The Queen of Hearts May 10, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Blogging, Happiness, Humor, Spirit & Ego.comments closed
Some blogs have a specific focus. Regular readers come round because they enjoy the subject matter or the blogger or both.
Comments on unrelated subject matter can be distracting and annoying, as can extended digressions or attempts to hijack the discussion by visitors with their own agendas.
If I’m attending a discussion on Wine Tasting 101, I expect the moderator to cut off extraneous comments more conducive to Fly Fishing for Beginners.
To keep comment threads on an even keel, I police this blog and engage in censorship when I feel it’s warranted.
The same is true of most magazines and newspapers. Editors choose what to leave in and what to leave out . . . based on the subject matter of the periodical and by gauging the interests of its readers.
Here on SLTW, when visitors stay on point, I’m delighted to hear them out.
I don’t mind people disagreeing with me . . . unless they become disagreeable in the process.
I object to name calling. It’s a big “no-no” in my book.
On the rare occasion that a visitor wanders too far beyond the boundaries of the topic at hand, I tend to rein them in a bit. If they persist, I encourage them to find another (more appropriate) venue for their comments.
That’s the wonderful thing about the blogosphere ~ there is a venue for every perspective under the sun.
If you can’t find the discussion you’re looking for, you are free to create a blog to address your unique interests.
When I stumble across a blog with a subject matter that annoys me, I leave.
Quietly.
It’s not my job to police other bloggers or their blogs. I need not make my presence known by attempting to disrupt the discussion with my contrary view of the world. I expect the same courtesy here on SLTW.
On occasion, a visitor to SLTW has gotten annoyed that I’m not willing to accept any and all comments . . . that I’m unwilling to set aside my view of the world to accommodate their view of the world.
Too bad.
This morning, an occasional visitor accused me of acting like Queen of the Castle. C’est la vie.
Rather than getting annoyed at his characterization, or emulating the Queen of Hearts (by screaming, Off with his head!), I encouraged him to wander down the cyber hallway and see if he could find a venue more to his liking.
As Queen of the Castle, it’s up to me to handle all types of visitors and comments . . .
By accepting them, applauding them, embracing them, ignoring them, and (in rare instances) deleting them.
Quote: He who trims himself to suit everyone else will soon whittle himself away. ~ Raymond Hull
No rules. Just write!
How about you? Have you ever had someone try to hijack the discussion on your blog by calling you names or insulting others?
How did you handle it?
Related posts: Let Billow Your Sails * 7 Ways to Increase Blog Traffic * Our Field of Dreams * Rules of the House * Life is NOT a Free-For-All
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive May 10, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Health & Wellness.comments closed
Millions of Americans go hungry each day.
This Saturday, May 14th, the National Association of Letter Carriers is conducting its annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive in over 10,000 cities and towns across America.
You can help fill the shelves at food banks and pantries!
Collect some non-perishable food items in a bag and place it by your mailbox, or deliver it to your local post office.
* Items to include: canned goods (soup, beans, vegetables, pasta sauce, tunafish), food packaged in plastic (fruit and vegetable juices, pasta sauce, salad dressing), boxed goods (cereal, pasta, crackers, pudding mix), and bagged goods (rice, barley, dried beans).
* Avoid items packed in glass jars, and those that need refrigeration.
Your letter carrier will pick up the donations and deliver them to a local food bank or pantry to feed those in need.
Results for Stamp Out Hunger (2010):
Final results showed 77,132,180 pounds of non-perishable food were collected in the traditional event on the second Saturday in May, a slight increase over the previous record of 73.4 million pounds set in 2009. It was the seventh consecutive year above 70 million pounds and brought the total for the drive’s 18 years to over 1 billion pounds of food.
NOTE: Thousands of local post offices will be participating in the program this Saturday, but not all. To find out whether your letter carrier is participating, contact your local post office.
For more information: Stamp Out Hunger * USPS ~ NALC Food Drive
Spirit Lights The Way 