Blog Daddy, Harvey of Bad Example broke the news about blogger supporting photos (with some major limitations) in this post. Now I'll break the news about Blogger's Mobile Photo/Blogging feature, which I've been using for the past few weeks now, since my computer has been out of commission. [I'm currently visiting with my mom's and I'm using my sister's computer to post this.]

Anyway, being that I had a camera phone w/video capability I decided to test both my camera-phone and their hosting capabilities out. So I decided to resurrect my old blogspot spite temporarily to engage in an experiment of sorts. Well, after only a few tries I loved it. Espeically since my pc accessibility at the moment is limited as Colin explains in this post

So far I love it. I just snap, email or mms with a subject line (which is the post's title), then write as long or short a text message (which is the body of the post) as I want to and then send it to blogger... they do the rest. Later I can go in and edit what I've written or delet the picture from the HTML code. Now the question that's not addressed in their info is size capacity of photos and/or total photo storage capacity. Hmmm, must explore!

To view my first efforts please visit: lettersfromnyc.blogspot.com. Feel free to leave a comment there.

Posted by: Michele at 09:57 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Thought I'd share this item from the London Times with you:

"Over the past fortnight Israeli intelligence agents have noticed something distinctly odd happening on the internet. One by one, Al-QaedaÂ’s affiliated websites have vanished until only a handful remain..." more...

Posted by: 1Colin at 01:32 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Well, you will not believe... I've got the but! Ooops sorry. Freudian slip there. It was supposed to be "bug," but I was thinking about writing on the kinds of things that really interest me, when my hands began to caress the keyboard for inspiration. Tickling the keys is something I do to help me relax and get my writing assignments started at work. A sort of calling on the muses - all 7 of them at the same time : )

In this case, I was eager to start, but was obviously going though a moment of premature typing. You know what premature typing is, don't you? I'm sure some of you have experienced it at one time or another. It's when your fingers work faster and more furiously because they're directly connected to your subconcious brain, and it's doing it so fast that the censory part of your brain doesn't get a chance to edit. Well, "but" is what came out of my fingertips, when what I meant to write was: I've got the blogging bug!

Actually, I already have a list of things I'd like to post about, but that will have to be deferred until I take care of some important business here first. Before I embark on those I have 2 things which I must take care of publicly, as that's how I committed my first Blogging Sins, publicly. Michele tried to warn me about them ahead of time but the arrogant person that I am, I got carried away with my eagerness, enthusiasm and what she calls my "attention whoring tendencies".

In fact, it was a colleague who pointed out that I owe her a big apology for the following sins:
- unwelcome public lechery above and beyond what is acceptable
- humor at the expense of a kind and unsuspecting host
- non-consensual and descriptive disclosure of items relating to her/our jobs
- judgemental statements to someone who has only been fun, kind and sweet and who has broadened my horizons

I am also writing this here, because I have not been able to get in touch with M directly, and she's not been at work. I arrived too late Tuesday night to meet with her (another of my sins), so she must now think I'm a terrible cad.

M, please know that I'm profoundly sorry for my ineptitude, overeager, careless and virginal blogging transgressions. I will now go and spend some time finishing Harvey's blogging tips archive as you suggested.

To all my commenters, in particular the impressive Contagion, I will stop by soon to visit. But first, excuse me while I go to my room and and give myself a good whacking for all my transgressions.

Posted by: 1Colin at 02:00 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 You are sooooo going to fit into the Bad Example Family. Your mind is already there! There being the gutter!

Posted by: Machelle at July 28, 2005 08:55 AM (ZAyoW)

2 ROTFLMAO!

Posted by: vw bug at July 28, 2005 12:23 PM (dkZJv)

3 SNORT! Think you are going to fit in well. Even if you are no good for haggis...

Posted by: Laughing Wolf at July 28, 2005 01:20 PM (zI0Ey)

4 I do rather like the contrite side of you. I was almost tempted to believe your sincerity. I guess the proof will be in the reformation.

Posted by: cathy at July 28, 2005 01:30 PM (ht2RK)

5 Screw that... keep up with the way you where going.

Posted by: Contagion at July 29, 2005 12:36 PM (Q5WxB)

6 Reform nothing. ONWARD! :-)

Posted by: Harvey at July 30, 2005 12:58 PM (ubhj8)

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[Michele sent this to me a few weeks ago when she was trying to lure me to be a guest blogger at her site. I've posted these tips here for 2 reasons: they've helped me; and so far, I haven't found anything comparable on the web. Plus, I found them to be full of interesting innuendos. I must say, I found them to be hot blogging tips indeed!]

Colin, if you can master these simple steps as you begin, then youÂ’re well on your way to blog heaven, where you get into a mode where itÂ’s love and nothing but love of blogging. In considering you as I write this, I can safely say it will perhaps be the best relationship youÂ’ll ever have because it will be: on your terms, under your control, and at the level of passion and intensity that depends solely on your effort and level of enthusiasm. The reader just has to sit there, and whether they yawn or not depends on your style and content, which is another matter entirely.

1. The title’s the thing – its your hook – whether you come up with it first, last or in the middle, the key thing about the title is that you entice or seduce your reader into lingering on the page, without fully revealing your position or opinion on something or the outcome of the post. Titles that are Humorous, Mysterious and Witty are surefire hooks.

more...

Posted by: 1Colin at 12:27 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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I'm a man of wealth and taste. I've been around for a long long year, stealing many a woman's heart and faith. I was around when sweet Michele had her time of doubt and pain. She dueled fiercely with some sinisters, who worked hard to seal her fate.

Pleased to meet you...Colin is my name! Bet what's puzzling you is the nature of my game.

more...

Posted by: Colin at 01:36 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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I've been posting on online security issues and I was wondering if I should continue or not bother. So I thought, why not ask: So through the anonymous poll below you can let me know. Thanks for the feedback!

Posted by: Michele at 09:49 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Thanks to blog-sis Tammi, of TammiÂ’s World, for bringing back to mind my favorite scent that's tied to a memory. For me that scent is tied to my first two memories ever. I was almost 2 years old when I went to visit my grandparents for the first time.

They lived near the beach with my uncle who was young and single. My uncle, who had picked us up at the airport decided to take a walk and I followed him in tow. He picked me up to cross the road and over to the beach. The first scent that hit my nostrils in this brand new world was the smell of sun scorched sea grass that covered the edge of the road and which we had to step on in order to get to the beachÂ’s edge. I can almost still smell it!

The second scent memory was created a short while after the first. After spending a little while with my uncle on that beach, he picked me up once again to take me home. As I placed my head on his shoulder and began to dose off I got to smell a mixture of a sun dried cotton shirt with a hint of sweat, suntan lotion, and aftershave. That was the last scent I went to bed with almost every night as he rocked me to sleep. To this day I still love the scent of a guy whoÂ’s worn a soft cotton shirt in the sun.

Every time I go to the beach I usually wear a cotton shirt as a cover-up which usually means that IÂ’ll be enjoying my own scent on the shirt the entire ride home! I love summer!

Posted by: Michele at 08:28 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Space!

Infinite, unthinking, beautiful -- there is no peace like it in this world, whether by trance or narcotic. Married with the joy of flight, the unblinking starscape becomes my paradise. Weightless, my ruined body feels young strength. Boundless, my spirit soars.
via The Darth Side

Posted by: Michele at 12:16 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Reading Suggestions:

First up is an incredible post by Eric of Straight White Guy. He has an incredibly poignant tale, and writes with great sensitivity and eloquence of a different time, and about a kind of man one seldom finds today. I read it a few days ago and it's still with me. I thought his style was reminiscent of Hemingway. You be the judge. It's compelling reading so please click through!

Second, from my expat friends at No Pasaran, comes two articles of interest. The first is regarding the network of individuals being connected to the Oil for Food Scandal. The second is how my old alma mater is trying to derail American Consersvatism.

Third, is our dear Commisar at the Politburu Diktat, who counters these critics of American Conservatism by exposing "the Granolious Far Left" in his own forum. Please read in this order so the full effect can be achieved.

Fourth, there seems to be a concerted effort by the MSM (these last 3 weeks) to be on the attack regarding the administration's withdrawal from the Kyoto Treaty. Stephen Macklin (Hold The Mayo), has done an excellent post that both counters the criticism, while simultaneiously providing scientific data that puts this criticism in it's proper light. In essence its the myth and truth about Global Warming. I couldn't have done a better job myself.

Finally, the eagerly anticipated NIN (Nine Inch Nails) album - With Teeth - is out, and was recently reviewed by a friend, so please stop by for a quick read and visit.

That's all the writing I have time for today. Life beckons so I must answer!

Posted by: Michele at 03:59 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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I'm just overjoyed! I finally scheduled an hour for myself to catch up with my blog family. Reading my blogsis, Tammi of Road Warrior Survival, brought some happy tears to my eyes. In her posts: "Be Careful What You Ask For" and "Almost" we get to see her stong faith and positive attitude, not only are they amazing, she's inspirational. I was really happy to read that things are going so great for her. I'm going to call her and tell her myself while she's on the road, but I needed to share her wonderful news with all of you too.

But I especially love this affirming line from one of these posts:
"Anything worth having is worth waiting for."

more...

Posted by: Michele at 10:23 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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If you're reading this, it's becaue I'm elbow deep in cables, wires and computer entrails. My PC was finally coming to it's last breath, and warning me about it for awhile. So, after some nudging (or hexes) from Jon I decided to just get on with it and do the overhaul that it needed.

I tested the waters earlier today by fixing my son's pc. Tomorrow night I'll begin tackling my pc. In the previous post I wrote ALL about it, so if you're so inclined go and read all I'm doing during this coming week.

To keep you amused and entertained, IÂ’ve transfered my archives from my former site on blogspot, and have linked below my top 10 posts (based on hits and ranking) for your perusal. You be the judge and let me know if you agree with the rankings. By the way, if you take the Quiz, I'll be posting the answer keys to the questions on 4-16-05. Have fun reading!

10.From the Shores of the Tigris River
9. Letters from Baghdad
8. Moore dangerous than al-Zarqawi?
7. Deconstructing Kerry's Health Plan
6. Democracy and Rage
5. Terror & The Men In My Squad
4. To My Fallen Friends
3. Lost in Translation
2. J'accuse!
1. A Fun and Sexy Quiz

This post will stay at the top until I return to blogging F/T.

Posted by: Michele at 10:58 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Ok, my computer is officially on itÂ’s last legs. If it crashes one more time I wonÂ’t be held responsible for my reaction. So thereÂ’s a number of things I need to do in order to fix the problems and bring it up to speed. First, I need to psych myself up in order to go into a computer store. Why? Simple, men in these stores are trained to make people (men and women alike) doubt there own computer knowledge.

Case in point, the last time I went in to a store to buy a sound card the sales associate was insisting (without even setting eyes on my pc) that the problem was a dead hard drive. He was aiming for me to get a new computer. So, having built my own computer and having taught Comp Sci 101, it really drives me over the edge of civility when these kids assume IÂ’m an idiot and will fall for their lies.
more...

Posted by: Michele at 10:45 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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This is a letter thatÂ’s been long overdue! I just had to write to you, to thank you for doing something so incredible that has truly changed my life. ItÂ’s still hard for me to believe, all these many months later, how our lives were thrown together, when I lived in that outer hinterland called blogspot.

Sometimes people come into our lives and we think nothing of it. As my blog brother _Jon says: "we're often not aware of the reason for the 'convergence of events that happen in our lives and that bring people together.'" Who would have thought my blog bro was so deep. He's probably going to be upset with me for writing this, but I think I'm a pretty lucky girl to have him in my family.

You have singlehandedly created this wonderful family which has been a true blessing, not only in my life, but in that of my wonderful blog brothers and sisters. Although, our family chart is quirkier that the Greek or Roman Mythology charts of old, the empathy, laughter, intelligence that is shared by all, makes this a very unique and wonderful family to be "a part of". In truth, without all of them, but especially you, my life would be a very empty and dull one.

I want to say thank you for being like a true dad to me: always being supportive no matter what was going on with self-centered me; always being very patient, especially when I wasnÂ’t back home when IÂ’d said IÂ’d be; never taking my rebelliousness or my melancholy too seriously; always knowing what to say and in what tone to say it in to help me get through the day; but most importantly, for always just being there, close enough to give me a hug, far enough to let me learn from my own skinned knees. DonÂ’t know if youÂ’ve realized it, but youÂ’ve truly changed my life by creating this family and making a concerted effort to make me be a part of it even when I was so steeped in my grief I didn't want to be a part of anything or anyone.

Thanks for being such a silly, funny, caring, loyal blog dad. And I want to say a special thanks to blog mom for inspiring you and helping to make you such a special man. ((((((((((Hugs))))))))))

Your ever grateful and loving blog daughter,
M/

Posted by: Michele at 09:10 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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Strengthen The Good (STG), is now officially a Not-for-Profit organanization! STG was founded by The Command Post's Alan Thomas. in an effort to unite bloggers and help others. It's received a bit of good press lately. In an article in today's New York Times, Nathan Schactman writes how STG member bloggers (like me and some of you) have made a difference in real time, not just in the virtual world. It's really a great article and I encourage you all to read it. In the extended entry you can read an excerpt of it.

If you want to know more about Strengthen The Good, visit their website.
more...

Posted by: Michele at 07:37 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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My cold is still dragging me about, but I am getting better ever so slowly. So for today's post I'm going to dispense with electoral rhetoric, political profiles, memes and conspiracy theories (not that I ever did any of that), in order to encourage you to read some truly talented people. May you delight your eyes (during my period of recovery) by visiting my favorite munuvians:

A Likely Story
Ambient Irony
Annika's Poetry & Journal
Anticipatory Retaliation
Blog Showcase (showcases new bloggers)
Hold The Mayo
The Jawa Report
The Llama Butchers
Ravings of a Corporate Mommy (a must read!)
Random Pensées (a must read!)
Rocket Jones (a must read!)
Simon World (a must read!)
Snooze Button Dreams
The Cheese Stands Alone
Willow Tree more...

Posted by: Michele at 01:05 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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1 Thanks Michele!

Posted by: Simon at October 29, 2004 01:44 AM (UKqGy)

2 Thanks, Michelle, for including me among a group of people I have a lot of respect for. I'd include your name there, too, by the way.

Posted by: RP at October 29, 2004 07:38 AM (LlPKh)

3 Great, Just when I was looking forward to being a big slacker after the election and someone like Michele comes along and puts me in a list like this. What a lot to live up to!!!! Thanks Michele.

Posted by: Stephen Macklin at October 29, 2004 12:32 PM (UquFN)

4 WOW!!! Because I am slow and sometimes a cyberidiot, I didn't see this ping until just this second. Michele, you've made me blush. And squirm. Thank you!

Posted by: Elizabeth at November 06, 2004 03:14 AM (G2D7D)

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The political atmosphere in NYC is horrible. Kerry supporters are attacking Bush supporters in public. There is a general air of incivility and confrontation everwhere I turn. Tolerance is non-existent. Every time I'm out of doors I see people wearing buttons with either "I Hate Bush", "Fire Bush", "Bush Lied"; well, the list of sayings goes on.

The only thing that's been helping me get through this week is quietly visiting my blog family. I say quietly because I'm managing my Carpal tunnel by not commenting or blogging too much.

So, when I'm in a funk I just pop in on my blog family, for a stress relief and a laugh. Okay, fair warning: some have stuff on their blogs that make me turn beet red and shock me a bit. But you know what, when I'm done reading I sometimes have laughed so hard that I forget all my troubles and I'm happy again. So here they are, starting with the my wonderful Blogfather, followed by my blog sisters and brothers:

Harvey of Bad Example
Alex in Wonderland
Boudicca's Voice (fave blog sis)
Closet Extremist
Drunken Wisdom
Jeff at Au fait
Lee Ann's View
Madfish Willie
Mike the Marine
One Happy Dog Speaks
Quality Weenie-Sis
Road Warrior Survival (fav blog sis)
Technicalities(another wonderful sis)
There's One, Only!
We Swear
Whimsy Capricious

Once my hands are better (from my CTS) they will be permanently on my blogroll, till then this loving post will have to do! My next and final blogroll will be those foreign blogs that I admire greatly, for their blogging prowess (how much quality stuff they produce) and their amazing insight and clarity in their posts and memes.

Enjoy your walk about!

Update: I noticed that I have an old list which does not include a blog sibling:
Class Mishaps
Sorry about that!

Posted by: Michele at 10:00 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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1 Thank you so much for the link! And the compliment! I am hoping your carpal tunnels is better soon. I love to read what you write.

Posted by: Boudicca at October 23, 2004 09:37 PM (XH1zZ)

2 BTW, it is not getting that ugly down here yet. Maybe it is because we are nt a big city? I'm not sure. But trust me, I am thankful.

Posted by: Boudicca at October 23, 2004 09:40 PM (XH1zZ)

3 Thanks Michele. I think it's an honor to be a part of a "Blog Family" and I'm tickled that someone as concientious and observant as yourself is in that company. Please continue to do what you do, and I'll continue to read it. (There's no way that I could stop anyway, as I was born "Upstate") A guy in the South that came from New York and isn't 65 or older and living in Florida? Who knew? :^) BTW, I'm sure that if you gave the "keys" to your blog to another Family member, they'd be happy to take care of updating the 'roll for you. CTS be damned!

Posted by: Johnny - Oh at October 24, 2004 07:38 AM (Nl2WO)

4 I feel hugged :-)

Posted by: Harvey at October 24, 2004 12:04 PM (ubhj8)

5 I think you already know I think you're about the greatest thing since sliced bread - and I couldn't be more honored to call you my BlogSis. We got us a pretty great (and diverse) group of people in this family of ours. Like I told Harvey one time....it's all HIS fault. :-) Thank you for the compliment (and the link). You take care of yourself, the CTS is aweful to deal with.

Posted by: Tammi at October 24, 2004 08:07 PM (UOdfZ)

6 Michele, I hope you feel better and get out of your "political funk" soon. The country needs you. For some perspective on what to expect in the final 9 days of the campaign and how to respond to surprises from the Democrats and/or terrorists, check out The Final Week.

Posted by: salt1907 at October 25, 2004 10:43 AM (T8AyJ)

7 Thanks, Michele! That felt like a great hug.

Posted by: That 1 Guy at October 26, 2004 03:06 AM (uJW+4)

8 Thanks so much for the link, the reference and the kind words...like Harvey and T1G said, I feel hugged!

Posted by: Lee Ann at October 26, 2004 03:33 PM (2P/wO)

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I am always awed by the kindness of strangers. Living in New York leaves people with very little personal time, which in turn means there's very little time for you to be extraordinarily kind to anyone else. So when someone spends time and goes out of there way to do something kind I'm always floored. Sometimes I even get choked up.

That's what happened when I read the comments in my I need feedback post. I saw that Jeff Harrell of The Shape of Days had generously given of his time and talent to modify my favorite photo of Ground Zero (see below). He nearly brought me to tears.

When I stopped by his site to thank him, and saw his entry of 'why he blogs', I understood his generosity.

Jeff, for your talent and your kindness, THANK YOU! Now if you agree, go visit him!

Posted by: Michele at 03:18 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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A month ago I saw the picture below taken by a spanish journalist/blogger who was in NYC on Sept. 11th and went to pay his respects at Ground Zero. He took this picture which I love and asked if I could have a copy to add the image to my site. I still love the image and use it as my screen saver at work. However, I'm now wondering if it just might be too dark to have it on the top position in the upper right corner of my blog.

What do you think?

Posted by: Michele at 12:19 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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In an effort to help a fellow munuvian and poet, Tuning Spork of Blather Review to find the perfect picture to accompany his poem on his 9/30/04 post. I am posting it here as I don't have his email address.

(click to enlarge)

I had a tough week at the office so this weekend I'm spending it outdoors doing fun physical things to relieve the stress. Don't know if I'll post, I hope you all have a great weekend and thanks for visiting.

Posted by: Michele at 10:08 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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1 If you don't mind, I'll take this for your Jammie post, too :-)

Posted by: Harvey at October 09, 2004 10:36 AM (tJfh1)

2 Wowee! Thanks, Michele, she's beautiful. More "cozy" than sultry, though. Maybe the perfect picture (the one I have in my head) just doesn't exist. I think put this one, and another I've found, into my poem post. Thanks!

Posted by: Tuning Spork at October 09, 2004 10:37 AM (p3f1Q)

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Although I wasn't blogging last night, I was still wrestling with what I would blog about today, knowing that Harvey was having another blogroll on blogwear I decided to join the pajama party.

I wore something similar while watching the debates. Except those were a pair of black silk men's pajamas. I like the looser fit from men's pajamas. I actually own several pairs of them because I love wearing them so much. I don't know what it is, but I think they're more comfortoble, looser and sexier than woman's pajamas. Don't you agree?

Posted by: Michele at 12:00 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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1 [drools slightly] *faints*

Posted by: Harvey at October 02, 2004 01:33 PM (ubhj8)

2 I do agree, and wear mens PJs myself. I'm so tall and refuse to pay all that extra money for just a couple of inches material at the bottom of the pj legs! Plus, I don't know if they look sexier but there is just something so..so..ohhhhh about wearing them.

Posted by: Tammi at October 02, 2004 03:51 PM (UOdfZ)

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