Thursday, 1 September 2005
Look who's talking!
She may be almost 18 years old, she may be not in the best of health and there may be only one tooth left in evidence but Poppy can still make her feelings only too well known!
Wednesday, 31 August 2005
Biting the hand that feeds you
I was directed this morning to a blog that frankly has made my blood boil but has also made me consider my own position.
I was given the link for an entirely different reason to the one I am now going to post about, I knew nothing of it's content previously but having read it, even at this early hour, my hackles are well and truly up!
The author of the blog in question has by their own choice moved from a city to the countryside, do you begin to see a parallel here, but seems to have very little good to say about their new surroundings, more than that, this individual displays a positively scathing and superior attitude toward those in the locality.
As one who moved from a big city into the 'middle of a field' myself I can understand the sometime frustrations of the reduced and far flung facilities, hell yeah, I miss not being able to have a pizza sent out or having access to galleries, theatre and retail therapy at a five minute drive but....and this is a very big but, there are also massive compensations.
Crime here is almost non existent in comparison with almost any city and that alone is something that makes for a more relaxed and less stressful existence. I live among some beautiful scenery, the stuff of postcards that many people only see 'once in a blue moon', I wake up to panoramic views every single day that many can only dream of.
There are now sights and sounds as part of my life's daily backdrop that I used to spend a fortune on holidays to experience, wildlife, weather changes, the ocean and green vistas that go on forever. Add to that the friends I have made and the community, that despite my being an incomer, has made me very welcome. I will never be a 'local', one has to have about 5 generations here to become that but none-the-less I feel 'at home'.
Sure, there are times that I have moaned and groaned about the down side but my point is this; having chosen to move my life from the city it is up to me to make a life here, no one forces me to be involved in the things I choose not too be and yes it is a different lifestyle to the one I was used to but, it takes time to make a life anywhere and to adjust. Rome wasn't built in a day!
One thing is for sure, publicly insulting the people and the lifestyle I chose to live among and who have accepted and befriended me will not aid my transition from city girl to country dweller and I sincerely hope I have never done that. Now and again I might privately expound on the aspects that I have found frustrating and I will admit to finding it hard at times to make the necessary adjustment but I hope that in the main I concentrate on the positives, of which there are many, and I certainly hope that I have never offended anyone of the people who allow me to live among them and have accepted me more than I ever imagined.
Coincidentally I had a short conversation with someone yesterday along these lines and 'post conversation' I was aware that I had been somewhat negative about some aspects of my lifestyle here.....who's fault is that I wonder? It seems to me it is mine, it is my responsibility to adjust not anyone else's!
One thing is for sure, there is nothing more guaranteed to alienate someone in my position and to hinder the settling in process than to 'bite the hand that feeds me'!!! Let's face it, I chose of my own free will to live here, no one forced me and no one forces me to remain....... insulting the way of life of others, just because it isn't what I am used to would be unhelpful, condescending and wrong.
I was given the link for an entirely different reason to the one I am now going to post about, I knew nothing of it's content previously but having read it, even at this early hour, my hackles are well and truly up!
The author of the blog in question has by their own choice moved from a city to the countryside, do you begin to see a parallel here, but seems to have very little good to say about their new surroundings, more than that, this individual displays a positively scathing and superior attitude toward those in the locality.
As one who moved from a big city into the 'middle of a field' myself I can understand the sometime frustrations of the reduced and far flung facilities, hell yeah, I miss not being able to have a pizza sent out or having access to galleries, theatre and retail therapy at a five minute drive but....and this is a very big but, there are also massive compensations.
Crime here is almost non existent in comparison with almost any city and that alone is something that makes for a more relaxed and less stressful existence. I live among some beautiful scenery, the stuff of postcards that many people only see 'once in a blue moon', I wake up to panoramic views every single day that many can only dream of.
There are now sights and sounds as part of my life's daily backdrop that I used to spend a fortune on holidays to experience, wildlife, weather changes, the ocean and green vistas that go on forever. Add to that the friends I have made and the community, that despite my being an incomer, has made me very welcome. I will never be a 'local', one has to have about 5 generations here to become that but none-the-less I feel 'at home'.
Sure, there are times that I have moaned and groaned about the down side but my point is this; having chosen to move my life from the city it is up to me to make a life here, no one forces me to be involved in the things I choose not too be and yes it is a different lifestyle to the one I was used to but, it takes time to make a life anywhere and to adjust. Rome wasn't built in a day!
One thing is for sure, publicly insulting the people and the lifestyle I chose to live among and who have accepted and befriended me will not aid my transition from city girl to country dweller and I sincerely hope I have never done that. Now and again I might privately expound on the aspects that I have found frustrating and I will admit to finding it hard at times to make the necessary adjustment but I hope that in the main I concentrate on the positives, of which there are many, and I certainly hope that I have never offended anyone of the people who allow me to live among them and have accepted me more than I ever imagined.
Coincidentally I had a short conversation with someone yesterday along these lines and 'post conversation' I was aware that I had been somewhat negative about some aspects of my lifestyle here.....who's fault is that I wonder? It seems to me it is mine, it is my responsibility to adjust not anyone else's!
One thing is for sure, there is nothing more guaranteed to alienate someone in my position and to hinder the settling in process than to 'bite the hand that feeds me'!!! Let's face it, I chose of my own free will to live here, no one forced me and no one forces me to remain....... insulting the way of life of others, just because it isn't what I am used to would be unhelpful, condescending and wrong.
Tuesday, 30 August 2005
Blog'ito ergo sum
Forget Dior, D&G, Chanel or Westwood, this seasons 'must have' item of attire can be found HERE....the one and only 'I BLOG There4 I am' T'shirt!!!
Like the man says, we bloggers are an intellectual lot and hence a little fun has been had with Descartes original 'cogito, ergo sum' ~ 'I think, therefore I am'.
Go on...lean on the guy a little you know you want one and maybe we can persuade him to remove a digit or two and get these into production!
Like the man says, we bloggers are an intellectual lot and hence a little fun has been had with Descartes original 'cogito, ergo sum' ~ 'I think, therefore I am'.
Go on...lean on the guy a little you know you want one and maybe we can persuade him to remove a digit or two and get these into production!
Katrina
So hurricane Katrina has done her worst and left the expected trail of devastation in her wake despite being downgraded to a 'tropical storm' prior to hitting land.
Sitting here in the UK where we consider severe weather to be gale force winds and anything more than and inch or two of rain or snow it's almost impossible to imagine the power of such a storm or the havoc and damage it leaves where it passes.
We have the power of images and video on television but it still doesn't come anywhere near recreating the real power and fear experienced by those unfortunate enough to be in it's path and be subjected to it's wrath.
Fifty people have sadly lost their lives to this cruel phenomenon of the natural world and £14 billion in damage to property and infrastructure has been suffered. By comparison the freak weather events we suffer here intermittently seem almostinsignificantt. Incidents such as the Boscastle flood of last year and the great storm of the 1980's seemed disastrous to us and yet in comparison to the havoc and trauma caused to thousands and thousands of people by Katrina, our severe weather is child's play.
I have long been fascinated by extreme weather, have always intended that when I have the means to, I will go on one of those 'storm chasing' holidays but that is very different to finding ones home and life suddenly decimatedd through an act of nature over which one has absolutely no control.
Incidents such as yesterdays in the US seemed once to be remote, certainly I used to watch news reports and feel concern for those in the path of such forces but the internet has bought it all so much closer. Now I know of people who have been affected and have had to evacuate New Orleans, I have friends who's homes and lives are close enough to have been watching the path of Katrina very closely and it all now seems far more 'real', our global village is getting smaller and smaller.
My thoughts this morning are with those who have suffered over the last few days at the hands of Katrina, those who have lost loved ones, lost their homes, lost their possessions and who have lost their peace of mind.
Sitting here in the UK where we consider severe weather to be gale force winds and anything more than and inch or two of rain or snow it's almost impossible to imagine the power of such a storm or the havoc and damage it leaves where it passes.
We have the power of images and video on television but it still doesn't come anywhere near recreating the real power and fear experienced by those unfortunate enough to be in it's path and be subjected to it's wrath.Fifty people have sadly lost their lives to this cruel phenomenon of the natural world and £14 billion in damage to property and infrastructure has been suffered. By comparison the freak weather events we suffer here intermittently seem almostinsignificantt. Incidents such as the Boscastle flood of last year and the great storm of the 1980's seemed disastrous to us and yet in comparison to the havoc and trauma caused to thousands and thousands of people by Katrina, our severe weather is child's play.
I have long been fascinated by extreme weather, have always intended that when I have the means to, I will go on one of those 'storm chasing' holidays but that is very different to finding ones home and life suddenly decimatedd through an act of nature over which one has absolutely no control.
Incidents such as yesterdays in the US seemed once to be remote, certainly I used to watch news reports and feel concern for those in the path of such forces but the internet has bought it all so much closer. Now I know of people who have been affected and have had to evacuate New Orleans, I have friends who's homes and lives are close enough to have been watching the path of Katrina very closely and it all now seems far more 'real', our global village is getting smaller and smaller.
My thoughts this morning are with those who have suffered over the last few days at the hands of Katrina, those who have lost loved ones, lost their homes, lost their possessions and who have lost their peace of mind.
Monday, 29 August 2005
So that was a bank holiday was it?
I can't say I noticed! Whatever happened to the British Bank Holiday?
Even in my lifetime, and no, it hasn't been that long, I recall these supposedly 'special days' being just that, special! A day when families and friends spent time together, fairs and fetes took place, we took to the roads for a day out or just relaxed, it was almost like another Sunday, a day when we felt we were 'allowed' to relax and have fun.
No longer it seems is any of that the case for a large number of people. I didn't have to work today but that was luck not judgment, many of my colleagues did, as did thousands of others working in retail and other service industries.
What has happened to the human ability to entertain itself? I know, I sound like an old git here but please, can't we find something to do just for one whole day that doesn't involve shopping?
Shopping is quoted as being the UK's most popular 'leisure activity'....... leisure activity my foot, there is damn all leisurely about it and it barely rates as an activity. What it is as a rule is a great deal of stress, aggravation and dissatisfaction on both sides of the fence and for numerous reasons, and it will never fail to amaze me that so many of those who actually manage to get the day off, can think of nothing better to do with it than shop!
There is barely anything to define a bank holiday as any different to any other day now and I'm probably as guilty as the next woman. PG was working, most of my friends were working and so, just like any other day I spent the majority of it here!
......but at least I wasn't hot and bothered and pushed and shoved in a faceless shopping mall somewhere, it could have been a lot worse! :o)
Even in my lifetime, and no, it hasn't been that long, I recall these supposedly 'special days' being just that, special! A day when families and friends spent time together, fairs and fetes took place, we took to the roads for a day out or just relaxed, it was almost like another Sunday, a day when we felt we were 'allowed' to relax and have fun.
No longer it seems is any of that the case for a large number of people. I didn't have to work today but that was luck not judgment, many of my colleagues did, as did thousands of others working in retail and other service industries.
What has happened to the human ability to entertain itself? I know, I sound like an old git here but please, can't we find something to do just for one whole day that doesn't involve shopping?
Shopping is quoted as being the UK's most popular 'leisure activity'....... leisure activity my foot, there is damn all leisurely about it and it barely rates as an activity. What it is as a rule is a great deal of stress, aggravation and dissatisfaction on both sides of the fence and for numerous reasons, and it will never fail to amaze me that so many of those who actually manage to get the day off, can think of nothing better to do with it than shop!
There is barely anything to define a bank holiday as any different to any other day now and I'm probably as guilty as the next woman. PG was working, most of my friends were working and so, just like any other day I spent the majority of it here!
......but at least I wasn't hot and bothered and pushed and shoved in a faceless shopping mall somewhere, it could have been a lot worse! :o)
Sunday, 28 August 2005
If you ever catch me.....
....feeling sorry for myself, moaning about some insignificant occurrence in my life or indulging in a 'self-pity party' please kick my ass hard and remind me of this post!
A few weeks ago I posted about my friend who having just been diagnosed with breast cancer was coping in a manner which I found then, and still find now, incredible.
This lady is a true inspiration I think to all who know her. I won't go into her personal situation, it is not for me to elaborate on that and if she even knew I write about her doubtless she would deny all I say, for she herself thinks she is 'nothing special'!
Nothing special eh? Within ten days of her diagnosis she underwent the necessarily quite major surgery....... and three days later she returned to work! From that day to this she has not missed one shift, never called in sick, never been late and has been the devils own job to persuade to go for an extra break here and there, even when she feels shattered. She hasn't complained of her quite considerable pain, she hasn't uttered a single self pitying word and she hasn't allowed anyone to take any of her work responsibilities from her. We do quite a physical job at times, we are required to life items sometimes up to 25kg, in multiples, and the only concession she has made to her illness or surgery is to allow me or someone else to do some of the heavy lifting for her, though on occasion I have had to be particularly 'firm' with her to stop her carrying on even that as usual!
This coming week she undergoes the first session in a particularly gruelling program of chemotherapy that is set to last well into next year....still not a murmur of complaint! Yes, of course she is scared witless, her greatest horror right now is in losing her beautiful hair but even that she has faced and later next week she is having it all cut off so that the 'falling out' process hopefully won't seem quite so traumatic. For her it is not a case of 'if' she loses her hair, rather of 'when'. The doses of chemo she is to receive leave little room for doubt.
This lady is truly amazing and leaves me feeling very humble, she has barely 'missed a beat' throughout this traumatic time, she has remained fun to be around and to anyone but those who know her very well there would be nothing in her manner to even suggest she has a head cold, let alone cancer. In all of this I have only known her shed one tear and thus far she has attended every hospital appointment alone, despite constant offers to accompany her.
Finally today she gave in a little and has agreed to let me take her for some of her chemotherapy sessions, but I might add she has every intention of driving herself where she can and her parting words to me this evening as we left work were...."I'll see you next Saturday", this was not a reference to a visit we have planned, it was a reference to her intention to be at work next Saturday!!
In comparison I feel an incredible lightweigh, my friend is facing all this with a level of courage I can't imagine possessing and yet I, the bystander, find myself at times just looking at her and having to bite back the tears! I have of course become quite adept at various distraction techniques for should I shed a tear she would no doubt 'clip me one hard around the ear' and tell me to pull myself together in no uncertain terms!
So, from here on in it's 'best foot forward' and all that, I am not ignorant of the facts but being a wimp never helped anyone and a positive attitude just might....and like I said at the beginning of this post, if you hear me even begin to organise a self-pity party over some insignificant happening, do me a favour and kick my rear hard!
A few weeks ago I posted about my friend who having just been diagnosed with breast cancer was coping in a manner which I found then, and still find now, incredible.
This lady is a true inspiration I think to all who know her. I won't go into her personal situation, it is not for me to elaborate on that and if she even knew I write about her doubtless she would deny all I say, for she herself thinks she is 'nothing special'!
Nothing special eh? Within ten days of her diagnosis she underwent the necessarily quite major surgery....... and three days later she returned to work! From that day to this she has not missed one shift, never called in sick, never been late and has been the devils own job to persuade to go for an extra break here and there, even when she feels shattered. She hasn't complained of her quite considerable pain, she hasn't uttered a single self pitying word and she hasn't allowed anyone to take any of her work responsibilities from her. We do quite a physical job at times, we are required to life items sometimes up to 25kg, in multiples, and the only concession she has made to her illness or surgery is to allow me or someone else to do some of the heavy lifting for her, though on occasion I have had to be particularly 'firm' with her to stop her carrying on even that as usual!
This coming week she undergoes the first session in a particularly gruelling program of chemotherapy that is set to last well into next year....still not a murmur of complaint! Yes, of course she is scared witless, her greatest horror right now is in losing her beautiful hair but even that she has faced and later next week she is having it all cut off so that the 'falling out' process hopefully won't seem quite so traumatic. For her it is not a case of 'if' she loses her hair, rather of 'when'. The doses of chemo she is to receive leave little room for doubt.
This lady is truly amazing and leaves me feeling very humble, she has barely 'missed a beat' throughout this traumatic time, she has remained fun to be around and to anyone but those who know her very well there would be nothing in her manner to even suggest she has a head cold, let alone cancer. In all of this I have only known her shed one tear and thus far she has attended every hospital appointment alone, despite constant offers to accompany her.
Finally today she gave in a little and has agreed to let me take her for some of her chemotherapy sessions, but I might add she has every intention of driving herself where she can and her parting words to me this evening as we left work were...."I'll see you next Saturday", this was not a reference to a visit we have planned, it was a reference to her intention to be at work next Saturday!!
In comparison I feel an incredible lightweigh, my friend is facing all this with a level of courage I can't imagine possessing and yet I, the bystander, find myself at times just looking at her and having to bite back the tears! I have of course become quite adept at various distraction techniques for should I shed a tear she would no doubt 'clip me one hard around the ear' and tell me to pull myself together in no uncertain terms!
So, from here on in it's 'best foot forward' and all that, I am not ignorant of the facts but being a wimp never helped anyone and a positive attitude just might....and like I said at the beginning of this post, if you hear me even begin to organise a self-pity party over some insignificant happening, do me a favour and kick my rear hard!
Saturday, 27 August 2005
Backup your blog
I'm wondering, has anyone actually tried to do THIS? It all seems a little worrying, somehow I have the feeling it would be all too easy to lose the whole damn blog with one ill placed click.
Come on, all you real techies out there, if you've tried it and it worked (or not), please let me know before I destroy this in it's entirety! :o)
Come on, all you real techies out there, if you've tried it and it worked (or not), please let me know before I destroy this in it's entirety! :o)
Friday, 26 August 2005
Friday's feast (60)
Appetizer
Do you get excited when the season begins to change? Which season do you most look forward to?
Yes, winter, I'm already done with summer, if it could be called that....bring on the snow!
Soup
What day of the week is usually your busiest?
Saturday
Salad
Would you consider yourself to be strict when it comes to grammar and spelling? What's an example of the worst error you've seen?
Reasonably strict yes but as for an example, you can better judge that than me! :o)
Main Course
Who has a birthday coming up, and what will you give them as a gift?
My mum, I have no idea yet what I will give her though
Dessert
If you could have any new piece of clothing for free, what would you pick?
A Dainese racing suit....maybe I'de get the bike to go with it again then!
Do you get excited when the season begins to change? Which season do you most look forward to?
Yes, winter, I'm already done with summer, if it could be called that....bring on the snow!
Soup
What day of the week is usually your busiest?
Saturday
Salad
Would you consider yourself to be strict when it comes to grammar and spelling? What's an example of the worst error you've seen?
Reasonably strict yes but as for an example, you can better judge that than me! :o)
Main Course
Who has a birthday coming up, and what will you give them as a gift?
My mum, I have no idea yet what I will give her though
Dessert
If you could have any new piece of clothing for free, what would you pick?
A Dainese racing suit....maybe I'de get the bike to go with it again then!
How un-cool am I?
Well, having banged on this morning about my 'state of hermit,' necessity dictated that I make a hasty forray into town almost as soon as my fingers had left the keyboard!
Nothing more exciting than a bottle of milk, some chocolate and a kitchen bin who's lid decided to fly accross the kitchen of it's own free will and had landed in a far from operational state, on the opposite side of the room.
So off I trundled for the 15 mile drive, a little miffed at having my final days holiday disrupted. Through lack of choice rather than preference I was forced into Argos, those of you in the UK will understand my lack of excitement at this prospect but things were about to change. This was to be no ordinary trip to Argos.
Whilst I stood waiting in the inevitable queue the guy in front of me struck up a conversation, friendly (and yes I know I can also talk the hind legs off a donkey) soul that I am I chatted back, well it relieves the boredom I thought.
As this conversation with 'Mr. Anonymous' continued it suddenly struck me with some degree of panic/amusement/amazement that he was not merely 'chatting'...... he was chatting me up! I'm sorry, I know I should have noticed sooner but I wasn't quite 'with it', remember I am a hermit, I was only on temporary release and I don't latch onto the minutia of social interraction too early in the day! But good God, to be fair to myself one doesn't expect it in Argos does one?
Bear in mind here I was in clad in the least elegant of items, old track pants, old fleece (yes it's cold in Scotland) and my best 'just out of bed' hair style was very sadly evident.
Whilst I stood, suddenly feeling somewhat uncomfortable about my state of appearance, 'Mr Anon' was eventually served and went on his way. Relief?....it was short lived!
My turn at the front of the queue came and went and as I turned to leave he re-appeared and struck up a further conversation. Way too polite to flee the scene I stood talking for a minute and then made my excuse to depart. It was at this point things really became surprising....here, in Argos of all places, bed head, old fleece and all, the guy asked me out! Yes, that's what I said the guy asked me out, you didn't mis-hear. I was caught completley off guard, any pretence at the 'Ms.I'm a grown up and I cool with this stuff',act deserted me and I mumbled some pathetic excuse, gathered up my purchases and beat a hasty retreat!
Just how un-cool am I eh??....but hell, this was 11 o'clock in the morning....in Argos.... in the middle of nowhere,come on, give a girl a fighting chance at least! ;o)
Nothing more exciting than a bottle of milk, some chocolate and a kitchen bin who's lid decided to fly accross the kitchen of it's own free will and had landed in a far from operational state, on the opposite side of the room.
So off I trundled for the 15 mile drive, a little miffed at having my final days holiday disrupted. Through lack of choice rather than preference I was forced into Argos, those of you in the UK will understand my lack of excitement at this prospect but things were about to change. This was to be no ordinary trip to Argos.
Whilst I stood waiting in the inevitable queue the guy in front of me struck up a conversation, friendly (and yes I know I can also talk the hind legs off a donkey) soul that I am I chatted back, well it relieves the boredom I thought.
As this conversation with 'Mr. Anonymous' continued it suddenly struck me with some degree of panic/amusement/amazement that he was not merely 'chatting'...... he was chatting me up! I'm sorry, I know I should have noticed sooner but I wasn't quite 'with it', remember I am a hermit, I was only on temporary release and I don't latch onto the minutia of social interraction too early in the day! But good God, to be fair to myself one doesn't expect it in Argos does one?
Bear in mind here I was in clad in the least elegant of items, old track pants, old fleece (yes it's cold in Scotland) and my best 'just out of bed' hair style was very sadly evident.
Whilst I stood, suddenly feeling somewhat uncomfortable about my state of appearance, 'Mr Anon' was eventually served and went on his way. Relief?....it was short lived!
My turn at the front of the queue came and went and as I turned to leave he re-appeared and struck up a further conversation. Way too polite to flee the scene I stood talking for a minute and then made my excuse to depart. It was at this point things really became surprising....here, in Argos of all places, bed head, old fleece and all, the guy asked me out! Yes, that's what I said the guy asked me out, you didn't mis-hear. I was caught completley off guard, any pretence at the 'Ms.I'm a grown up and I cool with this stuff',act deserted me and I mumbled some pathetic excuse, gathered up my purchases and beat a hasty retreat!
Just how un-cool am I eh??....but hell, this was 11 o'clock in the morning....in Argos.... in the middle of nowhere,come on, give a girl a fighting chance at least! ;o)
Hassle with Haloscan
Is it just me or do I detect a more general level of disatisfaction in the blogosphere with what was not long ago considered the epitome of commenting systems....Haloscan?
I resisted for longer than most the lure of it's promise to work well, I tolerated the Blogger comment system for months, back in its days of repeated failure, but finally I bowed to pressure, capitulated and installed Halo heaven....or is it?
I seem to hear more and more negativity with this once considered all singing, all dancing system and I have to admit to finding myself a feeling a little rankled with it these days.
The 'issue' I have with it is this. I pay good money (albeit a pittance of $12 p.a.) for an upgraded version of Haloscan and yet they only show a comment count for what they list as 800 comments. I find that hard to believe, I'm too lazy to actually count but if you go back only two months here, there is no comment count and I doubt very much that I have attracted over 800 comments in such a short time. Yes, if the link is clicked the comments are still there but how on earth will a reader know to click when the counter shows a big fat zero?
The situation is far worse if you run the free version, only 200 comments kept and not even showing on click. They are saved on the Haloscan archive server but are not accessible unless the account is upgraded.
ok, so they have the prized trackback system but how often does that get utilised.....very rarely!
On the other side of the coin the once terrible Blogger comments seem to have ironed out most of their problems and reliablility is now the order of the day.....and they manage to keep and show all of the comments that we 'comment whores' hold so dear (come on now don't deny it).
All of this leaves one with the age old problem, comment loss, but this time in reverse....do we stick with my non-showing comments system or abandon it and lose all those comments forever? We found a way around losing blogger comments when installing Haloscan but save for the copy and paste method I have yet to discover a way to import Haloscan into Blogger! Gah.
What are the crowd thinking?
I resisted for longer than most the lure of it's promise to work well, I tolerated the Blogger comment system for months, back in its days of repeated failure, but finally I bowed to pressure, capitulated and installed Halo heaven....or is it?
I seem to hear more and more negativity with this once considered all singing, all dancing system and I have to admit to finding myself a feeling a little rankled with it these days.
The 'issue' I have with it is this. I pay good money (albeit a pittance of $12 p.a.) for an upgraded version of Haloscan and yet they only show a comment count for what they list as 800 comments. I find that hard to believe, I'm too lazy to actually count but if you go back only two months here, there is no comment count and I doubt very much that I have attracted over 800 comments in such a short time. Yes, if the link is clicked the comments are still there but how on earth will a reader know to click when the counter shows a big fat zero?
The situation is far worse if you run the free version, only 200 comments kept and not even showing on click. They are saved on the Haloscan archive server but are not accessible unless the account is upgraded.
ok, so they have the prized trackback system but how often does that get utilised.....very rarely!
On the other side of the coin the once terrible Blogger comments seem to have ironed out most of their problems and reliablility is now the order of the day.....and they manage to keep and show all of the comments that we 'comment whores' hold so dear (come on now don't deny it).
All of this leaves one with the age old problem, comment loss, but this time in reverse....do we stick with my non-showing comments system or abandon it and lose all those comments forever? We found a way around losing blogger comments when installing Haloscan but save for the copy and paste method I have yet to discover a way to import Haloscan into Blogger! Gah.
What are the crowd thinking?
From the hermitage!
It suddenly dawned on me sometime yesterday, as I bemoaned the fact that my holiday is almost over, that I am turning into a hermit!
Gemmaks-ville is a lovely, nay beautiful place but it does however present one or two small challenges where entertainment is concerned. It is heavenly if you wish to walk the hills, put a hook in a fish's mouth, kill a bird with lead pellet or chase a terrified fox with hounds ( I won't do that subject right now, it's to early for 'immotive' but I'm sure you can detect my general feeling) but if your bag is more mundane joys such as galleries, cinemas, flexing a plastic card or the theatre, the logistics are a little off putting!
It is thus that I realised my current 'state of hermit' yesterday. I have been home from the big city since last Saturday, that's seven whole days for those of you still 'out of your tree' at this hour, yes you know who you are, and I haven't been further than my car in all that time, not once have I ventured out any greater distance than a neighbours for coffee!
There are two peculiar aspects to this little fact. The first is that I don't know where the days went, but seven days feels like two...... and the second is that I thoroughly enjoyed my time hidden away. My intellect tells me I shouldn't, that I ought to be 'out' and with people but who needs intellect and who needs 'a life'....I am afterall on holiday and there is of course the great God broadband now in gemak's-ville!
That said, my little hiatus is to end abruptly soon, tomorrow heralds the dreaded return to the 'day job' and an alarm that will ring cruelly at 5 am.......dammit, I kinda like being a hermit!
N.B. Apologies for any spellling errors, Blogger seem to have lost all their bells and whistles this morning, good grief, I even had to type my own tags....it's not good.
Gemmaks-ville is a lovely, nay beautiful place but it does however present one or two small challenges where entertainment is concerned. It is heavenly if you wish to walk the hills, put a hook in a fish's mouth, kill a bird with lead pellet or chase a terrified fox with hounds ( I won't do that subject right now, it's to early for 'immotive' but I'm sure you can detect my general feeling) but if your bag is more mundane joys such as galleries, cinemas, flexing a plastic card or the theatre, the logistics are a little off putting!
It is thus that I realised my current 'state of hermit' yesterday. I have been home from the big city since last Saturday, that's seven whole days for those of you still 'out of your tree' at this hour, yes you know who you are, and I haven't been further than my car in all that time, not once have I ventured out any greater distance than a neighbours for coffee!
There are two peculiar aspects to this little fact. The first is that I don't know where the days went, but seven days feels like two...... and the second is that I thoroughly enjoyed my time hidden away. My intellect tells me I shouldn't, that I ought to be 'out' and with people but who needs intellect and who needs 'a life'....I am afterall on holiday and there is of course the great God broadband now in gemak's-ville!
That said, my little hiatus is to end abruptly soon, tomorrow heralds the dreaded return to the 'day job' and an alarm that will ring cruelly at 5 am.......dammit, I kinda like being a hermit!
N.B. Apologies for any spellling errors, Blogger seem to have lost all their bells and whistles this morning, good grief, I even had to type my own tags....it's not good.
Behind cloud
Thursday's sunset....I missed these while I was in London. I don't understand the specifics of why we get one here almost every evening and I rarely saw one in years of living in the south but whatever it seems almost a fair swop for the lack of facilities and retial therapy here in my field!
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