Disqus - Latest Comments for ctmiller

Re: How Redesigning My Website Made Me Hate the Web

Chris Miller — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 23:11:00 -0000

Patrick, what you are saying mirrors many of my thoughts after wrestling with my output for the last few years. I am glad to see I am not the only one feeling this way. Thank you for explaining your thinking.

Re: The Dishonest Library

Chris Miller — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:37:02 -0000

Greg...I like that idea of writing reactions to books. Capturing the memory even if getting rid of the book. I might steal that from you.

Re: Be the OCD You Were Meant to Be | NEOtropolis

Chris Miller — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:29:22 -0000

This is a subject that fascinates me. After watching how social groups gather on the Internet (BBSes to MUSH/MOO/MUDS to Chat Rooms to Second Life), it does make me wonder if people feel that home is their house/apartment, or some other more nebulous place...more of a state of mind. Thanks for taking on the topic.

Re: Why I’m Quitting Social Media

Chris Miller — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 10:34:14 -0000

Justin,

You give voice to many of my own thoughts. I've been wresting with similar issues of late, and it is refreshing to see another person who has invested serious time in the blog/social/podcast/video arena have the stones follow their instincts and take a new path. I wish you the best of luck, and look forward to hearing what you decide to share about the road.

All the best,
Chris

Re: Inspiration Through Perspiration | Christopher T. Miller

Chris Miller — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:52:47 -0000

I always liked the story I've heard attributed to Robert Silverberg about his writing habits. It may be apocryphal. It stated that Silverberg would write for eight hours a day, just like any other working stiff. Because it was his job. Looking at his success, I think there is a lesson there, beyond the simple assumption of talent.

Re: Inspiration Through Perspiration | Christopher T. Miller

Chris Miller — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:52:14 -0000

Makes perfect sense. I've missed most of Merlin's latest podcast. I like him, but as much as I like what he has to say, I find him distracting. I think that's only natural, because I have my mind on X, and the show will be about Y. If I switch to Y, I lose X for 2d20+1 weeks.

But I'm glad we agree. :)

Re: Vim On Android - Bounty Offered | Christopher T. Miller

Chris Miller — Tue, 24 May 2011 13:04:11 -0000

I'm checking out those services. Both have time limits which makes me a little wary, since I'm not sure how soon we will be awarding the prize. However, unless pledgie starts behaving, I might have no other choice.

Re: Vim On Android - Bounty Offered | Christopher T. Miller

Chris Miller — Sun, 22 May 2011 23:44:48 -0000

Good idea, Derick. It looks like their site is down right now, but when it comes back I will set one up. Stay tuned...

Re: When Is a Goal Not a Goal?

Chris Miller — Mon, 16 May 2011 15:49:18 -0000

Justin:

You hit upon something that I've been discussing with some friends of late. I've found the most goals come down the following:

1) Things I MUST do (work for money, fix the leaky plumbing, etc)
2) Things I WANT to do (write a book, run a marathon, etc)
3) Things I WANT TO HAVE DONE, OR BE THE SORT OF PERSON WHO HAS DONE THEM (read all of Shakespeare's plays, etc)

The best way I can thing to illustrate these is that, for the longest time, I've kept books in my library which I will probably never read. I tell myself that I want to read them, but the reality is, I want people to think that I am the sort of person who reads those sorts of books. Once I realized that, once I was honest with myself, I got rid of those books, and the weight of my own unrealistic expectations was lifted.

Goals are the same sort of thing. Realistic, honest goals are powerful things. Goals that are about someone that you think you should be, or you should do, are almost always doomed to failure in my experience.

Simple goals are usually anything but, and that's the real challenge. There is a lot tied up in saying "I want to write a book about X." From that simple statement cascades a series of actions which, by necessity, will change the way you need to live your life. Goals are not merely a to do list. If they mean something, they change you at your core. Such things should not be taken lightly or trivially. Learning to recognize the difference between a series a goals and a simple to-do list is essential.

Re: Interview With The Command Line | Christopher T. Miller

Chris Miller — Fri, 06 May 2011 15:22:13 -0000

That's a great idea for an essay, Dave. Let me ruminate on it and see what I come up with.

Re: Confessions of a Content Farm Hand

Chris Miller — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:41:00 -0000

Excellent article, Andrew. I remember watching the process evolve, and being both amazed and then disheartened by the results. Here's hoping others can learn from your cautionary tale.

Re: What I Would Tell You | Christopher T. Miller

Chris Miller — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:56:47 -0000

I'm glad that it helped...please feel free to pass it on. :)

Re: What I Would Tell You | Christopher T. Miller

Chris Miller — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:14:28 -0000

I'm glad you liked, and I'm glad it can help someone out. Thanks for reading. :)

Re: Conventions | Christopher T. Miller

Chris Miller — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:02:19 -0000

You're right, Mike. I went to PyOhio last year and enjoyed it. I'll have to add it to the list.

Re: R.I.P. Borders | Christopher T. Miller

Chris Miller — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:51:56 -0000

Matt...you could be correct. My memories are of the time when we were prettying up the store because we were up for sale. Not long after that, we were bought by Kmart. I remember the transition. It's possible that Kmart put us public again later, as well. Either way, it spelled the end of the Borders we knew.

Re: R.I.P. Borders | Christopher T. Miller

Chris Miller — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 13:47:31 -0000

I'm going by the information in the Wall Street Journal: "Borders will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, close between 150 and 250 of its 500 superstores and 165 smaller stores and lay off thousands of its 19,500 employees, the Wall Street Journal reported."

Re: A little self love is never wrong

Chris Miller — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:27:14 -0000

I'm still working on this. I have a little Nazi in my head that reminds me that I Have Something Else I Should Be Doing, and one of the major tasks in my life right now is to find a way to shut him up. However, when I am able to do so, I usually spend time writing or reading. I'm a pretty passive fellow when indulging myself.

Re: The Baristas: Episode Two – Mister Fix-It

Chris Miller — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 07:43:46 -0000

Ye gods. Nicely done! I laughed out loud at a couple of points...Chase is an awesome foil to the rest of the cast.

Re: To My Friends in Los Angeles | Christopher T. Miller

Chris Miller — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:05:21 -0000

Frostbite builds character, eh?

Re: To My Friends in Los Angeles | Christopher T. Miller

Chris Miller — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:04:58 -0000

True, but I am sick to death of winter. I'd give a whole lot for 64 degrees and sunny right now. Much to their gloating satisfaction.

Re: In A Wash of Sound and Soul | Christopher T. Miller

Chris Miller — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 09:19:20 -0000

It was, indeed, Kevin. Thanks!

Re: In A Wash of Sound and Soul | Christopher T. Miller

Chris Miller — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 09:18:31 -0000

I'm glad you enjoyed the piece. I was going for something evocative, and based on feedback, I might have achieved it.

Re: In A Wash of Sound and Soul | Christopher T. Miller

Chris Miller — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 09:17:32 -0000

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!

Re: The Baristas: Episode One – The Favor

Chris Miller — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 22:36:55 -0000

Nice work, folks! Looking forward to the next episode!

Re: What Happens Next?

Chris Miller — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:37:05 -0000

Earl,

I dig your expansion on the idea, and the examples you cite in how you have worked before. I have never been very good at asking myself these sorts of questions, but the more I do it, the more I realized that this is the only way I'm going to find the answers I want from my creative urges. It's the exploration which is fascinating....it's tempting to stop with the initial idea, but to really get something good, we need to go Socratic and question every angle.

Thanks for covering the new tool, as well. I've had other folks make the same suggest...that it's a teaching/learning tool and not just a writer's tool. I agree. In fact, some folks where I work want to use it develop suer stories for software development. More power to them.