the writing and photography of Neil Kramer

Action

You might not think it is a big deal that I changed my template today, but those who know me, know the truth. I am neurotic about stuff like this. I created my last template and header on March 7, 2005, my first day of blogging, and it has remained the same ever since. I know this design isn’t the greatest, and I might fiddle with it some more, or even change it completely. But I acted. I am very slow to change, to take action.

I was on my back for three days. Stress had knocked me out. Today was turning into another lousy day. My iphone died. Sophia’s laptop got a virus. The aide staying with Sophia’s FIL is quitting (our second!), leaving us having to find another person we can trust. When I finally stood up from the bed and stretched my back, I felt a lot better, but creaky, like the Tin Man. But no Wizard of Oz for me. I wanted to take action, on my own. I wasn’t sure in what way. I thought of deleting Twitter. But that would be a cop-out — a negative action, not one about change, tinged with the flames of creativity, dusted with the grains of confidence.

“I’m gonna fucking change my blog template today after five years of looking at that same header!” I said.

Now onto the next thing.

58 Comments

  1. nic @mybottlesup

    fuck yes. good on you, neil. stretch your legs and get comfy in your new space. you certainly deserve it.

  2. flutter

    and away we go

  3. mary

    I truly hope you don’t delete your Twitter. You make me laugh daily, even if I don’t always say something. Yes, I’m being selfish but wanting you to stay. 🙂

  4. Genie

    I love the header. Good to see your handsome face.

  5. Busy Mom

    I like it!

  6. Kim

    I love it, why not a bit of change. You know what they say about moving forward and all that.

    And I agree, don’t leave Twitter! You make me smile everyday, and that is a rare event for me some days.

  7. Sizzle

    I am proud of you. Onward!

  8. ChurchPunkMom

    Hell yeah, Neil. Hell yeah.

  9. Rima

    Lookin’ good, Neil.

    You could never quit Twitter, right? Right?

  10. V-Grrrl @ Compost Studios

    And now it’s time to change your underwear. And shave.

    Just don’t change your number. : )

  11. All Adither

    Nice work. I’ll try not to grieve the bow tie.

  12. TRO

    I like it.

  13. drlori71

    I think the new header makes your blog more personal – I like it.
    As for you quitting Twitter, my guess is that you’d be back within a month 🙂

  14. psychomom

    Looks like that little boy has grown into a man. I feel like a proud mama and you’re not even my little son of a bitch. I vote you keep tweeting.

  15. amanda

    Nice. You’ll have to tell us what you can see from that vantage way up top 🙂

  16. Karl

    Rock on, dude. Looks good. And that’s a great photo of you.

  17. tiff

    That’s terrific! I did like the old one, but this seems more….you.

  18. WhyMommy

    Glad you’re up and around again!

    I can’t see your template since I’m on the mobile version of your site, but I can’t wait to see it when I’m back at my desk!

  19. Mik

    Looking very nice around here.

  20. Chris

    I like it! I’m glad you’re still “Citizen Of The Month”, because… well, you are. Fiddle with it if you want, but it’s easy on the eyes the way it is.

  21. abbersnail

    Wow!!! It looks great, and I’m completely impressed.

  22. peach

    waaaaayyyyy better with this header. seems more your style and adds some flavor.

  23. Headless Mom

    I like it! Change looks good on you.

  24. Mamie

    My, my… Look at you with your bold moves. I lurve that pic.

  25. Twenty Four At Heart

    I like it! A lot! And it makes me wonder … would very many women put their own photo in their header? I think not – I think most of us are far too self conscious about how we look.

  26. Not Fainthearted

    Looks good, Neil. See! Change can be fun!
    p.s. I’ll be interested to know if the commentluv plugin works for you. I might re-activate it!

  27. Jane

    I like the new design very much. It’s clean and inviting. And I’m really really surprised that you made the switch. Maybe all it takes to initiate change is a minor trauma. 🙂

  28. Jack

    Damn, just when I got used to the old look you changed it. 😉

  29. Juli Ryan

    I still can’t believe that you actually did it.

  30. Piper of Love

    Upgrade! xo

  31. Teebo

    Totally love it. ‘Bout time.

  32. giftsofthejourney (Elizabeth Harper)

    I like the new look too although the old one did make me think interesting thoughts in a sort of Dick & Jane book way. I’m not sure why now as I can barely remember it except for the Dick & Jane piece.

    I’m not sure that will make sense to anyone but me. It’s still early here in the UK and I’m only on my second cup of coffee so …

  33. 3boys1mommy

    Is guy on ladder the c.o.m or did you land a construction job? … I guess what I’m trying to say is I don’t care for guy on ladder 😉 but I’m glad you’re embracing change.

  34. SciFi Dad

    Nice work.

    If you get stuck with something and need a hand, let me know.

  35. Alexa

    It looks lovely. It’s hard to stagger back up when events keep smacking you down, but you’re doing it. Hang in there.

  36. Jody

    I love the new design! Plus now I can see when I am typing – the comment block is so big – love, love, love it. I know you and Sophia are under alot of stress these days but please remember you both need to take care of yourselves too! Change is good – I grew my hair for Locks of Love (11 inches) and now I my hair is short for the long, hot summer we are having here in Atlanta. I feel like a new person. Take a walk, breathe the wonderful LA air (on a smog free day that is), have a new kind of coffee at a different coffeehouse, smile at a stranger, drive slow on purpose, and just be good to yourself so that you can be there for others. Peace out! :>)

  37. Tara R.

    The new design looks great. Very classy.

  38. Finn

    I like it. Doing something, anything is always good. Change can be very good.

    Onward!

  39. gorillabuns

    i like it! i think the dude on the ladder means you are a work in progress. no?

  40. Philly Jewish Amy

    Looks good! (always did)

  41. Neil

    The dude on the ladder is symbolic of me being handy around the house, because I know chicks did that.

  42. Neil

    And the bigger font makes it easier for my mother and her friends to read it without their glasses.

  43. schmutzie

    I likes!

  44. Marinka

    Love it. It’s very you.

  45. jen

    love the new look, and don’t delete your twitter!

  46. Caitlin

    Meh, lame.

    Just kidding, of course. I like it, Neil! You’ve been going through a lot – it’s got to feel good to have some positive change in your life, even if it’s something small.

  47. scott

    I like it. It’s clean and the colors are good. And that picture, as I believe I’ve told you before, looks like a shot from the opening montage of SNL. I can hear Don Pardo saying, “Neeeeeeil Krrrrraaaaaaameeeer!”

    Hello, Neil.

  48. Neil

    Scott, I remember you saying that! That’s why I put up this one rather than the one where I look pale and unshaven, like I usually do.

  49. Nancy

    Change is good.

    This looks great. It’s nice to see the real “you” top and center.

    As it should be.

    Hope things get better for you, Sophia and your FIL soon.

  50. Danny

    That’s a great photo, where was it taken? I haven’t changed my banner in a million years, it was traumatic enough to change the name of my blog after a year (I still hate it but can’t bear to change it again). Being a fellow neurotic, I DO understand why it was such a big deal for you to change your template. Mazel tov!

  51. Karen Maezen Miller

    You look all growed up.

  52. Miguelina

    I loooooove it!

  53. Theresa in Fairbanks

    Big deal! Biiiiiig deal! BFD!
    And I like it.

  54. Bec

    Very sophisticated!

  55. Gwen

    Baby steps, Neil. And careful on that ladder. You could hurt your back again.

  56. WebSavvyMom

    –>I think it looks great. I changed mine recently too and set it up so I can just keep changing the header as I feel like it. Change is good.

  57. annah

    I really likie the glassees. Intellectual

  58. Susannah

    I’m loving the new look – good move! x

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