The Day I was Back for Realz This Time
Added at 8:06pm and filed under Geek Speak, Offline, awesome, family, go me, health, travel, updates, wordpress
Why, hello you! No, this isn’t a mirage or a sick, sick joke – it really is me, updating and everything! Come on in! How have you been in the zillions of months since we last spoke?
There are loads of reasons I haven’t updated, but none are particularly satisfactory, unfortunately. I suppose the main reason is that I got sick of self-editing; too many real-life people have this URL, and whilst I’ve never been anyone but myself in the confines of this journal, it does make it a tad more difficult to slag someone off when you know they’re probably reading. I also got a bit bummed at the lack of comments, and I’d become aware that my entries weren’t particularly engaging – which potentially explained the former fact, of course. So I took some time off, worked on other stuff whilst, as always, balancing my clients, too. (Work has slowed right down in the last six months or so, but I still have just enough dripping in to keep me ticking up. Just). I also, finally, finished up SHH.com in July which was not only a fucking miracle, but also infinitely satisfying, too.
And then, a few months back, I got an idea for a new layout. It’s so hard to work on something for yourself when you have to design to order (I don’t think it’s just me – lots of other designers seem to say the same thing) so this nugget of an idea took me by surprise, quite honestly. So I mulled it over a bit and half-heartedly opened Photoshop and then, a few weeks later – voila! A brand new look. (Hit the link to reload the theme if you’re still seeing an existing layout, BTW).
So, I’m hoping that the new look inspires me. My last theme had been up for three years – THREE BLOODY YEARS – but, unfortunately for you lot, I really liked it (I still do, actually!), so I wasn’t ever particularly motivated to change it. But the code was aging and there was little scope to include new stuff like Twitter updates etc., so I went back to the drawing board. What you see now is the sum of several months worth of chopping and changing but I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out and am glad that I took my time with it, even if the WP loop utterly kicked my ass for a while there.
It’s not perfect; known issues include a weird footer FUBAR in Opera on OSX (bizarre – usually Opera renders EXACTLY the same as FireFox) and a bizarre header misalignment in IE6. I could get sanctimonious and say that it’s a deprecated browser that was crap to begin with, let alone now in 2009, and insist that people using IE6 should REALLY get with the times and update. But since 40ish% of you guys seems to still be using it, I did go through and hack as best I could to make it legible. So whilst it’s readable, it’s not ideal and I will go back to it with fresh eyes. (And no, I’m not too proud as to refuse help. If any of you wish to take a peek at my CSS and suggest where you think I’m going wrong, please do!). Update 30/11/09: BALLS. There’s a header error in IE7, too, according to my work PC (even though it’s okay on my PC laptop at home – must be due float class and the screen resolution?). Have obviously arsed up some coding somewhere. Anyone got any ideas?? I think I’ve fixed the error now(?). I only have access to IE6 and IE7, the latter of which is stuck at a shitty resolution so may still be telling me all in a-ok when it’s not, but I’ve gone back to the code and think I found and fixed the error. Please let me know if you’re on IE and still having problems!
Otherwise I’ve tested it on FireFox (PC and Mac), Safari (Mac) and IE7 (PC) and I think everything is okay besides a stray code sitting expectantly on my links page that I can’t remove as it has something to do with WP’s auto-listing of links. I don’t have access to IE8 or Chrome (which is still PC only – boo), so please do let me know if you’re having problems viewing on those platforms – just drop me a comment and I’ll try to fix the place up. :) In the meantime, please be patient if things go screwy but do let me know if you think you’ve stumbled across something I missed!
Site aside, I’m doing pretty good. We – and by that, I mean all three of us – have just come back from a long weekend in New York City, which was – as always – thoroughly awesome. I started my MSc last month and while I’m crapping myself and struggling to find the time to do all the reading, I am enjoying my first module. Work is . . . well, work is work, but let’s cover that in a passworded entry another time (there’ll be more passworded entries – I’ve decided it’s the only way I can still write here without stressing about who’s reading it). I’ve shifted almost 40lbs since this time last year, which I’ve managed to do whilst balancing my desire to be thinner at the same time as never fully restricting myself. I don’t go hungry and I’m doing my best to be a little more active and it all seems to be working right now. Keep your fingers crossed I can keep it up! Sam lost his first tooth, and then promptly lost another. He also went through a horrible spell of being picking on in school where I’d never felt as helpless as a mother as I did right then. I think it’s mostly settled now, but it was a shitty time and one I hope never to experience again. Kids are so fucking mean sometimes. But otherwise I still completely love being his Mum and spend all the time we’re apart wishing that we weren’t. Heh. He amazes me every day and I’m so, so proud of the little boy he’s become.
Let’s see – what else? I’ve also picked up a writing gig at aeropause.com, a kick-ass site by gamers for gamers, and I’m loving every second of it. I went to the Eurogamer Expo in London last month and even though I went alone and was gawped at most of the time I was there (thirty-something blonde gals don’t really fix the gamer stereotype) I had a riot. Look out for Bayonetta and Heavy Rain – they rock.
So . . . yeah. I’m back. I’m sorry I disappeared. It wasn’t cool to up and leave like that, I know that I’ll regret this in years to come; my journal has always been about me and for me, and the moment I started worrying about other people was the moment I backed the hell off. I’ll now have five-month gap where I won’t know what happened, and all because I’m a prat. Pft.
Anyway, that’ll do for now. If you think I’ve missed something critical do feel free to drop me a question in the comments and I’ll bring you up to speed!
Comments: (15)
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On 29 November, 2009 at 8:18 pm, Meggan said:
VIXX OMG HI! I missed you! I actually was just looking at your site yesterday wistfully wondering when you would post again and then I got a surprise today!
While I’m sad that you disappeared for a while, I’m glad you got things sorted and feel okay about being back. The site looks awesome!!!
Since you asked, I have been doing pretty well since you’ve been gone. Thank you for your comments on my baby entries – the SPD one was so helpful and I am definitely looking into that.
I hope you had a good time in NYC and I’m so glad you’re back! (I also want to pre-request a password if you do have any pw protected entries, if that’s cool.)
On 29 November, 2009 at 8:32 pm, Laurie said:
Ooooh. very pretty. welcome back. :)
On 29 November, 2009 at 10:21 pm, Vixx said:
Glad to have helped, Meggan. I struggled for months, honestly thinking that everyone had it – so thought it might be helpful to mention it, even if it’s just to rule it out! And thanks for my welcome back – made my day. :)
Thanks, Laurie. Have linked you!
V xx
On 29 November, 2009 at 11:01 pm, Whitney said:
HIIII Welcome back!
I’m digging the new layout and I’m glad you had a nice time in NYC. I’ve found I’m in the same situation you are there are things I want to write about but I often censor myself because I’m either embarrassed or don’t want accusations or questions from some people I know IRL.
It’s nice to read your posts again :)
On 30 November, 2009 at 12:32 am, Claire said:
Loving the design – a nice, fresh departure from your signature style, but still plenty of “you” to make it comfortingly familiar.
Glad to see you back – writing’s what you do, part of you must have been lost without this place; I’m pleased to hear you’ve regained whatever it was you felt you lost those few months ago.
Welcome back, Lambchop! x
On 30 November, 2009 at 1:23 am, nadine said:
Welcome back! I’ve missed reading your ramblings! I really like your new layout too! :)
On 30 November, 2009 at 4:21 am, Audrey said:
Love the new look. It’s quite different, but very appealing. Glad you’ll be back again! 40 pounds?? That is amazing! Good for you. (:
On 30 November, 2009 at 7:24 am, Char said:
OMG For realz! I missed you :) I’m glad to see you back. In all honesty I was worried :/ Since I deleted my Twitter I’ve been all confused, but that’s what I have Facebook for :)
The layout, looks great :)
On 30 November, 2009 at 8:05 am, Ash said:
YAY! Glad to see you’re updating again. :D
That’s wonderful about your weight loss! I’m happy to hear that everything’s working out for you.
I’m in England right now (in a very small/out-in-the-country town called Royston, hehe…). So far I’ve only seen Cambridge, but I only just got in yesterday, so I’m still looking forward to seeing London. Cambridge was beautiful though. :D
On 30 November, 2009 at 9:43 pm, Vixx said:
Aw, thank you everyone! It’s nice to feel missed . . . and even nicer to know people are glad to have you back!
Thanks also for the lovely comments about the layout. Like I said, three years of the same theme is plenty long enough, and I’m glad no-one utterly hates it (so far, anyway …) I *think* I’ve fixed the IE errors (though it’s hard to say for sure until I’m back at my work PC to test).
Ash – hope you’re enjoying the UK! I’ve never heard of Royston, so it must be pretty small lol. Hope you love London as much as I do!
Char – I was wondering where you’d gotten to on Twitter! Glad you haven’t disappeared entirely though.
Claire/Whitney/Nadine/Audrey – thanks so much. I missed you guys, too!
V xx
On 30 November, 2009 at 10:31 pm, Teesee said:
Oooh, shiny new layout. I like it a lot actually. Simple yet pretty – and you can still tell its yours!
Welcome back. I have missed your blogs (and you) but then I haven’t been online much myself to say it. So I’m happy your back and looking forward to reading what you have to say.
Congrats on the writing gig too!
On 1 December, 2009 at 1:04 am, Ash said:
Went to London today and walked around the west end for a few hours. Though when we got back to our car we discovered the window had been smashed open and our friend’s bag had been stolen out of the back of it. :( We parked in a dimly lit area, but there were a couple of shops and cars parked there as well so we figured it was safe. Guess not. :(
Other than that it was lovely. Heh. Love how historical it looks. We plan on going back in a couple of days. :)
On 1 December, 2009 at 11:01 am, Vixx said:
Oh my God, Ash – what a nightmare! On behalf of all British people, I’m sorry! We’re not all so rude. :p
Thanks, Teesee. :D Am intrigued about what you and Claire say about the layout still being ‘mine’ – what am I doing?! lol This is never a deliberate tactic!
V xx
On 1 December, 2009 at 6:26 pm, Teesee said:
Sorry have to quote: Out of mind – out of sight. Keep bags hidden from view next time and us Londoner’s won’t be so tempted… I mean, so rude!
When I say “yours” what I mean is, there are certain colours you use (on my monitor it looks like a beige/off brown colour (heh, sounds disgusting)) and the shadowing down the content column? Little things like that.
On 1 December, 2009 at 9:13 pm, Vixx said:
Yup, it is beiges and browns. Heh. I’m obviously not as daring and cutting edge as I tell myself! :P
V xx