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As a companion to this site we have added 
shirlstars1
chakracher
vintagescribe
staldernets
Hello fellow villagers
Posted by dianed101 on October 14, 2009
Hi, yes it’s me and I finally found a reason to write again. It’s a long story and I will try to make it short.
Recently I was delighted to discover a web site for a high school I went to in the 50’s and one which is very dear to my heart. Also delighted to discover my sister was involved in the website unbeknown to me. So time churned on and I received the following email from the site:
Starting today we are going to feature links to “member” web sites/pages. This is a trial feature. We will look at, and approve links submitted by members to their personal, or business sites/pages for inclusion in our listing.
So great I thought, I will have them include a link to this site and sent off email, it was subsequently posted. Then2 days ago I received an email from my sister saying, the administrators of the HS site said mine was not connected to the school and was therefore removed. Keep in mind that other links on the site were for a tarp sales company, a novelist and a glass artist. None of which were connected to the HS in any way, other than they had been members of the same school.
So I said to sister, what’s the deal,… no response…, then finally I wrote to the administrator for clarification and he referred me to my sister about this “issue.” ” Issue” I sent back, “did not know we had one”. Well quite a few emails back and forth, none further from sister and I finally learned that my sister apparently and allegedly did not approve of this website and found it to be “nonsense”, or something of that nature and went about trying to find support to have it removed.
I then received a letter from the administrator,
It appears to be a continuing discussion of literature, art, and cinematic works of varying artists by a handful of unknown people (with the exception of Diane). The principals seem to be familiar with one another and address statements and points made in a back and forth manner. Unless you are “into” this sort of thing you will not have a clue of what is going on. I know I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I am not stupid, and I have a heck of a time trying to follow the various conversations. Furthermore, I have absolutely no interest in jumping into a discussion of which I know nothing, with a bunch of “highbrows”…with whom I have nothing in common. It is just a bunch of “mumbo-jumbo” to me (no offense intended).
then this:
I agree with ‘Sister’ that this blog, in its current form, has no business on our web site. I don’t think it belongs on our web site because it doesn’t make sense…not because it is unrelated to our school, but….because it is unrelated to most people. This blog is aimed at a very narrow audience. I will stick my neck out and say that few if any of our members would visit the blog more than one time; that one time being more out of curiosity than anything else.
Of course I was rather shocked at all of this, our little website, nonsense. I perused it over and over today, thinking what is nonsense about Georgia O’Keefe. What is nonsense about Whisel’s wonderful little vignettes and paintings. Truly I looked from the “native American Code of Ethics” to many of the wonderful stories/essays posted here and I could not even find one tiny bit of nonsense.
Oh and I forgot to add this part:
think about re-working your blog, or come up with another that the common man and woman in the street of any town can look at and understand. The door is not being slammed in your face. The worst thing you could do (in my opinion) is give up. Get up, dust yourself off, and come up with something more to the liking of the local gentry my dear.
I did respond that sorry but I think this blog is great and I hardly staked my fortune on link clicks from HS site and plus that Whisel, who has written most of the content is a wonderful writer and artist and I am proud to have her on this site. Therefore I have no intentions to modify, change or alter the site to conform to whatever standards I have no idea. I am always wary of those who want to place their expectations on you.
So there you have it. This little site is considered unworthy of a stinking link on a High School Alumni Website of people in the age catagory 60, 70+ in age and the link click potential is about 3.
What a bunch of bunk.
whisel said
Well, there you have it…. another perspective on what the content of a web-log “should” be.
Perhaps your HS website Administrator is desiring logic, chronological organization and empirical discussion. And if so, he may be right that this site cannot be measured or confined in that way. As far as I understand, it was never intended to wrap itself around the ways and doings of the finite physical world, but be more of a place in whch to share the other dimensions of life, like: comedy, personality, spirituality, creativity, pathos, mundacity, and the imaginative sublime.
If you type: Define: Web-log into your browser, you will find a variety of definitions, although generally there is an agreement to a sort of diary or journal, containing the writings of experiences, thoughts or musings of the user. As a contributor to this Village, I come from my own unique perspective and the worst thing you could accuse me of… is expressing myself from a rational, point-of-view.
I could see where this place is off in Left field somewhere, but as it is, I just love the location and the freedom to be how and who I am, whenever I post. So keep up the good work, Diane. High School was a long time away and most people have become self-actualized by now, not needing rules and regs to guide/guard their words. People like you and me and Shirl and Scribe and anyone else who has the good fortune to post, reply and/or read here.
Truly, I wish everbody well in their pursuit of life, liberty and the freedom of expression. But, like you Diane, I am who I am and I prefer not to subject my word wranglings to any make-shift Earth authority.
Best wishes, Whisel*, the Rambler, the Mumbo-Jumbo Artist, the Notable Namer of None-Sense and None-Sensibility, Villager Extraordinaire*
shirlstars said
Ah Whisel*
You never disappoint! Well said, exquisitely worded and very much spot on. The contributions of those who post and comment here are a delight for me. And as I recall the days when Diane was busy formulating this web-log I know it was her clear desire and intent that everyone was welcome and all points of view would be considered. In the 5 years that there has been a Village Blue, and now the Village Blue 2, I think only one person (other than spammers) has ever been asked to refrain from posting the specific type of material that was posted.
We wanted things that were in relative good taste, and have always been very welcoming of personal stories or experiences any have wanted to share. I think the only caveat ever expressed was that we preferred it not to be overly political as most of the members here already belong to the major political blogs and participate there. Diane also requested that we refrain from using “cuss words.” But I think even I have crossed that line once in a while.
I must say that I don’t too often get drawn into the “3D drama” any more but this exchange between the “Administrator” and Diane I found quite insulting. Not only to Diane but to all of us who participate here. Frankly, it is no concern to me if people like this site or not, they are very free not to come here nor to participate here if it is “nonsense” to them. I did get a wonderful Laugh Out Loud moment from being referred to as a “High Brow.” I often am very visually oriented when I am reading words. . .and I went right to unsuccessfully being able to “see” just how high that brow actually had to be to exclude those former HS classmates of Diane’s. I drew and redrew them higher and higher up on the forehead until we all became some version of non-browed persons ala Whoopi Goldberg as the brows disappeared into the hair line.
A lot of interesting underlying emotional/psychological crap going on with this verbal exchange via the e-mail. Perhaps I am noticing it because I have been dealing with helping some come to an understanding of why some of their behavior and or reactions to things are causing difficulties in their day to days. So I have been wearing my Dr Shirl hat quite a bit the past couple of months.
No matter. I wish them the best with their HS web site. Hope they are able to maintain the absolute control over everything that they desire and it works for them
And in the scheme of things wondrous in the Universe none of it matters a whit.
Since I am feeling playful and having so much fun these days I will sign off,
Dr., Dr. Shirl. . .Yes I have a PhD, which is no doubt the reason my brow has become so incredibly and offensively high. . .also, I am just a few months away from PhD number 2 (Metaphysical Counseling Certification). . .And who the heck cares but me? It is just alphabet letters that seldom if ever do I use. . .the great part was learning all that I have been and continue to learn.
So, Any who are overly concerned about my high-brow-ness (what a LOL that is) can henceforth refer to me as Doctor, Doctor.
Love all of your post, dear Whisel* Will try to put some more of my own out here but it seems school, housekeeping, counseling others, and gazing in wonderment at the sky, the earth, the rocks, the rivers, the trees et al sucks up all those minute thingies that we use to measure our days.
Love to both you and Diane and Scribe and all who choose to read here.
Hugs and Blessings
Dr Shirl (giggles)
dianed101 said
Whisel what a great comment, despite your closing hilarious line, you make more sense out of nonsense than anyone I’ve ever known.
I have decided to leave that site, doesn’t seem big enough for the 2 of us, and any site that can’t post my web link is really no site I wish to be associated with.
Yeah maybe left field but you know there have been over 7000 visitors to this site and the first VillageBlue had over 250,000 in just 3 years. So I guess there are lots of folks out there in left field nonsensical land.
Love and hugs
Diane
shirlstars said
That’s the thing about you Diane. . .You are always right! (even that one time when you weren’t. . .)
There are lots and lots of us who prefer “nonsensical Land.” So glad that you provided the road map and resting place for us.
Love ya dearly,
Shirl
vintagescribe said
(Warning: Snark alert!)
..[ "think about re-working your blog, or come up with another that the common man and woman in the street of any town can look at and understand.]
Dear ______.
How very KIND of you to take the time to offer this sterling advice. As one of the writers here, I’ll begin to research more popular materials for the common people immediately.
Tomorrow, I am going the the grocery store, and I promise to take extensive notes on the magazines I see while waiting to be checked out. “Thirty Ways To Make Your Man Happy In Bed”, and “How to Lose 50 Pounds of Cellulite in Three Days” just might inspire me to write more down to earth materials that have more appealing to common readers.
[The door is not being slammed in your face.]
Oh thank GOD! For a moment there, I thought I was doomed.
[ Get up, dust yourself off, and come up with something more to the liking of the local gentry my dear." ]
Oh! THANK YOU! (snuffling back tears of gratitude) It has always been my personal life’s mission to please the local gentry, and finally, with your generous and gracious assistance, I am on the right track!
(The above snarky content is this writers personal reaction and was not previewed by the site owner, so don’t blame her!)
shirlstars said
Wonderful response, Scribe!
You seem to have highlighted the things that were glaringly apparent to me as well. Thanks for a lovely chuckle this morning.
I miss your words. . .where are you writing these days? Let me know and I will travel there to drink up some Vintage Scribe.
Blessings and Hugs
Shirl
vintagescribe said
Shirl, I haven’t been writing anywhere online, for a quite long time: not sure why, really. The urge to do just faded away, but it may be on it’s way back. It feels different this time though..like whatever comes from here on will be something “different.” than I’ve done before. I’m allowing this to reveal itself as I go along, ..rather than try to figure it out…:)
shirlstars said
I hear you Scribe.
I have been through a similar experience, just lost the urge to say much about anything for quite a long time. It was more a time of observing and working on “cleaning up my own house” as far as letting go of things that no longer serve me or my perceived purpose here.
There does seem to have been some movement or opening that is “different” and figuring it out, any it, has pretty much disappeared for me. Becoming informed seems to come in a much easier way and with more clarity than any of the figuring it out I ever did.
As it becomes conscious in my awareness, it comes forth and that is certainly the way I will proceed from here on.
Hugs
dianed101 said
Scribe, that was great and thanks for your perspective. I thought, “I’m 66 years old, you don’t tell me to dust myself off, try to produce a site that pleases you and sister”, which is impossible. Anyway he was ok with the site until sister pressured him, of course when he took a gooooood look he discovered the absolute nonsense of this site.
Never in my life did I think someone would think this site was not suitable for linkage to a HS alumni site of 200 people, or any other site.
What if I had a political site, wowzer, that would have been a good one.
Well if anythng, it has made me love this site more than ever and actually want to write some more “nonsense”.
dianed101 said
Update: I received today a very nice email from the administrator basically apologizing and reversing his/her initial assesment and inviting me back to the site including the linking to this site. I thanked him for doing so as I think it is a very fine thing to admit you were wrong, however I don’t think I am ready to take that step.
As most of us blogger know, it is very easy to rush to write words that you may later regret and hold opinions that you later reverse.. not many will say so as we well know.
I also thanked the admin. on your behalf for inspiring all of us lazy writers to put some words to keyboard.
I received this feedback from a family member who read this thread that I want to share with you:
I saw a group of well educated, well read, intelligent, well spoken people with a wonderful and delightful sense of humor with the ability to put that on “paper” in the most erudite and interesting way.
In addition, I invited said admin. to come and read both this article and the History of the site to see just what kind of site we are.
I love you all and all who read these words on these pages who come here with an open mind, heart and spirit.
vintagescribe said
What a wonderful outcome to this incident! And yes, I too am grateful for the inspiration it gave me to participate more often here again.
I can’t apologize for my “snarky” response however, as it felt WAY too good to compose! In fact it felt downright empowering, after so many years of swallowing that kind of thing silently, like “a good girl should”. I intend to spend the rest of this life gig just being “me”, with ever single one of my “unacceptable qualities” hanging out in plain sight for all to see!
Deal with it, world!
shirlstars said
Oh please, don’t ever apologize for such a wonderful snarky take on things.
I couldn’t agree with this more:
shirlstars said
Well I seem to have screwed up the blockquote code. . .LOL
this is what I meant to highlight:
“I intend to spend the rest of this life gig just being “me”, with ever single one of my “unacceptable qualities” hanging out in plain sight for all to see!
Deal with it, world!”