August 20th – Celebrate My Birthday With An Act of Kindness

For those wondering – the only gift I ask is an act of kindness done in my name on my birthday – August 20th.

Wherever you are in the world on August 20th; dedicate a moment to deliver an act of kindness. Volunteer at an animal shelter, hug your parents, check on an elderly neighbor, donate books, clothing, or food where needed.  Use this day to do share your love.

Let me know what you have done on August 20th – leave a comment, link a photo or a blog post sharing your act of kindness.

Thank you for helping to celebrate my birthday by making the world a little bit more happier 🙂

Blog Update

Hey there, I hope your summer is going well. I’ve been quite busy myself with running, photography, and home improvement projects. Also, I’ve been busy collating design ideas for the upcoming blog redesign. I can tell you that it is quite a mess behind the scenes of the blog at the moment. I’m really looking forward to updating the look and functionality of this website. I’ve contacted Creative Kristi to work with me in the design and implimentation phase.  My overall idea is a clean, magazine style design that makes my photography jump off the page. Also, I’m incorporating the ideas readers so kindly suggested in a survey I posted in January.  I’ll be sure to post updates as the project moves forward.

I did it – I reserved a spot on September 8th to go skydiving! I’m so excited and nervous with an addition touch of excitement.  Just wait till you see the photos and video – hopefully I won’t look too terrified.

Later this fall, I plan on hosting a coffee talk with Philadelphia District Attorney candidate Danny Alvarez.   A nice, informal way for neighbors to meet the candidates and enjoy delicious baked goods.

2014 may find me traveling with The Giving Lens. It is a travel photography workshop that partners with NGO’s. Workshop participants learn more about photography and volunteer time with local non-profit organizations. Photography mixed with supporting a local non profit organization seems a win/win situation for me.

Stay tuned as there are lots of projects in the works and I can’t wait to share them!

 

 

 

Thank you, Marooned in Marin, for considering my internet footprint as influential.   It is my hope that readers find value in my work and recognition from my peers is always appreciated.

The internet is composed of tiny sparks of awesome and I relish the chance to highlight those who make the internet better for all. Yes, I am a bit chuffed to be considered part of this community and hope my work will continue to evolve and improve over time.

Along with this award, I am required to fullful a few rules:

1. Display the award logo on your blog – check

2. Link back to the person who nominated you – check

3. Answer questions decided up by your nominator – check

4. Nominate ( no limit of nominations ) other bloggers for this award and link back to them – check

5. Notify those bloggers of the award requirements – check

The questions and my answers in italics are as follows:

1. What shaped your current political philosophy?

Up until Sept 11th, 2001 I was basically apolitical with no defined political ideology. A few days after 9/11, I received an email from a casual acquaintance which opened my eyes to the bubbling malfesance of the political thought. I still have the email as a reminder of what must be countered with truth. From that moment, I chose to formulate my philosophy around evidenced-based truth which put me frequently at odds with hardcore leftists. In a nutshell, the quest for truth continually shapes my political outlook. 

2. Do you see a resurgence of the Tea Party movement before the 2014 mid-term elections? Why or why not?

I have always been a fan of true grassroot movements and have been lucky document this national movement over the years.  I see a resurgence of Americans fed up with the current state of affairs and will let their voices be by way of the ballot box come November. 

3. What is the most unreported political story that is being ignored by the “mainstream” media?

I am a huge proponent of free speech regardless of political leanings. The targeting of several journalists by the DOJ along with the absolute silence in the MSM is a devastating blow to free speech for all of us.  More chilling is CNN accepting alleged funding from our government and outside governments to promote or squash news stories. While funding stories is not a new concept – CNN does not disclose any funding sources when producing its content.  If CNN is in this game then every other MSM outlet is as well. This non-disclosure erodes what little confidence I have in their product and I find I lean more heavily on online news aggregators and blogs for updates on current news. FYI – I do disclose this type of arrangement in blog posts as needed.   

4. Who do you see as a rising conservative name to watch?

Hmmm..Mike Lee, Ted Cruz and me 🙂

5. What do you do like to do away from blogging/political activism?

Wait a sec..there is more to life than blogging?  Seriously, life is a fascinating adventure and I enjoy writing of my passions and new discoveries on this blog.  Here you can find running recaps, beer brewing tips, photography lessons, movie reviews and food worth eating.  I’m sure I missed a thing or two but these are my predominate likes. 

6. Which do you prefer: Beach or Mountains?

Both, actually. 

7. What is a quote you like to live by?

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken – Oscar Wilde

 

Earlier I mentioned the internet is composed of bright sparks.  Here are a just a few of the exceptional sparks that I have been fortunate to meet and befriend.

 

The Sundries Shack   – Jimmie is one of the most social media savvy guy I’ve met. Our Friday night social media Google + hangouts are fabulous and informative .  His writing style is engaging, informative and downright fun to read.

 

Masterpiece – Beth is just one awesome chick!  She is a teller of tales in pursuit of living in joy. This is one courageous woman that I am happy to have met at Blissdom 2012. 

 

Alli Worthington – One of the organizers of Blissdom Conference and a blogging/social media/life guru. I’m serious – she is the cheerleading coach we all need in our lives.

 

Sheri Ohler – A talented artist, chef, and writer. I own a necklace designed by Sheri and receive compliments every time I wear it. I’m hoping to collaborate with her in creating a logo for my new blog site.

 

Creative Kristi – She is a dynamic woman and outstanding blog designer. Ahem, I have a blog that needs a design…

 

My questions to this group:

 

1. What is your favorite cliche?

2. What poem do you know by heart?

3. What is the first CD you bought?

4. What book changed your outlook on life?

5.  What is your all time favorite movie?

6.  Share a happy memory.

The Snark Factor Tonight

Listen live to the Snark Factor every Wednesday night at 8pm EST on FTR Radio where I will be joining Fingers Malloy, Irish Duke to bring news bites at the top of the hour followed by sparkling chats with invited guests. If you are a fan of my blog, you’ll know that I have an eclectic taste in news of the day.

On tap tonight:

 

Dick move by Rolling Stone magazine.

 

 

 

Bong Girl? Abby Huntsman to join MSNBC ‘The Circle’.  Oh, you didn’t know? Well, that’s not surprising, as no one watches the show. Just FYI.

News Bites

 

This coming days will be a busy ones for me. I’m looking forward to attending Close Encounters..with M. Night Shyamalan – clips and conversation with Carrie Rickey tomorrow night at the Perelman  theater.  I’m looking forward to learning new stuff during this event and writing about it on the blog.  During the weekend, I’ve a 10 mile training run scheduled and I’m adopting a dog on Sunday. Also, did you know it is the season for pickling cucumbers and beets?  Let me tell you, there is nothing like a good pickled beet salad. Anyone who tells you differently is an idiot.

I’ve a lot on my plate in the upcoming days, yet the world still turns and drama occurs daily.  While I’m out living life, here are a few news items that have caught my attention. Feel free to leave your thoughts on this topics in the comment section.

1. Some data points to think about regarding DOMA – via The Foundry.  There is way too much rhetoric being flung about regarding DOMA and the SCOTUS ruling. I want to inject a bit of measured data into this discussion, also I want my readers to have access to reasoned facts instead of flaming rhetoric.

50        The number of states whose marriage laws remain the same after the Court’s marriage decisions.

38        The number of states with laws defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman. That includes California, where the scope of today’s Prop 8 decision beyond the specific plaintiffs will be the subject of ongoing debate and, most likely, further litigation.

12        The number of states that can now force the federal government to recognize their redefinition of marriage. The Court struck Section 3 of DOMA, which means that it must recognize same-sex marriages in states that redefine marriage.

1          The number of sections of the Defense of Marriage Act struck down yesterday (Section 3). Section 2, which ensures that no state will be forced to recognize another state’s redefinition of marriage, is still law.

0          The number of states forced to recognize other states’ redefinition of marriage.

The important news you may not be hearing is that the U.S. Supreme Court did not redefine marriage across the nation. That means the debate about marriage will continue. States are free to uphold policies recognizing that marriage is the union of a man and a woman, so that children have a mother and a father.

2. Regarding the SCOTUS decision on Prop8 – I am troubled – not by the content of Prop 8 but the undermining of basic democratic self governance. The people of California voted for Prop8 twice and their will should be respected by all. Equality cannot be forced, it must be earned. That is the ugly marketing truth the gay and lesbian community have not learned as of yet.  Inexplicably.

3. So who, outside the dayside producers of MSNBC, didn’t see this confirmation coming? IRS auditor reconfirms conservative groups, not liberal groups were targeted by the IRS.    It seems the IRS is truly the bogeyman we all loath and fear.  Now would be a good time to start discussion on how to reign in and defang this beast.

4. What in the name of physics is causing this ancient Egyptian statue to rotate? I’m hoping one of my NSA watchers could anonymously comment on why this is happening.  Don’t worry, I won’t tell 🙂

 

5.  ICYMI – It appears a pork laden amnesty bill passed Senate scrutiny today and all reports point to it being DOA in the House.

Snark Factor Tonight!

Listen live to the Snark Factor every Wednesday night at 8pm EST on FTR Radio where I will be joining Fingers Malloy, Irish Duke to bring news bites at the top of the hour followed by sparkling chats with invited guests. If you are a fan of my blog, you’ll know that I have an eclectic taste in news of the day.

On tap tonight:

DOMA, DOMA, DOMA!

Texas SB5

S.E. Cupp moving on from  MSNBC’s ‘The Cycle’.

Home brewed beer!

 

 

 

 

2013 Blog Survey Results

In January I asked readers and followers on several social media platforms to share  their thoughts and ideas on how to make this blog a better online experience.  I have been able to extract a fair bit of quality data from this survey that I am happy to share with you. A review of the data confirmed a few general ideas I had about the blog and illuminated some new and pleasantly surprising perceptions. Overall, I found the data extremely helpful while I craft the next phase of ‘MidnightBlue’.

I had promised this data months earlier and apologize for the delay.

To start, I have released the top percentage answers from the eight multiple choice questions.

How did you find this blog?

• Friend 29%
• Link from other blog 21%
• Twitter/Conference 18%

How do you follow this blog?

• Direct visit 68%
• Twitter 42%

Why do you follow this blog?

• Sense of connection with the author 76%
• Quality information 41%
• Photo tips/Eclectic content 35%

What topics would you like to see more of on this blog? 

• Politics 57%
• Photography tips 46%
• Opinion on current national and global issues 46%

Post frequency preference on this blog.

• Whenever you post is good for me 64%

Would you be interested in occasional guest bloggers?

• Yes 32%
• No 3%
• Maybe 53%

What type of posts would you like to see more of on the blog?

• A mix of all the above 60 % (Interviews, Reader Q&A, Video posts, Photo essays, Podcasts)
• Photo essays 40%
• Video blog posts 29 %

Appearance matters. How do you like the overall design of MidnightBlue? What can be improved?

• Perfect –  no changes 58%
• Go with two columns 19%
• Too cluttered 11%

 

Far and away take home message was the authenticity of the collection of posts through readers sense of connection with me. This sense of authenticity and connection has also been confirmed off line when meeting twitter followers.   I will continue to post in this manner across all social media platforms – I am me online or offline.

I’m not sure how to interpret the results of the guest blogger question. While I’m not philosophically opposed to guest blogging, I like to have a certain level of control over the content produced on this website.

Thanks again to all who participated in this survey. I learned quite a lot about how my content is received in public and hope to use this information to improve the level of content provided within this website.

Snark Factor Tonight

Listen live to the Snark Factor every Wednesday night at 8pm EST on FTR Radio where I will be joining Fingers Malloy, Irish Duke to bring news bites at the top of the hour followed by sparkling chats with invited guests. If you are a fan of my blog, you’ll know that I have an eclectic taste in news of the day.

On tap tonight:

#Benghazi – that local event in Libya last September 11th:

How long has the Washington Post invented data? Clearly it is the case with their Benghazi *coverage*.

Joel Pollack – 5 Key Points from Today’s Benghazi Hearing.

You Will All Be Assimilated

Into Pinterest…

Next, @irishduke2 (cc: @skye820) RT @anthropocon: Just got an alert that @benhowe joined Pinterest. #SignOfTheApocalypse

— Jimmie (@jimmiebjr) May 2, 2013

 

Snark Factor Tonight

Listen live to the Snark Factor every Wednesday night at 8pm EST on FTR Radio where I will be joining Fingers Malloy, Irish Duke to bring news bites at the top of the hour followed by sparkling chats with invited guests. If you are a fan of my blog, you’ll know that I have an eclectic taste in news of the day.

On tap tonight:

Pigford – the essential story – Andrew Breitbart’s Pigford Vision.