Jun
22
The real change, to me, is in the advancing availability of communication technology.
Yes, we've had communication technology before. When the telegraph was cutting edge, alongside its use for official-sounding business, it was privately re-purposed by whoever had access. One Wild West use was as a sort of an underground gossip network between potential lovers, sometimes with the scheming help of matchmaking relatives. No kidding.
People have a thing about communication and expression. Maybe it's written in our DNA that we absolutely have to express and connect. That doesn't say we're going to do anything about messages that fly back and forth. That's up to the individual, and on the level of just being able to speak, the individual who speaks has already done enough.
Little voices don't have to make big change, but isn't it fascinating when, together, they might show us a climate of possibility?
I heard that a few years ago, in China at the time of Tiananmen, there was a run on a new-ish technological gizmo known as the FAX machine. Traditional media was tightly controlled or at least closely watched. With a fax, a letter or a picture could go long distances in minutes. Time and date stamps can be cut off of printouts, which gets you an anonymous bit of insurgency to pass on, a business communique, or news from family - dealer's choice. I suppose that someone clever can clear a machine's memory. With a fax, sent in this way, along with efficiency there is at once privacy and intimacy.
The FAX itself is an object that did not change anything. The individual faxes may or may not have had any influence on anything. The possibility of the potential was important enough to create motivated buyers, for the right person in the right situation. The same could be said for revolutionary ideas, or even a good hug.
Running water does not create cleanliness.
Twitter won't make social change.
Potential happens in the mind.
There's a science fiction story about a bug that was accidentally squashed by time travelers, creating a chain of events that changed the world. This is a romantic and frightening idea. And there's no doubt that a plan has more of a chance of enabling a goal than bugs that get squished along the way when there is the lack of a plan. But, the idea that I can communicate something worthwhile by stringing together letters using this computer thingy has kept me here at my desk writing this post, and I like that I can do this.
I don't have to be part of an organized movement on its way to accomplishing change to feel that I have done something good just by being here.
p.s. My @quotesnack Twitter avatar will be green for a while. I won't pick sides, but I will support the people (and a free media,) in my stubborn inconsequential way, from my position here as a butterfly wing on the face of the Internet.
Jun
21
Hello, World
Filed Under The Meaning of Life | 1 Comment
After just over a year's absence I'm more or less here again. I removed and re-added plugins until finding the half-dozen or so that no longer wanted to play nice, and now I can see the "Add New Post" dialog, you don't see a 501 server error, and (hot damn) pushing the "publish" button does not result in an error. This is also a shiny new upgrade to WP 2.8.
There are a few smallish things that are missing or a little bit broken, but, for the most part, it's all here.
One of the really nice finds was that most of the 80-something comments that had stacked up back here were both positive and not spam - very, very cool. Thank you.
And, there are scads of drafted post ideas in there that are still pretty interesting. Yes, this blog already has a garden with working compost heap.
Are you with me? I feel like I'm waving at the house where I lived last year.
It's good to get this site functioning again.
What's Next?
Search me if I know!
- I want a personal soapbox - got opinions, as usual. We live in a fascinating time. Are you up for some editorializing?
- I need to fix a few things about this site. It needs an updated logo and "About" page, at least, and some replacement plugins, and htaccess will need attention.
- I'm beginning to feel the need for a place to put creative writing - actual poetry and fiction. I haven't decided if I'll start that incognito until I get used to the idea, or if it will be a pen name thing for the duration.
- I want to redesign QuoteSnack, to make it easier to expand and add services - been having a ball there, and on Twitter.
- I may split the AbleReach WordPress stuff off onto a site of its own, or the non-techie topics may be better off with their own home, or this could be all-in-one moi.
- And there are a couple other projects I've wanted to start. A couple? A few? Hell, I may need to admit I'm up to however many "fews" it takes to make a "lot."
So much to learn, so much to do. How's a gal to choose?
Jun
7
Making Vacations
Filed Under Brunch | 18 Comments
Each weekend a new "Brunch" post will feature thoughts about balancing family and self care with working in an always-on Internet environment. This edition is by Elizabeth Able, owner of AbleReach.
What can you do after your Broadband goes on the fritz, hosting is wonky, a hard drive takes a final bow and the neighborhood's electricity goes out just before saving a nice, long article? Playing catch-up is a given, but what about the headaches, the sleepless nights and that quicksand dread when the next set of hassles hits?
For one thing, I've been more purposeful lately about planting good things where I will naturally experience them on a regular basis. Relief is sometimes active, sometimes passive, and I can help with both.
Beauty can Bring Peace
I have fuchsia baskets hanging outside my bathroom window, by which I inevitably need to sit, and where I will inevitably look. Humming birds like the fuchsias - aren't humming birds magical?
My cat has figured out that a trip to the bathroom is an opportunity to bird-watch with Mom. Now he chases me into the bathroom and perches on the window ledge, having his cat fantasies about the birds. A happy cat is fun to watch. I like that I don't need to make my little birdwatching moments happen. I stacked the cards in my favor and now I just need to remember to be happy.
Stretching is Healthy
The Mayo Clinic has an illustrated series of sensible stretches you can do in your office. I like to get up and turn around before stretching - a little odd, but it seems to make my muscles be more willing to stretch.
Walking Time is Good Thinking Time
I like to go for walks in between tasks. Tip: tuck a small notebook in your pocket, because a change of pace can help turn problems into a flow of ideas.
Dance Makes You Breathe and Feel
Do you work alone at home? What a great opportunity for dancing like a fool! Disclaimer - these examples look more foolish when I do them.
Sometimes I unwind the stress by sort of vogue-ing while I stretch, or by flat out pretending I can dance up a storm. (And my daughter thought that living with my singing was a challenge!)
Singing is Good Medicine
Breathing deeply changes your chemistry by getting more oxygen in the blood... and there's nothing like a sing-along with dangerous Nan McGrew to change one's perspective.
Why, I pull a train right off the tracks
And for perfume, I use shellac
When mad dogs bite, I bite 'em back
Grrrr! 'Cause I'm dangerous Nan McGrew!
Mini Vacations Freshen Outlook
Everything I've described above can be a mini-vacation, but to get some of the same benefits you don't need to stretch, dance, sing, garden or take the time for a walk. Relaxing takes the edge off, and doesn't have to take long.
Have you ever had one of those days where "a moment's peace" seems to be too much to ask, and the logical truth is that problems won't be resolved quickly or easily? A mini vacation may hit the spot. Close your eyes and relax, breathing slowly and deeply, and visualize... nothing. Or visualize a meadow or a beach, whatever will give you a moment's peace. A few moments of peace can change your outlook, maybe not 100%, but certainly enough to sidestep a head-on collision with full-on frustration.
A few minutes later, take another mini-vacation. Practice will shorten your inner commute to a delicious pocket of no-strings calm.
Wait Just a Minute!
Don't even tell me you skimmed to the end without checking out the song and dance links. Back up and click on some joi de vie. Verve is good for you.
When I'm not writing or experimenting with WordPress I like to help to moderate at Cre8asite Forums, admire my plants and Stumble like a fiend.
Jun
4
Hard Drive Crash
Filed Under Uncategorized | 3 Comments
On Monday I had an emphatic series of visitations from the Blue Screen of Death. The hard drive is toast and I'm not so sure about the future of the computer. Talk about expensive and irritating!
Needless to say, this is a great time to toss me a $10 tip via my scratchback widget, or share any creative moola-getting ideas. I'm always up for a little marketing fun. 
On the bright side, Mom Necessity has given me some nifty ideas for this weekend's brunch post.
I need a few more days to sort things out, and then I will be back to bloging like a (happy) madwoman.
May
31
Hello May 31st!
Filed Under The Meaning of Life | Leave a Comment
I thought I'd better let everyone know that I'm putting my twice-a-week WordPress project on vacation until Thursday.
You see, I'm busy moving to a new host - yipeee!
I'll be back in a few days, reloaded with promised humor. In honor of brunchy balance, I may also give myself a couple days off - what a concept.
I feel like I did not give enough this this week, because I had plans I didn't finish. Looking back, I have to give myself credit. I had more server outages, after all.
Even so, I did the big stuff. I feel just great about WordPress Wireframes, and my Big List of Green Web Hosts is a resource I am satisfied with and can build on.
I am eager to get to the next steps.
I can't stop from thinking thinking thinking, and there are some ideas I'm excited about and have been working on, and, goodness me, I have to stop myself, or I'll enthuse myself straight past that break I wanted. Must... resist... temptation.
Heh. The temptation passed.
Was that a tease, or self-preservation?
Whatever you say, dears.
Life is good.