I've Caught the "Bug"

I am not fond of the internet. To be more exact, I am not fond of technology in general. I enjoy doing things the old way, it feels safe. For example, when I write things using a pencil and a piece of paper, I do not have to worry about my work suddenly disappearing into cyberspace never to be recovered. I do not have to worry about it suddenly being reformatted into some illegible sequence of letters and symbols. I do not have to resave every few minutes just to be safe. I have had two computers die on me (one right in the middle of my on-line teaching classes). I do not like computers, and they (apparently) do not like me.

For this reason, when my mother called me a little over a week ago and told me she had a blog, my first response was, "A what? Is it contagiuos?" After she explained what it was, my next response was to write down her address, set it aside, and go back to grading papers. When she continued to ask me about what I thought of it, and I was running out of excuses as to why I had not had a chance to look yet, I decided I had better just comply and give it a peek. I finally did about a week ago.

Since then, I have let my grading pile up so high I fear I will never get through it all by the end of the school year; I completely forgot about midterms and sent them home a week late; I have not gotten to bed before midnight yet this week; I forgot to eat dinner Wednesday night; I completed my sub-plans for Monday at 6:15 Friday after school; I even forgot to bake the cupcakes I promised my class I would bring in on my birthday. (Thank God for thoughtful room mothers with baking abilities.) To make a long story short, I became addicted to reading the blogs posted by my mom, aunt, and cousin. I immediately found out that I could not yet post comments, and so here I am, creating my own blog. (Yes, it is contagious.)

So here I am. In a Moment... It took me a while to think of a name, but chose this one for a number of reasons. I got the name from a Hilary Duff song, Fly. The opening lyrics to this song are: "In a moment, everything can change, feel the wind on your shoulder. For a minute, all the world can wait, let go of your yesterday." These words, and the song in general, are so fitting of my life right now. I listen to it when I feel like I am losing my grip, and I am immediately calmed. Looking up and realizing that not one aspect of your life today is even remotely the same as it was a year ago is unnerving. I love my life now, but sometimes have trouble letting go of my yesterday.

Another reason for this title choice is my undeniable ability to procrastinate. (See above paragraph about the midterms and grading.) I often joke about "why do today what can be put off til tomorrow?" I tend to see many things as capable of being done in a moment, after I finish this one. I can't help it, I juggle too many balls sometimes, but I always manage to get things done. I also find it therapeutic - I am quickly learning how to handle stress.

Last, but not least, I chose this title on account of a phrase I am famous for in my family: "Okay, just a moment." It doesn't matter what I am asked to do, it can be coming to the table because dinner is ready, run to the garage and get something for mom, get my jeans because mom is doing laundry, come to the phone, its for you...the list goes on. My classic response is "Okay, in a moment." I don't do it consciously, it just happens. It is not my fault I am always in the middle of something. I am not a sitter. I can't just sit. I am always doing something. So, when you ask me to do something, there is a good chance that I will need to come to a "stopping point," before I comply. Sorry.

So here is my first post. Mom and Aunt Bev, I know you have been waiting patiently for me to get this far. I am sorry for the delay, I just needed a moment. After reading the posts of both you and Sarah, I have come to realize that I come from a line of very gifted (and funny) writers. I sense a memoir being published soon. I look forward to joining this legacy.