Blog Policy?

Since discovering for myself the wonders of the humble blog, I've encountered a few bloggers who have mentioned in their posts that they have created a 'blog policy.' When I first got wind of this, I was quite surprised. A blog policy? Is blogging that serious that I could possibly need one?

I can see that blog policies have been designed so bloggers and their commenters can interact graciously with each other. For example, I've seen that quite a few fellow bloggers dislike anonymous comments, especially when the commenter is hiding behind their anonymity in order to cowardly have a go at the blogger and their views without ousting themselves. Fair enough, I say. I've also seen policies that ask people not to comment if they are going to post abusive, degrading or overly critical things. Fair enough too.

When I started my blog, I had no idea what direction it was going to head in but I quickly discovered what annoyed me along the way. So I guess this is my 'policy'. I realise that I can't ban people from my blog, but I can ask them to be decent human beings. I also realise that some fellow bloggers will disagree with my policy or think I'm being too anal....just as I may disagree with theirs but I respect their right to have it. Fortunately, I haven't had many problems with abusive or argumentative people and I hope it stays that way!

SEDSHED BLOG POLICY

• I'm not entirely against anonymous comments, as some people are, but if you're going to make a controversial or argumentative comment, then please put your name....even if it's just 'Bob' or something. Otherwise, I'll assume you have something to hide. General anonymous comments are fine.
• This is not a 'rule' or anything but I'd appreciate it if lurkers on this blog would give an occasional comment....even if it's anonymous. I realise that there are always going to be more lurkers than commenters and lurkers are more than welcome to lurk if they wish, but letting me know you visit would be an encouragement to me.
• If I know you in 'real life' and you think something I've posted on this blog is downright wrong, then please let me know in person rather than leaving anonymous comments. If you think I'm going to bite your head off.....then maybe keep your head and don't say it ;)
• You're more than welcome to use my photos or quote things I've written here, but please acknowledge me if you do. There's nothing worse than finding out someone has ripped off your idea or creative work. You don't have to ask my permission although do be careful about using photos that I've taken of other people, especially if you plan to use them publicly. It's a bit like quoting something in an assignment. You don't have to personally contact the author, but you must acknowledge it was their idea.
• If you read this blog, I'd appreciate it if you didn't 'advertise' for me by telling mutual friends that I have a blog and where to find it. I'll do my advertising myself. My blog isn't a secret, but I don't want some people here (particularly those who fall under the third dot point).
• You may disagree all you like, but I ask that you do it with maturity and respect.

Well, I guess that's my policy :)

Do you have a blog policy? What are your guidelines for your readers?

P.S. Please vote in my 'Favourite Series' poll if you haven't already. Only four people have voted so far (thank you to those four).

From Head to Hand: Inspiration and Perspiration

I know a lot of people never thought they'd hear me say this but......MY BOOK IS NEARLY DONE! Yes, I'm at the climax of the story but I can't give too much away because I want you all to read it. However, when I tell people I'm nearly at the end of my epic adventure, many of them say, "Is that the book you started years ago?" or "About time."

Unless you've written a book, it's hard to understand the hard slog involved in getting a story from head to hand. There are moments of writer's block, distractions, busyness, tiredness and laziness to contend with. Writing a book is a bit like study; it requires self-discipline and motivation. Some people, who are not writers assume that only an inpsirational idea is needed to write a bestseller and that all I need to do is regurgitate my idea onto my computer. I wish! It's more like 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. It's easy to have an idea and fine-tune it in your head. It's much harder to stick at it when the going gets tough.

Some writers are 'inspiration writers' who have an idea and then rush off to their computer to record their thoughts. This can happen at any time, even in the middle of the night.....basically whenever they get their 'inspiration'. I find it frustrating when I go to bed and immediately think up some great dialogue for my book....but I'm supposed to be sleeping. I COULD get up and immediately get it down on paper, but I have another job and I need to be disciplined. It wouldn't look good turning up to work with bags under my eyes and struggling to stay awake but some writers don't worry about that.

I'm more of a 'disciplined writer'. I set aside a designated period of time to write and I stay there until the inspiration flows (and it usually does eventually). I figure that I can't rely on mindblowing 'inspirational moments' because they might not come or might come at inopportune times. Some hard yakka is required.

If you've got a book in the pipeline, please don't give up. If it was worth thinking up, then it's worth getting down. The actual writing part may not be as fun as refining your plot and characters in your head, but it's all part of the journey. Don't listen to people who tell you how long you're taking. Keep going! I'm going to have a massive party to celebrate when my book's finished and prove all the doubters wrong.

500 Posts!

WOOHOO! I've made it halfway to 1000. Boy, am I glad I didn't shut my blog down in January (although I've had a few more of THOSE feelings along the way).

To celebrate, please leave a comment or vote on my poll on the right to let me know which of my 'series' you enjoy most. You can vote more than once if you wish. I'd just like to see what my few loyal readers enjoy most....for curiosity's sake :)

Please take a moment or two to vote. Thanks!

Mum's 60th

At the start of October, Duncan and I headed down to Albany to help my mum celebrate 60 years of being on this earth. She was NOT impressed about turning 60 and was initially planning to do not very much, but yours truly convinced her she needed to party on in style and that we would help her organise the big bash. Hence, I was assigned 'decorations' as my task (Mother is getting good at delegating).

It was a fabulous night; a gathering consisting mainly of fifty and sixty-something-year-olds who danced the night away to old records. I'm surprised the neighbours didn't complain. ;)

My parents.

Speeches.

Nan giving some of the guests a tour of her bathroom.

My rellies.

Father and father-in-law

Cheryl, Linda and Mum.

Nan being the life of the party. She didn't go to bed until 1:30am!










Gary and Wendi.

Leo and Wally.

Jan, Joan and Neil

Hmmm which old record shall we play next?

5 Favourite Pearl Jam Songs

I wish I could go to their concert this Saturday night. My friend, Sarah, and I tried to get tickets but we were too late! Oh well, I'll just have to listen to my CD instead.

Here are my five favourite Pearl Jam songs:

1. Daughter
2. Alive
3. Better Man
4. Last Kiss
5. Given to Fly

There are heaps of others but I had to restrict it to five.

What are your five favourite Pearl Jam songs?

New Job!

Well, as the title of this post indicates, I have a new job!

Last year, I applied for an admin job at a farming organisation in Buntine, went for an interview and was turned down. In May this year, I approached them about doing my TAFE prac with them and they were happy to have some slave labour for two and a half months.

Three weeks ago, they rang me up and offered me a job (yes, a paid one)!

It's for two days a week, although I'm doing induction and training for one day a week until Christmas and start properly in January. I've committed to my current job until Christmas and maybe I might work one day a week with them as well next year. The boss is still working out her staffing so I'll have to wait and see.

After doing a fairly mindless job for a while, I feel I'm ready to move on to something a bit more challenging. I've enjoyed my time at the gift shop and I'm still hoping I don't have to leave completely. I had my first day of induction last week and my head is spinning a bit. They have so many committees, meetings and events....I have a lot to learn.

I can't remember the last time anyone (who wasn't family) just rang me up and offered me a job, without even having an interview!

Strange how things work out.....

Friday Funny

What do you call a man floating in the ocean?
Bob

What do you call a man sitting in a tree?
Russell

What do you call a man lying on the floor?
Matt

What do you call a man lying under a car?
Jack

What do you call a man with a legal document?
Will

What do you call a man with no feet?
Neil

What do you call a man with a shovel?
Doug

What do you call a man without a shovel?
Douglas

What do you call a man driving a truck?
Laurie

What do you call a man doing exercise?
Jim

What do you call a man sitting on the toilet?
Lou

What do you call a man wearing a kilt?
Scott

What do you call a man with a map?
Miles

What do you call a lady standing in the middle of a tennis court?
Annette

What do you call a lady wearing denim?
Jean

What do you call a woman who is singing?
Carol