The Difference Editing Can Make...

I've been trying to figure out more photo-editing "stuff" so I am posting a "before-and-after" of Mads...Click on each picture for an up-close and personal view (better detail).

I'm not convinced that the second one is better, but at least it is different:




Ok, back to the restricted-blog topic. I'm not done with this one yet. After some studying and soul-searching, research and meditation, I've decided that a person's decision to restrict their blog probably depends on their goal for starting the blog. For instance, if you, like me, have a blog as a way to connect with people and you hope that you connect or re-connect with new people on a regular basis, then your blog shouldn't be restricted, but you shouldn't be overly personal on it either. If you want to send personal info about you and your family, then email it.

If you are keeping a journal-like blog, with details that could "give you away" then you should restrict your blog and you know exactly who is seeing what.

Or, you could have two blogs; one of each type. More fun for everyone.

Here's the other thing, and maybe this is my problem. I use Google Reader to keep track of the blogs I check regularly. It shows me my list and lets me know when one of the blogs has been updated. Such a sweet spp! But it doesn't work with restricted blogs (as far as I can tell) so I find myself not checking some of the restricted blogs as often. So, I'm selfish. And now I know that. But Google Reader is too awesome to stop using and it saves me a ton of time. You ought to sign up and use it. It'll add like 4 years to your life.

I'm still working on scanning the me-in-a-mullet-picture-from-1990 as promised. There isn't a Photoshopping program in the world that can undo the damage that the 1980's did to me. And the picture will be proof enough. Do you know how many year's worth of students have begged to see this picture???

Ashley's B-day Cake

Ashley helped make her b-day cake this afternoon after we all went as a family to play tennis.

But, don't get sidetracked...I still want people to read the last post about going private with blogs. I'm getting some feedback, but I still have a little problem with this, as I will explain later...

Okay, I'VE HAD IT!!!

UPDATE: Ok, I just figured out why people have restricted blogs after reading some of the comments on Tricia's blog. But I still think there is a way around that. Just moderate the comments through your email and you're good to go. RIght?

Now listen...I don't want anyone offended or complaining or anything like that. But I'm running into a problem with blogs that is quite vexing, to say the least. And what is sad is that I was going to post a much-anticipated picture of me with a mullet from high-school, but instead I have to post this. So, the mullet will have to wait.


Here goes:

So many bloggers are going to "restricted" or "invitation only" or whatever it is called, and I am only able to check in every so often, that now I am going to blogs I have been checking for months now, AND I CAN'T GET IN!!! And, to make matters worse, there is no email anywhere to ask for permission or an invitation. So, I'm stuck.

The fun of all of this is, was, that I would happen upon a blog of some friend or old student that I haven't seen in years, and I would get to see how great their life is going and what a neat family they have. Now, all I see is "I'm going to be stalked so I'm restricting this blog".

There must be something I don't know about blogging and the risk involved. I suppose that if you are putting a bunch of fairly personal and detailed info on the blog, then people could steal your identity. And if you really, really want to put those details up, then I suppose you should go on the restricted plan. But if you post normal, non-detailed stuff, wouldn't you be OK letting people read it?

Convince me otherwise...



It happened this morning. I went to check a certain blog, that will remain nameless to protect the guilty. Such a let down. Actually, here is the blogger, in code: "AJCI". So, if AJCI can recognize who she is, I'd love an invitation. You may have sent me one already and I forgot to sign in, which is my fault. So, if you'd oblige me this once...



Now, don't anyone go getting your feelings hurt. Just explain whatever it is that I don't understand so that I can restrict my blog, too.

Next up, "the mullet". But not until I get this problem figured out.

Question...

Does this scanner make me look fat?

Girls' Photo Shoot

Janese took the boys skiing, so I did a photo-session with the ladies...

To see a few more pics, check the photo blog...

Quick Update and Weird Stuff

We've focused on helping our girls develop a strong sense of "self". Maddie has caught on. Tonight I read with her, sang with her, prayed with her, and put her into her crib. I then said, "Goodnight, Chicken Pot Pie". To that she said, "I not Kickin' Tot Tie. I Madelyn."

So, that's cute and all, but how's this for cute:

This comes from Reuters News Service. For some reason the story reminds me of this little gem. I really, really wish I had pictures of this. I guess I could photoshop something, but your imagination should be more than good enough. Here's the story, undiluted:

TOKYO (Reuters) - A Japanese man was arrested for trespassing this week after turning up at a high school dressed in a girl's uniform and a long wig, local police said.

Thirty-nine-year-old Tetsunori Nanpei told police he had bought the uniform over the Internet and put it on to take a stroll near the school in Saitama, north of Tokyo, on Wednesday, the daily Asahi Shimbun said.

When students standing outside the gates started to scream at the sight of him, he dashed inside the school grounds, hoping to blend in with the crowds of teenagers, the paper said.

They also screamed, forcing the man to flee, losing his wig in the process. A school clerk pursued him and stopped him at a nearby riverbank, the paper said.

Police confirmed the arrest of the man in school uniform and wig but declined to give further details.

Here's my favorite part, quoted,"...students standing outside the gates started to scream at the sight of him..." and "They also screamed..." I've gotta say at this point, I love Reuters and their "Oddly Enough" section...too bad there are no pictures...