Bad Behavior and other Non Sequitors

There's a trojan on your computer

In a state of random today, so you get a conglomeration of thoughts in separate paragraphs rather than a cohesive sticky pile of goo.

Those of you who follow my blog know that I have a background in business. Everything I’ve ever done has been to go into business for myself as a creative professional, whether that’s in a part-time or full-time capacity. The last ten years I’ve specialized in the web and my love/hate affair with the internet can pretty much be summed up by two simple phrases: “no good comes out of forgetting your audience” and “timeliness is the attention span-killer that stalks your monitor.” Otherwise known, in very blunt terms as… People can read what you post online now and forever — even after you delete it. They don’t see trends. Most people see the effects of trends and don’t realize what they are.

There are super users online, sure, but the vast majority of people out there aren’t online as much as you might assume and they certainly don’t pay attention to what’s happening in the manner you think they are. Engaging in ‘net rage really doesn’t do anybody any bit of good, especially when that issue is resolved quickly. Passive readers exist and they are common. In fact, you just never know…

Which brings me to my next point. There are a LOT of websites that engage in what is known as “tricking for a click.” This is intentional, people. Why? Because the internet rewards bad behavior. Yes, it’s a good thing to tap into your tabloid sensibilities because it grabs your attention. A person’s name is known. A website gets more eyeballs on the page, which equates to advertising. While there are plenty of consultants out there who advocate that the best way forward is to attract the right readers, there are 100s of others who advise to get clicks any way you can because it results in advertising dollars. It *may* or *may not* result in sales, but it does indeed get eyeballs on the page at that particular moment in time. That is financially soluble and a requirement for many websites to function.

Annnnnnnnnnd on to another… Do small changes matter? I believe so. One of our neighbors turned her unit’s backyard into a garden paradise — and it’s catching! Several of us now have greenery around. And I have…

WAIT FOR IT

WAIT FOR IT

BEBEH JALAPENOS

Baby Jalapenos

Am now researching all the things I can do with spearmint (which tastes great!), peppermint, lemon verbena, and lavender. Huzzah! It’s quite possible I may keel my lavender with water and vitamins, though. More rain here.

Sadly, my caffeine addiction needs to exclude one regularly drunk drink in particular: soda. Though I drink diet, I just cannot inhale caffeine in this fashion. Has to be coffee or tea. This makes me sad.

That’s all I have for today. More books need to be read. More words to be written. More e-mails to be sent.

    Mood: Feeling a new appreciation for growy things.
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Iced tea can kick in any time now.
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: There was a visit to the gym.
    In My Ears: White Noise courtesy of my computer fan.
    Game Last Played: Final Fantasy XIII
    Book Last Read: Paranormal Great Lakes: an Encyclopedia
    Movie Last Viewed: The Mummy
    Latest Artistic Project: *Still* *still* *still* need to take pictures…
    Latest Release: “The Button” We Are Dust anthology and for gaming, a fun Scion: Extras (Supplemental Yet Can Be Somewhat Useful On Occasion Scions)


June 26, 2013
Permalink ∞

Gardening 2.0

Edgar the Lone Tomato

This is Edgar. He is the lone plant that survived gardening 1.0. In my first (failed) attempt, I started the plants indoors and they grew very tall. Transferred them outdoors and they died. I held a funeral for them, but opted to try again. This time, though, I consulting a gardening priest of hard-to-kill plants and priestess of all growing things before I went forth.

Flying Saucers

This is supposedly a hard-to-kill plant called “flying saucers.” And it’s yellow and green, which are Mallards/Packers colors! Must water often.

Orange Marigolds

The only thing I remember about marigolds, other than the fact that they are also harder to kill, is that they control pests. Ergo… I rather like these in particular. They remind me of fire.

Jalapeno on a Stick

A lovely farmer from our local market sold this jalapeno plant to me. Turns out this was supposed to be a hobby after retirement, but it turned into a full-time job for him. I am curious to see how this particular plant will grow and whether or not I can attach one to a stick.

Bebeh Plants

These are bebeh wildflowers I’m growing from seed. Not hard to kill, but rather… Reincarnated. They were all very tall and proud before the frost took them when they least expected it. So I am trying again. No idea what’s in this pot other than “wild flowers.” Do they salsa? Drink and party? We shall see. I may have to try cybernetic plants next time ’round, but I’m stubborn, so I’ll keep attempting the growing things out of pots.

June 14, 2013
Permalink ∞

The Plants That Never Were And May One Day Be

darkwing duck avatar

Today, I tell you a sad, short tale of living things destroyed by creatures furry and cute. To say that it’s difficult for us to have plants is an understatement. Plagued by spring fever and seeds that have yet to be planted, I vow to try again. This is an impossible task, for we live with two plant destroyers. Don’t be fooled by the innocuous appearance of this pair.

Behaving

They have decimated every type of plant imaginable, from cacti to lettuce, and have made it difficult to have greenery around the house. BUT NO LONGER! We shall not submit to the cuteness of Zakar, so named after a Mesopotamian god of dreams, who can open doors and likes to complain loudly.

Zakar

NOR, shall we bow to the demands of this particularly mischievous dastardly foe. Rimmon, the god of storms, lives up to his reputation daily.

Rimmon

So, to get around said terrifying beasts of fuzziness — terrariums and plant confinement. We shall overcome! Let us hope this works. And, if it does, then pictures aplenty for there shall be greenery!

Vegetables

Pots and Light

P.S. Those white spots you see in the soil are fertilizer. Not cat litter. That container happens to be empty, because cat litter plus planty, greeny, growy things is a full on yuck. I just figured that the hydroponic garden is so bright the seeds may benefit. We shall see, for my thumbs are as black as my soul.

    Mood: WRITE OR DIE
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: There was ice in my tea.
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: Oddly enough, I breathed fresh air. WTF?
    In My Ears: The soothing noise of the computer fan.
    Game Last Played: Final Fantasy IX
    Movie Last Viewed: Ted
    Latest Artistic Project: *Still* need to take pictures…
    Latest Release: “The Button” We Are Dust anthology
April 8, 2013
Permalink ∞




Looking for Monica’s books and games that are still in print? Visit Monica Valentinelli on Amazon’s Author Central or a bookstore near you.

Archives

Back to Top