Video: Me and My Instagram – Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 – 30/30

Audio: Trolls - End of the Day with Douglas E. Welch - Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 - 16/30

Me and My Instagram - Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 - 30/30

 

Previously in my Instagram Photos…

More information on Douglas E. Welch and Careers in New Media:

Previously in the Dog Days of Podcasting 2014:

What is the Dog Days of Podcasting?

“Essentially, it is a challenge to do a podcast for 30 days in a row.

In 2012 Kreg Steppe was looking to give himself a little push in regards to recording his own personal podcast since he wasn’t recording it very often. That turned into a challenge for himself to record a show everyday for 30 days believing that after 30 days it would turn into a habit. Once it was mentioned to Chuck Tomasi he took the challenge too and they decided it would be a great idea to record starting 30 days before Dragon*Con, culminating with the last episode where they would record it together when they saw each other there.”

Video: A squirrel in the garden hyperlapse – Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 – 29/30

Audio: Trolls - End of the Day with Douglas E. Welch - Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 - 16/30

Video: A squirrel in the garden hyperlapse - Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 - 29/30

 

More information on Douglas E. Welch and Careers in New Media:

Previously in the Dog Days of Podcasting 2014:

What is the Dog Days of Podcasting?

“Essentially, it is a challenge to do a podcast for 30 days in a row.

In 2012 Kreg Steppe was looking to give himself a little push in regards to recording his own personal podcast since he wasn’t recording it very often. That turned into a challenge for himself to record a show everyday for 30 days believing that after 30 days it would turn into a habit. Once it was mentioned to Chuck Tomasi he took the challenge too and they decided it would be a great idea to record starting 30 days before Dragon*Con, culminating with the last episode where they would record it together when they saw each other there.”

Audio: Loneliness – End of the Day with Douglas E. Welch – Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 – 28/30

Audio: Trolls - End of the Day with Douglas E. Welch - Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 - 16/30

Loneliness – End of the Day with Douglas E. Welch – Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 – 26/30

Listen to this podcast

End of the day Logo

There is a distinct difference between loneliness and solitude, I think. I always think of solitude as a chosen state. I go in search of solitude and quiet and relaxation sometimes so I can return, refreshed, to my work and other efforts towards a better life. Loneliness, though, is an enforced state for the most part. You are faced with loneliness when life, work, or circumstances prevents the time, location or desire to engage with others. Loneliness is often something we feel is chosen for us, not that we choose ourselves. We feel loneliness when our wants, needs and desires aren’t being fulfilled, not matter how much we would like them to be.

In today’s busy, busy, world, I think much loneliness comes from the constant movement, striving and desire that we all face. Even when we might feel like we don’t want to be lonely, we allow life to push us around, distract us from those desires in search of fulfillment elsewhere. When this happens to me, I can recognize it by the emptiness I feel. No matter what I might accomplish in any other realm of my life, if I am feeling lonely nothing can fill that hole. It aches there like a deep muscular pain, clouds my mind and distracts me further and further from other goals. Given enough loneliness, I descend into unproductivity in all aspects of my life. Dishes go unwashed. The garden goes unweeded. The cruft of life starts to build up around me. I risk becoming the dirty hermit living in a cave if I let it continue.

Mt. Wilson - Angeles National Forest - 20

Alone on the trail

The main problem is solving this loneliness, though, is that many other people are feeling and acting the same way. We are all looking for a better life, but that search can lead us astray from some fundamental needs in our lives. When enough of us do this, the cumulative effect isn’t additive (1+1=2) rather the destruction is exponential (10^10= 10,000,000,000) When enough of us are feeling lonely, we fly further and further apart — becoming lonelier both individually and collectively until something breaks in a drastic fashion.

It can be difficult when others don’t recognize your loneliness — and the need to break the cycle, both for you and themselves. Loneliness can easily turn to anger, resentment and recriminations, especially in long term relationships. As the old saying goes, “Familiarity breeds contempt” and we can slowly learn to ignore the wants, needs and desires of those closest to us — and they can do the same to us. It takes an open mind and open heart to prevent loneliness from turning to contempt, but as we often see, it can happen much more quickly and much more easily that we might expect.

Facing deep loneliness yourself? Even in the depths of loneliness you must remember that it is up to you to solve it. If your current community isn’t satisfying your needs for companionship, look elsewhere. Look far afield. Look close to home, but look. We are all fighting our own battles and others may be so involved that they no longer have time for you. Don’t hate them, but don’t wait for them either. They may eventually come out of their own loneliness, but they also may not. You can’t decide that for them, though. You can only face your own battle with loneliness as best you can and move on.

More information on Douglas E. Welch and Careers in New Media:

Previously in the Dog Days of Podcasting 2014:

What is the Dog Days of Podcasting?

“Essentially, it is a challenge to do a podcast for 30 days in a row.

In 2012 Kreg Steppe was looking to give himself a little push in regards to recording his own personal podcast since he wasn’t recording it very often. That turned into a challenge for himself to record a show everyday for 30 days believing that after 30 days it would turn into a habit. Once it was mentioned to Chuck Tomasi he took the challenge too and they decided it would be a great idea to record starting 30 days before Dragon*Con, culminating with the last episode where they would record it together when they saw each other there.”

Video: Instagram Hyperlapse Demo – Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 – 27/30

Audio: Trolls - End of the Day with Douglas E. Welch - Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 - 16/30

An example video of Instagram Hyperlapse, a new app released by Instagram today for iOS that produces high-quality, motion stabilized time-lapse videos.

Video: Instagram Hyperlapse Demo - Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 - 27/30

 

More information on Douglas E. Welch and Careers in New Media:

Previously in the Dog Days of Podcasting 2014:

What is the Dog Days of Podcasting?

“Essentially, it is a challenge to do a podcast for 30 days in a row.

In 2012 Kreg Steppe was looking to give himself a little push in regards to recording his own personal podcast since he wasn’t recording it very often. That turned into a challenge for himself to record a show everyday for 30 days believing that after 30 days it would turn into a habit. Once it was mentioned to Chuck Tomasi he took the challenge too and they decided it would be a great idea to record starting 30 days before Dragon*Con, culminating with the last episode where they would record it together when they saw each other there.”

Audio: Self Doubt – – End of the Day with Douglas E. Welch – Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 – 26/30

Audio: Trolls - End of the Day with Douglas E. Welch - Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 - 16/30

Self Doubt – – End of the Day with Douglas E. Welch – Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 – 26/30

Listen to this podcast

It always amazes me how one word or small phrase can change my mood from one extreme to another in the passing of a single breath. It happened today, over something small, but one response to something I said sent me into a fit of self-doubt that still lingers even as I write this. Self-doubt is my enemy right now, even more than usual, so it doesn’t take much to trigger it and all the associated responses. As is often the case, no one is tougher on us than ourselves and this is especially true of me. I only need a small shove to head down the path.

I have always been — what might be called — a sensitive person. I don’t think it has ever served me well. I quickly pick up on the moods and attitudes of those around me and begin to feel them, even if I don’t have any particular association with what is happening. Being near someone having an argument or complaining about something is enough to send me out of a coffeehouse or restaurant just to escape the feelings that start to take over. Call it excessive empathy or sensitivity or “having no sense of humor” or “can’t take a joke”, as I have often been accused.

Of course, trying to explain this to others is a futile exercise. It is very hard to understand something like this from the outside. Heck, I barely understand it myself. I only know what I feel and how I react to specific situations, but others often think I am just being silly, or capricious or have some ulterior motive. More likely, I just want to remove myself from the situation or do whatever I can to prevent being in the situation in the first place. It is like I see a train coming own the tracks and I step off the tracks long before everyone else, just to be safe.

Often my trigger points are the verbalization of doubts and fears I am already feeling deeply myself. This suddenly wrenches my thinking back to the problem when I am not prepared to deal with it. Sometimes ignoring a problem is the only way of dealing with it at the moment. Sure, that is not a long term solution, but I know I don’t always have the strength to deal with every issue all the time. I try to make things better when I can, but I also know when it is better to do as Scarlett O’Hara did and “think about it tomorrow.” The trouble with this is that others don’t know when I am capable of dealing with an issue and when I am not, so they only do what they can do and talk about it, or try to solve it. This typically only sends me further down the rabbit hole, though. I am getting better at telling people what is going on within this weird head of mine, but it can still be difficult, especially when I am surprised with a word or turn of phrase that touches that sore spot that no one can really see.

There are days I want to wear a sign that says “It’s not you, it me!”, just so people know that I truly am “not in my right mind” (SMILE) at least in the frame of mind to deal with the larger issues of life and legacy.

More information on Douglas E. Welch and Careers in New Media:

Previously in the Dog Days of Podcasting 2014:

What is the Dog Days of Podcasting?

“Essentially, it is a challenge to do a podcast for 30 days in a row.

In 2012 Kreg Steppe was looking to give himself a little push in regards to recording his own personal podcast since he wasn’t recording it very often. That turned into a challenge for himself to record a show everyday for 30 days believing that after 30 days it would turn into a habit. Once it was mentioned to Chuck Tomasi he took the challenge too and they decided it would be a great idea to record starting 30 days before Dragon*Con, culminating with the last episode where they would record it together when they saw each other there.”

Video: Smartphones, technology and your career with Douglas E. Welch – Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 – 25/30

Video: Smartphones, technology and your career with Douglas E. Welch at OPEN (Outstanding Professionals Employment Network) in Simi Valley, California

An hour-long talk on how careerists (and anyone) can better use the technology they carry with them every day for OPEN (Outstanding Professionals Employment Network) in Simi Valley, California.

I talk about apps, using voice control, navigation, productivity and more in this wide ranging talk.

Video: Smartphones, technology and your career with Douglas E. Welch at OPEN (Outstanding Professionals Employment Network) in Simi Valley, California

 

Follow Douglas E. Welch and Career Opportunities on thees sites:

Video: Liquidambar styraciflua seed pods open over course of 4 days – Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 – 24/30

Part of the Dog Days of Podcasting

Agn artwork

A quick view of liquidambar styraciflua seed pods opening and releasing their seeds over the course of 4 days. I plan on doing an actual timelpase of this process in the near future, too.

Liquidambar styraciflua seed pods open over course of 4 days - Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 - 24/30

Check out my collection of gardening essays, “From A Gardener’s Notebook” now available as a Kindle eBook. (You don’t need a Kindle to read it, though. Read it on your PC, Link: http://j.mp/fagnbook

Watch all past episodes of “In the garden…” in this YouTube Playlist


Music: “Groove Grove” by Kevn MacLeod (http://incompetech.com) under Creative Commons License

Please Like this video and/or subscribe to my channel on YouTube.

Your likes and subscriptions directly reflect how many other viewers are suggested this video.

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel

“In the garden…” is a series for A Gardener’s Notebook highlighting what is happening in my garden, my friend’s gardens and California gardens throughout the seasons. 

More information on Douglas E. Welch and Careers in New Media:

Previously in the Dog Days of Podcasting 2014:

What is the Dog Days of Podcasting?

“Essentially, it is a challenge to do a podcast for 30 days in a row.

In 2012 Kreg Steppe was looking to give himself a little push in regards to recording his own personal podcast since he wasn’t recording it very often. That turned into a challenge for himself to record a show everyday for 30 days believing that after 30 days it would turn into a habit. Once it was mentioned to Chuck Tomasi he took the challenge too and they decided it would be a great idea to record starting 30 days before Dragon*Con, culminating with the last episode where they would record it together when they saw each other there.”

Audio: Improvisation – End of the Day with Douglas E. Welch – Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 – 23/30

Audio: Trolls - End of the Day with Douglas E. Welch - Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 - 16/30

Improvisation – End of the Day with Douglas E. Welch – Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 – 23/30

Listen to this podcast

There are times I wish I had the precision of NASA as I launch into my week each Monday. I make lots of check lists and plans, but life is never something that respects plans greatly. There are too many unknowns in life to allow too much planning, so we come up with a few scenarios, a few goals and hope that circumstances go along with those plans.

As you might imagine, while circumstances and our plans sometimes match up, it is much more common for life to fly apart, go chaotic and make us improvise perhaps a bit more than we might like. This can be very stressful depending on the cause of the chaos and the results, but without these improvisational moments life would certainly be a lot more dull. We might not enjoy it much when we are in the middle of a crisis but in many cases it can make our life better — if we let it.

Playing music with Lorilyn

Life chaos requires the ability to let go of trying to control what you cannot and make the best of what you given. Fear and our own arrogance can often cause us to flail about and fight against what is happening, even if would be better for everyone involved to go with the flow. The ability to recognize chaotic moments and ride them out with style is definitely one trait you should look to cultivate. I can guarantee that it will do more good than all the authoritarian bluster you can manage.

Plan your life and your actions,of course, but then treat each day like a Jazz tune where all the musicians follow a basic track, but then are encouraged and challenged to make their own song in and around the basic framework the songwriter created. Life is often nothing but improvisation, so the more you cultivate it, the better off you will be.

More information on Douglas E. Welch and Careers in New Media:

Previously in the Dog Days of Podcasting 2014:

What is the Dog Days of Podcasting?

“Essentially, it is a challenge to do a podcast for 30 days in a row.

In 2012 Kreg Steppe was looking to give himself a little push in regards to recording his own personal podcast since he wasn’t recording it very often. That turned into a challenge for himself to record a show everyday for 30 days believing that after 30 days it would turn into a habit. Once it was mentioned to Chuck Tomasi he took the challenge too and they decided it would be a great idea to record starting 30 days before Dragon*Con, culminating with the last episode where they would record it together when they saw each other there.”

Video: In the garden…August 21, 2014: Checking out the potting bench and the back garden – Dog Days of Podcasting 2014 – 22/30

Part of the Dog Days of Podcasting 

Agn artwork

Checking on on the potting bench today and a short view of the back garden after tree trimming

Itg 20140821

PlayPlay

Check out my collection of gardening essays, “From A Gardener’s Notebook” now available as a Kindle eBook. (You don’t need a Kindle to read it, though. Read it on your PC, Link: http://j.mp/fagnbook

Watch all past episodes of “In the garden…” in this YouTube Playlist


Music: “The One” by The Woodshedders

Please Like this video and/or subscribe to my channel on YouTube.

Your likes and subscriptions directly reflect how many other viewers are suggested this video.

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel

 

“In the garden…” is a series for A Gardener’s Notebook highlighting what is happening in my garden, my friend’s gardens and California gardens throughout the seasons. 

More information on Douglas E. Welch and Careers in New Media:

Previously in the Dog Days of Podcasting 2014:

What is the Dog Days of Podcasting?

“Essentially, it is a challenge to do a podcast for 30 days in a row.

In 2012 Kreg Steppe was looking to give himself a little push in regards to recording his own personal podcast since he wasn’t recording it very often. That turned into a challenge for himself to record a show everyday for 30 days believing that after 30 days it would turn into a habit. Once it was mentioned to Chuck Tomasi he took the challenge too and they decided it would be a great idea to record starting 30 days before Dragon*Con, culminating with the last episode where they would record it together when they saw each other there.”