Bloggers, Do You Do This Too?

On more than a few occasions especially when I have been writing and posting, I check the blog stats for the newly written post. What I find most interesting is where the trail leads after that. To which older posts.

I love this part of blogging because I am forever curious and intensely interested in people’s behavior and topics they read most often and trying to understand why. What elements of or about certain posts makes them more highly and routinely visited?

For instance, I write quite often about the books I am reading. Those interested in that kind of thing, books, check out several of the “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” entries. Others follow a chronological path. They may read everything from the entire month of November, 2013. I get "rabbit holes".

The next most fun thing to do is go back and read some of the older posts that are generating activity for some reason. I have written almost 600 posts. I don’t remember them all. Some don’t even ring a bell. Some I know like the back of my hand. Fun stuff.

I did this right now. Read some of the old posts visitors visited today. Can’t believe I wrote some of the things I did.

But the very, very tippy top thing that keeps me coming back for more is reading the comments left on old posts. On any post, really. Thank you to all who have visited and commented. Ever. I love what you've said to me. I love that you have taken the time. You make this blogging thing the bomb!

Back in the Saddle! My Computer is Fixed!!!

I finally got my laptop fixed. WOO HOO!!!

Okay, here's the deal. Yes, I spilled just the smallest amount of adult beverage on my brand new computer while fixing an elaborate Thanksgiving meal for my wonderful and blessed family.

Lessons learned (and I am sure there will be more)? Do not keep a computer, cell phone, iPad, whatever, on the kitchen island while in a food preparation frenzy. Keep adult (or any) beverages away from your technology. Check. Check.

A big part of why it took so long, first to own up to the issue then drop off for service, was I knew it would be an immensely expensive repair, and it would NOT be covered under my one year Apple warranty, unless Apple recently started covering wine spills or liquid damage of any sort. They don't. So I took my laptop to an Apple authorized repair shop here in the city for a $79 diagnostics exam (I know, 3 months after said event because I really didn't want to deal with it, but in reality, I just didn't want to get into it. Do you "get" what I mean?).

The repair person happened to call in the early evening yesterday, and I actually thought about walking out of the room to take the call.

I didn't, listened, then said, "Okay, can I get back to you tomorrow?"

Only then to be asked quite innocently, "Who was that?"

"Oh, just the computer repair place. I took my laptop in today."

"Really? What did they say?"

I winced then spewed, "So it seems that the very tiny amount of liquid I accidentally spilled on Thanksgiving while making dinner happened to enter at the perfect angle and spot to completely corrode the mother board that controls the computer's display which they said they could repair just like brand new for $XXX.xx parts and labor and all they have to do is order the board then fix it which will only take a matter of days so I could have it by the weekend and the good news is it would still be under Apple's limited warranty since they are an authorized repair facility and I am paying out of pocket doesn't that sound pretty good Honey?"

Then I held my breath.

The dollar amount was met, only, but not surprisingly, with two extremely wide eyes. Almost bugged out if I were to describe them more accurately.

I gave a silent "phew", and not that I expected any other reaction. I just really felt bad. It was a careless, and costly mistake.

The good news is I am back in the saddle!!! And no worse for the wear.

Care to know what I'm reading? It is Wednesday after all.

I think I will write another post purely about books because... I CAN!!!!!!!!!!!

Times Roman Black 12

You are a glowing white screen,

Seemingly two dimensional and flat.

Only your letters are different.

Forming unique combinations unearthing

Your feelings.

Your intensity.

Your humor.

You doctor your persona with bold, italics, colors.

Glimpses of you peek through in word choice, cadence, 

Sometimes explicatives.

But when I look at you for too long, 

My eyes burn.

So I step away

Trying to imagine you in 3-D...

Reading in the park,

Standing on a street corner,

Talking on the telephone,

Smiling.

You become more real then.

But to "see" you, 

I have no choice but to sit here, gaze at this screen, 

And wait for it to be filled

By all of you…

Bold Veranda 14,

Baby Blue Cambria,

Italic Arial 13.

And 

Times Roman Black 12. 

**************************

This week’s 33-333 Trifecta word prompt is:

DOCTOR

3. a: material added (as to food) to produce a desired effect

    b: a blade (as of metal) for spreading a coating or scraping a surface

Changes in Latitudes...Bye Bye Blog

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

(Just a favorite beach song of mine so listen if you're feelin' it)

I thought I would say a short goodbye to this space where I have been writing these last few months. I had a forced hiatus in January due to a lack of internet connection in Mexico and it was a bit of a torture for me. I wanted to write and everything there was stacked against me...wind, sand, sun...Karma? The way it was supposed to go down? Probably. I made fantastic use of the extra time I had to bond on the beach with some cool people.

This time, I'm saying goodbye to this space for far longer. Lucky me but sad me too! I've grown used to being here and having my new friends write to me about my posts or just me writing to myself about anything, which I love. 

I'm taking my iPad with me to some islands. They're great pieces of technology but sorely lacking in the word processing area. Everything I've tried to post on it ends up mucked up (gave up swearing for Lent, like that cover up?).

A new friend from Sunday Stream of Consciousness suggested I just do that while I'm gone. No formatting, no structure, just my thoughts for what those are worth and that's not much to most of you. It will be silly, beachy, rum-soaked me! Just kidding about the rum-soaked part but not the silly!

So I WILL give it a whirl. Please know that I will be reading all of you while I'm away from this chair and this desktop!

I thought I would include some songs that make me think of vacation when I'm sitting at home on a cold Chicago day...which is often! I would include a favorite island guy of mine if I could find a YouTube link for him. It's Bankie Banx from Anguilla and I've visited his place on the beach, The Dune Preserve, more than a few times. He sings a song called "Find It" and that always takes me back to the sand on Rendezvous Bay.

Island In The Sun by Weezer

Soak Up The Sun by Sheryl Crow

This Can Get REALLY Intimidating!

The more I follow favorite blogs, read all their wonderful posts, and follow link to link to other people's writings like a labrador on a scent, I get exponentially more intimidated. It amazes me how the blog community is so interconnected and know each other. How can so many people be incredibly engaging, creative, and fresh all the time? You are all so fabulous and here I am just starting out feeling amateurish. It's me, I know. It takes time to develop.

This began as a challenge to myself... maybe out of boredom or a desire to release the jumbles in my brain (sanity prescription) or just simply to engage with how I feel. Even a more basic thing...I do love to write.

It has rapidly and unexpectedly become something so much bigger. Every blogger must have felt this at one point or another. It is almost discouraging and a little depressing especially for someone who is just starting to write out thoughts and feelings, looking for inspiration around every corner. What happens if there's nothing to write about?

I will keep reading blogs because I enjoy them. I will keep writing here because I love it. Daily, I have an urge to redesign and rearrange to the point of becoming obsessive. As each day passes, I hope my self-confidence builds.

Next week will be a challenge for me as I hit the beach in Tulum and try to write on an IPad (not the easiest). Keep it short and simple, Stupid! Maybe it will be a pictorial of my week at Bikini Bootcamp, who knows. That would be very interesting.

(Miel, Spanish for honey, on the Amansala beach in Tulum)

Blog Discovery Day

I just discovered this blog today called Sunday Stealing (sundaystealing.blogspot.com). Every Sunday, the game, I think, is to answer the questions that are stolen from another blog each Sunday. I don't know. I'm going to take a stab at this each week between my other lazy activities for the day. So here is this week's Community Meme.

Sunday Stealing: The Community Meme 

1. As a blogger, what do you draw inspirations from for your posts?

Since I’m a new blogger, just what pops into my head.

2.   If you could swap blogs with another blogger for a post, who would you switch with and why?

I would switch with one of two people…the editor of Conde Nast Traveler or Anthony Bourdain from The Travel Channel. Why them? They have unlimited access to travel! I am obsessed with traveling and willing to go anywhere at any time. I would choose the gift of travel over the Hope diamond every single time. 

3. If your blog had a theme song, what would it be? Why?

“You can’t always get what you want” The Rolling Stones or Pink “Raise Your Glass”. True and fun! 

4.  What is your writing process for a post?

See 1.

5.  Your blog requires a cute, new, mascot-what would it be?

Addison (one of my chocolate labs) caught mid-air after taking a running leap off our pier at the lake.

6.  Do you feel you express your “true self” on your blog?

I’m getting there. Since no one is reading it, it’s pretty easy to be myself. However, my mind is far more R-rated then I have let on so far.

7.  What is your biggest online pet-peeve?

When you have to type in those funky words to authenticate an entry for a website, if that's what you call it, ala Ticketmaster purchases. ANNOYING!

8.     If you could live in a fictional universe, where would you live? Why?

It would be on an island in the Pacific inhabited by only those truly important to me. We would have all the food and wine we would ever need and live peacefully with each other.

9.  You’re having a bad day, you’re upset, you’re angry, or you’re sad-what is your go-to comfort?

Either I call one of my best friends to bitch or I read.

10.  What is your favorite inspirational quote?

I have two, both by Mother Theresa. “People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people my cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.” AND 
“ Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”

11.  If they were to make a movie based on your life, who would play you, your leading lady/man, your best friend, and your rival?

Me: Gwyneth Paltrow; Leading Man: George Clooney; Best Friend: Sandra Bullock; Rival: Madonna

  12.  Do you think the world isgoing to end in 2012?

No

13.   If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?

My procrastination when no one notices.

14.  What is your favorite season and why?

The Fall in Chicago because of it’s beauty and glorious jeans and sweater weather. It feels like a new beginning or transition to me.

15.  You’ve been bitten by a vampire. Would you fight it with all your undead being or would you embrace it for all it is worth?

I’d have no choice but to embrace it. I am a biter at times. A guy in college got really mad at me for biting him in the shoulder (through his shirt, I might add) and didn’t speak to me for over a year. He figured out he wanted to date me again but I had already moved way on. It was unfortunate because he was gorgeous. Interestingly enough, he now lives in my tiny suburban Chicago village. It was a long time before I bit anyone again and the next guy liked it!

16.  Have you personally met any of your blogger friends?

No but I don’t have any.

17.  What does your favorite pair of underwear look like?

White, gray and black lace thong

18.  Have you ever drank something right from the container in the refrigerator knowing other people will have to drink out of the same container later?

Of course! Who hasn’t?

19.  What is your favorite word and explain why?

Besides a good explicative to emphasize a point (my favorite is fuck) there are too many to pick one.

20.  2011 is soon coming to a close, is there anything you’d like to do different on you blog in the year 2012?

Figure out a better format and design. Interest some people.

sundaystealing.blogspot.com