Happy 3 years to me, and new blog design coming soon!

The 3rd anniversary of Heartache Into Beauty slipped by quietly this year, just like it did last year.  Happy (very belated) blogiversary to me!  I can't believe I've had this blog for over 3 years!

I know I haven't been posting very much since my last blogiversary, mostly because until recently I've been massively busy at work, leaving me too mentally and physically exhausted at night to work on personal projects.  I've also been struggling really hard with my depression and anxiety this year, which has been killing my motivation to do creative things like blogging.  I haven't even done anything with my new book of shadows, although at least I finally figured out what to call it: it will be my Book of Lore & Craft.  That name resonates so well with me :)

Thankfully, with the shifting weather (and less work craziness) I'm starting to feel my own shifting  - I feel a bit rejuvenated, and my creative impulses are starting to fire again.

I think that positive shift merits some external changes to this blog, especially considering that after 3 years there have been definite changes to what I'm interested in posting about.  I found a spiffy new design that I love, and I'm going to be rolling it out soon - that is, as soon as I figure out how to install an .XML file into my blog layout and customize its features.  Err...  Any advice for a blog design newbie?

I'm also pretty sure I want to change my blog's name.  "Heartache Into Beauty" had a lot of meaning for me back when I started this blog in 2011, but the content and tone of my posts has changed dramatically since then.  Obviously if/when I decide on a new blog name I will post here, there, and everywhere about the new name and any URL changes, etc. that will affect the way you read this blog, so that you can update your feed readers and what have you.

Life After Google Reader

Now that Google Reader is going the way of the Dodo, and Google Friend Connect is rumored soon to follow in its wake, I guess it's time to start exploring alternative ways to follow your favorite blogs.  I think I've settled on Feedly, but there's lots of other good options out there.

I thought I'd compile a quick post to help you figure out how to follow Heartache Into Beauty after the demise of Google Reader.

Bloglovin'
Bloglovin' is a way to follow other blogs and see them all in one place.  It's like a cross between GFC and a feed reader.  With Bloglovin', bloggers claim their blogs on the site, and then people follow them.  It's got a bit more privacy for followers, because as far as I know I can only see how many people are following me, but not who.  Click the button below to follow me on Bloglovin':

Networked Blogs
Networked Blogs is similar to Bloglovin' in that bloggers claim their blogs, and then others follow them.  And like Bloglovin', you can read all of the blogs you follow from your profile page.  In this case you follow blogs using your Facebook account.  You can follow me on Networked Blogs using the widget below:

Follow this blog

Feedly and other Feed Readers
If you are already using Google Reader, Feedly will automatically migrate your Google Reader subscriptions if you switch over before July 1 when Google Reader shuts down.  Check out their article with tips for Google Reader users migrating over to Feedly.  It's super easy to migrate, and only requires logging in with your Google account.

Most of the other feed readers that I've encountered will require you to download your subscriptions via Google Takeout, and then upload that file to your new service. 

If you're not already following me on Google Reader and want to add me to your RSS subscriptions, you can use the RSS feed for my blog to subscribe with the service of your choice:

Facebook
In case you missed my post a few days ago, I just created a Facebook page for Heartache Into Beauty.  I would love it if you "liked" my page!  I set up my posts to syndicate to my Facebook page, so when  I post on here it will show up on in your Newsfeed. You can "like" my Facebook page using the widget below:



Twitter

And of course, I am on Twitter. My posts are syndicated to Twitter via dlvr.it, and I also post lots of other fun stuff during the week, like live-tweeting during American Idol :)

Follow @xedri

Spreading the Word

You may have heard by now that Dr. Gwendolyn Reece, a researcher at American University, is doing a survey about the needs of the Pagan/Wiccan/Heathen communities.  She's looking for at least 2,000 participants (age 18 and older) to ensure high-quality data.  The survey closes on May 1, 2012.

I took the survey last week.  There were some good questions that actually made me think hard about my relationships with other people (pagan and non-pagan alike), how those people view me, and how safe I feel as a pagan in a predominantly non-pagan world. 

If you haven't already, I really encourage you to take it.  It's anonymous and only takes 15 minutes to complete:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/pagancommunitysurvey

Internet strike to fight SOPA & PIPA

Hi folks!  I wanted to interrupt my usual pagan-flavored posts to bring you a PSA.

On Wednesday, January 18, I will be joining many other websites in an internet strike by blacking out my blog for 12 hours (8 AM to 8 PM EST) to protest the SOPA and PIPA bills.  These bills would essentially allow rampant censorship of websites in the U.S., in the name of preventing piracy.

Boing Boing has an excellent post explaining why this is a huge, huge infringement of our 1st amendment rights.  Go.  Read.  Be outraged, and then go do something about it.  SopaStrike.com has many ideas for taking action.

As a long-time blogger and internet user, I value the freedom of speech and information sharing that the internet allows.  I refuse to stand by silently and allow Congress to take that away just so that a few entertainment mega-corporations can make as much money as possible.