Friday, July 27, 2007

Sublimation

On the Billy Collins trail, I find this opening statement:

My about statement was here just a second ago. I don’t know where it could have wandered off to. It’s too big to hide under my header. I’m pretty sure it’s not curled up taking a nap somewhere in the archives.

No worries. I’m sure it will turn up.

Let’s just keep our eyes peeled, shall we?

For now let’s just say I’ve written lots of poems. Though publishing isn’t my focus, I have managed to publish some of them — a couple in fancy cool places but most in regional journals you wouldn’t have heard of. I’ve published less than some of you and more than some of you, neither of which matters.

I am going to start working on a big fat graduate degree in poetry this summer. Will it make my writing better? That remains to be seen. Does my pedigree really matter? Not really. Because it’s the writing that counts. It all comes back to that, doesn’t it.

Let’s also touch on this: Why I am not more serious here. Why I don’t have a buttoned up, straight-laced blog polished to a high sheen that illustrates what a level-headed and well-versed (pun intended) poet I am. The answer is simple: I don’t want a blog like that.

And her attempt at a paradelle

So go read more at Sublimation

Thursday, July 26, 2007

part Life Coach, part Death Coach

Hiya.

Welcome to the ever-evolving world of Laura Young.

I'm part Life Coach, part Death coach. After all, you ARE going to die someday and that DOES have implications for how you are living today, even if you don't like to think about stuff like that. You'll find pretty quickly here that I'm not afraid to call it like I see it because I think an awful lot of people are just dinking around with their lives and need to take a good hard look in the mirror once in a while. One of my clients recently described me as "brutally compassionate". Hey, we're all human, just don't let that be an excuse for not giving your best to this life you've been given.

Be forewarned: Hanging out at this blog is not always for the faint of heart. I like to get in to the big questions of life and I'm here to tell you that there aren't Ten EASY Steps to ANYTHING! Life is about the lessons. Learn as much as you can and put it to good use. Of course, that means sometimes you have to be willing to walk right into the dragon's lair so you can see what you are really made of. You just might surprise yourself. Don't worry, if you need someone to watch your back, I'm right here.

I stand, strongly and unflinchingly, for integrity and love. Not woo woo fluffy girly love. I care, deeply, that you get out of life what you came here for. I care, even more, that you give something real of yourself back to us along the way.

Now, let's go have some fun...

This site was found on the "Billy Collins trail"!

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

wanabehuman

From the About page at Wanabehuman
"Ideas..." wrote John Maynard Keynes, "when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood...Practical men, who believe themselves...exempt from any intellectual influences, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist...The power of vested interests is vastly exaggerated compared with the gradual encroachment of ideas."

Blogging since 22 June 2005. We believe every citizen can be a journalist. Wanabehuman is a UK-based weblog founded on the principles of participatory or citizen journalism. We provide a small democratic journalistic forum and provide the tools for our contributors to become good writers and journalists.

We offer direct help from professional editors with style, grammar, structure and more. We’re different from ordinary bloggers because we do not publish all submissions to Wanabehuman. We try to check all articles that are submitted to us, and go through them against our editorial guidelines and standards to ensure accuracy, integrity, truthfulness, balance, diversity of opinion and much more.


This way we can ensure that the competition for the headlines is based purely on the writers’ wit, imagination and journalistic integrity, and not by agenda-setting corporations.


If you are a budding student journalist, or wannabe writer, or even a professional journalist, or just want to try out something a little different, then Wanabehuman can provide an excellent platform for you free thinkers around the world.


We believe that virtue is knowledge.
Go feast your mind upon wanabehuman

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Mavericks at Work

On the efficiency trail this week...

Okay, I'm stretching it a bit. But when I give you eight sites for one yesterday, and today: a book, a blog and a downloadable manifesto... well come on now, isn't that being efficient?

Today, it is Mavericks at Work
You can find their web site here

Order their book here

Download their manifesto here

and find their blog here


Tomorrow?
That is another day... who knows?


Enjoy today! Carpe diem!

Monday, July 23, 2007

Frugal Village

It is fitting that as I introduce you to Frugal Village, you get not one, not two, not three, but EIGHT sites from which to chose:
Now, is that frugal or what? Check in with Sara Noel and see what she is doing with ME TIME Media.

Enjoy!

Friday, July 20, 2007

I Miss Fafblog Spot

Remember when Fafnir wrote this? "This is a good blog. This is the best blog. It is about god and the universe and those horrible screaming monkeys and that time I made a pizza out of an old tire and a can of whip cream. It is the Fafblog." I do too [sniff]. I miss those guys

and then

Missing Fafblog! can be like the solitary life of the Sumatran rhinoceros. I Miss Fafblog, Spot!? A salt lick around which to congregate.

Yes, cruise on by to check out the Missing Fafblog Spot! A riot!

5 for Friday

On the "Billy Collins" trail to find five sites for this Friday.

First stop, Philippines: Flickers of Flight

Second at: My Desultory Musings

Third at: A Delightful Visit

Fourth at: HartfordYorkHats

and finally at: The glamorous (or not) life of a young conductor


and a bonus sherku: spontaneous hitchhikers

Go delight, fly away
No musing, just visit
Keep your hat on, Conductor


What is a sherku?

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Doodlebean

Yes, doodles with a purpose!

Colorful, inspiring! Awe inspiring!

Go to Doodlebean now. Do not stop. Do not collect any money along the way.

Go to Doodlebean and feast your eyes!

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

The Borique Lens

Continuing along the Billy Collins trail, we stop in the suburbs of friendly Philadelphia.

She writes:
Hello from the sunny 'burbs of Phila-del-phia. I've been getting back into the swing of poetry these days after a too long hiatus from composing original work. In 2001, I had the privilege of being invited to a writer's retreat in Washington State and there I finally had the courage to come out as a writer and poet.
Read the full posting here.

A sample of other recent postings:
Check out the Borique Lens!

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Daily Dickinson

Along the "Billy Collins" trail, I have come across the Daily Dickinson a few times so I can not leave it unmentioned here.

All things Emily!

From the "About" page we find:

What to expect…

from me

Every day, until I run out of poems, pictures, or patience, I’ll post an Emily Dickinson poem. The text will be from the Project Gutenberg Dickinson, checked against a print copy of the Complete Poems where appropriate. A photograph in that poem’s spirit will come along for the ride.

Some commentary may be included as well, if the poem warrants it. Don’t expect close readings or fanciful deconstructions or elucidations of the signified and the signifier; I’ve lost those brain cells to Guinness and Diafine and XML. I hope to offer thoughts that won’t detract from the poems, that clarify some obscurities (if they need clarification), or that offer a personal reaction.

No, I won’t help you with your term paper.

from you

Visit when you can, enjoy the pictures and the poems, leave a note. If you’re moved to buy a card or a book, then thank you very much! But if not, that’s fine; this sort of project is a cheap enough hobby, and clearly not a revenue stream.

If you like what you see, leave a comment or drop a line. Constructive criticism and hosannas are both gladly accepted here.

Thanks for visiting!

Michael Hartford


Sunday, July 15, 2007

Live on Sirius Satellite Radio

Live on Sirius Satellite Radio channel 114 from 8 AM until 9 AM (Eastern time) on Monday July 16th Benjamin Bach, Greg Balanko-Dickson, Phil Gerbyshak, EM Sky and Steve Sherlock will join host Karen Salmansohn on the the Be Happy, Dammit! show for what is sure to be a fast and furious 60 minutes of conversation.
Karen_salmansohn
Can't catch it live? Don't worry, check out the Be Happy Dammit archives, especially this great show with Keith Ferrazzi, and soon, you'll see the JJLN show there too!


We'll be talking about all things learning, and no doubt learn a thing or two from Karen! Hope you can hear us soon!Lime_logo


Friday, July 13, 2007

Monday, July 02, 2007

Things That Make You Go Hmm


No, C & C Music Factory hasn't decided to blog. TDavid is actually the author of this fine blog, called Things That Make You Go Hmm, an interesting blog all about technology, music, art, and news reviews. Definitely worth checking out if you're into any of the listed items, as TDavid's reviews are never boring. I particularly enjoy the way he puts himself in the pictures of the products he's reviewing, and his smiling face makes me wonder what's behind that brain of his?

Particularly interesting recently is his video on how to press and grill hamburgers. Ah, just in time for summer!

[Phil Gerbyshak is the author of 10 Ways to Make It Great! and can be found most days writing at Make It Great! He also currently serves as the editor of 100 Bloggers, where he helps connect the unconnected.]

Branding Wire: Provocative Perspectives from a Posse of Pundits

Today's trip along the trail takes us to Branding Wire, where some amazingly smart people talk about branding, something we all do, whether we think about it or not.

The pundit roll includes:

The first excellent project was creating a brand strategy for a small coffee shop. I've read it a few times, and it's really smartly done.

In July, the pundits will take on branding a small town. Set your feed reader to Branding Wire today, and never miss another post.

[Phil Gerbyshak is the author of 10 Ways to Make It Great! and can be found most days writing at Make It Great! He also currently serves as the editor of 100 Bloggers, where he helps connect the unconnected.]

Friday, June 29, 2007

Commonplaces

Commonplace-book. Formerly Book of common places. orig. A book in which 'commonplaces' or passages important for reference were collected, usually under general heads; hence, a book in which one records passages or matters to be especially remembered or referred to, with or without arrangement. First usage recorded: 1578. - OED
Hence, the collection Beth writes here is interesting. Her recent posts include these titles:
Consider adding this site to your RSS Reader and return from time to time to this Commonplace

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Molasses Poetry

Yes, continuing the Technorati "Billy Collins" trail we come upon Wendy who writes:

Welcome to Molasses Poetry.

I’m Wendy, and my love of words and poetry began in rural northern New Jersey where I grew up. On the grassy bank of a pond, a granite outcropping on a hillside, or in the shade of the black walnut tree in our front yard, I’d dig a stubby pencil and small, bent spiral notebook out of my pocket and jot down short poems about nature. Thankfully, school nurtured my appreciation for poetry rather than stifling it. A few years after my family relocated to Virginia, one particular English and creative writing teacher intensified my poetry enthusiasm through her inventive and inviting lessons. She also piqued my interest in teaching.

Inspired by my teacher-mentor, I taught English and creative writing for four years before becoming a librarian, a profession that allows me to combine my love of teaching and literature with my fascination for science, technology, and a multitude of other subjects. I journal and read poetry regularly, write poetry occasionally, and revel in opportunities to immerse myself in poetry during celebrations like the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival.

I believe that poetry is not just something you read or write, but something you live - by paying attention - to your environment, your fellow human beings, and yourself.

Live poetically!

Wendy's vision:

Too often I find myself caught up in the rush and rumble of pursuing what’s next and forget to stop, breathe, and be present in my life. Molasses Poetry is my way of encouraging readers to join me in slowing down to savor poetry and reflect on words, ideas, and images that may inspire poetry or journaling. I hope it may also spark lesson ideas for teachers of poetry, literature, or creative writing.

Web sites on the link menu connect readers with poems in many forms, formats, and voices, and are featured because they provide quality, organized content from a variety of poets, are from identifiable, authoritative sources, and either have permission to share the poets’ work or have compiled works in the public domain. You can find additional poetry resources by scrolling through my poetry links on del.icio.us.

When poem links, excerpts, or quotes in posts are accompanied by my musings, these are offered as a starting point for discussion rather than “the” interpretation.

Thank you for taking a moment to slow down with me. Please join the discussion by posting comments, or subscribe to Molasses Poetry by clicking on “entries” at the bottom of the main page and adding Molasses Poetry to your favorite feed reader.

I'll come back often, there are good links in her side bars.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

kellementology

On the Technorati "Billy Collins" trail we find ourselves visiting with KellyPea who writes:

I am not a mother of hoop jumpers. And I am routinely reminded of this fact.

I have diligently tried to raise my offspring to understand the construct of the world. But they are very content to think about, getting around to, considering, being involved in, possibly participating, in life’s basic rules of engagement at their own pace. They construct their own hoops. Unfortunately, when you’re their mother, the hoops resemble hurdles. Large ones.

It’s not supposed to matter to me that so-and-so’s daughter is in “advanced this” or AP that. Or that this person’s son was recommended for such and such. That this acquaintance has a daughter that crosses all her T’s and dots all her I’s all the time. Sometimes those same people don’t understand how hard it is has been to let my children be who they are instead of what I want them to be. What I believe they can become. It’s not supposed to matter. But it does. It always has.

Read the full posting on Hoop Jumping and Birch Swinging

And then she writes:

“So who put the BBQ on the truck?” I asked the MoH as he jogged up the stairs to change his clothes after pulling the behemoth alongside our curb.

“Me and a guy at the store.”

“So then I can help you get it off the truck, right?” I responded like there was some sort of a legitimate comparison between my own strength and a guy’s — any guy’s. Well, except maybe a 4th grader’s. “It should be fine,” I mumbled, already wondering. “I’ll just look for something we can lower it down onto.” This had worked in the past when the two of us had to put a large TV into an armoire. Now that was scary, I remembered, picturing one or both of us bent backwards with a humongous TV ready to fall back onto our heads as we fell through the hardwood floor. Ugh. Or the time that we moved the same armoire up to our bedroom after getting a new TV.

We lovingly refer to ourselves as The Doopids, because we can get things done most of the time, but it’s somewhat of a 3rd class circus act in the delivery. “All elbows and a**holes,” as my mother would politely say before pushing one of us away from the task and getting it done herself with a few grunts and a snort. Sadly, my mom wasn’t available to remind us that one buff senior can handily put to shame two younger desk jockeys — or act like she could.

Read the full posting on Mint Julips end the BBQ Saga in Paradise

So where is Paradise?

Paradise is in Southern California. I don’t always want to live here, but do, because it’s where my house, my family, and VBF are. Oh, and since I’m now unemployed, I have to say my husband works here, so it wouldn’t be easy to pull up stakes and move to Virginia where my sister just moved. I do appreciate the qualities of Paradise as much as a house potato can, but clearly I struggle since I’m in a room with blinds pulled, sitting in front of a monitor, and it’s probably a perfectly remarkable day out there.

And who is KellyPea?

Who am I?
A woman, wife, mother of sons, daughter, sister, good friend, cat and dog lover, gardener, passionate cook, house potato, schizophrenic reader, pseudo interior decorator, movie lover, closet photographer (no, I don’t take pictures of closets), writer, persnickety music lover, non-practicing pianist, semi-novice world traveler, daydreamer, and not least, erstwhile educator. I’m sure I’ve left out a few identities, but they will most likely surface as things evolve.

What matters?
Everything — most of the time. I’m most likely not for the faint of heart. Imagine all of the above jockeying for position from day to day, or actually throughout the day. It makes my life interesting, and I am rarely bored.

So to avoid being bored, add this site to your RSS Reader and keep up with KellyPea living in Paradise!

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Boston 1775

As a New England native, I am alert to learn what I can of the history of the area around me. To find Boston 1775, is indeed a good site to share.
History, analysis, and unabashed gossip about the start of the American Revolution in Massachusetts.

J. L. BELL is a Massachusetts writer who specializes in (among other things) the start of the American Revolution in and around Boston. He is particularly interested in the experiences of children in 1765-75. He has published scholarly papers and popular articles for both children and adults. He was consultant for an episode of History Detectives, and contributed to a display at Minute Man National Historic Park.
Recent posts
Add this site to your RSS Reader of choice and find out more about the early days of the American Revolution here in Boston.


Monday, June 25, 2007

Thoreau and Whitman

Did you know Henry David Thoreau had a blog?

And Walt Whitman had a blog?

Alas, Henry's has stopped updating (at least for now) but you can read what has previously been published.

Walt's seems to still be active although the last update was in May.

Two great American writers!

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Thus Spoke Pragmatic Librarian

Jason writes:

You miss too much these days if you stop to think.

The quote above comes from “Until the End of the World,” the fourth song on U2’s 1991 album Achtung Baby. Although the song alludes to Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, the “stop to think” line seems apt for the overall scope of my blog.

As an academic librarian, I need to keep up with trends in higher education, librarianship, technology, and the disciplines for which I act as library liaison. I also ascribe to a principle similar to Murphy’s Law about technology: once I learn about a new technological development that could affect academia, “the next big thing” is already sneaking up to supplant it. As a result, keeping up can get overwhelming at times, and I feel like I have little time to reflect holistically on the true significance of all these developments.

In this blog, I try to grapple with the rapid changes occurring in higher education, librarianship, technology, and (by extension) society in general. I also want to provide a forum for those who want to “stop to think” without missing too much.

With that kind of an intro, and a tag line that reads:
Part professional. Part personal. All pragmatic.
Jason seems to have the site that you might want to add to your RSS Reader and visit.