Lemming Tracks: The Lemming's Taking a Sabbatical, Sort Of

The Lemming's done time in American academia, and grew up in that subculture: so for the Lemming, a "sabbatical" is what the University of Sussex says it is: "A period of time (usually a term) when a faculty member is not teaching, but concentrating on his/her own education or research."

Sussex is on the other side of the Atlantic, the Lemming isn't a faculty member, and doesn't intend to be gone for a term. For that matter, the Lemming's not going to be doing his own education or research. Not entirely, that is.

But "taking a sabbatical" sounded cooler than "taking a break."

Besides, being the company gopher at a convention isn't exactly "taking a break."

"Company?" What Company?

The Lemming's involved with the company that makes Spiral Light Candles. If a picture's worth a thousand words, this half-size video should be a real time-saver. It's a time-lapse of a Spiral Light Candle - the thing takes about two hours to burn.

"Spiral Self Filling Candle"

(shown half-size: full version at YouTube)
Ryan Theis, YouTube (Oct 12, 2012)
video, 0:19

"A candle that burns around a hollow center and fills itself...."

The Lemming's son-in-law is showing the things at a trade show in Philadelphia next week. Just outside Philadelphia, actually: but the Lemming figures you're more like to know where Philadelphia is, than King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

Besides being the company gopher at the convention trade show, the Lemming's going to be handling streaming video - using software that the Lemming didn't know about last week.

Between getting on speaking terms with a new-to-the-Lemming technology, and miscellaneous other preparations, the Lemming thinks it's best to not try posting in this blog - or the Lemming's other 'daily.' Not for the rest of this week. Or, probably, next week.

Return of the Lemming

The Lemming doesn't know what the trade show schedule will be like - and jobs one and two will be gophering and managing a video feed. So the Lemming will either have opportunities to post from Pennsylvania - or not. Eventually, the Lemming plans and hopes to return to central Minnesota, and the small town he's called home for the last quarter-century.

When that's going to happen? Good question - the Lemming's letting someone else do the heavy lifting with those decisions.

It's Not Research, Quite; or Education, Exactly

Since someone else is doing the driving at least part of the way to Pennsylvania, the Lemming's taking along story notes and sketches - and plans to get a little creative time in. There's a project or two that's been on the 'back burner' for - too long, and the Lemming hopes to change that situation.

And that's another topic.

Not-entirely-unrelated posts:

• "Lemming Tracks: The Lemming's Taking the Day Off - Again"
  (May 4, 2011)
• "Lemming Tracks: The Lemming's Taking the Day Off"
  (May 1, 2011)
• "And Now, for Something Completely Different: a Spiral Candle Video"
  (March 16, 2011)
• "Lemming Tracks: The Lemming is Cutting Back"
  (February 21, 2011)
• "Lemming Tracks: The Lemming Took Monday Off"
  (December 27, 2010)

More about the Catholic Marketing Network Trade Show and me:

• "Catholic Marketing Network Trade Show"
  Starting a Small Business Without Losing My Mind

Blogging With a Purpose: Be it Porpoises, Plating, or Papyri

"What is Your Blogging Purpose?"
Personal Blog of Justin Germino (August 26, 2010)

"Do you know your blogging purpose? Why do you blog, is it a means of self expression and do you do it for yourself or with your audience and readers in mind?

"My biggest mistake when blogging is having too many idea's[!] and not spending enough time to flush them out and create clear 'business plans' for my various blogs...."

This post is intended more for the serious, business-minded blogger, than for folks who like to rattle off a post now and again for the fun of it.

Then there are those who rattle off posts now and again for the fun of it, and are business-minded.

Wherever you are, this is a fairly fast read - and might suggest some ways that you can tighten the focus of your blog.

The Lemming's found that consciously focusing a blog's area of interest helps when writing posts. And seems to help other folks interested.

What about Apathetic Lemming of the North? This is one of the Lemming's most tightly-focused blogs. I only post about stuff that interests me.

---

A tip of the hat to dragonblogger, on Twitter, for the heads-up on his post.

Here's a Different View of Capitalism and All That

If you hate capitalism and believe that America and Japan are oppressing the proletariat, don't read "How tree-Hugging hippies are destroying our environment."

The author has a sense of humor, too.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Why Every Artist Needs a Blog

Kristin Royce's "Artist Blogs: Why Every Artist Needs a Blog How having an artist blog can help you sell more art" discusses artists, exposure, and blogs.

A caution, for those artists who disdain such vulgarities as commercialism, and cast contemptuous glances on those who would stoop to such depths as actually selling one of their precious creations.

This post is for artists who want to sell their work.