So I have to say how excited I am to have my dad writing on this blog! Except of course for that fact that I am now going to have to change the little family graphic I have on the top of this web site! I hope that in years to come we will have a nice record of our thoughts and of course my dad, who has just a few years on me, brings his own fresh perspectives.  And as much as I hate to admit it, at times, even some words of wisdom. I was telling my mother in law the other day how I felt his near death experience several years ago may have had a greater impact on me than on him. And honestly, it is times like these where I value the great blessing it is to have my dad here, in his post “Encino-man” state.  Of course I feel this way about all of my family. I really hope to have the rest of my family write openly on this pasquini family site. Not just for the enjoyment of an open discussion between family members, but for the chance to have a record that we can hold onto and extend for future generations of pasquinifamily writers.

I was recently reading an article which was talking about the professional risks of sharing ones ideas on the world wide web. Which although I have never discussed openly, is of course something I, and probably everyone who shares opinions and ideas in a public forum using their real name is very aware of. In fact the idea of being truly honest in such a public place is difficult. You have to balance the way you may feel about an issue, a topic, etc. and that which would be “safe” to share. I guess in this way a blog may actually be more of a way we want people to see us, than the way we actually are. As much as I like to say this is not true, it would be irrational to think otherwise. And maybe this is the balance everyone needs to find when sharing a piece of themselves online. I strive to be honest and respectful of everyone’s opinion. And of course be honest with myself and others along the way. I am hoping to chronicle life in a way that would help myself and if at all possible others to gain insight or simply reveal an idea that maybe others can identify with.

I had read recently that  those who write about life are taking time away from experiencing it. I like to believe there is merit in careful analysis of time spent living, for contemplation, is not a lack of living, but really the thing that makes us most human. As someone who likes to shoot a lot of photography I began to realize that there are” limits to the bounds of moderation” (a quote my dad just loves to paraphrase). And that yes, if you live behind the lens you can transform in to life’s constant observer. This I guess is the same with writing. Art although expressive and revealing in it’s own way should not distract from the very experiences that bring passion and meaning to the art in the first place.

My dream would be for all the members of the Pasquini Family and even friends of ours to share ideas and life stories here . I would like to publish these each year into a collectible book to file on a shelf like the Pasquini Family Encyclopedia I guess: a living, interactive family history, built around stories, dreams, ideas. Such a dreamer I know, thanks Dad, for joining me