Well, it looks like we have a new plan. It turns out that there was malicious code stuffed into that previously lovely template I was using for my blog. Combined with the fact that this was the fourth time – in less than a month – of having someone hack, infect and generally mess with my site, Bad Dog Design web-guru Laurie McConnell decided it all needed to be stripped out, torn down and scrubbed clean. We’re back to the basics.

Welcome to the resulting Austere-Land. I’ve decided to look at this as a metaphorical returning to my Mennonite roots. Plain and unadorned. Mennonites don’t hold with all those stained glass windows and paintings of saints. No way. Clean and simple…rather Zen-like in its approach. What’s not to like?

As it turns out, there’s a few things not to like because I have a bit of a crow-like tendency towards flash and shiny bits. I like faux leopard scarves and hot pink socks, even though I generally wear these things with my oft-worn all-black outfits. I’m quite sure I’ve mentioned my Gemini tendencies before?

I try to clear the house to a scrubbed and simple Mennonite sensibility, but then I have this fascination with Virgin Mary icons and hot pink Buddhas, Carmen Miranda salt and pepper shakers and jewel-encrusted dancing Shivas, and well…let’s just say it’s a big of a struggle to rein it all in to come even close to socially acceptable.

Laurie assures me that I can hang a new picture or play with a few of the tabs and do a little redecorating. Look for a new lamp and maybe a repositioned sofa in the near future…

But if we’re going to return to the Menno-world of my childhood, then I want to step up to the pulpit and yell at all you hackers that you are all going straight to hell!You deserve to have flames licking at your shins.

But wait…there’s still a chance.

Repent! Change your ways. Pretend you’re on the road to Damascus and stare into that light. It’s time to use all your talent and energy to spread some love in the world instead of this wanton destruction.

Be a force for good.  I double-dog dare you.