Where Did the Joy Go?

I still ponder exactly what to do with my blog. I am considering five choices: Blogger (mixed feelings); MSN Spaces (least likely); .Mac (I’ve got an account with 2GB of storage and could use software client to post, but so-so likelihood); Yahoo! hosting using MovableType or WordPress (highly likely); or TypePad (also highly likely, and what I’ve got now).

The latter two options could lead to lots of work, and I find myself resistant. What I want is to create an inviting blog with lots of photos, too, possibly using Flickr, Slide, or both. Actually, there’s quite a bit I’d like to do with my blog, with respect to personalization, beyond using canned templates. 

Problem: I don’t have the patience I used to. Ten years ago, heck even five, I was quick to roll up the sleeves and hunker down with the toys, whether hardware or software. I built my first personal website in 1995, all hand-coded HTML. In fact, I designed websites for much of 1996, along with writing.

But the joy of learning has dissipated with time, not the passing of it but lack of it. I simply don’t have the time I used to. In my day job, besides analysis, reports, and clients, I maintain two blogs. And I keep this one, too. I simply don’t have the time I used to, which, in too many respects, makes technology a burden rather than a joy. I rarely get to enjoy my tech toys. And it’s not for wasting time. Time-sucker television is low priority for me.

My changing attitude is one reason I use Macs more than Windows PCs. If I had more time to tinker, to gadget play, Windows would be loads more fun. With Mac OS X, I can get lots done, and in a reasonably enjoyable fashion. The joy of exploration, of tinkering has given way to pragmatism. Except for adding memory, I wouldn’t even consider tinkering with a PC these days. It’s too much trouble.

So I ponder what I’d like to do and what I have time to do, and I don’t see synchronicity. Sigh.