The future

After thinking over the weekend, and considering your comments, I've decided to allow the Grumpator blog continued existence.

However, I am not planning to post on a regular basis, if at all. I'm mainly maintaining the blog for 2 reasons (here come the bullet points!):

1. As an archive of the last 5 years of posting.
2. And, because I liked Mara's point, just in case I get a sudden urge to discuss something that takes more than 140 characters - such as the 2010 elections.

In my first post on this blog, I was pondering my goals for blogging. I never did determine any, but I've enjoyed having this space to just talk about anything - whether it be cheese tasting, World of Warcraft and Libraries, traveling to Germany, job hunting (and tips), finding a job, lots of posts about games, lots of cat pictures, and lots of election posts. We'll see if I miss it enough to post more regularly again. Until then - adios!

A serious metablogging post

There's been a lot going on without much time for blogging. I've been thinking quite a bit about the ol' blog and how it's evolved over its 5 years of existence (my blogoversary is Monday! I can't believe it). I started this blog not quite knowing what I wanted it to be - I've wavered back and forth about blogging about library stuff, personal stuff, political stuff, or whatever's on my mind. I've enjoyed blogging the grateful lists lately, but it seems that I don't usually blog about anything else, making my posts much shorter and full of bullet points. That's not really what I want my blog to become.

I've also found that as more of my friends have become bloggers and readers, I've targeted my writing towards them - hence less library stuff and more personal stuff. I know they're the majority of the readers and commenters here on the ol' blog. While I have other readers, they tend to fall in the lurker category, commenting only rarely. Honestly, I'm not sure what you folks are attracted to, I'd be pretty bored with this place if I were you. :-)

Things have been picking up at work quite a bit, while also getting more uncertain. We're reorganizing this summer, and I have no idea what my future responsibilities will be - they could remain exactly the same, or I could be doing something entirely different. Either way, I have much less time for blogging than I did even a year ago. And with such an uncertain climate, I haven't felt very comfortable posting about work issues. There many other lib-bloggers who are much more articulate and thoughtful than I, if anyone wants to read about library stuff.

All this is leading up to the fact that I am seriously considering shutting the ol' place down. I think that Facebook fulfills my needs if I want to just connect with my friends, and I'm finding it increasingly difficult to find time for thoughtful blogging. I've been considering my priorities, and have been trying to spend less time on the computer and more time with my husband and friends and doing things I really love doing. As my time spent goofing off online has increased over the past months, I haven't been going to the gym, I haven't been practicing guitar, and haven't been communicating as well with the people who are important to me but who aren't social networkers. I need to find a better balance of my time, and that means that some things have got to go. I've loved having this blog, but I'm not sure it's as useful as it once was.

I'll make a final decision about this over the weekend - on June 15th, the Grumpator blog will either be erased or will continue, though probably in a different form. Either way, thanks for reading for the past 5 years.

Such a serious post shouldn't be left without a cat picture, though, so here you go:

Under construction

Windows are installed, and the workers are now papering our house. After that, they will staple foam and wire all over as a foundation for the stucco. They are ripping off old trim, took off our security door (which they will later install correctly, one hopes), hammering, banging, and whistling cheerfully. Maggie is enthralled and thinks we have engaged these people just to entertain her. Kitty is using her ancient wisdom to achieve a zen-like state while sitting on her favorite kitchen chair. Charlie and Sophy are huddled under the bed.

I'm taking some pictures, and will probably post some tomorrow.

Today's list:

• So thankful that yesterday's presentations went well! It was a great audience, everyone enjoyed themselves and seemed to feel that they learned a great deal. It was a fun experience for me, though I definitely would do a few things differently should I ever present on these topics again.
• I'm grateful that those are over and I can start working on my next round of projects!
• Despite the noise, I'm in a very peaceful state of mind this morning, enjoying the cool breeze and the knowledge that this will be such a huge improvement for our home! I already noticed a lessening of street noise last night in our bedroom just with the new window!
  

Bulletins

Life has gotten very busy this past week and I've gotten a little behind, so here is a digest of what's going on.

• Chris is done with work until August, so he's now my househusband. I kind of like this - meeting me at the door when I come home from the office with a martini, steak and a pitcher of beer on the table, foot massages and I'm not exaggerating this a bit. Right.
  
• We went to Tubac this last weekend to celebrate the onset of summer vacation, as well as celebrate our anniversary a little early. We stayed in a nice B&B, enjoyed some good food, the southern Arizona landscape, and some bike riding. We also read some Louis L'Amour books in the room. In general, it was very relaxing, and I'll upload some pictures soon.
• Got my laptop back on Monday!
• Our new windows and door arrived yesterday!
• Today, our contractor will begin work on the house - installing windows, and then stucco followed by painting later this week. Next week I might need help recognizing my home!
• Also today, I am driving up to Flagstaff to give 2 presentations at the Library Institute. I'm talking about web design and usability basics, followed by a presentation on video gaming programs in libraries (along with my talented co-presenters Stephanie and Vinny). It'll be a long day, as I'm driving up and back today, but I'm looking forward to the presentations, spending a day in Flag (high of 75 today!), and having lunch with Kerry!
• Back at work tomorrow and a half-day Friday, then back to Flagstaff for a weekend camping trip with Milazzos and Stallards. Can't wait!

Obviously, I'm grateful for many things today;

• The opportunity to give these 2 presentations - I hope I don't dissapoint!
• Being able to move forward on the house projects!
• Having so many reasons to be grateful!
  

Back in the saddle

I have my laptop back and have some posts to make, but they will have to wait until later this week. I have to focus on getting some things done today to finish my prep for my presentation tomorrow.

3 things:

1. Laptop is back!
2. Had a lovely weekend with my husband and feel relaxed and happy today.
3. So grateful to be home again with our silly cats and sleeping again in our bed.
   

Catching up

Well, I haven't been posting my grateful lists this week - it's amazing how quickly I've gotten used to my laptop and how much I miss it. Luckily, I got word that it's fixed and should be back to me by next week!

Today is Chris' last day of work until August, so it's really starting to feel like summer. I've been working diligently on preparing presentations for next week's Library Institute. I'll finish those up today, and then this weekend we're heading off for an early anniversary weekend! Naturally, those are all the things I've been grateful for this week, and I'm very much looking forward to a relaxing weekend away.

Now, back to work!

Quickie

Don't really feel like blogging, since I don't intend to be at the computer long today, so here's a quick 3 things:

1. I still have another day off after today!
2. Joshua Bell was amazing last night! I love feeling inspired and awed by such a fantastic performance.
   
3. A lazy Sunday afternoon planned with the in-laws!