The return of the Jeber

Wow, too long an absence from this blog. I have a whole bunch of really good excuses, none of which are of the slightest interest to anyone. Suffice to say life has distracting.

I have been reading other blogs on the Lockergnome network. They are really excellent. Lots of great tips and reviews, tons of highly useful information. The authors are passionate and well informed.

I spend too many hours hanging out on Friendfeed and Twitter. Those services have come to comprise my social life. You’d think a guy in his mid-50s would find more productive ways to spend the remaining few years left to him. You’d be wrong. Even at work I’m usually found in the ether.

I’ve never been a social person. The only time I feel comfortable and engaged at a large gathering is when either I’m hosting the get-together or know many of the people there. Otherwise I’m the consummate outsider, the guy over along the wall just watching and listening. I smile, I try to appear friendly and non-threatening. But others usually sense I’m not outgoing and leave me be. I don’t mind talking around people, I’ve had many jobs that required talking to the public and making speeches. I took public speaking every year of college and had a radio show about the same time. In my teens I was a youth minister.

Still, talking to (essentially talking at) groups of people is quite different from beginning a one-on-one conversation with a complete stranger at a party of strangers. Most of the venues I frequent online are devoted to communication-email, forums, chat, blogging-and that level of communication is comfortable. It’s more talking to people than talking with people. It’s nice when a conversation develops but usually I’m just throwing words compiled into thoughts and opinions out into cyberspace, like notes in a bottle, knowing most will bob along with the tide never to be recovered.

Thanks for reading this stream-of-unconsciousness. Perhaps next time I can post something of substance. In fact, I’ll be posting two reviews; a book review of Objective-C 2.0 (which I also need to send to Tad as I promised I would, I’m past due with that task) and a hands-on review of the Acer Aspire One, an impressive little netbook. Check back soon for those.

‘Scuse me, I have to go see what I’ve been missing on Friendfeed and in the forums.

Pax.