We're in the middle of the dog days of summer when people go on vacations and it's hot outside. Life slows down. It is always a sad time of year for me. Five years ago today, I had to put down my black lab Sadie, at age 15, who was ailing due to cancer. That's my favorite photo of her. (And, no the car was not on the road, we were parked and the window was open)
The American Red Cross is using the Dog Days of Summer to educate dog owners about pet safety during these days of summer. There's information about heat safety, pet first aid, and disaster planning. They are also running a contest:
The Red Cross is also encouraging dog owners to cool off during these dog days by diving into the American Red Cross Pet Photo Pool. Get your camera ready and sniff out these instructions to enter our Dog Days of Summer photo contest. Two pet owners will receive a free copy of the Dog First Aid guide and DVD.
In his post, "Become August," Geoff Livingston talks about using this period to prepare for a busy fall marketing season: "Slow is a mindset, and while there may be vacations, there are also opportunities." A slightly different take on the concept of slow.
At Blogher Unconference, Leslie Madsen Brooks (who works with university faculty to help them make their instruction more thoughtful and who is also a dog lover) put up a session called "Slow Blogging." I was bumble beeing between that session and one on social change, but the idea was inspired by Nancy White's Slow Community. (For more on Slow Community, start here, then go here)
Slow blogging, like slow community, is inspired by the slow food movement. What we were really talking about is the need to take the opportunity to reflect and think more deeply which may require a slower writing. It isn't necessarily running with the flow or letting the flow of information run you.
I found this blog from 2006 called Slow Blogging Manifesto
Slow Blogging is a rejection of immediacy. It is an affirmation that not all things worth reading are written quickly, and that many thoughts are best served after being fully baked and worded in an even temperament.
Personally, I straddle between the two - the constant moving forward through the fire hydrant of information and slowing down - being in the moment with one idea or concept or pattern I've observed. It takes pulling back, consolidating, and discipline not to bounce. In order to do that, I have to load up Mozart or other thinking music, and get into the flow. Sometimes I can dive in deeply, and other times I'm not quite that successful.
I don't think there necessarily has to be a Chinese Wall between the two - moving forward (action) and reflection in blogging. Is there a way to straddle the two in terms of your blogging - a "reflection in action." It may be a little of what Tony Karrer is talking about -- social productivity.
How do you straddle between the constant flow of information at a fast pace and making time to digest and reflect on it?
Thank you, Beth. You're the best. RIP Sadie!
Posted by: Wendy Harman | August 04, 2008 at 10:51 AM
In the interest of full disclosure, I borrowed the slow blogging concept from Barbara Ganley.
Posted by: trillwing | August 21, 2008 at 10:51 AM