I have added yet another feature to my ever evolving web log. The Commenter Leader Board is now operational. Now you/I can see who makes the most comments. Hopefully, this will increase the number of comments as a whole. Nothing like some good ol' competition to get the creative juices flowing.
Despite my push to get the commenter leaderboard as an integral part of this web site, I have ultimately decided to remove it. At first I thought it would be cool (the best reason to do anything), and I assumed it would stimulate my viewers to increase their comment output. I did get some additional comments, but I read all of them anyway, so listing who comments most did not really benefit anyone. Besides, having a comment leaderboard simply reminds me how infrequently people post comments. Farewell, Comment Leaderboard.
Comment Leaderboard
R. I. P.
You will be missed.
January 31, 2003 - March 24, 2003
I have added a feature in the right column to show everyone the latest comments to my posts. This way replies to my eariler posts will not get lost in the shuffle.
For your viewing pleasure, I have added a new feature here at COALM. At the top of this page I have created an animated title banner. I intend on changing it periodically, so stay tuned for some different looks.
Some would argue that I put this in place to differentiate myself from Ed's page, but I put the banner up there for the best reason ever.....because its cool.
In response to the lack of content that has become an epidemic throughout askingforthirds, I have taken down all my links to other parts of the site. In its place, I have created a shameless self-promotion of what I think are the best posts that I have created for each month. Not unlike flashback episodes of your favorite sitcoms. Remember, these posts of the month are decided solely by me, so if you think there is a post that is better....tough.
This marks the 100th post by yours truly on my primitive website. I guess this means that I could qualify for syndication and get shown every weekday evening at 6:30pm on UPN between Seinfeld and Will & Grace. In the spirit of syndicated television and my monumental milestone, this will be a flashback episode entitled "If These Walls Could Talk..."
In my best Garth Algar impersonation, I'll wave my hands down the screen chanting, "doo lululu, doo lululu, doo lululu" as we think back on some of the old days......
It all started with a website given to me by web host extraordinaire, Dan Fisher. From humble beginnings, Confessions of a Lethargic Mind took its first step into a regular posting schedule with my unfortunate layoff. This break in my career gave me the time I needed to nurture the blogging beast that we have all come to know today. Chronicling the sports page provided the content I needed to make this site grow, but what set this site apart from the rest came when a college basketball commentator got under my skin a little more than usual. Billy Packer allowed me to indulge in my critical side, and unleash a barrage of antagonism towards the ignoramus man, which caused an onslaught of viewers outside of my tiny circle of fans. Although outsiders became a part of COALM, the comments from seasoned veterans such as Abby, Harper, Tejan, Kristin, Ed, and Patrick have given this sight more viewpoints than just my narrow one.
COALM will continue for as long as I have something to say, and you, for some reason, want to read about it. Maybe at my 200th post, I will have a blooper episode.
To the right you probably noticed the Search Results That Led to COALM. I have been keeping track of this for a while now. It allows me a glance at my readers and what is on their mind before they get to my site. Now, I'm not so sure that I'm glad I have that information, but I'll share it with you anyway. I listed a few of my favorites here for you...
play golf games on this computer that are not blocked by web sense - This is for the people I used to work with. Websense is a content filter that prevents people from going to websites they aren't supposed to. Someone is being naughty by trying to get around the filter. Tsk tsk tsk.
Can you die from boredom? - You would be surprised how often this shows up. The summer is almost over, so I assume the kids with nothing to do this summer will have school to keep them busy.
CRITIQUE RIP VAN WINKLE - Either someone is looking for an easy way out of a homework assignment, or they have something against Rip.
hunting naked ladies - I have the false "Hunting Bambi" story to thank for these types of searches.
meaning of lethargic - www.dictionary.com will answer any of these types of questions. People are getting so lazy that they would probably type "Where's the remote?" into Google.
girls playing with boys - I like the sound of this one. However, Anika Sorenstam has to take the credit for this one, instead of any kinky ideas that I may have.
naked women football players - There are some people out there that are more perverted than I am. Or maybe I'm being left out of the next sporting phenomenon.
best online crossword - Although my weblog usually will not be confused with a crossword puzzle, someone still found me with this search. If you are looking for a good online crossword, then go to the Washington Post's site.
winter prediction - I'll give you a winter prediction: It's gonna be cold, it's gonna be grey, and it's gonna last you for the rest of your life.
PACKER SUCKS - I didn't think that so much could be said with so few words.
"roller hockey" movie script - I hope that this does not generate interest in this idea. All I need is to be blamed for a bad movie idea. Although this could be a good vehicle to revive Ben Affleck's career, after killing it with Gigli.
Matrix Rebloated - I thought I was the only one that referred to this underachieving movie as such.
stunt women groin kick - I don't know what this means, but its one of the coolest phrases I have ever seen in my life.
"miniature golf" tattoo - This one left me speechless. I have a visualization of a guy putting through a windmill permanently drawn on someone's bicep.
I'm in the middle of quite a streak, but its a dubious distinction. This will mark the 8th post in a row that I have placed on my beloved web log that has gone without nary a comment. Not one comment was made in any of my last 7 posts.
Has Confessions of a Lethargic Mind jumped the shark already? If so, let me know when it happened....
A. Day One
B. 3rd anti-Billy Packer post
C. Controversial Post removed
D. Special Guest Star, Ted McGinley
E. Ridicule of conjoined twins prior to their death.
F. Roller Hockey updates
G. New Job
H. Hulk Trailer avoidance
I. 100th post
J. 2nd Carly Simon post
K. Never Jumped the Shark (Thanks, Tej)
I got tired of deciding which of my brilliant posts would claim the coveted prize of Post of the Month. Since no one seems to ever read my old stuff, I didn't need another way other than my current Archive section to get to previous posts.
Don't expect a sentimental farewell to this feature like I have done in the past, because I don't think the Post of the Month will be missed at all.
In its place I have provided links to my picture web site, which unfortunately is not the most reliable, and to our host, Dan Fisher's web site.
I will be out of town this week, so do not expect COALM to have any updates.
Well, not exactly. More of a web site cleaning. I changed the Archive listing in the right side bar from a Monthly listing to a Category listing. For those of you that have not used this section (read: pretty much everyone), this will enable you to find some of my older posts for your reading enjoyment. The problem I had with the Monthly view is that it was growing and taking up a little bit too much space. It was not going to get better anytime soon, so I needed an alternative. Thus, the Category view.
Due to some spam issues previously mentioned by Dan, some insightful comments from my loyal readership has been neglected. Instead of freely commenting at your whim, some commentary was filtered away into an unreadable nether region of cyberspace. Thanks to some crafty web management (read: listening to Dan), I have now brought your comments back into public view, where they should remain.
Please revisit the insightful exposition from such notable literary scribes as Donald Ball, Harper Gordek, and Eric Eilskov.
As you have noticed on your latest trip to COALM, some things have changed. Without reaching Level 5 on the Geek scale I will let you know that the underlying software has been changed (from Movable Type to ZOPE). One reason is that there are licensing issues with MT, and the other is that it makes Dan's and my lives a little easier. Other than certain aesthetics, you, my loyal readers, will not notice much of a change. However, you will notice that when you add your comments that you will have to enter a numeric code. This minor annoyance for you will resolve me of the daily chore of cleaning out Blog Spam. The way it was with the old format, instead of seeing your insightful commentary I would see advertisements for refinancing or erectile dysfunction pharmaseudicals on regular basis. But no more, thanks to this change. Hopefully, I can customize this a little more to include some bells and whistles instead of the regular page you see displayed before you. Stay tuned.
Although I cannot come up with a reason why it has taken me so long to
do, but this web site you have grown to love is now
lethargicmind.org. So, go tell your friends that they don't have
to use that cumbersome askingforthirds.org/steve. They can use
the new and improved lethargicmind.org. To hedge my bets, I now
own lethargicmind.com as well. I refrained from obtaining
lethargicmind.net, because that would just be silly.
I doubt that this signals any changes on this web site. Although
I might have to start hob-nobbing with other domain name owners, and
you know how pretentious they can be. I'll try to stay true to my
/steve roots, but I can't guarantee that owning a domain name won't
change me. Enjoy.
Thanks to webmaster extrodinaire, Dan, my groovy animated banner has
returned to my audience that still uses Microsoft's Internet
Explorer. I would love it if the absence of my banner caused
countless droves to flock towards an alternative browser such as Mozilla's Firefox. I have promoted Firefox's superiority before,
so it must be an important thing to do. Ask your network
administrator's about Firefox, because I'm sure that they won't mind if
you use it. But if you choose to remain an Internet Explorer
user, at least you know that the COALM banner will still be here
waiting for you......that plus a crap load of trojans, pop up ads and
spyware.
Taking cues from Dan's blog, I have recently added a section to COALM
dedicated to referencing the books that I am in the process of
reading. Thanks to the nifty web site, All Consuming DOT Net,
you can now view the books I'm currently reading. I hope this
does not simply reflect how long it takes me to read a book. What
I would like for this addition to do is motivate me to read more.
I am not an avid reader, but I do turn to the written word on
occasion. Hopefully, I will add books that I have already
completed for your browsing entertainment, and possibly some book
recommendations. But for the time being only the books I'm
currently reading will be available.
We have a new feature here at COALM, so that you can find out what I
have read recently. Similar to the Books In Progress section at
the bottom right hand side of the main page, you can now delve even
further by finding out what I think of the books I have read by going
to the Books Read By Me link.
This week, however, the only thing that I have read has been related to
Windows 2003 Server. Exciting, huh? Don't kid
yourself. Reading about Group Policy Objects, Internet Security
Protocols and Active Directory Enabled Dynamic Name Resolution is like
watching paint dry. Two days into a four day training has taken
my study habits to levels barely reached in college.
Back then I would ration my hardcore studying thoughout the day.
In this Windows training, I either read a book, listen to a lecture, or
take a test for 12 hours. Its every thing I could do to
complete this post for you people. I'm going to bed.
I usually try to have some resemblance of a regular posting schedule
here at COALM. Two posts per week tends to be my goal. As
far as post ideas, I pretty much write about whatever is currently
happening to me, unless of course I find that subject matter too
private, or just non-post worthy. I will throw in the
occasional sensationalist story I have read from the national news wire
or interesting web site I have found, both complete with personal
commentary. Save those, I can just write about roller hockey, movies, iTunes, or my annoyance with the general public. Although I never plan my posts in advance, I rarely come up blank on subject matter.
Today, I felt that I needed another post especially since the last post
was 5 days old, applying unneeded pressure to my mythical 2 post/week
average. In addition, I could not for the life of me come up with
any engaging material. So, I turn it back to you...my devoted
COALM readers, to send in your post requests. This is your
opportunity to request commentary from yours truly. Either you
are interested on my take OR you need a stepping stone on which to
leverage your own commentary (I've lofted some soft balls across the
plate for others before). Either way, its up to you now.
Don't confuse today's weak post as writer's block.
Thanks to some fancy web programin' by Dan, I now have a Recommended
Music section on COALM. You should notice the new feature in the
right hand column near the bottom of the page. A different
recommended CD from your's truly should appear randomly each time you
visit COALM. Its just a sneak peek into my musical tastes,
complete with a link to the CD on Amazon.com so that you can browse to
your heart's content. I will do my best to populate this list
with some of my more prized musical collections.
If you take a gander at the side bar to your right, you will notice a
new feature here at COALM: The top 5 outgoing links. It
will be a little light in the information department since it has only
collected data from the past couple of days. You can now see what
path my readers take when they decide to abscond from this virtual
prison. If you want more in depth statistics, you can make your
way here. (Quite the odd choice to show people more escape routes, instead of more reasons to stick around.)
We here at COALM want to bring you the best product available.
What better way to improve this dump than to ask you, the dedicated
reader.
I've put together a quick little survey for you. There are only 8 questions and I don't think you even need to study.
Get your survey on!
(I added a link to the survey in the Links section for future use)
You may have noticed the movie image in the sidebar in the right-hand portion of COALM. The plan is to update that little section with images and VERY short commentary of the last movie that I saw. The process to keep that section is crude at best, but comes within striking distance of my overall vision. Since the process is less than streamlined, I will limit this section's content to movies I have seen in the theater. In the future, I may include DVD movies as well. But just like Mr. Miyagi says, "bird must walk before bird fly".
My books, music and movies that were once independent entities have
combined to create a stronger form that incorporates all of their
devices, not unlike Voltron.
You will notice the ability to switch between Books Currently Reading,
Books Read, Books On Deck, Last DVD Movie, Last Theater Music, and
Recommended Music. The page will randomly display one of these
six items for you. Books Read and Recommended Music will randomly
display one of the many items in their individual list. Think of
it as a window into my soul. No....wait. That's not
right. Think of it as list of entertainment outlets that occupy
my free time.
I added yet another feature to the already feature-rich web site you
all know and love. (This one, you muffinhead) Notice the
Flickr "badge" near the Links section. A vast collection of
digital photography awaits you thanks to my new friends at Flickr.com.
Although I do not know anyone at Flickr directly, I am becoming a big
fan. I use Flickr as a repository of my digital pictures as a
backup and for a more reliable web accessible version. Previous
pictures you might have seen are housed on my home machine, but I have
never been pleased with the web service I have on my personal
computer. Flickr provides a reliable connection plus an easy to
use "tagging" system to allow for easy organization and
navigation. Highly Recommended.
I uploaded a new banner logo to COALM. If you still see the old
one, just do a manual refresh (F5) on your web browser (which I hope is Firefox).
Thanks go out to Eric Forehand for helping me with a new logo. He is also prominently featured in my latest pictures from this year's World Beer Festival. In case you are wondering, I had a lot of fun, and yes, I got dronk.
I have stumbled upon a bit of a rut. Writer's block, if you will. Don't worry, this has happened before,
so we can get through this. Usually complaining about my lack of
motivation results in a tidal wave of inspiration and/or
creativity. It is the natural order of things to remove old and
tired topics from my brain and replace it with new, hip and exciting
subjects. However, I think this regeneration process should be
an interactive one. So I call on you, the devoted COALM reader to
provide some input. Let me know what you want to hear
about. I am fairly certain that I can develop an opinion on any
topic you can conjure up. Not interested you say? Expect
more hockey talk, iTunes prose and Billy Packer rants. That should scare some responses out of you.
I have found a new online calendar application that will make some
sense out of my scheduling. In the past, I have tried to keep
dates and times in my head, but to no avail. I would inevitably
forget an important event. To remedy this situation, I attempted
to use a "low tech" solution by printing out a personal calendar and
writing in important events. The downside was that I had to keep
the calendar with me at all times for it to be effective. Being
in a location where my calendar wasn't was all too common.
Enter 30boxes.com. One of those new fangled, dynamic Web 2.0
applications that you have been reading about. After stumbling on
the 30boxes site, I was able to register using my email address and set
up a highly functional calendar with several bells and whistles within
minutes. I have included weather reports, RSS feeds and private
events. I even added a mini calendar on the main page of COALM
for easy access. Adding an event is simple, even if creating
reoccuring events.
The Philistine
in you is probably saying that this is no better than a regular
calendar. However, its so easy to use that I will be using it all
the time. Plus, since its a web page, I can access it from
anywhere. However, the major feature for me is overlapping my
calendar with Abby's calendar, so I can be sensitive to her schedule
when planning my own. If you could not already tell, I highly
recommend 30boxes.com.
Thanks to Dan, the "sidebar" on the main COALM page looks a little nicer now. After the inclusion of my Flickr badge and the 30boxes listing, things were getting a little cramped over there. Now the Flickr badge falls under the Media section. You can now access it from the Media pull down menu. Since most of you read my blog via a RSS Feed reader or from AFT Central, you will not have the full COALM experience which I have provided, so you could not care less about how my features are arranged. At least I looks nice to me....which is all that matters.
I have been submitting movie and book information for quite a while now. (here and here) However, the only way to access this media information has been through the Media module on the right. Since that Media module randomly displays either Movies, Books, Flickr Pictures or Music, that information is not readily available. To remedy this situation, I have added links to both my books and my movie lists in the Links section in the upper right. All links are available at the end of this post.
Oddly enough, I have chosen to advertise my personal media information at a time when I add the least amount of media information. (Having an infant at home drastically reduces the time at the movies) However, the DVD information should update on a regular basis.
DVD Movie List
Theater Movie List
Book List
I have recently changed RSS readers from Bloglines to Google Reader. Although I used Bloglines for quite some time, it had some minor annoyances that got to me. After several people suggested switching to GR, I finally did so. Despite being apprehensive at first, I have now fully embraced GR, completely abandoning BL. Now I can go back to items I have already read, as opposed to BL, which would make articles I had read vanish after I read them. I also enjoy the statistics and user friendly interface. Those Google folks sure know what they are doing.
The icing on the cake came in the form of sharing. When I stumble upon a story I find interesting and think you will find interesting as well, I can now flag it as 'shared'. Once shared, those articles will show up on the COALM main page under the Links section for everyone to enjoy.
Askingforthirds.org has been down for the last week, which means that lethargicmind.org was down as well. These things happen, so not a big deal. Lucky for you, not much has happened while I was gone that would be considered "blog worthy".
I'll have to get back into the swing of things and post on a regular basis.
I had a magnificent blog entry for today, but it is gone now. The entry was dripping with information due to its dense collection...approaching the absorbency limits of a single blog entry. A mistimed mouse click eradicated said entry in a split second. A far cry from the amount of time it took to construct this masterpiece. I fail to mention the subject matter of the post in hopes of recreating it someday. Although it may take me a couple of days to mourn its loss. We all know that any attempts of reconstructing this masterpiece would merely be a facsimile of the original, lacking in its original magnitude. Lightning never strikes in the same place twice, and never in the same bottle in which you previously captured it. I go forward a broken man, lamenting what could have been.
When I first started this blog, over 4 and a half years ago (OMG, has it been that long?), I had an ambitious notion that I could crank out a post at least 3 times a week. At that time, I had several things to say since there was not yet a medium to record my thoughts and experiences. That 3 times a week post schedule has dwindled over the years down to the once a week posting that you are accustomed. Still, coming up with content is difficult when you are the sole source.
Here are some methods I use for generating some ideas for my next post.
News - Nothing will generate some discussion/debate like a reaction to a news story. I scan the headlines and typically "something" will catch my attention enough to generate at least a luke warm opinion on it. Doesn't take much.
"What I Did This Summer" - If I went on vacation or had some other memorable experience, I will write about it. I have recently decided to include things I learned as a way to describe oddities I saw along the way.
Lists - Its the blogger's crutch, I know, but its like an instant post. Just add water.
Annoyances - My supply of annoyances knows no boundaries. From interpersonal idiosyncrasies to public opinion to politics, something will get under my skin. I think that everyone has the same number of annoyances, but I like to think I'm more in touch with them.
Pop Culture - I loves me some movies, TV and music. I will tell you more than you ever want to know about the obscure parts of these categories.
My Daughter - She learns something new every day, and in a way, so do I. Seeing the world through your child's eyes, gives a wonder new perspective.
Technology - I deal with technology every day, so I tend to pick up some of the trends along the way.
You may have noticed that I do not update my web log anymore. I feel like this blog has run its course. Although, this does not mean that you have lost your ability to keep track of everything Steve. Enter Twitter. I know, I know. Thats the new service all the kids are talking about so that egotistical folks can tell their mundane bits of information to the world. I'm not saying that doesn't happen, but don't judge the service based on the poor Twittering of a few. You wouldn't ignore email simply because people use it to send spam, right? Same thing applies here. Twitter has been a fun endeavor for me and I hope that you can use it too. Follow me here: http://twitter.com/unceman