The deadness of bedtime, by Shawn South

There is a dead space
between day and sleep.
It watches. Quiet, waiting.
Mocking.
The thoughts press forward,
clamoring,
like a thirsty mob left too long on an asphalt plain.
Jostling, straining.
I don’t dare let them go.
That stare…. Time will pounce.
A dream released now is a wish cut short,
left rotting in the setting sun.
Tears plead – beg -
but I dare not.
They deserve more.

Experiments like Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along Blog have proven that quality production can be achieved – with name-brand talent even.  The number of success stories demonstrating that low(er) budget online shows, such as The Guild, can become quite popular is also on the rise.  Not to mention the various online production companies that are growing have grown into respectable, established providers in the last few years.  Clearly, delivering video-based entertainment over the Internet is here. This is the future. It’s here, now. The quality will only get better, and availability more pervasive.

In stark contrast to the aging television production model, these efforts succeed in part because they serve a niche. The broadcast television industry has become a behemoth that now requires massive numbers of viewers in order to “succeed”. Stargate: Universe, Defying Gravity, Jericho, Space: Above & Beyond, and countless others weren’t canceled for being uninteresting or having poor acting. They were dropped for the unforgivable sin of not attracting enough eyeballs to feed the insatiable broadcast industry beast. Okay, fine. But why does that have to mean death for the show – not to mention all the people it employs?  This brave new world of online production provides an opportunity for such shows to find their niche – and perhaps a vibrant new life.

Sanctuary was successful in being incubated as a web-only pilot before moving to the Syfy network and cable television – a feat that  Riese: Kingdom Falling is now attempting to duplicate. So why not try going the other direction? Why not take a show that didn’t quite garner the necessary Nielson Ratings and send it down to the proverbial minor leagues – where it might make some money for the producers, talent and staff? I guarantee it won’t make a dime stuffed in a vault somewhere. Who knows? It might even grow that niche audience into something larger. Remember that the original Star Trek was a flop until it entered syndication.

So can we stop with the tight-fisted hoarding, TV industry? More options make for happier customers, which in turn improves for consumer loyalty.

Today I discovered that Amazon is adding new features to their Your Media Library site – which is where all digital items you’ve purchased from them (including MP3s) are maintained.  In the past, this is where I’ve gone to download the files for the songs that I’ve purchased.

Only now I can’t.

That functionality – the ability to download the songs you’ve purchased from Amazon – appears to have disappeared.  To be fair, it might just be a bug introduced by their current redesign effort, but at the moment I am Not A Happy Camper.  Here’s the feedback I sent them:

I am very upset about recent changes to the Your Media Library site. Specifically, I am frustrated at the loss of the ability to download the songs I’ve purchased.  Downloading my songs (to a different computer, for example) is the only reason I come to the Media Library, yet this new version appears to have removed that functionality entirely.

I have followed the instructions listed here for downloading my songs:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_mp3land_browseryml?nodeId=200463190#downloadyml

but I cannot perform step #5. There is no “download link”. Each song listed has only the following:

* The song title links to the standard Amazon purchase page.
* The last column displays either
- a “Buy <song name>” link, or
- the unclickable text “Already downloaded”

NOTE: The “Buy” link is also what appears for songs I’ve purchased, but have not yet downloaded to a PC.

I’ve installed the MP3 Downloader, but that only seems to apply to new purchase downloads. I’ve also been poring over the site all day trying to find some other way to download my songs.

I appreciate your efforts to introduce some social aspects to purchasing music through Amazon, but a service that doesn’t allow me to [re-]download the content I’ve paid for is pretty much worthless.

Please fix this.

Thank you,
- Shawn

Now… I wait.

UPDATE 9/10/2010: Amazon’s response (I’ve added the emphasis):

Hello from Amazon.com.

Amazon MP3 files are only available for download at the time of purchase. We display information about the items you’ve purchased from the Amazon MP3 Music Downloads store in Your Media Library so you can keep track of what you’ve bought and find similar items that may be available. However, the files aren’t stored there and can’t be downloaded again after purchase.

Because you can only download an MP3 file once upon purchase, we encourage you to make back-up copies of your MP3 Music files to ensure you will always have access.

However, I’ve passed your feedback along to the Amazon MP3 Music team.

It is always important for us to hear how customers react to all aspects of shopping at Amazon.com. Strong customer feedback like yours helps us continue to improve the selection and service we provide, and we appreciate the time you took to write to us.

We hope to see you again soon.

I’ll give them points for being responsive to customer feedback, but I’m still unhappy about this change.  Buyer beware.

We don’t hate children.  That’s a common misconception about people who have stated that they don’t want to have kids.  We enjoy playing peek-a-boo with babies, catch with toddlers and handing down the Sacred Knowledge of Shoe Tying.  I’ve been told on numerous occasions that I’d make a great father.

So, why don’t we want kids?

The first step in answering this question is to understand that it is the wrong question.  “Why not?” assumes the default is to have children, yet having children is not automatic.  In the absence of certain, specific actions we take (e.g. sex), childbirth will not happen:  No insemination, no baby.  The truth is that having a child is a choice.  Some people let society (or their parents, religion, culture, partner, etc.) make that choice for them but if we’re going to be honest with ourselves we must acknowledge that it’s still a choice.

So, why is this important?  Well, knowing that having children is a choice gives “why?” a lot more meaning.  The question, “Why do we want kids?” is now just as valid as the original  “why not?“.  In fact, I would argue that since the state of not having children is the default, the question of why to have kids becomes even more important.

Unfortunately, it seems like precious few parents have ever asked either question.  This, in my opinion, has given rise to the number of parents who

• are emotionally unprepared for the realities of raising a child,
• have unrealistic expectations,
• come to resent the time, energy and responsibility required, and
• have children for the wrong reasons – consciously or not (to “continue the family line”, have something to love (and/or or love them back), make their partner stay, etc.)

Today, a Twitter post by a friend brought to my attention that some mothers are now taking drugs that they believe will decrease the odds of their child being gay.  The linked article discusses a lot of these same issues that I believe, in part, stem from potential parents not honestly examining why they want to have children (if they even realize it’s an option).  For example; the author relates the story of a father who wants to abort their child because it has been diagnosed with a cleft lip and he, “can’t handle this!”

I am a firm believer in taking responsibility and part of being responsible is making educated, informed and reasoned decisions.  Throughout my high school years and into my early twenties I looked forward to having children.  I often thought fondly about my future as a father.  But as time went by, my belief in responsibility forced me to take a critical, unbiased look at the commitment involved in raising a child.  I spent years mulling over the topic – examining who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do with my life.  I watched other parents and played out numerous “what if…?” scenarios in my mind.

Eventually I had to recognize, if I was truly going to be honest with myself, that this commitment was not something I was willing to pursue.  I have no doubt that I could, and would (another choice there), make a reasonable go of it if forced to – but taking responsibility for a child was not something I would voluntarily fully commit to.  Furthermore, I feel very strongly that supporting and guiding a living, growing human being is far, far too important not to be fully committed to.  Let me unequivically state that again:

I believe that people who are not fully committed to the responsibilities involved in raising a child have no business having one.

And so, as I would expect any responsible, principled human being honest enough to come to this realization about themselves to do, I acknowledged that I should not have children.  I made my choice, and I heartily encourage more potential parents to make theirs.

• Why Parents Hate Parenting (via Flutterby) – An excellent article exploring various studies around personal happiness, reward and having children.

• Is Being Childfree By Choice Selfish? from Redbook.
  • And a response to the question, from Shakesville.

• Wikipedia’s entry for Childfree.

Ever since I first heard of Maker Faire I’ve wanted to go.  And this year I finally remembered in time to convince the wife to buy tickets and make plans.  (Okay, I didn’t remember on my own – somebody on Twitter mentioned they’d ordered their tickets and that reminded me.)

What is Maker Faire? Everyone I’ve mentioned it to in my off-line life has asked me this question (which is a sad reminder that I’m probably not where I should be, but that’s another post…) Unfortunately, it can be a very difficult thing to describe:  Maker Faire is where people show off things they’ve… uh… made.  Doesn’t explain much, does it?  If you’re not already in the mindset, it can be really tough to explain it.

Maker Shed is where you can buy various kits, books, etc.

Maker Faire is a seasonal celebration spawned by MAKE Magazine.  MAKE provides information, tips, instruction, etc. for the do-it-yourself (or DIY) community.  Who are they, you ask?  According to my friend Dan, we used to call them hobbyists.  Makers are tinkerers, builders and craftspeople.  They question.  They experiment.  In short, they make things.  Things you’ve never imagined – or maybe ones you have, but might not have known how to create.

This carousel is powered by people on bicycles near the central hub.

The maker community believes in sharing not only these creations, but their passion and experiences as well.  Maker Faire includes talks on everything from how to create costumes to tips on taking apart a telephone.  There are large hands-on booths where enthusiasts of all ages can learn how to solder and/or wire simple electronic devices.  Robots, model rockets, human-powered carousel rides, flaming sculptures, cameras dangling from kites, bacon throw-pillows, latex masks – all are part of Maker Faire.

We had a great time on our first trip to the Faire, and hope to bring friends with us the next time we go.  I encourage you to check out the pictures and videos we took while there.  And more than that:  Get out there and MAKE SOMETHING

More Maker Faire posts by other people:

• Maker Faire 2010, by CoJoVo

Today, I took mild exception to a friend’s status update which read, “The only man a girl can truly trust is her daddy.“  I’ve seen this line fairly frequently over the years, weaving in and out of our culture.  I have no idea where it originates (although other commenters seemed to believe it came from the movie Urban Cowboy, which I haven’t seen).  What I do know, or at least believe, is that this statement is yet another example of these societal beliefs we toss around without thinking about the deeper impact they have.  In this case the statement/belief is particularly damaging to relationships between men and women.  Let’s take a closer look at what is being said – both explicitly and implicitly:

• Girls/women should always trust their fathers.  (Even if they’re abusive?)
• Women cannot trust their husbands, boyfriends, partners, male friends, etc.  (More fuel for the gender war!)
• Women need the protection of their fathers, which further implies
  • Women are second-class citizens / not as good as men.
  • Men/boys don’t need protecting.  (Making them superior to women/girls.)
  • Perhaps mothers aren’t sufficient protection?

Yes, yes, I know what you’re thinking; “Shawn, this one sentence doesn’t say all that!“  Not alone it doesn’t, and not in the absence of other social forces.  But think about how often you’ve heard this line, or ones like it.  Think about who was saying it and the context around it.  Think about all the other stresses and pressures that exist between the genders.  Taken all together, this one sentence becomes representative of an idea that has become a societal “Truth”:  That women are mentally and/or emotionally weak and easily taken advantage of.  That daddies (i.e. males) take care of women.  These ideas do a disservice to both men and women, not to mention how damaging they can be the relationships between them.

Please note that none of what I’ve written here is intended to cast a shadow on whatever your own relationship may, or may not, be with your father (or mother – or husband or wife).  My friend tells me she has a wonderful relationship with her dad, and I believe her.  Really.  I am extremely happy for her in this regard.  The concern I’m expressing here though has to do with how societal pressures and perceived “Truths” impact our psychological development – both individually and as a society.

Books unpacked and on their shelves

The latest of this work has been getting the Library set up so its boxes could finally be unpacked.  We opted for a nice, soft brown on the walls – to evoke that cozy library feel.  It also goes nicely both with the naturally-colored Billy bookcases and our furniture from the old apartment (where we’d also painted the living room brown).  Most recently, we’ve discussed going with a steampunk theme for this room, but we haven’t made a final decision yet.

You can see more pictures at our new House – 1st Year photo album.  I’ll be adding additional pictures to this album as the year goes by, so check back periodically.  Or, better yet, subscribe to my FriendFeed, which lets you know whenever I upload new pictures, say something on Twitter or Facebook, post a new article here or pretty much do anything online.

Not to be outdone, the Office has also been undergoing further improvements.  The final hutch that was on back-order came in, was assembled by my wonderful handy-wife and added to the desk.  I also managed to finally get the shelving installed in the Office closet – despite several destroyed screws and much gnashing of teeth.  Network wiring is still an ongoing effort, but one more foray into the attic should wrap up the upstairs.

In other house news:

• The in-ceiling surround-sound speakers have been hooked up and appear to be working well.
• We’ve got various landscapers coming by this week and next to discuss options, designs, etc. for the back, side and maybe front yards.

Okay, it’s actually been “done” for awhile now.  And, as usual, this post is (much) later than promised.  Sorry about that.  The hope is that I’ll be able to be more responsive as we get the technical hub of the house up to speed.

Office mural and Katrina's desk

So… the wall mural, hardwood flooring, and corner-to-corner (to-corner-to-corner) desks are all in.  It’s been quite the adventure, but we’re very happy with how things turned out, and that we were able to do all that we wanted.  We’re definitely a technological household and this room will quickly become the command centre driving the many other enhancements we have planned.

I’m still struggling with getting all the network and TV cabling to the rest of the house, but it is getting done.  Almost all of the wiring is in place for the upstairs with only the outlets left to do.  (One more trip into the attic will take care of the remaining two drops.)

Despite the horrible lighting and ugly painter's tape, this gives a reasonable view of my desk.

Shelving and a final, back-ordered hutch (which is now in) are the next tasks on the Office to-do list. All the parts are here for the shelves, but the screws I grabbed as an after-thought are too soft in the head (pun intended) and keep stripping out. I would’ve run down to get better ones by now, but a nasty flu has kept me from doing much more than laying near comatose around the house.

After 7 days of that, I’m finally feeling much better and back in the saddle.

Stairwell all painted - by professional painters

The picture at the right does a horrible job of showing the colors (a bluish-gray on the walls and a baby-blue on the ceiling), but it does an excellent job of demonstrating why we paid somebody else to get up an a ladder and paint it.  Originally spec’d to take two days, they managed it in one (in part thanks to the quick-drying paint we use).  They did the ceiling of the entire stairwell and landing – which will be the Library – and the walls within and around the stairwell.  We’ll paint the rest of the walls a soft brown, and we’re thinking to decorate with a steampunk theme.

The one-day finish worked out well, as the painters weren’t able to come on Monday due to a communication mix-up with the holidays.  The original plan would’ve had them splitting their days to finishing on Wed., as we’d scheduled the flooring install for Tuesday.  The flooring wasn’t without it’s scheduling mishaps either, unfortunately:  The installer “forgot” and didn’t get our appointment transferred to his “new calendar”.  I guess it’s a good thing I called him then.  He did manage to grab a co-worker and make the appointment, but they were here until after dark getting it done.

The picture below shows the new bamboo floor in the Office.  You can also see the prepped cable we’ve been pulling up to the attic, and then down through the walls, on the right.  To the left are the cables that have already been pulled, and a bit of the mural that fills that wall.  (The doorway is to the left of the mural.)

Office floor with network cables ready to pull through the walls

• Another Apple TV.
• Some AirTunes hubs – for piping iTunes to any stereo in the house.
• A small, low-power MythTV front-end.
• A Roku box – for Revision3, Amazon Video On Demand, TWiT.tv, etc. content.
• A Chumby (or a few) – streaming music receivers and nifty little 3.5″ windows into the Interwebs.
• A kitchen PC – we’re currently considering this MSI all-in-one with a touchscreen (on an articulated arm mount).

We already have:

• One AppleTV, which has become our primary means of obtaining and watching TV shows.
• A MythTV server (which has been dormant since the move – waiting for the Movie Room to get set up).
• The AppleTV/iTunes remote app for the iPhone/iPod Touch, with which we can control any iTunes library on the local network – without leaving the beanbag.
• Some additional devices which can detect and make use of media servers on the local network.

If you can recommend any other gadgets and/or have suggestions, advice, tips, etc. please share in the comments