Daily Prompt: Bloggers, Unplugged

photo credit: nige_mar via flickr CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0

Sometimes, we all need a break from these little glowing boxes. How do I know when it’s time to unplug? What do I do to make it happen? I know when it’s time to unplug from my computer when one or more of these practical situations arise (in no particular order of urgency):

I’m running low on ideas for blog posts.
The creative juices for stirring prose and poetry are just not flowing during my waking hours, and even the WordPress Daily Prompts and Weekly Challenges are not prompting me enough (I know, shocking, eh?)

photo credit: jimflix! via flickr CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0

The weather is just too nice outside to stay in.
Beautiful blue skies are tempting to me make the most of the day, to boost my endorphin levels, and necessitate my getting off my keister for just a few minutes to inhale fresh air. Even if it’s in the dead of winter.

An earthquake of a major magnitude has just happened. It’s a good idea to leave the house or any other building where the question of its earthquake-proofness is questionable. Vancouver has been overdue for “the big one” for the last twenty-odd years.

photo credit: Lemsipmatt via flickr CC-BY-SA 4.0

Perish the thought, but the Internet connection has just gone down, and/or the neighbourhood has suffered a power outage that will last for quite a while. Probably as a result of the earthquake mentioned in the above situation, or some other unfortunate mishap. In the winter, that means “Get out of the house and to the nearest mall or Starbucks so I won’t freeze for the next 6-9 hours!”

Sandman’s efforts to put me to sleep finally work.
A situation that cannot be explained, especially in light of my leading an alcohol-free, caffeine-light, drug-free, and smoke-free existence.

1.5-3 hours of social obligations come calling.
Usually in the form of friends who want to go fishing or bowling, with an accompanying request for a somewhat presentable appearance on my part.

photo credit: monteregina via flickr CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0

The lawn is knee-high in green grass.
The grass won’t mow itself, and I need the exercise.

There are more leaves on the lawn than grass.
The litter won’t pick itself up, and I need the exercise.

The snow drifts outside make it impossible to open the door. You get the general idea … and I need the exercise. It’s not a bad idea to start before the fluffy white stuff freezes overnight and becomes unpleasantly heavy with ice and water. And, building a snowman gives me ideas for another blog post.

And most important of all: It’s Christmas Day! Time to be friendly, spend quality time with the family, exchange gifts, yadda yadda yadda. 🙂

I usually don’t have to “make anything happen.” The situations above present the appropriate exit strategy, which, to borrow a euphemism, is like the proverbial lighting of a match on my keister.

Related articles

• Daily Prompt: Bloggers, Unplugged (dailypost.wordpress.com)