The last time I saw this view, it was framed in the dying flames and smouldering embers of the worst widlfires ever to cross the Texas Panhandle. It was in the cusp season in the waning days of winter that we like to call spring until a cold front blows through to remind us that it's not. It was, in fact, just about a year ago. Well, to be fair, I've been across this view many times since, but never really SAW it as I did that night almost a year ago and last night. It's the view of a city...
Between work and school, I have more online time than I have ever had. And because of the time I spend online, I have discovered a few things. The one that disturbs me the most is one that has potential for serious tragedy in our small community. See, I cruise MySpace every once in awhile. Though I loathe the site in general, too many of my friends are on it for me to ignore it completely. What concerns me, though, is that I routinely come across 13 or 14 year olds whose profiles list them...
In my 2 1/2 years at JU, I have discovered what TV producers, shock jocks, musicians, and tabloid publishers already know: taht normalcy is boring and only through being sensationalist do you get read. See, one of the main life goals for me has always been to be a writer. And, while being a paid writer is admittedly a nice idea, I decided years ago that I would simply settle for being a writer, for having my ideas read and my thoughts heard. But see, here's the kicker. Sans pay, my reward...
Once again, I have been accused of flaming. And, frankly, I don't see it. I've been involved with various online forums for over ten years. I've seen rebuttals, and I've seen flames. I've seen what constitutes a polite response, and what does not. And while my responses have occasionally snippy, I have always been careful to self moderate. So the accusations of flaming are something I take personally BECAUSE I've tried hard not to cross that line. If we cannot offer an opposing comment on ...
You've seen it many times before: people who act like incredible asshats, and, when confronted with their behaviour, demand they were "only joking" and act as if the target of their venom owes THEM an apology for not laughing along with them. I've never had much use for such people, and take their defense for what it is: the attempts of angry, venomous people to rationalize their actions by passing incredible nastiness off as some misunderstood joke. Now, to be sure, there are some people ...
I made a comment on one of my articles (LONG DISCALIMER FOR THE INCREDIBLY DENSE TROLL WHO SEEMS TO BE OBSESSED WITH ME TO A FRIGHENING DEGREE: I did NOT claim to invent the phrase, ever, in any context. I did not claim that I was anywhere near or involved with inventing the phrase, ever, in any context. If you were intelligent enough to read any blogs beyond JU, you would notice that the phrase "mommy blog" is a very commonly used phrase that has basically fallen into the public domain to descr...
Allow me to be the first to comment on the new forum layout. I was kind of taken by surprise because I couldn't access the forum for a few minutes, then suddenly an entirely different layout was before me. It was a shock to the system, as any sudden change can be. While it will probably take me a little while to adjust, I like it, frankly. The layout is more consistent with many message boards, and will allow me to search some of the forums more quickly. Plus, by putting the name of the mo...
****SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT***** In the "writing" section of the forums, I have two recent "poems". Both were written as lyrics, the first being more contemporary and consistent in its rhythm, the second being a folk song basically. I would invite you to read them and give me an indication of whether you think they're marketable, or garbage. I can handle either assessment, so let me have it. I don't write poetry much because, while I am usually content with the end product, I don't see it as hav...
(to you-know-who-you-are): You've had your moment. I've had mine. I have taken you off my blacklist. Whether you do the same or not is your business, but I did want to let you know you're lifted off of mine.
As I was reading a pice on the recent SCOTUS decision by Bahu (I can never spell his last name right, so I won't even try), I was inclined to reflect on what it is I like about certain liberal bloggers. Bahu falls into that category of a blogger who will challenge the argument rather than the opponent in a discussion, and while we have found ourselves on opposite sides of many discussions, there's never an anger or bitterness in it...because the argument never degenerated into personal attacks. ...
I'm about to lose my Google AdSense account. And I'm actually very bitter about it. Why? Well, I'll give you the text of the email I received from them to explain why: It has come to our attention that invalid clicks or impressions have been generated on the Google ads on your site(s) through users of third-party programs paid or provided with other incentives to visit your site. Such programs may include, but are not limited to auto-surf, pay-to-surf, pay-to-read, or pay-to-click sites....
OK, Here's MY "Random Facts" article (interestingly enough, the facts you choose say a lot about your interests): I am a 14th generation American (the continent, not the country, obviously) on one branch of my family, 11th generation on another, and have Cherokee ancestry. None of my ancestors arrived in America after 1800. I am related to William Bratton, who was part of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and who most notably appears in their journals because of a lengthy illness. He did ma...
I hope y'all understand, I'm not being a poor sport in not having put up a "tagged" article, I'm just having a hard time coming up with five embarassing moments. So, to keep with the spirit of the tagging movement, I'm going to change the rules just a smidge to still give you a little bit of insight into who I am, but not burden you with some less than pleasant memories. This is about having a bit of fun, after all (I'll get in at least one embarassing moment, though, to keep with the whole spir...
One of the things I love most about blogging is that it is a forum where you will get feedback from your readers, regularly. Sometimes more than you'd like. In nearly two years of blogging, I believe I have improved myself as a writer, through what I have written and through what I have read. While readers may take issue with my politics, they rarely take issue with my writing. And so, in the interest of helping other bloggers as I've been helped, I'd like to share some of the most important tip...
Discussion is a good thing. In a democracy, in fact, I would argue it is essential. Without discussion, laws don't get changed and injustices are never remedied. Government agents that abuse their power are essentially given unlimited authority if there is nobody present to debate the validity of their actions. But discussion doesn't take place if you exclude valid points from the debate. Just as American voters never get a true look at their choices because of the fact that many candidates a...