February – Already?


If you’ve suddenly noticed that things seem to be a little bit on the blue side around here, please do not adjust your sets! The Ambience Engineers are in, and are pulling out all the stops to try and make this blog as relaxing and restful an experience as possible.

No, that doesn’t mean that the posts will be any more boring, although I can’t say for definite that they won’t be boring any more either. I hope they won’t be, that’s all I can say.

I’m trying to rearrange my links page, which is currently out of order. Sorry if you were featured on there and received most of your visits through my blog, but normal service will be resumed from that part of the site as quickly as humanly possible. And non-humanly possible as well, as I have ghosts and Zombies also working to get this site to have a rather unique feel to it.

I’m planning on trying something completely different with regards to the home page, in as much as using a special page rather than just the latest posts. Just what will be on that page I’m not sure yet, so, at the moment that page – like the links page – is out of order.

Does nothing work around here?

I received a delightful spam message earlier this evening, that began “Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles?” and ended “Your content is excellent but with pics and clips, this site could undeniably be one of the most beneficial in its niche. Amazing blog!” I never realised I had a niche. Is that had or was in? I always get niches mixed up. But thank you, spammer, for your words. I’ll bear them in mind.

I may also change the name of the blog this year. It’s been Me! Me! Me me me! since it began, back in 1274. It isn’t ALL about me, but sometimes it is. I want something more catchy. Something zingy with a wow factor to the power of a hundred… something that good. Which is another reason why I hope my posts won’t be boring any more.

One thing I really intend to get stuck into is my 101 things in 1001 days challenge. I’m still doing it… I’m doing it now as I type actually, but I’m quite a bit behind. I still have about a hundred things to find to do for my hundred-and-one things, so that gives a little indicator as to how far behind I am. Sigh. But still, I feel good. There, see, I’m still doing it!

I’ve been trying out various themes, but will stick with this current one. It’s good enough for me, and I like the layout of the pages. I just need to make the widgets down the right-hand side a little more my own, and then maybe I can tone down the blue. Or tone it up. We’ll see. So, I’ll apologise now if suddenly you find yourself looking at a completely different colour to what you were used to a split second ago. It isn’t you, it’s me.

Who says change is frightening? Well, it is, but it needn’t be. It can also be fun; a breath of fresh air; invigorating; a spectacular break from the norm; a different shade of blue… and so on. If you don’t like any of my changes, please let me know and I’ll change them again. Maybe not straight away, but I’ll start to wonder why you don’t like my change, which will then make me look closer at what I’ve changed and ask myself if I REALLY like it. Then, cracks will appear, and I’ll have to change it again anyway. Better still, don’t tell me if you don’t like my changes, and gush about how much you DO like them instead. But not too much, because then I’ll wonder if you really do like them or are just saying so.

Anyhoo, moving on.

It’s February ALREADY. WHERE did January go? (White Rabbits February, by the way.) But never mind all that… Spring is on its way. It was lovely this morning. Dreadful this afternoon, but still lovely this morning – weatherwise. It’s forecast to be dreadful over the weekend as well, but that’s only the weather. The Ambience Engineers will be working wonders on this blog over the weekend so if it is bleak out, it will be nice and comfortable here.

What’s that, Ambience Engineer? You’re all having the weekend off? And you’ve decided to tell me right at this moment after I have just typed all that? Oh, OK then. I’ll have a go at doing it myself.

How hard is it to have a good blog these days anyway?

So, apologies reader and visitor alike. Not that you are alike – you’re all completely different but all welcome! – the changes may not be as quick as I first hoped. It may be blue around here for some time yet. But Valentine’s is on its way.

I think I’ll use that last line as a cliff-hanger.

Happy February! And remember (cue: sinister music) Valentine’s is on its way

27 responses to “February – Already?”

  1. mairedubhtx avatar

    I like blue. Blue is nice, relaxing. On with the renovations. We can’t wait to see what you come up with, Tom.

    Like

    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      Thanks, Mary… I hope I get it right…
      although, if not I can change it again!!! 😉

      Like

  2. prenin avatar

    Hi Tom! 🙂

    Think of your Blog as your extra home from home! 🙂

    Decorate it however you like – we’ll still be here cheering you on! 🙂

    February – white rabbits – is currently cold and dark, but at least we get to see the sun rise! 🙂

    Have fun my friend and see you when your Blog is all done up! 🙂

    God Bless!

    Prenin.

    Like

    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      Yes, Prenin, the mornings are lighter, the days are longer, and the Summer Smells are starting to return… the fresh rainfall and bright sunshine, crisp white clouds and warm breezes all make me feel good! Spring is on its way! I’ve been saying that for a while now!!!
      I’m hoping that my blog will look good, and unique as well, when I’m done. It’s just getting done that is the stumbling block!!!

      Like

  3. shreejacob avatar

    *Gushes* I love blues!!!! I love these darker shades of blues too! And I’m very sure whatever changes you decide to do (and undo and redo) would be totally awesome *ends gushing*
    Your niche by the way would be to not actually have a niche…well on further thought you actually do a random post about nothing very well, maybe that’s the niche spammer was talking about?
    And YES February is already here! In fact it’s going to be a short month so soon we’ll all be going…”It’s MARCH already??!!” hehe

    Like

    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      Ah, Shree, please gush away some more! 😀
      Could a niche about nothing actually be a niche? I’m hoping my niche will be about everything (well, almost) including nothing. There’s nothing like a good challenge, is there?

      Like

  4. nrhatch avatar

    My two cents: This is a bit dark, Tom.
    Much harder to read than black on white.

    Congratulations . . . you made the finals in The Writer’s Desk Contest! If you want to invite your friends, fans, and followers to come vote for you, here’s the link:

    The Writer’s Desk ~ Let the Voting Begin!

    Cheers!

    Like

    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      Thanks for your thoughts, Nancy!
      I personally prefer the dark background and lighter text as it reminds me of the early days of computing, but why I like those clunky old systems to today’s more streamlined ones is beyond me. I think the blue may be a little too dark though, and I’ll be tweaking that over the coming days.
      I’m actually surprised to have made the final seven, Nancy, but feel very good about it as well! Thank you!

      Like

  5. Elaine - I used to be indecisive avatar

    I like blue – possibly my favourite colour – there are so many shades. I know what you mean about trying to settle on a new look for the blog. I’m still trying to sort something out for mine – but I think I may have to take the plunge and sort out the final details when its ‘live’.

    Like

    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      Hi Elaine, I go through phases where I want to make a subtle change to my blog’s look, but this time it’s quite a major overhaul! It has to be done live as well, so I hope it goes smoothly…

      Like

  6. kateshrewsday avatar

    Wow, Tom, you’ve been busy! Looking hugely forward to seeing what you make of the site, the changes already are great. I do hope there will be some reflection of your past life stuff. I find that all fascinating. Was most excited by the revelation that the Bohemian costume of the sixteenth century looked very familiar to you!

    Like

    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      Just a little, Kate! 😀
      I’ve set up the new (for now) home page, and I have my 1642 quest featured there already!
      There were two things that ‘spoke’ to me in that Bohemian image you posted, Kate, the crowd rushing through the door seemed very familiar, and it was more the hats (the shape of them) rather than the actual clothing that felt familiar. I get similar feelings that I can’t quite place when I see someone dressed in traditional Welsh clothing – again with the shape of the hat. It’s all very strange.

      Like

      1. kateshrewsday avatar

        ….but riveting 🙂

        Like

  7. Let's CUT the Crap! avatar

    Nice of you to redecorate. Don’t mind me if I say my piece. I’m too old for blue on black. The font needs to be bumped up a few degrees but don’t worry about me. Change is good but not for me. I can’t find my glasses most of the time. If I changed the spot I usually drop them, I’d be lost and then stressed but don’t mind me…ha ha.

    Do whatever you like. This life if yours and yours alone. Make the most of it in any way you can. We’ll still be here.

    Like

    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      Hi Tess, I think the blue font may be a little dark myself, I’ll be tweaking things over the next few weeks until I get the right balance!
      Thank you for offering your thoughts, and even though you say don’t mind you, I’ll hopefully get the balance right for everyone!

      Like

  8. lameadventures avatar

    Whatever you decide to do I’m sure will be fine with me, Tom. I seem to recall that at one time you called yourself Aquatom. If blue’s your color, go for it. I’m looking forward to whatever you come up with next. As for changing the name, if you call it something with “porn” in the title — Me Porn You Porn — your stats will probably skyrocket overnight.

    Like

    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      I’m still Aquatom, LA, but shh… that’s a secret.
      It’s a good thing I’m not driven by stats, but I’m sure you’re right. Even with your comment I’ve noticed an exponential increase on visitor numbers…! I have a regularly visited post with a lot of Xes in the title, and I can’t really see all of the visitors are looking for posts on censorship.

      Like

  9. europasicewolf avatar

    You began your blog back in 1274?!!! Awesome!!! I am deeply impressed and inspired Aquatom!!! lol 😉 And yes…it’s February! I usually hate this month and can’t wait for it to be over, but after the state of my January I am over the moon to have made it into this new month and am viewing it as the start of my new year! I have been celebrating it even! Seeing as official new year was a write off and best forgotten along with the rest of that last horrible month! My new years resolution…never eat another brussels sprout! Ever! Like certain parts of your site sprouts cause certain parts of the body to stop working properly!! In fact as you say….nothing working properly!!! Have a wonderful weekend lol 🙂

    Like

    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      I did indeed, Icewolf. Back in those days, though, it was a long and laborious task, what with there being no electricity or computers.
      I still like the occasional Brussels Sprout, but they do tend to emphasize certain irregular features. And, as February is the start to your New Year, I’d like to wish you “A Happy New Year!” To new beginnings! 😀

      Like

      1. europasicewolf avatar

        Thank you Aquatom! I have started it as I mean to go on!! NO brussels sprouts for starters!! No carrots…no brocolli…no cauliflour…no veg at all in fact apart from mushy peas and garden peas!!!! lol 😉 Oh and no barbecue baked beans either! lol lethal weapon those things!!

        Like

        1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

          Most definitely so at the wrong temperature, Icewolf…

          Like

      2. europasicewolf avatar

        Yes…quite an awesome feat how you managed to run a blog and post to it without a computer or electricity!! Congratulations on your ingenuity!! Long may it last 😉

        Like

        1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

          I somehow manage to get there, Icewolf! 😉

          Like

  10. Tilly Bud - The Laughing Housewife avatar

    I rather like your new home page which is unusual for me, as I normally find blogs with lots of info on the home page hard to navigate. It’s why I keep mine with the newest post at the top. I like the blue as well.

    Good luck with all you’re planning to do.

    Like

    1. Tilly Bud - The Laughing Housewife avatar

      Sorry, Tom! I just read that back – talk about damning with faint praise 😦 I meant it as a compliment – you have triumphed over my inability to process onscreen information if there are more than two things to look at. Very nicely done.

      Like

      1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

        Thanks, Tilly. To be honest, I didn’t read your other comment as anything but a compliment!
        I’ll not make the homepage too cluttered – I don’t like too much fuss either.

        Like

        1. Tilly Bud - The Laughing Housewife avatar

          The clutterly challenged amongst us thank you 🙂

          Like

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