and I loved the way it made a new word, and how Yvette joined in with my teasing.
I’m not sure if you will have seen it, but I hit ‘like’ and commented on your post earlier. Nothing major – I just said it was an excellent choice!
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Hi Clive. I know, nor would I. I got your comment thanks which I have published on my site and my reply is posted underneath . Not sure if you get a notification of that through WP. Also, for some reason the ‘likes’ aren’t registering. I keep trying to set up on WordPress and have the tech guys helping me now. I’ll get there eventually.
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I’ve just looked and I can see it there. Wonders will never cease! I didn’t get a notification but as yours isn’t a WP blog I’d be a little worried if their tentacles reached that far! I hope you can get things sorted, as I think WP will open up so much for you, both in terms of blogs to follow and getting more followers for yours. 🤞
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Haha, Clive, I had a good laugh about the misspellings. I have had this happen to me, either with an incorrect spelling or, if I happen to use my phone, with predictive text. It has resulted in some very funny messages. I enjoy your posts and try to read as many as possible. Sometimes work gets in the way of fun, but I try and work around it.
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Thank you, Robbie – I appreciate your kind words. I rarely use my phone for anything that needs typing – short fat fingers! I don’t have work as a reason not to read posts, one of the delights of retiring and having control of my own time.
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I agree, Clive. The comments are what makes many bloggers happy. Since discovering that some bloggers press ‘like’ without even reading the post, I don’t notice the ‘likes’ anymore. For me, one comment is worth hundreds of likes. It’s the interaction between people that makes blogging such a wonderful experience. Even better when those leaving comments also discuss the subject of the post with each other. And when what you’ve written inspires somebody to write a post – well, that’s the skies the limit for me.
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Likes are nice to get, but I suspect I get some from people who haven’t read the post: something I’d never do. The social interaction is what makes blogging special, I think.
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I love blogging and every like and comment is a bonus and when I don’t then I will stop looking forward to your Tuesday post and the music, Clive xx
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Thank you, Carol, that’s very sweet of you xx
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