Finding topics
Fact: I think about stuff I want to write in my web journal all the time.
Fact: When I sit down to actually write and publish something, I draw a blank.
That is way of things with me it seems. Like I already stated, I think about random stuff to write about all the time. Usually when taking a long drive somewhere or if I'm bored. However, I'm much to paranoid to tape record myself. I'm worried someone will find those recordings 50 years ago and realize how much of a dork I am.
When trying to come up with topics, I try to find something that I can write short and sweet on. Otherwise I ramble....and that's boring. Bitch and moan blogs are a dime a dozen, and I don't want to be one of those.
But I do think it is important to have some kind of focus on a web journal, ok I'll say 'blog' even though I hate that word. I haven't determined a focus for this journal yet. But it will probably have to do something about being a girl in guyland. Female engineers are not a dime-a-dozen unfortunately, so I think I have some perspective on that. In fact I remember making a posting on Slashdot years ago regarding the lack of women in technical/engineering fields. Someone posted back saying of course there are...lots of them...and he listed one - Grace Murray Hopper.
A very talented woman, that worked on the first compiler, COBOL, and the UNIVAC. One problem though...she died over 10 years ago. I have no issue with not having any female role models in these fields, let alone ones that have been dead for some time. I'm not a big role-model or celebrity follower anyway. No hero worship here. My point, I guess I don't have one. HAH. Just using this as a segway to something else.
I rarely hang out with other women. I'm usually work with mostly men, hang out with guys at the SSOL lab, play WoW with guys, etc. The only time I am absolutely surrounded with women is with family (not as common as it used to be for me) or getting my hair cut.
Let me point out something before I forget. I HATE getting my hair cut. I have ever since I can remember, even when I was young. It's not that I like to have shaggy hair or don't like my hairdresser. I do, she's great and I get lots of compliments on my hair. I just don't like sitting still and having people try to talk to me. I hate the awkward silence and forced conversation. I feel like I have to be nice when asked about small talk topics. Especially when stuff that interests me (tech and engineering) is something that my hairdresser may not - a.) understand b.) care about, or c.) all of the above.
My mom told me at one time that she actually requested that no one talk to her when she's getting her hair done because she uses it as her time to decompress. I wish I could say that, however I'm afraid I'll come off as a snotty bitch.
Howeaver, it is interesting to note the dichotomy between techy/guyland and frou-frou/girland. An explanation of the differences will have to wait for another day, because I fear I am getting boring. I'm boring myself...that's how I know. Till later.