Shameless Self-Promotion

Thanks to an idea from my mother-in-law, I've added another CafePress Store with items themed around kids inadvertently seeing inappropriate words around them.

Buying from this store helps support The Bayer Family.

Shameless Self-Promotion

Wow.

A couple of remodeling projects have been kicking my butt lately, sorry for the lack of updates. It's beginning to settle down a bit around here. There is still a LOT to do, but the big push is done for now.

I've been thinking about this internet addiction thing quite a bit while working, though. I just don't think there is any way or reason to sugar coat it - whether it is officially recognized or named at this point, it's a real thing. Just like any tool or good thing, it's easy to abuse.

I really do think it's a bit different than the kind of addiction that we've grown up knowing about. If someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol, the commonly accepted solution is to stop, and never start down that path again. You can not have another drop of alcohol again, ever.

That's not really practical in this case, though. Sure, you can unplug from the internet completely, but I've never been a fan of throwing the baby out with the bath water. A better solution in my eyes here is a strong self discipline. I've taken to deciding what I want to do before I sit down, and making note of what needs to be done around the house. I make sure both of those things get done. If I just want some random playtime, I'll play for a short bit, then get up and do things around the house in between game tasks. (Since logging on this morning, I've done a couple loads of laundry, served breakfast, done some things with the kids, and cleaned the kitchen.) There are also a million tools out there, free and otherwise, to give you a hand. Look into them!

Wow.

Way Off Topic

Back in April, after working with the wonderful crew at The Signal Podcast for a little over a year, I opted to resign my position as one of their audio editors. My personal and work life keep me too busy to commit the time necessary to work on regular bi-weekly podcast. I don’t regret the decision, I do miss doing the work. I enjoy audio production and would still like to do so occasionally.  I miss the fun of it from The Signal, and from way back when I worked in Radio.

 

…So here’s me, on the raggedy edge of audio editing.

 

If you run a podcast or otherwise need occasional, sporadic, or one-off audio editing (or maybe even voice work) that won’t keep me away from my family for too long, keep me in mind and shoot me a note; we’ll see what we can work out.

 

 

 

 

Way Off Topic

Lessons from Remodeling

Here are some things I've learned about remodeling rooms:

-It's a pain in the neck - literally. I've had a kink in my neck for over a week and my shoulders are sore. I fell the other day and still hurt; and I also stepped on a nail.

-Let your kiddos help knock out walls and stuff. They're also good at carrying things to the trash and bringing you things when you need them, or finding tools you've misplaced.

-You might be surprised what you find behind the walls in an old house. When we first moved in and did some work on the home, we found a giant hand-drawn R2D2 on one of the walls in the Master Bedroom. This time around, we found an old Bingo ball behind one of the walls in the closet. We also found really nice, though poorly maintained, hardwood floors under all the carpeting.

-It's a good idea to wear sunscreen while standing outside on a hot summer day painting doors and trim.

-It's a bad idea to wear your only really good pair of jeans to paint.

-Cheap face masks should have an integral place in every tool box, and are a must when sanding or installing blown-in installation.

-Paint rollers never EVER rinse clean.

-When you purchase carpet to install in two rooms at separate times, it's a good idea to get the carpet cut into two separate rolls. It's much easier to carry that way.

-Apparently, previous owners that did all the additions and remodeling before us believed in the addage "you can never use enough nails".

-They also had problems with straight lines, squared corners, and keeping everything level. (Maybe they subscribed to my remodeling ethic: "GAH! Let's just get it done! Who cares if it's perfect!"

-And for some reason, they really liked pink: Pink on the walls in the bathroom, in a closet; I actually think they used pink as a primer... And this really nasty shade of green in places inside and on the shutters outside.

-They also wired the house so that just about whatever breaker you throw, something in each room turns off.

-During remodeling, someone will inevitable curse in front of the children. Cursing during remodeling is, in itself, inevitable.


Our current project, Alexander's room, isn't finished yet. I may have more tidbits once that's finished.

Lessons from Remodeling

Too. Funny! My local PD rocks! http://ping.fm/HONOh

Glad this week is over!

While Elizabeth was off at camp this week, Rubi's parents offered to help us remodel the room she and Catherine share. We planned it as a surprise for Elizabeth. She didn't know anything about it.

I've included some pictures taken during the past week.

First off - you can see why we decided to remodel:

 

We found some sticks in our driveway and thought they might be useful.

Rubi decided to nail them to the floor.

So I locked her in a closet, but she tore her way out.

The little kids helped her escape.

And they put me to work.

But I tried to escape through the ceiling.

They found me though.

And put both me and Rubi to work.

Rubi's dad tried to get away too, but Alexander stopped him.

Rubi didn't want to help, so they punished her.

Finally! The room was finished!

At least, I think that's how the week went.

It has been a long but industrious week. Rubi and I both are sore and tired, as are her parents. And the kids are finally settling back in after having the house in a major mess for a week.


When Lizzy got home yesterday afternoon from camp, the family surprised her with a sideways video!
(I was at work though).

Our next project is Alexander's room!

Glad this week is over!

Is internet addiction even a thing?

I read a recent article on CNN.com discussing how moms are more at risk for internet addiction. It really fascinated me, and I talked about it with another gamer mommy. Her response? "Pfft, yeah, I'm definitely addicted."

[shrug] Hey, she said it first, but I'll hop on her bandwagon and say "me too." Internet outage? Grrr!! Fix it, and fix it NOW. I need to check my email, and look at the weather, and play MMOs, and talk to my friends, and read articles on CNN.com that tell me I'm on the internet too much! (Is it weird to anyone but me that an article like that is on...the internet?)

However, today I stumbled across this article saying that internet addiction technically isn't even a real thing yet, and that heavy internet use is a normal part of life these days.

I'm really wavering on this. I'm on the computer WAY too much. I make a conscious effort to limit my time, take care of my responsiblilites, and maintain my real life at a normal, healthy level. But the fact that I have to consciously make an effort to do this probably means that the addiction label applies to me. (Probably? As my friend said, "pfft".)

On the other hand, the computer is my mp3 player, TV, and newspaper all rolled into one. My main hobby, gaming, lives in the computer. Many times it is also my "phone". I had a nice chat yesterday with a real life friend via Facebook. We probably *could* have had a phone conversation, but it would have been hard. She was helping her daughter pack for a trip and I was at work. Our phone conversation would have been interrupted constantly. Facebook chat? We got to hold our conversation just as well, back and forth to the computer in between dealing with our other responsibilities.

When our conversation ended, I felt good. I'd gotten to touch base with my friend, and we spent a bit of time encouraging one another - real life is stressful for both of us this week. I felt a bit calmer and more relaxed after that, whereas a phone call would have left me a bit tense and wishing I'd had time to talk to her without constant "Hang on again. No, I said pack your GREEN shirt! Sorry, what were you saying?"

In many ways, the internet is a tool well suited to the breakneck pace most moms (and most everybody) keep these days. But too much of a good thing and all that.

How much is too much, and why do so many of us have such a hard time deciding that and calling a halt? Lots to talk about, and I'm anxious to explore this more over the next week or two. More to come...

Is internet addiction even a thing?