When it comes to website design, I appreciate simplicity — straight lines, catchy chicklets, and navigable ease. Decompose, on the other hand, is fairly busy. The template itself is designed to convey decomposition, a curated collage of words on parchment, interspersed with notes, arteries and odd angles. (In fact, if your screen resolution is at 1152 x 864 and your toolbar is minimized, you should be able to see a dead fly at the bottom right corner of the sidebar.) 
Anyway, this “busyness” is one of the reasons I thought about changing my web design when I went to WordPress. At this point, though, I’m glad I didn’t.
While I continue to tinker with the layout, it didn’t stop me from finaling in a recent website contest. Earlier this week, I discovered Decompose took second place in Relief Journal’s website contest. No prizes have been announced, but I’m hoping for a lifetime subscription to the Journal. Huzzah!
Meanwhile, I’ve been fiddling with my sidebar, adding quotes and rearranging widgets. Of the quotes recently added, my two favorites are from Homer Simpson and Henry Kissinger. Can you tell which is which?
I’m normally not a praying man, but if you’re up there, please save me Superman.
The nice thing about being a celebrity is that when you bore people, they think it’s their fault.
Speaking of the sidebar, you may have noticed I’ve joined the Christian Blogosphere. I’ve been reluctant to join a blogging community, for several reasons. Of course, it’s an easy way to increase traffic, but — and I hope this doesn’t sound stupid — I’m more concerned about producing quality posts than having tons of readers. Anyway, I’ve often wondered how Decompose fits within the Christian blogosphere. I mean, what kind of site is this? Is this a devotional site, a writing site, a movie site, a political commentary site?
The prevailing wisdom among bloggers is that the more narrow the agenda, the better. In other words, if you write book reviews, then write about book reviews. . .or sports takes, 
recipes, or alien abductions. But, for heavens sake, don’t try to do all of them. If you peruse my recent posts, you’ll discover I violate that principle fairly often. (Though I’ve yet to blog on alien abductions.) I also tend to — how shall I say this — rock the boat. Though I’m a believer, I enjoy prodding the flock, pushing envelopes and immersing myself in pop culture (or a cold Guinness). Maybe that’s why Relief described Decompose as “quirky.” I wouldn’t have it any other way. Anyway, after checking out some of the links in the Christian Blogosphere, I felt downright cozy. (Of course, they may want to kick me out before long.)
One more thing: I’m officially a Slithering Reptile in the TTLB Ecosystem. It’s part of The Truth Laid Bear blog aggregator. Really, I’m ranked a lot better than I would have thought. Decompose is about half way up the food chain — not quite a Playful Primate or Large Mammal, but leagues ahead of Slimy Molluscs and Insignificant Microbes. Heck, at 7,891 out of 74,077 blogs, I’m only 28 links away from becoming a Flappy Bird. Holla! (Then, this morning I discovered I devolved into a Crawly Amphibian. Drats!)
Have I ever thanked you for being a reader of this site? If not, I really, really do appreciate it. This has been so much fun for me; I’ve met new friends (or, should I say, e-friends?), grown spiritually and found a place to exercise my gifts. . . without flapping my jaws. Thank you for making me a Slithering Reptile. You are a blessing to me!
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Oh, by the way, you may have noticed I’ve been tagged a couple times in the previous comments. 8 Random Facts about Me. One Fact About Me is I despise these pointless meme’s. But for the sake of good sportsmanship, I shall humbly comply. Just give me a couple days. . .
“I’m more concerned about producing quality posts than having tons of readers.” Definitely NOT stupid … personally, I think trying to have tons of readers IS stupid!
“The prevailing wisdom among bloggers is that the more narrow the agenda, the better.” BORING! Please don’t!
“I also tend to — how shall I say this — rock the boat.” is why you’re “…a Slithering Reptile.”
“You are a blessing to me!” You’re a blessing to me, too! Among other things, you are adventurous and unwilling to allow someone to put you into a mold you do not fit into. Not saying there isn’t a place for decorum … just saying that following some set of rules is … well … glad you’re not going there.
A blogging ring … wow! I’m not even on that page! And a meme! Mild conformity is okay 😉 Just don’t let it go toooooo far, okay?!!!!!!!
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You know … thinking about that some more – that you should narrow what you write about on your *blog* … that really irks me. A web site focused on one thing is different, but … it’s MY blog! Don’t read it if you don’t want to! Okay … NO, this is NOT a pms day … this just really irks me … where does individuality come in there? Only if your individuality is “narrow” and not *too* encompassing? Talented … but not *too* talented? Okay … I need to stop … or you may have to edit this out 😉
A blog that jumps around is irritating, but your blog doesn’t.
Ok, yes, you jump around, but there is definitely a common thread intertwined. And you always get back to a couple of main themes.
Maybe, it’s because you always interject your opinion. That’s why I call you a columnist. You’re not a beat reporter. A reporter covers whatever story they are assigned to and they just lay out facts. Slanted by their opinion yes, but stale facts nonetheless. (Is nonetheless a word?)
But, Readers are drawn to certain columnists because of some common theme or thread or something that is unique to that columnist.
Anyway, congrats, and keep up the good work. I can’t wait till we disagree again.
-dayle
One guys opinion… don’t change doing what you’re doing for anybody besides yourself.
I appreciate your insightful approach and your challenging topics. By “prodding the flock” you write about things that deliberately challenge your readers to THINK, however archaic that idea is. I think that is great! … and greatly needed! Too many “believers” are prone to swallow hook, line, and sinker and never ask themselves the questions: What do I believe? Why do I believe it? Is this really true? God would you show me Your truth?
Thanks to you too! Your blog gives me another place to share my thoughts and ideas.
I’ll gladly join you for a cold Guiness anytime! 😉
— djk
I think your blog should represent YOU. Yours most definately does. Varied topics, but if you read long enough, you begin to realize what those topics will be- writing, cultural trends, movies, religion, a little family, a little humor… all from a nit-picking, deep-thinking, soul-searching, somewhat cynical but Jesus-loving, Duran POV. I love it.
I’m ignoring the meme. I was tagged too, but I’m too lazy to even think of random Janet trivia.
Watched CAPOTE last night. It was good, and disturbing as you said it would be. What a great actor. The film made you think.
Janet, I was not familiar with Truman Capote and the role he played in forging creative non-fiction. Being unfamiliar with his life and the events surrounding In Cold Blood, the movie prompted me to do a little research. The fact that he manipulated Perry Smith in order to force closure to the book says worlds about the potential conflict between artistic license and investigative integrity.