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

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)