The dreaded auto-suck.

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There are standards out there about web pages that suck. There are standards, though far more open, about web pages that rock. In general, these standards are accurate, and continue to apply as the World Wide Web evolves.

However, the core question in dealing with web sites is not if they conform to these standards. The more important question lies in addressing whether or not these websites accomplished their goal. Purpose, as Agent Smith would say, is what links us.

Did the web page have a goal? If so, did it accomplish said goal? How well did it do this? At this point, discussion of search boxes and opening new windows and layout all become important. But, if the website fails to accomplish its intended goal, it automatically sucks.

Auto-suck.

Because of this approach, my web design to this point has been minimalist and utilitarian to the extreme. What fanciness do I need for a home page that is essentially a place for my favorite links? A simple image tag with some text and paragraph markers will suffice for a bio. My blog has always looked good in most of the LiveJournal default layouts. The same is true with my photo album.

Now, I have a new challenge. My semester project will require me to integrate data and imagery in a way that will catch the eye, be enjoyable to my target audience, and not overwhelm them with a too-busy layout.

I hope my web page won’t suck.

I pray to avoid the auto-suck.

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Horoscope

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TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I predict that in 2013, the United Nations will designate a 52,000-square-mile area in Canada’s far north to be the world’s dumping ground. By then global warming will have melted much of the ice that currently makes it problematical to access that area by sea, allowing a steady stream of ships to deliver loads of garbage from every country on the planet. I’m not saying this is a good thing; I’m just reporting the facts as I foresee them. But I’d also like to propose that you use this idea as a metaphor in dealing with your own psychic waste. What if you had a certain place and a regular time where you could ritually dispose of it? Let’s say you’d go to there every Saturday at 10 a.m. After a short meditation, you’d take out a piece of paper, scribble down everything that’s making you sick and crazy, then burn it or bury it or rip it to shreds. Try it.

Tearing out my eyes.

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I am -finally- making progress.

is right, parental units do have good ideas. Perhaps I should remind them that I agree more often. Or maybe I’m doing that now. ;)

I have a bit of a headache that caffeine will soon solve. After I’m done with another install of Windows Server Update Services – remotely – from a Mac – I’m heading out to Theio’s to meet my beautiful . I am so lucky to have a wife that knows how to hug.

Today’s day of verbal silence has been different. The focus has always been to notice things that I would have normally talked right over. It has moved from noticing the external to the internal. Some thoughts just whirl in your head until you say them out loud.

Not so good.

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I was going to list the ways I’ve failed in accomplishing my goals over the last week, and into today. ‘s voice rang in my head and so I’ve decided not to.

Suffice it to say that I did not catch up over last week. But, I have a new plan. Complete everything that’s due today first. Then, complete everything that’s due tomorrow. Once that is finished, THEN work on things that were already due.

I am hoping that with my usual industriousness, I can accomplish this in a few days.

Horoscope

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TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I predict that you will soon hook up with the “wrong” helpers. They will nudge you down an unexpected path that results in you getting tests you didn’t even know you needed. I also suspect that without much assistance from anyone, you will make one of your best “mistakes” of 2005. Congratulations in advance, Taurus, for being receptive to the blessings in disguise.

Tearing out my hair, still catching up.

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When you miss a whole day of classes during the first week of the semester, a dangerous tone is set. Catch-up. I’m still playing this game, churning through a stellar amount of material just so that I can get things turned in on time, or a little late. I even made a post about it here during my WRA 210 class this morning.

This morning, Dale was in the shower for what seemed like forever. All three of us needing a shower at the same time on Monday morning is NOT working out. If I would just get up when my alarm clock went off, I wouldn’t have to worry about any of this. Instead, I hit the snooze bar like it’s some kind of game. (Trust me, it makes sense when you’re half-asleep.)

I’m behind on work, on keeping up at the house, on my schoolwork… but I’m not so far behind that it seems overwhelming. It’s just a lot of a little that adds up to a ton. Not to mention being at September 12th on my LJ friends page.

I have a pimple on my lip. I need to trim my goatee and mustache and shave my face. I desperately need a shower.

Also, leaving my planner and my Japanese textbook in class today was NOT the brightest move I could have made. Looks like Matsubara Sensei picked them up, but I can’t get to her until I’m supposed to be taking (and probably bombing) my sky quiz in my Astronomy lab.

So, I’m officially engaging hermit-mode. If you see me out and about, I will likely be studying. If I’m rude to you and keep my headphones on instead of conversing, it’s because I must. Since I’ve returned, school has been and will continue to be one of my top priorities. If I’m ever going to get that cursed piece of sheep’s hide, it has to be this way.

And now, I’m going to copy :

This comes right after I bemoan being an absentee friend to last night.