I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about the concept of being an “Amateur” vs. a Professional of something. No doubt this has been prompted by the amount of time I spend with 19th Century Literature. Specifically with 19th Century Adventure and Detective Fiction where characters that are amateur scientists, archeologists, naturalists, and explorers play such a prominent role.

In our Late-Stage Capitalistic world where everything needs to be turned into a revenue stream or side-hustle, we have lost the original sense of what it once meant to be called an amateur at something. The word amateur comes from the Latin amator, meaning “lover.” At its best, an amateur is not someone who lacks skill. An amateur is someone who does something because they love it. An amateur follows a curiosity simply because it matters to them.

Quite recently, I have come to realize that the word Amateur is really the best word to describe myself and what I really do here on ClimbingSky.

I am a student of 19th Century Literature, Gothic Literature, Paperback Detective & Westerns, Baseball, and a dozen other things. What is more, I like to think and write about the things I am curious about. In fact, I am genuinely happiest when I am thinking and writing about them.

So from now on, feel free to call me your Amateur acquaintance or friend. For my part, I will proudly respond.