George Floyd, AANHPI Heritage Month, Self Care (For You Activists), And Being Salty

I'll be honest in saying that I just needed to stay away from the blog and not do anything "normal" last month for some of the normal things that I would typically normally do. 

Usually I would post on it being our month and doing anything we wanted, because it was our month.

I probably would have made a post on George Floyd and the 5th anniversary of his murder and death. 

And a slew of other posts.

But I just needed a break for a bit because I wasn't even sure if we're going to have a month anymore, and I just didn't feel like reaching into the dark pit of what this administration is turning our country into--to pull out everything I know I can be posting about.

It's that fatigue. It's that thought of wondering what use does any of it make, in combination with trying to center myself because I have other things in my life too that I need to focus on in addition to community and giving back. 

Many times all those pieces of my life feed off each other. There really is some synergy.

But other times--they do not. 

And I hit walls. I need an energy boost.

So sometimes I just have to take a break from this or other community minded projects in my life. And that's okay I've realized as I've gotten older because it really is a marathon, and at the same time, sometimes you have to do that self care and just not do what you normally would do in order to get back to normal again--whatever normal means to me at the time.

Take the time you need for you especially if you are engaging in community or activism work because it's easy to say you need to, or say we know we need to--

But it's another thing to actually do it, or do it without feeling guilty.

So take it from me--don't worry about it. 

It will all be here when you get back.

It's Flu Season

That's all...back to the rock I live under for r&r to get rid of the plague.

In And Out

I'll be a little sporadic posting over the next few days...some here some there, and then back to full speed as I get a few more things in order....nice.

General Housekeeping: Yes, I'm actually Using Those Pages

Sure, I could be doing other things, but I thought why not make use of the Pages that Blogger has now given me (and yes Wordpress people, I know, you've had them forever) - so now you have no excuse whatsoever if you want to know some more of what this blog is all about. Check out the links under the Stuff side category for About, Apparently I like To Write Letters And Notes, and Interviews, Quotables, And Guest Posts.

More to come someday, whenever I get off my lazy ass.

Don't Call It A Sabbatical?

A quick post letting you know that I am on a blog sabbatical for a couple to a few days.

See you soon.

FYI From The NYT On That New Rule From The F.T.C. (Concerning Bloggers)

I was reading in the NYT about the F.T.C. rules concerning bloggers which basically states that if you're doing a review on something and you got it free, or were paid - as in paid to play - you need to disclose it (starting December 1st) - and while in many ways this blog isn't a strict product/review blog and the F.T.C. probably could care less about me - I thought I'd put a few things out there.

1. I'll take all the free shit people will send my way. For review purposes. Just like a traditional media outlet takes them as in "If you want us to consider a review of your CD or product, send them to...". It's pretty standard.
2. Free shit does not equal a good review, or even a post/mention for that matter. There is no quid pro quo.
3. I won't say that this will always be the case - because no one has yet offered me a Hello Kitty Lexus or a free lifetime supply of KFC.
4. If I do the math, I actually haven't taken 99.9% of anything offered to me for free for reviews. I prefer to hit up a myspace, a youtube, a trailer, or just buy it myself and support the artist, the venue, or organization.
5. No one's ever paid me or given me anything to write or hype an event, CD, book, show, etc. If I post it, it's because I like it, or I think someone else will, or I just think it's relevant.
6. So far I've turned down all advertising/sponsorship requests because I don't really want to be beholden to someone, or some entity, and I want to be able to critique whoever, whatever, at any time. Part of the reason I blog is because I get to say whatever I want.
7. The advertisement/sponsorship portion may change though if I do some sponsorships for charity - but I still have to work that out and who the hell knows when and if that will happen.
8. Giveaways are giveaways. People have stuff. Sometimes I can help give it away. There's not really much to that - and again - just see #1 and #2.
9. The offer of something free - even if I don't take it - still doesn't mean anything.

And that's that.

Some House Cleaning

So normally I don't need to do this type of housecleaning - because like me - my readers actually don't comment too much (I like to think of us as voyeurs) - but with this Golden Blade III post and some other things over the last couple of weeks I gotta set down some rules - so feel free to listen, or skip on over and not hear a word I say (and then that's just that).

1. My blog my rules. If you don't like it, I don't care. In my 2000+ posts here I pretty much delete nothing because my thought is that if you say it, it stands. But there's a point as well, and in the case of the Golden Blade III post - I decided that point was reached - and this was done for a number of reasons. If you post racial bullshit and I'm feeling so inclined, I'll pull it. Most days I won't because I'll let you look like the dumbass you are, but some days I will - again - my blog, my rules and in comparison to many other blogs I'm pretty damn easy. Simple as that. And as a general guideline, if you end up using a tragedy to market your business - which happened a couple of weeks ago - I'm gonna delete it if I see it.

2. To friends, foes, acquaintances - everyone in between. Online, offline, a conversation is a conversation - you give what you want to give. Give only what you feel is necessary, but always remember that someone's listening. Be safe here and anywhere else you hit up.

3. I'm the sole blogger here like I've said before - no staff, no group, no organization, no brand - just yours truly slantyeyefortheroundeye - aka Slanty Slant. When I post comments you see it under slanteyefortheroundeye. It's pretty easy. Follow the threads.

That's it.

Random Housecleaning Notes

If you're viewing this from a feed one thing to note is that at the bottom of the posts you're going to start seeing links. Don't worry - these aren't ads for skin whitening cream - but they'll be links to events or items that are posted on the side because I want to make sure that people viewing the feeds are also getting the info that's posted up on the side sections "Cool Featured Impact" and "Upcoming & Ongoing". I'll probably rotate them on out every month or so - but just wanted to let you know in case there's some tweaking here and there as it gets put into the feed.

At the same time, while I do pick and choose what goes up on the side sections and sometimes customize them to fit, if you do have something to hype, the width is 238 pixels.

That's it.

P.S.

Apparently I couldn't spell this morning so you were siaaffed instead of sfiaaffed. Yes, it's been changed and yes, I do blame it on not having enough naked me time.

Love yourself like I love me.

With lot's o lube and a semi-clear conscious.

Yes - That Was A Long Post

Just some housekeeping - but if your feed was little long - I ended up changing out the 50 blogs/sites and personality post and shortened it up a bit. Each description is listed now just once.

I know - measure twice, cut once.

General Housekeeping

Just a couple of quick items which amount to some housekeeping on some blogging here and in other places.

1. If you happened to catch any of my blog posts down at Hyphen Magazine, even though I didn't end up blogging there a ton, just an FYI that you won't be seeing them around anymore. When they asked me to blog for them I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to go the group route but thought I'd check it out and lend a voice over their way, and while it was a good ride while it lasted - all rides have to come to an end eventually, and I just wasn't able to keep on blogging there anymore as well as here. Make sure to keep on going out and supporting their events and what they do in the community.

2. Another FYI - if you happened to be one of the few who ended up finding the Slant Eye profile down on Facebook - even though it didn't have any problems for the past year while it was up and running apparently someone decided to call it on in and its been disabled. Not a huge deal as I didn't use it that often, but if you found the Slant Eye profile missing from your friends list, you now know why. Hit me up for another profile and if you're good, Santa Slanty will forward it on your way.

Out.