March 4, 2011
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Remember the Internet Island?
Every time I decide to stay for a few moments here on Xanga, a place where I've "lived" electronically for almost seven years, I get sort of upset at what passes for entertaining blogposts in some instances. Usually I just read the sites I've always read, read the comments I've received from those who have been visiting me for years and know that I present the best content on Xanga. (Ahem. Yes, the best. I'm tired of playing nice. And being humble. As if I ever were. I'm a shameless promoter of my internet musings and wonderful world of allthingsmike. In fact, I "updated" the main page of my 11 year old website just a couple of weeks ago.)
Soon after I began my long and sometimes lonely xangquest into the green foreboding, but lively xangforest and over the snowy, sometimes freezing xangpeaks and through the brown barren xangadesert, I created the Internet Island. This participatory blogring soon developed it's own website here on Xanga, and for two or three years, supplied the best blogprompts ever presented on Xanga. I won't lie. And I wrote them all. All seriousness aside, er, I mean, in all seriousness, I reread some of these questions, and I think that some of them are pretty good. Bit perhaps like all of my internet endeavors, perhaps I dove in and inundated my readers with too many choices, too many words, too many ideas. Too much, baldmike, just too too much.
At around the same time, there was a Xangan who asked a single question on his site. He started to get a bit popular.
I drank the waters of Xangadon, and thirsted for interesting content. The "islanders" as we were known around Xanga, helped to expand our fledgeling writer's community, and there were some great posts back in those days. It was fun. It took a lot of time out of my day to run the blogring, but it was sure thrilling to read hundreds (well, not hundreds, but I can dream can't I?) of themed posts which answered age old philosophical questions which I presented in the webpages of The Internet Island.
Eventually, the "islanders" got in their canoes and outriggers and went off in search of whiter shores and clearer water, or something.
The Internet Island sunk.
I think I asked too many difficult, probing, analytical questions which forced you to think, ponder the state of your life and the universe, yadda yadda yadda.
The guy who asked the single easy questions got even more popular.
The blogring topic sites, like the Internet Island, soon lost their legitimacy with the advent of Xanga 2.0 and the "Featured Question".
Last time I visited the Island and wrote a prompt, was in September of last year. It was Prompt #36. I'm not going to present a new question here on my blog. But I want to show you three of the questions/prompts which formulated Topic #8, from long ago internet history, March of 2006.Hey, gang. I've got a fun idea.
Why don't you answer one of these questions? Then link back to this here entry. Do this by Copy/Pasting the following at the top of your blog entry if you participate.
"I'm participating in baldmike's March 2011 Internet Island topic."
Then, recommend this entry. I think I'll "tag" everyone on my 500+ "friends list" like the "top bloggers" do. (Actually, I tagged people who might, I say, might be interested.)
Yeah, I wanna be popular this evening, while drinking my energy bombers and contemplating almost seven long Xangyears in the Xangasphere. So whattya say? Let me introduce a "xangatrend" this evening. I think everyone can answer at least ONE of these prompts.
Here we go...............................................From 2006.8.01 So what happens when we die?
I was watching the series "Six Feet Under" on DVD. The 'theme' of the show is death. The main characters run a funeral home. When the "dead" are shown in the characters' memories they seem to be walking around and in good health. What do you think about death? It happens to all of us sooner or later. Does the train ride end when we close our eyes for the last time? Do we go to heaven or hell? Is there a spirit world? Ghosts? Is life a journey with a destination? Or does this roller coaster ride just end?
8.02 C'mon. Who's REALLY in charge?
I've always maintained that a group of about seven really important and powerful people have a card game every Wednesday night. The fate of the world is determined by who has the best hand in the game, and that's why the world seems so volatile. Who do you think is "in charge"? Are you a conspiracy theorist, or a political scientist? Is there a "global plan"? Or is the world basically a bunch of quarrelling fiefdoms? Do the world powers really try to get along, or do they even care about the fate of mankind?
8.03 A picture is worth a thousand words. What is yours?
Is there a photograph, painting, or image that springs to mind as something that has changed your life, enriched your existence, or otherwise impacted you? It could be an old photograph that inspires good memories, or a drawing your son or daughter made which you attached to the refrigerator door. Did something you saw in a magazine or on a billboard or in a museum slake your thirst for knowledge or understanding, or have you ever been knocked out by a beautiful work of art? Describe this image or show it to us.Well, this could be a xangadud, and it will get 15 really nice comments from my regular readers. I think if enough of the folks who were tagged (if still around, that is) respond, it could work, though. And if this works, and I see a bunch of "Internet Island" posts on "Top blogs" later tonight or tomorrow, then I'll feel good. Really good. Like I did back when I ran the "Internet Island" on Xanga.
Perhaps I'll see one of my posts on top of one of the posts by that guy who asks the questions.
Ya never know.
EDIT: 03/05/11 7:06 am. We've got a few bites, and they're ALL good ones. Thank you "Islanders", so very much. This entry got to 36 on Top Blogs! EDIT: 11:06 am. Now #5 on Top Blogs, and five participating topic entries! I'll have mine up in a few hours. I think I'll do 8.03 this time, and I think this year I might just bring the Island topic posts back, but I want to do them like I'm doing here instead of use the actual Internet Island site. (I never liked 'switching personas' on Xanga, and always wanted them to create a "dashboard" for multiple sites, like at Blogspot!) BTW, I'm paying attention to this entry, and I'm updating the timestamp when I get another entry added, just as we used to do on the participating blogrings, like the Island, Featured Grownups, et al. EDIT: 03/07/11 7:04 am. I just added another entry. There are 12 entries, which is more than both the last entry on the Island site in 2008 and the topic entry last year when I tried to resurrect the Island. I'll attempt to make the time to create more of these, since there seems to be an interest. One of the things that put me off when I shut down the Island in 2008 was that besides posting for the topic, islanders were supposed to visit and support the other entrants. I do this by leaving a comment on their entry and then recommending the post. I'm VERY pleased at the response! MFN/ppf
ENDWRATH 03/04/11 1:56am. 8.02 Who's in Charge
JAMEKABLUE 03/04/11 10:42pm. 8.01, 8.02, 8.03
HESACONTRADICTION 03/05/11 12:32am 8.01, 8.02, 8.03
MYFINALUSERNAME 03/05/11 1:56pm 8.01 What Happens When We Die
JAYNEBUG 03/05/11 9:36am 8.03 Picture Worth 1000 Words
AN_OM_ALY 03/05/11 9:21am 8.01,8.02,8.03 In comments below
Fireflywishes 03/05/11 3:07pm 8.01 What Happens When We Die
G0TTOBEREAL 03/05/11 9:34pm 8.01, 8.02, 8.03
WEBOFSIMPLICITY 03/06/11 1:35am 8.03 Picture Worth 1000 words
BALDMIKE2004 03/06/11 9:03am Picture Worth 1000 words
BETRAYED1959 03/06/11 8:47pm 8.02 Who's REALLY in charge
ENDLESSSUMMER 03/07/11 5:50am 8.03 Picture Worth 1000 words.
Posted: March 04, 2011 7:53 PM
Comments (39)
Hmmm, I wonder who this fella you keep on referring to in the beginning. I feel like I should know who it is. Oh I wonder!
Oh, I'll be doing this! How can I possibly resist a 6 Feet Under reference in anything??!? Seriously. My fav show of all time. lol Thanks for tagging me!
I haven't been here much lately either.. I've been working on my other blog, which is starting to really kick off, I'd be honored if you paid a visit ! http://nooknest.blogspot.com/
@Roadlesstaken - I know right. It's right on the tip of my tongue.. but I just can't get there..LOL
If you sink the island then you won't be winning alongside Charlie Sheen.
Oh boy...I get to be the first one to rec!
ha ha ha i'm in! #2
@Roadlesstaken - Dear, dear Alex, He used to message me with tips on how he became the Xwizard of Xwoz. I really feel for him when he has to put up with the negativity hurled toward his celebrity. I swear, I can hear him: "Honey, look what those pesky Xangans are doing now......" Sort of like an ant farm to him. (Dan ya know I'm kidding ya.) Thanks for your visits. No rec?
@Fireflywishes - Sweet, sweet April, I'd forgotten about your affinity for Six Feet. In fact, I'm thinking of watching the whole kaboodle again (after watching, what is it? six years of Dexter.) I can hardly wait for your entry. MINE from 2006 IS HERE. I'll check out your other blog posthaste. No rec?
@RazielV - Iconoclastic, relevant Scott, Did you mean to write "whining". That's what I do best. Charlie can suck somebody's.....er.....I'm a nice guy. I keep remembering....What, no rec?
@hesacontradiction - Beautiful, mesmerizing Ann, M'dear. Thank you soo,,soo, sooo, much for the rec. You're my true friend.
So far, one volunteer from April.
Well, I'm preparing yet another video. This is something I've been planning to do for a long long time. A sermon, based on one of my "Universal Mind" blog entries on the Universal Blog.
I participated, was fun!
i love baldmike and his wonderful ideas. i will rec, then i will take another x-break
hugs
Hmm, I'm gonna give this some thought, and think about which topic to use. I need to write about something besides my boring life.
I hope the island flies!
I remember the internet island and had a go at one of the questions.
I sure do remember it. I'll have to come back to this later, however.
Good to see this! I always liked to read Internet Island posts. I will work on one.
Hi Mike, what will your Xanga be without a comment from me... standing by your side to give you a nudge of encouragement. The Internet Island days not only prompted very good responses but it was for myself a time in which my blogging was fun. I could not wait for the next prompt. Some questions seem to repeat themselves over time and my answers are also changing over time. Regarding that other guy....well I think we have to give him credit for his achievements irrespective how he get there. I was subscribed to his blog as well till I got fed up with his spamming message. I don't mind what people do on their own blogs but I do mind it when they send me a mass messages. I unsubscribed not because of the guy but simply from principle. Given my own blog's HUGE popularity, having me as one of your supporters spells more doom than good. My approach to blogging had remained the same. I blog because I enjoy it...and if there is one person who was uplifted by it then I am happy. I have discovered a few more Xangans that produce material almost as good as yours...I just don't seem to have the time to get to all of them to read their entries frequently enough. .....heck, let me stop talking....
Can all Xangans stand up, charge their glasses and drink a toast with me: "To the glorious days of the Internet Island"
@Endrath - Dear Endwrath, You could knock me over with a feather after I read your post.
@hilaw - Dear Sean, Thank you so much for your wonderful support.
@musicmom60 - Dear Mom, I didn't find an entry this morning on your site, but I'll keep looking.
@my_final_username - Dear Phil, You've been linked and recommended.
@gottobereal64 - Dear Gretchen, Nice to see you on my blog. You were an original Islander and usually participated, if memory serves.
@seedsower - Dear Beth, Please come back and let me know, so I can link you.
@Zeal4living - Dear Jurgens, I think of your blog as a bookend to mine, when I post spiritual entries, that is. Actually, your photoposts are always interesting as well. So we bookend on quite a few subjects. Also, we're sort of been on our "Xangquest" together, and discovered each other not too long after we each started here on Xanga, at about the same time. I always like to use you as an example of the most positive aspect of blogging for me, how we can discover, reach out to, and communicate with those on the other side of the world so easily. This always makes me wonder why the world isn't coming together more than falling apart.
Oh boy writing prompts. I've been a neglecting posting recently with things being "pretty good". I'll have to come back and play once I leave work for the day. This'll give me something fun to think about instead of all the customer abuse :p
You really should see someone about this low self esteem problem you struggle with, Mike. lol jk
Rec'd!
@buddly47 - My mother would call me a genius in one moment, and then accuse me of having delusions of grandeur. Go figure.
@baldmike2004 - Funny, mine frequently called me an idiot, and in the next breath would be telling me that I should know better. Never did figure it out.
I commented lengthily on 8.02 at Endrath's place. If I get time, I'll come back and check on the others you mentioned. For right now, I have to Google ZoraFest and see just when the annual celebration of Zora Neale Hurston's life and times is scheduled to occur. (Favor for my wife, who is what is called a ZoraHead.)
@Zeal4living - Cheers!
Hi Mike. Life is in constant change and we are the masters of it. I'm aware of internet island from your posts and links if memory serves me this morning. I'm on the run these days. I have two jobs and have been singing locally, so my time here is limited of late. My love of writing will never go away. Perspective is a good thing to share in my corner, so I'm linking an older blog that answers the Picture speaks a thousand words, althought I don't think I used 1,000. hehehehe. It's called No More Waiting Here. (tips hat)
even tho i see that i'm not on your preferred list, imma do it my way anyway. #1 - nothing happens, we die, the end. #2 - the super rich want it all and i think that they think they won't be happy until they do have it all. i just wish that they wouldn't poison our world's air, food, and water while they go about it. #3 was the most difficult to wrap my mind around as i can't think of one picture that had a profound impact on me. i picture myself out in the middle of a wilderness with a safe base somewhere only a select few know about.
@baldmike2004 - Thanks Mike.
I've always known you from this username.....But I will definitely check out the stuff you've been doing....
sorry I havent been by in a while...in fact i havent really been doing much in the xangadom in a while.....
@an_OM_aly - Dearest Linda. The "preferred list" to which you refer is called a "friends list." Even though you never "invited" me to be your friend, I spotted this oversight a year or so ago, and made a rare offer of friendship, to which you declined. So I cannot "tag" you since you didn't want to be on this "preferred list" in the first place. I'll add you to the "preferred list" of participants in this entry, and note that you answered in a comment. Okay?I don't agree with your #1. I write about life after death in my very first answer to this topic HERE. #2 I agree. It's that card game I talk about all the time. #3 is sad but profound. I feel the same way, even when I'm in a crowd, like on Xanga. The safe base is my mind. Love ya, Michael
@Zeal4living - Dear Jurgens, I was just reading the comments on the original topic post, from 2006. You first said the topics didn't resonate with you, and then you posted not ONE, but TWO entries, the picture worth 1000 words, and on life after death.
@baldmike2004 - I was in a real rush last night and totally forgot to rec - but I did today! lol Anywho, yes I totally LOVE Six Feet Under, it's the only series I have bought on DVD in it's entirety, and I rented it all on netflix first, then bought it. I recently watched the whole thing too.. I haven't started watching any episodes of Dexter yet though, I really need to get into it!! I love seeing the dichotomy of the character of David on Six Feet Under and then Dexter's character! LOL
@baldmike2004 - You know that you are my virtual friend, and my intro was just my dorky way of trying to be funny. I most often get the trying part right anyway. I've read your views on the afterlife, and hope yours is closer to the truth than mine. As a poker player, I just wish cheating was still looked at as against the rules rather than an accepted play. May be it's all in the mind, whatever it is. With an open mind, I can still hope for what I don't believe in.
Are you at make-your-day #1 in top blogs yet?
@an_OM_aly - Linda, Got up to #5 this morning. At #11 now. I'm happy.
I always liked the idea of the Internet Island, but my consistency on Xanga is way too irregular. I'd like to participate in this idea of yours, but none of the three topics provided really strike me as interesting and I wouldn't enjoy writing them. Thanks for tagging me though, Mike. You piqued my interest. Maybe if you start the Island up again I'll be able to participate.
Hello Mike,
Yes, I am in fact a real person. I am somewhat new to xanga and blogging. I've always been a person interested in writing, but only in ways that interest me. I did not mean to come across as 'suspect' to you with a friend request. I'm not really sure how the requesting process should go but, I've recently been friending and subscribing to bloggers who spark my interest. No I have not read every single blog you've ever written, but I think the topics I have seen you touch on are good food for thought. I agree with what you've said about my post to the 'idiot generation' with the new age of technology it is often a problem. Its nice that you would write such a long and involved comment when yes you do not know me. I'm a 20 year old college student, with interests in art, music, literature, travel, culture, nature, and many other things. Its unfortunate what you wrote about the hopeless romantic part of you.You were not exactly what I was referring to in the idea of 'those who chose not to have children'. I know many people who are dating, married, what have you and just have felt kids were not for them. From what I read that doesn't seem like it was a personal choice for you, but maybe I'm wrong. Either way its probably not my business. I friended you like I have friended other bloggers on here to get to know a variety of people virtually, different ages, backgrounds, cultures, values. I have always been interested in that, when I was in high school I took a pre college program across the country and met people from all different states, and different countries. I still keep in touch regularly with my best friend from spain, my friends across the U.S. and try to keep in touch with my one friend that I have in Egypt (I'll admit its been harder to get a hold of him). I'm a free spirit, I want to know different people from the world and of the world. Is that reason enough for a friend request? My real name is Gabby, nice to meet you Mike!p.s. I will try to see if I can rent Idiocracy over my spring break.
I think these are all good questions and hopefully you will get a lot of people that answer them.
And as for being popular on Xanga, I think there are different people who would want that. I think it'd be neat to be a Top Blogger, but I don't think what I write about interests most people and that's probably why I don't end up on the Top Blogs much. Sucks, but maybe one day I'll be a Top Blogger.
Here you go. Sorry it's so short, but my answers are pretty succinct.
I will post on the 3rd one--just still thinking
Those are all good thoughts. Anymore, the more interesting something is, the more it is ignored in favor of the shallow and argumentative. I try to make my blog something interesting, but lately I've stopped posting at all.
Not my best but I did post. How are you Mike?
I joined in here. Great idea, and thank you for starting this.
Sorry, keep stumbling into peoples profiles looking for An_Om_Aly.quite clearly I am noob. lol
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s no pressure on the tent there you can stitch the edges together.