SaM Blog Update (February 9, 2018)

If you have been following this blog for a while, you may have noticed that I have not been posting very often. So, I thought I’d share a blog update to talk about that and my plans for the foreseeable future.

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Reasons for My Lack of Activity

Most weeks, I’ve been good about posting my Famous Sayings featured posts, but for months now, that has been the only regular post I’ve made each week. I’ve scaled down the News Roundups to at least one a month and there are some series that have been left hanging.

One of the series I wanted to finish concerns sports and politics. I wanted to pick up that series before the Super Bowl, but I ran into some problems and I struggled with a consistent problem.

1. Research

One problem I already had concerned how I made writing more difficult for myself. Honestly, research is the hardest part for many of my posts, and I’ve set a certain standard for myself to back up the most important points with solid research, when it is needed. While that is a good standard to have, I often end up doing too much research, which takes up time and takes me away from the joy of just writing. I also get nervous about writing as a result.

As I constantly reevaluate my process, this is perhaps the biggest problem that needs to be tackled.

2. Procrastination

This is a relatively small problem but it is enabled by the first. When I put too much on my plate, I get frustrated and distracted. That makes me put off writing and it delays my other projects.

3. The Job Hunt

Right now, I’m getting more serious about finding opportunities in the following areas: Copywriting, blogging, and editing. I’ve been consulting resources for finding paying gigs in those arenas and I was just given an offer via email. That’s pretty exciting, but it will understandably take some time away from this blog.

4. Technology

Currently, this is the biggest reason for my lack of activity. As I shared a few months ago, I started experiencing problems with my computer. Here’s a list of my computer problems:

• On older, overheating computer
• My need of an on-screen keyboard to access certain commands
• Firefox
• A constant message from Microsoft Word saying that my copy of it is not authentic
• A similar message from my operating system

That last problem has gotten worse. In November 2017, I found a solution to that problem, but it turns out that it only works 2-3 times.

I also get this annoying message every hour or so that tells me that my trial period with my version of Windows has expired.

The links provided from the message and Help feature only took me to an error page, a blank page, or a page with no CSS.

The problems with Microsoft Office and the OS are so worrisome, they take even more joy out of writing or just using the computer.

It’s also depressing to just look at this black screen:

I tried to change to an actual desktop background, but every time that annoying message pops up, I go back to this blech black screen.

In the meantime, I have decided to stop saving files on my computer. All of my files have been backed up to my backup hard drive or a flash drive.

This also means that I cannot use my art programs.

Additionally, I have been forced to start using Google Docs. While I’m grateful to have this option, it’s not as convenient as using Microsoft Word (for navigation and offline).

The good news is that I’m closer to getting a new computer. I might have enough funds in the coming weeks, but we’ll see.

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Now, Where’s the Update in This Thing?

With the explanations out of the way, I have to tell you that I will have to stop making posts here indefinitely. That includes my Famous Sayings posts. I might be able to make posts here sporadically, depending on what I have to do professionally and how long this computer lasts, but it’s touch and go.

It might be easier for me to read other people’s posts, like them, and leave comments. That is something I need to do more often anyway.