I'm sure there are many thoughts going through the minds of all American's today, reflecting on the carnage that occurred seven years ago, on this date. How can we NOT give it thought?
Many are praying. Many are honoring the casualties of their loved ones and many honoring the casualties of people they've never met. Some silently, some not so silently. Many are still pointing fingers or simply trying to piece together what exactly happened that day. What REALLY led up to the worst terrorist act, on American soil, in our history.
We all have our own thoughts about 9/11 and the events that have followed since.
My thoughts? As I reflect on how shocked I was at what transpired 7 years ago today, I recall watching footage on the news of the first plane hitting and how everyone thought it was simply an accident at first. Then I watched live as the second plane hit and we all KNEW this was no accident. We all knew WHAT was happening. And if you were like me, you were terrified by the what's and where's of what may yet be to come. Our nation was under attack like we had never experienced.
However, my mind keeps pondering back to the same place. Not so much the horrific acts of terrorism and the immediate aftermath we experienced, but rather the behaviors and humanity we witnessed and were a part of in the months that followed.
And how incredibly UNITED our nation stood.
For just a few short months following September 11, 2001… I felt, for the first time in my life, my entire nation come together in amazing solidarity and kindness and support, of one and all. This is a very natural occurrence in the aftermath of any catastrophe. Prior to 9/11, I had experienced this phenomenon on a small scale, as many of us have with disasters that have occurred in our individual lives, towns and counties, but NEVER on such a large scale.
I live in an area that floods almost every year. We also have numerous mudslides, downed trees and roads that collapse in to the river and the ocean every winter. We can't predict when, where or just how bad it will be until it happens. But, we all know it's going to happen, we just can't foresee the extent of how bad it will be. That is the price we pay for living in paradise the remaining 9 months out of the year. Winters are when we pay the bill… that costly price, of living here. Some years are more disastrous than others, of course. During those times of catastrophe and loss, the consideration and respect by, and towards, all of our town residents and business owners are heartwarming and renewing to our broken and suffering spirits.
Neighbors who usually just wave and mouth a simple hello as we pass by each other, (rarely speaking), present moral and honorable acts of kindness and heroism during these rough times, in an altruistic offering of support, in the most amazing of ways. Division and differences are put aside and everyone comes together for a common purpose… restoration and recovery.
United.
After 9/11 restoration and recovery? Heh, it still hasn't occurred. Just clean-up, war and more casualties to follow. And Americians? We are…
Divided. Once again.
On an even more monumental, radical, scale. By religion. By politics. By economic status. By color and race. By gender. By sexual orientation. By social status. By physical appearances and superficiality. By group and individually perceived right vs. wrong personal beliefs. By too many reasons to even keep naming them. *sigh*
Fast forward from 2001, to the now… our nation is now more divided than I have ever seen. So, in 7 short years I/we have gone from being so endeared by the most incredible and massive presentation of solidarity on a national, (and even international), scale to the realities of our now.
Today? Our people are hurt and angry and more stressed than ever. Why? Shit rolls downhill and we have all been hit by it. The average Joe's and Jane's of our nation are working harder than we ever have to just get by and try to hold on to what we've built, getting ahead is now just a dying dream for so many.
Our people are losing their homes and possessions due to our current economy. People are losing their very lives because of money. Money, in our fucked up 'now', has become even more important than human life in this, the "wealthiest," nation in the world.
We are a nation of broken, crippled, spirits. I witness this on a daily level, though the most prominent display of the Great American Broken Spirit, for me personally, was this past 4th of July, "Independence Day." Never have I seen so many somber and stressed (not smiling and not happy) faces, on a holiday that is historically a day of fun, laughter and celebration.
I looked around the crowd of thousands surrounding me, as I waited for the festivities and fireworks to begin this year to try and find smiling faces. I found oh-so-few simple smiles, let alone genuine fun and celebration. Many were so obviously putting on a show of joy for their children to have a happy 4th of July, like those of our past. Those were not faces of genuine happiness… rather, being faked for the sake of the children. That spoke volumes to me and instead of being excited about the 4th of July, for the first time in my life I literally wept as I waited for the fireworks to begin, at how miserable, uncertain, stressed, anxious and downright nasty and/or pissed off we Americans have all become.
So now, we have a presidential election coming up. More stress. More uncertainty about making the right decision. What we all know, all too well, is we don't want any more shit rolling down that hill. We want to heal and be renewed. Make our country better…
I am apprehensive about voicing my political feelings here, because I'm already sick of the extremism I'm surrounded by politically everywhere, and I'm not inviting more here by coming forth with my thoughts, my observations and desires, but I will say this:
In this next election, I will be voting for hope. HOPE is what I have not felt in so long now, and I am not seeing it on the faces of those that I encounter day to day, known and unknown.
I will be voting for someone who "gets it" because he has been at, survived and worked his ass off at getting out of "the bottom." One who understands the struggles of average, everyday, Americans. I want a President who has experienced what we do and had the strength to keep plugging away, instead of crumbling, rising above the same obstacles we regularly have to maneuver to succeed.
Without deceptively fucking people over in the process, to seemingly get their own interests ahead.
I want and I need a president who simply "gets it" and realizes our spirits are broken.
I want us to, once again, be a nation who stands united and proud… without another catastrophe having to occur to achieve it.
I want us to be a nation the world, once again, respects and admires.
Not a nation led by a self proclaimed Pitbull with lipstick hanging on the arm of a "fight, fight, fight" spewing candidate as the final words of a Presidential Nomination acceptance speech. I've seen where the "fight" mentality has gotten us. We all have.
Divided. Broken. Struggling. We need to STOP fighting.
I want to see and feel genuine smiles on those around me again. I want to be a PROUD American again that doesn't feel the need to defend the citizens of America because of the atrocities of our leader, who has lived an entire life of privilege and of whom has never experienced true hardship and suffering.
I want HOPE. I want CHANGE. Not bullshit political rhetoric, propaganda and empty promises.
I want a lot, don't I? *sigh* Of course I have many more thoughts and opinions about this election and its candidates, but I'm not writing a book here. This is a blog, so there is my extremely condensed version…
On a more personal note: Please, be good to one another! Treat people how you want to be treated. Give without expectations but don't let yourself be taken advantage of. You'll get love and respect if you give it, sometimes in the most unexpected of places. Try to find your smile and good humor more often. There is nothing more healing than sincere smiles, laughter and genuine caring, (for the giver as well as the receiver).
Even if it does ultimately get you a knife in the back. Pull that knife out, throw it away, heal yourself and find your smile again, knowing that Karma is a consistent, intense, justice loving bitch… and she'll ALWAYS have your back.
As if I haven't sung this song to you enough over the years, (and recently filled your voice mail up with it... haha, damn moms!), this is for you, my only biological son.
I love you with the deepest depths that one person could possibly love another, my simple man, and I am so proud of you.
A hunting I did go... A hunting I did go ;) Sing with me?!
Category: Life
**This blog was inspired by AnneGwish, for she loveth thy hunt and kill like I and she wanted to know what I scored this weekend. You asked babe… I'm delivering. ;)
But, I must dedicate this blog (whoa… my first blog dedication?!) to my late, great-granny, of whom I have many fond memories as a youngin traipsing around with her from house to house and learning this love and talent from, (yes, sometimes this takes a little talent), for this simple, facet that is a part of me that makes me, well… ME. Ha.
To really know me is also to know I love yard sales. I love venturing off in to different neighborhoods that I normally have no reason to check out and walking away from a house, I would never have visited otherwise, with a bargain. Some women love the thrill of the hunt for the newest in fashion, shoes, purses, hairstyles or latest 'must have' home décor at any price… wherever they can find/get it.
I DO love the hunt, I AM a woman after all. But… I just love a non 'haute couture' different, kind of a hunt.
Me? I'm a frugal bitch. Not to be confused with being a cheap bitch. The difference? A frugal bitch will still give you the shirt off her back if you need it. A cheap bitch would say "fuck you, suffer." A cheap bitch is self-absorbed and stingy; a frugal bitch just simply loves a bargain.
I wouldn't care if I was a gazillionairre… I would still be this way. I'll ALWAYS love yard sales. Why? There are so many reasons: The first being that I hate spending top dollar on new shit that costs way more new than it is worth. The new neighborhood/house reason I previously stated. Best customer service EVER… you meet nice people who are relaxed and friendly instead of hurried and bitchy or just don't give a fuck, (they wanna make the sale! =). My money is going in to the pockets of people here instead of corporations, (I really love THAT!) who in turn are shipping our dollars to China, Taiwan, Mexico etc. You can haggle over an item's price… and usually win, (which entertains the shit out of my simple, easily amused, self. *snort*) who doesn't love to dicker a price down? And actually win!
Also, these items are being re-used instead of going in to our landfills. You wouldn't believe some of the shit the rich and businesses will throw away… I had a friend many years ago that worked at a dump in Marin that damn near furnished my first house with BRAND NEW stuff big corporations and rich 'just get rid of it'people threw away.
So, on that note… my recommendation for your government 'stimulus check' if you are one of those fortunate enough to get one? Go hunting. Go to yard sales with it, if you don't already have to use it to pay overdue bills. Seriously… you'll get WAY more bang for your buck and it is the only way to know for sure your money is, for now anyway, staying right there in YOUR local economy.
Here is a picture of my latest hunting and killin': (By the way… The 80 gallon fishtank and stand you see in the picture behind my loot were also FREE, (I scored that like 9 years ago?), by being at the right place at the right time as a sale was ending and they just wanted to get rid of it. Same deal with the chair in the pic too. ;) TIP…The last hour, on the last day, of yard sales 95% of the time, you will walk away with the loot you want for FREE because they usually just don't want to deal with moving and storing it again..
That attention whore of a cat that worked her way in to the picture? That would be Meemers. I'm still making payments on her prissy ass. ;) My attention whoring fish too. *grins* In terms of upkeep, of course.
I am proud of my house full of cheap and free shit. Here are my newest additions:
1. A really nice, solid, metal accent table with an Ivy tile inlaid on top. Price: $1.00!
7. Plastic, 3 large drawer rolling cart (like new!). Price: $7.00! (haggled down from $10 ;)
8. Electric slicer (works great, we used it last night on ABLONE! = ). Price: $4.00!
9. 2 fillet knives and a solid metal, mini meat tenderizer. Price: $ .25 cents for all 3.
10. Crackled, blue glass vase. Price: $ .25 cents!
11. Brand new curtain valances for five large windows. Price: $2.00!!!
12. Ornate Sterling Silver 5x7 picture frame (brand new in box). Price: $1.00!
13. Another yummy accent pillow (brand new, stain resistant, with zipper for easy washing) Price: $ .50 cents!
14. Cobalt blue glass ornate bottle (I LOVE Cobalt Blue Glass!) Price: $ .50 cents!
15. Heavy duty, perfect, pottery vase with nautical rope/bead accent. Price: $1.00!
16. Set of 2 Sandpipers. Price: $ .25 cents for the set!
17. Set of 2 (PERFECT) Silk Sunflower sprigs (no dust even!) Price: $ .10 cents! (a nickel each!)
18. 2 quart clear Rubbermaid pitcher. (I love the one I already have so much I got another when I saw it) Price: $ .10 cents!
19. 6 Books. ( all like new that I wanted anyway! 4 hardcover, 2 soft.) Price for all: $2.50!
20. Ceramic coppery sun: Price: $ .25 cents!
21. Fake, Silk plant. (not one speck of dust and looks real!) Price: $5.00!
22. Little pendulum type swinging dolphins (I forgot to put in loot pic… oops!) Price: $ .05 cents!
Total spent on all my newest loot? $28.45, if my math is correct. ;)
I wonder how much all this shit would have cost if I bought it new, in a store? I know that large, silk, plant alone is retailing around here for $40-$50 and the plastic drawer/rolling cart is running about $30, new.
Yeah. I like to hunt. *wiggles eyebrows* And I'd say I totally scored. You?
I have a new buddy ;) ~Updated with replies~
Category: Pets and Animals
Last night when I was pulling up to my house this pretty lil girl, a peahen (not a peacock 'cause she's a girlie) was putting on a show for me in my parking spot... I stayed in my car, in the middle of my street, to watch her for at least 10 minutes until she finally got out of my way so I could park:
**Note: I took this pic this morning and I had to totally enhance it because it was still pretty dark out.
While in my car I grabbed my cell phone to call my house phone and tell Rick to go out on the porch, look down and hung up on him before he could ask questions. Of all the critters I feed and water with my fountain out front, Peacocks are NOT typical here in my neighborhood. (Though there are hundreds at our nearby dump... more than seagulls. Weird, huh?!)
She was totally showing off for us, knowing we were watching, and I was stoked. Totally. Rick was pretty amused too. Then we noticed one of our neighborhood cats stalking her, thinking he was all badass and shit. *snickers* We knew he was biting off more than he could chew with her and just watched... Then the cat pounced and she let that cat know who was the boss. Funny, funny stuff to watch.
Unfortunately, it was too dark for me to get any good pics or videos of that lil cat/bird game. Or any of her antics last night. But, I'll tell ya... that sure was a great way to end a shitty day. Well that and then coming in the house and checking my email to find out that I had won a contest. I never win anything. So that was way cool too.
This morning, just as it was becoming light outside, I found her poking her head in my house and peeking around, in my window that I leave cracked open for my cats to get out.
I'm not quite sure, but if she decides to let herself INSIDE my house... I just may freak the fuck out. She has one helluva beak on her and with my luck... ohhhh, I'm so not even going there. *snort*
Anyway, she is quite the lil camera whore and posed for me. A LOT. *giggles* And she didn't even mind the flash, which is more than I can say for my prissy lil pussies. And she totally respected the little distance I wanted to keep between us. Which was admittedly way closer than my common sense was telling me to be. *shrugs*
Here's a lil video snippet of her, that I took this morning during her "Top Model" pose fest:
I sure hope she sticks around... she's a pretty cool girlie. I'll have to figure out what she likes to eat methinks. Then maybe I can keep her around AND keep her from snatching all the dirt out of my Coleus that you can see in the pic and video. Now, I know why THAT plant is suffering all of a sudden... I KNEW it wasn't from the heat because it's always in the shade.
Little Miss Strutty Stuff is the culprit. I'm cool with that though... she's worth it. Can you tell I'm liking my new buddy? ;)
You never know where the next miracle is going to come from.
The next smile…
The next wish come true.
But, if you believe that it is right around the corner and you open your heart and mind to the possibility of it… to the certainty of it, you just might get the thing you are wishing for.
The world is full of magic. You just have to believe in it.
So make your wish…
Do you have it?
Good.
Now believe in it.
With all of your heart.*
* While I wish I could take the credit for the above dialogue, I can't. Bonus points go to whoever can tell me where this came from.
The following is something I try to live by. I’m not perfect, in fact I am far from it, but I do try very hard to be the best ’me’ I can be.
Every now and then I need to take a step back and realign my perspective.
This is my favorite "attitude adjuster." And this week I really needed it.
People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
Now, because this was written by Mother Teresa, the last paragraph is something I have trouble swallowing given my religious beliefs. Well... let’s say my lack of religious beliefs. The last paragraph:
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It never was between you and them anyway.
~ Mother Teresa
In the end, I believe it is between me and ME. I don’t want to be a good person and do good things for others because of any ’God.’
I want to be a good person and make a positive difference in the lives of those of whom I touch while I am here on this planet.
So, even in my lack of faith in any such ’God’... I will forgive, be kind, be honest, be happy, do good and give my best anyway...
Okay, so I’m not posting pictures of myself unclothed, but this message comes from me to you under my clothes, from the depths of my soul.
My mother lost her battle with cancer on my 18th birthday. I watched my mother lose everything in less than a year.
Her breasts. Her hair. Her ability to do anything without my assistance, including simple, private tasks like showering and using the restroom.
Due to cancer and her treatments she lost her QUALITY of life, resulting in the end of her life at the very young age of just 41 years old.
May 18, 1946 ~ December 23, 1987
I took this photo just before my mom started her treatments. I have pictures of what cancer and chemotherapy did to her in the end, but really, they are too painful to look at so I am choosing to not post any of her "after" pictures.
Cancer can be a ruthless thief of dignity while patients struggle for their very survival. I know all too well, I’ve lived seeing it happen in front of my very own eyes.
Many daughters have and/or are experiencing the same thing I went through right now.
Like this daughter... Charena:
Charena’s mother was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 (terminal) lung cancer that has metastasized (spread) to her bones. Her mother will be undergoing chemotherapy treatments for the rest of her life. Which, among many other indignities, will include the loss of her hair. The most visible, obvious sign of a person undergoing cancer treatment.
And one of a woman’s most coveted womanly elements. If you are a woman, think of how much your hair is a part of your identity. If you’re a man, think of how quickly you notice the hair of a beautiful woman.
Now think of how quickly you notice a lack of hair on a woman. Yeah. Take a moment to ponder that....
Charena has found an organization that will construct a wig for her mother using her hair. Yes... Charena is going to cut off all of that beautiful hair so her mother can have the dignity of substituting her daughter’s beautiful locks for her own, for the rest of her life.
I wish these types of organizations existed while my own mother was going through her battle. I too, would have done the same to make my mother feel more attractive, more "womanly" during the final year of her life.
Charena’s hair will be an excellent match for her mom too:
Charena needs MASSIVE help to do this for her mother though. The cost of constructing this wig for her mother is going to be $1,800.00. She doesn’t have the money to do this on her own and needs help and she needs it fast.
She needs to raise $800.00 more dollars by this Friday, March 28th, for a deposit down on this wig. She will need to have the rest of it, by the time they finish making the wig in 3-6 weeks.
Charena needs all the help she can get to do this for her mother. I am currently donating $10.00 a week until their needs have been met.
Can you spare a dollar? Five dollars? Ten dollars? More? I know times are tight for everyone right now, but can you find it in your heart to help a daughter give this gift to her mother that will be a part of her until the end of her life? Maybe skip that one trip to Starbucks for just one day...
On their profile (click on the link above) there is a "donate" button through Paypal. Paypal is very secure and I have been using it safely for years.
Please please please... help spread the word. Feel free to re-post this blog. Post bulletins. Donate. The works...
For every one senseless act of violence, there are many of us who band together to "Pay It Forward" and balance out the karma of life.
I’ll be keeping you updated on her progress as well. And...
Tomorrow, I will tell you all why I have been so quiet. Let’s just say my middle name really should be "Hazard." Ha. Until then...
I’ll end for today with the wise sentiments always expressed by CAT, who is very close to me and currently winning her own war with cancer...
"There is NO day but TODAY, my friends. You can seize it, embrace it, spend it wisely, but do NOT waste it. Tomorrow is our dream and gift, not a guarantee. Find reasons to laugh and excuses to smile."
NOTE:
For some reason, links just won’t seem to work from my blog. Go figure... a blog feature not working properly in myspace? *GASP* Grrr.
Here is the link URL’s to copy and paste. They are NOT invalid profiles... myspace is just gassy again. Hmph.
Charena and Renee’s profile: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=257671322
Tom wants to know: "What's wrong with blogs?" I say we ALL tell him!
Category: Blogging
Welcome and thanks for stopping by MYspace *rolls out the red carpet for you*
I am opening my door for you, quite simply, because I value your feedback... EVERYONE in the myspace blogging community is invited (please bring your friends), welcomed and expected to speak up: Blog authors, blog readers/commenters and blog stalkers united.
This blog is for Tom, because well… he asked me.
This is yet another, "Fix The Blogs Party." Though, if you read on I will guarantee this time your complaints WILL, at the very least, be HEARD. I am opening my 'door' to you and as your courteous host, I am welcoming ALL… friend and/or foe, (please be respectful of one another and towards Tom and our favorite pastime-MYSPACE… I WILL insist on that), for a common goal and what I know we all feel has been ignored long enough.
The entire blogging community NEEDS your feedback right here, right now. Why? Well I'm glad you asked… I'll explain:
Several days ago Tom, (Yes… THE Tom), posted a blog explaining the new exit warning feature that Myspace has implemented and is currently testing its functionality, as I am sure you have noticed by now. If not, you will.
As I do subscribe to Tom's blogs to keep up on what is going on around here, of course I read it. Then, I left a comment on it as well. Well, I tried to leave a comment on it… it never appeared on that blog, although my kudos did appear. I chalked up my comment not appearing as just another blog glitch, that I have… we ALL have, become so accustomed to. There was not a "comment must be approved" setting/blurb that appeared after I clicked "post."
The comment I left simply stated that while I appreciate the efforts Myspace is taking in protecting user accounts from being phished, it really is blogs that need some serious consideration and fixing.
Additionally, I stated that while some of the new additions and features are nice, why isn't more attention being placed on fixing all that is broken, and has been broken for quite some time, within the blog features of myspace?
Again, keep in mind this comment, written by me, never appeared on that blog… and was therefore never viewed by the general public. Oddly, I now know my comment WAS read. Tom's got some special, cool blog features/settings on his account I suppose.
Because soon after, I received a message from 'Tom' simply asking me: "What is broken on blogs?"
My response to his message was a simple, skeptical and incredulous: "Are you serious?"
I found it hard to believe it wouldn't be common knowledge by Tom and/or Myspace customer service what is going on here. I have reported so many times personally, not to mention all the "errors forwarded to myspace customer service tech" that occur, by me -by everyone - every day.
I also admit I was also still, at that time, unsure of the authenticity of these messages.
I received a fairly immediate reply from Tom simply stating "Yes."
I was still admittedly skeptical at this point as to who this was that was inquiring. After giving this communication considerable thought, I came to the conclusion that it had to be Tom, due to the simple fact that my original comment NEVER publicly posted, (and these messages were coming to me from his private account). Therefore it was impossible for someone else to portray himself or herself as a "Tom spawn" and just be a further waste of my time.
You see, I had actively been reporting blog glitch related issues to customer service since the rich text editor for comments started going haywire. Remember all the coding that used to show up? I eventually gave up after getting repetitive, generic responses stating, "We are working on that."
After MANY attempts and complaints submitted, I never saw any efforts to correct these issues, so I simply gave up as many of us have. We still to this day continue to put up, shut up, deal with it and complain (frequently) amongst ourselves.
Well, as we all know the "fix" for that coding issue was to disable the comment box completely and leave us with a blurb saying they are working on a "fancy new one." GONE is our old friend the comment box. (It actually had some fairly decent features that I know I miss…) I'd rather have that back than what we currently have…nothing. The comment box feature and the "we are working on a fancy new one" blurb has been this way since June 2007. EIGHT MONTHS now and counting!
That is not my only issue though, in fact there are MANY issues in the Myspace blogging world and this is our chance to collectively SPEAK UP.
Here is what I personally and regularly experience from MY particular account:
1) Almost every time that I post a blog where an error message immediately pops up after I click "post," I learn that even though I get that error message… my blog DOES, in fact, post. I learned quickly to expect this because if I took the error at its word… I would try to post again… then another error message appears… post again, same thing… all the while my blog DOES, in fact post. I know I'm not the only one this happens to because I see blogs postings in my subscriptions list that are there NUMEROUS times.
Yes, this is why you see some people's blogs posting multiple times.
2) Blogs from my/this account DO NOT rank. Ever. Period. Even when I know they should. They did at one point but now for some reason my account appears impervious to the rankings system. I know the rankings system well enough by now to know when and whereabouts my blogs should rank.
You watch… I can say with almost 100% certainty that no matter how many views, comments or kudos this particular blog gets… it will NOT rank. I know of a few others that are experiencing the same glitch with their accounts. We are invisible to the ranking system completely.
3) Regular instability in the Myspace blog-o-sphere. Can't access blogs. Inability to comment on blogs even when I do get in. Constant glitches, error messages and 'hang time' resulting in "can't connect" messages from my browser.
Additionally, I feel the blog portion is a considerably underrated feature of Myspace. I have heard the argument that blog users make up only 1% of user activity on Myspace and this is why more attention is not given to fixing these issues.
I disagree. I believe the percentage of account holders on myspace using their blog feature is considerably higher and growing with dramatic fervor. It is, in my opinion, the most underrated feature by the Myspace powers-that-be. Blogs are being posted by all walks of life, from the teen user demographics to celebrities, musicians, comedians, book authors, politicians and on and on… the list is endless and growing rapidly.
In reference to a blog by the very popular singer, Lily Allen, (click here to view) even SHE states that after writing a long blog, the Myspace powers that be ate it, (this happens all the time, to everyone and is infuriating). I can't recall offhand which popular magazine I was reading at the time (I believe that it was ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY) but Allen's blog, her MYSPACE blog, was listed as "one of the best blogs ON THE ENTIRE INTERNET to get addicted to." If the blog feature is something that only 1% of the profiles are using, then why does it appear as if that 1% is a helluva lot more interesting and worth reading than those who don't even bother?
This is the venue where Myspace users are truly SOCIAL. And this is a social networking site, is it not? "A place for friends", no?
I have also heard the argument that blogs are not tended to because of the lack of advertising revenue they generate.
Tom… is this is so? Then pump up the advertising here. I prefer to NOT see more on my blog postings, (there IS some there already), but realistically if that means our blog posting and commenting abilities will become more reliable, more stable and more "tended" to? So be it. Do what you've got to do. But seriously... JUST DO IT.
But then again, I am of the assumption that this is just a smokescreen, as blog pages are quite simply, in the most common of terms, generated links. Generated links that regular people, singers, actors, authors, every one of us social people are giving you… FOR FREE. How could that not possibly add up to more revenue for you in the other, more profitable arenas that you are spending your dough on? In that respect, aren't we the little children to your Kathy Lee Gifford line of inexpensive and cheaply constructed clothing?
Nope, my mistake… those children actually got paid a few pennies.
You NEED to spend more time attending to this, Tom, the most social portion/feature of Myspace.
So Tom, in painstaking detail, those are MY particular blog problems and opinions.
Now, I ask YOU, the entire Myspace blog community, to please leave your detailed blog function related comments, complaints, concerns and even general "thanks" if you wish to Tom below… I will be messaging him with a link to this blog in a couple days.
Just as he asked. Now…
LET'S ALL BE HEARD!!!
Final note: I feel this is a time where we all need to come together for the greater good and as such, I will delete any disrespectful comments as they are not welcome here, nor will they be tolerated, any more than a disrespectful guest in my home. Just sayin'.
’Cause Everyone Has a Story to Tell...
Category: Life
And I like to listen.
Last night Rick and I were watching the ol’ boob tube and a commercial came on that reminded me of something I’d gotten away with as a kid.
It was this commercial:
When I was about 7 or 8 years old I went in to my nearby, and VERY ’Napa yuppie’ grocery store plopping a stockpile of candy bars and gum on the checkstand. For you Napa knowers out there... it was Vallergas. Yes... very expensive, very upscale and yuppie.
The checker, rang up all my items and gave me my total. If I remember right, it was a little more than $8. At which time... I counted out my Monopoly money and handed it to her.
And... she ACCEPTED it! And she even gave me REAL coins as my change. I walked out of there completely amazed I had gotten away with it, walking on air and chomping on my score.
Didn’t work quite as well the next time I tried it though. *giggles* That was just a little embarassing. *smirks*
After I told Rick this story... he told me about a time when his brother and their friends were bored and wondered why they only got to ’Trick or Treat’ once a year.
So they decided to go Trick or Treating, going door to door collecting a nice sack full of candy, with every person who answered their door giving them a little something for their treat bags.
It was JULY.
Ahhhh.... kids.
So, what’s the funniest thing that comes to YOUR mind that you got away with when YOU were a kid?
Dear Mother Nature, (Updated)
Current mood: amused
You're the best. You have put on quite the show for us around here the past couple days...
And just when we thought you were done with your frighteningly intense and incredible performance? You go for an encore.
You Diva you ;)
Having me DIRECTLY inside a thunder cloud as I type this to you is an extraordinary touch... I LOVE it when the thunder and lightning occur at the exact same time and I can feel the thunder roll through my bones. Literally. "Wow," is all I can say.
And in "Sunny California" even.
Thanks for the reminder you are one wickedly awesome bitch. As a mother myself, I can totally respect that. In fact, today is my son's 21st birthday...
So, could you please just take your final bow and get off the stage already? It's MY turn to be a wickedly awesome bitch, (even if just for today), and I admit I cannot compete with you and only you.
Though the universe and I have been having some nasty disagreements lately, (have you two been hooking up? That would explain so much...), I thought we had finally come to better terms.
With much respect,
~Sam~
P.S. I'm not supposed the use the phone during this type of performance either and I need to make some calls, so if you could at least end the thunder and lightning crap immediately that would be fucking stellar.
My 'thank you' note: Dear Mother Nature,
It's me again. Just wanted to say thank you for your immediate, positive response to my request.
Throwing in the rainbow for me as I was driving home from our Birthday brunch today was a nice touch too...
If there is any song on this planet that suits me better... I haven't found it yet.
Kinda sucks it's a country song (not usually my preference) but whatever.
Do yourself a favor in 2008... go AGAINST the grain. Go ahead-go bustin' in like ol' John Wayne.
Make a difference.
Follow your heart.
Leave your mark.
"Against The Grain"
Folks call me the maverick Guess I ain't too diplomatic I've just never been the kind to go along
Just avoidin' confrontation For the sake of conformation And I'll admit I tend to sing a different song
But sometimes you just can't be afraid To wear a different hat If Columbus had complied This old world might still be flat
Nothin' ventured, nothin' gained Sometimes you've got to go against the grain
Well, I have been accused Of makin' my own rules There must be rebel blood Just a-runnin' through my veins But I ain't no hypocrite What you see is what you get And that's the only way I know To play the game
Old Noah took much ridicule For building his great ark But after forty days and forty nights He was lookin' pretty smart
Sometimes it's best to brave the wind and rain By havin' strength to go against the grain
Well, there's more folks than a few Who share my point of view But they're worried If they're gonna sink or swim They'd like to buck the system But the deck is stacked against 'em And they're a little scared To go out on a limb
But if you're gonna make a difference If you're gonna leave your mark You can't follow like a bunch of sheep You got to listen to your heart
Go bustin' in like old John Wayne Sometimes you got to go against the grain No
amused
