Spinning Wheels
Posted by shadow575 on June 16, 2008
Fathers Day has came and went. I did get to spend the day in a lazy boy, but unfortunately it was rocking my baby (2) who is sick with a bad stomach flu. 
Spent most of the weekend, sleepless and holding a bucket or feverish little boy. Today I seem to only be ’spinning my wheels’, unable to accomplish much of anything positive to DMOZ or anywhere else for that matter. Just going to try and get through some real work and get home early to my son.
DMOZ – Its really just been one of those enlightening mornings again. I realized (again) just how insignificant I and my opinions are. Nothing new though, I am not upset about it (although it probably sounds like it 
). I don’t do this for anyones appreciation or respect. I do it because I still believe it can be a great and useful resource, more importantly I do it because I enjoy it. I continue to love the project and its editors. That continues to drive me going forward and hopefully it doesn’t wane again.
BOTW – Not been able to do a whole lot at this point. I have gotten to play around with the buttons and make a few contributions. Its kind of refreshing to just be an editor again, and not have to worry about all the other issues for a while. I have been a pain in the backside to my friend RJ though. Lots of newbie questions from me. He has been taking it like a champ though, and hasn’t redirected me to anyone else…..yet. Just between real work, sick kids, etc I haven’t had a lot of time (as expected) to get into the swing of things. Looking forward to maybe dedicating a block of time this weekend though.
makrhod said
Sick son: the poor wee mite. So draining for him and everyone.
I hope he bounces back from it very soon, and returns to the usual two-year-old terrorism tactics. 
]
But in the last few days I have started to add some sites to categories that matter to me (as well as suggesting them to the equivalent ODP categories, by the way) and I agree that it is a blissful return to the simple joys of editing. Thanks to my own BOTW mentor for his patient explanations.
DMOZ: Why on Earth do they do that?? NO volunteer should ever feel that their work or opinions are insignificant. Everyone who cares about the directory has a worthwhile contribution to make, and discounting or ridiculing them is so unnecessary and counter-productive. Despite recent off-the-wall assertions to the contrary, I doubt that any editor contributes their time and effort with the aim of getting appreciated and recognised, but the whole project depends on its volunteers, so making any of them feel insignificant is nothing more than a pointless power play. [Gosh is that the time? Right, yes, I'll get off my soap box now. Thank you for listening to my rant.
BOTW: Despite having joined a month or so after resigning from ODP, I didn’t actually do anything because it seemed a bit like a recovering alcoholic going to work in a bar.
Rob Jones said
Glad I re-read the second sentence. Thought it said “holding a bucket of feverish little boy”. The mental pictures was just *wrong*. I’m thinking… “Dang, no wonder your kid gets sick you freakazoid… get him outta that thing.”
We had 2 litters of pups and a grandbaby this week (my first… here, have a virtual cigar, they’re cheap). If you wanna little light entertainment while trying to get the brain back online go look at babies and puppies on my blog. Everybody needs a little downtime.
Meantime, nobody ever sat on a deathbed and wished they’d devoted just a little more time to editing. Take care of that little guy.
Regards ~ rj
budalata said
“I realized (again) just how insignificant I and my opinions are. Nothing new though, I am not upset about it (although it probably sounds like it ). I don’t do this for anyones appreciation or respect. I do it because I still believe it can be a great and useful resource, more importantly I do it because I enjoy it. I continue to love the project and its editors.”
Well said, Shadow. Unfortunately not all editors have your strengh to keep on editng under similar circumstances.
Best wishes
shadow575 said
Let me clarify that its nothing in particular that occurred to make me feel that way yesterday. It was a combination (as it often is) of several things working at the same time. I don’t believe that it was necessarily anyones intent, to make me feel that way. Rather just that is what occurred.
I still care for this project greatly, and I don’t believe that I am stronger than anyone else. I realize that my opinions are but a drop in the ocean, and rarely (never)are going to make a difference.
@ budalata – Keep your chin up, you are doing a fantastic job as always. I see you doing great things and even more in the future.
@robjones – Thanks for the well wishes and the comment. Will check out your blog post when time permits. For anyone else, http://robjones3030.wordpress.com is always a fun and entertaining read. Heck you might even learn something.
@makrhod – Sorry about the confusion with the auto moderation. Darn thing is funny, only does what you tell it to do and it did by inadvertently flagging your comment for moderation. Problem should be mostly fixed going forward.
Rob Jones said
Still trying to come to grips with the idea you have a 2 yr old. Cool thing, but my memory barely stretches that far back.
Granted, when remarrying in the mid 90’s (first didn’t take, or so my wife’s date seemed to think) I coulda gone down that road again… but by then it’d require reversing surgery in a place no guy intentionally sends a fella wielding a sharp object. Reminds me of the apprentice carpenter that says “Hell boss, I dun sawed on this board 3 times an it’s STILL too short.” Made me nervous.
If it gets out how much easier it is to have grandkids people would quit having their own altogether.
shadow575 said
@Rob Jones – Well I guess technically he will be 3 in a few weeks.
Oldest one turns 5 on Friday and starts kindergarten in August. Thats the one that scares me, its hard to believe my baby is going to school in a few weeks. Seems like only yesterday he I could lift him and he would let me hold him.
Alucard said
Shadow, glad you have a few options to bounce between for editing. I don’t believe that any place can offer everything, and sometimes when one place gets to be too much, you at least now have the option of “getting a breath of fresh air” at the other places.
Your frustrations about DMOZ are similar to others that I have read about – I’m glad that you have the intestinal fortitude to stay around and still enjoy it and contribute to a project that, at its heart, is incredibly worthy. But I am also glad that you have joined up with BOTW and hope that you enjoy your stay there.
I hope your child is feeling better really soon!
All the best
shadow575 said
@alucard – Thanks for stopping by and for the well wishes. News from home is the little one is doing a little better. I haven’t had a ton of time yet to dedicate to BOTW, just pushed a few buttons and haven’t broken anything yet. What I have done has been enjoyable and refreshing. Some of the features have been a challenge for me, you can teach an old dog new tricks but he might not be very good at them for a while.
Alucard said
I know exactly what you mean about the enjoyable and refreshing part.
And I know what you mean about the treading cautiously – personally I’m glad that the interface is vastly different from those I have been familiar with, and yet seems to work very, very well, considering its newness – more grist for the mill of my upcoming treatise on cat-skinning methodologies
I wish you health, happiness and wealth (however you may choose to measure that).