Can I Get a Whoot-Whoot?

Yay!  I dood it!  I dood it! 

I’ve finally updated my blog.  Now the proof will be in the pudding if I can do this again next week.  I’ve got my fingers crossed.  ;)

ttfn,

Quick Update

Good Afternoon! 

Just a quick post to let y’all know that I’m still breathing! 

Plus, I’ve finally signed up for NANOWRIMO, too!  So I’ll be spending alot of time of line next month writing.  In fact, I’ve been working on my notes today.  Yay! 

Okay, I've gotta go now. 

ttfn! 

***UPDATE: 2007-12-06 T18:27-05:00***

removed broken links

Washing Your Hands In Public

Good Evening!

I watched the “Today Show” this morning, and I saw the segment about the value and importance of washing your hands after using the bathroom, especially a public bathroom.

The reporter’s comment about the duration of scrubbing your soapy hands should be as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday!’ got me to thinking about a post that I wrote featuring a website that encouraged people to report restaurants and other public businesses to the copyright holders of “Happy Birthday!” for allowing their patrons to sing the song without paying for a license to sing it.

My question is this, does this now mean if I hear someone singing “Happy Birthday” at my favorite restaurant, I now have to report that restaurant for copyright infringement because their patron was trying to keep their hand clean, and wasn’t smart enough to just “hum a few bars?”

Maybe everyone is better off reporting Britney Spears for not keeping her hands clean.

Chugging Along

Good Evening!

Just spending the day organizing my notes, and looking for new things to post.  I’m going to try to find more memes to add to my blog, but they don’t seem to be as popular as they used to be. 

So far, I’m enjoying the much cooler weather of fall, and the fall television season.  My favorite new shows are “Chuck,” “Journeyman,” and “Life.”  Unfortunately, I’ve haven’t had a chance to see “Bionic Woman” yet, but I hope to rectify that real soon. 

Hopefully, by the time the new year rolls around, I’ll be more efficient with posting to my blog. 

We shall see. (ggg)

ttfn

Changing the Time

Good Evening! 

Just tweaking my blog today.  I’ve had to change my calendar yet again, and it looks like I’m going to have to change my clock too.  :( 

I would love to see the day I don’t have to spend so much time on the minutia.  :p 

ttfn

R E L A T E D   P O S T S :

Celebrating Constitution Day

¡Hola!  Happy Constitution Day! 

Today is the 220th anniversary of the signing of the U. S. Constitution. I, of course, am celebrating by posting in the blog today.  How are you celebrating?

ttfn

R E L A T E D   P O S T S :
Independence Day, Learn Something New Everyday

Mexico: Identity vs. Independence

As promised, here’s what I know about Cinco de Mayo, and why I chose to talk about it in the month of September. 

Cinco de Mayo seems to be mistaken for the Mexican Indepence Day which was celebrated yesterday (I know, a day late and a dollar short.  8-\  ).  In truth, Cinco de Mayo is a minor Mexican holiday commemorating the Battle of Puebla where the much smaller Mexican forces defeated the French army in 1862.^[1] 

Why Cinco de Mayo is misunderstood for a celebration of Mexican Independence can be found in Mexico’s troubled history.  First, after declaring it’s independence in 1810, it took Mexico another 11 years to get Spain to officially acknowledge it’s sovereignity .^[2]  Then, until Benito Juarez came into power in 1855, the leadership and the government of Mexico constantly changed.  During these changes, Texas revolted angainst Mexico in 1836, and Mexico lost alot of territory to the United States in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) .^[3] 

While it took the Mexican forces another five years to defeat the French Army, and depose Emperor Maximilian of Austria, the initial victory at the Battle of Peubla served "to develop a needed sense of national unity."^[4]  With that in mind, it would be easy to confuse the difference between establishing a national identity versus declaring national independence.  ¡Viva de Mexico! 

[1] The History of Cinco de Mayo—April 25, 2007, August 27, 2007, (http://www.mexonline.com/cinco-de-mayo.htm).

[2] Mexico: History and Culture—2006, September 17, 2007, (http://www.geographia.com/mexico/mexicohistory.htm).

[3] Mexico: History, Geography, Government, and Culture—2006, September 17, 2007, (http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107779.html).

[4] The History of Cinco de Mayo—April 25, 2007, August 27, 2007 (http://www.mexonline.com/cinco-de-mayo.htm).

R E L A T E D   P O S T S :
Cinco de Mayo

***REVISED*** 2007-09-20 T18:18:00-04:00— added additional links.

Learning Something New Everyday

Good Evening! 

Just spending some more time tweaking the blog today.  I’m going to try to add some additional posts later this week. 

Did you know that Friday is the 193rd anniversary of the composition of the Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key, and has only been our official national anthem for 76 years?  Well I know I didn’t.  Or did I?  :grin:

Peace.

R E L A T E D   P O S T S :
Happy Independence Day!, U. S. Citizenship Test, Another 70 Years to Go!, What Happened Next., Not Forgotten, Independent, Thinking

Deciding What to Blog About, and My Inhibitions.

I’ve been inspired by a bloggerseeds’ question about how do I decide what to blog about, and what my inhibitions are.  After careful consideration, I must say that I take Mr. Asimov’s suggestion to heart, and I blog about those things that I find fascinating.  In that respect, I have a few essays I’m working on to add to my blog.  By the same token, however, I try not to take myself too seriously, and I try to include spontaneous observations as well.  I also add fluffly fillers like memes and quizzes— there’s no point to blogging if you can’t have fun. 

I do have some inhibitions about blogging since it is a public process.  As a result, I try to write my posts as if my mom is going to read them.  In contrast, I have found there are some bloggers who feel that blogging is a completely uninhibited process and as a result they feel you shouldn’t tell anyone that you are blogging, and write as crassly and crudely as you want. 

On a personal level, that kind of blogging isn’t for me.  What is the value of being anonymously obnoxious other than obtaining cheap laughs?  I much rather make a positive contribution to the blogosphere by articulating my thoughts about what I find intriguing in the world— both real and imagined. 

R E L A T E D   P O S T S :
Isaac Asimov, Writing and I, Posting: More of a Chore than I Thought, Speak My Voice

Happy Independence Day!

Good Afternoon!  Happy July 4th, or more precisely Happy Independence Day! 

Today, I’m just taking my time and enjoying spending time with my family, and eating good food. 

I’ve found this book about writing from within, and I wonder if it is possible to really vividly remember emotions before the age of 7?  Or is it 6?

R E L A T E D   P O S T S :
U. S. Citizenship Test, Another 70 Years to Go!, What Happened Next., Not Forgotten, Independent, Thinking

***RESOURCES*** yyyy-mm-dd Thh:mm:ss-04:00

Watching Amanda by Janelle Taylor

Zebra, Paperback, 315 pp., Romantic Suspense

In order to meet the terms of her late father’s will, the title character, Amanda, has to put up with being “watched” by Ethan Black—a friend of her late father, millionaire, William Sedgewick.  Sadly, Amanda does not want the money of her father’s estate, and someone is willing to kill her to make sure Amanda doesn’t get it.

One of the strengths of this story is the believable, developing relationship between Amanda and Ethan.  In fact, the secondary plotline—regarding who is willing to kill Amanda—keeps this romantic thriller moving right along, and enhances the main story which of course is about Amanda and Ethan falling in love.

Regrettably, the only weakness of this story is the dialogue between Amanda and Ethan, who tried to convince Amanda the value of accepting her late father’s money—if only to ensure her son’s comfort and well being. While Ehtan’s attempts to convince Amanda to accept the gift of her father’s money certainly slows the story down, the serious attempts on Amanda’s life pick the pace right back up.

Overall, this book is a great read that is quick and uncomplicated, and definitely a keeper.  I look forward to finding out about Amanda’s sisters in future sequels (Haunting Olivia, Shadowing Ivy).

R E L A T E D   L I N K S :
Janelle Taylor

R E L A T E D   P O S T S :
Naked in Death by J.D. Robb, Which Katie McAllister Heroine are You?,The Laughing Corpse by Laurell K. Hamilton, Crimson City by Liz Maverick

***UPDATE: YYYY-MM-DD THH:MM:SS-04:00***

***REVISED*** yyyy-mm-dd Thh:mm:ss-04:00

Happy Juneteenth!

Mood: 
Good Evening!

Just fiddle-faddling around with the blog today.  I haven’t forgotten about my promise to let y’all know about what I know about cinco de mayo; I’ve decided to post-pone the 411 until September.

In the mean time, Happy Juneteenth!

R E L A T E D   P O S T S :

***UPDATE: YYYY-MM-DD THH:MM:SS-04:00***

***REVISED*** yyyy-mm-dd Thh:mm:ss-04:00

What a Difference a Year Makes.

Today, I spent some time updating my blog and doing some routine maintenance, and I noticed last year this time I did alot of posting.  The three main topics I wrote about included the Barbara Bauer Literary Agency who created alot of furor over at Absolute Write by temporarily shutting them down.  As far as I can tell, Ms. Bauer, the owner of the Barbara Bauer Literary Agency, has finally convinced Wikipedia to remove its entry about her, and currently has a lawsuit out.  Unfortunately, I don’t know anymore than that, but I hope everything works out for the best.

I also devoted a lot of time and energy to following the the Triple Crown in Kentucky, Maryland, and New York.  Sadly, due to some unexpected changes in my life, I don’t think I’ll be able to follow the races like I want, but I did hear that Queen Elizabeth II had a good time, and a pretty hat.  :)  Congratulations to Street Sense, by the way.

Finally, I’m a little disappointed with myself that I didn’t post the things I found out about Cinco de Mayo, so I’ll try to publish them later this month instead... better late than never.

ttfn

R E L A T E D   P O S T S :
Writer Beware's Twenty Worst Agents, Keeping Up with the Joneses

I Updated My Logo! Yay!

Yay!  Yay!  Yay! 

I’m so happy!  I’ve finally updated my logo to my liking!  Yay!  Time to do my happy dance! 

R E L A T E D   P O S T S :
The New Secrets of Blogger Success!, Outsmarted Myself, Oh the Things You Learn., Blog Cat

Happy, Happy, May, May

Good Evening! 

I’m sad that I missed a chance to post about May Day.  That’s okay because there is always next year. :ggg:

Then there is a backlog of esoterica I’d like to post but haven’t which makes me what Arsenio Hall calls “a bad host...”, but I ain’t holding my hand out for a spanking.  ;)

Oh, well we shall see how much work I can get done this week.  :)

TTFN!

R E L A T E D   P O S T S :

T A G S :

Strength, Courage, Confidence vs. Fear

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face." --Eleanor Roosevelt

Until recently, I never saw fear as a dare to be vanquished. I more readily saw it as an insurmountable wall to be climbed over. I had always believed the risk of failing was too great for me to try new things, or to knock over roadblocks to my goals. As a result, I hated myself for being afraid to fail. What helped me to change my attitude about my fears was, oddly enough of all things, a craft show profiling a sculptor about his creative process.

After I heard them, the sculptor's words stuck with me for the rest of the day. He said, "I enjoy creating sculptures, because it challenges me to come up with new solutions." Rather than seeing problems whenever he had a piece of sculpture that was not "working," he would see each work-in-progress instead as a "challenge" to overcome. What a difference a word makes.

Hearing the sculptor's insight about his creative process has helped me to see my difficulties with producing essays for my blog, and short stories to be submitted for publication as "challenges" to master in my quest to become a published writer. Whereas before, I was always afraid my sentences were too long. Or maybe they were too short? Did I put the clause in the right place? Am I telling too much information? Am I telling too little information? Am I wasting my time becoming a writer?

Now, in lieu of being frustrated with my seeming lack of progress as a writer, I step back-- take a fresh look at why I'm frustrated, and I devise a plan to move me past my frustration. I no longer feel miles away from achieving my personal goal to be a professional writer. Instead, I find myself with a plethora of ideas to write.

My new found ease with my creation process for writing has inspired me to re-think my fears and failures in other areas of my life. Consequently, I feel more energetic, and I complete my tasks in a more timely manner. Plus, I find myself making new goals to conquer. The fear I feel is never far from my thoughts, but I no longer feel overwhelmed by the prospect of failure.

Naked In Death by J. D. Robb; In 50 Words

Assuming the pseudonym, J. D. Robb, Nora Roberts writes her first futuristic romantic suspense featuring Lt. Eve Dallas— who comes perilously close to losing her life or destroying her career when she finds herself falling for Roarke, a suspect in the serial murders of licensed companions in which she investigates. Absolutely amazing!

R E L A T E D   P O S T S :
Crimson City by Liz Maverick, Laughing Corpse by Laurell K. Hamilton

T A G S :

“When will the hurting stop?”

Oh-kay.  I look up my own blog to see how it looks before I start tampering with it again, and I notice that I’m telling everyone that this is a test blog for me.

*smacks self in the head for being careless, yet again*

Oh-kay.  This is not a test blog.  This is my official blog.  I guess I’m trying too hard to make the blogger beta work for me.  I am going to get this right even if it kills me.  :P

The good news is with the help of some really nifty sites that I will discuss later, I’ve finally figured out how to update my blog with minimal damage.

*mental note to self read and re-read post and the rest of blog **before** I hit the publish button. *

ttfn.

R E L A T E D   P O S T S :

T A G S :

BlogCat

I’m trying out a nifty new calendar by lizhao.net, called BlogCat— a hack for users of blogger.com.  It gives you the power to make your posts accessible to your audience by the date it is published.  For example, if you click on July 7, 2006— on the calendar— it will take you to the post I published that day.

Unfortunately, the software doesn’t have the ability to differentiate between posts that are current, or the posts that are drafts.  As a result, unless you eliminate them by hand, each time you update your calendar, the draft posts will show up on the calendar as a valid link.  Of course since they are unpublished, Blogger will put up an error message when you click on it.

But that’s okay, BlogCat seems to be in the developmental stage, at the moment, so a few bugs are to be expected.  The site also helps you create categories for your blog.  This feature works absolutely great!  If you don’t believe me, check out the categories listed underneath the ZoomCloud.

I haven’t tried cross-referencing the categories, but as far as I am concerned, due to the way I have set up my blog, it’s not necessary.  I really love BlogCat, and I hope the creator, Li Zhao keeps up the good work.

***UPDATE:  2007-05-12 T14:25:12 Z-04:00:00***

Mr. Li no longer offers this service because of the upgrades that have been made to Blogger.

R E L A T E D   P O S T S :
Nifty Nuggets

T A G S: nifty nuggets, blogs, categories, calendars