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By Popular Demand The Mike Is On

May 30, 2006 by Liz Leave a Comment

It’s Like Open Mike Only Different

Here’s how it works.

The rules are simple — be nice.

It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. . . . Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.

See this post if you want some ideas of things to talk about.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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Filed Under: Blog Comments, Community, Outside the Box, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, blog_promotion, discussion, letting_off_steam, Open_Comment_Night, ZZZ-FUN

Comments

  1. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:02 PM

    I love being first, but with the time warp surrounding this blog, I’ll probably be #43… LOL
    Joe

    Reply
  2. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:04 PM

    Ok, there was a countdown and everything…
    HELLO… Hello… hello… is there anybody in there?

    Reply
  3. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:05 PM

    Where’s the mike?

    My blond is setting in

    Reply
  4. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:06 PM

    Whoa, a bit of feedback!
    So what were you saying about the 1000 paintings?
    Brian just bought 67 and Ann bought 150.

    Reply
  5. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:08 PM

    Hey Chris,
    At least I’m not alone…
    Besides, I’m blonde, except for the gray.
    J.

    Reply
  6. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:08 PM

    I think it’s brilliant:

    Paper, toner (blue), and a web site = $500,000 (potentially).

    Wish I’d thought of it.

    Reply
  7. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:08 PM

    I’m starting to fade around the edges (ever so slightly!) myself

    Reply
  8. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:09 PM

    Liz,
    You told me last week to bring everyone with me… seems you forgot someone.
    Joe

    Reply
  9. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:10 PM

    By-the-by, Joe, I see neither of us got our own domains set up yet. I’m surprised after the noodle lashing we both got last week!

    Reply
  10. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:12 PM

    I know, but “ya do what ya gotta do”

    Reply
  11. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:12 PM

    Joe,
    Who did I forget?

    Reply
  12. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:14 PM

    … ann michael…

    Reply
  13. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:17 PM

    Ann was backstage with you guys. Maybe she and Sheila went out racing cars. . . .

    Reply
  14. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:17 PM

    Hey Chris,
    Thanks for stopping by my place today…
    I think the link you left was inspirational.
    Joe

    Reply
  15. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:18 PM

    Liz,
    Could be, but I thought the race was yesterday

    Reply
  16. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:18 PM

    Glad you liked it. I linked to it from my Memorial Day post. It is important that we remember.

    Reply
  17. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:18 PM

    Joe,
    You never know with those two. They could find a couple of hot cars in a second and start one.

    Reply
  18. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:20 PM

    And miss all the action right here!??

    Reply
  19. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:21 PM

    @Chris, I totally agree…
    @ Liz, I hope you don’t give them the keys to the blog without giving some instruction on obeying the speed limit…
    Joe

    Reply
  20. ann michael says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:21 PM

    sorry – i got a little lost there for a while – trying to get an image on my blog!

    Reply
  21. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:22 PM

    Hey Ann!

    Reply
  22. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:22 PM

    Hello – I am new here…

    Reply
  23. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:22 PM

    Do I spend my life on moderation?

    Reply
  24. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:23 PM

    Hey ann,
    Did Liz give you the keys to the blog again???
    🙂
    Joe

    Reply
  25. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:23 PM

    I liked your interview post. I HATE those “your greatest weakness” qustions.

    Reply
  26. ann michael says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:23 PM

    just for a bit

    Reply
  27. ann michael says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:24 PM

    can’t imagine why she’d trust me!

    Reply
  28. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:24 PM

    Hey, Tracy,
    Come on in! Sometimes things happen so fast around here . It takes a second. What do you think of 1000 paintings? Ann bought one. Joe is posing for number 7

    Reply
  29. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:24 PM

    Hey Tracy,
    I know by the time I get done typing this that Liz would have already said… Welcome to my nightmare…
    Joe

    Reply
  30. ann michael says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:25 PM

    thanks! I always hated those questions too – they seemed so pointless – “tell us what we want to hear”

    Reply
  31. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:25 PM

    You guys, Talk to Tracy!

    Reply
  32. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:25 PM

    Alice Cooper… I was asleep that year…

    Reply
  33. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:26 PM

    Ann, What are you going to do with your number?

    Reply
  34. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:26 PM

    do-do-do-do…

    Reply
  35. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:26 PM

    Well I went and looked at the 1000 paintings and thought it was dumb yet genius. Dumb because they’re not art. Genius because people are actually buying them.

    Reply
  36. ann michael says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:26 PM

    I’m going to hang it on my wall to remember that I never want to work in a company with more than 150 people!

    Reply
  37. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:28 PM

    I’m with you Tracy. I with I had time to put one of those dumb, fabulous ideas into place.

    Joe, whatcha singing?

    Chris, I think Ann bought her IQ.

    Reply
  38. ann michael says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:28 PM

    It will also be a constant reminder of the power of viral marketing! (love Alice!)

    Reply
  39. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:28 PM

    So many numbers, so little time.

    Reply
  40. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:28 PM

    I still don’t get what you are talking about 150 people, paintings???

    Reply
  41. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:29 PM

    Ah, but Tracy, just because you and I don’t get art doesn’t make it not-art!

    Reply
  42. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:29 PM

    God, Ann, Welcome to My Nightmare is in My CD Collection. OOeeeOOOOO

    Reply
  43. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:29 PM

    Oh no, it’s not not-art cuz I don’t get it. It’s not-art cuz it’s not-art.

    Reply
  44. ann michael says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:29 PM

    It is art – marketing art!

    Reply
  45. ann michael says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:30 PM

    why must our definition of art be so limited – right?

    Reply
  46. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:30 PM

    That’s what I’m missing! Music! Must.. find… iTunes…

    Reply
  47. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:31 PM

    Tracy, Tracy…. Come on down to Savannah and spend some time with the students at Savannah College of Art and Design.

    I don’t get 90% of what they do. But people say it’s art.

    Reply
  48. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:32 PM

    Liz,
    You really do have a time warp around this blog on Tuesday night.
    I missed 4 comments just by hitting refresh… No, my comp is not that slow either.
    J.

    Reply
  49. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:32 PM

    Oh my. I suppose if I shut my eyes, it might be art.

    Then again, when I first started reading I was thinking that you picked a number and underneath that number was a real painting. And you were just sorta gambling with what you’d get.

    Then I realized, no, you’re actually bidding on that number as the painting.

    *sigh*

    Reply
  50. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:32 PM

    I’ve been listening to the soundtrack to a Chicago Restaurant website all day.

    Art = something I’m willing to look at for ten years and still find interesting. I don’t think those numbers are interesting for a second.

    Reply
  51. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:32 PM

    But it’s soooo… blue.

    Reply
  52. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:33 PM

    Hang on everyone – I’ll go get Art…

    Hey Art! C’mere – they’re tawkin’ ’bout you again!

    Hiya …. hehe

    Reply
  53. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:33 PM

    Art is something I can convince my friends it was worth me spending money on!

    Reply
  54. ann michael says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:34 PM

    Art for the left brainers! Tracy – you’re a forensic accountant – don’t you think numbers are beautiful??
    🙂

    Reply
  55. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:34 PM

    Mark! Heya!

    Reply
  56. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:35 PM

    Yeah I was in a law office a few weeks ago and they had this huge canvas that was stood on end, and paint was dripped down it in gobs. And they paid thousands for it.

    *shaking head*

    Reply
  57. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:35 PM

    Hey Chris – How’s Savannah? Oh, that’s right – I’m here too! LOL

    Reply
  58. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:36 PM

    Art is worth staring at when I’m really ticked off.

    Reply
  59. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:36 PM

    Hey Mark,
    How, ya doin?
    When did yoy meet my father? His name is Art (for real).
    He’s a veteran of WWII, (ask Chris).
    A great ole man.
    J.

    Reply
  60. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:36 PM

    Dude! No WAY!

    Reply
  61. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:37 PM

    Way!!!!!

    Reply
  62. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:38 PM

    Numbers are beautiful but they’re not art. (I especially love numbers when they’re green, if you know what I mean.)

    Reply
  63. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:38 PM

    Gotta learn to read those “About” Pages. And a New Yorker too! Could be scary!

    Reply
  64. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:38 PM

    Hey Joe… Good to cya again!

    Reply
  65. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:39 PM

    Yep! A Damn Yankee I am!

    Reply
  66. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:39 PM

    Yeah, we didn’t go back home…

    Reply
  67. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:39 PM

    Liz,

    Snacks???

    Soda???

    Reply
  68. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:40 PM

    As always Mark,
    Any tidbits to share??? 😉
    J.

    Reply
  69. ann michael says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:40 PM

    Hey Mark – I live in PA now, but I’m a native New Yorker. There’s no place like home!

    Reply
  70. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:41 PM

    Hi Mark,
    Great to see ya!
    All kinds of snacks hot and cold and beverages in the sidebar. As always.

    Reply
  71. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:41 PM

    Don’t worry Liz, I have to go eat dinner soon, so save the snacks…
    J.

    Reply
  72. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:41 PM

    Tracy, Are you in Milwaukee, or Chicago?

    Reply
  73. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:42 PM

    Yes and yes

    Reply
  74. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:42 PM

    So let’s see… Three from NY? Could we be taking over S-B?

    Reply
  75. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:42 PM

    All right for the NYers!!!

    Joe, not sure if it’s a tidbit but let me tell ya’ I’ve been under a merciless spam attack for over 24 hours now. Thank God for Spam Karma…

    Imagine – 24 hours and more than 2000 spam comments. I think I pi**ed off some anti Net Neutrality folks 🙂

    Reply
  76. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:43 PM

    Ann,
    I grew up in PA, not a bad place… I still live here after a little movement.
    J.

    Reply
  77. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:44 PM

    Tracy,
    A forensic accountant! Near Chicago! We must get to know each other. My son is interning with Navigant and I live in Chicago. Are you coming in for TechCocktail?

    Ann, Art for left-brainers. I like that!

    Reply
  78. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:45 PM

    Mark,
    If you pi**** off the anti neutrality folks, I’ll help you rebuild if necessary.
    J.

    Reply
  79. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:45 PM

    I don’t even know what TechCoktail is. *sniff sniff*

    Reply
  80. ann michael says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:45 PM

    wow – it is really hard to keep up here – one refresh and you miss a bunch of stuff – this is good – it will keep us sharp!

    Reply
  81. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:46 PM

    Sorry, Tracy. My wife is from Port Washington. My understaning of the Packer’s universe does not compute your answer. Am re-booting my brain now.

    Reply
  82. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:46 PM

    Yeah imagine trying to work and refresh at the same time.

    Reply
  83. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:46 PM

    Hey Joe,

    I grew up in PA, not a bad place… I still live here after a little movement.

    What’d ya do after standing still? (Mark made me ask that.

    Stop that Mark, or I’ll take back my crayons.

    Reply
  84. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:47 PM

    Oh Chris – That means you’re a wanna be CheeseHead!!! *smooch*

    Home base = Milwaukee
    2nd office = Chicago
    But the company is only me so it’s all the same!

    Reply
  85. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:47 PM

    Thanks Joe…

    So far the worst it’s gotten is to run real slooooooow.

    Okay – wassup with this TechCocktail???

    Reply
  86. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:47 PM

    Mark has crayons! NOT FAIR!

    Reply
  87. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:48 PM

    Yep! Got crayons! Liz gave ’em to me!

    Reply
  88. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:48 PM

    Ann,
    As I said… “Welcome to my nightmare”
    These guys don’t think there is a time warp around this blog… I think you just confirmed my theory.
    J.

    Reply
  89. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:48 PM

    They actually made me sign the loyalty oath, secret hand shake, double brat and all that.

    Reply
  90. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:49 PM

    hehe – standin’ still… that’s a liquor runner’s dream lol

    Reply
  91. ann michael says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:49 PM

    not fair – liz we all want crayons

    I want to draw numbers 🙂

    Reply
  92. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:50 PM

    This is TechCocktail and it’s in Chicago the week of my birthday. Everyone should come to party. I’m a phenomenal dancer. Check out the restaurant.

    Crayons for anyone who shows up . . ..

    http://techcocktail.com/blog/2006/05/25/tech-cocktail-event-july-6-2006-at-state-chicago/

    Reply
  93. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:50 PM

    Shhhh – big secret here: I don’t like brats. Never did. I hope everyone else knows what those are. And that I’m not talking about bad little children, rather some really greasy disgusting horrible sausages on buns.

    Reply
  94. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:50 PM

    Chris – your wife is from Port Washington?

    NY?

    Reply
  95. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:51 PM

    Mark won’t give up the blue one!

    Reply
  96. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:51 PM

    I hate to leave, but dinner is ready.
    I’ll be back shortly, and after reading to catch up for 20-30 mins, I’ll be back on…
    Joe

    Reply
  97. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:51 PM

    Hey that Tech thingie sounds fun. It’s a little hard for me w/ the train schedule, but I’ll see.

    Reply
  98. ann michael says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:52 PM

    That’s ok – blue is so yesterday!

    Reply
  99. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:52 PM

    No, no, no. I’m from NY (far from). Gorgeous is from Wisconsin.

    Reply
  100. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:52 PM

    Blue and Green. So there 😛

    Reply
  101. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:52 PM

    That’s okay about the brats, Tracy.
    Ann doesn’t like raisins.

    Reply
  102. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:53 PM

    Better’n Black & Blue!

    Reply
  103. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:53 PM

    Mark what do you know about PW?

    Reply
  104. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:53 PM

    Raisins? I looooooooooooooooooooooooooove raisins. Eat them almost every day!

    Reply
  105. ann michael says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:53 PM

    well i have the magenta and the aqua – much better choices 😛

    Reply
  106. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:54 PM

    Ah – so – there’s a Port Washington, Wisconsin. Got it…

    Haven’t been there.

    Didja’all notice? Liz is havin’ a BIRTHDAY!!!

    Reply
  107. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:54 PM

    I love thunder – and we just had the most MASSIVE crack of thunder. Woo hooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

    Reply
  108. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:54 PM

    Tracy doesn’t like brats!!!??

    (was that loud enough?) We had a brat fry yesterday. First of the summer…

    Reply
  109. ann michael says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:54 PM

    Well Tracy – I’m with you on the brats – can feel your blood flow become sluggish with every bite!

    Reply
  110. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:55 PM

    Mark – Are you affiliated w/ Broken Kode?

    Reply
  111. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:55 PM

    Tracy,

    I had an ex SIL that lived on a boat at one of the marinas there for quite a few years. Her husband was a heck of a good guy. His family owned a furniture store in Plainview.

    Reply
  112. ann michael says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:55 PM

    Thunder rocks too (no pun intended)

    Reply
  113. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:55 PM

    I am the 65th crayon. I can be any color I want.

    Tracy, you can think of Tech as a tax write-off

    Reply
  114. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:56 PM

    BIRTHDAY??? When?

    Reply
  115. ann michael says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:56 PM

    Hey guys – hate to run out – but I have three kids that should have finished their homework by now – need to go check and make sure they’re on track – I’ll be back!

    Reply
  116. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:56 PM

    Khaled from Broken Kode designed my Blog. GREAT designer! Darn good person also!

    Reply
  117. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:57 PM

    Heh heh – of course it’s a tax write-off. I just have to be able to get home. And the last train leaves at 8:00.

    Reply
  118. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:58 PM

    “BIRTHDAY??? When?”

    Same week as July 6th… right Liz? Thought we didn’t see that eh? Ha ha…

    Reply
  119. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 6:58 PM

    Hello? Blond guy here. Please explain about the Birthday. (And use little words so I understand.)

    Reply
  120. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:00 PM

    sorry I’m late, I was burning a pizza and doing my weekly “find more directories round” and got a bit distracted when the directories caught fire…

    Erm – anyway… I’ve got the ice cream – who wants some?

    Reply
  121. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:00 PM

    You peeps are a riot. And no one even invited me. I just invited myself. *giggle*

    Reply
  122. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:00 PM

    I’ll ask my husband if you can stay over. 🙂

    Then you can leave in the morning. If you don’t mind sleeping on my son’s futon.

    Reply
  123. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:01 PM

    ICE CREAMMMM!!!

    Reply
  124. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:01 PM

    Chris – Liz sorta slipped it in in #92 up there /

    Reply
  125. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:02 PM

    That’s sweet. But you can’t invite over a stranger!

    Reply
  126. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:03 PM

    Ad Lib! Ice Cream! Oh yeah… Now we’re getting somewhere (hmmm Liz never had Ice Cream b4 lol)

    Reply
  127. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:03 PM

    Mark, thanks for using the short words for those of us on the short bus.

    Reply
  128. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:04 PM

    Ya know who’s missin’ so far?

    The donkey and the moose! Where are those guys?

    Reply
  129. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:04 PM

    Tracy, I think I already did.

    Mark, how do you know wht the comment number is?

    BTW, Jeremy promised the new comment plug-in for next week.

    Reply
  130. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:05 PM

    I can see the comment numbers. It’s oh-so-helpful!

    Reply
  131. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:05 PM

    Steve! Do you think the moose got him? Gosh I hope he’s OK. He seemed so nice…

    Reply
  132. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:05 PM

    Steve said he had to go for a run first.

    Reply
  133. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:05 PM

    Liz… oh Liz… tell me you don’t see comment #’s Liz… actually, no don’t… Liz?

    What will the new comment plugin do?

    Reply
  134. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:06 PM

    AdLib!!!
    Great to see you!
    What do you think of the 1000 paintings???

    Reply
  135. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:07 PM

    Mark, Can’t find your email on your blog. With 2000+ comment spams, I think I can see why. Would you be willing to skip over to my place and drop me a line? I’d like to connect with someone in town.

    Reply
  136. Easton Ellsworth says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:09 PM

    Hi everyone – enjoy your evening – I can’t really visit tonight but wanted to drop by and say hi 🙂 – now carry on with the random conversation.

    Reply
  137. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:11 PM

    How about it Ad Lib? What’s your take on the 1,000 paintings?

    Reply
  138. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:12 PM

    Liz… oh Liz… tell me you don’t see comment #’s Liz… actually, no don’t… Liz?

    NO I don’t

    What will the new comment plugin do?

    It will page the comments for you.

    Reply
  139. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:12 PM

    Chris,

    You should have mail 🙂

    Reply
  140. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:12 PM

    1000 paintings? glanced at them for a second; and it looks like they’re the kind of people who’ve taken my advice about fads to heart:

    “If you do something that’s goofy enough to get airtime on ‘Good Morning America’, you can make money with anything“.

    As long as you’re not copying someone else, that is.

    I brought peanuts and chocolate too, by the way – good guests should take some of the burden off the hostess, right?

    Reply
  141. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:13 PM

    Liz – you’re kidding… what browser ru using?

    Reply
  142. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:15 PM

    Oh, about spam – I use Akismet instead of Spam Karma; it’s caught everything so far with just a couple false positives mostly due to links to blogger instead of a domain of your own.

    Reply
  143. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:16 PM

    Mark, Got it! Thanks.

    Reply
  144. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:17 PM

    Mark,
    The answer is in the question. Grin. I just saw them in firefox. They’re cute.

    Reply
  145. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:18 PM

    Hey Ad Lib,

    This is more a case of too lazy to upgrade WP. SK works on this version fortunately, or I’d be in a real mess. Tried Bad Behavior and shut everything down. Deleted that real quick.

    Reply
  146. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:19 PM

    Ad Lib, the question we’re all asking is are the 1000 paintings art? (is are?)

    Reply
  147. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:20 PM

    Liz… Liz… laffin’… laffin’ How long could you stand it if I kept laffin’?

    Welcome Chris. Correct me if I’m wrong – don’t you live out by Georgetown?

    Reply
  148. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:21 PM

    Si. More like IN Georgetown. And we love it.

    Reply
  149. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:21 PM

    Okay – This was fun but I must go pack my suitcase and finish preparing for tomorrow’s work. Ick.

    Reply
  150. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:21 PM

    I’m Baaacck…
    Ice Cream, 2000 comment spams, AdLib can’t stay? Comment #
    Still lost on the painting thing…
    J.

    Reply
  151. Sheila Scarborough says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:22 PM

    God, I guess the lesson is never swig bourbon before open mike night….I found it!

    And I came right in with ice cream, which I’m having a big ol’ bowl of….coffee with chips and nuts and stuff.

    I’m going to lurk over here and be bewy bewy quiet….

    Reply
  152. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:23 PM

    Bye, Tracy. This is a weekly thing if we haven’t scared you off.

    Reply
  153. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:23 PM

    Tracy, where you going? Some cool city?

    Reply
  154. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:23 PM

    Tracy

    Was a pleasure meeting you.

    Chris, I have quite a few friends out in your neck o’ the woods. We live in Windsor Forest back in the “important” person’s part by the golf course. LOL

    Reply
  155. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:24 PM

    Hey Sheila,

    Welcome back, ice cream and all!

    Reply
  156. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:25 PM

    Sheila, there is a no lurking rule here. The good news is there is forgiveness in this group if you don’t make sense.

    Reply
  157. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:25 PM

    Ah Ha! Sheila and – what was Steve’s moose’s name? Drinkin b4 a big engagement like this? Sheesh… Laffin’

    Reply
  158. Sheila Scarborough says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:26 PM

    Well, Chris, you apparently would know “what do you do with a drunken Sailor?”

    Even if I am a shoe….

    Reply
  159. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:27 PM

    Mark, I’ve got a buddy’s laptop who lives in WF. That’s a good spot too.

    Reply
  160. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:27 PM

    Hey Sheila,
    I think it’s ok to come out as long as you don’t drip on the carpet.
    As Chris said, there is a no lurking rule, so, make sure you bring enough Ice Cream for all.
    Joe

    Reply
  161. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:28 PM

    Steve’s Moose is Milton. He’ll be here later.

    Yeah Sheila, I think making sense could be a problem.

    Reply
  162. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:28 PM

    Sheila, I haven’t heard that song in many a year. *blush*

    Reply
  163. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:28 PM

    Huh, did WP eat my comment on art?

    Reply
  164. Sheila Scarborough says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:29 PM

    Well, gawd, it was only one Jack & Coke but I’m a cheap date….the early pass-out factor has probably kept me out of a hell of a lot of trouble….the ice cream is to mitigate impact, of course.

    I really ought to take my full name off of this or Google will projectile vomit all this stuff if any one cares to search my name….

    Reply
  165. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:30 PM

    No AdLib, it just moved it to the end of the line…

    Reply
  166. Sheila says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:31 PM

    Oh, sorry, back to the art.

    Or we could talk about drunk artists like Jackson Pollack.

    Reply
  167. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:31 PM

    Sheila, isn’t your blog, “Family” travel? *giggle*

    Reply
  168. Sheila says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:33 PM

    Yeah, and the little suckers drive me to drink….

    Reply
  169. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:33 PM

    Sheila Scarborough,
    You’re not ashamed of anything you said around here, are you???
    😉
    Joe

    Reply
  170. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:33 PM

    By the way, is this the right place to plug John Rogers’ Memorial Day posting? It’s a really impressive piece of rethorical work…

    Reply
  171. Tracy says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:34 PM

    I’m going to San Fran. I’ll be back if I remember. 🙂

    Reply
  172. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:35 PM

    Great trip and safe home, Tracy.

    Don’t worry, Sheila. You’ve said nothing silly.

    Reply
  173. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:35 PM

    AdLib,
    Chris gave me a nice link in comments on one of my posts for Memorial Day.
    Sorry, I’m too lazy to go look it up for ya.
    J.

    Reply
  174. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:39 PM

    Joe, it’s also here in my M-Day post.

    Reply
  175. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:40 PM

    Ad Lib, what’s the link to John’s post?

    Reply
  176. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:40 PM

    Whew, I just went back to read what i had been missing in the flurry. I had no idea that Easton dropped by. Once again. This is quite a party. Has Elvis been here yet?

    Reply
  177. Sheila says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:41 PM

    Naw, but Richard Petty’s appalled by all of the women not being ladies!

    Reply
  178. Claire Tompkins says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:42 PM

    I’m on California time, so happy hour has just started for me. So I’m here!
    1000 paintings reminds me of that 1 million pixels website where you could buy ad space on a page for $1 per pixel. At the top it says “own a piece of Internet history!” Well, that wasn’t art.
    On the other hand, there’s Marcel Duchamp and Andy Warhol who made art from ordinary stuff and advertising.

    Reply
  179. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:42 PM

    Elvis was here but he was using I.E. so his comment didn’t get a number – then he got lost in Joe’s time warp… well, you get the idea… Laffin’!

    Reply
  180. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:43 PM

    The flash link? Yup – saw that. Gotta say though that reading Rogers’ Lions led by donkeys was a thing of Beauty in the Native American sense – been in the army myself this side of the pond and what he said about the right and the wrong way to support the troops spoke to me.

    Reply
  181. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:44 PM

    Hey all – can’t get here earlier than around this time, but glad to be here!

    I see the discussion is hot and heavy already!

    Reply
  182. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:47 PM

    Chris,

    Nope – not Gulfstream… Moving to Savannah is way too long a story for open mike night and – well, ya’ probably would have had to have been there to believe it.

    Reply
  183. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:47 PM

    Hi Claire, Hi Ben,
    Don’t pay attention to Mark laffin at me.

    I agree with you Claire. It’s all for money.

    Ben, Steve’s coming later with Milton.

    Reply
  184. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:48 PM

    I saw some brief comments about onethousandpaintings.com. That guy’s getting some serious buzz!

    I wonder if he sparked it somehow and continues to fan the flames or if the Internet has just taken over.

    I need that kind of buzz!

    Reply
  185. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:48 PM

    Welcome Claire and Ben!

    Reply
  186. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:48 PM

    Mark, I figured… that’s why I asked for the email touch. We can catch up that way.

    Reply
  187. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:49 PM

    Aw – Liz – I bet they see the comment #’s hehehe

    Reply
  188. Sheila says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:51 PM

    Hey, I’ve just been over reading Advice Librarian’s recommendation on “Lions Led by Donkeys;” really is great I must say.

    Reply
  189. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:51 PM

    Ah, but Claire, the pixel guy didn’t claim to be art, but ads. Does that make a difference if people are willing to pay?

    Reply
  190. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:52 PM

    Mark,
    You should go over, right now to see whether 179 is for sale and buy it for me. Because that’s the comment that made me laugh out loud. GRIN

    Reply
  191. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:54 PM

    # 191 unless someone snuck in while I was lurking…
    I agree with Chris, the pixel guy sold ads, not two ways about it and people bought them.
    J,

    Reply
  192. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:54 PM

    Sheila,
    Isn’t that guy, AdLib’s friend, the best writer????

    Reply
  193. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:56 PM

    Nah, it’s not art. Those numbers along with dogs in the pub, crying children, gypsies and the Second coming of Elvis on velvet may be a lot of things, but they’re not art.

    They’re functional, decorative, or tasteless – but art engages the mind beyond the time it takes to look at it, and stays with you. That’s why Warhol’s comments on consumerism aesthetics is art, and those numbers aren’t.

    Reply
  194. Sheila says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:57 PM

    Yeah, how come the potted one’s reading the heavy stuff and everyone else is talking about painted numbers?

    Isn’t this fun? I really must go pay attention to children at some point, I suppose….

    Reply
  195. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 7:59 PM

    Liz, I’d say he’s a good writer.

    But I disagree with his position. And that is coming from my own experience in uniform, not to mention my dinner conversation yesterday (over brats) with guys who are recently back from over there… actual boots on the ground perspective and all that.

    But it is still food for thought.

    Reply
  196. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:00 PM

    Chris,
    You’ll notice I didn’t say a word about his position. 🙂

    Reply
  197. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:00 PM

    Wow – Sheila, Ad Lib, that is one heavy piece – Lions Led By Donkeys. Excellent read. I’ll be going back to that one again and again.

    Reply
  198. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:02 PM

    Children are like numbers,
    If you invite one they multiply,
    If you have none,
    they will not comply,
    but in the end,

    They all want Ice Cream…

    Reply
  199. Sheila says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:02 PM

    Well, the one thing we seemed to have learned from Vietnam was not to blame lower-level troopers for employment decisions made by their civilian masters.

    Ya don’t like where the civilians are sending the troopers, ya better vote. And not just on “American Idol,” dammit.

    I may need more bourbon before this is over….

    Reply
  200. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:02 PM

    Oh, Sheila! I’m not potted. I’m blond. I haven’t had a drink in over ten years! This is just how I am…

    Reply
  201. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:02 PM

    Chris.
    To say it out, I have great respect for guys with their boots on the ground. I thank every one I meet including you.

    Reply
  202. Claire Tompkins says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:03 PM

    Chris,
    Well, people do pay for art. And they’ll pay more if something is unique, like the number 179. I think this whole project is a conceptual artwork about the art business. We value uniqueness and rarity, we’re willing to pay a lot for something that’s deemed valuable and that gets a lot of press (good or bad). The fact that the artist leaves out aesthetics is another comment about the art marketplace. Am I talking too much?

    Reply
  203. Sheila says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:03 PM

    No, no, I’m the potted one (although Lions/Donkeys sobered me up pretty good….)

    Reply
  204. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:03 PM

    Sheila,
    You’re planted?

    Reply
  205. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:05 PM

    The onethousandpaintings thing makes me wonder though – it seems like it’s going to be 15-minutes of fame and that’s it.

    Imagine if you go to someone’s house and visit and see the number on their wall. You ask them what it’s about. They tell you. What will their response be?

    “You paid HOW MUCH for that number?”

    or

    “Wow, what an amazing social Internet experiment and comment on the art world.”

    I don’t know…

    Reply
  206. Sheila says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:05 PM

    Yeah, if I can keep from falling over after the initial buzz I’m pretty focused….er, planted.

    So, a number makes it art, sometimes. I am pleased that my limited edition, numbered, neon green and black ballcap from the Gatornationals drag races is art.

    I am being a smartass, of course….

    Reply
  207. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:06 PM

    Claire, I just get frustrated by the art crowd because there’s very little art that I “get”. I’m glad they can make a living at it though.

    Reply
  208. Claire Tompkins says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:07 PM

    Ben,
    It would be interesting to list the qualities that make something art. It has to endure, is that one? I kind of think so. Hard to imagine anyone buying #47 at Sotheby’s in 10 years.

    Reply
  209. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:08 PM

    K,
    Art… the Pic on my M-Day post.
    Respect… My M-Day post.
    1000 words… my M-Day post.

    Sorry, but I think less is more in that respect.
    J.

    Reply
  210. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:09 PM

    Ben, I figure it’s his 15 minutes plus about $500,000 if he sells all the numbers…

    Reply
  211. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:11 PM

    Wow – it’s easy to get lost in here tonight… whiz bang… phew… whadya’ say?

    Reply
  212. Claire Tompkins says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:11 PM

    Chris,
    I think there’s a lot of emperor’s new clothes-ism in the art world. It is frustrating. So there’s another quality: how many people have to “get” an artwork before we call it art? If it’s only a handful of folks, I don’t think it qualifies. or if you have to read the manual first, it doesn’t qualify.

    Reply
  213. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:12 PM

    I would hope that art would be harder to reproduce and more inclined to inspire wonder than anything like those numbers.

    They are what they are a guy’s idea at how to make money,

    Reply
  214. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:13 PM

    I still stick by my “I have to believe that I’d be still wanting to look at it in ten years and finding something new and interesting about it.”

    Reply
  215. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:14 PM

    Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
    It you like it and think of it as art, it is…

    Reply
  216. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:14 PM

    Ya I would have to say – “not art”.

    But it’s hard to disagree with the way he’s making money.

    I guess for me it’s a bit inspiring (since my “thing” relies on viral attention as well), but it’s also irritating in a way to see something like that be successful. I know, we shouldn’t be envious…and I’d like more than 15 minutes fame, a sustainable, long-term business is the goal at the end of the day.

    But even if he gets his 15 minutes and tons of dough, I bet it opens doors for him. So kudos to him for that.

    Reply
  217. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:15 PM

    Claire, I’ve gotten to know more artists (or more correctly art students) in the past couple years than in my life before. I am coming to the point where I don’t have to have all the answers any more, on art and most other subjects.

    Or maybe I’m just getting older…

    Reply
  218. Thanos says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:15 PM

    I recommend Akismet as well, there’s a newer version out for WP btw if you haven’t visited the wp news blog lately. I’ve been up two months, 52 affirmed blocks, two false positives — but the fellow leaving the comments was typing from Russia in broken english with lots of misplaced periods. On the other hand, maybe they weren’t false positives, maybe it’s the dreaded Rusian Cyber Mafia. 🙂

    Reply
  219. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:17 PM

    And just because he gets his pile doesn’t mean there is any less for the rest of us. I’m genuinely happy for him and hope he makes a bundle.

    Reply
  220. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:18 PM

    Thanos!
    Great to see you over here! And protecting us from the dreaded Russian mafia! Everyone meet Thanos. He’s been over to the Lizstrauss blog.

    Reply
  221. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:18 PM

    Thanos, Welcome to our crazy little group. And the SOB award is verry GOOD! Congratulations!

    Reply
  222. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:18 PM

    “Or maybe I’m just getting older…”

    Waaahhh… more laffin’

    Reply
  223. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:19 PM

    Does the LizStrauss Blog have comment numbers? In I.E.?

    Reply
  224. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:19 PM

    Hello Thanos, nice to see you onboard.

    Wish I could use WordPress…lousy hosting company…*sigh*

    Reply
  225. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:19 PM

    Gee Chris,
    If he makes a pile do you think he might share some with me? I’m really (32 reallys) poor. I could use the money. Maybe I should take my crayons and make the alphabet. Huh????

    Reply
  226. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:21 PM

    Can I buy the “C”? I like that letter. It reminds me of….

    School.

    Reply
  227. Thanos says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:21 PM

    Well if your host is lousy, switch!! Be like a flea and hop off the dog. Great hosting companies with good rates are not as hard to come by nowadays as they used to be.

    Reply
  228. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:22 PM

    If he makes a pile 😉
    Where is HART when you need an animal person???

    Reply
  229. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:22 PM

    The Lizstrauss Blog doesn’t need comment numbers. It’s exclusive. There are only about 19 comments, but they’re all from famous people.

    Reply
  230. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:23 PM

    See, that’s why I’m poor. Chris I’d give you the C.

    Reply
  231. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:23 PM

    SORRY HART, AND LIZ,
    It was what came to mind with that phrase.
    Sorry,
    Joe

    Reply
  232. Claire Tompkins says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:24 PM

    Earlier I wrote that a work has to endure to be art, but I think that puts too much emphasis on the physical object. If an artwork makes you think or makes you see something in a different way, that’s valuable, even if the painting itself doesn’t last.

    Reply
  233. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:24 PM

    I wouldn’t mind switching hosting companies, but it’s still a hassle to move everything at this point and I’m concerned about the downtime as the DNS switches.

    We’ll see where things are at in a year, and probably make the move at that point.

    I need hosting that allows me to run ASP pages and an Access DB + PHP/MySQL (for WordPress) though, so my requirements may be on the slightly more demanding side (for the cheapest of hosting).

    Reply
  234. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:25 PM

    🙂

    Reply
  235. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:25 PM

    Speaking of bad hosts – mine has apparently eaten the last two posts I made to my blog. Grr.

    Reply
  236. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:27 PM

    No Worries, Joe.

    Claire,
    I hadn’t thought, but you’re right . . . a sand castle can be art even though it’s gone very quickly.

    Reply
  237. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:27 PM

    Liz, were you ever a teacher?

    They seemed to be pretty free with their C’s too. Hmmm..

    Reply
  238. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:27 PM

    Mark,
    I love the sound of your laugh.

    Reply
  239. Thanos says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:28 PM

    I use 1stcom, and they do all of that. However I didn’t shop too much, there are betters out there. I poked around until I found a host whose sites, even the complex ones, loaded fast. That was really my only criteria when I was looking. Their rates and speeds are beat by many others.

    Reply
  240. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:28 PM

    Ben,
    We moved this blog today in about an hour. There were no issues. It was very cool.

    Reply
  241. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:29 PM

    AL,
    Blogger does that to me quite often. I guess it doesn’t matter who the host is, I think they are all hungry.
    J,

    Reply
  242. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:30 PM

    My host is outstanding! Been with them for eight years or so… they answer the phone, they get down to business, they’re just professional and I wouldn’t change for anything.

    Reply
  243. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:30 PM

    Yeah, Chris,
    I was a teacher. i thought everyone already knew that. I gave lots of As. I taught the little kids.

    I should say they taught me stuff.

    http://lettingmebe.blogspot.com/2005/08/giving-guy-place-to-stand.html

    Reply
  244. Thanos says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:30 PM

    I’ve seen some magnificient Ice Sculptures, in Fairbanks they have a worldwide competition every year, and you would not believe the things they make.

    Reply
  245. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:30 PM

    Joe, but with Blogger I figure we are just getting what we payed for (not much!).

    Reply
  246. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:30 PM

    I’ll make a note to check out 1stcom.

    And maybe I will look at making the move, but we paid a year for the hosting.

    Hopefully our site gets so much traffic we HAVE to find a better hosting company, for now I’ll stick with what we’ve got and Blogger *sigh* — but if you have great experience with any hosting companies shoot me an email and let me know (byosko@gmail.com)

    Reply
  247. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:32 PM

    Do you realize we’ve just passed last weeks number of comments – oh – sorry Liz, you wouldn’t know that would you? LMAO…

    Reply
  248. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:33 PM

    AdLib,
    Are you writing outside WordPress then posting into it?
    You can get some weird code that way. Of course , I had WordPress eat one of mine today for no reason.

    Reply
  249. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:35 PM

    Liz, the teacher thing explains why you are so nice and willing to put up with some of us!

    Reply
  250. Claire Tompkins says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:36 PM

    I was always a teacher’s pet. Maybe that’s why I like it here!

    Reply
  251. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:37 PM

    Meh, yeah – I’ll see what I can do about recreating it later on. I was going to draw your attention to one of the articles in the Library – but now I see that there’s lots more wrong there now. You can’t actually get to the content, it seems – I’m going to have to talk to Richard, I guess…

    Reply
  252. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:37 PM

    One of my subscribers just sent ME a page to thank me. Heh, that’s pretty funny, and appreciated. (This might not mean anything to anyone, but I just wanted to post it somewhere.)

    Oh and let me ask you – what do you guys think about launching new windows on links you post in your blog to other sites? Worthwhile or pointless? Do people get irritated with the popping up windows or added tabs?

    Reply
  253. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:37 PM

    Chris,
    Free is free. I lost a post one time and Jesse (he’s a regular reader) found it on Bloglines even though it wasn’t on my blog or in Bloggers recover files.
    So, once something is published, it ends up somewhere.
    Thank goodness for regular readers, huh…
    J.

    Reply
  254. Thanos says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:38 PM

    WordPress ate some of mine, but it was my fault. I am beta’ing IE 7, and old habits get me in trouble — I flip out of the edit page, and with multiple sessions and multiple tabs in each session, I sometimes close the edit window before hitting save & continue, or publish, or something reasonable like that.

    Nice talking to all of you, have to go do some things to the blog now, later on.

    Reply
  255. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:42 PM

    Mark, I’m (still) looking for a host too.

    Reply
  256. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:42 PM

    Ben,
    I used to do the target=blank thing, but I found out that it irratates a lot of people. If you link to someone else that enhances your post, your readers will appreciate it and more likely than not they will be back to your site because they trust you and your referrals.
    Joe

    Reply
  257. Sheila says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:42 PM

    For Ben/all, I like to have links open in a new window; I get to multi-tasking and wandering all over and I’d rather shut a bunch of windows and end up back at Start than have to click “Back” 800 times.

    Otherwise I forget where I came from, my life metaphor….

    Reply
  258. Thanos says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:43 PM

    Whoops, one more thing, I do the new windows thing simply because your blog is still up in the background, more chance they will come back after they close the other window after noodling through links for a half hour.

    Reply
  259. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:44 PM

    Sheila vs. Joe

    More Windows vs. No Extra Windows

    Anyone else?

    Liz – would you mind if I showed people the new home page test for my site?

    Reply
  260. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:44 PM

    Mark,
    Don’t LYAO you look too good with it on.

    Oh AdLib, what’s going wrong with your blog: That sounds awful.

    I love you, Claire.

    Reply
  261. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:46 PM

    Ben, I’ve fallen for Firefox. The whole tab thing is the best of both worlds. But I don’t like the “new window” think if I can help it.

    Reply
  262. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:47 PM

    Thanos, your last two comments sound just like me. Have a great night now1

    Reply
  263. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:48 PM

    Commmmon Ben, show us the new home page.

    Reply
  264. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:48 PM

    I’m a Firefox fan to but my day job requires that I stick with IE for testing purposes (testing software application), since most customers use IE. I actually use both from time to time. The tabs do give you the best of both worlds in many ways…

    Reply
  265. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:49 PM

    Ben,
    Gp ahead and show them and tell them it’s shake and bake and I helped. (that’s an ancient TV commercial reference)

    Reply
  266. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:51 PM

    Liz,
    Now I’m ancient, huh?

    Reply
  267. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:51 PM

    Geeze Luise, Liz. If that’s an ancient reference than I am getting old!

    Reply
  268. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:51 PM

    http://www.igotnewsforyou.com/liz_test.asp

    – not 100% complete, but a modified home page for the site based on Liz’s feedback.

    – she was insanely helpful and friendly, btw.

    – it’s shake and bake *smile*

    – any thoughts, questions, ideas are appreciated! I don’t want to hijack the discussion though so you can always reach me via email, MSN, AIM, Skype, Gtalk, smoke signals, extremely loud morse code…

    Reply
  269. Claire Tompkins says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:52 PM

    I’m a Firefoxer and I love tabbing instead of opening new windows. But opening new windows is way better than having to backtrack later. I hate IE.
    Liz,
    You would’ve been my fave teacher.

    Reply
  270. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:54 PM

    You guuuuuyyyyyyysssssss,

    I said ancient for the benefit of the kids in the room. 🙂

    Claire, I was a one-of-a-kind teacher, that’s a sure one.

    Reply
  271. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:54 PM

    Next think you know, Liz will be saying, “Ancient Chinese secret, eh?” is “ancient.”

    Reply
  272. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:56 PM

    Chris – sorry – got a phone call – I’ll email you with my hosts info.

    Liz, Thanks, I like where MAI also 🙂

    Reply
  273. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:56 PM

    I might as well declare it.

    Okay here we go.

    Now is “Officially Pick on Liz Day” for the next hour.

    Reply
  274. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:57 PM

    You and YA are welcome, Mark.

    Reply
  275. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:58 PM

    Ben,
    Looks good from where I stand (sit). I like the way you can change things around.
    I’ll look further later, but the upfront concept is ver-goot.
    Joe

    Reply
  276. Claire Tompkins says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:58 PM

    But, Liz, you’re so nice! I don’t want to pick on you!
    Anyway, I have to go to taiko practice. Maybe I’ll see you all next week!

    Reply
  277. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:59 PM

    Mark, Thanks!

    Ben, How come the only headline that doesn’t seem to change is “Greed Pays!”?

    Does that mean something and I’m missing it?

    I like the layout. What a cool idea!

    Reply
  278. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 8:59 PM

    Mark – please email me the host info as well, I’m curious. Thanks. (byosko@gmail.com)

    Pick on Liz Day for the next hour! WOOHOO!

    *smile*

    So, um…Liz…right…Liz is so…wait a second…pick on Liz, got it. I’m on this. What’s that? Who’s on first?

    Reply
  279. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:00 PM

    Claire, next week tell us what taiko is! Enjoy!

    Reply
  280. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:00 PM

    Liz,
    I don’t think you seen picked on til 6/1…

    Reply
  281. Sheila says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:01 PM

    Not to be dull, but have to go fold and put away laundry so can actually use bed.

    In the “shake & bake” days (ancient history) I’d have just shoved it on the floor….

    ‘Night.

    Reply
  282. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:02 PM

    Claire,
    I thank you for coming. I hope you got enough in thtat email i sent you.

    Reply
  283. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:02 PM

    Joe — does the liz_test.asp home page inspire you more than the current live one (http://www.igotnewsforyou.com)?

    Do you “get it” right away? How easy it is? The fun?

    Chris — It doesn’t change because it’s hardcoded to only show 1 story. I can probably get that changed. there’s a few things that aren’t changeable, like the little weather and sports/stock bits at the top and the footer. That story “Greed Pays!” is generated you pick a person’s “quirks” and normally you’d get 3 choices at least to find the best one.

    Reply
  284. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:03 PM

    Ben,

    Email on the way…

    Reply
  285. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:04 PM

    Ben, You’re silly. I’m delighted that everyone seems impressed with where you’re going with that page.
    it’s turning out cool.

    where’s Steve? He’s about due?

    See you next week, Sheila. Let the laundry go.

    What’re you up to Joe?

    Reply
  286. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:04 PM

    Thanks Mark, I got it.

    Reply
  287. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:04 PM

    OK. I like the way things change when you refresh OR when you click on a headline. Very cool. Very intuitive.

    Reply
  288. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:05 PM

    I don’t smell a moose yet…

    Reply
  289. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:09 PM

    Chris – after playing with the page, what’s the next link you want to click (assuming you want to click through into the site)?

    And can you do me a favour? Click TRY NOW at the top.

    It takes you to a form. That’s the actual form you’d use to create a page for someone.

    A couple questions:

    * Too many questions?
    * Too complicated looking?

    (And guys, let me know when you’re sick of me jumping through the computer and strangling y’all for feedback!)

    Reply
  290. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:11 PM

    Ben,
    The new presentation shows the idea upfront. Much better than just a link in the sidebar.
    This is a much better approach, I think.
    The idea is right there so people can click or refresh to see what the whole thing is about.
    J.

    Reply
  291. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:12 PM

    Liz,
    Nuttin’

    Reply
  292. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:15 PM

    I have no idea what’s going on – looks like the server is having a nervous breakdown right now. I’ve lost a few comments too now – and strange things have happened to the main site as well.

    Reply
  293. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:15 PM

    Thanks Joe.

    I should send Liz a gold star…or something…

    If you could input a few bits of information (your name, a recipient’s name and gender) to see how it can personalize some of the content, right on that home page, would that make it even better? Obviously we personalize more than that when you click “try now!” but that’s an idea I’m working on now — to show people that it can be personalized…

    Reply
  294. Mark Wade says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:16 PM

    Okay youse guyzzz… time to go watch the second half of the BB game.

    As usual, it’s been a blast even tho’ I couldn’t see any comment numbers hahahaha (maybe I’ll let that go someday Liz)

    Have a great night all,

    Mark

    Reply
  295. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:16 PM

    Hey, I just emailed steve that we were talking about him and Milton.

    Joe. Nuttin doesn’t usually come with a date on it. 🙂

    Reply
  296. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:19 PM

    AdLib, your blog looks normal from here. Maybe it’s a server thing and it’ll adjust itself by tomorrow???

    Reply
  297. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:19 PM

    Oh, yes – target:blank is IMAO a bit rude unless most of your readers use Firefox tabbed browsing; and it’s one of the things we were generally taught to be against in the usability studies course I took in Uni.

    That’s because it takes away the user’s control for very little gain on your end of things…

    Reply
  298. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:19 PM

    Ben, It’s not that it’s too complicated or too many questions.

    I’m just the kind of person who would balk at entering any kind of personal data for someone else (the recipient). I realize the page is generated from the information. But I’d still balk and probably hit the back button at that point.

    That’s my hang-up and not what I’d consider a valid critique of your site.

    Reply
  299. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:20 PM

    Mark,
    I’ll miss you laffin, but I think I’ll still hear you acroos the starry night sky.

    Reply
  300. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:20 PM

    AdLib – I’m leaning in the direction of removing it. Somehow, sometimes, it [using target=_blank] feels…dirty…

    I’m going to switch on my blog for awhile, I doubt I’ll get feedback on it, but we’ll see if it affects the user experience at all.

    Reply
  301. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:21 PM

    ‘night Mark. Thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  302. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:21 PM

    I hope it’s just a server thing – I wonder if Zend or Ioncube crashed? I’ll have to have a talk with Richard when he wakes up; it’s 3 AM in the UK now…

    Reply
  303. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:23 PM

    3 AM!!! Gadzooks!

    Reply
  304. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:23 PM

    Is (target=blank] where I can’t back out of your blog?

    Reply
  305. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:24 PM

    Chris — someone else said that to me today too, about entering in the personal information.

    Is there anything I could do on that form page to convince you it’s OK to fill out? That I’m not using the information for evil?

    I never really thought of that possibility…that people wouldn’t want to fill in the personal information, since most of it is just “silly” info anyway (fantasy job, personality quirks) and not stuff like how much money they make, etc.

    Reply
  306. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:24 PM

    AL,
    I was just over at your place and things looked fine from a readers perspective.
    Left a comment just to make sure it worked, and it seemed to be responsive enough, and the comment took well enough.
    Joe

    Reply
  307. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:26 PM

    [target=_blank] is what you’d add to a link in order for it to launch a new window.

    In IE it launches a new window, in Firefox it might launch a new tab.

    So when you want to go back to the original site it’s still there, you don’t need to use the BACK button to get there.

    Reply
  308. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:27 PM

    Target:blank is where you force links to open in another window – a generally annoying practice. Disabling the back button is done with sneaky javascript and should be grounds for having your licence to use fingers revoked…

    Reply
  309. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:28 PM

    Thanks, I get confused when the word blank comes up. I think that’s what I’m supposed to do. 🙂

    Reply
  310. Steve Remington says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:28 PM

    Holy shamoly batman. The hoops I have to jump through just to get back for open mike night. People stopping in, phones ringing, wife is sick, kids won’t just go to sleep….

    But hey I am here. I get an A for effort… 🙂

    Reply
  311. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:29 PM

    Ah yes, AdLib, Now I remember that one is

    [target_fingers ripped off and then broken]

    Steve!!!! How delightful to see you!!!

    Reply
  312. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:30 PM

    Welcome aboard Steve. Hope your wife is ok…

    A+ for effort, it sounds like.

    Now where’s that moose of yours?

    Reply
  313. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:30 PM

    Heh, it’s 4:30 AM where I am – and hi there, Steve!

    Reply
  314. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:31 PM

    Ben,
    You might try a sample page using their own info, although I think people would be hesitant about giving out an email address.
    Joe

    Reply
  315. Steve Remington says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:33 PM

    Milton is drunk as a skunk. He got into my Wild Turkey and was doing shots when I came home. I’ll see if he is still coherent… brb

    Reply
  316. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:33 PM

    Ben, I think it’s a case where my old New York cynicism gets caught in a loyalty loop of not wanting to sell out my friends. In the resulting cranial short circuit, I wouldn’t want to risk that off chance that I might do something “bad” of my own volition, and I’d just hit the back button.

    Like I said, though, I don’t think it’s about your site at all. I’m just not wired for it. I’m not a good test market because I’d skew the results.

    Reply
  317. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:33 PM

    Hey Joe – we won’t ask for email address right there.

    All we’ll ask for is:

    Your first name / last name
    The recipient’s first name / last name
    The recipient’s gender (important for text changes in the stories)

    That’s all we would need for you to see how we fill in the names into the stories.

    I’m not sure we NEED to do this, since you can very quickly see on the page that the names in it are samples, and you can see how the stories change.

    But being able to fill in a simple form like that and actually SEE the sample get personalized might be even better.

    The only problem is that the form is going to clutter the page, unless I put it after the sample, in which case no one will probably see it.

    Reply
  318. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:34 PM

    Snif, snif.

    I SMELL MOOSE!!

    Reply
  319. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:35 PM

    Well, target:blank is just slightly rude, the equivalent of shouldering aside people in a crowd. Blocking functionality with javascript(disable.backbutton) is the equivalent of taking hostages and making demands…

    At least in terms of usability impact…

    Reply
  320. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:35 PM

    Fair enough Chris. Your feedback is still valuable and appreciated, good test market or not!

    So thanks…

    Reply
  321. MIlton says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:36 PM

    Hello. I’m not as think as you drunk I am.

    Reply
  322. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:37 PM

    Steve, be careful. Liz is giving out C’s tonight.

    Reply
  323. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:37 PM

    Chris,
    Hold your horse. I’m sure Milton won’t let you down.

    By the way, Ben. Where’s the donkey?

    Reply
  324. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:38 PM

    @ Steve, Hey…
    @Liz, Don’t blank out on me, 6/1 will be here soon enough.
    @ AdLib, Why don’t you sleep at night?
    @ Ben, think of what you would do on a first visit.
    @ Chris, “Tommy, do you hear me?” Still here?

    Reply
  325. Steve Remington says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:38 PM

    Giving out C’s?

    Coffee 🙂

    Reply
  326. Steve Remington says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:39 PM

    Joe you are quite the multi-tasker 🙂

    Reply
  327. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:39 PM

    I put the donkey to work coding on the website.

    He’s got a book open (Coding for Moose), but it’s upside down, and he’s typing furiously. Of course every time he hits the keyboard he hits multiple keys at once. And he drools…oh, does he drool.

    Still, the code is coming along, so who am I to complain?

    Reply
  328. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:40 PM

    In her defence, I specifically requested one…

    Reply
  329. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:42 PM

    Drooling donkey. Yechtppht!

    Reply
  330. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:44 PM

    @ Ben, think of what you would do on a first visit.

    — I’d hand over all my money!!

    Ok, maybe not… 🙂

    @ AdLib, Why don’t you sleep at night?

    — I was starting to ask the same question. At 4:30am I ain’t a pretty sight, and don’t even ask me about what the moose is doing at 4:30am…*shivers*

    Reply
  331. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:44 PM

    Actually, Chris, you really wanted Cs plural, I saw that glint in your eyes.

    Joe, don’t think I don’t have an eye on you.

    Ben, I’m sure glad that the donkey has found honest work.

    AdLib, Here’s some special French Roast for you and Chris and anyone else who wants some.

    Milton, Milton,
    Misten Lister, After teen martunis you aren’t half so under the affluence of incohol as these thinkle peep you are.

    Reply
  332. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:46 PM

    So, Milton came in on the donkey who drooled on the keyboard which short-circuited the code for the book that Ben was reading to Steve so that he could explain it to Liz who in turn translated in into Norweigan for AdLib?

    Reply
  333. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:47 PM

    You guys should read this.

    http://weblog.glemak.com/nomadic_audio/

    you’re stars

    Reply
  334. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:47 PM

    Guffaw @ Liz.

    Reply
  335. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:49 PM

    Joe, you’ve got to use more commas if you expect a blond like me to keep up!

    Reply
  336. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:49 PM

    I keep odd hours, so I can come around here – but I suspect I should do the clever thing and go to sleep in a while. Once the effect of the third pot of coffee wears off anyway 🙂

    Reply
  337. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:51 PM

    ,,,,,,,,,,,,,

    Reply
  338. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:51 PM

    Ad Lib, getting too much blood in the coffee stream again? (I just love that phrase of yours.)

    Reply
  339. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:52 PM

    Did you guys read that link yet? You’re famous!

    Reply
  340. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:54 PM

    Liz – you’re going to have to create new badges for your minions. We’re SOBs and minions. Sweet.

    And Joe, I think you’ve got that right. Although Milton also happened to trip over his own feet throwing his bottle of Wild Turkey at the donkey and hitting him on the head, which caused him to fall over and land on Ben, who was trying to type out a message of incredible importance here, which ended up garbled, confusing Steve and making Liz wonder how she puts up with her minions.

    Phew. Breathe. Phew. Breath again.

    Reply
  341. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:54 PM

    So, who is that guy with the gray streaks in his hair?
    You know, the one with the beard.
    Let me guess…

    Reply
  342. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:56 PM

    Wait. Ben, I thought Turkey season was in the fall.

    Reply
  343. Steve Remington says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:56 PM

    ummm errr eee… ugh!

    Liz we are stars. woohoo!

    First off I would like to thank my mom. If it wasn’t for her I just wouldn’t be here right now. And I am going to Disney World. Thanks Mickey…

    Reply
  344. Steve Remington says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:57 PM

    There is a spring turkey season in Maine (May)..

    Reply
  345. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:58 PM

    So. Hanging out with Liz and her crew get me lots of C’s, and now this.

    Rich & Famous! Too Cool!

    Reply
  346. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:59 PM

    OK. Steve. Wouldn’t want Milton getting in trouble for the Turkey projectile thingy that Ben mentioned.

    Reply
  347. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 9:59 PM

    I’m glad to see that all of those posts I’ve been doing on Power Writing and Creative Wondering are finally paying off.

    We’ve got Ben over there breathing like he’s doing Lamaze, while Joe has taken off. AdLib is walking around cursing the coffee that has taken over his blog. The donkey and moose have revealed that they’re really Brad and Angelina in costume . . . and Cris is thinking a C is better for a blonde than being part of this story,

    Reply
  348. Steve Remington says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:00 PM

    Chris, I am waiting for David Letterman to call us and invite us on his show. I am so nervous… hehe!

    Reply
  349. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:02 PM

    Ah. Letterman is on after my bed time… time…

    Ohmygosh! It’s after the pumpkin hour! I really should head out.

    Reply
  350. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:03 PM

    Can I just say that I want David Boreanz to play me in the movie?

    Reply
  351. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:03 PM

    I’ve calmed down…trust me…I don’t want to be remembered as the “heavy breather”, especially now that we’re famous.

    Not quite sure how I want to be remembered, but “heavy breather” can’t be good.

    Reply
  352. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:04 PM

    Sure, AdLIb, you can say that. Who is he?

    Reply
  353. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:04 PM

    THANK you Liz. I was afraid to ask.

    Reply
  354. Steve Remington says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:05 PM

    Milton barfs on Ben who then projectile vomits on his donkey. Ben’s ass ran for the bathroom when he accidently stepped on the almost empty bottle of Wild Turkey when Liz went to catch the donkey. Ben yelled at Liz to get her hands off his ass when Chris accidently nudged adlibs coffee and it fell onto the rug soaking all the C’s….

    ugh

    Reply
  355. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:06 PM

    Played the vampire with a soul in the TV show Angel.

    Currently one of the guys in a show called Bones — if that’s still on.

    He’s been in one or two movies, I think.

    http://images.google.ca/images?q=tbn:gJ35Tzdx1W-YzM:malestars.codserver.com/cnt/david_boreanaz/photos/5.jpg (not sure that link will work)

    Reply
  356. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:07 PM

    David Boreanz played Angel on “Buffy” and the “Angel” spinoff series – looks like this

    Reply
  357. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:08 PM

    Well, I guess we have you covered AdLib.
    Anyone else???

    Reply
  358. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:09 PM

    Then the conversation comes to a grinding hault whist we all try to remeber how to breathe after the convulsive laughter restulting from Steve’s post….

    Reply
  359. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:09 PM

    Steve,

    My “ass” is getting far too much attention in your run-on sentence there!

    Granted Liz has always been a bit grabby when it comes to asses, or so I’ve heard.

    Reply
  360. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:10 PM

    I’m still here, although I think that the best actor to play the part of Joe Hauckes should be John Wayne, I would be remiss if I didn’t consider Curt Russell or (who’s that guy who played in that Little China movie?) Kirk Doughlas… All in their younger years of course.

    Reply
  361. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:11 PM

    That was “Big Trouble in Little China” Now I remember…

    Reply
  362. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:12 PM

    Ben,
    You have heard no such thing about Liz.

    http://lettingmebe.blogspot.com/2006/05/20th-century-chivalry-yes-it-was.html

    Reply
  363. Steve Remington says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:12 PM

    Hey it’s your donkey. I didn’t bring him. If you don’t want to attract attention to your ass leave him home next time. Lol

    Reply
  364. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:12 PM

    As an alternate we can go with an animated series, in which case I’ll definitely be played by “Too Much Coffe Man”…

    Reply
  365. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:12 PM

    I’ll keep the Joss Whedon theme going. I’d like to be played by Nathan Fillion because Malcom Reynolds is my kind of hero.

    Reply
  366. HART (1-800-HART) says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:13 PM

    360 comments? *sigh .. Reader’s Digest version please!

    I was watching “Last Comic Standing” .. both my wife and I are in agreement that “Hank Hill” guy (with big head) will be the ultimate Last Comic Standing Winner … trust your HART!

    Reply
  367. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:14 PM

    They all sound lovely. I’ll hold the camera.

    Reply
  368. Steve Remington says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:14 PM

    Firefly! Woohoo. I loved those shows. Seen ’em all and loved the movie Serenity. I am a browncoat by heart that’s for sure.

    Reply
  369. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:16 PM

    So who gets to play Liz? Kate Blanchett?

    Reply
  370. Steve Remington says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:17 PM

    This would be me…

    Reply
  371. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:18 PM

    It’s eleven sixteen at night,
    So I must now take flight.
    It was nice seeing all of you,
    But now I bid a fine adeau.

    Berma Shave

    Joe

    Reply
  372. Steve Remington says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:18 PM

    OK this would be me then since that didn’t work

    Reply
  373. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:18 PM

    Good night, Joe
    Sleepy swell.

    Reply
  374. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:19 PM

    Goodnight Joe, thanks for the feedback.

    Reply
  375. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:19 PM

    Kate Blanchett? You think?

    Reply
  376. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:19 PM

    Hart:

    slow start. 1000 paintings = art/notart. New folks. Brats. Three from NY. crayons. birthdays. comment numbers. new windows. hosts. site critique. moose & donkey loose. chaos ensues…

    Reply
  377. Steve Remington says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:19 PM

    Nighters!!

    Reply
  378. HART (1-800-HART) says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:20 PM

    I too was a fan of Firefly – but, didn’t see the movie … Was it any good?

    Was a HUGE fan of other shows … and all the movies .. Star Trek, Lost in Space, Babylon 5, Farscape, et al

    Reply
  379. HART (1-800-HART) says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:21 PM

    Chris .. thanks for update 🙂 looked at the 1000 painting site from prelude post, and everything you said makes sense to me – without reading above! lol Good Job.

    Reply
  380. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:22 PM

    I didn’t discover Firefly until the movie was in the works. The movie was quite good. Have the DVD (and I don’t have many).

    Now I’m hooked on the new Dr. Who on Sci-Fi friday night.

    Reply
  381. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:22 PM

    Serenity is definitely worth seeing. Not the best movie of all time, but entertaining – even if you weren’t a Firefly fan.

    Reply
  382. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:23 PM

    EVERYBODY: HART!

    Welcome Hart. Thanks for bringimg us up to date.
    You missed the famous part.

    Reply
  383. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:24 PM

    Heart, if you can follow all that you’ve got more coffee on board than Ad Lib!

    Oh, yeah. Check out post 333 for the famous part!

    Reply
  384. Joe says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:25 PM

    Ok,
    One last comment before I leave…
    Chris, Dr Who is the man… I used to watch the show on PBS when they were in B&W.
    I guess that shows my age.
    Nite all
    Joe

    Reply
  385. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:25 PM

    Alright, it’s time for me and my ass to hit the sack.

    Unlike AdLib I can’t stay up too late, plus carrying my ass on my back really tires me out.

    It was a great night – thank you to everyone for their feedback. If you have anymore thoughts, holler my way via email (byosko@gmail.com).

    Oh, and if you guys want free subscriptions to IGotNewsForYou.com just let me know via email. I’m happy to oblige for the help you’ve given. Even you, Chris, just in case you change your mind and want to try it out!

    I know Liz is going to try it out soon! Steve too! Right? Milton? Bueller?

    Reply
  386. HART (1-800-HART) says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:25 PM

    yes! Dr. Who! I liked the original series, but watched it all, no need to watch reruns. I quite like the new series … is it a new season yet? I liked the Eccleson? guy ..there’s a new guy this season, right?

    Reply
  387. HART (1-800-HART) says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:27 PM

    Hi Liz ~waves ….

    No, I’m not famous .. yet! // OH! I missed the ‘famous’ .. will do a “Find” search ..

    Reply
  388. Steve Remington says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:28 PM

    Sorry I was late guys but wife is actually really sick. I should probably go see how she is. Maybe Milton will stay around if he can make his way over to the “puter”

    Nighters all!

    Reply
  389. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:28 PM

    I’m usually laughing too hard at the DR. to get the character names. Fortunately with TIVO I can pause until I’m breathing again. It bugs my wife because I’m told it’s not really as funny as all that.

    Reply
  390. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:28 PM

    I watched the orginal series. God I haven’t watched TV for a very long time.

    Reply
  391. HART (1-800-HART) says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:29 PM

    I see .. Liz is the famous one 🙂 ~waves to all her new friends! I’m HART … I usually come after hours here, and cause trouble ..I mean, entertain the masses.

    Reply
  392. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:30 PM

    Yes. I watched the original as a kid too. (“And I helped!”) 😉

    The new is different, but I think true to the original.

    Reply
  393. HART (1-800-HART) says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:32 PM

    Ben .. I tried to sign up for your thing-a-ma-jig .. but, I did it on an empty stomach and had to shave the next day (not to suggest it took too long, but for the easily amused and low concentration factor .. you need a simple signup that you just send out perhaps, a factory setting ‘a-ma-jig’ ..

    Reply
  394. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:33 PM

    Chris, Keep that “and I hepped” stuff up and I’ll change your C to a B and then where will you be?

    Hart the famous part is at comment 333.

    Bye you guys!

    Reply
  395. HART (1-800-HART) says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:35 PM

    how do you know what comment #333 is? I know if you hover your mouse over the DATE of each comment, you can see a number but they are in 5-digit range

    Reply
  396. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:36 PM

    Yes, maam.

    How did you know about it within 20 minutes of his posting that blog entry?

    Reply
  397. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:37 PM

    Heart, you’re not using Firefox, are you?

    Liz had the same problem.

    Reply
  398. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:37 PM

    It only works if you use a real browser like FireFox 🙂
    ‘

    Reply
  399. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:38 PM

    I actually knew about it for a long time before I told you guys about it. If you read my comment on the post over there. I had been checking my stats and saw that he had been to visit. I’d never been over to see his blog. I’m a curious girl. I found out before Technorati did!

    Reply
  400. Ben says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:38 PM

    Hey HART (I almos left but didn’t) …

    Subscribing should only be a couple steps.

    Go to http://www.igotnewsforyou.com/subscribe.asp.

    Submit your email address + password.

    It then takes you to PayPal where you pay with a PayPal account or credit card, which is the standard couple of steps that PayPal uses.

    If any of that causes a problem (technical) let me know.

    Of course I offered you a free subscription so just email me if you’re interested. Or you can help out a starving artist and pay…*smile*

    Ok ‘night!

    Reply
  401. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:40 PM

    Ah, the old stats. Shoulda known.

    Reply
  402. HART (1-800-HART) FF says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:41 PM

    😛 I prefer Internet Explorer, but am not Racist against Firefox browsers or users (like some Firefox users I know!) … Comments in FF browser now have a FF after my name and the pet site URL.

    I see the post numbers – and Liz – you need that in I.E…..

    Reply
  403. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:41 PM

    BTW, HART,
    Jeremy promised the paged comments for next week. Something came up after the server move or it would have been tonight.

    Reply
  404. HART (1-800-HART) says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:41 PM

    I posted in FF but, am in moderation – newbie user

    Reply
  405. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:42 PM

    What does “paged comments” mean?

    Reply
  406. HART (1-800-HART) says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:43 PM

    Liz .. it should be interesting with Paged Comments.. But, since my first post tonight, I’ve been following more by just setting my email to check every minute, and the seeing it in my IN-Box the comments 🙂 I suppose I can watch it in the other browser FF and see the numbers now….

    Reply
  407. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:44 PM

    HART
    You want to explain what the new plug in will do? You picked it.

    Reply
  408. HART (1-800-HART) says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:45 PM

    Ben-Lurker .. thanks 🙂 G’nite .. Will do something – before week is up..

    Reply
  409. Chris Cree says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:48 PM

    Liz, No worries. I’ll get the explanation another time. I need to turn in too. Thanks for another wildly successful open comment night!

    Reply
  410. HART (1-800-HART) FF says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:50 PM

    Liz .. will do 🙂

    Chris – Paged Comments is a plugin for WordPress, that can put your posts in reverse order (like blog posts) and rather than long pages of comments, you can set it to have say, the last 10 only ..

    I first found it at (the other) Martin’s site with the Best Audio Plugin Invention Since Sliced Bread .. You can see how it works there as there are over 700 comments .. great for guestbooks! I’m using it on my own guestbook at http://CurlingBlog.com/gushue/ for instance too.

    You can do a net search or, if you want I can send you the URL or post it in here.. just have to load the plugin page

    Reply
  411. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:50 PM

    Chris, Basically it means you won’t have to scroll all the way down every time.

    Sweet dreams. sleepy swell.

    Reply
  412. HART (1-800-HART) says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:52 PM

    btw Liz – I’m not getting anymore weird characters in my Bloglines – I just checked…

    Reply
  413. HART (1-800-HART) says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:54 PM

    PagedComments – URL is .. http://www.keyvan.net/code/paged-comments/

    Reply
  414. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 10:55 PM

    Thanks for telling me. I went in and fixed the offending post. That post had smart quotes in it. WordPress hates those.

    Reply
  415. HART (1-800-HART) FF says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:00 PM

    I’m not really sure what “smart quotes” are .. but, on all my WP2.0 blogs .. I go into the Users function and UN-Tick the “Use the visual rich editor when writing” tick .. I hate that!

    Reply
  416. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:05 PM

    I don’t use the Rich Text Editor either and don’t recommend it. But a piece of that post was typed in Word and imported. Smart quotes are the curly ones, that change direction depending which side they’re on–not the straight, stickline ones. They cause problems like weird characters such as ampersands do.

    Reply
  417. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:05 PM

    Hmm, I think you might want to look into the plugin FiredogLake is using for their comments section – they habitually reach 2-300 comments – and what they use is a little javascript button that just refreshes the comment field 🙂

    Dang if I know what it’s called though – I’ll have a look and see what I can find.

    Reply
  418. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:06 PM

    The one that came up two weeks ago when Martin was here was this one

    http://www.keyvan.net/code/paged-comments/

    That’s what I asked for

    Reply
  419. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:08 PM

    Huh – I usually use notepad or at most wordpad when I write. Word does too much; it gets in the way of writing I feel.

    Probably just me being idiosyncratic again, but I prefer the clutterless notepad to full-blown word processors.

    Reply
  420. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:10 PM

    I can’t stand having that overwide margin. It makes me crazy. The eye can’t read that wide.

    Reply
  421. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:12 PM

    Hmm, maybe what you want is this one instead: http://gleamynode.net/wordpress/archives/106

    Reply
  422. HART (1-800-HART) says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:15 PM

    I just usually write in the Write Box inside the blog 🙂

    Ad.Lib. .. Is it this you were thinking? http://blog.jalenack.com/ajax/ I see his plugin but, not a demo yet .. still searching myself – always open to alternatives ..

    Reply
  423. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:16 PM

    I see you want the threaded part. You’re so good.

    I’ll be moving to WP 2.0.2 in about 15 seconds so that won’t be the answer. . . .

    Reply
  424. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:18 PM

    No. more like this thing – scroll down to the bottom of the page and there’s a button there that says “refresh comments”.

    by the way – what do you guys think about Scotus suppressing whistleblowers in federal service?

    Reply
  425. HART (1-800-HART) says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:22 PM

    well Liz .. you now have a barage of plugins to test in the upcoming Summer of Mic nites.

    Reply
  426. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:23 PM

    On the comment thing I really like the idea of the last comment being on top. I’m sure tired of scrolling.

    On whistleblowers. I think that just makes everything worse . . .

    Reply
  427. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:31 PM

    Yeah. I used to believe in the idea of America as the Land of the Free.

    It’s very sad to see what’s happening in your politics now – I’m hoping you guys will luck through like you did in the McCarthy years and the Nixon period.

    Reply
  428. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:35 PM

    Oh we’re still the same independent people, we just go through our periods . . . like Joseph Campbell pointed out compared to other countries, we’re teenagers.

    We don’t know how to take anything in stride. Everything is an angst-filled teenage experience, knee-jerk reaction, hormone-packed argrument. 🙂

    I liked that description. 🙂

    Reply
  429. HART (1-800-HART) FF says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:36 PM

    ps.. re: #418 .. said that #413 😀

    Well .. going to go into Lurk mode now – I closed my blogging this week, but think I’ll start back again tomorrow.. So, off to my Bloglines I go (besides the entertainment ones)

    Reply
  430. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:39 PM

    That 418 and 413 thing, HART was an echo. OR it was me padding the comment count. 🙂

    See you tomorrow.

    Reply
  431. HART (1-800-HART) FF says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:44 PM

    Oh okay .. (gratuitous comment to pad the comment count wrecklessly again)

    G’nite everybody .. cya Tomorrow! or, around the WWW.

    Reply
  432. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:47 PM

    Good night HART.

    Reply
  433. Advice Librarian says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:47 PM

    Heh, so as a nation you’re having your angsty Goth phase now and thinking of running off to join a cult? I can buy that 🙂

    Looks like the party’s winding down now though, there’s just you and me left – and it’s 7 AM here now, so I suppose I should snatch some sleep too 🙂

    Reply
  434. ME Strauss says

    May 30, 2006 at 11:49 PM

    I like your description too.

    Sweet dreams, Friend
    Sleep well.

    Reply
  435. Martin says

    May 31, 2006 at 4:49 AM

    Phew, made it … Am I on time?

    D’oh, 430+ comments. Damn you all for having your open mike when it’s mid-morning in my neck of the woods. 🙂

    Reply
  436. ME Strauss says

    May 31, 2006 at 6:52 AM

    Hello Martin,
    You’re not late. You’re just early for next week. You pick the time when we should start.

    Liz

    Reply
  437. Joe says

    June 2, 2006 at 11:21 AM

    Hey Liz,
    You’re going to have to include instructions with the new set-up…
    It took me a minute to figure out that 18 was the page.
    I like it though.
    Joe

    Reply
  438. HART (1-800-HART) says

    June 2, 2006 at 12:21 PM

    It’s almost there Liz!

    In your actual plugin directory.php file .. there is a line .. $paged_comments->ordering = ‘ASC’;

    If you change it to the following, it will show in reverse order, so the last comment is actually first, not at the end of the last page 🙂
    $paged_comments->ordering = ‘DESC’;

    (there are other options in there too fyi)

    Reply
  439. ME Strauss says

    June 2, 2006 at 12:23 PM

    Okay I’ll give it a try.

    Reply
  440. ME Strauss says

    June 2, 2006 at 12:29 PM

    The original line of code is not in the file.

    Reply
  441. HART (1-800-HART) says

    June 2, 2006 at 12:36 PM

    I don’t know what to say . it would be in..
    https://www.successful-blog.com/wp-content/plugins/page-comments.php file ..

    I’ll go browse the plugin site..

    Reply
  442. ME Strauss says

    June 2, 2006 at 12:39 PM

    I Was looking in the wrong place.
    Can we fix the alternate colors too?

    Reply
  443. HART (1-800-HART) says

    June 2, 2006 at 12:39 PM

    oh – I’ve got the old version 1.0 for my wp1.5.2 blog .. the new version 2.0 shows something like “show_all_ordering “

    Reply
  444. HART (1-800-HART) says

    June 2, 2006 at 12:40 PM

    hmm.. alternate colors .. maybe! I don’t know .. i’ll look at my code – ps .. I see numbers on the posts now in I.E… if all else fails.. THAT WORKS! :p to all FF users.

    Reply
  445. ME Strauss says

    June 2, 2006 at 12:46 PM

    I need to wait the files aren’t writeable at this end.

    Reply
  446. HART (1-800-HART) says

    June 2, 2006 at 12:52 PM

    well, it sounds like you found it 🙂 waiting isn’t too bad. In the meantime, I couldn’t figure out how to do alternating colors.. I’m no designer! But, I could ask for a favor in the meantime, while you are waiting..

    I seem to have two emails subscribed to these comments .. (at) PetLvr.com and (at)1800HART (dot) com .. Your unsubscribe/manage subscriptions does NOT work. Can you please unsubscribe the PetLvr email address? I used that the other day as it was the default in my Firefox browser, but now I’m getting two emails of every post I’ve subscribed to. T.I.A.

    Reply
  447. ME Strauss says

    June 2, 2006 at 12:54 PM

    cool sure.

    Reply

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