I chose my user name in honor of a happy memory from my childhood.
Krakatoa Katie is a character from a 1945 Mighty Mouse animated film from Terrytoons titled Mighty Mouse in Krakatoa. The six-minute film is set on the island of Krakatoa, where a community of friendly mice live, including a female mouse named Krakatoa Katie. Katie, wearing a sarong, performs a seductive dance to a very catchy song that notes how well she "shakes her sarong."
The song and dance make the volcano angry, and it erupts. The mice send out a worldwide plea for help and a seismologist gets the message. He drinks a potion and magically transforms into Mighty Mouse. Mighty Mouse saves Katie and her friends from the eruption, he gets a kiss from Katie, and all is well in the end.
Growing up, we watched cartoons in my house every morning before school, and the 'Krakatoa' episode was shown at least once every two weeks. By the time I left home, the song had branded itself into my brain. That was a long time ago, but I still remember the cartoon and the song and it occasionally sticks in my head for a period of time. Like right now, for example. ;-)
I took a break from Wikipedia at the end of 2006 for personal reasons. I was very active prior to my Wikiholiday, but I may not be as involved as I once was for a few more months. Nonetheless, it's good to be back. I'm spending a few days working my way through the various talk pages and noticeboards, to familiarize myself with the good and not-so-good things that transpired in my absence. I'm surprised to find several valuable editors have left the project, and I need some time to digest the ramifications of those losses before devoting more of my time to Wikipedia.
If I'm gone from Wikipedia for more than 48 hours, I'm likely knitting socks or another project that my compulsive nature requires me to finish before moving on to another activity.
A word on editing... if you come across a contribution of mine that is incorrect or nonsensical, please accept my humble apologies and feel free to fix it in the appropriate manner. I rarely get frazzled or personally upset over Wikipedia content. If my edit was correct in adding or deleting material, that material will find its way into or out of the article eventually, and I don't particularly care if I'm the one who actually performs the task. If I was incorrect, kudos to the person who repairs my error. The encyclopedia improves no matter who gets the credit.
Because of my philosophy, I do not and will not start or participate in an edit war, but do not mistake my stance for apathy or indifference. As a RN who has spent thousands of nights caring for post-CABG and other cardiac intensive care patients, I tend to look at the 'big picture' when pondering such matters. In the big picture – at least in my big picture – becoming upset or angry over a Wikipedia edit isn't worth the stress caused by anxiety or anger.
Wikipedia is a tremendous gift to the world and deserves attention and financial support from as many people as possible. I have given and will continue to give time and treasure and hope everyone else does the same... but before lashing out in fear or anger, take a step back and look at your own 'big picture.' Edit counts aren't listed on tombstones.
