Crystal Clear

PayPerPost :: Get Paid for Blogging?

    Longtime readers know my blog has been a great pleasure and joy for me.  I remember commenting on a post by Shirazi about blogging for money and thinking it was a grandiose pipe dream. Then along came adsense. At first I resisted thinking I couldn't possibly lower my blog to taking advertisements...then I saw and read so much about people earning both large and small sums, I jumped in and figured what the heck do I have to lose...gives me one more thing to check besides my traffic.        Although there is reportedly tons of money to be made through google adsense, I have received far more from my generous readers to keep me drinking coffee than I ever have from adsense! Yep, will be waiting a while for that check to come in the mail.
    Indeed it continues to be a very  interesting time to be a blogger wanting to bring in a bit of extra income. I don't think anyone is going to be quitting their day job but there are an increasing number of ways for bloggers to make money and PPP (pay per post) seems to be a better business model. It is a whole lot more interesting. Bloggers are a pretty opionated group and followers , at least in my case, seem to build trust with bloggers they follow over time.It makes sense advertisers would want to take advantage of that trust. Also bloggers can pick and choose the posts they want to post on their blogs so there is a far greater sense of control.
     Although I wouldn't write a post that goes against any of my beliefs, I have been finding more and more PPP sites with really interesting posts to make. You will likely see more of these type of posts on my blog as they also provide a challenging way for me to hone my writing skills.The PPP sites  often have requirements for blogs so not every blog will be accepted and sometimes posts won't be accepted for a variety of reasons which can often be tweaked to meet the requirements. The trick is to keep blogging for the same old reasons: I love to blog and I love to write! So check out the PPP link and let me know what you think...

Hugging My Munchkins Extra Tight

    Dan Rua of the  Florida Venture Blog writes a very touching as well as inspiring post in his:
My Hope for Tyler's Hope.

 Tyler Staab has been diagnosed with Dystonia, a severe neurological disorder, and  underwent the second phase of Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery  just a mere week ago on July 21,2006. His father is maintaining a progressional diary on Tyler's progress and in a recent post he cautiously shares their fledgling hope at Tyler's impressive progress already. Yay! GO TYLER!!!

Longtime readers may recall this blog started out over two years ago writing about our struggles in dealing with Nethan's developmental delays, lack of pooping at all, and our terrible struggles at getting adequate medical care. Although we still have no definitive diagnosis to hang a hat on, he remains on a double dose of the adult prescription Miralax, and qualifies for Special Ed services under Developmentally Delayed and speech therapy, stories such as this hit very close to home and touch me and my heart deeply. I hold Tyler and his family in my prayers and will be closely following his recovery. Take serious note, Tyler could just as easily be one of my sons or yours... do what you can and all you can...Shoot even a blog post such as this or this puts a little bit more out there into the blogosphere...Imagine Tyler's excitement to know he is being featured and honored and talked about on blogs around the world! Believe me I know very very well what fun it can mean for a young boy. Bryceton has me checking my blog as often as he can goad me to see if there have been any more comments on his Vlog posts!

When it is so simple to make someone's day better by doing something simple and easy...isn't it absolutely Crystal Clear what you want to do and should do?

And So We Shall Write...

Around the time I wrote my post about the anniversary of the murder of Terri Schindler-Schiavo ,
which was soon after published as a letter to the editor of the Honolulu Star Bulletin, I thought about a Terri blogburst to commemorate the thirteen days the world watched in horror and the legacy she has left behind. Unfortunately, as I went here and there on the list of Blogs for Terri,
I was disappointed to learn so many bloggers, who had so passionately written and acted on behalf of Terri and her loving family, were no longer blogging at all. I hope this Blogburst in Memory of Terri will spread far and wide and inspire them to return and for many others to join us. Please make certain you let us know you are participating and feel free to copy any and all of my posts during that time. Please also plan on annually honoring the memory of Terri with "Terri's Day" ,
a celebration of the "Culture of Life" as well as celebrating the woman who sacraficed her life for this cause.


Technorati Tags: Terri Schiavo

Will You Join Me?

Since this summer I have toyed with the idea of shutting this blog down as I just don't post as I used to and the 13.46$ a month just seems silly.

Looking for work took its toll on me and I just didn't post as I wanted or needed...then the job has taken and is taking so much time I just don't have time to blog because I am either with the boys or working. So I think about shutting it down but then I think of all I get from my faithful readers and how much they have supported me and really make me smile. There are also still new people who stumble upon my blog and take the time to drop me a note.

I am thinking about moving my bloging to Crystal Clear at BlogCham  but don't want to lose what I have built up here and don't know what happens to this blog if I stop paying  typepad.  Is there a way to print up all I have written here without having the sidebar on each page? There is also the comfort factor and having to get used to a new tool with less features and set it up again to personalize it. Why am I fearful? Is it worth it? I also know I should change the picture of myself. The picture is from the day I became pregnant with Nethan in fall 2002. The years have caught up with me and it feels like false advertising.

Silly silly stuff I guess... But is it a good idea and will you follow me?

Good Clicking

    Not comic at all but a chance for the blogosphere and you to help a small clinic receive some PR. 

    

I am clicking  away and with each click a prayer for  Chris Muir's sister Cathy.

It's a tiny ad, but what helps them, helps Chris's sis

Via:
Cotillion: That Clik4Cathy button and Sisu

 

 

Bonfire of the Vanities...#109

Week 109...Welcome welcome welcome...to the Get a Job Edition of Bonfire of the Vanities...Participants this week receive some career suggestions thrown in with the roasting...After all we therapists are such givers...
    Speaking of other givers...let's start off with this opus by GM's Corner. This little (ha) piece really strikes me as something Opie

might have tried to put over on Andy. Great in content but Aunt Bee definitely wouldn't get it...Less is more...Crystal says...Mortician for you.

"Sense and know higher truth?" ,Crystal Clear to me, Cutler's Yankee Station  went the opposite way and is enjoying some sort of private polish joke...Crystal says...Lame ass Newscaster on some lame ass station in Michigan.
Boys and their toys... ,TFS Magnum 
is thinking correctly here with expecting increasing speed...Crystal says...Designer of Sex Play toys.
Catherine Bosley is  out of work???? In need of employment???? Sheesh why didn't I think of having others like Interested-Participant  spread the word about me looking for work. Crystal says...Pimp with a pink fedora

Famous? ,For Mean Ol' Meany ,Crystal says...Cruise Director for some cheap ass cruise from Catalina to the Mexican Riviera.

Fry Me to the Moon ...Oh come on this is just too good for a bonfire...Crystal says...Political Strategist.

 

Six seems as holy to me as 5 ...but drinking makes a great deal more sense...for Soldiers' Angel  Crystal says...a soldier bravely serving her country who also serves the souls of many with her lovely art...Keep doing what you are doing...Crystal Clear, You have a calling...

Promises promises promises ...Stale is stale...Crystal says Baker.

NSFE ...Hmmm first I need to thank Beth cause I stole the nifty little flames from her... but sharing this sort of stuff does not bode well for her....Crystal says...Optometrist.

Words escape me...maybe gas will do? ...When Bad Example lives up to his name is that really bad? Crystal says...well someone has to be on welfare...

It's a blog...not War & Peace ,BUT here we have Personal Development-Steve Pavlina sharing the newest sleeping aid...or as Crystal says...Deviser of Torture Techniques to keep Amnesty International busy..

 

That Darn Cat ...really...what can I say... I am more of a dog person so I'd torch the whole blog...Crystal says...Producer of Music Videos.
Jealous of France and now Italy? Aaron Aaron Aaron,,By the way you really deserve to capitalize the As in your name...You really might want to take a look at your fetish for burqas. Crystal says...Disneyland concessionaire manager

Sad when the comments are better than the post Crystal says...Real Estate agent for Bel Aire area..
So THIS is how they make sauerkraut ... Crystal says...High School Chemistry teacher.
Crystal Clear,Rick doesn't know how to play fair... so Crystal says...Auditor for the Internal Revenue Service.

HOT Muslim Chicks ...oh dear oh my...a bit too apropos...Crystal says...Porn Flick star.

Dead is DEAD...ok? ...Crystal says...Actuary for Mutual of Omaha
With a roundup like this... isn't it Crystal Clear?...Cowboy

Oh weren't we all wondering? MM Contributor Jewboy seems to think so....Crystal says...Carpet Cleaner

Everybody's gotta have somethin'  so Crystal says...Crack Dealer.

I'd say it was unrelated ...Crystal says Poet living with terrible angst and unpaid bills.

Unwanted Houseguest? Gotta love the well informed...and well connected...Crystal

says...Lobbyist for Tobacco companies...

    Well the time has come to slam this old laptop shut and send you all on your merry merry way...Back to Work...

And So Can You...

The MIT Weblog survey is a general social survey of weblog authors being conducted at the MIT Media Laboratory...You too can help make some science...Just because...Just head on over...

Invite to the Comment Party of the Season

Seems Jeff is graduating this very Friday from boot camp and has set the following goals to be achieved prior to his return...let us get to it ...:

• 1000 Comments This may be a lofty goal, but hell, let’s set ‘em high…
• 50 Different Commenters
• 75 Trackbacks from Different blogs
• 2 Gnome Sightings
• 4 Celebrities (Minor or Major) leaving a comment

hat tip:Bobo Blogger
Last I checked we are at 318...so there is still fun to be had

250,000th Visitor

Nope not me...I just hit 90k a while back but ...Annika hit her 250,000th Visitor!!!! Stop by and say hello and of course Congratulations...Crystal Clear that is not an easy feat...just imagine how many blogger's blocks and trolls she has had to conquer in that time...and when you are finished there please make sure to stop by Cao's  blog...she hit over 90K by her first blogiversary! With posts like this one concerning illegal aliens and the open border crew  it is not a surprise...her quality and consistency are truly to be acknowledged and admired.

So very close...

    Yes I am close to lift off with regards to Project Aloha...but actually this post is about how very close I am to having one of you be reader/visitor 90,000...... I am watching... just hope it isn't one of you doing a google search for crystal meth... or no panties....

The Evil Amongst Us

    Chris Short of Our Life  and fellow Round the Reader contributor has  valiantly decided to take on the niche coverage of sex offenders and pedophiles with a fervent passion. As he writes,   "This nation is facing an epidemic and action must be taken to stop the body count from rising and to curtail the number of victims affected daily. "

    I am proud and pleased to announce I have accepted his invitation to  be a guest blogger under his The Evil Amongst Us category. Although I have training and experience  in the treatment of sexual offenders, my main focus and  intent is to share my knowledge and experience as a psychotherapist and witness to the damage The Evil Amongst Us wreaks on the lives of its victims. When and where I believe it might be useful, appropriate, and interesting, I will share information, data, and stats about the efficacy of treatment of different profiles. As I shared with Chris, I often work best off of fellow bloggers' posts and prodding. I would be greatly interested and appreciative if you would share with Chris or myself any information you discover or thoughts you have concerning The Evil Amongst Us.  

Help a military family

Rachel from Bitchalicious / Web Divas has posted a call for help:

I have an emergency.
There is a military family that is in dire need of help.
The wife and child are sick and all expenses are not being covered.

We are in the process of exhausting all means through the military to help but it will by no means be enough.

I get over 1000 people visiting here per day. If everyone/anyone could send just ONE dollar that would make a difference in this families life you couldn’t imagine.

I will also be donating 25% of anything that I personally make with Web-Divas starting today until I’ve raised a total of at least $800.

I’m begging and pleading.

Please go to Bitchalicious and hit the Paypal button in the post and give a dollar (or more!) to help out this military family. It’s the least we can do to support them; military families really do sacrifice so much for us!

--Beth

Happy Blogiversary!

I'm re-posting this here to spread the goodwill for my friend (and a friend of Crystal's!)--Eric from Vince aut Morire, who is celebrating his first blogiversary today!  Take a tip from here and leave Eric a nice comment!

---

The lesser half of my two blogfriends who are also friends in Real Life™ is having his
FIRST BLOGIVERSARY
today! 

May you have many more years of pissing off moonbats around the globe, and many more years of making your friends laugh with you!

Now go see the Exclusive Blogiversary Interview with Eric and give him your best wishes!

I promised I wouldn’t do this, but…I lied.  Here’s a picture I got from Merri, of Eric blogging:

Just Cause I Don't Blog it Doesn't Mean it Doesn't Happen

    In a comment or e-mail from Fuming Mucker, he reminded me to keep smiling. He suggested I post my reply e-mail to him so here it is:

Oh I am trying... actually quite easy when I am with the boys...they are a total crack up and a lot of fun....I  know I don't blog enough stories about them but figure I could never ever capture the love and admiration  I have for them. Bryceton really is a special and amazing person. I am lucky to be his mom. Nethan is lucky to have him as a brother!!! Nethan is special too but his temperament is not as easy going as Bryceton and he is starting with some mood swings and tantrums as he hits 2 in 2 months.... thanks for the support it does mean a lot to me...even with our differences ;-)....you know actually even more so because we do see things differently... I do value it and take pride ...thanks Crystal

 Makes sense, right? This keyboard I swiped from Bryceton's computer is very different from my previous one and so it is taking me a while to get used to typing with it. As I shared in my emails to you (hope I didn't miss anyone) I wouldn't do anything rash and appreciated all suggestions and support. I do believe I would be missed by more than one reader. However, as I am certain you can appreciate when time is at such a premium as a single working mom with a chaotic home in the process of moving, that isn't enough to keep me blogging. Didn't realize it was so late this morning. Must head to work. It will be a busy hard day...Thank goodness I know I can count on smiling  when I see the boys later...and of course those wonderful comments...I think I am even up to handling trolls today too...

Just What I Was Wondering...

    In another of his not-to-be missed essays, The Bush Dilemma,Victor David Hanson asks,   If the president is willing to take risks abroad, why won't he do it at home?

    The most pressing examples President Bush is not taking adequate action on are presented of course as:

• Long-term American financial strength
• Illegal aliens from south of the border
• The astronomical prices of gasoline

    I am headed back to work or I'd write a bit more but please check out the essay and give it some of your own thought. I respect President Bush a great deal. I don't feel the need to agree with him on everything but these three issues need to be addressed far better than he is currently attempting.

   
   

Happy Belated Blogiversary to Me!

    I kind of feel like I have two different dates I started blogging. The first time was back in May 2002  when I started with blogging about trying to get pregnant with Nethan. The second time was March 26, 2004 when I started again about Nethan's poop and development problems. As I have pretty much been blogging most consistently since March of 2004 I am choosing to celebrate my blogiversary as March. I know I had mentioned before about sharing some "promotional gifts" of my blog but money is far more short than I ever realized. I did the "right" thing this month and used my debit card for medications and doctor appointments and ended up "debiting" and extra $400 more than I realized since Bryceton had the sprained finger last week...this is not good since rent and the health insurance are due in a few days... Nevertheless, I am feeling pretty proud and nostalgic thinking back over the way my blog has developed over the past year. I remember just months ago checking stats and referrers and setting various goals as to growing my numbers... The number I remember most for some silly reason is 30 a day... That day was really not that long ago... Today my average number of  hits was 888 and the time spent here was 2:24... I know that the hits from google regarding Terri and Michael Schiavo are driving a great deal of it but I still am quite amazed at the growth in numbers... and proud. Should I feel pride? I don't know. I just know I do. I know I also am now at a Large Mammal... and also know a lot of that has to do with blogging about Terri...nevertheless, I do feel I have been blogging honorably and truthfully about Terri, my feelings, and my opinions....
    As far as why I started blogging again...unfortunately we are really not much further along than when I started a year ago... Nethan needs a full adult dosage of Miralax (an adult prescription osmotic laxative) to go poop at all... thank goodness my biggest worry as far as walking has been relieved... he started and then stopped for a week... right now he seems to be making gains...We also have now progressed to the point that we have a referral for a medical geneticist at CHELLA in May. The GI kind of hemmed and hawed about our next step and says they really like to wait a while before doing a surgery regarding bowel washout ... I myself don't really want to "face it" but also feel if he is going to need a surgery... and I still have that stinking feeling... I would much rather have him have it now when he is just about 2 than another couple years of this and have it done at say 4 years of age.... His poop problems have not improved at all other than that he is producing... still there are days where he doesn't produce much and then days later produces huge explosions... going through 3-4 changes of clothing...many days where he is very uncomfortable... many days where it is difficult to console him... when he stretches as the way  toddlers do when he is laying down... his belly looks like that of a famine victim...distended and  sort of detached or separate from the rest of his body...difficult...and of course quite frustrating...
    I really thought I would be sitting here a year later with at least a diagnosis and Nethan being Ok...I am grateful he is Ok but Crystal Clear...there is still something quite wrong...and he really is not getting any better as far as the poop problem...I remember reading that if you blogged consistently for a year it was pretty certain you would continue blogging indefinitely...So please... de-lurk on behalf of my Blogiversary ...

Crystal Clear's Pajamahadeen Anthem?

    Although calling it Schiavogate still seems appropriate...seems it wasn't quite necessary...I am most definitely not a poet and I know it!...Just sharing a bit of levity on an amazing blogging for Terri day...I thought of using the term Bloggerazzi instead of Pajamahadeen but then thought Nahhh..We are all in this together...In case I am dating myself...this is to be sung to (Theme from) The Monkees theme by Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart.

   
    Here we come,
    bloggin' down the Blogstreet.
    We get the trolliest comments from some who read.

    Hey, hey, we're the Pajamahadeen...
    And people say we're foolin' around.
    But we're too busy blogging
    Trying to pull liars down.

    We blog whatever we want to,
    Do what we love to do
    Don't have time to get reckless,
    There's always more to do.

    Hey, hey, we're the Pajamahadeen
    And people say we're foolin' around.
    But we're too busy blogging
    Trying to pull liars down.

    We're just tryin' to save a life,
    Come and read us blog and play,
    We're the new generation,
    And we've got a lot to say .

    Anytime, or anywhere,
    Just look at your monitor
    Never know what you'll read there

     Hey, Hey, we're the Pajamahadeen
    And people say we're foolin' around.
    But we're too busy blogging
    Trying to pull liars down.

    Hey, Hey, we're the Pajamahadeen!
    Hey, Hey, we're the Pajamahadeen!

Not Exactly Slacking Off

    I have not exactly slacked off on my blogging for Terri Schiavo.Yes indeed there was not tecnically a post today about saving her from murder by her husband via starvation and dehydration but I have been allowing a number of thoughts and questions from recent comments to percolate in my brain if not outright on my blog.
    In addition to the obvious issues of facts and truth all Blogs for Terri are working hard at to get out , I reflected in a an earlier post , there are a number of issues regarding this case that professionally disturb me. I am highly anxious to see if the Tampa Tribune was able to get the DCF filings concerning alleged (Ha & Blech) abuse released.
    Still yet to come  in my blogging for Terri are some more personal issues I have with her story...Not quite ready to put it out into the blogosphere but it is percolating away...
    In the meantime, may I suggest you take a look at my blog  Crystal Clear Reads which is linked over at the side under bloggity blog blog...and has a multitude of great sparkling gems of blogs to read and is more recently updated with some traffic generating sites.

   

If It Weren't For Those Meddling Kids

Between  Bloggers Recognized as Representatives of News Media (Hat tip:PajamaHadin) and Our Ad Was Censored Accepted Updated (Update 2) (Hat tip: Blogs for Terri) , I would say  Scooby Doo would most certainly be very proud of us blogging away on issues of personal and social relevance, un-masking villainous and monstrous liars all the while having a cold beer and a piece of pizza.

Maybe if We Call It Schiavogate?

    This humorous cartoon found on Long Time Gone might actually be missing something...Any thoughts? Well a hint is ...feel free to also take this as a commentary on the Higher Beings of the Blogosphere not posting about Terri Schiavo and the fight for her life.
     What would Instapundit, Powerline, Michelle Malkin, Captain's Quarters, and Hugh Hewitt  and all the illustrious others who blogged about Rathergate and Easongate  find interesting and blog-worthy about Terri Schiavo and the fight for her life? I believe just what  LaShawn Barber, Dean's World  and the entire blogosphere blogging on issues and events of social and political relevance find worthy of spending time at our computers for: getting all the facts out, holding people accountable, and sharing the truth and our opinions on the facts.
     Speaking up in the fight for Terri's life  doesn't have to mean joining the blogroll and committing to posting daily (although of course that would be wonderful and greatly appreciated!). It can be as simple as a phone call, single post or comment of fact(s) in this saga, or as Jimmie of Sundries Shack did by calling attention to one of us (myself in this case-Thanks Jimmie!) who is blogging daily. The blogosphere most definitely has power and some very loud and trustworthy voices that are listened to. Crystal Clear there are countless  voices that can and should sing as  loudly for Terri Schiavo as they  did  concerning Dan Rather and Eason Jordan. 

Crystal Clear Things We Can Do for Terri

    My blogging for Terri tonight consists of two separate posts. First I present here a list of people and organizations to contact regarding saving Terri from starvation via our crazy legal system and her, shall we be kind and say, interesting husband. If I missed any important contacts,  I am certain you will find them here at Ravings of John C. A. Bambenek . John also presents a nice summary of points to present when you call or write.
    Other interesting ideas by Terri's Bloggers are Paul's idea regarding a Terri Schiavo Pledge Drive to offer Michael Schiavo a cash settlement , Dory's Bloggers' Round-up for Terri Schiavo (submit your post by Saturday afternoon)  , and at Kenders’ Musings Kender is currently blogging once an hour, straight through to Tuesday morning and he won’t stop until he hears if the tube is gone or the execution has been stopped.
    Crystal Clear there are things we can and need to do. It also is  Crystal Clear merely reading posts is only a start.   

CONTACT NUMBERS AND EMAIL ADDRESSES.

Governor Jeb Bush (R)
Office of The Governor Florida Capitol Building, PL-05
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
(850) 488-7146
(850) 488-4441

Attorney General
Charlie Crist
Office of Attorney General
State of Florida
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050
(850) 414-3990
Fax: (850) 487-2564
ag@oag.state.fl.us

State Attorney
Bernie McCabe
14250 49th Street
North Clearwater, FL 33762
(727) 464-6221

LOCAL MEDIA
Mr. Bill Levesque, The St. Pete Times -- levesque@sptimes.com
The St. Pete Times -- letters@sptimes.com
The Tampa Tribune -- tribletters@tampatrib.com
970 WLFA AM Radio -- news@970wfla.com

If you want to mail your letter through the Postal Service, here are the addresses:
Tampa Tribune                             St. Pete Times
Letters to the Editor                     Letters to the Editor
P.O. Box 191                            P.O. Box 1121
Tampa, FL 33601-4405           St. Pete, FL 33731
Fox News -- online
Mr. Sean Hannity - online
Mr. Bill O'Reilly, Fox News -- Oreilly@foxnews.com
World Net Daily -- news@worldnetdaily.com jeb@jeb.org

Not Really Entertainment

Feeling really akward and yucky that  I was a Marauding Marsupial the  day I added myself to  Terri's Blogroll
and as of my last check

My evening random surfing of  Terri's blogroll led to a post by A Black & White World  expressing a similar experience and  similiar feelings. I have a sinking feeling most of us would rather have achieved our increases in traffic for a different reason and would also rather have the entire blogosphere be moving up proportionately  because THE Higher Beings are also participating by getting the truth out including but not limited to these videos of  Terri.  Now then the blogosphere will really be able to celebrate.

I Was Wrong, Terri Schiavo Matters

    As I mentioned yesterday in my blogging for Teri and as was evidenced in a completely absurd and ignorant comment to that post, there seems to be more misinformation about Terri and her family floating about in the MSM and public knowledge than in the blogroll (please see and join) and blogosphere. I ashamedly admit several years ago when I first heard of Terri's story on some mainstream evening news and along the way over the years, I completely swallowed the little blips of the McStory they spun with the facts they chose to present. As with many human and personal news tragedies I seem to take them all a little bit too personal. Each time the story came up in the news I prayed for Terri,her husband,  and her family. It is highly disturbing to me I was so quick and foolish to swallow so easily the overriding theme of the story presented that her husband was the real victim.
    Enter the blogosphere. Blogs have helped to share information concerning Terri's life,her condition, and the legal battles in ways newscasts and journalists couldn't even begin to emulate let alone appreciate.Over the past week I have taken the time to explore all of the videos and relevant documents. Numerous links are provided on my blog and on the others blogging for Terri to gather the information necessary to make it Crystal Clear for yourself and to please take action and join us. With the blogosphere and internet I was able to finally  see I was seriously and dangerously wrong in my earlier beliefs and naivete. I admit it took time and effort to scour the web and other blogs and see the facts and reality. It was uncomfortable to admit to myself there are numerous disturbing and unsettling factors in this case. However, there is a pressing need to come forth now and to share I was indeed very wrong, Terri Schiavo and her life matter. I will not and can not sit idly by in my pajamas celebrating a resignation when an innocent and otherwise health woman is to be starved to death even though she has a family who loves her and wants her to remain alive. Indeed, Terri Schiavo and her life matter more than my embarrassment at swallowing the McStory of her husband the victim.

More Crystal Clear to the Blogosphere than to a Judge & Her Own Husband

The blogosphere is ablaze with heartfelt concern and thought regarding Terri Schiavo.  Before I even posted my first connecting of the dots concerning Terry, I found  Kris over at  Anywhere But Here , had saved me the typing and linking. Keeping true to my usual thoughts regarding blogging about things that you can most likely read someplace else, I link today to something I believe should and hopefully will catch your attention regarding Terri and the barbaric thought and consequences of starving her :

Q: Is Terri in an unresponsive coma and hooked to life support machines? .
A: Absolutely not! Terri is purposefully interactive, alert, curious, lovely young woman who lives with a very serious disability.  She lives free of any life support machines and receives nutrition through a tube that is connected only at meal times.From Terrisfight.org (link in box above)

Hat Tip: Cao's Blog
Participating Blogs:

Craving Feedback Whatever it Is

    Having not given my email as much attention as usual and having not had the time to surf Blog Explosion, I was pleasantly surprised to see when I surfed on in to check out some of their new improvements. There is  a much more useful way of rating and reviewing blogs. I am proud to see the one review I have thus far considers my blog "Educational" and checked my writing as good!!
     I am asking any and all visitors and bloggers of  all traffic exchanges to please take a moment to rate/review/comment at Blog Explosion (page linked above) what you think works or does not work about my blog. I am asking for feedback and would appreciate both positive and critical feedback. I promise and assure you, I  really can take it as long as it isn't as absurd as the coward who commented "dear god do you ever shut up" and just basically seems to want me to give up blogging....Cause that is not going to happen...

Farewell Diplomad...

    Not linked to previously but often read...Although I am certain there are many other places he could find to continue his blogging service, I wanted to make sure it is Crystal Clear,  I  guarantee you my blogmat here is always saying "Come On In" to Diplomad .

Uhm...Isn't MY Blog MY Place to Open Up & Not Shut Up?

dear god do you ever shut up?

    This was a comment left on my blog. I kid you not. Although I laughed aloud when I read it, frankly I wanted to scream at this idiot:

THIS IS MY BLOG!

 

   ; Why are you here if you don't want to read whatever drivel I spew?  Are you not coordinated enough to click the Next button? Are you so self-absorbed you surf BE or BC or BZ  only for credits  so people will read your masterpieces? Please go ahead...live large...fore go the credit and click on along because as long as I can and as long as I want...I will not shut up and I will continue to blog about whatever the hell I want.

    I am guessing bloggers such as MuzikDude , Sigmund, Carl, and Alfred ,  La Shawn Barber's Corner and of course MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy and well...Isn't it Crystal Clear I could go on and on and on...I think most bloggers would agree with me, Don't you?

WoW...I Want This Type of Man for a Husband and Father to My Boys...

    In last night's surfing I somehow ended up at Rich Geib's Humble Outpost in Cyberspace. Rich seems to have kept this site a long time ago prior to "blogs". It is not up to date at this point. I  ended up using Techronati and found out he is doing this and actually works at a nearby highschool!!Isn't that simply amazing? He is in my neck of the woods and I find tons about him terribly attractive...but alas he is married...So let me make it Crystal Clear...this in my mind is the type of man I am looking for as a husband to me and father to my boys. Surely there must be more than one of them out there?

In Cheryl's Name

In Her Name: A Fundraiser for Breast Cancer Prevention
As I commented on Greg's living and touching memorial to his wife:

   

One of the most wonderful and inspirational things to behold is a person who takes their grief and transforms it into something beautiful and worthwhile. You have again surpassed the previous leverl of your ability to inspire.

Sometimes, it is Crystal Clear, things really are as easy as a click of your mouse.

Button! Button! Who's Got the Button?

I do! I do!

It is here!!! My button! Thanks to none other than the lovely, the talented, the never ever to find a comparison to as far as the most awesome flirt in the blogosphere:

Thanks so very much...Head on over and say Thanks on my behalf!

A Bit of Mommy Broggin'

      

Although the good doctors , would lead you to agree all infants and children are like Volkswagens, I have to this time respectfully disagree in that if my children were cars it is more than Crystal Clear they would definitely stand out in a fleet. I'm thinking  perhaps a  Rolls Royce and Bentley.
     I, Crystal Clear, in the past, and forever more lovingly,willingly, and eagerly embrace the role and title  of  "Mommy Brogger". Mommy Broggers are both mommy and  blogger. We lovingly brag about our beloved and most certainly brilliant offspring on our blogs. We are eager to share our life as Mommy as well as photos with the world, proof of our greatest gift(s) to the planet. Most of us probably really don't care or need to know if you like our mommy brogging, but we do greatly appreciate hearing your comments about how cute our raisons d'etre are to your eyes. We brog for ourselves, family, friends, as well as to have an ongoing cyber record of our children's growth, accomplishments, and achievements for them. Some of us even include the times we are less than proud of them or ourselves. We love to capture those special moments in photo and writing because they are far to sweet to savor alone.
    Don't like Mommy Broggers?  No problem, you don't have to like us. Deep down though, don't you wish  your Mommy would have brogged about you?

 

 

Jill Definitely Has the Right Idea

So very relieved and grateful to see the very talented and special Jill back to blogging. Her recent post allowed me to comment on this whole over-rated over-the-top New Year's Resolution hoopla. Check her out, read my comment regarding resolutions for Idiot-Doctors-Trying-To-Treat-My-Son, and join in the joy of setting resolutions for those screwing up your life!

It is Crystal Clear, Blogger Generosity Knows No Bounds

Earlier I eagerly commended the generosity of Anders, Captain's Quarters, and Dr. Laura's Worst. Now I am glad but not surprised to be adding these brilliant and magnanimous bloggers to the those worth emulating bandwagon:MicheleandSC&A .
If you know of any others I need to recognize, please let me know.

Yet Another Reason Why I Blog

Who wouldn't want to participate in and use the blogosphere to promote these wonderful and generous bloggers with worthy ideas?

Dr. Laura's Worst Nightmare **BONUS** on De-Lurking Day  (Today January 5th so please head on over there!)
CQ's World Relief Day Set For January 12
Ander Jacobsen's inspiring Tsunami challenge 

and although not Tsunami related an event I am very proud to participate in and promote:

January BlogBurst  Please contact dt804@yahoo.ca  or visit Israpundit

Back to Slithering...

Boo hoo...it seems like I am evolved to flappy bird only to regress yet again..Nonetheless I am quite confident I will eventually make it up to at least a rodent...

Crystal Clear Commends Ander Jacobsen's Brilliance & Generosity

With my parents safely back in Phoenix and my sons snug in their beds, I found myself able to return to blogging about three hours ago but found myself completely empty of words. I am not talking about a blogger's block and a lack of interesting and thought-provoking material but about a profound sense of futility and narcissism and heavy heart as the death toll continues to rise and words seem so terribly ridiculous. After re-checking in with Ran's blog to make certain he and Delian really are  fine and reading Delian's harrowing account,and many many more blogs complete with pictures and stories I wish I had taken the time to link to, I ended up at an interesting post by Jeff Jarvis of BuzzMachine on blogging which also led me to:
 Ander Jacobsen's inspiring Tsunami challenge .Crystal Clear this is an easy and welcomed invitation back into blogging:

Webloggers: Give to tsunami victims and I'll give too! I've only gotten positive feedback on my posting on New Year's Eve, and seeing the Tsunami death toll still climbing, I want to challenge other webloggers: Whether you give money, time or whether you decide to share your link-power; if you create a post on your weblog front page or create permanent links in your blogroll and link to the below organizations, then link to my blog and this posting, I will pay US$ 1 to the British Red Cross. I will visit/verify any blog trackbacking this post or showing up Technorati the next two weeks and donate accordingly. Fine print: only real blogs count (i.e. no fakes/dummies, minimum 1 inbound link in Technorati to ensure authenticity). Cap of donation is US$ 500 (should there be 500 people responding to this challenge within two weeks). I'll post the count and amount after Jan 16th.

International aid organizations:

UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)
United Nations' World Food Programme Medecins Sans Frontieres / Doctors without  Borders (donate!)
CARE International
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

UK/Europe:

Disasters Emergency Comittee (DEC) - comprises a raft of aid agencies, including the below and others
British Red CrossSave the Children UK

North America:

American Red Cross Canadian Red Cross Save The Children
Anders Jacobsen: Webloggers: Give to tsunami victims and I'll give too!

Thanks Anders, the blogosphere and myself are inspired by your brilliance and generosity.
UPDATE:THIS was the main link I forgot to include up above. I find it extra interesting because I have also been thinking about trying video blogging.

Grace, Do These Count as Hate Comments?

Honestly I cringed at first when I realized NominalMe linked to my post about not returning the phonecall to N. Then after being very grateful for the acknowledgement of my blog and upon a more complete reading of the post I had to laugh because it appears, unbeknownst to me until now, that I am a bit of a Blog Explosion joke and annoyance!
Well, it  is Crystal Clear