Have I Worn Out my Welcome?
It's an old-fashioned expression for sure but it might be one that many people should start thinking about.
On 16 Sept 2010, I purchased a new mat for the porch where my front door is that resembled pebbles and was quite gray and granite looking. (See the upper left photograph taken on that date). [Blog post about that!]
That first winter here was a harsh one. This past winter was not. But, with the condo I live in, they are supposed to maintain the outside of the house and we asked for the porch floor to be re-stained and the railings repainted. I found the Welcome mat on the ground after they left and it looks so worn out, I decided I'd better replace it. (See the upper right photograph taken this morning)
I couldn't find the exact same mat and it is because I bought it at Target, not Walmart. Is my brain wearing out that I didn't remember where I bought it?
Well, I like this new one too! Not everything can remain the same. Some things wear out faster than others.
Even blogging changes. I have tried to "roll with the times". In this, the last year of my professional time as a genealogist, I look forward to retirement in December. I don't want to be one of those that "takes up bandwidth" as the younger people say.
I am finding it harder and harder to be part of the crowd. Some aspects of the social side of genealogy are counter to my goals. I tend to keep to myself and do my research and gravestone photography. I am not much of a conference goer. I like the online webinars and the community of Facebook and Twitter better than face-to-face.
I think I tend to wear out my welcome. We'll see what shakes out in the coming months.
In the meantime, the Welcome mat is out. Let me know what you think....
8 comments:
Pfft, Midge! You'll never wear out your welcome with me!
DISagree! You don't have to do what others do. You don't have to go to Conferences or join in other Social stuff to still be vital and interesting and needed.
I do know what you mean though. I often feel like I'm getting left in the cold because I can't go to the Conferences for physical and financial reasons. (Flying from a Canadian airport is horrendously expensive).
There seems to be an "in-crowd" which consists of those who attend the Conferences. And this is understandable, after all they're meeting each other in person! But it does tend to leave those of us who can't attend or don't choose to attend, feeling like the wallflower at the dance.
But I think you just keep on keeping on :-) I know I'd miss you if you dropped out of sight!
I'm new to this community, but I know I would miss you. It's the experienced veterans that I look to for friendship, mentoring and strong advice, and at this point, I don't attend conferences either. All I have is online. Best of luck to you, no matter what, we'll miss you.
I'm not going to stop blogging as yet but I have stopped speaking or doing as much traveling as I thought I'd be doing at this point.
People need new people to follow and read about. We have amazing genealogical opportunities ahead with the communication tools we have now.
It is just something to think about.
Thanks for your kind words and your comments.
It's fun to read the new blogs, but the oldies are the goodies in my opinion. I haven't been to many conferences either (two!) but I don't let it stop me from doing what I love.
There are a lot of us genealogy enthusiasts who are on the sidelines and enjoy being there just fine, thanks. There are many ways to "be" in this world, and your way is absolutely fine. Period. End stop. Personally, I'm a bit of a hermit and introvert so this seems normal to me. I always read your blog posts, so keep them coming - nuggets of gold!
Feeling much the same, Midge. There isn't enough time (or energy or money) to do it all--and I prefer graveyards to conferences anyhow!
Just don't leave us Granite-in-My-Bloodless...
Hi Midge, You are doing fine. I so appreciate your helpful, kind and thoughtful work and personality. Your blog is useful and entertaining (not to mention award-winning). So, that is what I think on the subject. Who really cares about conference attendance? Unimportant in the grand scheme of things.
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