Well, it's been awhile since I posted to this blog. Like a lot of things online, the thrill is gone after the initial 'new toy' syndrome for whatever new thing I've signed up for. So they languish in cyberspace until I remember they're out there. It's time to once again share my thoughts on things that no one else probably cares about.

Today's topic is being calm. I have a new philosophy that mostly keeps me from getting stressed out. It's hard to describe without visuals. Basically, you shrug your shoulders while tilting your head over and raising an eyebrow while you say "ehhhh" - as if you couldn't care less. Like "ehh, what are you gonna do?" It helps a lot, trust me - try it yourself next time you start freaking out about something!

So, being calm - I like being calm. I like a sea of tranquility for my life. However, lately my life is on constant hurricane watch. So, I have learned to really think things through; their true importance in the scheme of life; how much do I want to invest in dealing with an issue; how do I communicate with someone who has a different communication style than me; etc.

I have come to the conclusion that you have to pursue understanding, on either side; or on both sides really. Ignoring an issue only covers it up, it doesn't make it go away. And sooner or later, you're probably going to trip on it once you forget about it being there. Just because you forgot for a while doesn't make it less there. The cover-up only lasts so long. So much time and effort could be saved by facing an issue head on, dealing with it, and letting it go. I wish other people saw the value in truthful, honest (not always the same things), and respectful dialogue for all things in life.

That's my wish anyway. There's no star, wishbone, or myspace magic bulletin around to make my wish come true but I'll keep hoping! And I'll keep being honest and see if someday someone can do the same.

I don't think I can suffer through another myspace posting, comment, etc. that butchers the words "your" and "you're" without screaming hysterically. I can't comprehend that this many (mostly) young people have no clue about the difference in the two words. I'm ok, although I don't love them, with the abbreviations used in the online/IM/blog world of today, the "U" and "R" and numbers for words, etc. That's ok, people want a shortcut so that they can continue their (not they're) drivel or ranting more quickly. But, seriously people, SERIOUSLY, in the name of all that's holy, STOP FREAKING USING "YOUR" WHEN YOU MEAN "YOU'RE."


I quote Ross Gellar from Friends when I say "by the way, Y- O- U- apostrophe- R- E means ‘you are,’ Y- O- U- R means ‘your!’"



Some legitimate non-ranting information on this dilemma:

Try "you are" in your sentence as a replacement.
If it works, use "you're", otherwise use "your".

PS - Myspacers - you might also want to think about the fact that comments on someone's page are not confidential - it's not a private email, kids, it's out there for anyone to see. So, don't put a comment telling someone not to tell someone else what you said.......idiots :(

I'm always amazed at the number of people who feel the need to share their every thought or action for all the world to see (or not see). I don't have a clever life - there's never much more exciting than whether my diabetic cat threw up today or if I get to spend the weekend lounging around doing nothing. Who cares about that besides me?

That said, there's nothing I like more than designing things, re-doing my website, signing up for blogs, new templates, creating colors, choosing new styles, etc. I'm a little addicted. Add in the new interest in computer scrapbooking and I basically waste all my free time here, sitting on my futon, typing away (my computer, like my futon, sits on the floor - let me recommend this setup highly - no potential carpal tunnel, and when you're tired of typing, just lay back and you're in bed - seriously, "lazy always wins" (copyright 2006, me).

Here's a picture of my latest scrapbook page, my grandparent's dog, Gingi:



I'm sure more will follow, though none will ever see this.