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Cricket’s Thoughts

Cricket's Thoughts

Preparing to Quit Smoking

Is it time now?

As I record my progress through every step of this process of to quit smoking, I hope that those of you with this same overwhelming desire to quit will share your progress with me also. Together, I firmly believe that we can do this.

For me the first step was making the decision to quit smoking. I truly believe that this will be different for all of us, but at some point, something will lead to that moment when you have simply had enough. For me, that decision began about a week ago.

I was taking my daughter to school when I began coughing very badly. The asthma attack lasted several minutes, which at the time felt like hours. When it was all over, my daughter looked up at me with fear in her eyes, and in a very quiet voice, asked me if it was time now. She was referring to quitting smoking. My heart was breaking, but it was the straw the finally broke the camel’s back.

“Yes Haley. It is time.”

Now that the DECISION had been made, it was time to figure out a plan and begin preparing to quit smoking.

When I returned home, I immediately began researching everything I could find. I was especially drawn to information concerning very heavy long term smokers and the power of the addiction. I spent long hours browsing through the forums so that I could read well beyond what the research had to say. I wanted to know what the smokers had to say. This time, I am going into this armed to do battle.

Backed with enough information to actively participate in developing a plan with my doctor, I scheduled the appointment. Once I have talked with the doctor tomorrow, I will write more about the plan I have selected for me personally.

Cricket Walker

Cricket's Thoughts

My Personal Focus for 2007

2007 Journal

I want to spend more of my time writing . . .

I am finding that the best way to learn to write better is by spending more time writing. I think it may help me to come up with a list of topics that I find interesting, and just start writing. Involving all of you in this project might be fun. Perhaps I could post a picture and ask people to write a short story or poem about their interpretation of the photo. What do you think?

I want to spend more of my time taking pictures . . .

The more I learn about photography, the more I realize how much I have to learn. I have been absolutely obsessed with researching ways to take pictures that truly capture the feeling that I see when I am looking at a scene. I enjoy seeing the photos that other people take, especially when they tell a little story about the picture too. I would love to see some of yours!

I want to spend more quality with my daughter . . .

Haley is growing up so fast that it is almost scary. It seems like yesterday she was just a toddler, and all of the sudden she is twelve years old, going on thirty! I have some road trips planned to discover more scenic photo opportunities. After talking with her about it, I am seeing it would be a great thing for the two of us to do together. What ways have you found to spend more quality time with your children?

I want to focus on living a healthier lifestyle . . .

One thing I have noticed about reaching my mid forties is that my body is not nearly as forgiving as it used to be. In my twenties I could eat junk and survive on just a few hours sleep a night. These days my body creaks and groans if I don’t treat it right, and gravity seems to be moving things around! Okay, I know I cannot change fortysome years of bad habits over night, but I bet I can work on things one tiny step at a time! How about you? Has this become more important to you?

Above all, I want to continue to enjoy every moment I am given!

Cricket Walker

Cricket's Thoughts

I Am Not A Computer Geek

I am not a computer geek!

I absolutely, positively, without a doubt, do not see myself as a computer geek. My daughter, and others seem to see it differently.

Apparently, as an answer to a hypothetical question, most women would not choose a top of the line Dell configured any way they want, over diamonds. I find this almost impossible to believe. You WEAR a diamond. Ya can’t do anything with it. You can USE a computer.

If I am visiting the city and there are two stores side by side, one features designer clothing and the other is something along the lines of an office depot, there is no decision to make.

I will glance at the mannequin in the window and say cute outfit, but I am headed straight for the Office Depot and am very likely to leave a trail of drool from one end of the store to the other.

Their other evidence seems to be related to things that seem normal for me. Let’s say we are having a family outing for a close up view of a NASCAR driver’s race car. If while taking pictures, I happen to blurt out something about needing to blog this, I see nothing weird about that.

Apparently the fact that the only mail catalogs and magazines that I subscribe to are computer related is some sort of issue also, but I gotta tell you that I do enjoy photography magazines also. I just haven’t found any that are worth subscribing to yet.

I am NOT addicted to buying programs. I just like a lot of them.

I also do not think it is a weird to have closets filled with hardware that I don’t throw away, because you never know when I might need something in there. This is especially true since everyone I know seems to drop non working computers off here praying for a miracle.

I agree that I am a bit anal when it comes to regular maintenance and security of my computers, but that is only because I HATE reloading a computer – Unless of course we are talking about the new XPS 700 with the IntelR CoreT2 Extreme X6800 (4MB L2 Cache,2.93GHz,1066 FSB) and a Dual 1GB NVIDIA GeForce 7950 GX2 Dual-GPU Graphics Cards, Quad SLI. In this case, I would move all of my stuff in a heartbeat without a single complaint.

And yeah, I would not blink twice at the choice between a fur coat and Dell 30 inch UltraSharp Widescreen Flat Panel.

That does not make me a computer geek. It just means I like computers. Besides, I like other things, like cameras and camera equipment are high on my list too!

I love the outdoors, especially when I have a camera in my hands.

See! I told ya! I am not a computer geek!

Actually, my daughter says I cannot use my love of photography as an interest outside of computers. Apparently she feels that the fact that the raw images are downloaded to my computer and manipulated with one of multiple image editors that I just HAD TO HAVE along with the use of dozens of filters, means this interest is still computer related.

Hey! I do like all terrain vehicles too and we don’t have any sort of GPS tracking systems on them, so that should count for something.

I am NOT a computer geek!

Cricket Walker

Cricket's Thoughts

Halloween Antics and Stuff

It did not start out looking like the best possible day for Halloween around here. The forecast called for thunderstorms.

Boy were they ever right!

The kids are never daunted by anything though, and they had Halloween in those moments when the rain let up for a bit.

Juliet and the Black Forest Creature

All of my children have always been a bit of a ham in front of a camera, but Nicholas and Haley just can’t resist putting on a complete show. They put on a little show that we decided to name Juliet and the Black Forest Creature. I was laughing so hard watching their Halloween antics that I could barely take pictures.

Halloween is the time for good old fashioned laughter!

Cricket Walker

Cricket's Thoughts

Dear Mr. Jesus

From the very first time I heard it a few years ago, this song has always brought me to tears instantly. With the video added to it though, it completely tears my heart to pieces. There just has to be a way to educate people. Can one person make a difference?

Dear Mr. Jesus (video)

Dear Mr. Jesus (another version of the video)

For those people who are unable to hear the song that goes with this video, following are the lyrics.

Dear Mr. Jesus
words and music by Richard Klender

Dear Mr. Jesus, I just had to write to you
Something really scared me, when I saw it on the news
A story ’bout a little girl beaten black and blue
Jesus, thought I’d take this right to you

Dear Mr. Jesus, I don’t understand
Why they took her mom and dad away
I know that they don’t mean to hit with wild and angry hands
Tell them just how big they are I pray

Please don’t let them hurt your children
We need love and shelter from the storm
Please don’t let them hurt your children
Won’t you keep us safe and warm

Dear Mr. Jesus, they say that she may die
Oh I hope the doctors stop the pain
I know that you could save her and take her up to the sky
So she would never have to hurt again

Please don’t let them hurt your children…

Dear Mr. Jesus, please tell me what to do
And please don’t tell my daddy
But my mommy hits me, too.

Please don’t let them hurt your children…

words and music by Richard Klender

Cricket Walker

Cricket's Thoughts

Domainaholic Official Definition

Hello, my name is Cricket and I may be a domainaholic.

I have no idea if there is an official definition for this addiction, but it must have something to do with buying more domains than you can ever possibly develop just because you might do something with them someday. Even when they come up for renewal you still can’t get rid of them, just in case. You never know, right?

I considered starting a Domainaholics Anonymous Yahoo Group but since I already run something like eleven or twelve Yahoo Groups, I was a bit nervous that might lead to a Yahoo Groupaholic addiction when there has already been some questions if the number of blogs I own is an indication of being a blogaholic. I am not sure how many 12 step programs I can handle at the same time!

Funny thing is though that there are a ton of domainaholics out there. It is actually refreshing to find out I am not alone. I guess maybe it just goes with the territory when you work online.

On the other hand, I didn’t notice too many people coming up with ideas on how to stop buying domain names. Maybe we don’t want to stop. Maybe we should just start calling it a hobby!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I bought another domain tonight. There was something about the name SouthernTranquility.com that I just knew I was destined to own it. Nope, I have no clue what I am going to do with it, but I am certain I will do something with it someday!

Thanks For Being A Part Of My Life!

Cricket Walker