About the blog

The Dogged Pursuit of Happiness is about life. In part, I created this blog as a place to work, to construct essays, and to develop commentaries on experiences that naturally emerge as I navigate my day-to-day life. But a greater part is an exploration of what happiness truly is, how do we create it, and perhaps most importantly to me, what the hell interferes with it.

Another part of its purpose is a testing ground for my latest non-fiction project; a book that explores the pursuit of happiness from the “fringes.” To sum it up, I’m fascinated by people who find their happiness outside of the mainstream. In many ways they seem to have taken the pursuit more seriously, given it more thought, and made greater sacrifices than those of us in the muddling-middle. Their views require a level of commitment, and often harsh consequences, which seems to set them apart.

Obviously, since it’s my blog, it is my point of view. I am a writer/producer by trade and most of my work is subject to rigorous review and scrutiny. Often the results – though outstanding in their own right – reflect a long series of compromises that may or may not have anything to do with the “truth” of the words and may not reflect any of my deeply held views at all. Politics, parsing ,and sometimes pesky facts can, and often do, derail a really good story. At all times though, the needs and desires of my clients outweigh my own and, at the end of every day, my job is to tell their stories from their point of view. Not here. This is mine. For better or worse, what’s in my head will appear on the screen. Be prepared for contradictions, convolutions, and confusion. The perspective will change with me and while I love to read your comments, please keep in mind that I charge money to “critique” my work; if you want me to actually change something, your request better come with a check.

On another note, my name really is Stasha and my husband’s name really is Mike. Everyone else’s name has been changed to protect the innocent, guilty and those who really just don’t give a rat’s ass about my opinions or didn’t agree to have their name used publicly. Obviously, if I refer to a family member it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who they are but seriously, don’t. I’m sure my observations and antics are embarrassing enough without random strangers wading in.

A SPECIAL NOTE TO FAMILY MEMBERS - If you’ve stumbled upon this blog rest assured that I am well aware that you are probably not going to like, in some cases seriously disaprove of, and perhaps even be offended by what you see written here. Let me say that I love you all. Let me also say that I never set out to hurt your feelings. That said, whether you realize it or not, I spent the first forty years of my life not just worrying about what you think but altering my behavior and molding my mind to make you all happy. I concede my failure. For the next forty years, I’m going to try not worrying about what ya’ll think and see if it works any better for me.

Regarding content and language, this blog is intended to be PG-13ish. The subject matter will include adult themes and the activities discussed will include ALL those appropriate to human (and animal) life. The language will include a variety of words that you will not usually find in a newspaper. Tough nookie. My mama says that the use of foul language is indicative of an inferior mind. Horseshit. I have an irritatingly high IQ, I am a successful business owner in an academically rigorous field; I hold a bachelors and a masters degree; I am an avid student of language and conversant  in Shakespeare – I can read, perform and teach in his glorious vernacular. So keep that in mind and if you see the word “fuck” in a sentence be advised that I meant to put it there. The same applies if you see the words “heck,”  “fiddle-faddle” or even “pooh.”

Finally, if you want to know a little be more about my history, check out the “About: About Stasha” page. It includes some basic facts that may give you a little footing to work from. You’ll probably learn more about me however, through my blog posts as thoses are the ones that reflect my current mind and not chronological actions, but maybe not. It doesn’t really matter. I have a 42 year headstart and I still struggle when I hear ”So, tell me a little about yourself.”

So let’s be off! As I think of something else in my dogged pursuit, you’ll find it in the posts!

PS – I am a writer and my proof reading skills still suck. It’s not that I don’t know the difference between their and there or what a comma splice is, it’s that when I read my own work, I just don’t see it! I can proof till I’m blue in the face and will still see “He went to town” instead of what I really typed, which usually turns out to be something along the lines of “Hi wend to toon.” When you find an error and if you simply MUST call attention to it, knock yourself out. I’ll appreciate it. Really. And if such correction makes you happy, well, who am I to interfere with your dogged pursuit!

This page has the following sub pages.

• About Stasha