Y’all, I have been in deep contemplation this past week and a half since I wrote my last blog post. And to put it to you mildly, in addition to the stomach flu, I believe that I have suffered a blogging breakdown. Yes, a blogging breakdown. It’s a medical condition, y’all, and the only cure is sleep, more sleep, tacos, Coronas with twist of lime, and a mind that is free and clear of the internet world. And the cure is not an easy one (except for the sleep, the tacos, and the Corona with a twist of lime), because blogging—writing my own and reading others—is a highly addictive and time-consuming habit.
But, addictive as it may be, I do have a life outside of this little box on the internet block that I moved into a little over a year ago. A life that is starting to require more and more of the real me and not just of an internet zombie who painstakingly tries (and loves!) to entertain the masses, and then lives and dies by comments. It’s a sad and lovely thing.
So, now I am at a crossroads.
As some of you might know, I have been working at the same software company for the past 13 years. I was crazy-lucky enough to fall into a career that normally requires a college degree, which remorsefully, I never attained. When Gus was in elementary school, I attended a small state college at night for four years—slowly trekking my way toward a degree. However, when Gus began middle school and became more and more involved in soccer and other activities, I had to put my education on hold—always intending to return to my studies after he finished high school. Which was last June.
So, after much languishing, and teeth-gnashing, and drinking of Coronas (with a twist of lime), I decided to take the plunge. A couple of weeks ago, I applied at a local community college that offers an Associates degree in Web site design, and yesterday, I started two online classes—Macroeconomics and Computer Concepts. Can you say pass the hand gun, please? I’m shivering just looking at the all of the assignment and test deadlines that have already been mapped out by the instructors. Plus, I have to read this God-awful, mind-numbing book. Can you say pass the bottle of Vicodin, please? Needless to say, my real life and my blog life are both bound to suffer.
So, my crossroads fork into this—should I:
- continue to update my blog maybe twice a week, while rudely and sadly ignoring my blogging buddies for days at a time (i.e. I can probably only visit once a week), or
- mournfully give up my blog life all together because it’s just unfair of me to expect you to come visit me, while I’m moaning and crying over here about my busy schedule and only visiting you once or so a week?
I’m in a quandary over here. Help me, my lovely peeps.
P.S. Thank you for all of the get well wishes last week! You guys are awesome.
My Dear Ms. Lulu,
I can only speak for myself, but I would gladly check your blog whenever you would be able to update it (and welcome your comments on mine). I mean that whether it’s once a week or once a month. You really make me laugh and I look forward to not only reading your posts, but meeting you one day in person because of this crazy Internet. (No, I’m not stalking you. Really.) So, of course, I selfishly vote for “blog when you can.”
That said:
You are going to be busier than ever and you should never, ever do anything that gives you more angst than joy…except for taking Macroeconomics because it’s required. Personally I liked Macro much better than Micro, but it was painful all the same. Anyway, just get through the class. And if you need to take a break from bloggin, well, I’ll get by.
(And think about the kind of blog you could write someday about going back to school
)
Seriously, kudos for you for taking that step! I be proud and support you in your decisions.
Your friend,
Susan Who Doesn’t Always Do Such A Good Job Blogging or Multi-tasking Either
Susan’s last blog post..Spring cleaning
Lulu! Lovely, Lovely Lulu.
Do what you’re most comfortable with, but know that I’ll forgive you for not leaving comments and I’ll keep you on my reader so I know when (if?) you update.
If people are stupid enough to get pissy about you not reading/commenting often enough take that empty Corona bottle and shove it up….oh. Maybe I need a Corona. Mmmm…Corona. With lime! Yay!
AMomTwoBoys’s last blog post..The Aliens Have Invaded
Girlfriend, I just “found” you not that long ago, so I selfishly vote for “blog when you can, dude!”
That said, I completely understand the time-suck known as the blogging world vs. balancing “real life” duties. Especially when one is trying to take college-level classes. Been there, done that, swore it off forever but find myself wistfully viewing course offerings for the Fall 2008 semester and day-dreaming about actually getting my degree…
Yeah. So do what you can, when you can, and I shall be one cappy hamper…especially after a couple of Coronas!
I wish you the BEST of luck with your studies!!!
angie’s last blog post..Bad Day at Work
The concept that anybody owes anybody a comment makes me crazy. I prefer the concept of reading blogs you enjoy when you have time. So, that puts me firmly in the camp of you continuing to update and visiting who you want to, when you want to, and not worrying about it.
While you are deciding who to visit, keep in mind that I tutored Macroeconomics in college. Just sayin’.
Really? You would deny us knowing about how you are suffering with studying and homework and economics? Ha! Now that is unfair. Don’t shut down the works just post when you want to—it is a nice outlet when you need it.
BettyBetty’s last blog post..Which Tarot Card Are You?
My Dearest LuLu,
Over the years, I have learned that you have to make a decision that best fits “YOUR” personal life-style. Do what’s best for “YOU”, and sometimes that is hard to do, or to say “no” to something, or to say I’ve had enough and can’t do this anymore. Only you know how you feel, and what you are comfortable with or have time for. Do NOT push yourself to the point of being “stressed” or “worried” about something that you can’t do, or do not have the time to do.
Every year, things change, and you change, and sometimes you put too much on yourself. You also need to set your priorities. What’s more important to me — blogging or studying — blogging or my career?
But, I feel like the majority, it all boils down to — do what “you” feel comfortable with. (Don’t push yourself, to feeling stressed out). But, only blog when you feel you have the time, or as “BettyBetty” said, blogging is a nice outlet.
You know, I always have the best wishes for you, and my advise comes from the heart. (I can always write my thoughts better than verbally expressing them, because I think I put more thougths into it this way).
BEST WISHES to you with your college courses, and stick to it. I know YOU can do it.
LOVE AND HUGS as Always
Don’t you even THINK about giving up blogging! First of all, you know you’d miss it. Secondly, all of your readers would miss YOU!
But big congrats on going back to school! As you probably know, I just started back to school myself, in pursuit of the ever-elusive college degree. It’s a hard row to hoe, but you’ll get through it and you’ll be glad you did! Good luck! I can’t wait to hear more about it!
Take care, Lulu. Missing you.
Christie’s last blog post..Hahahahaha!
First of all, GO YOU! I’m so excited for you. While the classes don’t sound particularly exciting to moi, I’m sure these are just a first step.
Second, if you only updated once a year I would still read your blog because I’m certain that that one post would be worthwhile reading. You never fail to crack me up.
And if you only stopped by MY blog once a year, I’d say, “hey, there’s good ol’ Lulu” and just be glad to see you.
All that being said, you just need to do what works for you. If it feels like too much pressure don’t do it.
Madame Queen’s last blog post..Home Sweet Home. And Internet. And Television.
hey you gotta do what you gotta do. I’m in the blog when you can camp as well. I would gladly read what you have to say whenever you have the time to say it. And being someone who only comments when I actually have something to say I’m not expecting anything from anyone.
Good luck with the school. I looked yesterday at another program before I came to my senses and realized I never want to be in school again. It is so very hard to work full-time and go to school. But so very rewarding to finish something once you’ve started it.
ImpostorMom’s last blog post..Haiku Friday
You do what you need to do. I would come & read here whenever you update whether or not you can comment over at my place. But even if you decide to take down Lulu’s Laundry–and I would miss it–hey, we all have lives in the real world, and sometimes the internet stuff has to be put aside for another day.
So glad you’re taking some college classes. I think that’s wonderful.
A
Mrs.W’s last blog post..Art You Can Eat
I would still read you whenever you had time to update. I totally understand the time element involved in blogging (reading and writing). It’s the reason I’ve scaled back on answering in the comments section. I still do when I have time but I don’t on a consistent daily basis to answer each on individually. I try to do an all inclusive one just to let everyone know that I DO read EVERY comment.
And? WAY TO GO YOU!!! That’s awesome!! I wish you the very best of luck with your classes. I took a total of 36 units at the local community college for about 2 years up until I was pregnant with Girl-Child. Then it just got to be too much. Hopefully someday I’ll go back.
Rock on sister friend!
Tootsie’s last blog post..Tootsie Talks ~ Some People Listen
Girl, you keep writing as often as you like and people will still come around…and woohoo on those courses!
bleeding espresso’s last blog post..where i’m from (inspired by george ella lyon)
i say, blog when you can, but never feel that you HAVE to blog, otherwise, what would be the fun in that?
….but, i just gave you an award over on my blog!
illahee’s last blog post..thank you
Real life should always comes first and I think it’s great that you want to go back to school to learn new things. So even if you can’t visit me much, I’d still come and visit you!
kailani’s last blog post..Giveaway: J. AUSTIN Ryan Designs
Sweet Lulu - I think we should discuss this over tacos! We’re in town for two more days!
I respect whatever you decide to do…of course that’s easy for me to say, I live down the road from you and can see you most weeks!
Blah to the macroeconomics….but I took that in school, so maybe I can be of assistance! There’s always something about guns and butter! Ha ha ha!
Miss you!!!!
I’m in the same boat - real life is getting ridiculously time consuming! Zheesh! I was planning to write something tonight, in fact, but would rather bloghop around and see what everyone else has been up to.
Don’t quit… just blog when you can and don’t pressure yourself, because it should be fun and your posts are certainly worth waiting for… when you don’t post, we’ll just check out some people on your blog roll and stop back again later to see how much fun you’re having in school!
Hey… we could just hijack your last post and gossip about you behind your back while you’re away… we could get carried away and have all kinds of fun here before you get around to deleting the rumors and snickers that we share here!!
Annie’s last blog post..To Be Irish American
Dang gril! Snap outta it! How many coronas have you had? Girl you cannot , simply cannot just “breakup” like this. I mean, really now. Come on! The laundry will pile up, go unwasked, no more bubbles and soap and it would be just a dirty ugly world, Lulu. Say it ain’t so.
(sniff)
Ok, after a couple cold coronas (and a twist of lime) lemma say, I am darn tootin proud of yer. Anna thik ya need to follow yer heart and do what you need ta. (swig)
I dont wanna you get in over yer head thar, and be is a failure like me. I live in the box. I cannot escape. But itz my world. Go, go if you need to, but would rather you check in every two days, like momma would won;t.
Ok, I am a sloppy drunk, (with a twist of lime) puring my heart inta this here corona.
“there’s a tear in my beer and I am crying for you dear, please say you won’t go away fror good”.
But Lulu, good luck! In any case, I am so proud and so happy for you!
Leigh @eneral Ramblings’s last blog post..Lita Ford Playing Can’t Catch Me live in ‘89
-hiccup-
Leigh @eneral Ramblings’s last blog post..Lita Ford Playing Can’t Catch Me live in ‘89
I would rather have a little, than nothing at all…
I have you on bloglines anyway… so I can stalk you without too much effort. I’m lazy afterall.
I’m very glad to hear you are taking the step to doing something that you have wanted to do for a long time, and even though future posts are sure to be a bitch-fest of complaining about horrid teachers…I’m interested!
I like bitch-fests!!!
Good luck! See you soon… or later…
kelly’s last blog post..Learn about me… through quizes
I vote for #1 - don’t give up! I love coming to visit your hilarious posts with photos and I can’t imagine you just being gone. I’ll take an absence please, if my vote counts for anything. And I’m so proud of you and your desire to finish this degree for yourself. I think at the end, you’ll be completely glad you took the time and dedication. Go Girlie!!