Every blog I have ever read over an extended period of time posts at least one, if not several, of this type of post. They usually go something like this:
"Sorry I haven't written anything in a while..."
"Wow, I can't believe its been 2 weeks since I posted!"
"I needed some time away from the internet..."
"I am plagued by writer's block..."
My energy for writing is gone, I just can't seem to take the time..."
Or all the above.
To be perfectly honest, my interest in blogging has waned. I still find some value in Twitter and Facebook and in reading and commenting on other people's blogs - but even my interest in these other online formats has diminished. I guess I am just in a place in my life where my attention is being more fully captured and held by, for lack of a better term, "the real world" - not to insult the internet and those who use it, or to deny its own reality. But I think you know what I mean.
I see this as a good thing. So long as this blog and the internet are helping to further some good in my life, whether it be personal growth or some service to others, then that's great. But if this blog is just a way to spew into the void, or to seek validation through the number of readers and comments and Twitter followers I have - well my energy is much better spent elsewhere anyway.
So, this probably isn't goodbye. I actually have 3 drafts waiting for polishing and publishing, and several other ideas for posts swishing around in my head. I am just waiting for my heart to get back into it. I know I don't have many readers, if any, but if I ever get around to writing again, I hope you'll be there to read again. In the meantime, I'm keeping my horizons far wider than my computer screen, and I hope you are doing the same.
End of the Year posted by Amy on December 31, 2008 at 03:48 PM in Personal, Overanalyzing
FOR 2009
New Year's Resolutions:
1. Start blogging again... 2. Take better care of my body. 3. Work harder at work and housekeeping. 4. Read Scripture regularly (daily would be good). 5. Contentment.
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FOR 2008
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? Learnt to knit
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I
don't think I made any resolutions last new year's. For this year, see above.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Nephew Peter and his wife Laura gave birth to Norah, friends Matt and Susie gave birth to Dunnen, and friends Mat (yes Mat with one T) and Colleen gave birth to Jonas. Three of my cousins also had babies this year - Sylvia, Johnny, and Mackenzie. And a few new babies at church as well.
4. Did anyone close to you die? A very dear friend from my church, Cheryl, died an untimely death from ALS.
5. What countries did you visit? Besides USA? FAIL.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? Self-discipline! But haha, yeah right. *sigh*
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Ummm...apparently none, since I cannot think of any.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Paying off all of our credit card debt!
9. What was your biggest failure? Really letting my weight and general care of myself slip so far.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing serious.
11. What was the best thing you bought? Tie between my iPhone and Macbook Pro.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My husband, whose generosity, longsuffering and faith humble me very much.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? MY OWN! Seriously. Besides, nothing shocks me, seeing as how my worldview includes original sin and the depravity of humanity. Therefore there is always behavior to be appalled and depressed at on a daily basis - just watch the news! Other standouts include many US politicians, many political commentators, the government of Burma (Myanmar), reality TV stars.
14. Where did most of your money go? Food, credit card bills.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Vacation in Colorado. Various pregnancies, births and engagements. Oh, and reconnecting with an old friend that I had wondered about for years thanks to the wonders of facebook.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008? My mind doesn't really associate things with dates, so the answer is probably none. But I think my favorite new album that came out in 2008 was Viva la Vida by Coldplay. Roll your hipster eyes all you want. I know it has become cool to hate on Coldplay, but I don't care. They are a solid rock band with solid pop songs (notice I say solid, not great. I know they aren't great! But do you reject the cheeseburger just because it isn't filet mignon? I don't think so.) and Viva is, in my opinion, their best album since Rush of Blood to the Head.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? maybe a little happier, maybe about the same b) thinner or fatter? fatter :( c) richer or poorer? richer, but not by much!
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Laughing, exercising, knitting
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Eating junk food, wasting time, worrying
20. How did you spend Christmas? Parties with all sides of the family
21. Did you fall in love in 2008? Yes, with my kitteh!
22. What was your favorite TV program? LOST
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Nope. I don't hate.
24. What was the best book you read? Jane Eyre
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? The Hill by Richard Buckner, probably. Not new in 2008, but new to me.
26. What did you want and get? Bah, I don't know, lots of things.
27. What did you want and not get? Bah, lot's of other things!
28. What was your favorite film of this year? Maybe the one I just saw - Doubt. Also Lars and the Real Girl (a 2007 film, but I saw it this year).
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Spent it with family celebrating Christmas (Christmas Eve birthday, you know). I turned *gulp* 27.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? ONE BILLION DOLLARS.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Comfortable, neutral colors, scarves.
32. What kept you sane? Comfort - from my husband, friends and family, and God's Word.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Jim Halpert aka John Krasinski
34. What political issue stirred you the most? Eh, all of them! But I get pretty riled up over the Environment, Education Abortion and Immigration especially.
35. Who did you miss? Friends who live out of town.
36. Who was the best new person you met? I don't know!
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. Life is a very messy and inconvenient enterprise.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. I cannot in all seriousness answer that kind of question without putting an unreasonable amount of thought into it, so instead I share with you a new discovery of mine from 2008 (yes, I am always behind the times) that is in no way pertinent to anything except it makes me laugh. Enjoy!
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