As you can see, I've made some progress on the woodburns. Three of them are completed, I just have two more to go right now.
Been doing some thinking on the update thing, I'll probably post either Tuesday or Wednesday, middle of weekish to get the wider coverage of people updating their own blogs. I'm trying to get around to sites, and I have been kind of lurking without commenting on some of them, but I'll make a more concerted effort to actually comment if I can.
Not a whole lot else going on at the moment, I've got a new theme in the works (SoBe lizards are cool so I'll probably them as my summer theme and Next year I'll have at least one more picture in the line-up). I'm holding off on putting it up till this major site update goes into effect inthe next who knows when. I don't want to have a nice theme in the works to find out I can't use some of the elements I spent my time on making. After Version Vibrant gets going, I'll know what i have to work with and try to adapt my elements to fit.
Comments
japanese kitten:
It's not all of them yet, but it's a start. The others will be added to the table when they're completed.
JD Person
That's a well put way of saying it. I'm sorry it took me almost a month to figure that out myself. The greatest victory one can have against those who would try to be oppressive, is to stand up and face them head on. Resistance is the largest obstacle that impedes their path.
Magnus Lensherr:
That is a policy decision I had to make. I've always done my best to promote open and honest discussion on my blog here, that's why I answer publically posted comments publically, so that my views are open to everyone to read and discuss should they feel it appropriate. I can assure you, the first time it happens that I have to post a private message, someone's not going to be too happy about it, but this is my firm stance on the matter. I want people to read and discuss my blogs and have their own opinions, they have the right to their own opinion. They, however, do not have the right to have their opinion shielded from the scrutiny of my peers should they fear being criticized for their views, or the manner in which they present them to me. If a user has something to say to me about what I say publically, they should be prepared to speak their opinion publically as well.
Yeah, I'm back, and I'll probably be posting on the week like I was before (though I'm thinking about trying out a different day than Saturday), I just don't have a lot going on to post about any more frequently than that right now.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to posting relevant private messages. I'll be honest, there will be some satisfaction in putting the words of someone trying to play me in private out into public view. I just hope that anyone wanting my attention for discussion of a disagreement will be motivated to keep their public sentiments public, so that not only I, but they, are protected from fallacies that can be perpetuated from having things said in private.
You know, it'll feel good to be back here.
timechaser:
I had no intention of letting the situation chase me away from here indefinately, I just needed time to figure some things out and regroup my spirits. I still will not give out the details of my situation publically. Even though I am taking the keep all important things public stance, I will in no way deliberately bait those unsavory characters into renewed aggression in my direction. I expect them to come at me for other infractions I commit against their poorly defined moral senses, or for just for telling the truth in a way they're too tunnel-visioned to see the full scope of clearly.
Love the mythbusters crash test dummy avatar, it's amusing. That's one of my favorite non-anime shows on these days, and one of few "reality" programs I can watch.
Hop-Frog:
As the line goes: "I'm Baaaa-aaaaack". If I remember right, that's from a horror film or something like that. Anyway, it fits the mood.
I'm old-school on that front, I prefer a big stick *hefts full size redwood tree baseball bat* to LASERs and blasters.
Even dragons find themselves wounded in battle and need to seek quiet healing away from their opponents. I have healed, and now I am back to fight longer and harder than before, and this time, I won't let myself get wounded so easily.
I've been lurking a lot lately too, I'm finding it hard to comment on sites and stuff where people talk of things I'm not familiar with. I don't wnat to post one-liners just to say I posted, I like to be coherent and relevant with my comments on topics people post about. They take the time to write up a blog post for something important to them, so I shouldn't take up comment space if I can't speak from experience or wisdom on the topic they're passionate enough to post about.
I'm glad to be back, I feel things are right with me again. I got the ones I'vefinished up there for you to look at, the others are on the way.
It's been cold here lately, especially at night (27°F one night recently). Wool socks are good for the cold, and hiking. I've got a pair of those I'll have on at night so my feet don't freeze.
Yensid:
Yeah, I'm back in action.
Hm, I suppose the nature of a "private" message is to be just that. I however don't see it exactly that way for all situations. It's far too easy for someone to use "private" messages to further their own agenda or quite simply to harass users knowing there will be no scrutiny of their words, that no one will be able to hold them to their views, and that cannot be allowed. That is a carte blanche I'm not willing to concede to the types of people who would take advantage of such shadows to hurt or intimidate others while trying to keep their own public image intact.
Is it likely that making a public matter out of private messages will incite a conflict? I have no doubts that in some cases that will happen, but no one can say they weren't warned, that's why the notice is in red text up ther at the top of my page. There's no way around that potential for conflict, no matter what choice is made. If someone would perpetuate a conflict for that reason, for what they said in private about a hot-button issue being made public, it's highly possible that they would perpetuate the conflict whether or not it was in public eyes. How do I know this? How can I be so sure? Well, I used to be that kind of person myself, I used to go out of my way to make trouble for others and play head games with them when they said something I didn't agree with. I know the personality type more intimately than I care to admit, so I know how to handle that type effectively, and trust me, this is it.
Being the son of a minister, I can certainly relate to religious differences of opinion first hand. That's why generally, I don't talk religion because there are too many variables involved. I do however bring up one piece of Scripture particularly tailored to the overzealous would-be preachers. Don't get used to me quoting Scripture, it's not going to happen often, but I believe "Judge not lest ye be judged." is a justifications stopper if ever I heard one. I was taught that God wants me to respect others, whether or not they believe what I do, I was taught not to cast judgement on other people (I do fail at that, often), and I was taught that it is not appropriate to force the Word of God upon someone who does not want to hear it, or honors it in other ways. Lost souls who are open to the Word are different, but I won't get into that here since it's not really relevant.
Your encounter in that instance tells me I'm in the right for taking this approach. It will either completely disarm the attacker and I'll be left alone, or it'll convince such a person to be civil with me in public discussion of our differences, which is fine by me. Being able to hold a public discussion in a polite manner, that's really a conerstone of civilized society. I'll actively converse with people who don't agree with me so long as they are tactful and polite, and they can expect the same of me in return.
I know what you mean. There are a few things left over from my situation that I, unfortunately, can't really talk about without tipping my hand to those still involved. There will be incidents like that which come up once in a while, and we each have to choose our own way of handling them the way we best can. My choice is going to be to keep everything I can in the public eye so that one-sided views of the situation can't be developed by anyone looking on, or anyone who gets involved.
Yeah, it's getting chilly here, got down to 27°F the other night, time to get out the electric blankets or this dragon will turn into an ice cube.
AngelBest Dream:
Tests are always tiring. Some more so than others I would imagine.
Take your time with the messages, do a couple at a stretch, then take a break, do a few more, and so on till they're done. Trying to tackle so many messages at once can be exhausting, and from the sound of things, you are already.
I like that material, I'll have to be inspired to create my own message tagline from it.
Don't push yourself too hard okay, get some rest when you can.
