Filed under: Internet Love, wisdom | Tags: blogs, daily makeover, distraction, flights, frittata, google, grammar girl, instructables, internet, make me super, walk in the park, wordie
I’m guessing a lot of you spend too much time online. It’s something I’m certainly guilty of, simply because I get so easily distracted by all the goodies the net has to offer. My answer to most of life’s dilemmas is ‘Google it?’
This week, t’internet has enlightened me in the following ways:
First up, the answer to a question that I’ve investigated so often by now I really should know the answer: the difference between ‘affect’ and ‘effect’. I have to hit the reference books every time I go to use the word, but lo, I’ve found the solution. Grammar Girl sums it up beautifully with this:
And the mnemonic: ‘a very easy noun’ which helps us to remember that affect = verb, effect = noun
Staying with the English theme, I learnt this new word from www.wordie.com:
autolatry
noun
the worship of yourself [syn: idolatry]
I turned both my niece and nephew into superheroes with www.makemesuper.com. Not as funny as doing it to your significant other and them watching it at work with colleagues looking over their shoulders, but amusing nonetheless!
I browsed through random stuff on www.instructables.com… I didn’t use any of it, mind, but I now know of at least 30 different uses for plastic bags.
I tried various hairstyles on The Pirate on www.dailymakeover.com and was pleased as punch until I realised I’d have to upgrade to premium membership if I wanted to give him facial hair. Boo.
I found a recipe for asparagus and leek frittata which resulted in this delectable creation:
Today, I’m keeping an eye out for cheap flights to anywhere with www.skyscanner.net. And, of course, reading your blogs. Two that made me smile today:
Planetross on Optimism
Restaurant Refugee on Mittens
The Yin to my internet-loving Yang is apparent today – I had planned a nice stroll in the park, but it’s 3.30pm already, and the park closes at 4pm. Maybe tomorrow.
I’ve taken a bit of a holiday these last few weeks – from the business, from my life, from myself somehow. I feel as if I’m standing on the sidelines, waiting for something to happen. It’s not like me at all; my mind is usually buzzing with thoughts and ideas, I talk at ninety miles an hour, I live and breathe the work that I do.
Now, it all seems a little distant. I’ve had clients, super sessions, and people are getting results, but I’m not that excited by it. I sit down to work and end up looking for GHDs on ebay or dowloading Agatha Christie games… mindless stuff that seems to be keeping me busy. I have fleeting thoughts about the business, little flashes of inspiration now and then, but I can’t seem to process them. I have scraps of paper covered with marketing ideas and deadlines that are festering away on my bedroom floor. I turned one over yesterday to scribble a meatpie recipe on the back, and spent the afternoon in the kitchen.
I wish I knew what I was waiting for. I have a meeting this weekend that could be the future. I think I need someone to give me some encouragement at this stage, someone who is willing to put as much of themselves into this as I do. Someone who will get excited about the prospects and possibilities that lie before us. Maybe the problem is that I think too much, have too many ideas, and end up unsure of where to focus my efforts. Torn between my various passions, easily distracted by long lunches and endless cups of tea.
Regardless, I need to move on with things. The pirate and I have had a few weeks to settle into a routine that works for us both, and there’s nothing else on my mind these days. He’s been fantastic, lately. He’s so sure of me, more than I am of myself sometimes. He doesn’t say much, but we spoke about my work last weekend, and his confidence in me was such a boost.
It’s time to get back into the driving seat.
**Life shouldn’t be a spectator sport.**
