Sweeping Out My Cyber Space

Yep, I’m working on a little cyber housekeeping here at EyeJunkie.  November was a very fruitful month for me in mind and spirit, particularly during the 12 Days of Thanksgiving adventure in daily posting.  Although I was on a mission to pay daily attention to giving thanks, I found that the whole month was filled with posting ideas as well as experiences, words and snapshots that begged to be studied more carefully.  But, with my mind mulling the 12 Days, those thoughts have been left to simmer (and perhaps write themselves into posts :).  November also marked my 6-month blogging anniversary which went unacknowledged but not forgotten on the 6th.  It served mainly as a reminder that I’m due for some cyber housekeeping.

Housekeeping chores include decluttering the categories and tags, fine-tuning some of the photos and illustrations, soul-searching the general pages, maybe adding or retooling a few widgets, or reorganizing sidebars.  Yes, WordPress Dude and I will become best buds.  Like Charlie Brown, I’m prone to wishy-washy-ness when it comes to some of these things, so the three of you who visit regularly are likely to see some experimentation.

I’m also feeling the urgency of prioritizing some of the post ideas that are resurfacing–wary of that use it or lose it rule that applies to french fries and writing topics.  At some point, I hope to put flesh on a review of a great mystery I read, lessons from my 3 1/2 year-old’s fledgling prayers, some comments on Mumbai, Baby Girl’s first two Gift Tags, a praise for something God’s been teaching us about Himself, a few lists, more Montgomery Madness and a poem that’s slowly swirling in my brain.

During the next week, I’m also putting the final thoughts together on a special “event” celebrating Christmas.  I’ll be posting a series of “nativity scenes” starting on December 12 that will count down to Christmas day.  Similar to my Thanksgiving adventure, the 12 Days of Christmas will include poems reflecting on various “scenes” and “characters” in the story of Christ’s birth.  I’ll be posting “invitations” in my social media accounts and sending emails as well.  I hope you’ll surf by with a little comment love.  My hope is to still my mind and reflect again on the incredible story of Emmanuel. 

So, stay tuned!  I’m getting the house ready for company.

My Vote Counted and other Election Debris.

Today I called the number.  I got the feeling that they don’t get many calls like mine, following up on an affidavit ballot.  But, after briefly describing my voting experience to the nice lady at the Chancery Clerk’s office, I now know that my vote was added to the tally.

As I’ve written before, occasionally media debris gets piled up in my brain–those random thoughts and observations that need an outlet before the maid service comes in.  Hence, the random Election Debris: 

1.  ABC news sported 50 states in 50 days during the primary season, an impressive endeavor.  I saw one woman and daughter from somewhere in the east (maybe West Virginia, I wasn’t paying attention).  They said their key issues for the election were “choice” and “equal pay for equal work.”  I’m wondering when we got to the place in our society when one word– “choice” –could immediately be understood my men, women and children alike to mean there’s no law that would prevent me from choosing to abort my unborn child.  Is that progress?

2.  ”I’m pro-life and pro-gun.” — from U.S. Senate candidate’s ad.  Life and gun.  Strange bedfellows.  But, there’s the Republican Party for you.

3.  Seeing the electoral map in all it’s red and blue glory a full (count them) six weeks before the election.  There’s something troubling about that.

4.  And, the Contrived-Programming-While-Trying-Our-Hardest-to-Look-Natural Award goes to… CNN! For the program (which I only caught a few minutes of) featuring a discussion of politics and the economy held at Delmonico’s in NYC around a poker table (3-sided, mind you. must leave room for the cameras).  Men and women with poker chips and high ball barware — what, no cigars?  Not politically correct, I guess.

5.  Roger Wicker & Ronnie Musgrove Senatorial ads ad nauseum.  Where’s the Pepto when you need it.

6.  General amazement at what makes it above the cable/digital fold:  Sarah Palin’s pregnant daughter segues to Barak Obama’s terrorist neighbor segues to John McCain’s campaign suspension segues to Joe the Plumber’s tax returns segues to Mickey Mouse registers to vote

7.  Sometime during October, I sensed a strange absence.  Where is Joe Biden?  His name wasn’t even on the Obama ads.

8.  And, the You-May-Think-It’s-About-News-But-It’s-Really-All-About-Me-and-My-Profession Award goes to… A string of top news topics: Tina Fey.  Katie Couric’s interview questions.  ”What [insert candidate name here] needs to do is - ahem - as if [insert candidate name here] watches this program - chuckle chuckle.”  CNN facts across the bottom of the screen — thank you CNN, especially for letting me know the accomplishments of your reporters.

9.  What’s up with the trend showing the tv screens within tv screens?  Flipping your laptop around so the tv cameras can see it?  Tellistrating on the electoral maps?

10.  Bites:  Spread the wealth around.  You betcha.  I am not George Bush.

11.  The View.  There’s Joy sounding cantankerous and all Democratic.  There’s Elisabeth being the token Republican with a “yeah, but” when she could get a word in — although I appreciate that she brought notes on her research a couple of times.  There’s Barbara sounding like the voice of journalistic legitimacy, although didn’t that train leave the station when “daytime talk show host” was added to her resume right after “interviewed Fidel Castro.”  Then, there’s Sherrie–not sure for the longest where she stood, but saw her try to get loud on Elisabeth about McCain divorcing his first wife. I’m sensing some relationship/single motherhood issues from a couple of other comments on non-election segments.  And, then there’s Whoopie trying to appear fair while acknowledging her Democrat allegiance, refereeing the others, making a joke, declaring her friendship with John McCain and the Clintons (there’s a dinner party) and getting to commercial break so everyone gets their paycheck.  Ugh.

12.  Fox News website breaking news — “President-Elect Obama to Step Down From Senate” — duh!

This is EyeJunkie, and I approved this list.

I Was Born.

 

 

Happy Birthday to me!

August

August: New Little One

The Vendors

as I come from the train, they all appear
offering their wares to see and buy:
a cup of hurry, a bag of fear,
a handful of nothings, a schedule to apply.

I stand at their carts distracted and drawn
from my chosen route to the vendor’s stand
I spend all I have on what is shown
and go my way with my nothings in hand.

along the path there’s a merchant I meet.
a craftsman, he too has items to sell:
a coat made of love, jewels of peace,
shoes full of wisdom, treasures avail.

I stand at the treasures, empty, unkept.
I long to buy, but I’ve nothing to spend.
I stopped at the vendors, and all that is left
is a fist full of nothings piercing my hand.

17 Days on the Wagon

Yeah.  The Junkie has been on the wagon for the last 17 days.  In some situations, being on the wagon is very good (and I mean VERY.)  But for EyeJunkie–not so much.  It’s been 17 days since I posted anything that was meaningful and “right now.”  Yes, I’ve posted interesting photographs, some poetry I’ve been wanting to add, links to freelance articles–but nothing that really speaks to where my soul is at the moment.  That usually means that I can’t really put my finger on where my soul is at the moment.  Not good. 

I know I probably need to write.  I want to write.  I think.  Still, I’m kicking, screaming, and procrastinating.  It’s taken me three days to write this post.  But, here I go.  Finally, a tumble off the wagon.

Why so long between fixes?

1.  I have legitimate reasons.  (said defensively to myself)  I’m 8-months pregnant for crying out loud.  The ETA for the divine Miss M is five weeks away.  It’s July and hotter than the devil’s domain. But, I’m still hot-flashing, so my internal temperature is about 135 degrees.  Just standing on the porch makes me sweaty and out of breath.  Heck, just standing period makes me sweaty and out of breath.  There’s no room in my lap for Squiggles or my Little Drummer Boy, let alone both.  So, somebody has to sit ON Miss M, which makes me feel like I’m about to birth her right now!  I need a nap after just taking a shower.  I can’t see my toenails, let alone paint them which is really a moot point anyway since my feet won’t fit into any cute sandals at the moment.  So, writing is not really at the top of the list, ok.

Whew!  It felt good to get that out of the way.  Sometimes a little whining at the top of your lungs does the trick, but I’m getting a grip now.

2.  I have nothing to write about.  At least, that’s the surface reaction.   But, since writing is inevitably tied to thinking, it usually means my brain is so FULL I can’t get a handle on articulating my thoughts.  I can’t get my hands around what’s going on inside.  No thoughts = no writing.  The complexities of daily activities and the unexpected effects of all the change in our lives make for quite a juggling act.  Even the most expert jugglers sometimes find themselves with too many balls in the air.  Every action turns into a reaction–thoughts to a minimum relying on an overactive coping mechanism.  My instinct is to go with it and try to keep the balls in the air at all costs.  Unfortunately, that’s usually the last thing I need to do.  

My solution–drop a few balls.  Drop them all.  They don’t break.  They just bounce.  That gives me the chance to examine them, see where they go, find out where they roll to a stop.  My friend calls it “Take 10.”  Presto.  I CAN actually think and decide and act — and write!  And, for me, writing means I can think better.  Pretty soon I’m back to juggling, just with a little more balance and not as much Tylenol.

3.  I have too much to write about.  At least, that’s how it seems when I get like a creative deer in the headlights.  You see, I like to use the nifty “stickies” feature on my Mac.  One is devoted to writing ideas.  Only, now my one has expanded to two.  Stickies — my frenemy.  Ideas are good.  They’re great when paired with freedom.  But, when they start to become a burden, they can produce creative paralysis.  I’m intimidated and overwhelmed by the sheer possibilities.  I’m at a total standstill.  

My solution–choose a starting place, one idea.  Whether I’m writing, designing or planning a birthday party, the first step is choosing a place to begin and then having the courage to follow through.  I can begin anywhere.  Ideas aren’t precious.  They’re not my children.  They are just ideas, baby thoughts that may or may not grow.  It’s ok not to explore them all.  One that’s half-baked now might get all warm and bubbly sometime later.  In my creative pursuits, I must strike a balance between giving myself a break and holding myself to a healthy state of accountability.  When that balance finds its place, creativity can flourish.

So, here’s to falling off the wagon without getting bruised!  Let the writing begin again.

July

“July: Can”  created at wordle.com

Eight Weeks

Today marks the eight week anniversary of my very first post at EyeJunkie.com.  Congratulations to me! The whole premise of my site has been that the act of “paying attention” is an investment of my time, my thoughts, and my self — commodities that have precious little to spare with the growing “loves” of my life.  I want to make sure that I get the highest return for my investment.  So, my indoctrination into the Citizen Media corp has me thinking about Blogging and my part in it.  After evaluating my experience over the last two months, I have settled on a few personal “rules”for blogging.

EyeJunkie proves its value if it helps me:

Think.
I don’t want to blog to get people to read.  It’s more honest, more transparent, more successful when I write from what I think, not from what I think others want to read — no matter how disjointed my thoughts might seem in the tag and category lists.

Earn.
Not money, but readers.  I don’t want to blog to make money.  I don’t object to generating a little extra income if that happens, but I don’t want EyeJunkie to become about meeting a financial need.  That would compromise what I can write.  See “Think.”  I want to earn readers the old fashioned way — by meaningful communication.  I recognize that time is a scarce commodity for most people just like it is for me.  I want the time fellow bloggers and readers choose to spend on EyeJunkie to be worth it.

Enjoy.
Not that writing always has to be fun.  Sometimes things just need to be said, but the process of composing or even the theme might be troublesome.  But, I don’t want EyeJunkie to become an obligation — post every day, get my blog rating up, get more diggs, etc.  Creativity won’t thrive as an obligation.

Say.
Having something to say is a good thing.  It means I’ve formed an opinion.  I’m engaged in what I experience.  By saying it, I have the opportunity to influence — even if it’s just one person.  But, isn’t person to person influence the most powerful?  Mass communication influences, to be sure, but usually on a more surface and temporary level.  The influence of one individual to another individual can be more life-reaching.

Understand.
Blogging helps me clarify my own thoughts.  I gain a better understanding of myself and my own opinions when I strive to translate what’s in my mind in such a way that another reader will understand it.

Create.
EyeJunkie allows me an outlet for expressing creativity.  In a hectic period of change, my life needs a reminder to create and a vehicle to encourage the expression of that creativity.  Although I want to maintain the freedom to write and post whatever I think without any arbitrary constraints, I also sometimes need that little bit of boundary so that creativity can really flourish.  Posting categories I’ve established for myself like ABCs and CultureSpeak or WordPictures and EyeCandy give me just enough of a requirement to force my creative hand.

Believe.
I have determined to use my blog as an outlet for sharing thoughts about my faith in Jesus.  My goal is not to “preach,” but to share my own efforts to open up the Scripture in my own life — to give it meaning for me beyond tradition or legalism.  I’ve found that writing the posts and articulating the Bible applications has actually boosted my faith, and increased my hope. 

See.
Participation in the global Citizen Media corp offers unique opportunities to “know” people and perspectives I wouldn’t otherwise encounter.  Granted, I may only “know” someone from their avatar and a 300 character description.  But, insights, experiences, photos, and even links shared are a window into another’s real life — even if it’s a life lived on the other side of the world.

Shut Down.
An unexpected byproduct of my blogging experience so far is that it has, at times, encouraged me to shut down the computer and close the desk.  For all the great friendships that are available in the cyber scene, none should distract me from the glorious gifts I have in my own home — and the blessings of my other face to face relationships.  When I write about mommy experiences in Gift Tags or use my own family examples in Verse Views, I am reminded how precious time is with them.  As rewarding as blogging is, the fact remains.  Profile to profile experiences are really fueled by face to face experiences.  So, sometimes the computer just begs to be shut down.

I’m glad I started this adventure, and I hope you find some inspiration in it as well.