Category Archives: Blogging

the path not taken

14 Sunday Jan 2018

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Having been trapped inside with the snow days, it has given me the time I needed to get caught up on geeking and blog stuff.  It has also given me a serious case of cabin fever and a sore tushy.

I’ve been on WP for quite a few years and have grown as a writer and photographer in that time.  While that was never the intention, it has been a wonderful result.  A lot of my blogger friends have started this with the intention of monetizing their blogs, but for me it has primarily been about getting the detritus out of my brain and giving me a creative outlet.

A great podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin, taught me some things about myself.  One of which is I am great when I have an external deadline or goal to meet.  That is why I do challenges.  It makes makes me, in some arbitrary way, accountable for doing my homework.

I’ve been thinking about changing to a self-hosted blog on WP and getting rid of the wp.com page.  For those of you who have made this leap, I’d love to get your thoughts and suggestions.  The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Just so y’all don’t think I missed a day, the #365project is based in England and so I’m working on their time for that.  So that I, in the US, feel like I am all caught up I’m going to duplicate somethings occasionally.  Also, Ginger wanted to correct me that she loves her chair all the time and not just in the fair weather.  Like a true cat, she has to get the last word on the matter.

the path not taken

This was another pre-dawn dog walk. There was a dense fog that made the entire morning grey.

 

it’s a new day

16 Saturday Apr 2016

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It’s almost like a birthday.  I started this blog as a creative outlet, a place to store recipes, collaborate, and conspire with other creative folks.  Oh the people I’ve met and the places I’ve seen since coming here have been wonderful.  I’ve made some incredible friends.  The friends here inspire me to take better photos, write more words, and drink better booze. They laugh with me, they laugh at me, and they share my journey.

I’ve expressed my disdain and great mistrust for all things facebook.  I hate to admit it, but it seems to have some usefulness.  After the post about my wonderful PBS Bluegrass Underground weekend went up on facebook, I had my best day of traffic.

This is still my creative space, but Lula Harp is expanding; more of an addition, like adding an apartment above the garage.  I’m getting on facebook.  I still feel tremendous angst over this, but I hope you’ll be my friend there, as you have here.  I haven’t really posted anything yet, but maybe you’ll inspire me.

Another thing I am celebrating today is after almost five years on wordpress, this is my 300th post.  oh happy day!  I almost feel the need to bake a cake.

 

 

Take two…

05 Friday Feb 2016

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A while ago I mentioned going to the local WP Meetup and how I had nothing in common with the folks there. As much as I am the techie geek among my circle, these folks spoke a completely different language.

Growing up I was always the weird kid. I was the only Jew in my school. I went away every summer to a Jewish summer camp with kids from big cities like Memphis (ha!), New Orleans, and Little Rock. I’d come home listening to new music (Depeche Mode and REM), wearing funny clothes, and doing strange things to my hair (I’m not going there).

When I moved to Oregon, once again, I was the oddball. I wore matching outfits and khaki shorts with loafers. My jeans had a crease in the front. Slowly I assimilated and got my first pair of Birkenstocks and stopped shaving my legs (to my mother’s horror).

Eventually the weirdness of Oregon got old as I did too. Now back in the south, I am an alien once again.

So back to tonight’s gathering of geeks. The organizer of this group, who I’d tried several times to reach out to, and was rebuffed each time, recently stepped down. Somehow she got the idea that something isn’t computing when you have 500+ members, but only 10 who attend regularly. The fella who stepped up to take her spot reached out to the group through a series of emails and I was encouraged enough to check this out again.

Tonight was a brainstorming event where it was discussed what do you want to see from this group and how can we get more people involved. We went around the room and introduced ourselves. Hi I’m a developer. Hi I’m a web designer. Hi I’m a developer and self hosting is the only way to go. Hi I do multisite. On and on and on. Then it’s my turn…

Hi. I’m taking a left turn here.  I don’t care about any of that stuff.  I’m a blogger and photographer who uses the free wordpress.com site as my medium. I’m looking to meet other creative types who want to talk about blogging.  (I know, I’m such an asshole… she giggles)

They thanked me for coming and really want to get more bloggers involved in the group. A few of them asked if I really wasn’t interested in developing and programming. I don’t need to know how to change the oil in my car to be able to drive. I just want to get behind the wheel and hit the open road.

This group really like the format of “fireside chats” where someone makes a presentation and then they discuss it. I told the previous organizer I was certain no one there cared about what I had to say and I told the guy tonight the same thing. I think the proof is in the pudding. I spoke to half of the people there, and they all asked what do you blog about. Cooking, crafting, and cocktails. Oh. I like cooking. Not one of them asked what my site was.

I’m going to go back.  Especially now that I think I have an opportunity to draw some other bloggers out of the woodwork without the fear of the geek firing squad. I’m going to come up with something interesting to present, and I’m taking suggestions. I thought about a discussion and demonstration of the difference between a biscuit and a scone. Or why we shake some cocktails and not others.  The impact of butter versus margarine in cookies…  oh the possibilities..

What do you think I should present to this group of folks?  I’m dying to hear your thoughts on this.  Such fun!

Label me this

02 Friday Oct 2015

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A friend of mine hassles me a bit when I call myself a geek, dork, or a nerd.

But for me I’ve been to so many different labels, they really don’t really mean anything anymore.

I wrote before about the power we give words. That’s kind of what I think of labels. They only have the power that we give them. I’ve been (I am) black sheep, tomboy, preppy, treehugger, feminist, leftist, hippy, loudmouth, bitch, know it all, asshole, sister, daughter, friend…. It’s an endless list.

One thing I learned very early one in my current job is stereotypes exist for a reason. They aren’t always accurate, they may be outdated, and horribly offensive. But they have developed over time because there is some “thing” in all cultures or societies that has fed this.

I’ve been a cheerleader of WordPress since I first found it. I love WordPress. The community, the ease, and the support (the app… so-so). I’ve connected in the real world to other WP users and tonight I reached out to some here in Memphis. Holy Moly! What a bunch of geeks. I sat there for an hour and half and I have almost NO idea what the hell these people were talking about. They were all developers and programmers, not bloggers and writers.

Do you remember the old Saturday Night Live skit where Eddie Murphy disguised himself as a white man to get a loan at a bank? That guy was at this meeting! Also in attendance was the comic book store guy from the Simpsons. That stereotype that nerds have no social skills? Well, the woman leading the gathering didn’t introduce anyone. She acknowledged there were new people there, and asked if the new folks had a rudimentary understanding of WP, but jumped right into a slideshow about plugins and php. I giggled when I was telling my friend about this meeting and her response was, but you’re a geek. I am a wee tadpole of a geek compared to these fellas.

Just so you don’t this this is a judgemental rant about geeks. It’s not. I’ve always been an interloper and a bit of a chameleon. I used to manage a software and video game store long before I owned my first computer. My regulars would buy a new game on day one. When they’d come in the next day, I ask them about their favorite parts and they’d tell me in great detail. I’d then use that nugget to tell the next customer that would come in and ask me about the game.

Gratefully, the gathering didn’t last as long as scheduled. I knew going in I wasn’t going to make it to the end since my alarm goes off so early. But, I am now fully prepared for the next cocktail party when someone ask me what my thoughts are on multisite, smush, or the best plugins for site optimization. I can answer that.

Heaps o’ praise

29 Tuesday Sep 2015

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I spent Sunday morning sitting in my big chair, sipping coffee, surfing the web, reading blogs, and cleaning out my inbox. I’m sure you’ve noticed, I’ve been writing more lately. I love my friends who send texts and emails to reply to my blog posts. They’ve been quite complimentary (she blushes).  Additionally, I have found a group of bloggers that offer support, commiserate, and give good feedback. In the cheerleader crowd I have a few friends who have graciously bestowed some lovely awards on me and I’ve been remiss in saying thank you.

I want to thank these folks for being such awesome cheerleaders and for saying such nice things. Part of accepting your award is you have to answer some questions. Since I’m running behind, I’m going to cherry pick questions from each of them.

the girl from Hoeville

If you were to choose between a two-way ticket to the moon or an unlimited air ticket to travel around the world, what would you choose?
no question about it… the unlimited air ticket around the world! see the next question
The five things in your bucket list that you already crossed out?
Traveled to Australia, traveled to Alaska, got a tattoo, New Years in Time Square….. and some other stuff that at the moment isn’t coming to me (at least until I hit publish)
Are you a lefty or a righty?
At the moment, I’m kinda both. This was never a goal or desire, but life’s circumstances has made it happen.

 

Mind and Life Matters

What was your choice of career when you were a kid?
I think it changed daily. At some point along the way I wanted to be a Rabbi, a police officer, a newscaster, and a veterinarian.
Your all-time favorite book or movie would be?
Books: Fool on the Hill and Tartine Bread
What according to you is a good day?
I always say this jokingly, but it is true… Every day above ground is a good day.

 

Invisible World Where Imagination Soars

Give a brief story of how your blog got started, and give a piece or two of advice to new bloggers. Thank whoever (Megan the Imaginative) nominated you, and provide a link to their blog. List who you’ve nominated in the post.
Provide a link to the original post on Edge of Night. That way, anyone can find the original guidelines and post if needed.
I started my blog as a place to record my cooking foibles, recipes, and experiments. I needed a space that I would help clear my head and connect me with other creatives.

The advise I offer is be yourself. Write for you. Don’t censor yourself because you think Aunt May will be upset that you spilled the family beans.

 

blabberwockying!

What do you like most about the present situation?
My patio. It looks out onto the 120 acre park where Coe and I spend the better portion of our days
What is the role of gratitude in your life?
This is one of those things that each person has to come to in their own way. When we are children, our parents tell us to say Thank you and very often we don’t understand the Why. I have always thanked my employees for a job well done and thanked someone who served me in a restaurant. But until I broke my shoulder and really had to ask for help, gratitude was almost superficial… that isn’t the right word, but I hope you know what I mean. Now I can say it’s genuine and heartfelt. I am genuinely grateful for all I have in my life, my amazingly supportive friends and family, and the life I am still living and am able to live.
Has blogging enriched your life? How?
Blogging has connected me to another world. One I would never have found if I hadn’t started blogging. I have found all these great folks and so many more!

 

These awards are akin to a modern-day chain letter, you pass it on. And I would like to share the love with…

Liebster: Barking Back

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Sunshine 1:  Dragons Rule OK

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Sunshine 2:  Afthead

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Blogger:  B’s Words

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Here is my list of questions for my nominees:

  1. What are 6 things you couldn’t live without?
  2. What time of day do you do your best writing/work?
  3. Biscuit or scone?
  4. Favorite season?
  5. What are your thoughts on social media?
  6. Favorite way to end the day?
  7. Best trip?
  8. Would you eat at a restaurant that was really dirty if the food was amazing?
  9. How important is it to you to learn something new?
  10. Have you ever flipped a coin to make an important decision?

 

I will admit, I have sort of bastardized the “rules” and taken many liberties.  To those whom I’ve tossed the baton, please link to those that gave to me for all the official rules.  Or feel free to run wild as I have done 😉

Thanks to all my new friends who feed my creativity and thank you to all my old friends who give me entertaining things to write about XOXO

Dear Memphis Drivers

17 Thursday Sep 2015

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I want you to know one thing. You SUCK!

You think that’s it’s normal to cut across three lanes to make a right turn. I’m fairly certain you have no idea your vehicle comes equipped with blinkers. Everyday I get on the road with you, I fear for my life.

The first three months I lived here, you nearly killed me three times. Why, WHY, would you think it’s okay, or even a good idea, to drive down the freeway with a refrigerator standing in the back of your truck without having it tied down? Did you know that the common practice is to move over a lane when you see a car coming onto the freeway, and not speed up?

Ok.  Pop quiz…  If you are driving up a hill to turn left and there is a stop sign at the top of the hill before the turn,

You…

A) Stop, then turn when the road is clear
B) Speed up, move into the oncoming lane, and fly around the car stopped at the stop sign.

This is just a thought, and this might sound crazy, but you STOP. What the hell were you thinking when you sped around me?! Was your trip to Walmart that important? Or were you about to miss the finale of the Bachelor?

Did you know that there is a LAW that if you are driving slower than the normal rate of traffic you must be in the right hand lane? Clearly this slipped past you, because this seems to be the norm around here!

Just do one thing for me and I’ll leave you be.  Please, Please, Please… Hang up the PHONE!

Sincerely (starting to rethink her career as a NASCAR driver),
Driving Miss Daisy (Insane)

 

Taking a left turn to Albequerque… I still need your votes on my poll… Let me know how YOU are going to help me find a fella

What’s in a word 

16 Wednesday Sep 2015

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This post has been rolling around in my brain for a bit and it is finally coming to fruition in response to a comment I got last week.

How much power do we give to words? We let them make our day, they make us smile or laugh, some make us cry, and some even ruin our day. Our inflection, tone, and timing make a tremendous difference in how our words are perceived and interpreted. One of the drawbacks to blogging, and writing in general, tone and inflection have little bearing on the words and their delivery.

Our writing has rhythm and flow, we know from reading an author what their general mood and themes are. But unless we hear them speak their words, we cannot hear their intended inflection. We can impose our own intentions on their written words and we often do.

So, why do we give so much power to as a single word? In my family, there’s a particular word my mother doesn’t like. We don’t say that word around her. Instead we substitute another word that we know has the same implied meaning. It has this implied meaning because we’ve made it so. This new word has no connection to the old word other than the meaning we have attached to it.

A lot of this is generational. A lot is societal. Some words just get a bad rap. I had a coworker who hated the word moist. My towel is moist after I shower. My skin is moist if I get caught in the rain. I have no idea why this particular word bothered her.

Words change meaning over time. In 1160 Anglo-Norman, Old French, and Middle French gai expressed happy, carefree, and cheerful. It changed spelling and meaning over time, but primarily meant noble, beautiful, excellent, fine, showy, and disposed to joy. Slowly other meanings began to show up. A prostitute was referred to as a gay lady in 1795 and in 1879 had been used to refer to a brothel. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the use of the word gay to refer to a homosexual wasn’t used until the 1920’s.

I recall in a communications class from college, we talked about the meaning we give inanimate objects. A table is a table only because that’s the word we have assigned and associated with that object. That object could be called sharon. Kids, could you please set the sharon so we can eat. I threw my mail on the sharon when I walked in the door. We had sex on every surface from the sofa to the kitchen sharon.

Do you recall Schoolhouse Rock? There was a song about interjections where Reginald got a shot. “Interjections (Hey!) show excitement (Yow!) or emotion (Ouch!). They’re generally set apart from a sentence by an exclamation point, Or by a comma when the feeling’s not as strong.”

Well… We can use any words to show those feelings of emotion. Reginald used the word ouch when the doctor gave him a shot, but what if he said door or jonah. JONAH!! It means whatever we assign to it.

Being offended because I called the table sharon or saying you hurt my jonah feelings makes no difference. The words are just that… Words. We chose to attach the meaning and emotion to them. We chose to be offended by them or not. They are just another way for us to express ourselves.

So y’all have a gay jonah day!

Do not link to this video if you are offended by words.

 

Always a student

11 Friday Sep 2015

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To say I was a poor student when I was in school, would be an understatement. I’m certain now I had ADD. I was bored. I wasn’t interested in anything they were teaching. I couldn’t focus on any goal despite all the prizes and bribes my parents offered.

When my mother was here recently, we had some good chats. I don’t recall how this particular conversation came about, but we talked about how much I didn’t enjoy school. She said something about how I was always reading. My response was, I was reading what I wanted to read and not what I was being made to read.

There was never a question if I was going to college. It was implied, assumed, a given. There was no option, as there seems to be now. I went. I drank. I went to football games. I occassionally went to classes. I never studied. It wasn’t until my junior year I made some decent grades because I was finally taking classes that were interesting, not just mandatory to make me a well rounded human.

For years, I fumbled around professionally. What in the hell are you supposed to do with a liberal arts degree? English and art. Sure, I can carry on a conversation with a wall. Great! You’ve just been pigeon-holed into sales! I hate selling. No. Ok. But I will admit, because I have the gift of gab, I was kinda good at it.

It has only been in maybe… the last ten years or so, that I’ve discovered some things about myself. Evidently I’m quite analytical. I’m really good at research. I’m a good project manager because I’m task oriented. I had NO FUCKING IDEA!!! Really… The first time I friend of mine said he liked how I worked, I had no idea what he was talking about. Then when he explained, I was stunned. What are you talking about?! I am not organized. People are doing this just because I asked/told them to?! What?!

It’s amazing the things we learn about ourselves when we aren’t looking, aren’t being force fed the status quo.

I have a woman in my circle of friends. I won’t call her a friend despite the fact I have regular interactions with her. She really is a sweet woman. But holy moly, she is dumber than a box of rocks. In my day job, I teach kindergarten (not really… but sort of), and I will say the same thing to this woman 3 or 4 different ways and she still can’t figure out what I’m trying to communicate. This is where I step back. Take a deep breath. Analyze what I am saying. Try and figure out where the holes are. It’s always the same answer. Her.

To quote Meg, I have to learn where to put this bag of fertilizer, so as not to stink up the whole place. I have to learn how to cope with this situation. Learn one more skill. Find another tool in my toolbox.

Now where is that darn toolbox?

Today’s #writing101 assignment was to pick a tweet and run with it. What did it make us think of?  My last few posts have been more stream on consciousness. Just pulling a thread and seeing how it unravels.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a few.

https://mobile.twitter.com/thisisEJKoh/status/420362403180597248

around the world and back again

10 Thursday Sep 2015

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I was in such a hurry to leave the south all those years ago.  I almost forgot why.  When I came back, I thought I was coming to a city with some character and culture, and not just another small town like the one I left behind.

The palates here are unrefined.  The vision is narrow.  The ideas are limited, and the creativity is stifled.

I forget how much I’ve seen and done; how much I’ve tasted and experienced.

I have to remind myself every day.  I have been so lucky and so blessed.

 

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