The Flatland Almanack

Aside: Now Co-Blogging at The Moderate Voice!

I don't want to appear to boast, which is why I haven't come right out and mentioned in so many words (till now) that Joe Gandleman, of the nationally prestigious centrist blog The Moderate Voice, invited me to blog there.  It's strictly supplementary to Buck Naked Politics (which is mine own), but it is a thrill and an honor but still a bit overwhelming.  Well, you know how it is:  "Yay!  I get to post at The Moderate Voice, a major national political blog!", quickly followed by, "Oh no!  I need to come up with a post good enough for The Moderate Voice, a major national political blog!!"  Given the other people posting there, including of course Gandleman himself, it is a bit intimidating, though all of them have been exceptionally kind and encouraging. 

Fortunately, I have D Cupples to keep me on track.  "JUST DO IT.  IT'S A CHANCE TO GET OUR NAME OUT THERE," she said, after at first patiently and then less patiently listening to a couple of hours of vaporings and jitterings.  Plus she's helping me think up topics. 

So far I've posted twice and I'm working up something for tomorrow. 

Yay, Hillary! The Reports of her Death have Been Greatly Exaggerated

BUCK NAKED POLITICS. Is it wrong that, though an Edwards supporter, I'm so thrilled by the Clinton upset in New Hampshire, where Obama was "supposed" to carry the day? (I like him and am drawn to him and so on, but I don't trust his views on health care).  Part of the thrill is the dismay and backing-and-filling of the usual pundits and prophets, but the other part is, yes, Hillary.  Who made a very stirring speech that gave me a frisson or two.  See my note here.   BWAH-HA-HA-HA-HA!

Dare to be Merry

Floridiana Gloriana Resurgent!

I will admit I got pretty discouraged.   My photographs, though greatly beloved, show the signs of having been scanned from prints (and necessarily tweaked as a result).  They meant well, but they weren't that great.

Then it occurred to me:  by using Flickr's Creative Commons I can BOTH promote the work of photographers who are much more skillful than I am AND carry out my purpose of showing the world what Florida is really all about.  (But don't all move here, please.  Thanks!)   

I also did some necessary housekeeping and rearranging.  Now it looks much better.

Ways of Coping When Things Are Out of Your Control

< Get "The Magi" by Damozel | THE FLATLAND CHRONICLES.  I admit to fretting.  After doing so well the first day, my father-in-law had a complication requiring further emergency surgery (thank God for the NHS, I say again).  He was doing all right by yesterday noon (our time) and we haven't heard anything to the contrary today.  No news is good news, right?  I couldn't sleep at all last night and I couldn't really concentrate on anything that required a lot of writing/analysis so I found other ways----soon to be revealed----to occupy myself.  What else are hobbies for?   Journal is here.

Since it got me through a few minutes of the day, I thought it only right to link to "The British Spongebob", an excellent parody that is neither for children nor sensitive American ears.   I linked to my two favorite episodes so far.  Yep, that's one of the things I do when I'm stressed:  I watch cartoons.   And---having finally worked out one thing I want for Christmas (besides John to be all right)---Nick took me for a post-midnight Wal-Mart run (LA LA LA LA LA LA LA It's the only place that's open at that hour LA LA LA LA LA), but we came up empty. 

For John

In our different ways, we're praying hard here. 

Still Here, Still Working Full-Time on the Political Blog

I really DO intend to begin blogging about my own life again.  But getting Buck Naked Politics up and running (and with a 200+ technorati ranking) and still working full-time has absorbed all my energy.  Please visit me there!

"A Gentleman's Domain" Featured in This Week's Thursday 13!

  Nick's blog, "A Gentleman's Domain", was selected this week for THURSDAY THIRTEEN'S featured new blog!

This will be because of the sophistication and elegance of his prose style and his creativity in applying the meme!  He didn't submit his blog; he was just chosen!

HUZZAH!  You can see his list here.

Quote of the Day for Easter Sunday, 8 April 2007: The Pope on a World Gone Wrong.

If you're expecting a message of hope, you'll be disappointed, but---though I'm not especially pro-Pope---he's right about a lot of what he says and right to make people think about it. 

Did Adam fall, and Christ rise, so that Darfur could happen while the Christian world sits on its hands or busies itself with its own interests?   That's my interpretation, anyway.  I only had the excerpt to base it on.  I'm glad he keeps making people think about these things, particularly complacent christians (yes, like me) who are loth to let go of their happy thoughts.   

Read more at Versus/Reversus.

The Flatland Chronicles for THE IDES OF MARCH. Which is actually the topic.

I decided to join a meme site as a way of stimulating thought and---just possibly---making connections in the blogosphere.  The connection part is perhaps a bit problematic as I seem to be older and more childless than most women who join community sites (but that could just be me being paranoid).  Anyway, I was happy that I joined "The Thursday 13" because by doing so I found a page full of interesting Ides-themed links concerning Julius Caesar.  And whereas I hold not the briefest brief for Caesar, pictures of Italian cats are always welcome (not to mention the full text version of Antony's rabble-rousing speech to the mob. 

Anyway, to get to the link and my comments etc., JUMP TO THE FLATLAND CHRONICLES HERE.