Come Monday...TCGJ 2014

“Come Monday…” is a weekly series that will involve a review of (or commentary about) websites, movies, documentaries, television shows, sports, music, and whatever else may tickle my fancy at the time.  Be assured that these reviews will be generally positive, as in accordance to the Jimmy Buffett song “Come Monday.”  This is subject to change, however.  In fact, I would be most derelict in my duties to neglect going on a rant every once in a while.  For rants promote change, and change can be good—right?  Therefore, since good is generally considered as being a positive force in 99.3% of the parallel universes that I am aware of, even a rant could be considered as being something positive, and a genuine hissy-fit would be even better (so I’m told).

Yep, ‘tis again the time to start thinking about what you want to give and get for Christmas.  No, I am not one to relish the thought of yearlong Christmas promotions, which we seem to be headed for.  On the other hand, since all of the ones included in the [Thinking of Christmas Gifts in July series] are individuals not so unlike you and me with generally very small operations, getting an early start on your shopping may make the difference between obtaining something truly special for a loved one (or yourself) and finding that the item is no longer available, come crunchtime.

There is, of course, another reason for considering buying items from individuals, which is that you can feel a much more direct connection with spreading the holly-jolly farther and wider.  Now, this is not to suggest that the mood might not turn darker for the regular workers at the coporate giants if Black Friday fails to cover all of the red on the corporate accounting ledgers, but wouldn’t you be thrilled with the sales of items you had poured your blood, sweat and tears into making?  Be assured that I would be thrilled to see the sales of my books increase dramatically over the Christmas season.

Speaking of e-books, you could become the coolest somebody around by purchasing e-books as virtual stocking-stuffers for those on your list.  Oh, and authors will be well-represented this year, by the way.

If I happen to miss someone you think should be included, please let me know about it.  Arlynda will be publishing her November Nudges (unless our Heavenly Father has other plans, of course) which will have different items (when possible) by the ones included in TCGJ 2014, as well as any missed or newly discovered in the meantime.

Okay, it all starts tomorrow.  Are you ready for some shopping?  Oh, and as far as I know, there is no law prohibiting the buying of gifts for occasions other than just Christmas (like maybe to celebrate the rising of the sun for another day).

Please Also Visit:

[Arlynda Lea]

[FishHawk Droppings]

[The Tribulation Times Herald-Exhorter]

Come Monday...February 8, 2008

“Come Monday…” is a weekly series that will involve a review of (or commentary about) websites, movies, documentaries, television shows, sports, music, and whatever else may tickle my fancy at the time.  Be assured that these reviews will be generally positive, as in accordance to the Jimmy Buffett song “Come Monday.”  This is subject to change, however.  In fact, I would be most derelict in my duties to neglect going on a rant every once in a while.  For rants promote change, and change can be good—right?  Therefore, since good is generally considered as being a positive force in 99.3% of the parallel universes that I am aware of, even a rant could be considered as being something positive, and a genuine hissy-fit would be even better (so I’m told).

February 8, 2008 is the date of the first [Sites To See], but the series was called [Five For Friday] back then.  This remained as such until [January 9, 2009], which is when it became Sites To See.

The 370^th edition of the series was published [last Friday], and 4,408 different sites have been included in it so far.  Of course, since my trusty old solar-powered Casio calculator gave up its ghost a couple of years ago, math has become a lot fuzzier for me.  So, the official count may not be entirely accurate, but it is safe to say that A LOT of different sites have been included over the past six years and three months.

Oh, and the official Sites To See count does not include the sites in the A Sunday Drive series, which debuted on [January 11, 2009].  For all in the A Sunday Drive series have already been in a Sites To See edition and are part of its official count.

Neither does the official Sites To See count include the sites in the [Thinking of Christmas Gifts in July] series, which debuted on [December 5, 2009].  Okay, if you want to get plumb technical about it, the series did not actually become Thinking of Christmas Gifts in July until [July 2, 2010].

If you are curious, the reason why I am bringing up all of this now is on account of planning to launch Arlynda Lea’s Sites To See next Saturday (May 24).  Hopefully, those included over there will be more responsive to her than far too many have been toward me.

In all fairness, the response lately has been encouraging.  Hey, there were even a couple of editions where over (just over) half of the owners of the included sites left an acknowledging comment while less than 25% usually do.

No, I am not seeking great praise from others, but how can a simple thank you be expecting too much?  Most thankfully, I have a small group of faithful followers, who keep assuring me that my stuff really doesn’t stink.  No, my beloved wife is not one of them.  {Insert deep sigh here.}

Please Also Visit:

[Arlynda Lea]

[FishHawk Droppings]

[The Tribulation Times Herald-Exhorter]

Come Monday...Doubling the Joy

“Come Monday…” is a weekly series that will involve a review of (or commentary about) websites, movies, documentaries, television shows, sports, music, and whatever else may tickle my fancy at the time.  Be assured that these reviews will be generally positive, as in accordance to the Jimmy Buffett song “Come Monday.”  This is subject to change, however.  In fact, I would be most derelict in my duties to neglect going on a rant every once in a while.  For rants promote change, and change can be good—right?  Therefore, since good is generally considered as being a positive force in 99.3% of the parallel universes that I am aware of, even a rant could be considered as being something positive, and a genuine hissy-fit would be even better (so I’m told).

I suppose it is arguable that the giving of gifts is ultimately self-serving for someone like me.  For it always brings me great joy.

Oh, and it has been pointed out to me that purchasing gifts from individuals and small shops can double the joy.  For it makes the giving all the more personal when the gift is obtained from someone not so unlike yourself.

Alas, I have included a reminder link at the end of my November posts in years past to encourage as many as will to consider obtaining handmade gifts from small operations, but I have really been out of sorts the past month or so.  Thankfully, it is not yet too late to do so in time for Christmas.

Michael Lynch’s [Ryukyu Gallery] serves as a perfect example of what I am trying to convey.  For his photography prints would make a fine addition to many a wall, and the more that sells, the less trouble he stays out of with his longsuffering wife.

Okay, I was just smarting off there.  For Michael is usually a delight to correspond with, but he can be a cantankerous old coot at times.  So, I need to take my shots when I can.

Oh yeah, obtaining gifts from individuals just keeps on giving.  For I now consider Michael to be a very good friend, and I have met (so to speak) several others who appear to be just as personable.

So, would you consider at least giving a good look at what people like Michael have to offer?  I think a good place to start would be through my [Thinking of Christmas Gifts in July] annual series, but they should not be hard to find elsewhere.  If you find one that I should include next July, please let me know.

Please Also Visit:

[FishHawk Droppings]

and

[The Tribulation Times Herald-Exhorter]

Come Monday...Double Secret Probation

“Come Monday…” is a weekly series that will involve a review of, or commentary about,  websites, movies, documentaries, television shows, sports, music, and whatever else may tickle my fancy at the time.  Be assured that these reviews will be generally positive, as in accordance to the Jimmy Buffett song “Come Monday.”  This is subject to change, however.  In fact, I would be most derelict in my duties to neglect going on a rant every once in a while.  For rants promote change, and change can be good—right?  Therefore, since good is generally considered as being a positive force in 99.3% of the parallel universes that I am aware of, even a rant could be considered as being something positive, and a genuine hissy-fit would be even better (so I’m told).

Many great artists have been notorious for being rather difficult to get along with.  In fact, some make no effort whatsoever at even just trying to be cordial toward potential purchasers of their art.

Be assured that I have had a great deal of experience with the like here in the blogosphere, and it has been getting worse.  For I just thought it was absolutely appalling that only a handful of the 143 artists acknowledged being featured in the first year (2009) of promoting sites where Christmas gifts could be bought from individuals.  There were 164 sites in total in 2010, 156 in 2011 and 113 last year.  Whereas, there was only going to be 52 (including 5-6 new ones) this year, and I was seriously considering not publishing a Thinking of Christmas Gifts in July 2013 before I was talked into making some drastic exceptions.

Those exceptions are including sites of those I suspect are no longer in business while still having wares for sale on display, along with those who have fallen prey to the current bane of my existence, which is engaging the word verification spam preventer thingy.  Be assured that I am not happy with this arrangement at all.  For it means that most of the sites featured this year will not receive notification from me.  Hence, essentially being on double secret probation.

Alas, isn’t an online gallery/boutique/whop owner having word verification in place not so unlike an owner in the real world making their place inaccessible to the handicapped?  Yes, there is an audible option to solving the letter scramble, but in most of the cases where I have tried using it, it still took several tries before I could understand what was being said.

Alas, it was not all that long ago when I was as unsympathetic to the plight of the handicapped as far too many still are.  For I was not necessarily against helping the handicapped, but I considered it appalling to force businesses to install wheelchair ramps and other things that made life a little easier for those who could not get around as well as those who could get around on their own two feet.

Okay, I still find it appalling to force businesses to make their places more handicapped accessible, but that now has more to do with there still being a need to do so than with being strictly from a hardcore politically conservative point of view.  For our Heavenly Father has made some drastic changes to the way I now see things, and I hope that this double secret probation nonsense will help give some a clue while still helping to promote the sale of their works.

The funny thing is that there is often an easy way to purchase things provided while direct communication with the artist is hindered, but in all fairness, billions of dollars are spent on artworks each year without any expectation of ever exchanging pleasantries with the artists or their direct representatives.  I suppose it all depends upon whose name is on the canvas or the maker’s mark.  Does great success mean never having to acknowledge another’s existence?

Please Also Visit:

[FishHawk Droppings]

and

[The Tribulation Times Herald-Exhorter]