1. Using my words
You may have noticed the new blog name? I mentioned a while back my increasing dissatisfaction with the former name (and excuse my laziness, no linky to that post). Then, one day, this name (Using My Words) popped into my head. It immediately felt delicious, like a death by chocolate cake a la mode, or putting on that outfit that feels perfect.
It's too great, probably already used, I thought. So I checked. No, not that I could find. Better put my name in front, just in case my searching isn't as good as I like to think, I reckoned. Hold off, sit on the name a bit, see if it still feels good, I decided. So I waited. Still felt good. Be cautious, try it out slowly, without a big announcement, make sure it's good, I determined. So I let it breathe a bit, and I kept checking the flavor and bouquet. Still good.
Then a few of you started noticing, and commenting on it (nicely, too!) and I figured, the cat is out of the bag...I better get this on the record. So here is the grand announcement, and with a new blog banner, too.
2. Google reader
Have I seemed scarce? Erratic? Lacking in comments? Seeming to prefer some blogs over yours, where I used to frequent?
It's not my fault.
No, really! It's not you! It's not me! It's Technorati!
It just wasn't feeding your blogs, even when you pinged it. And half the time my favorites would be Out of Service. What a mess. I'd manually go to your blog, missing you, and find I'd missed a week!
So...
Technorati and I are finished, through. Listen, when it's not a fit, just get on and get. I'm slowly but surely moving everything over to Google Reader. After a short test run and opinion poll, it does seem to be the best option (plus I already have an account). While doing this, I am purging a bit, and making new space.
What (or rather, who) should I be reading daily? Leave your suggestions (with links please) for me.
I'm also willing to subscribe to some megablogs (you know, big group blogs that lots of people write at, that do blog blasts and sell stuff and give stuff away, blogs like that). What are your favorites and why?
3. Swollen head
Apparently I was doing something worthy with myself this summer: blogging! Imagine my surprise---especially after the big mega-award post (and follow-up) of yesterday---to learn that I also won another Nice Matters tag and a ROFL award!
Thank you De of Shily, Shall I Dilly-Dally? for the ROFL nod to my post, Comparative Analysis of BlogHer vs. My Weekend
You can check out the other awardees at Mrs. Chicky's or Metro Mama's sites.
Thank you, Atypical at Nonsensical Text, for the Nice Matters nod.
4. You'll thank me for this later
I have a review of scrumptious fat free brownie mix at my rec blog.
I'm going to try to get more regular about putting up my picks and pans (and my reviews too). I know, words are cheap and if wishes were horses, beggars would ride etc. and so on. It's on the list.
5. Television, or How We Are Going to Hell in a Handbasket, my previous assertion notwithstanding
Kid Nation. I've been meaning to talk about this for a while, and Kim finally motivated me.
Do you know what Kid Nation is? It's Lord of the Flies, reality TV style, using real kids, who might be harmed in the making.
Kim found the contract the parents signed on Smoking Gun. It's...terrifying.
Talk to me...what do you think of this show?
Is it abuse?
P.S. Don't miss another Hmm'r! Shavings Off My Mind wrote Values vs. Ethics
Copyright 2007 Julie Pippert
Also blogging at:
Using My Words
Julie Pippert REVIEWS: Get a real opinion about BOOKS, MUSIC and MORE
Julie Pippert RECOMMENDS: A real opinion about HELPFUL and TIME-SAVING products
About-HOUSTON-TX.com: HOT scoop about H-Town!
You may have noticed the new blog name? I mentioned a while back my increasing dissatisfaction with the former name (and excuse my laziness, no linky to that post). Then, one day, this name (Using My Words) popped into my head. It immediately felt delicious, like a death by chocolate cake a la mode, or putting on that outfit that feels perfect.
It's too great, probably already used, I thought. So I checked. No, not that I could find. Better put my name in front, just in case my searching isn't as good as I like to think, I reckoned. Hold off, sit on the name a bit, see if it still feels good, I decided. So I waited. Still felt good. Be cautious, try it out slowly, without a big announcement, make sure it's good, I determined. So I let it breathe a bit, and I kept checking the flavor and bouquet. Still good.
Then a few of you started noticing, and commenting on it (nicely, too!) and I figured, the cat is out of the bag...I better get this on the record. So here is the grand announcement, and with a new blog banner, too.
2. Google reader
Have I seemed scarce? Erratic? Lacking in comments? Seeming to prefer some blogs over yours, where I used to frequent?
It's not my fault.
No, really! It's not you! It's not me! It's Technorati!
It just wasn't feeding your blogs, even when you pinged it. And half the time my favorites would be Out of Service. What a mess. I'd manually go to your blog, missing you, and find I'd missed a week!
So...
Technorati and I are finished, through. Listen, when it's not a fit, just get on and get. I'm slowly but surely moving everything over to Google Reader. After a short test run and opinion poll, it does seem to be the best option (plus I already have an account). While doing this, I am purging a bit, and making new space.
What (or rather, who) should I be reading daily? Leave your suggestions (with links please) for me.
I'm also willing to subscribe to some megablogs (you know, big group blogs that lots of people write at, that do blog blasts and sell stuff and give stuff away, blogs like that). What are your favorites and why?
3. Swollen head
Apparently I was doing something worthy with myself this summer: blogging! Imagine my surprise---especially after the big mega-award post (and follow-up) of yesterday---to learn that I also won another Nice Matters tag and a ROFL award!
Thank you De of Shily, Shall I Dilly-Dally? for the ROFL nod to my post, Comparative Analysis of BlogHer vs. My Weekend
You can check out the other awardees at Mrs. Chicky's or Metro Mama's sites.
Thank you, Atypical at Nonsensical Text, for the Nice Matters nod.
4. You'll thank me for this later
I have a review of scrumptious fat free brownie mix at my rec blog.
I'm going to try to get more regular about putting up my picks and pans (and my reviews too). I know, words are cheap and if wishes were horses, beggars would ride etc. and so on. It's on the list.
5. Television, or How We Are Going to Hell in a Handbasket, my previous assertion notwithstanding
Kid Nation. I've been meaning to talk about this for a while, and Kim finally motivated me.
Do you know what Kid Nation is? It's Lord of the Flies, reality TV style, using real kids, who might be harmed in the making.
Kim found the contract the parents signed on Smoking Gun. It's...terrifying.
Talk to me...what do you think of this show?
Is it abuse?
P.S. Don't miss another Hmm'r! Shavings Off My Mind wrote Values vs. Ethics
Copyright 2007 Julie Pippert
Also blogging at:
Using My Words
Julie Pippert REVIEWS: Get a real opinion about BOOKS, MUSIC and MORE
Julie Pippert RECOMMENDS: A real opinion about HELPFUL and TIME-SAVING products
About-HOUSTON-TX.com: HOT scoop about H-Town!
Comments
Love the new name, header, and everything!
I use Bloglines, and it has been pretty reliable. If Google Reader fails you, try it.
I just updated my blogroll, so all of my faves are there...with the exception of 2 or 3 I've just started reading. I think we largely travel the same circles, though.
And congrats on your ROFL! Very deserved.
The name, the new header, the picture of you in the new header.
It's fabulous.
And Julie -- like a fine wine, you keep getting better and better. That post of yours over at BlogRhet was phenomenal.
Also, the Kid Nation contract makes me physically ill. How could you send your 9 year old away not knowing if she'd be photographed changing or hurt or...god knows what else. They should do a documentary on the parents I think.
My hair is slung back in a pony and a half (you know, pony it but only pull it halfway through on last tug through). NOT FANCY. I have on NO MAKEUP. We are OUTDOORS at a park. It's hot and I am sweating. I have a backpack slung across one shoulder, and am squatting to help Patience. I am not looking at the camera and by my expression have just uttered something in frustration LOL.
Also, I am wearing a t-shirt that---since seeing myself in it in a photo---has GONE AWAY.
I'm keeping it REAL.
I had a photo of me all gussied up from the Big Fancy Dinner a few months ago but I took that one out and said, let's put in the real me LOL.
The kid photo is a hilarious event earlier in August. It was raining (again, of course) and Patience and Persistence built a Horse for Two. The swiffer is the face (you can't see the taped on eyeballs, nose and mouth). They used a cat throne, two chairs, and a trampoline. Is that hilarious or what?
The ranuculus is sort of like my trademark now. The fish pond is from a special family event at Jon's cousin's house---good memories. And the books are my faves (Shakespeare and Penman) but from a logo I did for a Books, Booze and Bling party.
If Google reader fails me I am throwing in the towel. All of my favorite bloggers will have to set up email subscription, just for me.
I did check out your blogroll (did you mention that you freshened it up on your blog? Somehow I knew this...) and there were a couple I did not know. I got excited b/c I saw moreena there but no, still MIA.
Thanks!!
*****
Mrs. Chicky, woo hoo anything that flatters the rear end. I actually have no bum. It's true. My nom de club was Lola Honobutt. True story. LOL All joking aside, thanks. :)
*****
Madame M, thanks very much!
*****
SM, you are just adding fuel here, aren't you. You are keeping news feeds up on your computer watching for the story of the lady in Texas whose head exploded LOL. Joking aside, you rock, thanks for the really kind words. Much needed now.
*****
Suz, it's NUTS, isn't it? I just...geez, I think animals get better protection in shows. Thanks!
*****
Jenny, they should do some study on the parents all right. It's not cool by me, that whole thing. Distressing. And thanks!!
Second, congrats!
Third, just the promos for that show disturbed me, but the contract -- yikes.
death by chocolate cake a la mode and brownies. yum. . .
oh and I love the new name and that post was funny--congratulations!
and kid nation seems creepy
Re Kid Nation - I didn't read the contract but I've heard some about it. I can't imagine any justification good enough to allow kid to participate in something like that but, as we all know, I'm a tad overprotective. Okay, more than a tad. But still...WTF?
I love the photo of you in the header - it really grabs the eye (in a good way!).
Hopefully the new site will do even better!
I haven't seen Kid Nation (nor will I) but it seems cuckoo, nuts, silly and cruel.
I will have to check out that contract. I can only imagine! I am afraid to click the link... Ok here I go.