…so why is it a supposed to be a good thing on the net? The give and take, the back and forth, the suck; it takes over your soul. I don’t mind the whole idea as much as I used to, but….
I just don’t feel like playing along. I have a Facebook wall, and a Twitter page, and I have never been to either one, except to sign up. It’s just something you’re supposed to do–auto posting to Twitter and Facebook and whatever else.
The fact is, Continue reading
…computers do not work. Boy did I run into that tonight. I cannot get the drop down post thing in wordpress to work for anything–on two computers and two different browsers. I’m assuming it has something to do with JAVA, but who knows. There are two sonnets for today and tomorrow and one even for day after that. but I am just too disgusted now, to do any more tonight.
Networking. I have indeed found interesting blogs–those I enjoy visiting again and again following a chain of likes from those I do not like. So often have I clicked along these lines: “Hmm… let us see what other people follow this detestable individual…. Oh goodness me!! Look at this!!!”
I could indeed be more actively involved in this process, but I go through periods wherein I am rather withdrawn and reflective. Still, out of 100 followers one has, a few find that they positively cannot live without ones work, and these would not have found the work had there not been a chain of follows and/or likes (or even dislikes) to lead them to it.
Since I do not have a blog with very wide appeal at all, I am always gratified when someone who likes what I do finds me. And the more clicks and links and likes and follows, &c, (as well as all the other types of things you rightly suggest) that I put out, the more people (among the very few who actually enjoy my work) will find it.
The more widely one spreads out this activity the more likely one is to find such people. Just using wordpress alone is not very reliable in and of itself. The reason for this–I would say the main reason–is that bloggers are writers wanting to be read; and writers are for the most part not normal readers. It therefore is beneficial when someone who only posts pictures of cats on facebook happens to like whatever it is you do. That is a real follower, most often, not just another abnormal reader (aka a writer) and someone who might actually share your work with similar people.
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David Emeron says:
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August 21, 2013 at 4:30 pm
And one more thing to add to your arsenal is to turn off moderation. I found more enthusiastic followers once I did this. I keep meaning to try opening up comments to everyone and anyone. I will no doubt get more spam comments, but more openness seems to help the process along. In fact, now that I think of it again, I am going to do just that. In about five minutes, I will have the comment section completely open.
via Networking and selfish acts(free advertising tips) | Thoughts From a Mind Full of Dreams.
P.S. And… I have now completed the above as my two test comments below will attest.
perfection is seen reflected
in the blade of my sword
greens and golds
melt on the blade
with a thin edge of blue
snow swirling,
resting, melting,
white glimmers,
now red as it reflects
early blooms of quince
blood rust, sun gold
seasons change
shades of grey
glints of starlight and full moon
in the blackness after midnight
an ever changing picture
less than two inches wide
I admit I tire of hearing a certain meme repeating endlessly: continual repetition stating that there is no such thing as perfection and/or that perfection cannot be attained, and/or that we are only human after all, and hence, not perfect. Although I feel compelled to write more about this, I will simply state that perfection is all about us. So much so that we need only open our eyes to it. Once we have done so. we might wonder why we did not realise it had been surrounding us all the time–that it should have been impossible not to have seen it.
Perfection is not simply a way to exaggerate a compliment–a way to say something is very very good. Perfection as the unattainable ideal is simply an erroneous concept. It is a way to further cement a false dichotomy of the ideal vs. the real. I realise I am not making a logical case for this in so short a post, but simply making a claim. But… if you give it some thought on your own–and just look about you–I am sure you will see it, unless you have some deep seated dogmatic resistance to the idea (and hence, the truth.)
Just try it. You will see.
I find in the Pacific NW (where we indeed do have a higher state minimum) I have not met an entry level employee who actually does receive this wage. I am a very talkative old codger, and I have found that even teenagers at McDonald’s (which I must admit is my favourite food) do not receive even this higher minimum wage. Their starting wage tends to be higher still. The managers there have informed me that it would be difficult to find suitable employees at the state minimum.
Perhaps there is or was some purpose for such a regulation, but if there is, I cannot fathom what it is. Admittedly this is not my area of expertise; however perhaps there are migrant workers that receive this wage? I have generally been under the impression that such workers most often work “off the books” so to speak.
I might suspect that it is best when–as seems to be the case now–the minimum wage is set below what virtually all employers must offer as a starting wage.
via Increase the Minimum Wage! Wait, why’s my Happy Meal thirty-four bucks? | The Liberal Critique.
Furthermore, even at this low minimum wage it would not be so difficult for one to have a good life for a time until something better comes along or one works up to a more favourable position in life.
I know this for a fact because Mrs. Emeron and I choose to live with room-mates. We have a rather large house and it is full to the brim. Even if we were much more financially well off, we would choose to have a full house–though admittedly this is not for everyone. My point here is that with what we are paid for rent (which includes all utilities and many many extras, and which is a competitive rate–on the low side, but still “in the ball park,” as it were–minimum wage is more than enough to have many many “extras” in life… even if one has no further ambition. This is true even if one does not apply for state aid (even if one qualifies, which many would choose not to do.)
The fact that such people may be state subsidised even though it is not truly necessary is more of an indictment of socialism than anything else. Just as, for example, is the case of the “seatbelt/helmet law” issue. The assertion “It is my life,” is perfectly true even when society claims ones life for its own, and therefore makes the argument that such compulsion is “for your own good, and/or that of society.” I realise I have changed the subject here in midstream, but even so, it is the same type of issue. By all means, wear the thing. Drive as safely as if you were not wearing it, as well. However such compulsion by the state is “soul-sucking,” and I believe even its advocates know this, even when they feel it is a necessary evil.
But evil it is: Pure evil for ones life–ones soul, if you will permit the indiscretion–to be claimed by others for good or ill. I believe the deep seated knowledge of this is the cause of the great malaise that has long settled over this and many other lands. Such a claim even robs generous people of the act of charity such as they might wish to impart. And I see hard-working and/or extremely brilliant people dropping out of their chosen fields frequently and choosing to work menial jobs instead.
I may choose that life myself any day now. I keep thinking I would be more happy if I kept my expertise for those I choose, for myself, and/or for those I love. To be truthful, it does feel like the more honest course to me. I believe those of us who feel this way might be more happy sharing or trading our expertise among ourselves…
Oh… but I do go on, do I not?
Although perhaps everyone has heard the name Shakespeare, Not so many have heard of Jonson or of Donne–or of King, for that matter–It is a wonderful moment for most everyone when they do discover them. So I post a link to the above tribute to him, and an example below of one of his best known short poems. Such a lovely sentiment–both this original and the tribute.
Drink to me only with thine eyes
And I will pledge with mine.
Or leave a kiss but in the cup
And I’ll not look for wine.
The thirst that from the soul doth rise
Doth ask a drink divine;
But might I of Jove’s nectar sup,
I would not change for thine.
I sent thee late a rosy wreath,
Not so much hon’ring thee
As giving it a hope that there
It could not withered be;
But thou thereon did’st only breathe,
And sent’st it back to me,
Since when it grows and smells, I swear
Not of itself, but thee.
David Emeron: Sonnets 