Occasionally tongue-in-cheek explanation of how life, websites, and the world function--or don't--in their intertwined ways.

Websites, Weakness, and Life

Another year roared in days ago, leaving me gasping and floundering on the beaches of years gone by. Where 2003 went, I’m not sure. That it went both too soon and too late, I can’t argue.
2003 was not kind. From health problems not worth boring the world with to the devastating loss of my mother, the year hurt. Many years before went too fast, and moments in many hurt. None have held the devastating pain of 2003.
Nor have many afforded the opportunity of 2004, if I act quickly. And with determination. Realizing how fragile and how short years are, I have decided to get up an hour earlier to write an hour more. To hold my only grandchild even when my arms shake and fear of dropping her invades. To live.
What do the personal hurts of one year and the as-yet unbroken resolutions of the new year have to do with websites? Everything; I never, in spite of good intentions, keep up with my websites. I love the internet, the immediacy of writing for people who tell me how they feel about my work, the ability to reach out to a wide audience whose lives are not dissimilar to my own. But too often “real” life limits my intentions, and when I look at a website—I find it discusses a Kentucky Derby from last year (not a bad thing, that, at least until this May) or has a poll sadly in need of revision.
So—a major resolution is to update my sites more often. RioRendezvous currently boasts a brand new essay on the Steve Irwin/Michael Jackson child endangerment controversy, and a tribute to my mom that dog owners, especially Dane owners, may well understand. Also new are a number of products at RioRomance—mugs and coasters for teachers, for the working, for those who would rather not work—all original. All unique. (Part of the internet addiction is to hawk things, too, I find—no matter. I can always write essays later about the follies of trying to sell anything on the much-glutted internet. Luckily, I view life as one giant essay, waiting to be broken into many, many mini-essays.)
I have begun to update Diamondhope Enterprises, although I have yet to accomplish much there. I will learn html and web publishing skills this year so I can work around that format, really I will. Sigh.
Like most who have websites, the lack of time is the greatest drawback to an astounding cyber presence, always up to the minute and cutting edge. I know a few folks who are remarkably good at staying current—like Bea Ware over at Writer’s Wall—but I often fall behind. I blame the lack of time on the need to teach and sleep, but figure that extra hour shouldn’t make the bags under my eyes much bigger…and look how, if writing fame finally comes this year, I will be able to pose with my dramatically-lined face and smile and say it was nothing.
2004 will not beat me. This year, bags be damned, if you’ll pardon me, I WILL be more consistent with updates to my site. But my resolve places the burden squarely on you, my potential visitors. I’m playing the guilt card really early this year—please stop by when you have a chance. Yes, there are millions of websites, and just a few hours a day, but what is a website without visitors? Don’t be that tree in the forest. Logically, I know it made a noise…but emotionally, all I hear is the silence.