General

Still Here

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(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, Steve’s Tumblr, and Pillowfort.  Find out more at my newsletter, and all my social media at my linktr.ee)

Hey everyone, it’s been a month since I last posted a column!  Sorry things got away from me but it’s been vacation, work, more work, assorted errands, and a lot more.  Each week I thought “I should post” and now it’s a month later.

So let me assure you I’m OK, things are fine, just very, very very busy.  A lot collided in a row, just that kind of one-thing-after-another type stuff.  Nothing bad, some quite good, but it’s been a lot.

I expect to get back to posting my usual columns shortly, but I felt obligated to tell everyone I’m fine!

If I were to give some advice out of all of this it’s about planning.  Now if you know me, I think in increments – one week ahead, one month ahead, one quarter ahead, one year ahead.  But SOMETIMES between month and quarter you can loose sight of how busy you’ll be.  That’s what happened to me.

Meanwhile, the other advice I can offer is that if you want a great time, check out the new Kamen Rider My-Th.  Everyone know I got into Zeztz, but this looks like it’ll exceed it.  Sometimes comedy, sometimes drama, it’s a lovable trickster butler-and-superhero tangling with monsters and 1920’s superheroes who were in suspended animation.  Sounds crazy, but that’s just the broad outlines!

Take care everyone, talk to you soon!

Steven Savage

Just a Thanksgiving Wish

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So today is Thanksgiving. As most of my readers are American, you’re probably stuck inside, avoiding the Pandemic, trying to make due.

I just want to say I’m thankful for all of you out there that read my blog, my books, my newsletter. I’m thankful for your reviews and feedback and kind words. We probably ought to like do some actual thing on zoom or email exchange or something.

You’re probably tired and it’s OK. Just remember the good things on this day, provide good things for others, and let’s do our best to survive and thrive together.

  • Steven Savage

Connection Exhaustion

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(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com and Steve’s Tumblr.  Find out more at my newsletter.)

When we first started sheltering in place, I was pleased how fast my friends, family, and I used technology to keep in touch. This includes:

  • Zoom for meeting face-to-face and gaming.
  • Discord for chats, videos, and gaming.
  • Duo for video chats.
  • Facebook for some meetups.
  • Phone Text.
  • Plus miscellaneous technologies.

For all the challenges of Shelter In Place, we were all doing pretty good. I was thrilled and impressed – in fact, some of us were more connected than ever!

Then it began to become a drag. It was hard to get enthused, or schedule events. Sometimes I just wanted to be alone.

So what happened?

I began to realize this social shift had it’s side effects and wanted to share why I found this initial chance to connect exhausting.

First, I was doing plenty of meeting technology at work. After awhile, the thrill was kind of diminishing when you’re on four Zoom meetings a day. Everything began to feel the same.

Secondly, we were so connected and had so many options it was hard to know what to do or use or schedule. Old social rhythms were gone, and we had to construct new ones.

Third, the benefits of socializing had changed because we used different ways to connect. The joy of watching a movie with someone online is different than in person. A chat in text is different than a voice chat. We have to find “what works for us.”

Fourth, well, there’s a Pandemic and political change going on. All of this kinda complicates the above factors.

I’m trying to address these right now. I’m asking what I want, find what works for me, and pace myself. Oh, and keeping in mind this is going in a time of challenge and change.

So if you’re trying to connect socially these days, and at times it seems exhausting or not fulfilling, think about my experience. Ask how these factors affect you – and how you can figure what works for you.

Steven Savage