lowcountryblogs

It's Friday!

Not only is it Friday, it's the start of another three day weekend for many nine- to- fivers.  Everyone should be so lucky.  If our local blogosphere is representative of the larger, I'd say hang on for resolutions, reminisces, and best-of '06 lists and other New Year's fun.

Let's get started.

Agricola refers to XARK!'s recent post and proceeds with an interesting discourse on the nature of the blogosphere:

Although this process may seem to have the characteristics of a "mob", to use Rabo's words, I think it is clear that an organic, self-correcting process is at work.

Read on and weigh in.

Over at the Microbial Laboratory Pam has this question:

So 'Saddam to be hanged by Sunday'?  How barbaric is that headline?  Before the Eid religious holiday you say?  Nothing says 'Happy End of Ramadan' like a hanging...

Does anyone feel good about this?

Let her know.

Mike Burleson suggests we may have something to learn from Ethiopia.

Jmsloop, a XARK! contributer, takes a harsh look a the education system.

Kelly Love certainly has something to brag about.

Babbie updates us on LaRon Dendy.

Earl Capps reviews Warrant's Born Again and Mike quickly reviews a movie we may or may not have a chance to see here.   Asian earthquake wreaks havoc with gamers; so it's a bit of an overstatement. 

"Snap, crackle, foie."  Cute baby and a quick review of 5 Loaves Cafe. I think JanetLee is one lucky lady, Zwiker shares his recipe for oyster stew. 

Rutgers beats Kansas State in the Texas Bowl.

Brian Goode predicts rain for New Year's Eve and has a request for his readers. 

BlueIon shares an it could be worse post.
Francis X. Archibald is not happy with his local Ford dealer. 

Hurry, the Napoleon exhibit closes soon.

Nina, Nina, Nina! JET bids Nina Sossamon adieu and covers Christmas Eve's highspeed police chase.  Chris has less kind words for the anchor.

Joan?  Everybody knows Joan.

Margo shares some flower shots.  While Paul welcomes the New Year.

Our Dave Moulton looks at other Moultons.    The Mustang checks out First Class Cuts.

Personal year-end round ups:  Nick Smith and JanetLee.

**Edit**  It's not local, but it is of interest.  Some of our compatriots have been noticed in Nashville.

So 'Saddam to be hanged by Sunday'?  How barbaric is that headline?  Before the Eid religious holiday you say?  Nothing says 'Happy End of Ramadan' like a hanging...

Does anyone feel good about this?

Let her know.

Mike Burleson suggests we may have something to learn from Ethiopia.

Jmsloop, a XARK! contributer, takes a harsh look a the education system.

Wake-up Call

Never fear, Brian Goode tells us warm weather is on the way.  He also bids Nina Sossamon a fond farewell.

Over on XARK! Daniel posts an article originally published in the Post and Courier.  He states:

It's time to write a fond epitaph for the Information Age. Like it or not, we've entered the Data Age, the era in which we recognize that a glut of information doesn't make us smart, just like buying a dictionary doesn't make us Shakespeare.

Continue reading.

In sports, Jared shares an open letter to the Padres GM Kevin Towers.  XARK! has Week 17's NFL Picks and Power Rankings. 

In other news, Brian Muller assisted in the recovery of last weekend's plane crash.  Geoff will be visiting across the pond, but leaves us with a review of Geofftech '06. Also, nothing is ever as easy as it should be.

Here are a couple of pictures to brighten your day an IOP sunset and Christmas lights.

Enjoy your day, I'll be back with more if the posting picks up.

A Few For Afternoon

Quick, everyone wish Mike happy birthday!  Nala turns 2.

Anyone who has had a colicky baby, tell Stewart it won't last forever.

Paul has a question for you.

The Agricoli are home.

Is this the first of the New Year's resolutions?

Catnip abuse.

It's pretty quiet out there, today.   I'll leave you with this.  Mike Burleson from New Wars notes that Al Qaeda is in retreat in Somalia.

Well, it's Wednesday

Good morning.  It's still me, Heather.

For today's discussion, Earl Capps introduces  a bill that would make it easier for grandparents to seek court ordered visitation with their grandchildren. 

I know more than one grandparent who is jerked around by their adult children or in-laws over this issue, expected to be babysitters and providers of financial assistance, and then cut off on a whim. It's time to stop this abusive practice and put our children first.

Share your opinion.

Earl also commemorates Gerald Ford.

Both Chris and Mike are home, albeit from different places, but neither had enjoyable return trips.

The Mustang visits Karpeles Manuscript Museum.

The library and manuscript museum was founded by David Karpeles as a nonprofit educational project in 1983. Mr. Karpeles took the position that today's children lack the drive and ambition, the hope and faith which had characterized most previous generations in the United States. He finds today's youth in a state of emptiness and ignorant of our political and cultural history.

Read on.

Needles Hooks and Yarns posts the results of the Crafter's Fantasy Football League.  Pat shares a humorous Christmas tale.  Geoff shares levels of acclimatising to the US.  Eugene shares proof that he has the best wife ever.  I must admit, it's pretty tough to beat.  Margo has the post-holiday blahs.  The Piepmeiers spent Christmas singing of helper monkeys and blaming it on Kelly Love.

Pictures: It's not over, is it?  Kitten Christmas. GLK's Christmas.

Have a lovely day.

Making Heather visible

This should tell you how out-of-it I am: I got an e-mail from a co-worker today who wanted to know how I was finding time to do my regular job AND do such a great job handling the updates to Lowcountry Blogs. He concluded:

I have decided, after reading your latest posts on Lowcountry Blogs, that you either stay up really late, get up really early or don't sleep at all.

The reason for this is simple: I'm not doing it. Heather Solos is doing it, but because of an oversight on my part, you couldn't tell that from reading the post footers.

When I first configured the blog I wasn't concerned about identifying posters (because there was only me, and later Janet, working off the same admin log-in)... and for whatever reason I never got around to updating that header and republishing the design.

Heather was one of the first people to help out with this blog, and once she got her LCB author account she would just pitch-in whenever she saw a need. Since I've gone back over into management and lost my soul, Heather has been doing a fantastic job of running things on Lowcountry Blogs, and as a local blogger I just want to thank her, profusely.

Anyway, with the footers republished now you can see who has been writing the posts around here lately. I really can't thank her enough, and I know you all share that feeling.

And, since my log-in recognizes me only as "Postscripts," I'll sign this:

--Dan

It's Boxing Day

I hope everyone who celebrates had a very Merry Christmas and for those who don't, I hope you had a lovely day.  Today's round up will not be all inclusive.  I will cover what I can, but I plan on "marking all read" at some point and starting fresh, tomorrow.  Of course, if I skip something you found interesting, please link in the comments.  If you're lucky enough to be off today, enjoy it.  Otherwise, back to work!

ThinkSouth notes Governor Sanford's, potential nominee for head of DHEC, Ralph Norman,  is inconsistent with his previously conservative environmental approach.

Norman, who was defeated in November by House incumbent John Spratt, has strongly criticized concerns over global warming as "overstated" and "a lot of pointy-headed bureaucrats looking for a grant." During the campaign, Norman objected to Spratt's stances on offshore drilling, pledging to eliminate "regulatory obstacles" if elected to the U.S. House.

Way to go, Heartless Gamer.

The Grinch is alive and well.

Janet tires of Dan's twisted fun with keywords (follow the previous post link to see why).  A girl, a dog, and a truck.  Are you having trouble with pesky holiday pounds?  Nick shares tips for playing Santa in Charleston.  Dave is a man of many talents.

Pictures!  Rainy city street night,Thursday's  large formation exercise, puppies, produce,  sandy 'stang, mohawk helmet, cats + shrimp, reindeer baby, GLK's finished scarf, JAZ's Christmas catch, and bacon strips.

Recipes.  Pam provides her mother's cinnamon rolls.  JJ shares Yorkshire Pudding.  Eugen's salt dome fish. Lowcountry Foodie has several to share. In just under the wire, JAZ shares his etoufee.

In memoriam of James Brown The Back Channel and Uncle Z.

OK, so it wasn't the prettiest round up, but y'all were busy. Diaper Duty calls.

Five For Friday

I'm not sure what is wrong with my connection this morning, but half the blogs are not loading on the first attempt. 

Here are five quick hits to tide you over:

1. Xark has a suggestion for George Will.

2. Everyone needs a helper monkey.

3. Meghann shares her newly formed opinion of Donald Trump.

4. The Agricoli wish everyone a Merry Christmas as they venture to Indianapolis.

5. Google in Goose Creek?  The husband and I were driving back from JICP  when we were accosted by an odor as we turned onto Old Hwy 52.
"Man, what is that smell?"
"That's the new tech center of South Carolina!"

I'll be back with more, later.

Winter Solstice

Today marks the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year.  You'd be hard-pressed to prove it from some of the pictures floating around the blogroll.

In other news:

Geoff will be visiting home for a week, JET received his birthday wish for Tara and Chuck has discovered more restaurants and bars are instilling no smoking policies, of their own volition.  Good news JET, Reese has moved to town. Tartlette checks in from Versailles.  Have you ever visited the Charleston Coffee Exchange?

Earl springboards from Mike Burleson's previous post, will nukes save Iran?

Net stuff:   Blue Ion presents three of the biggest searches of 2006 graphically and Blogus Maximus has a question regarding cart preference.

The little meme that grew and grew.

Lightening Up

After the disturbing topic of the previous post, here are some lighter hits.

Memes are making the rounds: Dave, Margo, Jason, JanetLee, and myself.

JET announces a new blog CofC Sports Fan and wants to wish Tara Conner a happy birthday.

Mike  critiques TWC's music choice.

Czuk does not seem to be a fan of Michael Crichton's literary revenge.

British Geoff is really in the holiday spirit.  JJ isn't so thrilled with England's performance.  Biffle is fed up.

I'll leave you with: Christmas gadgets, trees, lights,  and decorations.

Caught My Eye

I was scanning the blogs and stumbled on this from The Back Channel:

This morning some of us here at the CP office had an email from the “Warriors for Innocence,” notifying us about several pedophilia-themed blog sites online. They’re upset that both Google’s ‘blogspot’ and LiveJournal.com are hosting the sites. They also included links to 14 of the 95 sites they’ve found.

Read on and share your thoughts.

I must confess ignorance, is this protected by the First Amendment?
Frankly, my parental instinct is to not care.