Went to visit my littlest sis yesterday; since she and the hubster have moved back to the east coast, and they're just an hour and a half away, there's really no excuse, these days.
Decided to go to Umstead Park to canoe around the lake, only to find out that Umstead has two entrances and we came in the wrong one to get to the lake. So we hiked "Inspiration Loop," (not so inspiring, if you ask me) and took some photos and read little placards about trees.
Dinner was with the Park Alum from NCSU at 18 Seaboard in Raleigh. I hadn't realized the Park program was so new; I thought it had been around as long as the Morehead Scholars (now the Morehead-Cain Scholars) program. Alas, that is not the case. The 10th class of Park Scholars is about to graduate, and so, I was one of the oldest in the room. Many Park have moved away from the area (not surprisingly), but the dinner was overbooked, so that bodes well for the newly formed group.
I can't say much for 18 Seaboard. I think this restaurant has a lot of potential and they have an amazing wine list (they've got my Qupe Syrah), but the food really didn't live up to my expectations. Sauteed spinach was awesome, but if I'm paying that much for dinner, the steak ought to be, too. It wasn't.
The evening continued with the "social dance" part of ballroom dance. (For those of you who don't know, my sister is a WONDERFUL ballroom dancer. Wins awards and stuff. Yeah, that good. Watch her here at a competition in 2007.)
I concede to go, thinking, "Ok, I've got no idea how to do any of these dances, but I can appreciate watching dancing, so I'll just do that."
RIGHT.
Turns out you really don't have to have much of a clue of what you're doing to swing (either east coast or west coast) or lindy or salsa or bachata or meringue. Because I was doing all of that - basically - by the end of the night. With the parade of men who kept asking. Almost every single song.
Now, here's my fuss about the rules: If you just look creepy to me and I turn you down for a dance, I shouldn't be penalized for doing so. (Technically, if you turn someone down for a dance, you're not supposed to do that particular style of dance any longer. Ha.) It's not my fault my creep meter goes off. For all I know, you're going to stalk me back to wherever I live and kill me in my sleep. I'm not gonna give you that opportunity to develop such an obsession with me. Sorry. Deal with it.
French toast for breakfast, church at St. Andrew's and lunch at the mexican joint around the corner.
Quality girl time; every second of it needed. (Thanks, hon.)
Showing posts with label opinion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label opinion. Show all posts
2.24.2008
8.26.2007
Not a bad . . .
looking elf. Don't much care for him in anything else, but I love the elf bit. Something amazingly mysterious and completely hot about it. Yum . . .
Photos courtesy of orlandobloom.wz.cz. Can't vouch for their authenticity on that site, though. Couldn't find good ones on imdb.
Photos courtesy of orlandobloom.wz.cz. Can't vouch for their authenticity on that site, though. Couldn't find good ones on imdb. 7.26.2007
The Rules for Blogging
Today was the day of many topics to blog about. I can definitely say that I'm set for the week. Stay tuned for more on that later . . .
Nonetheless, the topic I'm going to pick for this evening is this: blogging rules. It's happened again that a good friend didn't define their rules completely before getting into the blogosphere (something I have to admit that I did as well) and thus, their presence in the blogosphere changed drastically and without warning.
Now, as many in the blogosphere know, such changes are completely unexpected and cause concern in your readers especially if you have a fairly large and/or loyal readership. I've got a blog I'm stalking right now that hasn't had a post in months, but they used to post several times a day! (No, you don't get that link. It's NWS and it speaks to #7 on The List.) It's upsetting, to say the least.
Ergo, here's the draft of The Rules for Blogging. In no way shape or form is this a complete or un-alterable list. Jump in and let me know what you'd change or what you'd add. (Yep, I learned some of these the hard way. Just ask my friend Jess or my friend Jim.)
1) If you've got a significant other, tell them you have/are starting a blog and how to get to it. If they never look at it, you've done your part. Might be good to share your rules for what goes on the blog with them, so they don't have to be concerned about what may or may not appear on the blog. Remember that your significant other (and everyone else in the world with an Internet connection) can see it whenever they want, if they can find it. Don't forget that.
2) In consideration of the significant other, DON'T post anything offensive or that could be perceived as too personal UNLESS you've got permission from them BEFORE you post. Now, if you don't so much care for that significant other and aren't concerned about helping to define the legality of social media and first amendment rights or aren't concerned about a libel or slander lawsuit, post away. Post it once, and it's always there (especially after the web spiders get to it).
3) Don't write stuff you wouldn't admit in public. For me, after I mentioned my duck (the post), I realized I wasn't ready to post about it. However, my perspective on sexuality has shifted and I don't mind at all now. Realize however that some things are still not public: i.e., #7 on The List.
4) Decide what's off-limits. For me, work is always off-limits; I don't need to be dooced. I need my job. (If you're interested, Heather Armstrong's experience provided the nomenclature for this phenomenon.)
Intimate conversations with friends are also off-limits, as well as any significant reference to their lives. My family is sometimes off, sometimes on; depends on the situation.
5) Decide on pictures and video content. What will you post? What won't you post? Why? If you don't know why, you won't stick with your decision. Beware of copyright laws - and know a lawyer.
6) Be fair and give credit where it's due. Don't steal someone else's blog post. Sure, if they've got a topic that gets your writing bristles up, go for it. But give them credit for having the idea first. Link. And consider a Creative Commons license. (They're free.)
7) Ask the blogger before you add a blog to your blog roll. Admittedly, I haven't done
this, but I should have. The people who read your blog may be some other blogger's worst nightmare. The only way they may have found that blogger was through your blog roll.
8) Admit when you're wrong and publicly correct the error. We're all human and we all know that eventually, you're gonna screw up. Deal. (Here's an example, courtesy of Cara Michele at Chosen Fast.)
9) Learn about your blog/hosting service. Know how it works. Know what the passwords do. Know what's public and what's not before you jump right in. And don't be afraid to use the knowledge base. Those people know everything about hosting/blog service. They developed it - and continue to improve it. Let them help.
10) When lurking/commenting on someone else's blog, follow their lead. If they don't cuss, you'd better not. If you know them IRL and they don't specifically mention or name parts of their life on the blog, don't dare. It might violate one of their blogging rules.
And, since 10 is a nice, round number and it's past my bedtime, that's where I'll stop. I expect to hear your thoughts or opinions on this. Chime in.
Nonetheless, the topic I'm going to pick for this evening is this: blogging rules. It's happened again that a good friend didn't define their rules completely before getting into the blogosphere (something I have to admit that I did as well) and thus, their presence in the blogosphere changed drastically and without warning.
Now, as many in the blogosphere know, such changes are completely unexpected and cause concern in your readers especially if you have a fairly large and/or loyal readership. I've got a blog I'm stalking right now that hasn't had a post in months, but they used to post several times a day! (No, you don't get that link. It's NWS and it speaks to #7 on The List.) It's upsetting, to say the least.
Ergo, here's the draft of The Rules for Blogging. In no way shape or form is this a complete or un-alterable list. Jump in and let me know what you'd change or what you'd add. (Yep, I learned some of these the hard way. Just ask my friend Jess or my friend Jim.)
1) If you've got a significant other, tell them you have/are starting a blog and how to get to it. If they never look at it, you've done your part. Might be good to share your rules for what goes on the blog with them, so they don't have to be concerned about what may or may not appear on the blog. Remember that your significant other (and everyone else in the world with an Internet connection) can see it whenever they want, if they can find it. Don't forget that.
2) In consideration of the significant other, DON'T post anything offensive or that could be perceived as too personal UNLESS you've got permission from them BEFORE you post. Now, if you don't so much care for that significant other and aren't concerned about helping to define the legality of social media and first amendment rights or aren't concerned about a libel or slander lawsuit, post away. Post it once, and it's always there (especially after the web spiders get to it).
3) Don't write stuff you wouldn't admit in public. For me, after I mentioned my duck (the post), I realized I wasn't ready to post about it. However, my perspective on sexuality has shifted and I don't mind at all now. Realize however that some things are still not public: i.e., #7 on The List.
4) Decide what's off-limits. For me, work is always off-limits; I don't need to be dooced. I need my job. (If you're interested, Heather Armstrong's experience provided the nomenclature for this phenomenon.)
Intimate conversations with friends are also off-limits, as well as any significant reference to their lives. My family is sometimes off, sometimes on; depends on the situation.
5) Decide on pictures and video content. What will you post? What won't you post? Why? If you don't know why, you won't stick with your decision. Beware of copyright laws - and know a lawyer.
6) Be fair and give credit where it's due. Don't steal someone else's blog post. Sure, if they've got a topic that gets your writing bristles up, go for it. But give them credit for having the idea first. Link. And consider a Creative Commons license. (They're free.)
7) Ask the blogger before you add a blog to your blog roll. Admittedly, I haven't done
this, but I should have. The people who read your blog may be some other blogger's worst nightmare. The only way they may have found that blogger was through your blog roll.
8) Admit when you're wrong and publicly correct the error. We're all human and we all know that eventually, you're gonna screw up. Deal. (Here's an example, courtesy of Cara Michele at Chosen Fast.)
9) Learn about your blog/hosting service. Know how it works. Know what the passwords do. Know what's public and what's not before you jump right in. And don't be afraid to use the knowledge base. Those people know everything about hosting/blog service. They developed it - and continue to improve it. Let them help.
10) When lurking/commenting on someone else's blog, follow their lead. If they don't cuss, you'd better not. If you know them IRL and they don't specifically mention or name parts of their life on the blog, don't dare. It might violate one of their blogging rules.
And, since 10 is a nice, round number and it's past my bedtime, that's where I'll stop. I expect to hear your thoughts or opinions on this. Chime in.
6.23.2007
Idiots, I Say
It appears that the Guilford County Commissioners want to prove just how much they don't care about things that are supposedly important to Guilford County: economic development, support of the creative class, support of non-profits who serve specific missions for the residents of Guilford County, etc., etc.
Idiots.
How is Guilford County ever supposed to become what it dreams to be if its' leaders don't do what's necessary for those dreams?! They're lacking focus.
Read more here and here.
And yes, even though I DON'T pay property taxes in that county and I DON'T vote in that county, I spend more than 25% of my time there and spend lots of my money in other taxes there, so I feel like I'm justified in my opinion.
Heck, my opinion doesn't need justification. It's an opinion. Take it or leave it.
Idiots.
How is Guilford County ever supposed to become what it dreams to be if its' leaders don't do what's necessary for those dreams?! They're lacking focus.
Read more here and here.
And yes, even though I DON'T pay property taxes in that county and I DON'T vote in that county, I spend more than 25% of my time there and spend lots of my money in other taxes there, so I feel like I'm justified in my opinion.
Heck, my opinion doesn't need justification. It's an opinion. Take it or leave it.
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