Today marks the one week anniversary of "GARLICKBUDS 2.0"
To say that it's off to a slow start would be an understatement. I started this blog with no illusions of high readership and a knowledge that my content was so personal that it wouldn't generate a large audience. I've even joked that I'm writing this regardless of whether or not anybody reads it.
Unfortunately, so far nobody is.
I hold hope that eventually, I will find an audience and that the addition of two way interactivity may spark participation in this project but I have my reasonable doubts. Despite positing this blog's existence on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Plurk and e-mail and making some direct invitations, I remain unread at the one week mark. But it IS ok!
The web is FILLED with blogs; MILLIONS of them and you have to have content that will draw high numbers in order to achieve a large following. This is not, nor will it EVER be, about gossip, inuendo, or a single topic! It's going to be equal parts "the world according to me" and contributions from the eventual readers/viewers/listeners. I looked upon this from last Sunday's launch as a note in a bottle type of affair; throw something out there and see if anyone finds it.
I'm going to continue learning the mechanics and design of blogging and in time, I hope to add technology to foster interactivity. Someday, this will hopefully be like the first week of a new business whose customers just haven't read the ads or randomly dropped in and I'll look back on this as a watermark that measured this blog's genesis.
Until the readers and players show up, I'm still having fun just building this thing! When others get here, they're going to have catching up to do but they'll also have content!
You have to walk before you can run!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Supreme Miscarage!
While it is NOT my intent to deal with political issues very often on this blog, a Supreme Court ruling issued on Thursday is outrageous and dangerous enough that I feel compelled to comment on it.
In a 5-4 decision, the LIFETIME appointees ruled that the 2nd Ammendment right to "keep and bear arms" gives Americans a right to self protection and that right supercedes the Fouders' original intent which called for such firearm possession as "part of a well regulated" militia.
Effectively, the Court is saying that gun ownership for personal protection is more important than for organized National defense. NRA advocates hailed this ruling as a victory and immediately set about exploiting the new freedom to dissamble several gun control laws and safegaurds, including waiting periods and background checks.
In issuing the ruling the Supereme Court Justices overturned Washington D.C's ban on handgun sales as unconstitutional (get ready for the #1 Murder Capitol Of The US again DC!) and left the door wide open for legal challenges and appeals against a number of laws developed to protect us from CLEARLY unnecessary firearms and criminal purchase of a personal arsonal.
Pardon my language but this pisses me off so badly that my first reaction was, "I hope someone tries to assasinate one of these robed oracles with a handgun on the steps of the Supreme Court Building!" I am NOT calling for the murder of ANYONE or even an attempt but I feel that if THEY were the victim of gun violence, the Supreme Nine might see things QUITE differently!
No veto. No congressional quaram. No vote on this travesty! We just have to live with it - at least I HOPE we can given that murder rates are going to join crude oil prices in RECORD breaking increases!
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to place on online order for a Tomahawk Cruise Missle - I figure that if anyone thousands of miles away even thinks about harming me or a member of my family I need to be prepared to defend them or myself!
In Heaven, Charlton Heston is smiling and laughing his eternal ass off!
In a 5-4 decision, the LIFETIME appointees ruled that the 2nd Ammendment right to "keep and bear arms" gives Americans a right to self protection and that right supercedes the Fouders' original intent which called for such firearm possession as "part of a well regulated" militia.
Effectively, the Court is saying that gun ownership for personal protection is more important than for organized National defense. NRA advocates hailed this ruling as a victory and immediately set about exploiting the new freedom to dissamble several gun control laws and safegaurds, including waiting periods and background checks.
In issuing the ruling the Supereme Court Justices overturned Washington D.C's ban on handgun sales as unconstitutional (get ready for the #1 Murder Capitol Of The US again DC!) and left the door wide open for legal challenges and appeals against a number of laws developed to protect us from CLEARLY unnecessary firearms and criminal purchase of a personal arsonal.
Pardon my language but this pisses me off so badly that my first reaction was, "I hope someone tries to assasinate one of these robed oracles with a handgun on the steps of the Supreme Court Building!" I am NOT calling for the murder of ANYONE or even an attempt but I feel that if THEY were the victim of gun violence, the Supreme Nine might see things QUITE differently!
No veto. No congressional quaram. No vote on this travesty! We just have to live with it - at least I HOPE we can given that murder rates are going to join crude oil prices in RECORD breaking increases!
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to place on online order for a Tomahawk Cruise Missle - I figure that if anyone thousands of miles away even thinks about harming me or a member of my family I need to be prepared to defend them or myself!
In Heaven, Charlton Heston is smiling and laughing his eternal ass off!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Bulls Pick Rose!
Derick Rose is going home again!
Less than a minute ago, the Chicago Bulls picked Derrick Rose as the first player selected in the 2008 NBA draft. ESPN.com reported the choice several minutes before the official announcement at 6:40 EDT.
Rose was a formidable contributor to the NCAA Champion Memphis squad earlier this year and has MUCH to offer the Bulls. Besides being a hometown guy, Rose has the potential with work to become what he was in the NCAA, an unselfish passer who can also shoot with precision when given the shot.
He is only 19 and young but another player chosen some years back from North Carolina took a few years before becoming perhaps the greatest ever to play in the NBA.
Coincidentally, Derick Rose's collegiate jersey number....
23
Welcome to the NBA and the Chicago Bulls Derick! Here's to title #7!
Less than a minute ago, the Chicago Bulls picked Derrick Rose as the first player selected in the 2008 NBA draft. ESPN.com reported the choice several minutes before the official announcement at 6:40 EDT.
Rose was a formidable contributor to the NCAA Champion Memphis squad earlier this year and has MUCH to offer the Bulls. Besides being a hometown guy, Rose has the potential with work to become what he was in the NCAA, an unselfish passer who can also shoot with precision when given the shot.
He is only 19 and young but another player chosen some years back from North Carolina took a few years before becoming perhaps the greatest ever to play in the NBA.
Coincidentally, Derick Rose's collegiate jersey number....
23
Welcome to the NBA and the Chicago Bulls Derick! Here's to title #7!
Da' Bulls! #1 (at least in the DRAFT!)
Tonight, my favorite sports franchise, the Chicago Bulls, have the honor (earned through a HORRIBLE season) to pick the FIRST player in the NBA draft!
I'm torn as to who I want this pick to be.
The two top prospects are Michael Beasly and Derrick Rose.
While Chicago has never gone wrong in the draft choosing a MICHAEL (miss ya' MJ), Derrick Rose is a hometown guy and would probably have more appreciation for the spot on the Bulls roster. Beasly though, IS a talented low post presence who could take it to the paint AND shoot from the perimeter and may very well be the better offensive asset to a struggling young team.
Add to this John Paxon's iffy call in hiring Vinnie DelNegro, who has never coached but has played and served in the front offices of both Portland and San Antonio and you have an interesting season ahead.
One thing is certain, the Bulls FINALLY have the top prize for losers! Now I just hope they can use it wisely!
http://www.nba.com/bulls/multimedia/intro_draft08.html
I'm torn as to who I want this pick to be.
The two top prospects are Michael Beasly and Derrick Rose.
While Chicago has never gone wrong in the draft choosing a MICHAEL (miss ya' MJ), Derrick Rose is a hometown guy and would probably have more appreciation for the spot on the Bulls roster. Beasly though, IS a talented low post presence who could take it to the paint AND shoot from the perimeter and may very well be the better offensive asset to a struggling young team.
Add to this John Paxon's iffy call in hiring Vinnie DelNegro, who has never coached but has played and served in the front offices of both Portland and San Antonio and you have an interesting season ahead.
One thing is certain, the Bulls FINALLY have the top prize for losers! Now I just hope they can use it wisely!
http://www.nba.com/bulls/multimedia/intro_draft08.html
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Bill Gates - The Final Days
At some point either this week or next, Bill Gates will leave Microsoft for a new career - giving away money.
Many, including myself, have seen Microsoft as both an unscrupulous monopoly; bent on destroying competition and a company that made a lot of personal computing more unified, even if it was under only one company's standards. Regardless of his legal and professional questions, Bill Gates undoubtedly has changed the way that we all use technology and his new occupation, donating what will be billions of dollars to charitable and worthy causes IS admirable.
He also has a good sense of humor about himself as he proved at CES 2008 this past January. While there is little question that he did not create this video himself, he DID participate in one of the funniest viral videos of the spring and with his impending departure, now is a perfect time to watch what is perhaps the funniest corporate video produced!
Enjoy!
Many, including myself, have seen Microsoft as both an unscrupulous monopoly; bent on destroying competition and a company that made a lot of personal computing more unified, even if it was under only one company's standards. Regardless of his legal and professional questions, Bill Gates undoubtedly has changed the way that we all use technology and his new occupation, donating what will be billions of dollars to charitable and worthy causes IS admirable.
He also has a good sense of humor about himself as he proved at CES 2008 this past January. While there is little question that he did not create this video himself, he DID participate in one of the funniest viral videos of the spring and with his impending departure, now is a perfect time to watch what is perhaps the funniest corporate video produced!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Jury Duty #5
Today, I reported to my county courthouse for jury duty - FOR THE FIFTH TIME!
As a close look at my bio data will show, I'm 42 and in Michigan you become eligible to serve on a jury beginning at 18, which means that I've served 5 times in only 24 years. I feel I've done my civic duty AND THEN SOME! My Dad is 71 and hasn't been summoned ONCE! LUCKY ME!
Some observations:
GOOD NEWS - The American judicial system is STILL working!
BAD NEWS - It's slower than HELL!
I sat patiently for 8 and a half hours and watched the prosecutor and the defense attorney kick over 50 percent of the the hundred or so potential jurors for cause and pre-emptives. It may LOOK fascinating on "Law And Order" but it's the most boring thing I've done in a LONG time. To hear the SAME questions asked and watch people walk OVER and OVER again is NOT a fun day off activity!
This is NOT to say that I hate the Jury system or object to the American constitutional right to a trial by a jury of your peers - I FIRMLY believe it's a civic duty to aide in our Democracy but I STILL hope I'm not getting summoned again for MANY, MANY years!
When reading USA Today is entertaining, you KNOW that you're doing something less than fun!
As a close look at my bio data will show, I'm 42 and in Michigan you become eligible to serve on a jury beginning at 18, which means that I've served 5 times in only 24 years. I feel I've done my civic duty AND THEN SOME! My Dad is 71 and hasn't been summoned ONCE! LUCKY ME!
Some observations:
GOOD NEWS - The American judicial system is STILL working!
BAD NEWS - It's slower than HELL!
I sat patiently for 8 and a half hours and watched the prosecutor and the defense attorney kick over 50 percent of the the hundred or so potential jurors for cause and pre-emptives. It may LOOK fascinating on "Law And Order" but it's the most boring thing I've done in a LONG time. To hear the SAME questions asked and watch people walk OVER and OVER again is NOT a fun day off activity!
This is NOT to say that I hate the Jury system or object to the American constitutional right to a trial by a jury of your peers - I FIRMLY believe it's a civic duty to aide in our Democracy but I STILL hope I'm not getting summoned again for MANY, MANY years!
When reading USA Today is entertaining, you KNOW that you're doing something less than fun!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Feedback
I'm looking into a better comments option than the one provided by Blogger but haven't found an easy to impliment service yet. Idealy I would like to have people who reply have the option to opt-in on e-mail or RSS subscription to the blog I'd also like people to be able to send a picture for the "My Readers" photo slideshow I want to create and also get more detailed feedback, assuming anyone ever reads this!
I'm looking at Disqus among other options but haven't found a solution yet.
If anyone has any suggestions, recommendations or ideas PLEASE feel free to contact me!
Coincidentally I'm ALSO starting to work on a variety of contact options and technologies involving one VERY cool option that I'm leaving unidentified pending further investigation into it.
Don't be shy - help make this page yours if you'd like to! :)
I'm looking at Disqus among other options but haven't found a solution yet.
If anyone has any suggestions, recommendations or ideas PLEASE feel free to contact me!
Coincidentally I'm ALSO starting to work on a variety of contact options and technologies involving one VERY cool option that I'm leaving unidentified pending further investigation into it.
Don't be shy - help make this page yours if you'd like to! :)
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