God. What a week. First Kevin “Too Fat For The Sky” Smith gets kicked off that Southwest flight and yesterday some whackadoo flies his damn plane into a building with some IRS offices in my fair hamlet of Austin, Texas.
I’m pretty much ready to lock my door, turn off all my personal equipment and hunker down for the weekend with a bottle of Basil-Hayden’s and some Almodovar films until everyone has regained what they have lost of their damn minds.
HOWEVER, before I do that we’ve got a little housekeeping to do:
Comments: Do you know who does the comment admin? ME. And it sucks, because there are always a million spam comments that somehow make it through the filter trying to sell me things that normally would require a fake foreign visa and a cash-only trip to Thailand. The only thing that’s WORSE than spam is having to go and moderate comments from het up readers whose passionate feelings override their better sense when it comes to what is and is not appropriate on the blog.
Francesca, Twistie and I are fair game. I like Twistie so you take your blogging life in your hands if you go after her, but generally speaking you can have at us. Don’t go after other readers with ad hominem attacks or telling them to leave. If your name isn’t on the masthead, you don’t get a say as to who is welcome on this blog. Sorry! (But not really!)
Keep the profanity to a minimum. I love a well-placed f bomb as much as the next gal, assuming the next gal is a merchant marine, but this is a family blog so keep it clean.
There is a reason James Joyce does not post in comments. Sure, technically that reason is that he’s dead, but ALSO he’s long-winded. I LOVE that y’all are erudite and clever and put thought into your comments, but when they run to five and six hundred words? Perhaps a blog with a linkback might be more appropriate. It shows up in the comments field anyway. Also, there is no excuse for a 1048 word comment –not that I’m naming any names, ROBIN.
If you’re going to flounce, flounce and be quiet about it. Listen, we love each and every one of our readers, but there are a LOT of you. Francesca and Twistie aren’t around enough for the care and keeping of your individual heartstrings and I’m too mean to do it. So if you’re going to get your pwecious feeeeewings hurt and you want to leave forever, then just leave. Don’t throw a big hissy about it. We hate to see you go, but we trust your judgment as an adult enough not to try to convince you to stay.
Don’t troll advertise. Dude. We know what you’re trying to do by putting vapid six word comments on every.single.post. with a link to your own blog. If you want to advertise on the blog we would LOVE to take your money, if you want us to link to your blog, send me an email. I’ll check it out and if I like it, I’ll put it on the roll.
Okay, that’s all the admin for this week! Happy trails, campers! I’ll see you on the other side of the weekend.
Well said, Plumcake. But have you tried Eagle Rare? Yum!
Comment by Astra — February 19, 2010 @ 4:35 pm
I laughed out loud when I read that “this is a family blog.” I’m picturing a Leave It To Beaver-esque scene with a father reading blog posts aloud to his wife and children, and it’s cracking me up.
Comment by jen209 — February 19, 2010 @ 4:57 pm
Despite the fact I am now paranoid that I fall into one of the categories reviled above, I do want to wish you a fantastic weekend of bourbon and Almodovar flicks! Can’t really imagine a better way to spend a weekend, really.
Comment by Alexis — February 19, 2010 @ 4:58 pm
ETA: I hadn’t read the comment for the last post when I commented here. I suspect that I am, indeed, not the target of the above statements.
Not that I needed you to validate my emotions. ;)
Comment by Alexis — February 19, 2010 @ 5:11 pm
I’m sure everything will be alright now because . . . your wish is our command!
Comment by Mimi Stratton — February 19, 2010 @ 5:52 pm
Nope! These were just general admonishments! Obviously I don’t mind naming names (DO YOU HEAR ME 1048 WORD ROBIN?) so carry on!
Comment by Plumcake — February 19, 2010 @ 5:54 pm
Ah, Almodovar! What a lovely way to spend an afternoon, evening or weekend. Enjoy!
Comment by Mrs. Hendricks — February 19, 2010 @ 7:27 pm
AMEN! I hate it when my readers throw a hissy fit about leaving. It’s like…I don’t caaaaaaaare! Well I do, but when they have a tantrum, THEN I don’t care.
Comment by Jennifer — February 19, 2010 @ 8:41 pm
I may very well refer to this very post when writing a similar post of my own that’s been cooking. While to date my spam filter has got the more egregious comment abusers, I have days where I seriously consider taking down my “website contact” link.
Comment by Diana — February 20, 2010 @ 4:16 pm
I ran discussion site for many years….it’s a crap job to be an administrator.
You do a GREAT job. I have a huge amount of respect for your writing, your taste and your ability to kick ass in hot lookin’ shoes.
Keep it up, babe!
Comment by that redhead — February 20, 2010 @ 10:40 pm
Oh, I dunno; flamewars are GREAT for hits!
Comment by raincoaster — February 21, 2010 @ 7:04 am
Another rule–make sure all chemical crutches have been consumed so everyone can start the flamewar on an equal playing field.
Comment by dcsurfergirl — February 21, 2010 @ 11:48 am
Nicely put! I also despise it when you get person A who states an unpopular opinion, people B, C and D disagree, and person A gets all butthurt and says “Well, I guess I won’t be visiting this site anymore if I’m not allowed to have an opinion!”
Everybody’s allowed an opinion, and people are allowed to have opinions about YOUR opinions. If you can’t handle that, then pull an Andrew Sullivan and open your own blog with no comments section so that you can spout your opinions all the live-long day with no risk of someone hurting your feelings by disagreeing with you.
And yes, being an administrator is a truly thankless task, so please know that you ARE appreciated.
Comment by La Petite Acadienne — February 21, 2010 @ 6:52 pm
Can I just say once again how much I appreciate your ability to Tell People Things They Need to Know About Themselves (or however you put it)? Have you considered renting that out? Because seriously, I have a handful of co-workers and a whole flock of in-laws in need of some home truths.
Comment by Evie — February 21, 2010 @ 11:34 pm
long time reader (like years long) first time commenter.
FUNNY STUFF HERE!!!
so funny!! ha ha ha!!
THERE I KEPT IT BRIEF UNLIKE ROBIN!
;)
Comment by Mrs. Hall — February 22, 2010 @ 9:01 pm
Love this post. Thanks for the reminder about profanity. I always wonder if it’s okay for the occasional vulgar word. I guess it’s best to play it safe and not use any.
Comment by All Women Stalker — February 23, 2010 @ 2:46 am
(Kicks dirt with toe.) I KNOW I was one of the out-of liners. I’ll be better!
Comment by La BellaDonna — February 23, 2010 @ 6:24 pm