Thursday 15 September 2011

There's Little Doubt In My Mind - Announcement

Dear Reader,

Upon nearing the conclusion of my first week of school it is obvious I won't have the extra time and attention required to devote to my blog for the next 8 months.

I say this with regret as I do enjoy telling stories and sharing myself in the various ways I have found to do so here on these blog pages.

The fulltime, on-line Technical Writer certificate program from Algonquin College in Ottawa is going to demand more of me than I had reckoned on.  But, in the final analysis, this is a good thing because it is going to sharpen my writing skills and my critical faculties even more than I imagined as well as familiarize me with new software programs which will broaden my ability, and my opportunities, to publish my work.

I have already discovered that my Program Coordinator (and my Prof. for 3 out of my 4 courses this semester) is warm, accessible, supportive and hugely qualified to be in her position and she has already made a positive impact on me.  I am so thankful for Mary.

She has assured me the successful completion of this program will increase my chances of making my writing more marketable across the board and not just in the technical writing field.  This is the best possible news because as much as I love to write as tightly and concisely as I possibly can I would rather, for instance, do this as a columnist than as a software documentation creator.

The other thing I have to feel thankful for is the fact I know my way around computers as well as I do because the on-line classroom environment takes some getting used to.  It is fairly wide and deep which makes it pretty darn cool as well as a challenge to learn how to smoothly navigate without missing anything important.

All in all, it's a trade off.  I am trading off 95% of my free-time for the next 8 months (taking with it my opportunity to do a lot of things I enjoy, including blogging) to create a future for myself which will include less physical stress on my arms and the opportunity to work well past the usual age of retirement doing something I love.  I will sorely miss my free time but it is a sacrifice I must make, and am prepared to make, for my greater good.

If you followed me here from The Fiddleguy's Place website I sincerely thank you.  I hope I have made the change in your routine worth your while in the short time I have been here.

And, if the spirit moves me, I may occasionally post "Illustrated Haikus" as they may prove to be an effective antidote to the words, words and more words I will be producing "on demand" while I am in school.

But, largely, this is "good-bye" for the next 8 months and, depending on the circumstances I find myself in then, it may be "good-bye" to this blog altogether.

Time will tell.

Sincerely and with appreciation,
Ava