May 10, 2007
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Three Year Xangaversary Celebration: Part 1
A SELECTION OF MY COMMENTS FROM 2004: in celebration of my upcoming 3rd Xangaversary
Dear Readers, Subscribers, and Friends,
At exactly 11:12 am on the morning of May 31, 2004 I wrote my very first blog entry on my shiny new Xanga blog. I was invited to check out the Xanga service by Lisa (Ladyblue1), a poetess who belonged to "ElectricPoetry", my Yahoo Poetry Group. I already wrote a few blogs on Blogger, but I was impressed by the "comments" feature on Xanga. I've been here for three years. This morning, I finally decided to start cleaning up my subscription list. There are so many who have stopped blogging, and there are so many who do not, for whatever reason, respond to my comments on their blogs. I deleted about ten subscriptions this morning. Over the past month, I have attempted to "reconnect" with some of these bloggers, and after about 3 messages, without reciprocation, I have deleted my subscriptions. I figure "three strikes" and then you're out. The "reason" behind being able to comment, for me, is interaction. There are only so many hours in a day, and only so many comments I can write. I don't just leave a line or two, either. I actually read the blogpost carefully. I read older posts to get a feel for the "person behind the blog". I read the profile, and most importantly, I check to see if the blogger has a website, and I visit there as well. I absorb a lot before I comment, and I know I can get somewhat verbose, (the title of my blog is WhenWordsCollide after all) but usually the response I get from people is that they appreciate the time I take.
A blog is a website which hopefully stays online. I thought it would be fun to check out some of the comments I left when I first started blogging on Xanga. I can't post any from sites which are now gone. The following comments were posted from June 19 to July 18 of 2004. This is just a selection. I didn't blog for a month after I set up the Xanga account. I find it so very cool that I still correspond with a few of the very first people I 'met' here. I have not been spammed much, or stalked, or flamed. I try to treat everyone equally, with respect, courtesy, and graciousness.
So lets take a journey to the past. If you've ever gotten a comment from me, you will see that I haven't changed much in my method of operation. I always respond to the blog entry to which I am commenting. I plug whatever project I'm working on, with links. And I sometimes include an "answer poem" or something esle I have already written that ties in with what I've just read.
I didn't want to "edit" these, and throughout the next couple of weeks I intend on posting some more of my older comments. Perhaps you'll find yourself among the bloggers. I still occasionally read at least three of the blogs listed below.
Michael F.Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
June 19, 2004: Ladyblue1:
Hi Lisa, It's me. Michael Nyiri, ppf.
Who is the singer/song playing on your blog. I've been listening to it all morning. (I just keep going to your site to listen again.) The voice sounds really familiar, and I don't know the particualr song. Thanks, I was going to email you thought I would "communicate" directly from your blog. I like this feature so much I have started to "create" a blog at Xanga as well. Let me know by email when you get the message.
Sometimes the world seems to be closing in around us. Sometimes the edge of the ocean calls and it is soothing. Sometimes the only place to go is deep within our hearts, hearing the voice of humanity call softly, and whisper love in our ear.
I was surfing the net and came across your blog here, and heard a voice calling into the ether. Sometimes that voice chokes on reality, and the tears it cries are real.
I thought the words in your poems are heartfelt angry and painful, and you are so young. Take care of yourself, it's a cliche, I know, but I can feel for you and hope that everything in your life is filled with hope and care.
Michael F.Nyiri
poet,philosopher,fool
June 20, 2004: shang2ti:July 11, 2004: Phoenix808:
Age, wisdom, divine
Ago, time's winds surely blow
Fleeting by design
Dear Larry,
Thanks so much for being the "first person I don't know" to post a comment on my latest webendeavor, the Xanga blog. I was noticing a lot of blogs on Xanga by much, much younger folks, and in the Universal scheme of things, our "Earth ages" really don't mean anything, but you are certainly more in my "age group" than 11 and 13 year old gals. Some of them have some very interesting things to say, though, and I'm overwhelmed that I didn't know of the existence of this webcommunity until recently. My "Blogger" blogs have been in existence for years (at least two, or maybe three.) and there is no "interaction" with them. I will have to look closer at your blog here, but right away I am blown away by the reprinting of "The Fisherman's Calendar" and the piece on Brazilian Haiku (my feeble attempt is above.) You even post one in Portuguese. Fisherman: Portuguese: brings to mind an old movie: "My Leeetle feeesh"
Look forward to reading more of your entries and delving deeper into your work.
Yours Truly,
Michael F. Nyiri, poet,philosopher,fool
I simply love these "comment" sections of Xanga blogs. Also love your poetry. Both "If You are 15" and "Sugar Rush" (inserting own titles here) show amazing insight. Would you like to join a poetry group? I'm always on the lookout for fine poets. You "commmented" about my use of "quotation marks". I'm one of those people who use my hands to "signal" my quotes in speech as well. Glad it "amuses" you. (Sorry, this is almost too "easy". Think Dr. Evil in those "Austin Powers" movies.) Well, it's late, and I'm out here in Xangaland posting comments on stranger's sites. I love meeting new people anyway, and did enjoy your poems, will be back when I'm more awake, and read some more. When I'm not leaving "novel-sized" comments to people's posts. (Did I use parenthesis yet, another of my literary "quirks", and I talk this way too.) I'll be back. And thanks for the comment on my site.
Michael F. Nyiri, poet,philosopher,fool
July 5, 2004: madyline:
Dear Madyline,
I'm off websurfing personal websites and Xanga blogs through a comment left on my own relatively new blog, and through four or five comments, I came upon yours. Just wanted to say it is so weird that you have a subscription to the blogger who "introduced" me to this "community." But I didn't come to your blog through hers. That makes me think this Xanga community really "is" a community.
Anyway, why I stopped to comment was that I certainly hope your husband, whom you praise in your profile, will get off the couch and get sober. I have a housemate who is alcoholic, and even though he recently received word he might die from cancer, and is taking chemotherapy, still continues to drink gallons of beer and smoke boxes of cigarettes.
I certainly can't make your life any better so I will only say, chin up, pip pip.
There are probably some normal men left out here. I thought I saw one this morning when I looked in the mirror, but seeing can be deceiving.
Sincerely,
Michael F. Nyiri, poet,philosopher,fool
July 6, 2004: angel45:
Dear Angel,
Firstly, thanks so much for *all* the comments, eprops, and guestbook entry you sprinkled amongst my Xanga site yesterday. It was such a pleasure to read your name again and again this morning, so I had to at least respond in kind. It's almost time to leave for work, but I didn't want to go without at least dropping by your site and "checking you out". I only had time to peruse a mere smattering of your talent, but you write some awesome verse. I just chose this one to which to respond because it is the most recent.
I can "hear" the melody in my head as I read the poem. Hymns were always a strong part of my early life, and I have great memories of singing with my family on Saturday nights when I was a youngn'. Your poem brings those wonderful memories back. I'll have to come back after work, so that I may take the time needed to wander among your words, dear Angel.
Thank you again for your comments on my recent blog.
Michael F. Nyiri, poet,philosopher,fool
Dear Malia,
I wanted to drop by and thank you for "subscribing" to my new webendeavor, WhenWordsCollide on this Xanga webcommunity. I chose this entry on which to reply, not because of the inner thoughts with which you are exposing but because I remember going out and climbing up on the roof in times of stress and in times of happiness, to "get a little closer to the Godhead" and away from "humanity". Well, I won't take up too much of your time. I like the easy way the Xanga community makes it to easily locate someone who has left a comment, eprops, guestbook entry, or otherwise responds to one of the personal blogs. Your choice of music is well done. It doesn't distract from the experience of reading the entries, like some of them do.
Thank you again for subscribing, and it looks like you have a good head on your shoulders.
Michael F. Nyiri, poet,philosopher,fool
Dear Shola,
Firstly, Thank you for posting a comment on my Xanga endeavor, WhenWordsCollide, which is part of the AllThingsMike Universe. After blog after blog after blog, I found this place thanks to a fellow Xangaphile? or Xangaphobe? and I am using it for blog entries for all my endeavors. I really like these "comments sections" which make the website/journal sort of like a vast message board. When someone "drops in out of the blue" it is really rather nicely surprising, and reading the comments are (so far, anyway) like opening Christmas presents. I thought "Bowling for Columbine" should have been given away as a "free rental" at the video store. Everybody should be able to see that film. Remember, Marilyn Manson, like Alice Cooper before him, whom he emulates, is merely putting on a "show" with his persona. It is part of the music he makes. The human being is a thoughtful individual, as the section in the film shows beautifully. I thought the scene with Chuck Heston was sad, however. I could tell by watching him that he has Alzheimer's. He is acting like he's "reading a script" from somewhere deep in what is left of his consciousness. I asked my roommate (whose mother recently passed at 82 after battling the disease for many years) if he could tell Chuck was suffering with Alzheimer's in the movie, and my roommate thought so too. I also agree with your assessment that "life can send you something valuable from the most unlikely places!" If life could only send more people something valuable who don't seem to understand that this value does in fact exist, then the world would probably be better off.
Sincerely,
Michael F. Nyiri, poet,philosopher,fool
I just love this new "Xanga" community. I never "met" anyone at Blogger, they didn't have these "comments" sections which turn the whole webauthoring experience into one large message board. I got your address from a comment on another address, etc, etc, etc, and have been "wandering around" for a half hour or so, and didn't want to leave without "posting a comment". I know that the "eprops" feature doesn't work when just posting in a guestbook, so I picked this older post (so perhaps you'll never read this, but that's the way things go, I guess.) because it mentioned both Reagan and Liberals. I consider myself a liberal, and I thought I'd post for you an entry I posted on one of the friendship groups to which I belong the afternoon Reagan died. Also hope you aren't having anymore problems with "hackers". I recently had to re-install the Windows XP operating system in my main computer after I "picked up a virus" from websurfing, even though I have all the antivirus software and firewalls one could think of. I hope I didn't "catch anything" by clicking on the link you provided for somebody calling themselves old and smelly. Well, anyway, here's my "reminiscence" of Ronald Reagan, written the day he passed away. From a liberal standpoint.
I just got back online after a wonderful day at the movies, and then
I came home and turned on the television after my roommate Joel told me that Ronald Reagan had died.
Firstly, I am a democrat, but in 1972, I was a Young Republican campaigning for Nixon's second term. I saw Reagan speak at a campaign rally at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. He was still governor of California.
I loved Reagan's films, especially "King's Row" in which his character loses his legs after being run over by a train, and when he finds out screams "Where's the rest of me." (The title of his autobiography, by the way.)
Just last week, I rented the TV movie with James Brolin, and he did a wonderful job of "disappearing" into the role of this very famous, very public individual. I thought the movie version was a credible biography, and enjoyed hearing the story again.
My thoughts, knowing personally what Alzheimer's can do, are these.
(My roommate Joel's mother Lois, whom I had known for several years, suffered from the disease, and I saw what it did to her over the past seven years before pneumonia struck her down, as it did the former President.) Reagan was 93 years old, and had suffered the disease for over a decade. It was said on some of the news retrospectives that he actually had the disease in his last two years in office. It is interesting to note that he was 77 years old when he left office, the oldest President we have ever had in this country.
He is also, along with FDR and Washington, the most popular President. I can talk about what I didn't like about his politics, but as a memorial to the man, I always loved to hear his speeches. I cringe when I hear Bush Jr. talk on TV, but Ronald Wilson Reagan always had the ability to soothe me and to compose me , no matter what he was talking about. He was, truly, the "Great Communicator" and he had always had this gift for words.
When Reagan was the governor of California (an actor in the governor's mansion, hmmm, that is so familiar to us Californians) he actually wrote his own speeches. He really knew how to communicate to his consituents, and to the populace at large. He was, like me, a "fan" of the common homily, and even though he could "skirt the issues" at times, he had a ready rejoinder to almost anything that was thrown his way.
I respect him and his Presidency, even though I don't respect some of the events (Iran Contra scandal, trickle down economics) that transpired during his Presidency.
America lost his "communication" skills with the advent of Alzheimer's. I feel sorry for Nancy, who truly loved him, and who dedicated her life for the past decade or so to caring for him. I wish her strength and pray for her.
The world has lost another, but it will go on. Reagan will be ubiquitous on the television for at least a couple of days, as are all our icons when they pass.
We shall, as they, pass, in time.
I salute the memory of the man who defined America for the eight years he was in office.
I miss him. In heaven he will finally "remember" everything.
Michael F. Nyiri
poet,philosopher,fool.
I'll have to come back and check out some more of your witticisms and observations.
Yours Truly,
Michael F. Nyiri,poet,philospher,fool
July 18, 2004: LittleEgypt:
Dear Becca,
Although I have a mammoth website which has been growing for about five years, and several blogs on "Blogger", I recently joined this Xanga community at the behest of a good friend who has a blog here, Ladyblue1. The greatest thing about blogs on this community is the "message board" feature which lets you "comment" on other sites and to recieve comments on yours. I've made quite a few new "friendships" since I joined about a month or so ago. One of my new friends, Dorothea (moonpiesupafly) recommended that I check out your site. You are somewhat of a "legend" here at Xanga. So I motored on over this afternoon to "check you out". I've been here about an hour or so now, and you certainly do have a very involving and wonderful Xanga, filled with witty poetry, scrumptious photos, a large midi music selection (although the midis on some of the older pages don't "play") and some rather poignant and direct prose. I have looked for and found other of your websites and am in awe or your talent, conviction, and the amount of time it must have taken you to construct your "universe" online. Bravo. I'm glad Dorothea let me know of your existence here in the Xangasphere. You seem to have quite a following, and will probably not see my little comment, but if you do, you will know that I, for one, am amazed.
I read with disdain the posts concerning a hacker who had gotten into your code. Some of the things you mention I have found at times since joinging Xanga and establishing a site. The inablitily at times to upload a pic and I have been having some copy/paste problems as well. Recently I had to re-install Windows on my main puter, and it wasn't fun. This was because I was websurfing one day looking for exciting personal websites as usual, and came upon a "virus" on the internet, now, mind you, and not in an email, which started deconstructing my computer. It took out my firewall and antivirus programs, and started to eat away at the basics of my computer. My taskbar and icons disappeared from my desktop, and certain programs wouldn't work. I was able to disconnect my removable backup hard drive to save my files and haven't had any real trouble since I did a clean install of the op system again. But I am certainly aware that just being connected online one is open to all manner of illicit activities. I hope this did not cause you too much pain or loss of information. Since you seem like one of those great "internet seers" I am always seeking among the pages and sites in cyberspace.
I'll be back to read more of your writings. I really like the page you provide a link to with your thoughts about being an American. Bravo again.
Michael F. Nyiri,poet,philosopher,fool
Dear Terry,
Just got here after "maneuvering" around your website, after initially reading an entry on my latest endeavor, my own Xanga blog, by "The Three Headed Sarahs". I have now been "with" you in your various "guises" for the better part of the last hour, I would surmise, and you are one witty bloke, that's for sure. I chose to respond here instead of "Three Headed Sarahs" because when I read the "blog entry" above I nearly fell off my chair with laughter. I was having a bad day today, because the kids in the neighborhood keep scratching my car with their bikes, and the more scratches I get, the more depressed I become, but don't know how to "correct the problem". At first I almost fell for your post, but seeing as you had posted on another of my entries, as Three Headed Sarah, I had to surmise that you did not in fact, have that bad a day. So you cheered me up, that's for sure. Tell Horace to chin up. Pip Pip. I raise a pint of black and tan to your good graces. I am sure that God or whatever it is gets good smile out of your writing as he plays his game of marbles.
Yours Truly,
Michael F. Nyiri,poet,philosopher,fool
(P.S. I just was looking over one of my older Xanga posts concerning my car and noticed a "Lord Pineapple" comment which I hadn't noticed before.)
I have written 650 comments in the first half of 2007. I wrote 2275 comments in 2006. I wrote 3150 comments in 2005. From May till December, I wrote 600 comments in 2004. To read your own older comments, go to the "Your Comments" link in your profile information module. MFN
Comments (18)
I'll go back up in a minute to read the post. Must comment about tea before I forget. I like to use 2 Constant Comment and 2 Lemon Lift bags in a pot. I put it in a large pitcher and add ice! I also have several teas from England - became a 'tea snob' a while back. I like to blend my own leaves. The 'infuser' works well for that. I find teaballs too small since I usually make the tea strong, dilute it, and drink it cold. I'm not fond of herbal teas, but I may sample some again soon.
Interesting - like reading old letters, old treasures found in the attic. I have not been on xanga long - maybe 8 months. In that time, I have meet some amazing people from all walks of life and from around the world. I'm a bit of a recluse. I'm finding my new world quite fascinating. Enjoy today :wave:
I haven't stopped by in a while and I guess I was overdue to say hello. And then I read your post. Something about the way xanga is organized fosters a sense of community that I don't find on other "social networks" (with the exception, perhaps of some recent activity on ning.com). I hope all is well.
Jeff
what a walk thru memory lane. i haven't seen some of those xangaans around for a long time, others are still favorites and mine, and you made me smile to see terry's "handle" again- gone but not forgotten! i rarely re-read my own comments, but i do have favorites that have been left me! the community part of xanga is what keeps me here. well... i'm off to shower, finish laundry and try to write some today. happy xanga-versy, btw! glad you're still here!
Your comments rival most of Xanga's blog entries for content.
)
I wrote a poem yesterday. First one in a long time.
Love,
Blue
I will sometimes (when I have the time) go to the very first page of a person's Xanga blog just to see what they were like at the "beginning". It is also interesting to read back through my own entries through time. I, too, have made a number of great connections here with fantastic people. Here is my Xanga question for you: Have you ever met any of your subscribers face to face?
Happy (almost) Xa Anniversary. Your posts and comments are equally interesting!
I can't believe you've been on Xanga for three years! That's so cool! :goodjob:
Dear Mike:
Back in the days before computers, I liked to write and had several "pen pals". Then I fell in love with e-mail, and just last summer, found Xanga and now my life is complete. Getting a comment from you reminds me so much of the feelings I had when I'd get a letter from a pen pal. You'd go to the mailbox, see the person's handwriting, and say to yourself, oh boy, something besides bills. I would wait until later in the evening, when I had all that day's work done, to open the pen-pal letter and I'd consume every word like a Boston Creme Pie. When I see your face in my comment section, I have that same feeling of anticipation, 'this is going to be good' and it always is. You are truly one of life's great pleasures.
Happy Xangan Anniversary,
Pat
Me again. What kind of name is Nyiri? I am always interested in names that end in vowels. The name seems familar to me for some reason. Was there a famous person named Nyiri? I googled you and it said you are a desert in Kenya. I thought it was a Greek name for some reason. I'd like to see that family tree, please. Unless you are a desert and don't have trees. And that's desert, not dessert.
I guess you're off working on part 2. Have a great weekend!!!
Mike,
Your poem was so beautiful, in fact I think you expressed the words of my blog better that I, and I hope that you will post that poem.... Maybe, I am partial because you wrote it in my comment, but I think it is one of your best poems. :wave: :wave: :goodjob:
Your comments are always uplifting and I appreciate them. If I ever do not for some reason respond within the three comment period, please do not delete me, I am awful about commenting, particularly through the school year. Summer is no problem.
Happy Xangaversery (I wonder if that word will make into the dictionary)... three years, wow!
Hugs, Tricia
Thanks Mike! Have fun at the Art Gallery.
Tricia :fun:
ryc thanks for your complimentary comment. I'm not sure which number it is on your comment hit parade, but hey, who's counting!
I'm glad you appreciate my moist wit. I have a zip-blog wit bag.
it made me laugh when you were messing with your cat as you had a flashlight asking "what are you gonna do about it cat"
it was random and I messed with my cat all the time when I was back home. That's some devoted commenting by the way... i don't have time to read that many entries with school, work, and ROTC... but I do still stop by from time to time.
Dearest Mike
While I have departed and returned several times
your words bought back memories of my first couple of visits
to your world...even though time does not permit me to read as much
as I used to I am so freaking happy to see the poetry you have shared
with us this Sunday and I am on my way to read momentarily. I was enchanted
to see Terry"s name on your list and a bit saddened at the thought that I cannot
play student to him on Yahoo anymore...Thank You Mike
Love this! You really do leave the best comments
You're not even a sub of mine but I sneak in and read you once in a while. And your comments are epic. I beleive you have only left a couple on my site (About the same as I have left on yours), but I have seen them around xanga and always read them
Installation available.