Saturday, September 18, 2004

I'll show you mine, if you'll show me yours.

I've heard rumbles that the alerts are going wacky again. Bloglines has been a fantastic tool to keep track of the journals that I follow. Thanks Slomo for turning me onto it.  Currently, I am 1,978 entries behind and counting. Don't let that scare you though from giving it a try. It really is a great tool and has helped my sanity remain somewhat intact. For those already using Bloglines, I dare you to show me yours.

Work is still crazy. I still don't have a new person hired so I'm working like a dog but I'm feeling pretty good about it. I should be able to get everything done by the end of the month. Hopefully.

But don't think that it has been all work and no play for Robbie. Last night I had a fantastic dinner of Chicken Mole and Sangria at a great restaurant called The Spanish Kitchen. Sorry for being late Kevin.

I also finished reading the book, Memoirs of a Geisha. which I had started while I was on vacation. It's written by Arthur Golden which was a bit strange for me. The story is told as if the main character Sayuri is telling him her story and he is recording it for publication. Half way through reading it, I realized that the book said it was a fiction on the cover. It made me begin to doubt the validity of the context in which the story is told since the author isn't Japanese nor is he a woman. However, according to him he did a tremendous amount of research for the book. And, I must admit, it is a wonderful book as demonstrated by the closing paragraph: "It's true that sometimes when I cross Park Avenue, I'm struck with the peculiar sense of how exotic my surroundings are. The yellow taxicabs that go sweeping past, honking their horns; the women with their briefcases, who look so perplexed to see a little old Japanese woman standing on the street corner in kimono. But really, would Yoroido seem any less exotic if I went back there again? As a young girl I believed my life would never have been a struggle if Mr. Tanaka hadn't torn me away from my tipsy house. But now I know that our world is no more permanent than a wave rising on the ocean. Whatever our struggles and triumphs, however we may suffer them, all too soon they bleed into a wash, just like watery ink on paper."

Speaking of Art. Judith Heartsong hosted an essay contest on her journal that ended tonight. I'm very bummed that I didn't make the opportunity to participate because she was giving away one of her torch portraits that she painted for the journal anniversary celebration, one of which is currently residing in my sidebar. Her artwork is amazing. I've often wondered how much she charges for an item. But, you know the saying if you have to ask, you can't afford it. So, I don't ask. I know I can't afford it. But, kudos to the winner and most specially to Judith for doing such a wonderful thing.

Lastly, I haven't forgotten about the video that I promised a few entries ago. I'm working on getting cable for my computer so that I can upload it and not have it take all day. I went last weekend to Circuit City and bought a wireless router and almost signed up for cable internet on the spot but I didn't already have cable service so they couldn't do it for me. Believe it, or not, I have never had cable service before. My last roommates did so I would watch it with them on Sundays but I never felt I had the need for it. If there's nothing to watch on the broadcast channels, I have plenty of other things to do. Today, the cable guy came and hooked me up. I'll be going back to Circuit City tomorrow to sign up for the internet version. Then, I'll have to schedule them to come back out and hook that up. I could have done it all through Adelphia but Circuit City's deal is much better. But, wow, do I feel like a kid in a candy store. I'm looking forward to watching HBO tomorrow night. I sure hope The Sopranos and Six Feet Under are still being televised.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

When I created my subs in Bloglines, I clicked Mark All Read. From then on, new entries started aggregating and those are the ones I check. But when you add a blog to the list, it will show all new back to a given point, which makes it look a lot worse that it really is, cuz really, do you read every post for each new blog you find? :) I have 140 feeds in Bloglines, including my own (which lets me easily keep track of the number of subscribers). I also have another dozen or so blogs in my LiveJournal Friends and some more AOL journals I have on Alerts but haven't gotten around to adding to Bloglines yet.

Anonymous said...

LOL - 1978...I remember it well.  Ugh.  That's a lot of reading.  I can soooooo relate.  Judith's contest is wonderful.  If I had any time at all, I'd join y'all.  Maybe next time.  Looking forward to work slowing down for you.  sheesh.  I miss you!  Cool that Circuit City has an internet deal.  Who knew? [not me]  Woohoo for cable and highspeed internet access!! :)

Anonymous said...

I hate bloglines because (people like me....LOL) edit a gazillion times and it shows up as a new entry each time. I like the AOL alerts better (when they are working) because they don't do that.
As for the cable for your comp, you will NEVER be sorry. It's wonderful.

Angela : )

Anonymous said...

You live in LA, where regurlar tv is fairly diverse.  Out in the boonies of Oregon, if you don't get cable, you don't get much.  I'm hooked on cable networks like HGTV and TLC.  And QVC!  Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

I am tempted to do blog lines... but adding to my faves will do the job too.. lol i would just forget about bloglines I am sure.. hope the alerts get fixed fast.  I will have to check out that book and put it on my list of things to do.  I do not have cable, havnt for almost 5 yrs now.  It is always a treat when I go over to ppls houses that do have itlol.  But I can say life is a bit more simple with out it.  I get distracted easy.  I have DSL threw my phone company.  I have heard that cable sucks compared to dsl.. let us know.

Much Love,
Mary

Anonymous said...

I got introduced to Bloglines by SloMo, too.  And I'm so happy I did! I don't use AOL Alerts, frankly, I can't stand a full email box.  And Bloglines is great just reading through instead of clicking every single email or journal site.

My goodness 1978 ??? LOL -=)

I hope work gets better for you.  

Anonymous said...

The Soprano's are on....but the season does not start until sometime in 2005.  maybe Sept!  The only thing on cabel I watch is IFC channel.  I could live with out the hundreds of stations until....Sopranos!   I have read the most terrific book lately called, My Dream of You.  I have been tempted to put in a passage from the book...maybe I will!

Anonymous said...

Robbie you will love the cable.  I do have to say I loved Judiths essay.   john

Anonymous said...

Definately going to go check bloglines out :)
mmm love sangria!
Judiths artwork is amazing and I could kick myself for not participating in the essay!

Anonymous said...

Hey Robbie!!!! I love Chicken Mole.....My grandmother taught me how to make it before she passed..it is my favorite meal... but it is quite a task to do it at home... sorry you haven't found a new person at work.... try not to work too hard!!! take care...

Anonymous said...

I haven't used my bloglines, since the alerts came out. So I bet  mine says that same thing. But I actually don't even remember my bloglines password. So im thinking about just starting it all over again. I really can't believe you don't have cable. OMG doesn't your reception suck? LOL eh well your getting it now that's all that matters. You will love highspeed. You already know how to do pics and stuff so you will be zipping around this place like a maniac i'm sure. I would have been disapointed that a man wrote the book too. But it does sound interesting.

Anonymous said...

Your journal is so funny ! I am new to all this stuff. What are Bloglines? Loved your story about the cat & dogs. Try not to work so hard !

Anonymous said...

::smacks head:: I didnt get my essay entry done in time. Crap.
Anyway! My alerts have been all sorts of crazy! I thought about trying bloglines again, but for whatever reason its just confusing to me LOL. I LOVED memoirs of a geisha...Golden did an excellent job, and I thought it was a true story too until a few days after I finished it. My favorite chapter is how she relates this little moth she finds to her life..I was all sorts of swirled up into that book. The movie is coming out this year, Zhang Xiyi (or however you spell her name) is playing Sayuri (thats her name right? I havent read the book in like 4 years lol). Cant wait!
~Mary

Anonymous said...

I like the way you have your sites set up in bloglines. Bit like a circut to run. Nothing like mine: http://www.bloglines.com/public/StevenEmmett

Anonymous said...

hmmmmmmm....... I am actually much more affordable than you probably realize!! Right now I am trying to get my new name around and build a new following in a new area, so...... SOME work is better than NO work. I am also pretty famous for working with people on budgets and have a payment plan.... so you just might be surprised Robbie! You are wonderful! Have a good week! judi

Anonymous said...

Hey Robbie, well you are about 150 entries behind in my journal, if you don't include all the edits, which would bring it up to 250... harrumph!  Actually, I've been bad at blog-jogging myself.  I'm afraid to try Bloglines because then I'd have even more guilt.  

I miss ya, huns!  <----meant to induce more guilt.  --Albert

Anonymous said...

I started off with bloglines, but then when the alerts began I used those.  I have a handful still on bloglines, but maybe I should just take the time to put them all on there.  I LOVED Memoirs of a Geisha.  I read it about 4-5 years ago, but I still remember it.  It was one of those books that someone gave me and I thought I wouldn't like it but I ended up loving it.

Anonymous said...

Robbie, Thanks for mentioning Bloglines. Went there yesterday and I`m now all set up!
V

Anonymous said...

Hey Robbie...that bloglines is spiffy!  Would it be ok if I pimp you and it on my site later?  I know I am going to be using it now........I sure became addicted quick LOL!

Your journal is one of my stops everytime I get the chance!  Very interesting!

Anonymous said...

My bloglines is completely out of control.  You look like you have yours pretty organized - I'm jealous!  LOL  The only negative about bloglines is that you can get pretty overwhelmed when you realize just how far behind you are.  It's such a great program that you instantly start keeping up with MORE journals... and before you know it, you're overloaded.  Still... it's fine, so long as you're able to put the stress out of mind and remember to take one entry at a time.  :D

The Spanish Kitchen looks GREAT!  I'll eventually have to make a trip out to California - I'm adding that one to my restaurant list.  :P

Anonymous said...

SloMo got me hooked on Bloglines about 9 months ago.  Things were going so smooth, I had my favorite 10 journals listed and I'd hit others here and there, too.  Then, about a month ago, Bloglines said "based on your current subscriptions, here are some other journals you might enjoy."  

Oh, cool!  They were all people I recognized, so I started adding them.  And adding.  And adding.  

Now I have about 60 journals listed and I'm sinking deeper and deeper.  Even if everyone only wrote ONE entry a day, I'd never stay caught up.  Then we have people who write four or five every day and I just basically give up.  Ugh!! I blame Bloglines!  If they hadn't known I'd fall in love with all these journals, I wouldn't be in this mess!