I’m finally back to work after leaving in such a rush last Wednesday, and while I feel much better and have resumed walking in the general direction I’m intending to go with no more than my usual lack of coordination,* I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed, what with leading the short story group this morning, facing the ungodly amount of stuff that my beloved coworkers piled on my desk so I’d feel at home when I came back (thanks, guys), not to mention an e-mail informing me that my performance eval has been scheduled this week, a righteous case of the hiccups during my desk shift, and the general Mondayness of it all.
So I’m begging off the actual content today and instead am directing your attention to today’s excellent Muderati post about selling versus selling out . . . maybe.
And while you’re at it, try Mike Allegra’s blog,** where I spent today’s word budget in a possibly-relevant comment*** on his latest post, which poses a couple of interesting questions about feedback, honesty, and advice.
I also recommend Averil’s post about the amount of social responsibility writers have, if any, MSB’s thoughts on social justice, Independent Clause’s discussion on the Alisa Valdes scandal, andLyra’s post about the value of art.
Friends: writing the deep, thought-provoking posts so you can flake.
Catch y’all tomorrow.
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*And have been cleared to drive, yes. I’m not quite that stubborn, yet—I’m saving it up for when I’m ninety and my eyesight goes.
**And not Steve’s blog, because Mike is a writer with an amazing blog and rather elegant feet with a single broken toe and Steve is an amazing librarian whose feet I have never seen because he doesn’t have a blog and I don’t particularly want to anyway, and also because I’ve promised each of them I’ll stop mixing up their names from now on, even if they look remarkably alike apart from the aforementioned feet about which I obviously can’t make accurate comparisons, no matter how often Steve offers.
***Which may very well be in tomorrow’s post, so I’d appreciate it if you could scroll past it with your eyes closed. Thanks.
Earful of Cider 
Your days of non-content are better than the days when I’m giving it my all. I want to be overcome with envy, but it’s too much of a Monday to get up a head of steam.
XO
Untrue! Untrue!
(but much appreciated—thanks, Averil)
I’m glad you’re feeling better. I’ve had those kind of inner ear virus/vertigo afflictions in the past and they’re awful. Take good care of yourself.
I’ll try, Susan, thanks. It was tough today—no more afternoon naps . . .
So it has come to this.
You, too, huh?
Lisa, you beat me to the punch!
I knew it would be either you or Lisa, Downith. 🙂
So, it has come to this – I’ve become predictable.
How did she narrow it down to us, I wonder, Downith?
I’ll never tell . . .
Recycling blog comments, eh? So it has come to this.
I’m cool with that.
I think it’s a rule that if a comment is almost as long at the material being commented upon, it’s actually a misplaced post.
Or it should be a rule. Or something. Might be the Meclizine talking . . .
No worries. My post was ridiculously long this week. And I look forward to reading your dang long comment again on your blog! 🙂
Thank you for reposting these. I am surprised at how low key the conversation has been about Aaron Swartz. Nobody in my circle even mentioned it on Facebook. My daughter was really excited this morning. She came down the stairs bubbling over some design she put together regarding water for her science class. “I used that girl character from Charlie Brown? The one with the blonde hair. I used a picture of her and a quote.” I couldn’t help but think of Aaron Swartz. Freedom of information. It’s a beautiful thing.
I keep thinking about the cowboy author. It’s a great discussion.
As a librarian, I’m all about freedom of information. But I’m also a government employee and a wannabe paid writer, so I can see the copyright issue from different angles.
However, I do think that shooting at someone like Mr. Swartz with a WMD was ridiculous and I’m completely against SOPA as written . . .
Times. They are a-changin’ and the growing pains are gonna be tough.
As a non-paid artist, I couldn’t agree more. Still, I am grateful.
Yes. Weird dichotomy . . . which is probably why the powers that be are having such a hard time with the concept, too.
My geek friends are all talking about Swartz. It’s also a publishing thing, in a way. On the one hand JSTOR dropped the charges, so the publishing side had been resolved. Online access to scientific articles and information is a major issue in academic publishing. But it also brings up mental health issues. He had depression, is that right? Such an interesting/sad/etc. conversation.
I can’t imagine having been an adult in Mr.Swartz’s young life. They must feel so heavy hearted right about now.
Thank you for all the good links and especially for that cartoon. Just waiting for my boss to prompt me about a deadline so I can respond with, “So. It has come to this.”
It really does work for anything, including a plugged toilet (don’t ask). 😀
I had forgotten that one, but now it is one of my favorites. Go XKCD!