Civil debate breaks out at Bloggermania 1

Home » Opinion » Dan Ross

Friday, June 27, 2008

Comment

By DAN ROSS

Talking Points

November 5th, 2009

Who wants to be a political blogger for us?

October 8th, 2009

Is your account here about to be deleted?

August 28th, 2009

Ready to use your real name yet?

August 25th, 2009

Who do you want to replace Wiggins as state senator?

August 20th, 2009

Should marijuana be legalized?

Take a person who is passionate about a subject, put him or her in a room of like-minded citizens and watch a civil debate take place on the topic of choice.

Provide a keyboard for that same person, to blog about the same topic with semi-anonymity, and watch the tone change completely.

On Thursday the Register hosted Bloggermania 1, a live meeting of regular commentators on napavalleyregister.com stories. It was upbeat, energetic and respectful, a la scenario one above.

About 18 readers came to the Register’s office Thursday night to talk about what they do online, why they do it, and what they see in and think of others who do the same thing.

The group as a whole had a great time being able to put faces with the screen names like ADARK1, Native 74, freeport 56, wowquebonita, steph, pernod boi and more.

Of course the talk drifted to politics, the hard-line stances some of the people take, how some in the room disagree frequently with others who were in the same room ... but the conversation was light and positive.

This group also received a sneak preview of a new tool online readers we are going to make available to online Register users in the near future. (The visitors were very positive about what they saw, but since you didn’t come, I can’t tell you what they saw until we go live with it later this year!)

The gathering was not the idea of anyone on staff. The bloggers — commenters, yakkers, name of choice — started this on their own. I merely provided a place to get the party rolling and a vegetable tray.

Jon Sevigny and the folks over at JV Wine & Spirits helped out, stepping in as a sponsor of sorts for the event by giving all attendees free wine tastings at their Chefs Market booth.

When I headed down to the booth around 7:30 p.m., five or six of the Bloggermania attendees were gathered around, joyously extending the night’s conversations.

The night was a huge success, and all the praise for the success goes to the bloggers who shoed discussions can be civil, no matter how much you disagree with the person next to you.

Now let’s see all whether there is a quick return to scenario two, or if bloggers can to keep up the good word when they return to their own computer screens.

Dan Ross is the Register’s Multimedia Producer. He writes weekly on local, state and national issues when he is not moderating the thousands of story comments at napavalleyregister.com. He can be reached at dross@napanews.com or 256-2264.

71 comment(s)

Native74 wrote on Jun 20, 2008 3:38 PM:

" Hats off to the hiring panel at NVR for not letting these two slip through to another paper!

And I wish I hadn't a prior engagement to go to and missed any debate! I was 15 minutes late due to all the different closures throughout downtown. Not a one was due to Chef's either! *sigh*

The lack of construction coordination goes without saying, but at least we have somewhere to comment. ;) "

MarshaMarsha wrote on Jun 20, 2008 6:04 PM:

" I attended, and chose not to disclose my online identity at Bloggermania. I gladly introduced myself to others by my actual first name, because that is who they were talking to. MarshaMarsha lives in my computer.

Spontaneous conversation is rarely going to be as confrontational and interesting as anything online because we have all the time in the world to compose what we want to say on a keyboard. Writing something at a computer is like putting my world in ultra slow motion: I can check facts, create something witty, and find those words that hide from us as we get older. If I tried to be MarshaMarsha while holding a personal conversation with you there would be very long pauses and many trips to the dictionary and reference books. Not to mention the trips to the bathroom and refrigerator. Online, I can argue with you, agree with you, pity you, laugh with you, admire you, or just observe you, but I only have to host or entertain you if I chose to do so. That's the beauty of anonyminity.

My attendance at Bloggermania was to show support for what the "staff of two" are doing online. Yes, this entire site is managed by just two employees. Amazing. I will attend and support any future Bloggermabia activities because the first one was very enjoyable.

Hmmmm... I wonder how a "BloggerBBQ" at the park would work..? "

ADark1 wrote on Jun 21, 2008 2:28 AM:

" BBQ sounds great but I think the PinkOne gets nervous around BBq's ....something about...tastes just like chicken if I recall correctly...

BTW...IS there a park we can have alcohol (wine) at in this town? I'd MUCH rather have my own lil paper bag and join in with the other pleasant winos from the JV Booth.. Hmmm Maybe we can get them to help us again and SERVE us in brown paper bags. :) "

BD4 wrote on Jun 21, 2008 8:02 AM:

" MarshaMarsha - my thoughts exactly, and that is why I chose not to attend, even though I thought about you all that evening.

I guess I missed the part about not having to disclose our screen names at the get together...otherwise I would have been there! Oh well, I'll be there next time! "

freeport56 wrote on Jun 21, 2008 8:13 AM:

" I'll vote for the BBQ. It will be interest to debate how best to BBQ "

Skip M. wrote on Jun 21, 2008 11:28 AM:

" I was late getting to Bloggermania due to traffic in Sacramento. I have to tell all of you that when I moved away from Napa, I was very glad to do so. But the conversations I have shared with those of you in this forum cause me to wish I still lived in the old home town. There are good people in Napa, even A Teacher and ADark1. We may often disagree, but the conversation is always stimulating, if not enjoyable. But I have never been smart enough to keep my opinions to myself in a face to face conversation. So what you read in my posts would be what you hear from me in conversation. The only difference would be that in the forums I have the time to check my facts before shooting off my – uh – keyboard.

Dan and company has done a great job of creating a fertile community environment. This was illustrated during the School Desk fiasco. Through this, a virtual forum, real world results came out of the online discussion. Being part of that was really inspiring for me.

Since I no longer live in Napa, I measure what issues I involve myself in. But when an issue affects resources for kids, anywhere in the world, I take an interest. Otherwise, I only comment on those issues that have personal relevance. I have written frequently to the local newspaper where I live and pointed to NVR as an example of a positive and productive reader forum and community service. "

kevin wrote on Jun 21, 2008 10:33 PM:

" Heck with the parks. Can't drink, can't smoke. How are you supposed to have fun? Maybe Napablogger will let us meet in his vineyard? "

vocal-de-local wrote on Jun 22, 2008 10:33 AM:

" Maybe a winery would be kind enough to step forward and offer their facility for our next party? hint hint! "

plasticpinkflamingo wrote on Jun 22, 2008 12:05 PM:

" (peeks around corner first to make sure the BBQ grill is not fired up)

Lots of good ideas here. Those of us with laptop computers should bring them (is there wifi at NVR?) and we can "talk" in the way we are most accustomed.

In general, and of course with the, ahem, assistance of the moderators, we do get along. Even when a teacher and ADark1 extol the virtues of Obama or socialist health care I know they are doing it because they really believe it, not because they want to annoy me (or, do they??).

Wait a minute! China, get that BBQ sauce away from my legs! I don't taste like chicken! My legs are too scrawny! I'm not a willie bird! Help!

(flamingos look pretty funny on the ground but once we get airborne . . . well, the dogs should keep an eye on the sky . . . ) "

a teacher wrote on Jun 22, 2008 4:50 PM:

" Actually, PPF, I'd rather talk about kids or work or things we've done. Anything but politics.

I could tell you about the time I camped at Lake Elemetita in Kenya and saw so many pink flamingos that it looked like the shore was covered in pink fuzz from a distance. "

ADark1 wrote on Jun 22, 2008 5:36 PM:

" I hereby nominate kevin for the "HAH got that by you!"Award for the following:

"Adark1, based on the way the Democrat controlled congress has been voting recently, it seems more likely that they are going to be serving "excrement sandwiches" instead of fast food."

LOL I was gonna try that one myself kev.....outstanding! "

plasticpinkflamingo wrote on Jun 22, 2008 8:52 PM:

" ADark1 - As long as they are not serving flamingo stew.

a teacher - Yes, we flamingos like to hang out together in large groups. I've seen some video footage of huge flocks of flamingos and how the group moves around. Verrry interesting. They are also very noisy, leave large amounts of flamingo excrement (ADark1 - would be great as a Democrat sandwich!). We are also reported to be somewhat ill-tempered.

The greater flamingo is classified as Phoenicopterus ruber, a vivid red subspecies as Phoenicopterus ruber ruber, and a paler subspecies as Phoenicopterus ruber roseus.

I belong to the subspecies Phoenycopterus ruber plasticus. We also like to hang around with others of our kind, often in the front yard of an unsuspecting homeowner. We are also much quieter and leave less mess than our larger brothers and sisters. And unless someone gets my feathers in a ruffle, I'm usually not too crabby.

However, all of us flamingos like shrimp! I could say 'throw some shrimp on the Barbie' but that's been overused so I won't say it.

Yeah, how about a thread where no talk of politics or City/County of Napa issues are allowed, just us folks and our daily selves? Y'know, where ADark1 can tell us who China has snarfed on lately, Sandra can tell us what its like to be an FMC pit bull, etc. Could be interesting to us in the blogger/commentator world, boring to outsiders.

If, as has been pointed out, we are technically not 'bloggers' then we are probably commentators. I don't want to change my personae, but here's a screen name for someone:
"CommonTater"

Lots of puns and double entendres in there . . . "

Native74 wrote on Jun 23, 2008 4:26 PM:

" Domaine Carneros has wifi (awhile back it did anyway), but I'm not sure about the freebie part. Does 20% off help? Or 33% if you are in the industry... ;) "

Skip M. wrote on Jun 23, 2008 4:46 PM:

" Dragged over from the BDay thread:

How about descending on The Smoking Cat for the next event? This would encourage that under forty crowd to attend and provide a really neat atmosphere (from what I have read).

NVCHell: Most of us, particularly those of us who grew up in Napa completely understand your concern about this community having a less than welcoming attitude toward it’s young people. You have more allies in this forum that you might think. Absolutely come to the next gathering and bring your friends.

At the risk of going religious, a minister friend of mine once told me that you can tell the health of a church by the number of young people in it. If the congregation is full of geriatrics, the church is in real trouble. It is the same for a community. If we do not include the views and perspectives of our young people in the debate or discussion, the community is doomed. "

Angelina Gervasio wrote on Jun 23, 2008 7:52 PM:

" I'm so sad I missed it! My parents were working and, well I can't drive...yet. Dan, when is Bloggermania 2? I wanna meet the Pink One.

I'll go for BBQ (as long as it's not any kind of bird. ;)) Don't really care whether or not there's wine... Can't drink it anyway.

PinkOne- Heard you weren't there... What happened?!?!

BTW I am also diehard4ever (Yes, I love the movies) I used my real name for my "Different View on School Cuts" letter and the computer remembered it and now I can't get it off! Anyone know how? "

ADark1 wrote on Jun 23, 2008 9:51 PM:

" I 'm thunking again,

this is what I'd thunk..( not to be confused with think or thought ) I'd thunk we really need to do a topic on why our posters gave themselves the names they did..I mean musikluver is a no brainer, but stuff like...sofakingsavage, dirtynapkin, kdbk, sorry guys but I just gotta know. What are the reasons if any for some of the names.. "

funnyme wrote on Jun 23, 2008 11:44 PM:

" My best friend who happens to be an ultra liberal, always says to me "You're so funny..." every time I say something conservative to her and she actually agreed with it...Therefore I decided to call myself "funnyme" because I will always say something conservative and in hopes of somebody reinforce the "funnyme"...silly.
Besides, I like the idea of always having fun as your goal for the day...Have fun today, and then whatever else the day brings. That's my mantra.
You ought to love my baby though.
Now, there! "

Skip M. wrote on Jun 24, 2008 8:48 AM:

" I have very little imagination when it comes to catchy names. Mine is simply my real nickname and last initial. "

plasticpinkflamingo wrote on Jun 24, 2008 9:43 AM:

" Well, some of the names I am called by socialist acquaintances would not pass the moderator's viewpoint of what is proper. So those names were out.

Angelina, thank you for your kind comments (I like the diehard movies too, good action, good stories, and no flamingos are ever BBQ'd in a diehard movie). I hope we get more of the younger commenters here. They will take over all this someday soon, might as well get in on it now.

I like the plasticpinkflamingo handle because of the fact that plastic pink flamingos and things like wiener dogs just crack me up (I had also considered using wienerdog). It may seem a little silly when I am being serious (really now, a plastic lawn bird commenting on libertarian politics? What is this world coming to???). But it is easy to be funny with a handle like plasticpinkflamingo and I agree with funnyme, it is much better to laugh.

I have noticed when I go to other non-political threads here, a whole completely different family of commentators is busily at work. Sometimes I read through a whole list of posts without seeing the handle of one familiar friend or foe. So, your job for today is to go out to some other topic, read it and post. Diversify. But be nice, Big Brother is watching us. "

a teacher wrote on Jun 24, 2008 10:07 AM:

" You know me by what I do. My email address is the same - in Swahili. Every where, other than the USA, teaching is an honored profession.

Sometimes I post under my first name, chris,but I haven't in quite a while. "

MarshaMarsha wrote on Jun 24, 2008 11:05 AM:

" My online name actually comes from someone whom I have never met, the Register employee Marsha Dorgan.

Years ago, Ms. Dorgan wrote several articles about events that I was involved in. About 50% of the facts in those articles were misinformation. I was there, she was not. Not her fault, she was simply reporting the misinformation that was given to her. When I would read these articles I would find myself heaving a sigh and muttering "Marsha Marsha Marsha..."

For me, coming up with an online name where I could challenge facts and voice my opinion in the Register was a no-brainer. "

ADark1 wrote on Jun 24, 2008 11:50 AM:

" my name actually is a name I've used for years in computer forums...I'm talking back to the BBC days.. NO! I'm NOT BRITISH!
well minus the A part. Id been reading comments for some time and holding my tongue...( some of you....Ahem, probably wish I still did)or my fingers... But noticed The NVR bloggers seemingly had a need for some "Flaaaay Va"! ( That's "DARKTALK" for perhaps an African - American / Black ) input w/out giving the impression of being an urban style hipster! Seriously, its also a corruption of my lic plate! *Shrugs....worked for me...Besides, for Skip M it was a no brainer! :) Thanks for answering my question those of you who did... "

ADark1 wrote on Jun 24, 2008 11:52 AM:

" my name actually is a name I've used for years in computer forums...I'm talking back to the BBS's days.. NO! I'm NOT BRITISH!
well minus the A part. Id been reading comments for some time and holding my tongue...( some of you....Ahem, probably wish I still did)or my fingers... But noticed The NVR bloggers seemingly had a need for some "Flaaaay Va"! ( That's "DARKTALK" for perhaps an African - American / Black ) input w/out giving the impression of being an urban style hipster! Seriously, its also a corruption of my lic plate! *Shrugs....worked for me...Besides, for Skip M it was a no brainer! :) Thanks for answering my question those of you who did... "

Skip M. wrote on Jun 24, 2008 2:41 PM:

" What??? Getting paid to write about stuff that you do not actually have personal knowledge of? So when does NVR start paying the bloggers? Oh, that’s right, many of us actually comment from personal knowledge. "

Skip M. wrote on Jun 24, 2008 4:30 PM:

" I’ll try not to read too much into the Skip M, no brainer reference. "

diehard4ever wrote on Jun 24, 2008 5:24 PM:

" YAY! I finally got "Angelina Gervasio" off...except I don't know how. Oh, well.

OGreatPinkOne-
If you called yourself wienerdog, then I'd have to think twice about BBQing you...but that's a different story.
BTW- I commented on your comment (heh heh that sounds funny) on the school cuts letter.

ADark1-
I got my name cuz 1) I love the movies, and 2) I don't give up easy when it comes to basically everything. "

ADark1 wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:04 AM:

" *uhmmmm raises hand to the NVR mods...BBS is the correct post you can delete the other one!

BTW I figured out a solution for the lost post issue that works for me , as it should for most if NOT ALL of you.

You're welcome Skip......BTW, China says.....NARF! ( Not to be confused with a SNARF! ) I think she likes ya!

Those of you losing posts, try this..

1. Hit resubmit ,
(you know, where is says post comment?)
Scroll down the post could be there.

2. Click the arrow to the left on your browser ( am sooooo gonna have fun with THAT down the line ) THEN hit resubmit the post should magically reappear..

DO NOT!

I repeat DO NOT enter a new image code until you get the message that says the image code couldn't be read. Scroll down and there it is!

3. Also try the BACK button and hit resubmit again, NO image code needed!

SCROLL DOWN it should be there. I've tested this on safari, firefox and microsoft browsers. Worked on all.

Yer welcome! "

plasticpinkflamingo wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:29 AM:

" I've had my posts blown off so much lately I thought Hear Ye and Trickle Down and Ruff Limblog had stormed the NVR and took over the moderator's computer.

Sometimes the whole post just disappears complete. I know how to check everything to see if it just went into hiding, but it is as gone as a leftist at an NRA convention.

I now just copy the post, so if it blows out I just sign in again and paste it. It doesn't post twice (I did that once by accident with the return and forward arrows). "

plasticpinkflamingo wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:31 AM:

" diehard4ever for President!

Nominate Bruce Willis for your VP and you will blow away (pun intended) the competition! "

Skip M. wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:54 AM:

" Whatever happened to Ruff Limblog? I used to enjoy sparing with him/her. "

diehard4ever wrote on Jun 25, 2008 12:16 PM:

" OGreatPinkOne-
Don't you have to be like 35 to run for president? If you do, I have about 23 more years to think about it. Bruce for VP would work. I wouldn't have to pay for a body guard. Or I could have The Great Pink One for VP. How do you feel about suits? This could get funny.

Who IS Ruff Limblog? I never met him. He might be fun to argue with if he's more intelligent than your average liberal (he was liberal, right?). "

ADark1 wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:24 PM:

" diehard4ever wrote "Who IS Ruff Limblog? I never met him. He might be fun to argue with if he's more intelligent than your average liberal (he was liberal, right?). "

Young lady? I suggest with all your taught "conservative" values you may want to temper your statement concerning liberals.

Believe it or not Liberals and conservatives from time to time in fact agree on certain issues. To belittle them when you haven't the life experience to make a truly informed judgement is doing a disservice to not only those who lean left, but to yourself who is closing her / his mind to what the REAL world is like, and that of politics.
Are you planning on being the next Anne Coulter..will you be willing to slam the 911 widows for voicing their opinions? Will you call Presidential candidates the F word as in gay? IF you are who you say you are...you should already know to keep an open mind. Try this...look at BOTH sides of the issue...research them and THEN make an informed opinion ON YOUR OWN! "

plasticpinkflamingo wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:42 PM:

" Yes, you have to be 35 years old to be sworn in as President or Vice President. I'm just getting your campaign started, maybe a little too early.

Bruce and I will both be old men by then (he will be 76!), and I can't speak for Bruce but I will vote for you. Maybe I can contribute as a speechwriter. Flamingos don't look good in suits, feathers sticking out and it's hard to fly in a suit. Standing around in water doesn't help a good suit very much either. Give me a room in the White House offices, a nice computer, and a flamingo sized supply of shrimp (that's what makes us pink, y'know).

As for bodyguards, you'll have many Secret Service agents and some fine Marines to ensure your safety. Of course, it would be a good thing if Mr. Willis also kept an eye out for you. The first Die Hard movie is on my list of all time favorites. He and that police sergeant on the ground were funny. "

Skip M. wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:15 PM:

" DieHard: Ruff was about 90 miles left of liberal.

As to ADark1’s comments, I must whole heartedly (but begrudgingly) agree. When I was your age, I considered myself a liberal, since I disagreed with nearly everything my elders held as truth. Well, four decades have passed, and I still disagree with nearly everything many of those elders hold to, but I have found that they are the ones we call liberal and I fall to the conservative/libertarian side of things. Many of my steadfast beliefs from that time have changed, others I still cling to. But life has a way of seasoning our opinions. So, as ADark1 suggests, keep your eyes, ears, and mind open. There is much to come your way. "

diehard4ever wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:22 PM:

" ADark1,
You are right. I should have waited until I met "Ruff Limblog", but my young age and inexperience got me carried away. I apologize.
I know there are a lot of liberal thinkers who are very intelligent, however you have to admit that there are some who fall into the category of being so open minded that their brains have fallen out...LOL :)
Thanks for the lesson! "

NVR-Dan Ross wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:05 PM:

" Hey Angeli, um, diehard4ever:
Careful or you will find yourself with an offer for having a weekly blog on this Web site ...
--Dan "

diehard4ever wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:16 PM:

" I'll take you up that offer! But how are we going to work out the pay? I'm pretty sure child labor is illegal in California.

Gotta run. I have swim team at NVC. "

vocal-de-local wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:00 PM:

" My name is a dead giveaway. I'm Vocal and I'm from a place called Local! What more can I say! "

sammy wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:10 PM:

" Im so bummed once again that I missed the party at the paper.

I was totally planning on walking up to ADARK1 with my children that were going to go with me, (two of them being black) and asking ADARK1 who he was :)

Just a fyi, I am Sammy, not my actual name, but a nickname my husband gave me when I was just a youngster teenager :)

I love all the debates, left or right or in the middle.

This may absolutely stinkin slay me, but I tend to lean with Skip M. (oh gawd, my mouth just went dry and I actually shuddered)

I love our Diehardfan,...... a kid after
my heart.

Oh and Marsha Marsha,..... I a thousand percent understand your screen name here. Heaven help us :)

I spent alot of days in the same place she was,...... and would go home and read and just go marsha marsha marsha :) It was a murder trial she was covering of a person I actually rented from.....and I was amazed at our differences of what went on. But all in all, she's a sweetheart. "

ADark1 wrote on Jun 25, 2008 11:57 PM:

" Here we go.... The soundtrack of mission impossible plays in the background..
( Sorry guys with the original one I LOVED Barney yanno? the BLACK guy that was a tech?)

Anyway, your mission should you choose to accept it is to come up with ideas for a new venue that will allow us to put the smackdown on Dan and Kevin concerning the new features. I've been sworn to silence so I can't tell ya..BUT!

Your mission should you choose to accept it, is to find THE place where we can tour the NVR and have a little wine but at the same time..make it a wholesome family environment!...I'm hoping the neo - cons will find the place as they have the most money and connections.( Being a leftie ELITIST I KNOW this to be TRUE! )

Us lefties are giving it all to Obama ( yea we know he's gonna take it all anyway )

Some great ideas have already been thrown out there.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find the venue that is *CHOKE* RIGHT for all and work on Bloggermania II..... This post will NOT Self - Destruct unless the NVR mods get to it!

As usual all those involved, Including FMC PITBULLS, Libertarian Flamingos, and Fence sitting Centrists, will disavow ANY knowledge of the actions taken should the left and right seem to get along! "

Hear Ye wrote on Jun 26, 2008 4:27 PM:

" PPF-

I've actually had quite a few posts get the axe lately as well. Of course, that could just be to coverup Operation Silence Righties that is ongoing and we'll be dominating wants the surge kicks in. "

matt@newspeak wrote on Jun 26, 2008 4:59 PM:

" Shhhhhh, Hear Ye! You remember the first rule of Operation Silence Righties: You don't talk about Operation Silent Righties!

This is why libs can never carry off a conspiracy! "

plasticpinkflamingo wrote on Jun 26, 2008 5:02 PM:

" Hear Ye-
And they told me it was Operation Silence Lefties . . . things that make you go hmmmm? Is this the new toy they are installing - a way to cut back on the Moderator workload? My posts were not even submitting - they didn't get as far as the Moderator desk. But since ADark1 and I made those comments, it has gotten much better.

Methinks it is our government surveillance, Big Uncle Sam is scooping up our posts to examine them for . . . what? Now that the Register won the award, we have come to the attention of the government snoops! "

MarshaMarsha wrote on Jun 26, 2008 9:00 PM:

" That's it. Phooey. I posted things today and only one of them showed up. If this doesn't make it I'm boycotting. "

ADark1 wrote on Jun 26, 2008 10:25 PM:

" Hang in there guys...If there was a server switch or a redundancy factor put in..., you have to allow time for everything to propagate....In ENGLISH!

If upline they are working on servers...it takes a little while for the posts to cross the internet, then repost in the little server storage thingy they use...

More sophisticated users, try using a traceroute to check how many hops you're doing! "

sammy wrote on Jun 26, 2008 10:52 PM:

" put the smackdown on Dan and Kevin concerning the new features. I've been sworn to silence so I can't tell ya..BUT!

hmmmmm..... i wasn't there yet I'm IN on the new features :) how could that have happened........ "

funnyme wrote on Jun 27, 2008 8:19 AM:

" C'mon...That is really cruel an unusual punishment. I didn't do nothing wrong. I'm innocent! Please stop!
Alright it's starting to sound like waterboarding torture (or worse: "underwear torture") just tell us what it is...Please?!

Now, about that place where we can all get together, family friendly, wine service, a potluck, red carpet for the awards winners -not whiners.
I am not entirely sure but I think the "Veterans Park" in Yountville (the one with the bocce ball court) allows alcoholic beverages, or we, well maybe NVR personalities more likely (that would be Dan & Kevin) could try to book the Yountville Town Hall for that Bloggermania II...what d'ya think? "

ADark1 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 11:47 AM:

" Ok I nominate myself for the Idiot of the week Award! being the "genius" I am..I meant to type Dan and BRIAN ( sorry Brian can you forgive me?) ~mutters...prolly why I keep getting the ax..."NO more comments for you!"

See guys, sometimes the LEFT side of my brain isn't in sync with the right..( sound familiar? ) resulting in foot in fingers disease which is kinda like foot in mouth..but with fingers..Well you get the picture I hope. ( Not a pretty one either..trust me )

Yountville sounds great as well...any more suggestions? BTW, I was thinking again....NO its ok you can get from under the tables ! What about making a template for these awards that can be sent from NVR directly to the email accounts of award winners and whiners?

Of course this means I'd need a LOT more help with *AHEM* nominations...

Tell the GREAT PINK ONE I said..The Warden in charge of Awardin the Awards is gonna need more help with Awardin those aforesaid Awards!..Thus, I suggest anyone can nominate an award ...Just base it on proof of what was posted..Think of an Award and its Awarded! Now some Award winners may not like being Awarded the Award...if thats the case we can still Award an Award of the Award not being Awarded!

Phew...and China says...SNARF! ...Vote for her! I think Imma make her a mascot so she gets off my case! "

Skip M. wrote on Jun 27, 2008 11:52 AM:

" Funnyme: I like your ideas. Veterans Park is a good option during the summer, or Indian summer, months, but might not be so good during the winter. It would be nice if this happens there because it might inspire some of our young people to visit living history (a veteran). I know my kids really enjoy talking with seniors and hearing their stories. "

ADark1 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 12:58 PM:

" Alright! I admit it I can't take it anymore...Uhmmmm Dan? YOU posted in part: "
The night was a huge success, and all the praise for the success goes to the bloggers who "shoed" discussions can be civil, no matter how much you disagree with the person next to you."

I JUST gotta ask.... Is that supposed to be SHOWED or SHOOED? Yanno like shoo fly? Its been driving me nuts!

Ok, now I got that out of the way....what will we do guys, to get all the sister paper's and bloggers from there online? Seeing we have [put your word in here] bloggers/posters/commentators take yer pick, there as well...we'll need input from them. I cannot believe all these [put your adjective here] people all live in Napa!

Comments? Suggestions? "

NVR-Dan Ross wrote on Jun 27, 2008 1:17 PM:

" Hey DARK1, I was hoping no one saw that!

As for a Bloggermania II, let me know the time and place and I'll be there, but I'm turning over The Sequel to youse folkseseses.

I'll host Bloggermania III, A New Beginning, after the start of '09. "

plasticpinkflamingo wrote on Jun 27, 2008 1:19 PM:

" There may be those who want to ward off the Warden of Awardin' Awards and his wards, so going toWards the Awardin ceremony, someone shoould come forWard to be nominated to be Ward Cleaver, the person who can cleave and dis-award an award that is about to be awarded to an unfortunate awardee by the Warden of Awardin' Awards. Ward Cleaver's reWard will be a special Award from a ward of the Warden of Awardin' Awards - a big wet 'SNARF'.

Whew - I have to stop to ward off an attack of the dizzies . . .
(flamingo passes out and drops toward the floor, immediately pounced on, face-licked and snarfed by the ward of the Warden of - forget it, I'm so confused)

Statler: Why does that flamingo keep getting up on the stage?

Waldorf: Because it's a BirdBrain! HAHAHahahahahaha!!!! "

plasticpinkflamingo wrote on Jun 27, 2008 1:21 PM:

" Episode 4: Bloggermania IV - The Clone Awards "

napabrat wrote on Jun 27, 2008 2:34 PM:

" A couple of ideas would be places like
Downtown Joes, Tuscany or perhaps meeting in a local hotel that would provide us with food and drinks on a "going dutch" basis. ie. everyone pays for their own food and drinks. The potential draw back to these ideas would be if there were a cost for room use, or if they wanted a guaranteed amount of money to be spent. Anyone have a "in" with a restaurant owner, or local business who'd be willing to provide us a location"?

By the way, Oh Pink One, Dark1 says he wants to make sure everyone is aware that the pothole idea was yours. So he can't take credit for it, but he also said "imitation is the most sincere form of flattery."

I'm gonna start calling China Darth Doggie, she kinda sounds like he does. (Just picture heavy panting, in a snarfy, raspy kind of way.)

As for "Ward Cleaver" please remember that China, although a ward of Dark1's, is not in anyway related to a Beaver (Cleaver). In fact, she's probably not a big fan of cleavers either, unless you're cutting up meat for doggie snacks. "

plasticpinkflamingo wrote on Jun 28, 2008 10:27 AM:

" hi napabrat,
I'm not too big a fan of cleavers myself, especially after a teacher suggested flamingo stew. But I like the Darth Doggie bit. Maybe we can suggest to George Lucas to have Darth Vader go SNARF on Han Solo - Ewww, Darth Snarf! (Brings to mind the great line by Princess Leia "I wondered who was holding your leash").

Pothole idea? Did I have a pothole idea? Was it the one where we find a pothole in Napa County big enough for Bloggermania II? I think at one time funnyme offered to do a standup comedy routine in a pothole or next to a pothole.

But I would like to nominate funnyme for the "Underwear Torture" award:
"Alright it's starting to sound like waterboarding torture (or worse: "underwear torture") just tell us what it is...Please?!"

funnyme: Yes, there is a secret government plot to torture people by tightening up their underwear until they confess something. Doesn't matter what you confess to, just so they get their confession percentage up so they can justify going to Congress for a bigger shrinking underwear budget. Since we know there are people under 18 reading this, I can't get into the ugly details, you will just have to use your imagination. Beware of the undercover (heheheh) HUG patrols - Homeland Underwear Gestapo (and their youth police, the Huggies).

Time to finish my coffee and start flying around today . . . Ciao "

funnyme wrote on Jun 29, 2008 7:08 AM:

" PPF,
Huggies in Terror?
Is that where the term invented by "Sandra" and inspired by "napabrat" came from? "Hug a Terrorist"?

WOW...That was intnse! "

ADark1 wrote on Jun 29, 2008 5:22 PM:

" Anyone have ideas for the date? A Bar B Q, seems to be the taken suggestion to this point. Anyone got any connections in the city of Yountville or the Parks Department?

Ok Ok, I'm trying here...please keep those ideas coming! Darth Doggie Dog says Narf! "

funnyme wrote on Jun 30, 2008 8:47 AM:

" OK, here's the scoop, go to:
http://www.townofyountville.com/Parks.html
It costs nothing to residents, it has BBQ pits, restrooms, bocce ball court, volley ball, and most important is YES, we are allowed to bring wine (Yiiipppiii!).
Check it out and figure out if we add it to the list of options or not.

About the date? I would say a Saturday on September/October?

PPF,
I am working on the skit, I attempted at it over the weekend, but it didn't get posted. I realize now I have to fix it. I must take out the part where I say "Tar and Feathers" because, well, I can't use my friend's feathers, right? "

ADark1 wrote on Jun 30, 2008 4:33 PM:

" Ok I left DAN a message....Lets see if he'll let us do an email addy here..( hint)

Anyone wanting to keep their emails private I have a solution for you.
1. Get a disposable address...Mail.com is a good one

2. As I will be needing help, seeing napabrat decided I was going to be doing this in my spare time..( she says "keep you outta the bars..."huh?)Thus, ADark1@writeme.com IS the email addy..
3.Any of youse guys live in Yountville? we could save 100 bucks! I promise to keep your confidence as All I have in this world ( after the IRS) is my word and my....( put noun here ) Well I don't break either! Otherwise Imma have to put out a beggar's cup! Hmmm not a bad idea!

Anyone know if their is an official date to CRUSH? I do NOT want to interfere with those of you in the wine industry. I am thinking of a date with an alternative RAIN Date! If we're lucky it WILL NOT rain around that time!.... What do you think about face painting and masks if its around halloween? NO ONE has to show their real faces, or give their real names!..Lets just hope you DO NOT dress up as a strawberry vendor!

TY funnyme...BTW? I've never tried BBQ Flamingo so O Great Pink One? You "should" be safe..Not sure about those guys from the C.I.A. though! ...

Help!....... "

napabrat wrote on Jun 30, 2008 8:22 PM:

" Okay this may be a silly question, but here goes....

Is there anywhere on the page(s) that a poster can log out so the second person in a two party family can log in without having to close the browser window? Dark's yelling in the background that he'll just give me another machine, but hey maybe this applies to others as well.

Thanks....

Oh and yes Dark's been staying out of the bars.... "

plasticpinkflamingo wrote on Jun 30, 2008 10:06 PM:

" Tar and feathers? The only good thing about that is I wouldn't be easily cleaned in time for the main course, flamingo stew. Maybe I should have used the wienerdog handle? But then Darth Doggie Dog would have been following me around, sniffing at (computer malfunction).

Always nervous around operatives from the CIA or the C.I.A. Government types on one side, and overzealous chef wannabes on the other, constantly looking for new and exotic food and wine pairings, probably already wondering what wine goes well with flamingo?

Harvest and crush do not happen on a single date. Wine harvest and crush vary on many things, type of grape, sugar level of grapes, and on and on. I'm not in the wine biz so I'm sure a veteran wine connosieur can give you much more detail (I'm just a plain old wine sewer, conno isn't in it).

Congratulations to ADark1 for taking on the job (even though napabrat told him he was drafted). There must be some award for him here in the closet . . . oh, wait, here's the "Pull the Wool Over the Eyes" Award for the person who best tricks another into doing something - hmmm, this Award already has napabrat's name on it!!! "

plasticpinkflamingo wrote on Jun 30, 2008 10:39 PM:

" napabrat: take the second machine. Darth Doggie Dogg can play online poker with her other dog buddies during the day! "

ADark1 wrote on Jul 1, 2008 12:34 AM:

" Ok Important things First!

Funnyme has decided ( I KNOW FUNNYME MUST be CRAZY ) to pitch in and help get this ball rolling. Thanks Funnyme..Did I tell you you're nuts?

napabrat reports Darth Doggie Dog ONLY wants to play 7 card stud with her pugly buddies..Trust me they are some real mugs too! ( I prefer Hold em )

What say you all about making it a potluck BBQ?

The reason(s) I came up with potluck is obvious...When posting to the NVR it's pretty much...Oh nm....We'll also need a uhm Flamingo guard.erm body guard ...hmmm We'll need someone to watch out for the Pink One... We're hoping we can get him and teach to abuse those stringed instruments of theirs.. PPF just cracks me up! You GOTTA show up!

PLEASE Email ADark1@Writeme.com , so we can get this thing on the road. As usual should any of you get captured..I disavow any knowledge of your actions.. "

funnyme wrote on Jul 1, 2008 5:31 AM:

" napabrat,
Get a second browser, Mozzilla Firefox works great (easy and fast to download).
ADark1 could be in Internet Explorer and you could be in Firefox, same computer, same time, different window.

Any problems, call a computer tech! "

ADark1 wrote on Jul 1, 2008 6:33 AM:

" ^^^^ I guess you didn't get the email? "

ADark1 wrote on Jul 1, 2008 6:36 AM:

" Read the post in this thread

.ADark1 wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:04 AM:" blah blah blah" she's JUST lazy and wants to give me more work instead of learning to use a MAC!

Thanks,.. Funnyme...Now THAT's really funny! "

napabrat wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:07 AM:

" Thanks funnyme, but you kind of missed my point, we already have 3 or 4 different browsers on this computer. And BTW my hubby is a Tech (of the Computer subspecies). LOL If I could just get a new charger for my laptop we wouldn't be having this discussion. But actually the easiest solution would just be a logout button/function on the NVR pages. I guess their software doesn't support that either. Sighs.

As for Darth Doggie Dog (aka China) she's excited to play 7 card STUD with her doggie buddies. I think someone forgot to tell her she's fixed. "

NVR-Dan Ross wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:11 AM:

" napabrat:
You are dead on, the software we were given to start this has not logout feature. The new one, hopefully, will have one.
--Dan "

funnyme wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:31 AM:

" That's it. MAC is the PERFECT solution to any computer problem.
We love our MAC...no, not the burger the computer! "

napabrat wrote on Jul 1, 2008 5:15 PM:

" funnyme, Dark and I have been talking about Bloggermania II (the sequel), Saturday, Sept. 27th has been the first proposed date. Looking for some feedback on this date. How many people have an issue with this date, or could definitely attend?

We are leaning towards Yountville Veterans Park for the location. We will need to reserve the site and are working towards having a local do so, as this would require no charge. Thanks for your help funnyme.

We are talking about a pot luck, but if that's the way we go we need to have some sort of sign up so that we don't have too many duplicate donations.

Please post your thoughts here or email ADark1@writeme.com We need to get an idea of how many people are going to be able to turn out. We are encouraging families and want to play games such as volleyball or perhaps Bocce Ball (I have no idea how to play that but hey it might provide a good laugh for other participants.)

Lets get some feedback! "

NVR-Dan Ross wrote on Jul 3, 2008 4:18 PM:

" Check the latest blog for details about a possible Bloggermania II, written by the blog's guest host ... ADARK1
--Dan "

Join the conversation

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login? (requires cookies)
	Forgot Your Password?

Create an account

Comment Guidelines

The goal of the story comments section at NapaValleyRegister.com is to have an open, thought-provoking, civil community forum for all issues.

What gets your comment posted?

• Staying on topic

• Keeping your comment to 300 words or less

• Avoiding name-calling

• Addressing your comments to the message rather than the messenger

What gets your comment deleted?

• Personal attacks

• Derogatory remarks

• Name-calling of any sort

• Going off-topic

• Hate speech

• Racially-insensitive comments

• Implying guilt of a subject in a crime story before there is a court verdict

• Posting e-mail addresses

• Posting comments of a commercial nature

• POSTING WITH ALL CAPITAL LETTERS

• Linking multiple comments together with "to be continued..." to get around the 300 word limit.

The fine print

- Comments are either approved or denied. We do not edit comments.

- You are welcome to modify and resubmit a denied comment.

- Comments may take several hours to be posted.

- Comments posted are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of NapaValleyRegister.com, its employees or its parent company.

- Do you have information on a story? Please go to our virtual newsroom to send us a news tip.

- If you feel a posted comment has violated our guidelines, please contact online@napanews.com or add a comment indicating you have an issue and our moderators will review the comment in question.

Search: