Social networking has led to the ultimate demise of blogging regularity. Why carve out 30-45 minutes in my day to share some interesting tid bit with the masses, when I can compose a text in approximately 30 seconds and publish it to 190 of my 'closest' friends? My Tweets automatically interface directly with my Facebook, and my Qik instantly synchs with both my Twitter and my Facebook. And once I publish this blog? It will be spoon-fed to the masses via Twitter update... which will update my Facebook as well.
The tight connectivity of it all frightens me a little bit, and oddly compels me to buck the neat compartments wherein everything snuggles-in all neat and tidy-like. Like an old man who refuses to acquiesce to the convenience of a bank safe made of steel, and instead prefers to spread his treasure in the backyard - meticulously mapping the coordinates for the holes in which he's buried it.
But for all of its frightening potential, I am the first to admit that I enjoy a good banter over the instantaneous stream of information available via these social networking sites, and spent nearly my entire Saturday this past weekend catching up with everyone... commenting... posting... etc..
However, for all the writing and sharing that I spend my time doing - it's only in these little sound byte clips that shoot like sparks from the flint of my brain. Even though the world awaits these with breathless anticipation (*plants tongue firmly in cheek*), it's made me a bit lazy. Mediocre. Lethargic. Microwave Meals for the brain - because you still get the nutrition (such as it is), but without all the messy clean-up and prep time.

Cliff likes to proudly announce from time to time that I PUNISH the kitchen. Admittedly, cooking is something that I'm pretty good at, and something that I LOVE to do. I am always anxious to get in there and get my hands (and everything else) dirty - experiment with new recipes and ingredients... filling the house with aromas of warm spices and cold butter hitting a hot pan.
Last night, the kitchen punished me.
I had grandiose ideas of succulent pork chops with creamy mushroom gravy, and tart apples sauteed in butter and combined with freshly shredded cabbage and red onion, sprinkled ever so lightly with sugar and light and love.
*laughs*
EVERY. SINGLE. SURFACE. of the kitchen was marked with some kind of food-like disaster. Flour spilled over there, milk dripping from the edge of the counter, cutting boards, and knives, and somehow the garlic powder container wound up in the sink buddying it up with the dirty dishes? I would not have been surprised had, at one point, the discarded apple peels been carried off by wild rabbits. It was all so surreal.
Which unfortunately, did NOT contribute to the delectable nature of our fantastic feast. The oral processing of the pork chops had to be carefully navigated through seas of fat and grizzle and shards of bone. My apple cabbage concoction had too much onion, and turned out a soggy, sloppy mess. When all was said and done, my kitchen looked like a battlefield riddled with the bodies of culinary tragedy, and shrouded by thin blankets of my pride. And we were still hungry.
This is a good picture of what I fear the most in nearly every area of my life: that the time, effort, and energy poured into any one task or goal will not be worth the sullen failure that may ultimately result.
Love.
Career.
Relationships.
Pork roast.
Knitting.
Writing.
Photographing.
Bathing.
(heh - kidding)
(kinda)
But the fact is that out of every 2 or 3 colossal failures, I have another 5 to 6 really cool successes. I'm starting to learn that the mere act of trying should never be hindered by one's fears of what the result may or may not be. So, sure. I could settle for writing little sound byte micro blogs to amuse my friends and myself. But I could also step outside of what's comfortable and explore a new recipe. If I wrote a book - would it flop? Probably. If I took up photography full time - would I totally screw up a gig? Inevitably. If I take a risk on a volatile friendship - would I get burned? *shrugs* Could be. Should that stop me from trying? Nope.
So, if you'll excuse me... I have to go make dinner now.
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