COVER -> MY GLASS HOUSE
It's a week of WayBack Machine stuff. I was married on the 13th because I considered "13" my favorite number at the time; we wed at the 13th hour (1:00 p.m.) My most recent serious inamorata was also obsessed with the number. Her license plate read, "BETH13." My banking personal identification number (PIN) was then 1313. (It's not today, so don't try it!) Beth and I consummated our relationship on the 13th of the month following the one we started dating, by her design.
Now, some would say, considering how badly both those relationships ended, that I should abandon that number 13.
Well, I did.
I operate within a completely different numerological cosmology now. Still.... It's difficult to forget so many resonances from the past.
I had a poignant e-mail "conversation" this week with a woman who attended high school with me. Talk about going into the WayBack Machine! It was tough to talk about all those people from years ago, some of whom I'd NEVER want to see again.
She was trying to provide me reasons for letting the negative associations from that time go and come back and enjoy the people I've missed and who would enjoy speaking with me again. But you know what the author said, "You can't go home again."
Whoohoo! The writers here at G21 are starting to see some of the results of my behind-the-scenes efforts and our new associations. Page-views are up, feedback is up and so are new submissions. I can only wonder how long this will last... and when we'll start making some money at this effort.
Until then, the grind goes on. I bounce through delight, anger, confusion, disappointment and intrigue on a daily basis. I keep wondering how this chapter will end.
Transparent Walls
By changing the RDR schedule this past week, based on some statistical information, I'm hoping to change the way you view that feature. One of the writers told me I was acting prematurely.But you know me: the important thing is always to act! We can deal with any broken eggs later...
As part of the constantly evolving design here, we'll begin introducing some new features within two weeks. I'd appreciate hearing how you feel about those. Feel free to e-mail me or make an entry for our "Vox Populi" page on the changes.
And please, please, tell all your friends about this little station at the far end of the FM dial. Our advertisers thank you, the writers thank you, and I thank you!
THINGS THAT BOTHER ME THIS WEEK
1. Dealing with incompetence! As in finding out, after waiting two weeks, that the optometrist's office doesn't have my glasses because my Day Job insurance only covers exams! And ONLY FINDING OUT because I called in. No one made any effort to inform me.2. Budgetting. More money goes out, hither and yon, than comes in. What's wrong with this picture?
3. Unresponsive people who expect you to be the soul of courtesy, responsiveness and tact.
4. Wanting to go out dancing.
Thanks for coming back this week.
"Work like you don't need the money,
"Love like you've never been hurt,
"Dance like no one is watching..."
Rod
ROD AMIS has published this magazine since 1990. It first appeared as a hardcopy 'Zine. In March, 1996, he launched it here on the Web. Rod was a Contributing Editor at Suite101.com, where he wrote the " 'Net Publishing" feature. His work has been featured in the San Francisco Bay Guardian Online, NRV8, and at WebLab's Reality Check site. Rod was also a contributing writer on technology for Faulkner Information Services.
Rod was a columnist for the Andover News Network, where he wrote over two hundred articles on web design and development issues. He is also principal writer and Editor for IT Manager's Journal, where he reviews technology issues weekly. He became the Managing Editor for Electronic Mail/Newsletter Publications at Andover.net at the end of February, 2000.
Our Editor does listen!