Pinterest ... the pros and cons

To pin or not to pin? That is really not the question here at all. The question is how not to pin for two hours (or until one's bum goes numb) at the expense of other more productive activities. Indeed no amount of pinning ever gets the ironing done, the dishes clean or the family fed - BUT  - it will show you how to make your own linen spray, stack the dishwasher effectively, cook a vegan feast for twenty in under an hour - I kid you not... If it can be done, if it can be seen, if it can be photographed, catalogued, made, visited, laughed at or stalked... it's on Pinterest. I think of it as a subscription to every known publication on the planet.

I have a few boards (cough cough) and yes, I've pinned a modest (cough cough) tally of images.
I tend to set a timer nowadays  - this way I avoid being judged by my sixteen year old who thrives on noting my "screen time" ..... and let's face it - it can be overdone.

So far I've come up with waaay more pros than cons. In fact, I only have two negatives to note:

1 - Time wasting - enough said.
2 - Bad pinning = bad linking = bad credit = ineffective information = rubbish = internet.

So as a general rule - always do your research. Check that credit given is legit and be aware of the fact that the digital era we live in allows ANYTHING on the web to be manipulated. (ANYTHING)

Having said all that  - I love it. Not as much as the written, printed, three dimensional word no, but pretty darn satisfying as far inspiration, organisation and gathering of ideas.

Here are a few of my pins...

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612166468205/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612161718267/

Obviously it's great for creating mood boards that inspire your dream home, sense of style, taste... love of white floorboards, linen and all things rustic... but did you know that you can find your DREAM bathroom too?

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612161879793/

... or perhaps you obsess over greenery... 

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612165525359/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612166406543/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612166774807/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612163381839/

Need artistic inspiration?

Well look no further... Pinterest has you covered....

Paolo Reversi 

David Oliveira

... and if fine art is not quite your talent well then just get 

your craft on baby...

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612166608322/

... or pin just the movies & tunes you'd highly recommend

to friends and fellow pinners... 

Enigma 

Rhye 

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari 

The Rocky Horror Picture Show 

... then again if you fancy cooking up a few carbohydrate dense delights

(as I do)  then you you've come to the right place darling. In Pinterest land it's ok to be 

a lacto-ove-vegan-paleo-gluten tolerant-carbaddicted-foodie... 

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612163940410/

... and plan the outfit you want to wear to that Spring wedding that's coming up...

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612161768751/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612163274387/

... or just pin for the sake of sheer beauty... 

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612165365724/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612164844616/

And if you're anything like me and you love a bit of wit mixed with a few giggles...

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612166339660/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612166309197/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612163163785/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612166512382/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612164289773/

I know a lot of people are concerned about crediting images and content correctly.

Of course if you can give credit then it's deemed the proper thing to do.

Problem is the ball of yarn has been played with - the tangles are too hard to unravel.

When I pin artists I check the link first and then (if I can) 

I try to support their social media or link directly back to the source.

It's tough though. A lot of the time you can but when you are unable to 

it means deciding whether the credit is worth more than the beauty of the art

itself. Do you let go or do you pin and just love what you've saved?

And what about intellectual property - that meme that had you in 

stitches all day... who IS the comical genius behind that cat GIF ?

I love a good debate. I'd be keen to hear what you have to say on the matter.

As you can see I've provided links back to my pins but I'm afraid that's as far as I've gone.

I have cleared my conscience with one of my favourite quotes from the essay 

Death of an Author by Roland Barthes 

"To give a text an Author" and assign a single, corresponding interpretation 

to it "is to impose a limit on that text."

And on that note I'll sign off with one of my favourite pins..

(Author unknown but this does not detract from the giggle factor)

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612165592450/

***

Last but not least - a huge, heartfelt and gracious THANK YOU to 

all the beautiful people who responded to my last post with care. compassion, warmth, 

kindness, humour and support. Emails, comments, flowers! 

It humbled me so.

 Indeed there's nothing like a huge dose of gratitude to transform ones mood. 

Wishing you all a fabulous and safe weekend peoples

♥♥♥♥

What does it mean when you belong to someone?

If you call me up, I'll say a few words

But I'll try not to speak too long

Please to be kind and I'll try to explain

I'll probably get it all wrong

What does it mean when you promise someone?

That no matter how hard or whatever may come

It means that I won't give in

Won't give in, won't give in

'Cause everyone I love is here

Play it once, disappear

Once in a while I return to the fold

With people I call my own

Even if time is just a flicker of light

And we all have to die alone

What does it mean when you belong to someone?

When you're born with a name, when you carry it on

It means that I won't give in

Won't give in, won't give in

'Cause everyone I love is here

All at once, I’ll show you how to get real

Come on now, come on now, can you feel it, I can see it in you

Come on now, come on now, reveal it, turn around won't you

The right time, the right place, right now, turn around

A chance is made, a chance is lost

I carry myself to the edge of the earth

It means that I won't give in

Won't give in, won't give in

'Cause everyone I love is here

Say it once, just say it and disappear

(Finn Brothers)

************

I've been away for a while

(and that's ok)

It's been a tough few months but I can see the sunshine now

There's been death and sickness and arguing and ugliness

There's also been a lot of love

That sticky glue that wont come off...

... traces of it everywhere - the aftermath of what it means to

love fiercely, ruthlessly and patiently

I'm in awe of this glue

This substance that stitches the human race together

Quilting us into a pattern that cannot be traced back to its' origins

My family astound me with their capacity to heal

They inspire me and give me reason to keep on keeping on

Even when I'm not sure what the heck it is I'm actually doing

That restless heart beats within all of us

It's the Yin that sways back to the Yang

It's the down to show you which way's up

It feels good to be back 

♥

I'd like to dedicate this post to my brother

Ryan...

People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. 

A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave. 

A soul mates purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master...” 
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love