Bombastic adoxography

   This is an entry in the Judith Heartsong May Artsy Essay Contest. This month's contest involves composing an essay making use of at least three uncommon or obscure words selected from a list of thirty-three provided at Judi's journal. I managed to incorporate all but one of those thirty-three words. Can you determine which one I left out?

Blogging: The reading and the writing.

   The Internet neophyte, engaged in the arduous process of exploring the expansive blogging, or journaling community on the world wide web, will come across a wide spectrum of writing. One can find anything from bombastic adoxography to informed, incisive commentary. The morass of malapropism can be very deep, as can the incidence of outright fallacious material. (Typing that sentence, rather than saying it out loud, greatly reduced my fear of mytacism.)
   As an example of the former, I recently had cause to titter when I came across a blog in which the writer was expounding upon an event which he said had 'tested his metal.' His mastication of the English language continued when he confided to his audience that he might belong in a 'stray jacket.' I hope he is able to track one down. In his closing, he referred to 'rose peddles.' He never did say what it was she was selling. Although his readers probably understood his connotation, I prefer to see the English language wielded with more precision.
   In the latter case, one need look no farther that those who advocate the addition of the theory of 'Intelligent Design' to the high school science curriculum in the United States. If the Christian right wants to lobby for the inclusion of religious dogma in the nation's public school programs, then they should be calling it what it is. The position that Creationism or Intelligent Design are valid areas of scientific study is farcical. I tend to avoid the subject, as it leads me to an overuse of alka-seltzer.
   So, how does one find reading material that might contribute to the fertilization of the intellect in the abyss that is 'the blogosphere?' Rushing pell-mell through the blogrolls of those journals one currently reads might lead to some fortuitous discoveries, but this mousal tarantism is as likely to leave one feeling like a gongoozler, with nothing to show for the seemingly sudden passage of several hours of time that might better have been spent doing yard work.
   Patience is by far the better course of action. There is no Internet oracle to guide one in the quest for the ascendant. It is best to continue reading those journals with which one is already familiar, while leaving the door open to the serendipitous discovery of a new link on occasion. It is also a good idea to perform a thorough runcation of one's own blogroll on a regular basis, as a farctate reading list may lead to a reluctance to attempt further addition.
   Another area of concern to some, is the maintenance of their own journal. The act of blogging is an almost overt invitation to apodyopsis, and on occasion, those who comment can be quite barbarous. You should not allow these mental aardvarks to dig a hole in your emotional defences. It does not matter if you are writing about the decline of fine haberdashery in western society, your favourite rutabaga, kumquat and pineapple recipes, or your love of the bassoon. Someone will always find reason to criticise. It may be feasible to adopt an online friend to act as a dompteur or dompteuse, and guide your early efforts until you gain sufficient confidence in your own writing. The main consideration is your own enjoyment. If it feels good, do it. If it doesn't, stop.