"The Job That's Never Started"

     In The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien, Samwise Gamgee quotes the "Old Gaffer" when says, "It's the job that's never started as takes longest to finish." As I sit here on the first day of 2013, I'm reminded of an ambition I've had for a while now that I've not pursued. Ever since I was in high school, I've been fascinated with literary and cultural criticism. I've even gone as far as to earn a Master of Arts in English, but I've always put off starting the journey. Now, I've made many excuses. I have hadn't had time: I have to grade papers, pick the kids up from somewhere, take the kids somewhere, plan lessons, make dinner, or any of the other multidinous petty tasks that accompany daily life.
     However, in the end, all of these reasons are just excuses; and I've about run out of them. I think that all of these excuses come done to one underlying cause: fear. I'm afraid that I might be wrong. I'm afraid that people will not accept my viewpoint. I'm afraid that noone will even care.
     Because of this fear, I've not even tried. Well, gone are the days of fear. I've come to realize that my opinion on something is just that: my opinion. I have a right to express my opinion. I also have the right to accept or reject the opions of others.
     With this in mind, I now begin "the job that's never started". I intend this blog to be my opinion on literature, movies, and any other facet of society I find interesting. I realize some may never read this. I realize some may not appreciate my opinion. I realize some may not even care. I also realize that this may turn out to be an unended journey "as takes longest to finish."