And It’s Hello From Him

"Procrastination is like masturbation. At first it feels good, but in the end you’re only screwing yourself."

I was just taking a quick look at my Squidoo homepage and couldn't believe that I actually joined the site back in December, 2008. I was sure it was only about six months ago, but it goes to show how quickly time goes by when you procrastinate.

So, with my partner in crime on hiatus, I've decided to procrastinate no more. I have now joined the coffee slurping, hunched over a keyboard gang for real! My wife has always urged me to do some work on Squidoo and she even transferred some of her, shall we say, less successful lenses to my account for me to work on. I did mess around with them for a while, but time became a factor and, to be honest, I guess I lost interest.

Recent events, however, have seen me become much more involved with Squidoo, and it has quickly become my caffeine rush on the 'net. Suddenly, I am getting the buzz that obviously got my wife hooked, and over recent weeks, it has been reeling me into shore. Time is still a factor, but I'm hoping to work smarter this time around.

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." William Penn.

I still don't have any lenses of my own published, but I have two that I am still working on. I'm hoping to get them published fairly soon, but I'm trying to juggle several balls in the air right now. Hitting that publish button will be...no, I can't type that...but let's just say that I will be dragging hard on a cigarette afterwards.

One fantastic offshoot of my slow Squidoo journey was to become involved here at Crabbysbeach. It has allowed me to get back to writing, something I haven't done since I belatedly got my degree four years go. If you have stumbled into either my British Music blog or my Classic Television one, then you will get an inkling as to the direction that most of my lenses will be taking.

"A friend is someone who stays in when the rest of the world has gone out." Mark Twain.

While my involvement with the Squids is still limited, Crabbysbeach has been the catalyst in introducing me to some of the most amazing writers, who have also become my online friends, as well as my encouragement in taking that final step into the warm waters of Squidoo. Now, I just need to swim out a little further and get my tentacles really wet!

Swimming that vast ocean reminds me of those days when I was at college. Remember the dreaded Public Speaking classes? It was probably the one class when my bowels took on a life of their own. Other body parts seemed to shrivel up and retreat to places unknown, like walking into the cold water of the Atlantic. Looking out at my audience, these almost unknown people and their sea of expectant ears would be my judge and jury. But then I remembered that I was not alone with my fears. In turn, each of them would be standing in my shoes and probably experiencing the same feelings.

As time went on, that experience became communal and, as a result, we became more at ease and friendships were formed. Constructive criticism initiated increasing self confidence in what we were trying to achieve. My hope is that my journey through Squidoo will have the same impact, as I get to know more of the talented lensmasters and writers here at Crabbysbeach.

Over the past week or so, I have noticed a swell of activity at Crabbysbeach. Some familiar faces, but many that are new to me. So, I thought it would be the ideal time to approach the podium - having taken an Imodium - and bid you a friendly hello.

"When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things." Joe Namath.