It happens every year in the middle of the August.
Beautiful weather, everyone is outside enjoying that thing called life, and we experience what many call, "The Summer Slow Down."
Being on Xanga and blogging for over a decade I've seen it so often that you can actually plan for it.
It's also a great time to gear things up for the fall and winter. A good time to relaunch sites and tweak them. In short, it's a good time to work behind the scenes while getting ready for when everyone is back to the regular year-round routine.
On a personal note, I've been officially unemployed for about a year and a half. Yep, I don't get paid for doing things on Xanga. My aim on this blog and being a point person for the community is all about, well, the community.
So, while I'm dealing with home repair, getting Autisable back on track and being the husband and father I need to be.... I'm still trying to keep tabs on Xanga. I'm also looking for work.
Since it's been awhile since I've made a Xanga related post - here's one to share while we are in the midst of the summer slow down.
Now, there's a lot going on behind the scenes with the Xanga team. A lot going on with Eugenia and John and Marc. But it's really not my place to share things that I have no permission or direction in sharing. Things that are of a personal nature I leave for each of the xanga team members to share. Things as they relate to Xanga I share after making sure I have it confirmed with John and/or Eugenia.
What I can say is that Eugenia is keeping tabs and following up with e-mails ( at 'help@xanga.net') and is continually helping folks out with their accounts. I can say that Marc is as he's always been with the Team, a bit off to the side while John and everyone else is working on the servers and addressing themes. For the longest time it was Marc who I've been in touch with regarding Autisable's mission and direction.... with some consultation with John.
Some have chided the team, or me for that matter, in leading people in the wrong direction and taking peoples money.
Allow me to share something on this note, while we are in the midst of the summer slow down....
Two years ago we were looking at Xanga completely folding. This means that there would have been absolutely no service for our blogs to remain. By raising funds as a community, we were able to salvage what remains of Xanga, and provide a platform and servers for the site to continue. This has still allowed people, even two years later, to retrieve their archives (for free). It has also allowed anyone with a Xanga account to still either blog on Xanga (for $4 per month) or blog elsewhere. This could not have been possible if it wasn't for everyone helping.
Several people who have lost their loved ones who blogged on Xanga regularly, are still able to seek access to their loved ones accounts. This is something one cannot put a price tag on, and providing a sense of peace in that area of a persons life is very important.
Personally, I still see the ROI of doing $4 per month on Xanga compared to a free wordpress site.
Over the next several months I will be shifting my focus onto Autisable a bit more, as is to be expected.
I'm already working with a good team, and we are collaborating with John and the Xanga team on making Autisable it's own company in the near future. Again, as expected.
That being said, I want to reassure you that I'm still blogging on Xanga, and will still be a community liaison.
I've shared all of our concerns to the Xanga team, specifically to John. It is up to him and the team to respond accordingly.
As things move forward, I'm sure you know that I will keep everyone informed either way.
So as we get close to the end of summer, let's be hopeful of what is to come.
Until later, back to the grind.