Explaining the Silence - Update

Hey everyone, remember a few months ago when I explained why I was no longer writing here and was basically unable to be found at all online (save for a few select online communities)? Well, if not, then you’ll need to read why (available via the previous link). When you’re done reading that, come back here for the update.

Are you ready?

I hope you are, because you’re about to get a whirlwind tour of the past few months of my life. Hang on, and follow me.

Needless to say, Mom’s home now, though she’s really not able to walk much (or very far). What used to take her a few seconds now takes minutes (for example, it takes her five minutes to walk from her bedroom door to the bathroom, and they’re right next to each other), she’s been diagnosed with “significant osteoperosis”, and is now taking more medication than you can choke the entire population of Hell with. Her medication has not been without side effects, of course. The drug interactions have left her feeling drowsy, affected her vision, and at times made it nearly impossible for her to write.

So I’ve been over here at her place helping to take care of her (she lives with my brother). The plan was to take care of her for one month (and train my brother in her proper care), with me “working” in the day and him taking over in the evenings. Right, like that was going to happen. He not only got a new girlfriend (with a child of her own), but due to circumstances beyond her control, lost her place and moved in with him. She’s working full time in another city, and trying to get everything else taken care of (including her own medical issues), which means she’s needed a babysitter to watch her son for her.

Yep, you guessed it - me

Not only am I helping out around the house (cleaning, laundry, cooking), taking care of Mom, but I’m also now watching the little rugrat full time - all while trying to fit in time to get my client work done so they don’t breathe down my neck. Needless to say, I’m exhausted. Things are starting to settle down though, so I’ll be heading home this upcoming weekend.

Did I mention my computers and my server are dead too? Yep, they’re paperweights. Ended up replacing them with a brand new Toshiba Satellite series notebook. 15.4″ (the largest that would fit in my computer case) with Windows Vista Home Premium - stop laughing - with a lot of features. Too many to list here, but I’ll do that later on when I have some time (or if you bug me enough in the comments). Anyway, it cost me $499.99 - free shipping, no taxes, and best of all, I got it just days before the price went up to $629.99. It’s essentially a desktop replacement laptop for the same price as the netbooks that are now hitting the market.

When Will Things Return to Normal?

Soon, I hope. I’ll be attending WordCamp Chicago this Saturday and Sunday, I’ve moved my WordPress Theme framework project to wpthemeworks.com (and am actively working on it), and am also working with two really wonderful SEO and Web development clients. My brother and his live-in girlfriend will be taking care of Mom for me (at least they better… or else) so I can head home, and I’m currently negotiating a contract with another prospective client. So expect to see me around online a lot more often, once these Web sites are finished.

Speaking of Web sites, yes I’m still working on the redesign for this site. I haven’t uploaded anything yet, since the changes will also be structural in nature (adding breadcrumbs, a page navigation system, and so forth), but work is resuming on it. You can see my current preview here if you like (or need a refresher). My Site’s New Look and Feel (WIP)

Well, that’s all for now. It’s almost 3 AM here, and I need to head to bed. Expect a blog post from me on Tuesday showing how NOT to market your services via email (especially when your “prospect” is really a competitor), and a new funny video on Saturday. Until then…