July 18, 2010
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Snippets
A bit of this and a bit of that....
1. I looked at myself in the mirror the other day and saw the big bags under my eyes. It looked as if I took my cheeks (the big smelly ones) and put them underneath my eyes. There isn't a day in the week where I can truly rest and do nothing. I did sleep in till 8:30 today though. These small luxuries in life are what I'm grateful for. I sometimes feel like the pacman being pursued by those 4 ghosts (the 4 horsemen?)
2. When I was driving home today, I asked my dad what illness his mom died from. Little by little, I want to document some of the illnesses in my family. Dad mentioned her kidneys. He paused for some time and finally said "Yes, it was mainly the kidneys." I quickly realized he misheard me and thought I was asking about my mom. While he was right, he forgotten about the cancer. I didn't remind him though and changed the subject. He also seems to have forgotten the anniversary of her death. I suppose it's better this way.
3. Brian had an interesting observation with a recent entry. After a long absence from Xanga, he noticed that a lot of folks had left. It's true. A lot of my old favorite bloggers have departed. But I've found a lot of new ones as well. The community is changing and I hope it's reinvigorating itself. For those of you who've been around for say 5 years, would you agree that the community is constantly rejuvenating? Do you feel optimistic about Xanga?
4. I am thankful for my cousin who checks up on me whenever he gets a chance. I do the same on him. We try to keep an eye on each other. He lives out in the west coast and is busy with school right now. But whenever we're both online, we chat up a storm. I told him he's more than a cousin. He's a very good friend. He reads me just as well as J.
5. I really need to set aside more time for writing. With so many other priorities and work constantly overflowing into my own time, this won't be easy. I guess the old adage about working smarter and being ruthless with one's time are true. That old song about trapping time in a bottle is so true.
Have a great week everyone!
Comments (25)
I'm fine with the people still on Xanga. It's sad when people leave, but it's like that a lot in other parts of life as well.
You need to set some time aside just for yourself Matt. Yes I think it is a good thing that your dad has forgotten the death anniversary of your mother. Little blessings like these, will make for an easier listening time for you.
I am ok with xanga. I truly get p o'd at the people who do not respond to questions and messages. Sometimes I think I should get out of this place, or take a furlough of sorts!
@Roadlesstaken - yeah, I cherish the ones that are still here and always enjoy finding new blogs to read. I think you're one of the folks that have provided Xanga with a real spark - thank you.
@ZSA_MD - yes, I know I do need a break - it's tough as my dept at work is roughly half of what it used to be.
I'm not really optimistic about Xanga. I'd love for someone to prove me wrong with numbers, but by my observation, at best, it's breaking even; at worst, it's experiencing a slow net loss. I think we could coordinate a migration to some other blogging site if Xanga ever collapsed, so it doesn't bother me too much. Still, hopefully that doesn't happen.
I think you and I both need to learn better work-life balance.
@Senlin - well, according to Alexia, it's been declining. I worry that someday it'll just disappear and I'll lose this wonderful community. I've never really told anyone this - this little spot on the internet means a lot to me.
Trying to find that balance seems to be a never-ending quest. I'm glad your cousin has your back, though. As for Xanga, I'm generally optimistic as it seems that there are always new people to fill the place of those who become less active. It is tough for me, though, as there is a pretty good number of "core" folks I've been following for several years and who all followed each other, who have really reduced their level of activity. I feel as though I've lost some friends. Thankfully, many of them I'm connected with on Facebook and/or know in real life.
@Senlin - Regarding your comment about migrating, the big fear I have is that if Xanga were to collapse suddenly, there would be many people on here (including you) whom I would not know how to connect with. It is almost like there needs to be some emergency phone tree or something... =D
@christao408 - yeah, even Carey has quieted down. I stumbled on Sion's blog on Tumblr but he has shut that down. I have a lot of old favorites that I miss. And I don't use FB. I like the idea of an emergency phone tree.
@ElusiveWords - Yes, you're right. I just looked it up. I hope this works for you: 6-month graph of decline in Xanga usage
That looks................ really severe! >_<
Gee, that's like a 60% decline in 6 months. This sort of thing must be a runaway process (positive feedback loop). For example, if you leave (not that you would), then some of your readers will have less of a reason to come here, and they'll leave... and some of their readers will leave, and so on. I'd imagine that these sorts of things need a critical mass of users to really work. Nonetheless, we who still use Xanga have no reason to leave unless they go out of business. Some of my friends have Blogspot and Tumblr and they generally only get at most 2 comments on their posts, mostly by cross-posting to Facebook.
@christao408 - Hrm... despite what I just wrote to Matt, I think Xanga will remain around for a long time. Maybe fewer people will use it, but we won't one day suddenly arrive at "Page Not Found" screens. After all, you purchased the lifetime premium thing -- that's got to mean something, right?
@Senlin - yeah, I check that site every so often. I don't know if it includes those *ish sites or not. Maybe overall, the site is still viable. I think they'll have to find a niche and really exploit it.
Get some rest. Its always nice to discover new gems here. People come and go, some you miss, others not so much. You should write more.
I've been on Xanga for about four and half years... a lot of people have come and gone, but I suppose that's just part of the system. You can't hold on to something for ever.
I am not sure what the prospects are for Xanga. I know there have been several people who have "disappeared' since I started on here. I am an holdout as I am not really involved with Facebook or any of the other social networks. I admit I have slowed my blogging pace. I am not sure why but I will have to reflect on that.
I hate glasses a lot but if I don't wear them, the whole world can see my dark circles.... we must look like twins.
Yeah, some people have moved on - and I only knew them for a brief time. One of them was going through very tough times; one always seem upbeat and into Yoga, and another seemed live a quiet life as a librarian. I do wonder what they're doing nowadays.
The good thing about Xanga is that there are so many more people I can meet, however, it sucks when I don't get to follow them on their journey through life.
Yeah it definitely changes quite a bit quite often. Some of my favorite people are still here though. Some have become friends so even though they may have left Xanga, it doesn't really matter.
I for one am still in love with xanga and the friends what have both come and gone.
I really need to re-commit myself to being present here. I enjoy it more then I allow myself too lately.
And as you know I need those little joys.
Speaking of little joys, it always makes me smile when I know you are on line
at the same time that I am.... I feel connected some how, even though we're not.
Be well Matt,,, enjoy the evening and what ever it brings to you.
Thanks being here... still.
*~matthew~*
@tsotofu - I slept in a bit this morning and it felt good. I do need to get some serious rest and recharge my batteries. I know it's affecting my writing. You're a creative soul... how do you recharge your creative juices?
@Dezinerdreams - yeah, I just wish they could stay longer.
@Fatcat723 - I think everyone has slowed down their blogging. But I'm glad there are others to read. Maybe it's the summer doldrums.
@stepaside_loser - I think you nailed it - we can't follow them through their journey of life.
@yang1815 - I'm glad you're still here.
@bleuzeus - hahaha... I know what you mean when you see a fellow blogger online at the same time. I do wish that little light bulb meant I had an idea. But I was sneaking in a bit of Xanga while waiting for the rice to cook. Thank you for being here too.
@secade - well, you're the better looking twin.
@ElusiveWords - good question... hm...my best writing comes in the morning from what ive learned. ill think up ideas during the previous day/week, but it really doesnt come out right w/o the proper rest and clearing of the mind... plus my writing is a way to clear out/vent my mind in a subtle way... one in which is ambiguous to outsiders, but clear to me...
@Senlin - Oh, yeah - that lifetime premium thing is a certain guarantee of Xanga's longevity. Not. Ha ha...
@ElusiveWords - Eh, certainly not, I barely find the time/energy to even shave everyday anymore...
@ElusiveWords - I'll always be here for you Matty.
@yang1815 - thanks Andy.
@ElusiveWords - You're welcome.
I don't really like Xanga anymore. I made a new account and I'm happier over there. ^_^
Comments are closed.