What did I miss??

[AmyK]

I am back from my week without the computer or internet, and I feel so behind now. I'm going to try to get caught up, but if anyone wants to help me out with the latest news, feel free. :) I'm excited about my new name, and am finishing up my layout. Um, and since I spent a week without reading, I think I lost several more IQ points.

I did happen to start a real art journal with paints and all, and today I get to start reading Visual Chronicles and finish Artists' Journals and Sketchbooks. Those were both great recommendations from here - very inspiring!

[kygirl]

I've been eager for you to get back, so you could tell us how it is to live in a world without media. Did you go through withdrawal? What was the hardest thing to give up -- TV, the computer, books? Did you cheat? Would you recommend that others try it? Enquiring minds want to know.

(Did you guess I used to be a journalist?)

As far as missing anything, it's been pretty quiet here this week. Everyone's been working on their naming cards and their circle journals, plus there have been several people on vacations. But, things are hopping today, aren't they? I love it when this board is busy.

[webchyck]

People have been throwing chalk at me. The June ATC swap registration is closed--the theme is BUGS! Group 2 revealed their names today. Maya is going to be re-opening Scrapbookgraphics with a new group of designers at the end of the month, you know, and she has a thread asking us what kinds of elements we'd like to be able to find to quirk with. That's been a good thread--get your two cents in! A couple of people got new computers. Robyn did a great slam for Nevermore. The gallery continues to be filled with great works of art (mostly by me, of course! LOL! Just kidding! I'm not really like that! Although maybe I am, and that is why I am having chalk thrown at me). Glad you're back!

[skyescrapz]

We missed you, Miss Karmic Justice!!! Hope the week "off" was everything you needed it to be. I am jealous that you got to play with paints. HOW FUN! You must take photos of your handiwork and share!

[Cre8tvlyYrs]

Hi Amy! Glad your back! I too have been off and on with posting as my time allows!! Well it sounds like you had an awesome 'artsy' time!! :D

[skyescrapz]

People have been throwing chalk at me.

I think she brought it on herself... ;)

[AmyK]

I've been eager for you to get back, so you could tell us how it is to live in a world without media. Did you go through withdrawal? What was the hardest thing to give up -- TV, the computer, books? Did you cheat? Would you recommend that others try it? Enquiring minds want to know.

(Did you guess I used to be a journalist?)

I wasn't expecting a full interview, but I'd love to fill you in! The first couple of days were difficult but fun. I pulled out the papers and the paints and went nuts finishing up some projects. I actually rearranged quite a bit so I could have better access to my paper stash to do some quick little things. I'm not a TV watcher anyway, so that wasn't hard. The computer was the toughest, especially when my 2.5 year old had to turn it on every few hours and ask to type (I think HE was going through withdrawals)!! I had to adjust all my settings and disable Google Talk and the Google Sidebar because I'd automatically start looking through emails.

I cheated on Friday to get my name in. And honestly, I was on for maybe a full 2 hours that day, because I was waiting to see if my name had made it too. I was bad. :rolleyes: But I didn't get on again until Tuesday, when I did a 5 minute skim of my emails to check for any big important things. I'm not a very important person, so luckily I didn't have anything to worry about. :D

Not reading was incredibly difficult, especially since my Paper Crafts magazine arrived on Thursday, and I had both Visual Chronicles and Artists' Journals and Sketch Books checked out from the library! I couldn't just hop online to find the answer to this or that question that had popped into my head. I had my husband read things to me if he felt they were important for me to know. But a lot of junk mail and magazines that I might normally read went straight into the trash, and I honestly don't miss it.

I think it's a very worthwhile exercise, especially if you are feeling overwhelmed or at a point in your life when you really feel like things need to change. Being away from all that information for a while can really help you narrow down what's most important in your life - especially if you write a little bit every day and get your thoughts down. But now I'm just happy to be back online because I realized that this little digital hobby of mine keeps me more sane than I originally imagined. My poor husband was going nuts dealing with me this week. :p

Phew! Sorry about the novel! I have about 200,000 words I haven't written or spoken in the last week that are just dying to get out. :D

[Nevermore]

I too have about 200,000 words (= approximately 3 Nevermore posts) but have a new computer and have not yet made friends with the keyboard. Glad to see you back! Webchyk is being very bad and that is why she is getting chalky. It has been quiet this week indeed (not to suggest that that is all down to you, lol). I have tried a few things but not getting quite as far as fast as I would like to. Love your name. And I tend to agree, this nutsy hobby keeps me sane. Relatively speaking of course.

[skyescrapz]

Amy, I find it fascinating reading about your experiences. Because of my day job, I can't be off the computer or out of the newspaper/magazine/TV loop (yeah, blame it on the job, Ebullient Child!). So I don't think I could try the sort of exercise you did (after all, I get paid to deal with the media). I find the things you learned and what you gained from your week (I just read your blog post too -- didn't comment there -- bad, bad Krista!) to be incredibly interesting and thought-provoking. I'm so pleased that you found some clarity and some focus.

And I'm with Raven and you both -- this quirking really does keep me sane and quite happy. Ebullient, even. I must keep doing it.

[kygirl]

I just find the whole experience fascinating. I've had my nose in a book since I was five years old, so I can't imagine giving up reading. And, now I'm so attached to this community, I can't imagine giving up the computer.
But, it sounds like it was a very empowering experiment. Maybe, when I'm at a different place in my life, I'll give it a try.
I read your blog, and was particularly interested in your comments on how little time it takes to get rid of those routine tasks that sometimes seem overwhelming. I wish I had figured that out when I was your age, until waiting until my children are almost grown.
Congratulations on using the time to do art and play the piano. Sounds like it was a week well spent.
(On the other hand, we're glad you're back.)