As regular visitors know I write poetry from time to time, along with other Creative Writing activities ( See Archives. ).
One type of poem I have yet to try is the Nonsense Poem, a style made famous by Lewis Carroll.
Fellow Bear Flagger Annika's Journal has plenty of poetry related posts to explore, and poster Victor devotes the newest Wednesday Poetry Day post to the subject of Nonsense Poems in an interesting post.
The Annika Poetry Archive is here.
Since my last entry in this series 10 months ago the ranks of the Bear Flag League have grown.
It has been a while, I think since any of us found the time to do a full round-up of League posting, but the other day one of us apparantly had some time on his hands, and nothing better to do. ;-D
Let me introduce you to some blogs you may never have heard of before.
This is my way of reconnecting with my fellow BFL members.
Hopefully I can dedicate the time to re-invigorate the Waving the Bear Flag Round-up. ;-D
Comrade Miller's effort is an inspiration, and is at least his 2nd such effort in the past year. ;-D
Check out his choices of interesting recent efforts by members of the Bear Flag League.
If you have not read, or are not reading, any the books of my fellow Bear Flagger, Tammy Bruce, then shame on you!
Check out her website to see what you are missing.
I spent the day reading her latest book "The New American Revolution", and decided to visit her website for the 1st time in a few weeks.
Now I know why I have little interest in watching the Winter Olympics, even if I had the time to do so:
When I first heard this I thought we were speaking of Iran, or some other nation stuck in the Stone Age. After all, it's the 21st Century, it's not possible that there is actually a rule that bans women from a certain sport, is it?
Unfortunately, proving why there needs to be a an authentic feminist movement, Gian Franco Kasper, the presdient of the Intenational Ski Federation, is stuck in the year 600. He has indeed banned women from ski jumping because, according to him, it's "too dangerous" for them.
She then proceeds to take the Radical Feminists ( who despise their former Comrade on the barricades ) to task, and to call on people to show support for the Women Skiers in various ways.
So, while the American feminist establishment has devolved into supporting women who murder their children (Andrea Yates still being their cause celebre) authentic feminist issues are left to the wayside. The American establishment has also made itself so marginal and ineffective, that even if they entered this fray it would mean nothing.
Learn what you can do, if so inclined, here.
UPDATE- 2/20: Hee, hee. ;-D
If THIS event is so dangerous to the delicate female anatomy then why the heck are so many women active in the sport worldwide?
I heard that one of the Female Lugers was 2 months preggers, but has anyone in the Governing Body called for banning women from THIS event?
The Ladies know the risk so let them Ski if they choose.
Oh, and BTW, when I'm thru reading Tammy's latest book, you can bet yer Sweet Bippy I'll be tracking down the other 2.
Her latest is a powerful essay promoting Individualism over Groupthink, and I can say this after reading just the 1st 62 pages!
As a wonderful follow-up to my 9 Chapter, picture filled "Ronald Reagan, Conservativism, and Me" in 2004 ( A series that showcased a 4 chapter Tour of the Reagan Library, AND 22 Photos ) , I now present the following by a fellow member of the Bear Flag League:
From Kevin at SoCal Pundit:
Photoblogging The Reagan Library and Air Force One Exhibit
Between us, and the Air Force 1 Photo Essay by Ed Driscoll Kevin Links to, you can get a tour of the museum without leaving the comfort of home. ;-D
Welcome to another What a Lotta Blogs Edition of this series!
Our League is huge!
I don't mean Sumo Wrestler Huge, but Goodyear Blimp HUGE! :-D
Some of us occasionally go the extra mile in letting our readers know what our fellows and fellowettes, are thinkin' and scribblin.
The latest 2 examples can be sampled here:
Right on the Left Beach did a round-up on May 28th.
Miller's Time did it on June 6th.
Each of our members has a unique, and opinionated take on life, the universe, politics, and everything so go sample some of the best writing in the Bloggerverse.
Take your time, and don't gobble your intelllectual food. :-D
Now that I've found a new home, once I get settled in, I'm going to return to my own occasional small round-ups, and work my way up to doing the Orgy. :-D
Since the last editon of this series, in November, our numbers have grown, and awareness of the BFl in the wider Bloggerverse, and general public has as well.
Justene Adamec, of CalBlog, has done a great service by wandering around collecting links to interesting recent entries by the Membership Assembled, and I wish to heartily recommend each,and every, one as a fine starting off point to getting to better know us all:
BFL Round-up 7: She finds my post about my new found ability to get out, and expand my horizons, to be interesting and noteworthy, and I thank her for the link. :-D
As of this writing Justene has made it thru the "T's", and when she is done with her Round-up I will add the links here.
For now here's my additions recommended for your perusal:
Continue reading "Waving the Bear Flag 11: What a lot of Blogs edition" »
I come home from work tonite to find this in my email from a fellow Bear Flag League member:
Hey everybody, I am scheduled to be a guest on Kevin James' show on KABC Talk Radio (AM 790) tonight (this morning?) from 12:00 midnight to 1:00 a.m. We will be talking about blogging at least part of the time, and I will certainly be plugging the BFL. Yeah, I know its not Fox News, but you know what they say, "to each according to his ability . .
Russ Petti, proprietor of Roscoe's Blog, is acquainted with Kevin, the popular late night Radio host of a show ( I catch it during its last hour ) that leads into the just as popular Red-Eye Radio, a show I listen to, from 1 to 2am, on a regular basis.
Russ does a wonderful job of opinionatin', and investigatin' on his blog, and tonite displayed to the insomniacs of our fair state that his "ability" is considerable.
With being a proud member of the Sub-Media, comes great responsibility, and he did us all proud, tonite!
Continue reading "Radio BFL debuts thanks to Roscoe's Blog" »
RIP Feste!
Long live BJ!
As I mentioned the other day the illustrious Feste was contemplating a new direction after retiring her Political blog, Fool's Blog.
Yes, you read right, I said HER.
Many, many, folks were probably unaware of this but Feste is/was a wonderful, intelligent, opinionated, and very funny 60 yr. old woman living dangerously close to that den of iniquity known as San Francisco.
Continue reading "Quite Early One Morning a new Blog is born" »
The ever popular Bear Flag League Feed Roll came to an end a few weeks ago.
The folks who designed it, and ran the show, laid it to rest for various technical reasons, and so the BFL is actively looking for a replacement.
When such a Worthy is found the Feedroll will return.
Feste, of the wonderful Foolsblog, and a fellow Bear-Flagger, has cashed it in this week:
Some maybe be wondering why so little posting of late? I just can't work up any interest in the current political/news cycle. Maybe it's election burnout or information overload, perhaps a bit of both. I find that I'm simply shoveling better informed, smarter, more thoughtful blogger's content to remain current and not doing that very well — so it's time for a change.
I believe warbloggers, collectively, made a huge difference after 9/11 and leveled the information playing field by challenging the MSM's bias. Blogging the past two years was exciting and addictive, especially the run-up to Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the election cycle. No matter how small my role, I am proud to have been part of The Command Post and creating a citizen-driven, information medium.
That's the bad news...
Continue reading "Good-bye Foolsblog! You will be missed!" »
Round 3: Continuing a trip thru the Bear Flag League in the aftermath of the Election.
1. Infinite Monkeys:
James has a 3 part Series he calls RECRIMINATIONS, and 2 of the pieces deal with the election aftermath.
Recriminations links to a piece that speaks for many of us.
Recriminations, Part Three (Arlen Specter).
2. Jeff Doolittle:
In the "Hallelujah, I'm an Idiot!" dept. Jeff links to a piece that has to be read to be believed as a writer expresses what passes for deep think analysis on the Left in the aftermath of their Election disaster.
Jane Smiley's vicious name calling, and blanket generalizations, of 60 million Americans is disgraceful.
Not all of us are Evangelical, or even remotely close, and though we don't agree on Religion it doesn't mean we don't see mostly eye to eye on the issues that shape the Conservative Agenda.
It seems that "The election results reflect the decision of the right wing to cultivate and exploit ignorance in the citizenry ( That's U and Me, pardner )."
We ain't ignorant, Jane.
In your search for those who are I'd suggest starting with a long look in the mirror.
Continue reading "Waving the Bear Flag 10: Election Blow-out" »
Round 2: Continuing a trip thru the Bear Flag League in the aftermath of the Election.
1. Da Goddess:
Offering up a plan for Campaign Reform
2. Daily Pundit:
Thoughts on the Dems, on Bush, and the next 4 years in an excellent piece called Next on the Agenda.
3. Damnum Absque Injuria:
XRLQ patiently explains "Why" to the dimbulbs of the BBC who are asking us brain dead Americans this question: What possessed You to Vote for Bush?
Continue reading "Waving the Bear Flag 9: Election Blow-out" »
Today being a day of celebration I thought I'd attempt something special, and do an Ultimate California Bear Flag League Round-up.
On no sleep, but plenty of enthusiam. :-)
The articles would be from yesterday, and today, and from over 60 Blogs.
After 6 hours of pouring over the 1st 14 Blogs on the BFL List, looking for 1, or 2, pieces each to recommend I realized that this will take several days to complete.
The enthusiasm is there, but the strength is not, as I am discovereing just HOW worn out I am by covering the election over the last 2 days for the Joint.
I have re-confirmed what I already knew, and have been sharing with you, dear reader, off and on, for months:
My fellows, and fellowettes, are an intellegent, and opinionated, lot with much to say on the issues of the day.
Be patient with me, and all will be revealed over the next several days.
It will be worth the wait, and your time.
1. Aaron's Rantblog:
A picture is worht a thousand words, but read the story too: Fear and Voting in Los Angeles.
As Aaron writes: "Dubya didn’t just win where he won. He mostly won where he lost, too."
Kerry’s Marginal Futility - 2004 Blue State Trend Analysis.
2. Absinthe and Cookies:
I'm glad she didn't have to follow through on The Bitch Pledge.
Instead she is singing a happy tune: Oh What A Beautiful Morning!
3. Accidental Verbosity:
Jay has opinions on, and links to, 2 of the very best after election articles you will read this week:
By Dean Esmay-- Democrats: Palatable or Spoiled in Four?
By Michelle, of A Small Victory-- There's Got To Be A Morning After.
Continue reading "Waving the Bear Flag 8: Election Blow-out" »
Fellow Bear Flagger Aaron the Liberal Slayer, of Aaron' Rantblog, has issued a challenge:
I’d like to aggregate a list of blogs showing photos of how “in your face” you are willing to be in order to get Bush re-elected....So get out there and take a digital picture of yourself doing/wearing/displaying something IN YOUR FACE for our President.
If he gets more than 25 entries the best one will get a cool reward.
To learn more go here: Bush In Your Face – Blogger Challenge.
News of Bear Flaggers being censored.
This is disturbing.
The stories involve these companies deciding that if a website has certain info that they deem to be "sensitive content" then they don't want you as a customer.
Greg Ransom, of PRESTOPUNDIT, has news of 2 e-mails sent to him, including an aboutface.
GOOGLE ADS has blackballed PRESTOPUNDIT.
William Quick, of Daily Pundit, has this tale of an e-mail sent to HIM:
As far as I'm concerned....
These organizations can take their attempts to censor other peoples content, and shove it where the sun don't shine! :-)
They can have any type of policy they want but, in a Free Market Economy, if enough people complain, or take their business elsewhere, then they will re-think the wrong-headed parts of their policy accordingly.
Telling Bloggers that, because of what you write, or link to, we don't want your business, may end up being more trouble than it's worth. :-)
Kevin Murphy, of The Interocitor, joins The Boi from Troi as a Blogger Birthday Boy.
Today he is 1 Year old. :-)
Let's celebrate with a look at some interesting writing from the past. :-)
When I joined the Bear Flag League, last Spring, I began an ongoing series designed to keep me, and my readers abreast of the writing of my fellow Californians, and the few Ex-Pats in the group.
A lot has happened since the last entry, in late May.
The most important was a new job that has pre-occupied me since early July.
While I managed to post a few individual links to stories, the Link Fests were put on hiatus.
Well, I'm back to start them up again.
Our Little Band of Bloggers has grown to 59 from 47, in April, and it's high time I get on with meeting the rest of the gang. :-)
All previous entries, in this series, can be enjoyed in the Waving the Bear Flag Archive.
Now, meet 2 more opinionated members of the BFL! :-)
A year ago, this past weekend, a new intelligent, informative, funny, and oppinionated voice in the Bloggerverse appeared out of West Hollywood, Ca.
I'm a 6'1", 175 lb., 29 year-old, gay male, republican, sports fan living in West Hollywood, California and sharing my thoughts on politics, sports and gayness with the world.Feel free to share your thoughts!
225,000 visitors, straight, and Gay,, Left, and Right, have stopped by, and many have shared their thoughts as well.
Many of the Big Names in Blogging have linked to his writing, and so have many of us Small Fry.
With this piece I wish to share with you some recent pieces I have found interesting on his Blog.
He has covered a lot of things on Politics, Gay Marriage, and Life ( even his own story ) and other Heavy Duty subjects, but I wish to highlight other types of pieces you can find.
The big news of the week, though you won't see it on the National Networks, is that the Los Angeles Times has surrendered on the field of Political Battle.
To a tenacious member of the Bear Flag League ( it sems he's taken on the Times before )! :-)
The tale is one of glory, in the cause of truth, justice, and the telling the truth about John Kerry, way.
Fellow Bear Flagger Julie, The Irish Lass, has come across a must read story that just confirms why John Kerry should not be the President:
ShockingJohn Kerry thought that the assassination of a few thousand of our South Vietnamese allies would be a small price to pay to get our troops home.
Her piece is called Sunday Surfing.
In another interesting piece she writes about her encounters with Roger Ebert, and Deep Throat ( maybe ): Venti Non-Fat Latte
Fellow Bear Flagger Doug, of Right on The Left Beach has put together a fascinating look at what he saw on trips to the streets of San Francisco, & Westlake Village, to visit the missions of the Innerchange Division of Church Resource Ministries (CRM).
One of his passions is Photography, and his selection of Photos shows sides of 2 of Californias big cities that many people don't often see in person.
Growing up in Los Angeles County all my life, and having to rely on traveling from one end of the county to another on Mass Transit I have seen sights such as these, and much more.
Say what you will about Religion, Left, Right, Christian, or not, organizations such as CRM do much good in the world, and there are far more respected groups involved in this activity than there are those who rip off their contributors, and do little to help the poor.
Take a look at these interesting photos here: Photo Albums
Of course The Missus PE did all the hard work, but the new addition to the Diaper/Toddler Wing of the Bear Flag League has safely made his early entrance into the world, & the Proud Papa is currently floating on Cloud 9, thereby giving the folks gazing thru the Hubble Telescope something truly odd to look at, wonder about, & write a future Dissertation on. :-)
I wonder if anyone has taken an Official Head Count of how many there currently are in our Diaper/Toddler, & Young Skulls Full of Mush Wings anyway? :-)
Congratulations to one & all, over at Pathetic Earthlings!
Welcome to the world, Owen,The Little Earthling! :-)
Fellow Bear-Flagger Ryan, of Ryan's Head, has received an e-mail from a friend who shared a fascinating letter from a friend in Iraq.
I'll let Ryan introduce it:
It's amazing what's going on over there: planning for sewers and water treatment plants, hospitals, jails, roads - the media doesn't share this with us, but this is the kind of infrastructure that enhances and motivates independence and self-reliance (we're sharing our inefficiencies in building infrastructure too).But, perhaps the best part of this letter is the description of how women's lives have changed in Iraq.
There is so much we take for granted, so here's a slice of life from a country that many in our country would rather we left alone. (Funny how some of those anti-Iraq people are billionaires with jets and houses all over the world who can get anything and do anything they want in life).
The letter is here:
Congratulations are in order to fellow Bear Flagger Jeff Doolittle, & his Wife, for bringing into the world Jack William Doolittle, on the 23rd.
To get your first look at a future President of the United States go here and gaze upon the adorable little tyke:
Claire, of the blog e-claire made a request of her readers:
In these difficult days, I am finding a need for more outright silliness. Hence, the "jokes."Hey -- you don't think they're so hot? [me neither] Send me some you think are! I'll put 'em up for everyone to enjoy.
She extended the same challenge to her fellow Bear-Flaggers.
As a new member of the California Bear Flag League I'm spending a few days this week giving myself, and you my readers, a brief introduction to my fellows, and fellowettes, in the League.
This is round 6:
With ACCIDENTAL VERBOSITY you get 2 bloggers for the price of one, as yet more proof of the good that can come from 2 bloggers having a meeting of minds, and a co-mingling of lives. :-)
JAY, is well on his way to going to the Dogs, with the announcment that submissions are now being taken for the new Carnival of the Canines, and DEB, whom I first read when she was alone on ACCIDENTAL JEDI, is having problems with people being nice to her when she's awful to her e-mail, and sucks because she hasn't had her ultrasound, such lack having put her in the mood to clean while imagining she hears crickets, which makes her want to go nuts, and scream, thus increasing her blood pressure.
Read all about it in 8 Things. :-)
As a new member of the California Bear Flag League I'm spending a few days this week giving myself, and you my readers, a brief introduction to my fellows, and fellowettes, in the League.
After a busy previous week I'm back to continue the tour. :-)
The entries I'm linking to are all from last week, except when not. :-)
This is round 5:
As a new member of the California Bear Flag League I'm spending a few days this week giving myself, and you my readers, a brief introduction to my fellows, and fellowettes, in the League.
I'm deep into putting together the Best of Me Symphony, for tomorrow, and so these side trips are a nice way for me to take a break. :-)
The entries I'm linking to are all from last week.
This is round 4:
HOWARD OWENS has been scarce this month, but at the end of march he wrote 2 very interesting pieces.
Assigning Blame, about the Sept. 11 Commission, and about John Kerry's views on trade in The perils of protectionism
INFINITE MONKEYS writes about the UN, and Rwanda, and links to a great post, by THE BELMONT CLUB, in the bargain, in Will we never forget?, and tells us about "Maundy" Thursday
As a new member of the California Bear Flag League I'm spending a few days this week giving myself, and you my readers, a brief introduction to my fellows, and fellowettes, in the League.
The entries I'm linking to are all from last week.
This is round 3:
CITIZEN SMASH gets 3 mentions here, and after reading them you will understand why:
He has a round-up of links to Soldiers blogging from Afganistan, and Iraq, and who have now come home, in Sandbox Round-up, links to "A FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNT by a female soldier held under siege for twenty-one hours in Kut" in Combat in Kut, and produces a brilliant WHY WE FIGHT piece, about who THEY are, and what America's Objective is.
As a new member of the California Bear Flag League I'm spending a few days this week giving myself, and you my readers, a brief introduction to my fellows, and fellowettes, in the League.
The entries I'm linking to are all from last week.
This is round 2:
On July 4th, 2003, the 153rd Anniversary of California's admission to the United States, a momentous occasion in the history of Left Coast Blogging occurred with the organizing of a loosely aligned group of mostly right-leaning blogs, based here in the Bear Flag state, or having been transplanted elsewhere far from our hallowed ground.
The hearty band of Journal-ists called themselves The Bear Flag League.
As of this past week, with my finally joining, the group has grown to 47 interesting, and opinionated blogs whose writers post entries about anything and everything that interests them, not just about life in California, but America, and the world.
You can see the Blogroll, on the left, but there is also something special below it as well.
A feedroll that highlights the 15 most recent blog entries, by Bear Flaggers, to peak your reading interest.
I at last decided to join, after thinking about it for months, because I finally think I'm ready for it.
Regular readers will know a lot has happened, in my life, in my writing, and on the Joint since January 2003. I'm not the same blogger as then, and have ventured forth into the wider Bloggerverse with a vengeance, and an eagerness to more deeply engage in the give and take.
Participating in the various Carnivals was just the beginning, followed most recently with my joining Blogs for Bush, to show my support for the Prez, and re-starting my 2nd Blog, The Cycling Dude, last month.
I've lived in Southern California all of my 44 years.
All but the last year in Pomona, in Los Angeles County, and have written about California issues, and life here, quite often.
With Sneakeasy's Joint's 2nd Blog Anniversary coming up May 7th, I felt the time was right to join my fellow Californians.
Let me begin introducing you to some blogs you may never have heard of before, and some must read stories from the past week.
This is my way of spending the week saying hello to my fellow BFL members.
Those I've linked to in the past, and those I've never read before.
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