The perils of being a geek
Kristine linked to the ThinkGeek Valentine's collection -- and this cute shirt. I really want this tank top, too, but I'm very wary of ordering from them again. I've placed four orders with them in the past six months. This is how they've went.

Birthday gift order never arrived at its final destination. (That happens.) Two months later, they finally made right and reshipped the item.
Ordered a t-shirt for myself, and a gift for someone else. Had it all shipped to my house first this time. Navy t-shirt arrived with bleach-spots on it. Didn't bother trying to replace it so quickly after the last order being such a pain. Gift items in the shipment were ok.
Sent a gift order to Arizona for Christmas, but no communication was included with the items to say who they were from. They had to play a guessing game in their blog. Nothing major, but a pain nonetheless.
Ordered another gift item for Todd at Christmas. Placed the order a full three weeks before Christmas, mind you. Less than a week before Christmas, after e-mailing them at least every other day -- with no response -- wondering why my order was still stuck in the "processing" stage, I was sent a customer service reply that the order had been cancelled due to being stuck in the processing stage for so long. No explanation other than that. The note apologized for the inconvenience and noted I was welcome to place the order once again. When I wrote to complain, and noted it was now less than a week before Christmas, I was out a gift, and there was no possible way they could ship it on time without offering me free-overnight for my trouble -- I never received another reply.

Am I the only one who's had trouble with ThinkGeek? I love their merchandise. But three out of four orders had what I consider to be major problems -- and the fourth had a minor problem. And trying to contact their customer service by e-mail or phone has proven more difficult than contacting Amazon's. That's saying a lot. It appears ThinkGeek isn't the only company giving geeks trouble lately, though...

UPDATE: Yet another screwed up order in April 2003...
posted at 06:49 PM | link-

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We certainly wanna thank you for coming by - you know the way out, right?
In times of deep trouble, I always find myself turning to the words and wisdom of the great orator Eric Theodore Cartman:

"I believe I said, 'get the fudge out!' Which means, kiss mah fudgin' ass, go fudge yourself, fudge ya, get the fudge out..."
posted at 06:13 PM | link-

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You're about as easy as a nuclear war
I know you're watching me every minute of the day, yeah
I've seen the signs and the looks and the pictures
That give your game away, yeah
There's a dream that strings the road
A broken glass for us to hold
And I cut so far before I had to say

Please please tell me now
Is there something I should know?
Is there something I should say
That'll make you come my way?
Do you feel the same, 'cause you don't let it show....

I've received a small handful of e-mails in the past few weeks to the tune of a Peter Parker lecture, "With great power comes great responsibility." This is my gift, my curse. I don't remember receiving a memo when I started blogging stating that it was my duty to protect those reading along with me. The one and only person I feel I have to protect at all costs when I write is the man I live with and love every day of my life-- my husband. I don't have a standard of 'responsible journalism' to measure up to. I am not your reliable media outlet.

Is there really a certain point when your counter peaks, that suddenly you have to blog in order to keep all of your readers "safe", rather than keeping yourself sane? Why was I allowed to blog entries as my true self in order to put me here -- even if I didn't ask to be there -- yet now that I am "here" (for what it's worth), suddenly I have to change my core-self for other's protection?

Doesn't that smack of "you've gotta protect the children" and assume my readers don't have a mind of their own in order to agree -- or disagree as it were -- with me? Who appointed you as my keeper and mentor anyway?

And why is it not ok for me to call someone out after they've devoted an entire blog entry about being disappointed in my current writing -- but it is ok for you to send me an 1,165-word e-mail (yes, I counted them in Word) doing the very same thing to me? Is that little note ok because you didn't have the balls to put it up in a public place, and sent it on in private instead? "It's just petty and small to invite response, and then go ballistic and shrewish when that response isn't exactly what you want to hear." That works both ways you know. Did you ever think of applying it to this individual when they made their blog entry about me to begin with? Didn't think so. No, it was easier to attack me instead. Everyone else has been. Why should you be left out on all the fun?

Just as I don't hold celebrities to any "role model" standard simply because they are a celebrity, I don't think it's fair for anyone to hold me to a higher blogging standard simply because I have a few links floating around out there. At the core of it all, we are all human. And humans can -- and will -- make mistakes. And if I'm stupid enough to make my mistakes in front of 1,500 people each day, more power to me. I haven't tried to hide from them yet.

I registered this domain for a reason. I have been a ranter, antagonist and tantrum-thrower all my life. I was the screaming kid with their arms and legs wrapped around the gumball machine in the bank because my Popeye didn't have a dime on him. I was the cheerleader in junior high that egged on the opposing team for wearing baby blue and missing every tackle they tried. I was the editorialist in high school daring you to think about my opinion. And I was the political science and history student in college questioning the present and future, while over-analyzing the past.

I'm me. I'm where I am right now because of it. To think I should somehow "change" or suddenly be "more responsible" after all this time is ludicrous to me. People know I'm devoted to those I love and my friends above everything else -- but they also know that life isn't all sunshine and roses, not everyone out there likes me, and I don't try to paint it that way. So let's take a poll...

Do you feel bloggers have a responsibility to protect those reading along from themselves?

For the record, I will not change the way I've written for almost 18 months now simply because you don't like where my stats counter happens to be at the moment. So I suggest you go find a new read if you have a problem with it. Ya' got that? Good.
posted at 05:03 PM | link-

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Worldwide Pants
Since my husband refuses to blog right now, I have to do it for him...

25 Lines From Star Wars that can be improved if you substitute the word "Pants":

A tremor in the pants. The last time I felt this was in the presence of my old master.
You are unwise to lower your pants.
We've got to be able to get some reading on those pants, up or down.
She must have hidden the plans in her pants. Send a detachment down to retrieve them. See to it personally Commander.
These pants may not look like much, kid, but they've got it where it counts.
I find your lack of pants disturbing.
These pants contain the ultimate power in the Universe. I suggest we use it.
Han will have those pants down. We've got to give him more time!
General Veers, prepare your pants for a surface attack.
I used to bulls-eye womp-rats in my pants back home.
TK-421. . . Why aren't you in your pants?
Lock the door. And hope they don't have pants.
Governor Tarkin. I recognized your foul pants when I was brought on board.
You look strong enough to pull the pants off of a Gundark.
Luke. . . Help me take...these pants off.
Great, Chewie, great. Always thinking with your pants.
That blast came from those pants. That thing's operational!
Don't worry. Chewie and I have gotten into a lot of pants more heavily guarded than this.
Maybe you'd like it back in your pants, your highness.
Your pants betray you. Your feelings for them are strong. Especially for your sister!
Jabba doesn't have time for smugglers who drop their pants at the first sign of an Imperial Cruiser.
Yeah, well short pants is better than no pants at all, Chewie.
Attention. This is Lando Calrissean. The Empire has taken control of my pants, I advise everyone to leave before more troops arrive.
I cannot teach him. The boy has no pants.
You came in those pants? You're braver than I thought.

Khakis swing!
posted at 03:09 PM | link-

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Eager to kill any who says that my hook isn't cute...
Proof that not everything out of Tampa is all good...just for the record.

Just keep an open mind, and then suddenly you'll find Never-neverland.
posted at 04:31 AM | link-

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Check out, check check...out my melody
You got a problem with all the Bucs talk lately? Well I invite you to hit that back button and keep on surfin' bud. Because if you think this is bad, baby you ain't seen nothing yet when OU brings home another one of these!

Seriously though, I seem to have lost sight of the fact as to when my online journal's content had to be first-approved by YOU. Can you please enlighten me when this little change in ownership took place? Because I was under the impression that if I wanted to spend every single entry for the next six weeks blogging about my left pinky toe, well guess what? You don't have to keep on reading me. Shocking concept, I know. Those who want to...will. Those who don't...will find about 500,000 other blogs out there to keep them entertained. I know that I don't float everyone's boat, and I'm not ashamed to admit you never really have mine either. I happen to despise French. I think using it mixed with English merely for the sake of typing it is snotty and pretentious. But that's quite another "issue" of mine altogether...and you never saw me making blog entries calling you out for it when you'd ping me in the past.

I've always said that the day I stop blogging for me is the day I hang up my mouse -- and I don't intend to change that any time soon. Football is a very real part of my life. Just as politics are a very real part of Michele's. No one is holding a gun to your head forcing you to read all of our content. Skim if you just can't stomach it. Really, it's not that hard.

You do not dictate my mood. You do not dictate my thoughts. You do not even dictate my content, or what I have for dinner tomorrow night. And I double-dog dare you to come into my home, grab my paper journal, and start editing it because you don't like my topic choices and perspective on things. Because in case you might have missed it 'til now, this is my online journal. I write for me. I don't write to entertain the masses. And I certainly don't change my content because you've grown sick of hearing about Tampa Bay. If anything, it makes me even more determined to mention my fine community at every available turn. Ever notice that URL up there in the address bar by chance? Which reminds me...Gasparilla is right around the corner. Funny how that works. I'm'a do things my way. It's my way...or the highway... *plonk*

UPDATE: I kid you not, as I hit the publish button, Prodigy's "Smack My Bitch Up" came on my station. The irony was not lost on me.
posted at 03:42 AM | link-

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This is a request, Mr. Radio Man
Just a quick heads-up for those who have tried, or are thinking about trying, to set up their own Launchcast station. They are now offering "Launchcast Plus" for $3.99/mo with no commercial interruptions. You can also create station playlists based on your mood, and access special pay-only stations with Launchcast Plus. I fully believe in paying for, donating to and supporting programs that make your life a bit easier -- and this is definitely one I was quick to sign up for! I have my station going just about every second I'm here in this chair. (If you'd like to listen to my station, you can do so here.)
posted at 01:53 AM | link-

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You oughtta know
I used the Alanis Morissette Lyric Generator to compose a little song for Statia and Trish.

I think...

I think Trekkies are really a huge problem
I think sammiches are too much on my mind
I think ass-kissers have got a lot to do with why the world sucks
But what can you do?

Like a green rain, beating down on me
Like a Quinton Tarantino line, which won't let go of my brain
Like Dick's ass, it is in my head

Blame it on Wil Wheaton
Blame it on Wil Wheaton
Blame it on Wil Wheaton

I think The Bloggies are gonna drive us all crazy
And monkeys make me feel like a child
I think typewriters will eventually be the downfall of civilization
But what can you do?
I said what can you do?

Like a green rain, beating down on me
Like a Quinton Tarantino line, which won't let go of my brain
Like Dick's ass, it is in my head

Blame it on Wil Wheaton
Blame it on Wil Wheaton
Blame it on Wil Wheaton

Like a green rain, beating down on me
Like Dick's smile, cruel and cold
Like Dick's ass, it is in my head

Blame it on Wil Wheaton
Blame it on Wil Wheaton
Blame it on Wil Wheaton

-credit: brunching.com
posted at 01:30 AM | link-

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Up, up in the atmosphere
Here's one that's shocked us... If you've seen my photos from Monday night, you might remember this blurry image of the Tampa SWAT team repelling from a police helicopter into Raymond James stadium. Now the FAA is investigating it as an "unsafe operation". The helicopter pilot for the local NBC affiliate went on record earlier this evening saying he thought the stunt was dangerous and uncalled for (I guess that's why the crowd went wild), and media outlets are now being asked to turn over their footage of the event to federal investigators. Ironic that one of the biggest controversies over our city's Super Bowl celebrations is being blamed on the police, and not on local residents!
posted at 11:22 PM | link-

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We can't rewind, we've gone too far
For two people who have always been adamantly against reality shows, we've caught ourselves flipping back and forth between tonight's "American Idol" and "Bachelorette" 90-minute specials. Anyone have a good medication they can recommend?

And are we the only ones who thought the twins on "American Idol" were more like the Fabulous Sweeney Sisters?
posted at 08:52 PM | link-

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I.....love a parade!
Jen and I tag-teamed of sorts for the Bucs Super Bowl celebrations this week -- here are her most-excellent pics of yesterday's Super Bowl Parade in Tampa.
posted at 03:08 PM | link-

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If you're ever in a jam, here I am
You know how they say blood is thicker than water? Well we're just getting in, and tonight we learned that friendship is thicker than wet cement -- and bonds even stronger. We love you.
posted at 03:26 AM | link-

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I might be a winner
FRAGILÉ -- it must be Italian! It seems I've had a few 'major awards' bestowed upon me while my back was turned...

"Best use of boobs for a cause"
"Stalks no-name bloggers with 5 hits a day or less"

"Robyn, for sifting all that is decent and good from FARK, your multiple designs, and the 2002 Boobie-Thon, I'd like to present you with the Thudfactor 'I'm Nifty' Award!"

"Blog That Isn't In My Blogroll"

Thanks everyone! I feel all warm and fuzzy inside now -- kinda like when climbing the rope in gym class.
posted at 05:56 PM | link-

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belongs to Solonor!
Sorry guys, but Solonor buys me jewelry, so he's my BLOGWHORE(2). Yes, I can be bought.
posted at 03:41 PM | link-

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ON-J Anonymous
This one is for Statia...but was there really any doubt? Todd will just have to suffer!

posted at 02:49 PM | link-

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No time for losers...

Todd was able to leave work early on Monday afternoon, so we headed towards Raymond James Stadium about 4 p.m. They didn't open the gates 'til almost 7 p.m., but that didn't matter. It was a Super Bowl sized party outside (over 10,000 strong before 5 p.m.)! Once inside, we ended up with excellent seats on the west side of the stadium. We were between the 30 and 40-yardlines, only about 9 rows up. It was first-come, first-seated. There were so many people that they even had to open the upper decks, and the one across from us completely filled-- at least 65,000 people in attendance.

We were entertained with great Super Bowl moments on the jumbotrons, and also the ten best Super Bowl commercials. They fired the canons for each touchdown scored on the replay. We also got live updates on the team plane's location, which did a fly-by right over the stadium before it landed. The Tampa PD SWAT team had officers repel from a helicopter right onto the field. And the cheerleaders arrived first to entertain the crowd. Once the team landed at TIA, Warren Sapp called the stadium from his cell phone and said they could hear us at the airport from the team buses! Things were very, very loud. And finally...the Super Bowl champs showed up. The players, coaches and owners all took a few seconds at the podium -- and then a few of the players and the Glazers dashed around the field with the Lombardi trophy a few times. Those on the front row got to touch it! Then just like that, it was over. A week I know I'll never forget as long as I live.

I have four pages of photos from Monday afternoon and evening up in my Super Bowl Gallery. Some are a bit blury and I do apologize. It's a bit hard to shoot when 65,000 people are rockin' the joint. I'll try to get captions up tomorrow, but for now just the photos will have to do. I'm freakin' exhausted and sick as a dog, I can't feel my fingers, and I still have to work tonight. Don't get me wrong though... I am NOT complaining.

We're not going to the parade tomorrow (I'm not up to it and Todd has to work), so if anyone goes and takes pics -- pass them on and I'll link them here. One last time...CONGRATS BUCS! We love you!
posted at 02:24 AM | link-

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Dancin' in the streets
It's amazing how different towns handle sporting milestones. I guess everyone expects the Oakland fans to riot -- win or lose. By contrast, other than a trash can fire and auto-pedestrian accident last weekend, for the most part things were very tame here in Tampa Bay when we clinched the NFC title. Even at a last-minute gathering of 25,000+ fans. The "riot police" at that event consisted of four men on horseback. From all local media accounts, Tampa Bay was very orderly in their celebrations tonight as well. Dale Mabry was bumper-to-bumper and Ybor was packed, but arrests were at a minimum. When OU won their national title in 2000-01, you didn't see our fans burning cars in the streets of Norman either.

I guess I've really never understood that mindset. I've never been a fan of a team where rioting was considered the "norm" (even if done by a fringe-group and looked down upon by other fans), or even something that was expected and to be braced for. Thank goodness. Your team loses? Well life goes on, and there's always next season. And if it wins -- well let's just say we all tossed back more than a few tonight in this town. But the real celebration will be done in the right way, at the right place, tomorrow night. CONGRATS BUCS!

UPDATE: Well here you go -- this is how we celebrate in Tampa. TBO.com mentions this:

"Meanwhile, in Ybor City revelers began pouring into the popular nightclub district.....At least one woman was arrested for baring her breasts, but most were described as happy fans."

And somewhat related, Tampa Bay Online also has a Super Bowl Weblog.
posted at 02:50 AM | link-

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I have a little salt handy - where's an open wound?
Official 2002-03 ATPTB Bucs Football Quote of the Season: "Lets be realistic - come talk to me when the Lucks actually play and beat a team with a winning record." - iggles

My team just won Super Bowl XXXVII -- how about you, and every other smack-talker I've endured this past season, come back and talk to me now, hmmmm? Nah, I didn't forget my promise. Real blondes never do. Sometimes girls just know more about football than you.
posted at 12:51 AM | link-

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San...Diego...Super Bowl'ers!
[We freaking did it!!!]

Thanks so much to everyone for all the well wishes! It makes up ten-fold for all the smack we've had to take over the years in our blogs, the press, and the world in general for being Bucs fans. What a year! Our Sooners finish in the top 5 after an amazing Rose Bowl performance, and now our Bucs are World Champions. Both of our teams, college and pro, have two of the best coaches in the game. I just can't believe it's over...7 months of golf...ugh.

This isn't the first time "my team" has won the Super Bowl. I was a Cowboys fan all of my life, until Barry Switzer's firing in the late 90s. I was raised in silver and blue and had a Cowboy Cheerleader's uniform before I could barely walk. But I can definitely say this is the sweetest. We live in, and are a part of, this community. We've been here through the early lean (orange) years as Sapp and Brooks were starting out, and the mean years where we got close but no cigar. So this is more sweet than anything I could have possibly dreamed of... Second only to our being at the Orange Bowl when the Sooners won the National Championship in 2000.

Again, thanks to everyone for the congrats and well wishes! What a day! The official celebration begins at Raymond James Stadium tomorrow evening. For those in Tampa Bay, the stadium parking opens at 6:00 p.m. with the team expected to arrive about 9 p.m. Hope to see ya'll there!
posted at 11:00 PM | link-

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Defense. Wins. Championships!
Who's our favorite player? Mr. Derrick Brooks! More to come soon. Now if you'll excuse us, we have some bubbly to pop open... WE'RE SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS, BABY!
posted at 10:14 PM | link-

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Go and part the sea, yeah, in Malibu

Wonder how much more it would take 'til I can't feel my legs? I'm seriously about to hyperventilate here.

P.S. So far Todd has cracked our vertical blinds and is now bleeding from the hand.
posted at 07:42 PM | link-

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A crummy commercial?
Let the Super Bowl ad watch begin! What are your favorites? Which ones do you want to implode Madison Avenue for?

First one on my list -- the Yahoo! "Rainbow Connection" one. Bad, bad, baaaaaaaad. And I love that song.
posted at 06:01 PM | link-

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Another tension breaker - had to be done

[Click to view the song lyrics]

Right-click the image (or this link) to save...

Yeah, it's been overplayed during the playoffs. But it's a damn good song! GO BUCS!
posted at 05:06 PM | link-

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It's not easy facing up when your whole world is black
A few design-wraps this past week...with more to come in the next few days...

Books and Other Stuff and jeffrutherford.com
Historic Federal Hill Main Street (logo by Karen Coughlin)
The Literature Program at Richard Stockton College

Whew! At this rate, I'm gonna be blind by Christmas...but I'm not complaining!
posted at 04:20 PM | link-

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Are you ready for some football?
It's Super Bowl Sunday -- and my love of the Bucs even made it on this week's Call For Help! Let's get it on... Good luck, Chey! And special thanks go out to callforhelpcentral.com for the video clip! (Just for the record, Tampa Bay won that CFH video game 27-10.)
posted at 01:36 AM | link-

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It'll be...just like starting over
One of the new Chili Peppers songs came on the radio tonight when we were driving to Clearwater. Although I would rate it about 3x better than most of the new crap out these days, I'm sorry, but it's a far cry from being the Chili Peppers I came of age with. We started making a mental list of bands that should've hung it up a long, long time ago. Of course The Stones were the first to top that list. But they're from the obvious Geritol era. We quickly moved on to bands we grew up on -- our favorites that shouldn't have been allowed to stay together post-1996 (a year after we'd left college), some even earlier. Here's a few to get the ball rolling:

1. Chili Peppers, obviously
2. The Cure
3. R.E.M.
4. Depeche Mode
5. Duran Duran, although Electric Barbarella wasn't half-bad

When aging rock stars go sad... Sometimes unfortunately, an early death is better than the alternative. Who would you add to the list?
posted at 12:26 AM | link-

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You can go back again
I don't care what anyone else says. They were good. Damn good!
posted at 11:18 PM | link-

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Hey! Wait. I've got a new complaint.
I debated and debated all afternoon about whether or not to even blog this. The whole deal has just snowballed into an ugly, sometimes factless free-for-all lead by someone who originally set the burner on high, then yanked the skillet off the burner when the heat got too much to take (removing their original post), only to come back a few days later when everything was beginning to die-down on its own and toss grease on the stovetop once again. Whoa. Lookee there. You've got flames. Some people live for the firestorms I guess.

Because of the personal attacks on my friend, I will not give this blogger further credibility by linking to her site again. I'll only link to Michele's bite-back.

Do you let it go? Do you move on? Well I for one can tell you that I'm one of the people who have complained about good, deserving sites getting overlooked amidst all this Bloggies mess. Sites that would -- and should -- have been there regardless. But after an e-mail from Nikolai last night, and the additional things I've learned today -- added to the things I've learned all week -- I'm here to say that even though several of my friends deserve to be there where they are, this years awards are a farce and a sham. And I, for one, don't want my friends mired down there in that mess. They, and their blogs, deserve more than that.

If it were as simple as yanking back the prizes I have already donated, I would at this point. Wouldn't make much of a statement, but I don't want to be tied to this year's awards ceremony in any shape or form as they currently stand. And I've told Nikolai as such. How do you now play god and say "this site deserved to be there on its merits but this one did not"? You can't. If one loses in that final nominees list, everyone loses. It's the nature of the pot being spoiled.

Beyond the previously-mentioned-everywhere Texas voting blocks* (which by the way made up 17% of the total panel because even though the contest website states that there would be 50 judges this year, not everyone replied to Nikolai's invite and rather than extending additional invites until he reached 50 total, Nikolai decided to go merely with the 23 judges that did write him back) -- we now have real evidence cited in several blogs of impropriety of one judge going far beyond "let's make sure our friends get there" -- the thing that initially had us all so shocked. I should mention that this judge is also nominated in "best kept secret" and "best new weblog" himself. Hard to believe, isn't it? A firsthand account at the site that shall not be linked here again states:

"he first told me it was only him and the dallas judges. he then said he had a friend in california that was 'helping' him to understand some categories. he then mentioned calling canada and he's mentioned calling houston too. you figure it out."

If you look at the nominees, it doesn't take a PhD to figure it out folks. This person not only decided which blogs they thought were "too popular" (and therefore would be in direct competition with their personal favorites, and as such said popular sites were eliminated out of the starting gate) -- they admitted two categories ("best kept secret" and "best new weblog") were almost entirely hand-picked (with their name in the final list, of course). This individual was even able to lobby Nikolai himself to get several of his selections included in the final nominees list outside of those two categories that individual is now a part of -- one key one being the GLBT category. How on earth Nikolai can continue on as if nothing has occurred now is completely beyond me.

*In case you haven't seen mention of the Texas voting-block scandal, a handful (at least five) judges from the DFW Blogging group made it into the 23 total judges. Several of these individuals found their names in the finalists list as well -- and had a public list (entire blog/list since removed from the web) of voting guidelines to go by. The owner of the now-deleted site was a finalist in two categories this year herself.

Yes, these are silly awards. Yes, they are run by a "teenage kid". (Although I find that a somewhat flimsy label, because at 19, I was very much on my way to being the "adult" I am today.) But these awards were also enough of a boost to my own site when I was nominated last year, that I was discovered by an entirely new audience. I want that -- with a feeling of legitimacy -- attached to my friends (who were deservedly nominated) this year. I don't want their nominations tainted -- and I'm sorry, but they are. Even though Wil was a fiasco of epic proportions last year, I felt like I was beaten by a celebrity. Not a system. And I didn't feel like my friends were left off the finalists list last year because they could -- and would -- have been in direct competition with so-and-so's friends down in Texas, and their Blogroll faves.

Last night Nikolai asked me point-blank if I had any suggestions on how to change things next year. (Please note, next year. I fully believe he intends to hold this sham of a ceremony at SxSW with no one officially questioning just exactly what has come to light in the last week.) I pointed out some of the suggestions here to him. In addition, I also suggest the following:

The panel of judges be set up in advance of the nominations. Not after the fact. They would be publicly named and linked.
Judges would be appointed by category. It would not be a "one judge voting on it all" kind of deal. The judges have already stated they don't have enough time to read the massive nominees lists anyway. And this way you would have tech-minded judges analyzing tech-oriented blogs, etc. If one category went down in flames over a judging scandal, you wouldn't have every single nomination and finalist in the competition questioned beyond that one particular category, because the judges would be entirely different people for each one.
No judge could be appointed to more than three categories. Period.
Judges and voters would both have to register beforehand. It wouldn't prevent multiple-identities from beating the system, but at least it's one more hoop they'd have to jump through first.
I think judges should automatically be excluded from the category they judge in. I would never allow a Dress Contest judge in the contestant pool.

Those are just a few off the top of my head. I'm sure several of you out there have even more, and better, suggestions. If so, list 'em here and I'll make sure Nikolai sees them. Although I don't blame him for the actions of others, I certainly think an official response is warranted -- and the fact all of these improprieties have occurred needs to be publicly acknowledged by the Bloggies themselves. They have yet to be, and as mentioned, I seriously doubt they will be now.

I, for one, think there is a place for an awards ceremony of this nature. If you don't...if you think they're all BS popularity contests...well that's certainly your right. I happen to think a little peer-to-peer recognition for months worth of hard work isn't such a bad thing in the scheme of things. I know that rush of being a finalist, and I want everyone who works hard at what they do to have that chance at least once.

I just think on their current course, people have picked the wrong awards to latch onto this year. For me, Anti-Bloggies it is! At least those are purposely designed not to be fair...

UPDATE: Although I quoted someone who has obviously been making false statements about my friend throughout this whole mess, the quote by them that I included in this entry is based upon material found at several other sites -- and I feel their statements I included here are very much with merit. East West is a good source for more on all this hoopla.
posted at 07:14 PM | link-

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Maaaaatlock!

You've often heard my husband complaining about sharing the road with a species of bluehaired snowbirds here in Florida, and the havoc it wreaks on his daily commute. Well now it seems we are redesigning our roadways to accomodate ~~senile~~ senior citizen drivers. Riddle me this... If teens have to test before being granted a license, why aren't older drivers tested in order to keep theirs? My family had to stage an intervention to get my Grandfather to quit driving after he darn-near killed a car-full of us in Tulsa by coming to a complete stop on a freeway. You'd think in the name of public safety, including their own, older citizens would want to ensure the roadways are as safe as possible for everyone on them. Not. It seems nothing shall come between a 5'2" 80+ year-old woman, the five phonebooks it takes for her to see over the steering wheel, and the God-given right to drive her shiny American Cadillac death machine. I feel so blessed to live in a state full of them, too.
posted at 05:35 PM | link-

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The downward spiral
Well that sucked.
posted at 03:11 PM | link-

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Black magic woman
Earlier this month, I joked that even though I'm known by some as Princess of the Blogiverse™, I'd yet to see an actual tiara for it. Well guess what showed up in the mail today? Solonor sent me one of my very own! But this is no ordinary tiara -- oh no. You'll notice in the photos that the crown and jewels are all black. Just call me Princess of the (Dark Side of the) Blogiverse™ now. Don't believe me? Just check out that last photo with flash.

When I'm sleeping, it will have a place of honor right above my work station, but I whipped my hair in an up-'do and snapped a few "you like me, you really really like me" beauty queen-esque photos tonight for posterity. Enjoy...

And THANK YOU Solonor -- you're the best minion leader ever.
posted at 10:35 PM | link-

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Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman

This is a bottle of Philosophy's 7-Day Juice Fast in Lime. I received it as a present for my birthday.

I don't think I'm supposed to notice that almost ½ of the bottle is now missing, even though I've used that scent twice.

But we'll just let it be our little secret, mmmk?
Man, he feels like a woman!

posted at 06:44 PM | link-

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Bring. It. On.
[Blogger Burp Contest]

Ok, there isn't a better stage or setting for this folks -- it's finally Super Bowl Weekend. So you have 'til kick-off Sunday night to put your burp where your mouth is. I've seen a lot of smack-talkin', but I've yet to see any evidence...so get those sound files to me ASAP! I'll organize them in one place, and put up a poll.

It doesn't matter who you know, what your stats counter says, how old you are or where you live. Everyone's eligible. Although I can't offer an awards ceremony at SxSW, I can offer a day that will live in infamy. (I'm still not sure if that's a good thing, but we'll find out.) Thank heavens we don't have smell on the 'net yet... Who takes it? Who reigns supreme?
posted at 05:35 PM | link-

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I'm never gonna score
Ok, so who saw today's Call For Help? Bueller? Bueller? I saw the tail-end when Tampa Bay won the video game challenge -- and got very, very excited. Only to learn I missed another shout-out to me at the beginning. And now I have to wait 'til Monday. Can anyone help a sister out?
posted at 05:24 PM | link-

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The Super Bowl shuffle
I guess I could actually discuss important news events like other bloggers, but I don't have time. And it's too depressing anyway... So more weird -- and useless -- headlines it is!

Old Faithful is quite regular, thankyouverymuch.
Drudge finds out what it's like to be on the other end of the monitor.
I've seen some really bad WTC plans in the last few months, but I think this one takes the cake. There's a reason it was previously scrapped. Hello, Jetsons!
Something tells me this kid is so grounded!
Are you pumped? I said, ARE YOU PUMPED? A little Bucs history -- and why we're so freakin' happy just to be here now, regardless of the outcome Sunday.

And now...your moment of zen. Happy (almost) weekend, everyone!
posted at 05:25 AM | link-

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Help, I need somebody - help, not just anybody
I haven't given out any Gnomey lovin' for awhile. That's mostly because the man is keeping me down. They move the show's time slot over at Tech TV more than I update my blog it seems, and right now the live show and reruns are falling smack-dab in the middle of my beauty sleep. (Which I think we all know I could use a little more of.) I really have to get TiVo. But until I do, callforhelpcentral.com keeps the withdrawl symptoms down to a few random shakes and involuntary twitchings. Make sure you check out Chris' Award Promise -- and then go do the right thing for him if you haven't already!
posted at 03:28 AM | link-

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Oh the weather outside is frightful

You Notherners have laughed at Floridians for being cold for two weeks now, but when they're extending freeze warnings in the Florida Keys, can we all finally admit we've got a problem here? I haven't seen lawns this dead since an Oklahoma winter.
posted at 03:01 AM | link-

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Smothered and covered
Angel just made me squeal like a little girl. She pointed out the following from Sonic's site:

To celebrate our 50th year, we're bringing back some all-time favorites, like our one-of-a-kind Pickle-O's™! You'll love these sliced dill pickles made crispy and perfect for dipping. Available for a limited time only at participating locations.

Laugh at us all you want -- those who have eaten Pickle-O's KNOW what I'm talkin' 'bout. And to date, the only place to still get them has been Classic 50s Drive-In in Norman, Oklahoma. I haven't had them in over two years. Screw Todd's ticker... If our Sonic is in on this promotion, we're eating there every night for a week. It's a moral imperative.

P.S. If you think the concept of fried pickles is bad, I should also add that we eat them covered with cheese. Oh yeah, baby!
posted at 10:35 PM | link-

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It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that cling
[confetti]

Sure it probably seemed like a good idea at the time to pack the shipping box, the cards, the envelope, and every single piece of tissue paper to be found with mylar confetti. I'm sure you had quite the good laugh wondering how we were ever going to get to our presents without spilling it everywhere. Hardy har har har.

But as I sit here finding that magnetic cling crap in places I didn't know I had, under my nails, on my legs, all over my countertops, sprinkled about the floor -- and it takes me at least 30 seconds to pluck each individual piece I find off my fingers after picking it up, before finally convincing said piece that it really wants to be in the trash can instead -- well the joke is now lost on me. I do believe this means war.

I will be in your home this spring. I will be armed. I am unrolling your Charmin and every time you go to wipe you're going to be oh so very shiny. I am going to fill the socks in your undie drawer with it so you will never get this crap from between your toes. I am sprinkling it in your sheets so that every day when you wake up, you have to add an extra 20 minutes to your beauty routine for confetti removal. I am opening up your purse and dumping a whole bag in, so that every time you go to write a check, you leave a happy l'il trail of you all the way out the store. I'm zipping open your vacuum bag and I'm setting it to reverse, so that every time you think you're cleaning it up, you're only blowing out more all over your house.

I "got" the joke. Now prepare to pay dearly for it.

Love,
-Robyn (and Todd)
posted at 08:00 PM | link-

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You spin me right 'round, baby
Kristine has found a much easier image rollover code and it looks like a winner to me!

It only requires placing a class into the image and a script in the head, but no onMouseover’s or onload statements to deal with. And plus, you don’t actually have to list out the images in the rollover.js file...

I'm all over that -- thanks Kristine! Read more about it here...
posted at 06:40 PM | link-

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Tonight at "The Pit", Everyone Gets Laid!
[Pizza Dreams]

Ok, screw the awards. What are you really gonna do with a rubber chicken anyway? Instead, I'm offering something much more worthwhile to all of us -- a good old fashioned pizza party. No one gets excluded. Whether you blog once a day or once a month, you still get a slice of pizza. On Blogspot? Step right up. You get two. Heaven knows you've earned it.

It's Super Bowl week. Let's get back to the important things. Like football. Porno. And books about war. Beer's in the fridge. Blogaritas are in the blender.

The only contest we need to hold is who can belch the loudest. I have a sneakin' suspicion she's gonna win that, but bring. it. on.
posted at 06:04 PM | link-

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Fumbling towards ecstacy
So that's why you Harry Potter fans are so devoted...they're drugging you into submission!
posted at 04:40 PM | link-

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I'd like to buy the world a Coke, and keep it company
Is it right or wrong
Try to find a place
We can all belong
Be as one

Try to get on by
If we unify
We should really try
All this time

Spinning round and round
Made the same mistakes
That we've always found
Surely now

We could move along
Make a better world
No it can't be wrong

Let's come together
Right now
Oh yeah
In sweet harmony (x4)

Time is running out
Let there be no doubt
We should sort things out
If we care

Like we say we do
Not just empty words
For a week or two

Make the world
Your priority
Try to live your life
Ecologically

Play a part
In a greater scheme
Try to live the dream
On a wider scene

Let's come together
Right now
Oh yeah
In sweet harmony ('til fade)
posted at 01:38 AM | link-

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The official candy of Tampa Tantrum

I am so freaking addicted to these things now, it's not even funny. I thought this might be a good evening to share with the class... Who wants some?
posted at 09:59 PM | link-

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Little hellions, kids feeling rebellious
Controversy
Controversy
I can't understand human curiosity

Controversy
Was it good for you?
Was I what you wanted me to be?
Controversy...

Listen, people call me rude
I wish we were all nude
I wish there was no black and white
I wish there were no rules
-Prince

Oh what a tangled (world wide) web we weave. Did they? Didn't they? Well here's a little more from the trenches. You can make your own calls:

"the main problem? it's rigged. the numbers are grossly skewed. i like nikolai as a person and i know that his intentions are good, but there is just no objective, scientific way for ballots to be cast. this is not even nikolai's fault. he's a nice enough person to trust other people to be nice too. unfortunately, they just aren't...

...i also know that the email padding and nomination committee conspiracy is absolutely true.

for those of you with great weblogs and awesome designs that thought you might be nominated, you didn't have a chance. you really didn't, so don't take it personally...

...i think we need to clarify that nikolai asked people to help him and only a handful responded. of that handful, 75% are of a group that agreed together in advance on how they would vote, actual ballots be damned. they were proud of it, bragged about it and had a good laugh at the fact that they figured out how to beat the system. a system designed by a teenager who was just trying to have some fun. it is misleading to say you only voted once when that vote carried so much weight."

It's a shame so many good, deserving sites are being caught in the crossfire right now. Because quite honestly, even though I donated prizes this year, I don't even know if I want my name attached to any of it now -- this year or last year as a nominee -- without a lot of official explanation. But I don't need to add any more on the matter myself (too many others out there are saying it better anyway, look around) -- other than if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, well it's probably also quacking "AFLAC" under the covers.

UPDATE: Didn't think any of this was real or legit? Well Michele felt everything flying around today had enough merit and weight that she's withdrawing her nominations. Something to think about... I admire your courage, convictions and strength in speaking out, Michele!
posted at 09:16 PM | link-

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Book 'im, Danno!
This true story over at Tracy's made me flashback to a funny moment in high school...

A friend of mine had a dad who was a policeman in another town, and he got me a pair of real handcuffs for my 16th birthday. I kept them hanging on the cigarette lighter of my car (for decoration, get your minds out of the gutter). The key was in the console. Well one night my friends were playing around with them during a wicked game of Twister, and somehow the key got lost. But I put the handcuffs right back on their place of honor in my car when I left.

Fast-forward to my Grandpa doing an oil change and car repairs for me a few months later. (I lived with my grandparents for two years in high school.) While he was cleaning out the inside, he called me out to the driveway. My Gma followed. He had noticed the handcuffs for the first time, and asked me if I realized just how dangerous they were. Now mind you, I lived in a small town of less than 25,000 people at the time. But to illustrate his point he said, "Just imagine if you were carjacked. Someone could slap these on your wrists like this (*clink*, *clink*) and you'd be completely defenseless. My jaw hit the pavement. Him, thinking he'd driven his point home. Me, knowing...there was no key.

I didn't know how to tell him, so I mouthed it to my Gma first. Then he asked me for the key. He's standing there wearing ratty "car work" jeans and no shirt. In cuffs. I didn't know how to break it to him and not get killed in the process. But I did. And he was too shocked to be mad at me. Then my Gma started laughing and we all cracked up in unison.

He walked over to their nearest neighbor (they lived 15 miles outside of the city limits), who also happened to be a policeman, hoping he'd be home. He was. But his cuff key didn't fit my cuffs. He had to drive my Grandpa to the local statio