About the Blog

Did you ever make time to stop and think about why you do the things you do?  I know that there have been times I have been too preoccupied to really pay attention to anything that wasn’t right in front of me.  Like when you think you’ll just have one Tim Tam and all of a sudden the whole packet has gone…  (For the record, I prefer to slam my Tim Tams with coffee).

I bring this up because a lot can happen while you are going with the flow and not paying attention.  And at the end of the day you are:

1. asking where the day went, or
2. what you achieved, and maybe
3. whether any of it matters.

This blog explores the question that has plagued philosophers since before the ancient times: what makes a life worthwhile?  Like them, I think it comes from getting good at things that matter, or in their terms, the development of virtue.   This isn’t an esoteric or analytical investigation; it’s just me, trying to figure out why I get out of bed.

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About Letters from my Library

Letters from my Library is a fortnightly newsletter about my writing. It gives you exclusive access to research interestingness that doesn’t get to the blog, as well as glimpses into my library routines, and gossip about my writing life. You can join my library here:

First Name Email Address   Join the Library

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About Alexandria Blaelock

Hello!  I’m Alexandria Blaelock; writer and philosopher.

I was the happy recipient of a kidney transplant on Melbourne Cup Day (1 November) 2011.  A momentous day for me, but slightly disappointing to miss all the excitement over the photo finish – was it Dunaden?  Was it Red Cadeaux?  (It was Dunaden).  Given that the race is locally billed as “the race that stops a nation” I shouldn’t be complaining that I missed it because I was having a life-saving surgery should I?

I am a Stoic in the ancient philosophical sense – I believe a happy life grows from reducing unhappiness by rational thought, self-control and grit/strength/courage. It proceeds through the thoughtful, practical and active application of “goodness”, not empty words or tokenism. It relies on the development of virtue (or excellence), starting with the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance.

Right now, I am attempting to live a virtuous life by focussing on the cultivation and appreciation of beauty, pleasure, friendship, wisdom and wealth.

Sadly this does mean I spend a lot of time reasoning with creatures that:

1. do not speak English, and
2. possibly do not have the capacity for rational thought.

You can contact me at [email protected].

Features

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The Small Print

copyright

My delightful icons are free Linkware icons from the iOS7 set created by Icons8, downloaded from 1001 Free Downloads, and the bookstore icons from April Sadowski

disclaimer

As a kidney transplant recipient, I will from time to time comment on medical topics, procedures and treatments.  Please note that I am not qualified to provide medical advice, and any medical information I provide must be reviewed with your medical team in light of your particular circumstances.  This information and my comments represent the opinions I have formed on the basis of information available to me in my jurisdiction, and may not be applicable to you in your place of residence.

disclosure

I am a member of the Amazon Associates and Book Depository Affiliates programmes. If you buy something using one of my Amazon or Book Depository links, I may receive a small commission from your purchase price (though this does not affect the price you pay).

See my Privacy Policy for more information.

another disclosure

For the sake of my friends and family’s privacy, I refer to all

• women as Katy in memory of the What Katy Did books by Susan Coolidge – I loved her as a child and I thought she would make an excellent best friend.
• men as Toseland, from The Children of Green Knowe by LM Boston. I adored this series as a child and still have the full set that I reread periodically.