Proof of Life
Mar. 19th, 2021 10:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cjlasky7Before I say anything else... congratulations to shadowkat on her vaccination. I hope to join you soon.
It's been a little over six months since my last post on dreamwidth. It was the last days of the Trump administration, and I was simply burned out on social media. I didn't feel I was contributing anything useful to the conversation--whether it was discussing pop culture, politics or my own personal problems. I still feel that way (somewhat), but shutting down completely isn't really a solution either.
But even though it's not very constructive, this is kind of what I do. When faced with roadblocks, I tend to tuck my head in, square my shoulders, and plow through my daily activities, shutting out the things I can't control. On that list: I still haven't completely sorted out my mother's estate; my wife's gastrointestinal problems are chronic (and a constant source of worry); I have paperwork from a nuisance lawsuit piled up in my living room; and my job is devolving into a constant source of irritation.
I am extremely busy, but I feel like I'm standing still.
It's not all bad. D. received his first merit badge as a Boy Scout and I watch him run around and play with his buddies at the weekly Scout meetings. With spring approaching, the three of us have been taking walks through the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. I'm grateful that we enjoy each other's company. (That's not true for all families.)
But the wheels are still spinning and I'm going nowhere.
I can't say I see a way out of my... rut? (It feels more serious than a rut, though.) As I said, there are certain factors out of my control. But maybe if I talk about it a little more, air out my problems, maybe I can get a better grip on things. (I hear there's a place where you write this stuff down...)
Take care, everybody. I'll be back soon.
It's been a little over six months since my last post on dreamwidth. It was the last days of the Trump administration, and I was simply burned out on social media. I didn't feel I was contributing anything useful to the conversation--whether it was discussing pop culture, politics or my own personal problems. I still feel that way (somewhat), but shutting down completely isn't really a solution either.
But even though it's not very constructive, this is kind of what I do. When faced with roadblocks, I tend to tuck my head in, square my shoulders, and plow through my daily activities, shutting out the things I can't control. On that list: I still haven't completely sorted out my mother's estate; my wife's gastrointestinal problems are chronic (and a constant source of worry); I have paperwork from a nuisance lawsuit piled up in my living room; and my job is devolving into a constant source of irritation.
I am extremely busy, but I feel like I'm standing still.
It's not all bad. D. received his first merit badge as a Boy Scout and I watch him run around and play with his buddies at the weekly Scout meetings. With spring approaching, the three of us have been taking walks through the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. I'm grateful that we enjoy each other's company. (That's not true for all families.)
But the wheels are still spinning and I'm going nowhere.
I can't say I see a way out of my... rut? (It feels more serious than a rut, though.) As I said, there are certain factors out of my control. But maybe if I talk about it a little more, air out my problems, maybe I can get a better grip on things. (I hear there's a place where you write this stuff down...)
Take care, everybody. I'll be back soon.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-20 05:31 am (UTC)Sorry to hear about the troubles, but indeed, with everything that's happened over the last year in the world, one wants to channel Monty Python and note, "I'm not dead yet!"
Post 'em when you've got 'em, my friend. We're here.
:-) :-) :-)
no subject
Date: 2021-03-20 02:32 pm (UTC)I think beergood popped up again recently to discuss the Whedon thing. Then promptly disappeared again.
Here's hoping you and your family get the vaccine soon. Your wife should be eligible now, and I think you might be too soon. The J&J has no side-effects, and is just one dose, and is now available through the doctor's offices apparently, and soon pharmacies.
Thank you for the post. Good to see you are okay. I wasn't worried until Atpo_OMN asked me about it.
Then I thought - oh, pandemic, should ask. Damn.
Stay safe and well. Hope to see you on the other side. As the old black congressman Charlie Rangel stated in a recent speech - "Spring is on the way." Right now, we're all kind of in the same holding pattern, I think?
no subject
Date: 2021-03-21 02:25 pm (UTC)My wife has already been vaccinated. I'm waiting for my turn. She's had no side effects from the second shot, but (as she pointed out) given her health problems, how could we tell?
(Yes, we use a lot of black humor in our house.)
As for my tendency to disappear from social media.... I have a love/hate relationship with the format. Part me thinks it's a wonderful forum for communication and exchange of ideas. OTOH, I think humanity is in no way prepared for this level of interconnectedness, and social media just amplifies our species' insanity in ways we're totally unable to handle. Tell me I'm wrong.
(No, seriously, convince me I'm wrong!)
That's why I'll never be on Facebook, even when D. visits me in the Home 30 years from now, and begs me to sign in and talk to the grandchildren.
*whines*
When can the two of us go to a 🎥 again?
no subject
Date: 2021-03-21 03:20 pm (UTC)My brother would completely agree with you. He refuses to be on any social media platform that he isn't paid to be on or work with. He told me that outright.
I think social media is like anything else that involves human beings, it depends on how you interact and deal with it. Also, because it is so instantaneous - people tend to abuse it or aren't always "mindful" of what they are stating on it. It's also easy to misuse. Posting in anger is never a good idea. Nor is it good to post when you are irritated, annoyed, frustrated, or feel the need to kick things.
Can it be abused? Definitely. Do we all abuse it? Of course. Does selfish asshole syndrome come into play - frequently.
I've learned how to use it over the years. And I do get into fights off and on still. I'm getting better at walking away from them. I got into a fight with someone named cyberghostface and another weird name on scans_daily playing devil's advocate. Arguing with folks on social media is never wise.
But it's not all horrible. A lot of it is wonderful. It's like everything else we do in life. You just have to learn to navigate around it, put up boundaries, and keep a low-profile. Don't post anything that will draw too much attention to yourself, be careful what you post, and stick to a few forums, also stay away from posting on major ones too often. Twitter - is better to lurk on or so I've discovered. Facebook - is more manageable - if you don't friend everyone you've ever met or who decides to friend you, and keep it friends locked, and join private groups that do stuff that interest you. Instagram? Just post photos, nothing else. Since people can easily follow you.
Figure out the rules and navigate, kind of like the fan discussion boards. That's what I do. I only post the personal stuff on DW - where I feel safe. Also, it's worth noting that I adore letter writing, so this is kind of my version of it.
When can the two of us go to a 🎥 again?
Thinking sometime later this summer or fall? Or 2022?
We got to give them time to roll-out the vaccine. I had no side-effects, just a sore arm. It seems to effect people differently.
Yes, we have the same black humor in my family. It helps.
Sounds like you're doing about the same as I am - addled brain, but otherwise okay. Glad your wife got vaccinated, she's a teacher and has health issues - she should. IBS and GERD are hell, my sympathies - I have issues too. Why do you think I stopped eating all grains? I do oatmeal in the morning, and corn taco/chips and that's it. I'm struggling with cheese, chocolate, and sugar though.
You may be able to get it soon. They have made people 60+ eligible through pharmacies now. And I think they are distributing the J&J now - which has no side-effects, and is just one shot.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-21 03:53 pm (UTC)**********
Frankenstein (2021)
The group text...
From: burgermeister01
TO: villagers
Storming 🏰 at 9. Bring torches.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-21 04:16 pm (UTC)I'm just uneasy by how quickly toxic mass movements can spring up on the internet, with almost no connection to objective reality. A more efficient version of mob mentality...
Oh, very true. The weaponization of social media bothers me as well - and I've been questioning it of late.
Outside of the Capital Uprising - which was organized completely on social media, so too were a few other interesting items for good and ill.
I've mixed feelings about it. Twitter did put a damper on it as has FB. But staying off both isn't going to do anything either.
I mean most of the terrorist actions have been planned via the internet - in recent years. Which shouldn't be surprising. If you can plan a protest, a flash mob - dance, or a meetup with social media - why not a toxic uprising or terrorist act?
Do you remember the poster on LJ, years ago, who posted a warning about posting certain things on social media? Anniesj - she was a Buffy fanfic writer. Anyhow she hated Dubya, so she posted a satirical joke about taking him out. Someone reported it to the FBI and Homeland Security. The police invaded her life, her computer was conviscated, etc. This was back in 2004 or thereabouts.
That said, the Black Lives Matter and Women's March were also planned on Twitter and FB. As was the Me#Too Movement - which I've mixed feelings about. I also have mixed feelings about the recent take-down of Whedon on Twitter by former employees. (Although after watching the Snyder Cut of Justice League - I believe them. God, it's disturbing how Whedon changed a movie that wasn't racist or sexist - if anything the exact opposite, into one that kind of is. I didn't believe it until I watched the first fifteen minutes of both films back to back and thought, damn. ) And mixed feelings about how former employees of Cuomo are using social media and the press to try the Governor.
That said - using social media and the press to bring attention to something - is not a bad idea. Sometimes you have to - to change things.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that while I'm also uneasy about it, I also see the benefits. And the terrorism, domestic and otherwise was being planned without the internet quite easily as well.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-23 08:07 am (UTC)What are friends for? And I would never have met you (In person, even!) and 'kat and many others without the 'net, so for me it is/was a good thing.
As to the bad aspects you mention, sorry, but I can't convince you otherwise because you're right. But for me anyway, that's never been a problem because I simply only hang out on a small, fairly safe site like this one, friends-lock my posts, and have never joined nor intend to join sites like Facebook or Twitter. While there are some people I'd like to hang with on Facebook, the trade-off is simply not worth it to me. Despite my precautions, I'm still annoyed by what are obviously net-related marketing crap I get via phone (land-line) and snail-mail. Not from clicking on ads, which I never do (no, not once, never) but from businesses and charities I deal with that take my info and freely pass it around.
I personally take some comfort in recognizing the basic truth detailed in Rankama's Three Laws*
1. You can't win, you can only break even.
2. Due to entropy, you can only break even at absolute zero.
3. You can't reach absolute zero.
* Who's this Rankama dude? No idea. Do I care? No. See above laws!
Anywayyyyyyy....
Have you been reading here the past months, just not posting? If not, whoo!! Lots of goodies on my blog (and hey, others too, me not selfish!). I've switched over from the Toon of the Day to a series I've named The Random Archivist. Check it out (if you haven't) and you'll see why. I started out to do a daily post, but I've been busy/tired lately** and so it is a bit moe random at the moment, but still hopefully interesting. (Like the one where I provide a Youtube link to a musician I just recently discovered who plays a classical music version of Stairway To Heaven on solo piano. No, really, it's awesome!)
** Speaking of health issues, I've been dealing with some kind of chronic fatigue syndrome the past year and a half, and it's been worse the past six months. Doc says the bloodwork is all respectable, and it's likely just age, but... still mighty damn annoying.
(See Three Laws, above)
Take care, man, you and yours.
-- OnM (the other cj, if you recall!)