For the last week, I've been going to weather sites much more often than is really necessary. To those who would ask, "Is it ever necessary?", I would answer, yes, when a tropical system is bearing down on you, it's necessary to stay updated.
But the Hurricane Center only updates the track projection every six hours. Why, then, did I hop from site to site?
If I wanted to justify my action, I could say that the other weather services update at different hours or I could say that I wanted to see what amateur forecasters were saying. But it's really not that. I just liked feeling updated, plugged in, caught up. And there's more than a whiff of enjoying the possibility of impending apocalypse that's part of my psychology.
Truth be told, I spend a lot of time going to various Internet sites on any given day. I don't usually stay long. But when I need a break, that's what I do.
I stay away from sites that make me angry. I connect with friends and family on social media. I research for inspiration for my writing. I look for ways that others have dealt with issues. I admire the meals of others and think about recipes--and it's the same with other art forms that I enjoy. And I do go to spiritual sites.
Lately, though, my aching back has demanded that I leave the computer. On Tuesday, I was feeling grumpy for all sorts of reasons--primarily because I tried to fix a student issue that I didn't create, but we were all late to discover--and I wasn't appreciated the way I wanted to be. So I left my office for a bit of a walk around the building.
Our building is next to a construction site. While mourning the loss of open space, I have enjoyed watching the construction of the new condo/shopping center complex. So on Tuesday, I went to see the progress. I like being reminded that progress can be made.
Standing at a second floor window, I saw two birds working together to build a nest in the palm tree right outside the window. I stood very still and observed for over 10 minutes. My mood brightened.
If I'm being honest, I'll confess that my Internet zipping rarely leaves me in a brighter mood. It can be hard to avoid content that drags me down. And of course, all that zipping can leave me fragmented.
I need to remember to leave the computer. I need to remember to be on the lookout for creation of all types. And then, let me remember to say a prayer of thanks for all these glimpses of creation in all its glory.
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