New Style Sheet
A couple of site changes to report. First, I've updated the site style sheet. I created this style a long time ago but never got around to finishing it. The style is flatter and has fewer colors, eliminating all the subtle gradients. It's simpler, though whether it's better or not is in the eye of the viewer. Maybe I like it because it's new and different. Let me know what you think.
The other change is the new home page, which lists the latest content regardless of section. I may need to tweak this some, but it works well enough for now.
I can't promise there are a ton of other updates in the works, since there aren't but at least this is a tiny refresh.
Regressive
I've removed some sections from my website. Typically, websites are supposed to grow and expand, but every once in a while it becomes necessary to do some pruning. I haven't added to these sections in ages and I'm not likely to do so in the near future. Honestly, I haven't added to several of the sections that I left, but I still have some vague intentions of contributing to them, so I'll leave them for now. I simply haven't found time for the site beyond the occasional Journal update, and until I do I think it's best to focus on some core elements.
I'd like to revamp a few things to take advantage of external resources, but we'll see when I get around to that. It would be nice if the Photos and Projects could bring in data from things like Facebook or Flickr, since that's where I've been putting those things.
New House Walk-through
I shot some video of our new house in it's current "before" state. Take a look!
Weeknight Initiatives
I've decided that I'm not getting enough stuff done and it's because I watch too much TV. Now, I've been thinking this for a long time, but today I came up with a new plan to address the challenge. Before I explain what it is, I'll talk about what it isn't.
This isn't a way to get myself to do chores. It doesn't address everything I want to work on because it's simply not conducive to everything. This isn't based on anything I've read recently, it doesn't employ a system, and it isn't tested so I don't know if it will work.
Ok, enough disclaimer. Weeknight Initiatives is a plan that each weeknight (Monday to Thursday) I will set a reminder on my phone at 9:30. At 9:30 I'm done with TV and any other stuff going on. It's initiative time. It's not browsing time, Facebook time, or any other random occupation. For the next two hours I will tackle one initiative, of which I've defined four for myself (writing, coding, health, and gaming). I may choose to substitute others from time to time.
Writing is pretty self-explanatory. I'll work on my writing, primarily my book. Coding includes iPhone coding, web development, computer hacking in general, or any other technological/geeky endeavor. Health is a workout followed by stretching and meditation, with any exercise options available. Gaming is to play video games, either computer or Xbox. Believe it or not, I haven't made any time for it and with summer winding down I want to get back into it.
I'll cycle through my categories each day. If I'm way into one I may do it more than another, but the variety will hopefully keep it from getting stale. I'm not going to make exceptions, because they typically become the rule for me. If I didn't plan ahead and the show isn't over, I'll leave in the middle. Now, something may come up on a weeknight, and that can preempt an initiative, but if I'm at home and nothing is going on then it's on.
Tonight will be the first test of this. I'm going for gaming, since that's an easy one (twist my arm, right?). I'll work through the rest this week and see if the plan needs any tweaking. I've got about 45 minutes, so I've got to wrap up some things first. Wish me luck!
Work Begins Anew
I've decided to make some significant changes to XeoMage. As usual this involves a fair amount of new coding, which is already underway. I don't have an immediate forecast of how long this will take, but expect to see something new here in the not-too-distant future.
I've been floating around some vague ideas for a couple of years and a lot of it still needs to take shape. However, I have some broad strokes in mind, and given a little bit of work I think I can bring it about. Some of these changes may see older content fall off. I haven't found the time for some of the section of this site, and there's no use in convincing myself to keep them up if my heart isn't in it.
Instead I think I've come up with a way of making this site work for me instead of the other way around. It can still provide a forum for me to expound and share my thoughts, but it doesn't need to be presented in a way that makes parts of it seem abandoned. It doesn't need to ignore a lot of the things I do online that I'd like to share with everyone. Lastly, it doesn't need to be constrained in ways that prevent me from really using it.