Can’t resist an extra post
Although I wrote a week ago indicating I was going into hospital and wouldn’t be updating for a while, an interesting post by Stephanie has prompted me to slip this post in before making myself rare again for a while.
From my point of view I’ve spread my self about as thin as I can get over the Web since the beginning of this year. The other day I attempted to MindMap my presence but was unable to get the big picture (or rather I gave up after a several iterations).
As each new Web 2.0 product came on line I was there with a login and enjoying the sparkliness of it. I had the impression I was spending my time filling endless profiles and likes and dislikes and when I was happy with it something else came along.
Well I’m easing off all that now. My job is in front of a computer all day long and my leisure time was pursuing this “in front of computer” doing all the unprofessional computing activities that you can’t or don’t do at work.
The end result, although stimulating for a time, was becoming increasingly frustrating and also, if I try to be honest, somewhat addictive. I think it goes with my personality and I’ve seen it before.
A few years ago I was an MMORPG gamer (Asheron’s Call, Earth and Beyond, Everquest, Guildwars etc etc.) I would play for hours on end, discuss game related matters on the forums and sleep infrequently.
That time has passed and in retrospect, and having had the time to reflect, this whole Web 2.0 phenomenon has a lot of similarities.
So how do you balance it all I wonder? Do you get the time to get out and about, to watch films, read books, watch DVDs and enjoy the company of others?
This blog has become an extension of me and I am no longer in any doubt whatsoever that I will continue to maintain it but I am at the same time integrating the essential benefits of Web 2.0 while stepping back from being an early adopter and grabbing all that is offered. I’m avoiding the sparklies and relearning that life exists outside the computer monitor.
I think, in a nutshell, that I’m aiming to integrate Web 2.0 into my life rather than integrate my life into Web 2.0.
So tomorrow morning I go into hospital. I’ll see y’all on the other side and I’m looking forward to that.
October 11th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Hope everything turns out right. Please post as soon as you get better at least to let us know everything is ok. My prayers with you!
October 21st, 2007 at 9:35 pm
I am thinking of you my friend. I hope all went well with the surgery and that you are back home recovering fast and furiously. For most of us, it is hard to keep a suitable balance in our lives so we need to take heed to wake up calls when they are sent our way. Therefore I am hoping you are taking it easy and listening to your better half when she tells you to take things easy. Look forward to when you get back to blogging and waiting for the snow pics - especially when Christmas time comes knocking.