This one's got to last the next couple of days, as Critical Mess is going to be engaged in family matters this weekend. Thank you for all your comments and picks and please keep those picks coming in. Ciao.
Hopefully, you'll note some posts that you hadn't noted before, go read them and perhaps come back and make a comment. Or better still, you can make a comment about a post you liked and I'll add it to the body of the Scrawl. (Thus will the Scrawl crawl as the evening wears on). Here goes.
Community News:
Yes, I know we don't do kids and pets. And we don't do cute. But it's Friday, it's our community, and our kids and pets are the cutest. So there.
squillo: A Squid (Boy) is Born (with Bling Porn) The bounty of a baby with beautiful writing to boot. And bling. You'll love it.
teendoc: Beauty and the Bunny Ears Fall in love with Zizi (with or without Rae Rae).
bluesurly: The Hitcher And then there's L. C. and she's so, so cute. Plus, her mom's too funny. And both are members of our community.
Friday Picks:
pat-on-mars: Look Quick, the Green Comet is Leaving the Neighborhood Fast The most beautiful name: Lulin. You'll learn from the author's wonderful exposition and gaze at the pictures with wonder.
Michael Fox: Four Obama Inspired Lessons for Democrats - Part Two Distills the lessons of Obama's victory into a tactical roadmap for Democrats in California and elsewhere. Great analytical insights.
Caveat Canem Croceum: The President's Budget: A mandate for Change The best analysis of the Budget and the Stimulus Package and the explication of its long term implications that I have seen anywhere. Original, clear, forceful. A must read if you care about the future.
devin jones: I am 9015476470 and Can Gay People really hope to overturn 'Don't Ask'? New poster. Receives Selective Service System invitation to join a club which wouldn't accept him if they knew! Is there something odd about this?
bryan harrison: Sharon Stone's Nipples Actually a very thoughtful essay inspired by Ms. Stone's mammaries. First post
Helen Polychronakos: Where the Sun Don't Shine in the Land of the Rising Sun New Member Excellent, suspenseful writing goes beyond the culture shock experienced by an alien in Japan. Great story.
Cassandra Berg: Returning to Amurrca First post Reverse culture shock here. Back in Cedar Rapids, Iowa from Japan. Acutely observed, very well written.
JRDOG: Sound at My Desk Zen. Mindfulness. Quiet sound. Perfect.
Pseudonombre: I write words Mindful of sounds, erupting in joy. Great introduction to New Member.
Cap'n Parrotdead: A Most Perfectest Day on Utah Ave. From Norman Rockwell to Uncle Byron is not a straight line. Pitched in perfect voice. Exquisite.
Del Stone: For me to have a good day, somebody must die Terrific writing about a different kind of perfect day. Another pitch perfect voice: wry, resigned, yet conveys depth of feeling. In the spirit of the piece, I keep wanting to say, "Have a nice day." Is that macabre or what?
Vox Populi:
Oliver King: Panthropus' digest: vegetarianism and you Get in on the debate. "Because carnivores have feelings too. For that matter, vegetarians have feelings because of carnivores." Mrs. Michaels
GinnyK: Ash Wednesday Mardi Gras with a stubborn and persnickety three-year-old boy; or why Mommy needs a Bloody Mary at 10am." Leeandra Nolting
iphigeneia: Stories from the mental ward "A painfully real account -- not like a Lifetime movie." mumbletypeg
John Guzlowski: My Parents After the War and the Camp " Sad/happy memories of family." mumbletypeg
Esse Est Percipi: Grace Under Pressure (Part III of III) "And the two parts earlier are SO WORTHY of more attention. Damn, he's good. Part three is the softest, parts I and II have such GOOD dialogue skills going on... " Catamitebastard
Padraig Colman: Tamil Separatism in Sri Lanka Part 1 "Padraig provides consistently better reportage from Sri Lanka than anything you find in Western media, with great detail and color." Caveat Canem Croceum
Writing Raven: These videos are messing with my mind "Beautiful, innovative, by an Alaskan young woman." Dolly Baruch
Real Live Preacher: Martin Luther, Diet Coke, and canned soup "An imaginary conversation between the author and ML. It's funny and profound--two of my favorites!" Squillo
Oshiyay: Exercise is good for you (part I) "This starts out slowly in part I, builds up in Exercise is Good for You (part II) and part III Exercise: the conclusion had me looking under my chair for alligators. Leaves one semi-hysterical, in both senses of hysteria." mumbletypegartmasters: Solving Mysteries with Science Geeks in the Museum Basement The science behind the art with our super sleuths. "A very cool post." Verbal Remedy
Mary King: Redstocking Grandma's Closet "Recommending a red royal resurrection. An OS favourite reveals herself!" psychomama
More Vox Pop:
Marcela K: Land of Infinites " Marcela's gorgeous pictures will cause her readers to want to visit Argentina to experience its beauty for themselves." Lisa Kern
Have good reads. And please make your suggestions to add to the list.
(If you like the idea, rate this post. That'll keep it on the feed, so others can read. Also might get it on Most Read, which'll get even more to read, and provide the People's Alternative to the Cover. Also, and perhaps more importantly, rate or comment on posts you visit to acknowledge, validate and encourage the writer.)
TIP:
Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
Kerry Lauerman
Joan Walsh
Salon.com
Comments
Thank you for continuing to do this. I know that it's a huge time commitment but it's much appreciated.
I know, I know... send you some more suggestions.
Did I miss the memo?!?!
Thank you!
WOOF
Denese
Great idea CM. To the feed with this
(So sorry, so embarrassing ::shakes head::)
Added Marcela K's Land of Infinites.
Have a good weekend, everyone. Enjoy your reading and keep those picks coming. Thanks.
Oh and I just read a great post written by an OS newbie, Annette. It is a must read for parents: Crash Landing of A Helicopter Mom
I just joined OS a few days ago and am enjoying it. Still, I am a bit surprised that the same news values that rule mainstream media seem to be factors in selections for Most Read, Most Rated...and even Editors' Picks:
Sex
Cute animals
Celebrity names
Sex
Fair enough, I guess (I can't claim that I don't click on those headlines) but it's really great to have an alternative too.
I have wondered how to access the wealth of well-written, entertaining and engaging posts beyond the Mosts, so this is really, really appreciated. I will send my suggestions.
My own pick is CCC's take on the budget, but you've got that linked here already.
Lawrence and Elsie send purrrrrrsssss.
Rated.