%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 |   A terminal for all blogs coming in or going out. A view into my life. |
Started July 1st 2019 for contests, etc. as other blogs are filling up and have other purposes.  I'm starting a new blog because
I'll be linking to
I've started an appendix (I no longer have one personally) to keep track of my Space Cadet journals for Space Blog. It's a work constantly under construction. Mind the mess.
I needed to start a folder for contests as there are so many deadlines and details to remember.
  |
| One of the limitations of WDC is that it can become cliquish and one of the dangers of cliques is becoming an echo chamber. This is one reason why I'm hesitant to belong to groups. I don't feel safe in restricted groups. WDC is very English language bound as many are mono-linguals. WDC is culturally very British Colonial. It is very Christian and very White. And few seem to have significant interactions outside of those echo-chambers. I told Stik that in my opinion, much of what is written in English seems to come from British and British colonial points-of-view (or written by those who went to colonial institutions like Harvard/Yale, Oxford/Cambridge and have learned how to speak in filtered colonial language). In the U.S. that is also greatly informed by Western Christianity. I doubt that South-East Asians, Far-East Asians, South Asians, pre- or non- Christian Americans or Africans would agree on 'masculinity' and many other issues as defined by British Christian Colonial norms. We are all culture-bound but those bindings are tighter among mono-cultural individuals. I doubt that much of what anyone here suggests will be helpful when I visit multi-cultural but Buddhist-informed Thailand. Few have been there other than as tourists. Even vlogs are suspect as the bling-bling $$ commercial aspect seems to have become dominate. I'm better off watching Thai TV series that are helping me understand a culture I know little about. The series "55:15 Never Too Late" is specifically exploring generational issues that cover language usage, sex, relationships and attitudes. Much can be learned by exploring outside mono-lingual mono-cultural echo-chambers (which is what I get here at WDC}. I'd suggest travel and a multi-month stay in multi-cultural crossroads such as Dakar, Dubai, Houston, Istanbul, or Marseille among many others, learning from common people and not just the elite. That's what I did when I spent a year abroad in Costa Rica. I wish a similar eye-opener experience for everyone. |
My blog entry in repsonse to Robert's response "Acceptable"  to "JAFBG" prompt: Tell us something about yourself that you've had to learn to accept as just part of who you are. My thoughts reflecting on myself: Laziness: yep, but I'm not always okay with that aspect of myself. When I have no energy I just don't care and live with it. Lack of ambition: I wax hot and cold. Regardless it's not sustainable and saps too much energy. A biphasic sleep cycle: I've been wondering about this. I took a nap this evening and now I'm up at 11 pm. Until when? I don't know. If I could get into a routine... In Montana that may be 4-8 am and 6-10 pm. In Thailand or Costa Rica due to heat and rain. 12-4 am and 12-4 pm. Then again... maybe just taking naps when my energy is low. Refusing to live with dogs: I don't refuse to live with them. Like kids, they are just high maintenance and I have no energy. Bachelorhood: I'm resigned to it and a bit selfish with my time and energy. An alcohol-positive lifestyle: I live without any alcohol. An unacceptable choice to many people here who only socialize when social relaxer is available in front of them. Generic apathy: I tend to care too much about everything accept what others wish to impose on me. Collector tendencies: Yep. Very much so. I tend to reuse and won't throw out until it's unusable. Clutter doesn't bother me. Less-than-perfect health: I don't like anything that keeps me from traveling. Losing weight would make it easier for instance and when I do travel I lose weight; but exercise? Not happening. The conscious decision not to change any of these attributes or many others: I'm uneasy with many of my choices because depression and lack of energy is a factor. Plus, they keep me from doing what I want at times. Now I have my own blog entry! Thanks.  Conclusion: change it or accept it because at my old age anything less is just piling misery on misery. And that's a waste of time. |
| A bit drafty in here. Here = WDC. A couple of old friends have posted recently and folks are responding to my prompts. But... would less = more? How about photo or video? Noon and I'm almost done with my first coffee. 22°F and dropping. Snow misting the mountains. Tomorrow will be snowier. In the Thai TV series "55:15 Never too late" those near and dear are figuring out that the 'new' kids aren't quite so new. It will be interesting to see their responses. The old/new folks may be learning what their 'real' mistakes were. It may not have been the obvious or what we have been shown so far. San's reunion with his father was very moving. Jaya may not have a clue; she's still self-centered and immature. Paul... wasn't true to himself... but now it's very complicated. Thep may need to wake up to how good his life is with his wife and son. Charunee is making progress but young or old she's still herself with an admirer too young / too old. By now the 5 main leads are becoming very real. There are 6 more episodes of 16 left. I was reminded that "love speaks with the eyes". Thoughts I'll share with QueenNormaJean 4th's Loud Here: I finished reading entries and awarded a merit badge to Cappucine. 8 entries were enough to read. I wish there were more but over 12 or 15 and it gets to be work. Which is why it's every-other day. If there were three of us (10 per month), on a basis of judge 1 day, off 2, a full month would be doable. That or 7 of us who have one day of the week. But, I'm proposing reading, commenting and awarding one entry, not just a quick read and score on a chart with people x'ed off once they're out of the running for a prize. I'll begin reading and commenting on my present post now. Entries are 'due' by midnight January 6th. "Round 3 Blogvillian Pop Up! January 5-6 POST HERE" 5533 |
| Pop-Up: I awarded my first merit badge. I posted Round 2 and now need to read, comment, award by tomorrow. I need to post Round 3 tonight. I got to the grocery store and back. Getting back was important. I don't know what the food fuss is all about because I had hundreds of items to choose from. Perhaps there are shortages elsewhere or maybe folks are fussy because their favorite item isn't in stock? I dunno. I scored chocolate milk and dark chocolate m&ms. With bread, eggs and sugar, I'm fine. My eye isn't totally better but I was able to go outside on a bright day. Took notes for "Maggie and her magical shoes". Spoke with a couple people today. Watched 4 hours from January 6th last year. Watching CBS it seemed 'peaceful' from a distance but they covered it poorly imho. I remember watching ABC as it unfolded and they reported from inside as it happened. Christie was appoplexic. Very dramatic day. It took hours for Trump to respond (yes, he knew what was going on) and when he did he was inappropriate and ungracious. Biden did well and responded before Trump did. Time to go to work. |
| I wrote: "I've been upset by many Christians who believe "it's MY way, or..." In the 70's in the US, people would ask "are you saved?" I never felt that I needed to be 'saved'. Loved? Yeah, I needed that, but it seemed conditional. As a Baha'i I have to be more careful how I word things. The Baha'i Faith is much more inclusive than most of its followers who may have been raised differently. We have no problems with Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed... the issues arrive when we are excluded or executed by their followers for our beliefs. And for me personally, that makes it uncomfortable to join in certain rituals and practices. Not all Christians are exclusionary but I would say many, if not most, are in the US. There's a perceived unwillingness to interact with anyone who isn't a member of their religious community (even among themselves). Here at WDC I've upset a few of them. Facebook is worse; almost toxic. And in the US there is a movement to make Christianity the state religion. And because we are a democracy with weak human rights (as in... we can vote on your humanity) that's an issue of great concern. " So I posted "Round 2 Blogvillian Pop Up! January 3-4 POST HERE " and will judge "Round 1 Blogvillian Pop Up! January 1-2 POST HERE" later today. Time will tell whether this approach was acceptable. I have to give it a chance. I may add to this later... |
| It's the 2nd day of 2022. My eye isn't better. I warmed up chocolate grits with marshmallows made by my neighbor Billie Jo. I'm not convinced that my pop-up idea will float. But... if I keep up for the month of January it will only be 15 posts and 15 promised merit badges. Cost is not a factor but reviving blogging is... and this may not be the way. Brother Nature in Manitoba is trying hard as well. "Invalid Item" Today's prompt is a bit more edgy. "READ IT IN THE SUNDAY PAPERS We used to read the newspaper in the old days, then discuss our feelings about the various news stories. We called it conversation. Write a blog entry about a current news story in your area. Tell us your opinion on the topic and invite your readers to engage in a conversation in the comments."Missoulians line up at dispensaries on first day of recreational cannabis sales He's right about conversation. A lack of it makes overcoming the divides between us harder to overcome. DoXx, The Renegade Monkey mentioned covid problems in Canada where he lives. Are bloggers ready to tackle that? Is there a 'market' for more edgy prompts? My thoughts... some are ready, some aren't. And here we sit in Montana and Manitoba. Elisa: Middle Aged Stik in Minnesota has been blog-brewing up a storm recently as well. There is hope. Interesting that those of us in the Frozen North are promoting blogging this month. Maybe I could defer to the Monkey for January but I've been planning this for awhile and I'd rather be doing something else come February. The 30dbc will hopefully come back in March, but it needs rethinking and maybe following us they can get some ideas they can work with. 5513 |
![Merit Badge in Happy New Year
[Click For More Info]
Hello,someone has nominated you to receive a merit badge as part of my new year's giveaway. May this coming year bring you health, wealth and happiness. HAPPY NEW YEAR!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/general-Happy_New_Year.gif) Happy New Year Thank-you, Adherennium Dr of Phoolishness  .I can save this for when my new year arrives March 20th. K  What's also nice about Naw Ruz is that it arrives at sunset not the middle of the night. Sometime during 2022 I'll have to make it clear who I am... again, again, and over again. In the Olden Times... we knew each other by reading each other's blogs and commenting and even correcting misperceptions. I remember responding to AL  with male pronouns. Anna-Lisa and I laughed because folks here often used female pronouns for me. At least she knew how to pronounce Kåre. It's a not-so-common name in Sweden and Norway. The Skåne dialect's pronunciation however... So I commented on zwisis's blog entry "Invalid Entry" and even got a shout out from vivacious. Anna Lisa, Sarah, Andra... so many Blogvillians including alfred booth, wanbli ska, Scottiegazelle, Douger, Iowegian Skye susanL, asymmetrical, Voxxylady, Nada, Nikola~Happy 4th!, scarlett_o_h and Mavis Moog would share our lives. Alas David McClain is with us no more (March, 2021, cancer). I was using "L'aura del Campo" (now/still mostly poetry NOVAcatmando) and "Enga mellom fjella" (now mostly prose) way back when. Rainbowapple was one of the few who read my more personal blog back then. I could've written "Humpty Dumpty in a Land-of-Magical-Thinking" many a day these past 10+ years.Remember those days Robert Waltz, Fivesixer? I'm waxing nostalgic; but, we knew each other better back-in-the-day. 2021: I may have had a mild brush with covid end of November. I barely saw anyone. Bri was a godsend... to us all. Angie, Travis, Laxmi and Billie Jo got me through the year. I did not get out of the city limits of Missoula. My big outings were the Iris gardens and my J&J shot in April. I sent a few postcards, made a few calls. Wrote some... in spurts. Read 400+ blog entries in November. 2022: No real goals. My favorite number is 22 so I'm hoping the year doesn't spoil that. I 'm on track to have written something 1/day by New Year 179 on March 20th. Travel is a mirage. What hasn't changed in 16 years at WDC is my depression. I'm not depressed every day. It dissipates when I'm active, especially when traveling. But... I write (too much) when I'm depressed or upset so my blog entries seem darker than my life really is.     5508 |
| End of a debilitating Georgian Year. I'll do a blog later if I can focus. My balance is off. My focus is off. My eyes are improving. My attitude isn't. This is just a place holder. I'll be back later if I find nothing better to do. I told Robert: My favorite number is 22. I hope 2022 doesn't disappoint. 2020: Visited Taiwan. Cancelled all trips March 1st. 2021: didn't leave my city. 2022-2023: Travel 12-16 months over a 24 month period if my health holds out. I don't do resolutions as such. |
| Just a whine. After 16 years it's time to move on. I joined facebook at a time that many writers here abandoned this site. I'm still in touch with them. fb suits their needs but I need to write, yet when I do post something I've written it's ignored. But then in truth, it's mostly ignored here as well. I need to find a site for serious writers where poems are acknowledged if not commented on. WDC has become a playpen for bored 'writers' who seldom write and just want to socialize. Merit badges aren't given out for writing. They are used like candy thrown at bystanders at a homecoming parade, complete with pony-tailed cheerleaders and marching bands. Merit badges are practically meaningless and CR? Even less so. It's a popularty contest. I came here to write and share. I still do. The party place atmosphere makes me want to leave. Where? I would love to know where... Structurally WDC has a lot going for it, but the people here tire me out. I've hid many from my personal newsfeed. Blogs still come up on my favorite list but I really don't need to know everytime you fart. Once a week will do. And raffles? I do not participate in them and would prefer if people didn't buy me a raffle ticket. I resent being drawn into party games. I'm not a party person. The silliness drains me. Reviews? I just a read a new poem that's a 3.5. Do I dare honestly review. It's got 8 reviews and an overall rating of 5.0. Why? How? So much fluff. There used to be good poets here who could review a poem. Most have left or gone silent. Comments? In November: over 400 just for 30dbc. I cut back in December but I already hear the *crickets* singing in this blog. There is little reciprocity. Do I bother doing pop up blog prompts for January while 30dbc is on hiatus? What would be my point? Only Sumojo and Robert Waltz have shown interest. Since I'm going nowhere at the moment and 'pop-up' means exactly that without any further obligation I just might. Jayne and Lilli 🧿 ☕ have done so. Maybe I should just interact less with folks here. Yesterday's photo on FB has received 22 reactions and 9 comments. IG may be a better platform. Today's trinket from Richard ~ Shenanigans INC.:   5294 |
| My answer to the QotD What products or services do feel spending more money on are justified? I can live on rice. Calories count when you are striving to survive. Healthy ain't healthy when you're starving. Shelter. I've slept on the floor, I've slept on a 2" mattress on the floor. Heat/cold can be endured when you are dry and safe. If food and shelter can be reduced to the minimum then everything else can be dispensed with. I now have a bed and mattress that are new to me. Very comfortable. If one can afford comfort then a good mattress should be a priority as your back matters and a good night's rest matters. Shoes were mentioned. My feet are having issues and I've had diabetic friends for whom proper shoes were a godsend. I'll have to consider splurging as the best form fitting shoes are fitted to the individual foot and therefore useless second hand. I'd also add privacy. I compromise when I travel and two years of homelessness was brutal so I speak from experience. At times I've been able to afford my own room when traveling (a fond memory of Novi Pazar and Fukuoka). I have a small place at a cheap price that has allowed me to travel. I'd have to share any place with normal rent. Here, I can sit in my room with the light off (or on) without having to answer to anyone. Privacy can be priceless. Today's trinket is brought to you be Jimminycritic and Elsa. Cats and other pets may be considered a necessity for many but a stray or rescue animal is just as priceless as a pure bred.   5480 |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
. That's good, right? Or did you just list those checked? 
