Freecycle is an organization that I use from time to time to give away stuff I don't need any more.  It is a great way to keep things that are still useful out of our local landfill and I use it a few times a year and have never had any weird experiences - until yesterday.  On Sunday, we decided to clear out some clutter that has been sitting around and wanting a new home.  A little elbow grease (and breaking of silly sentimental ties) later, we came up with an offer list of items for Freecycle.  I posted the items one after the other and sent them to the list.

As usual, the responses were quick (a guy on Commercial Drive using his Blackberry was the first to ping me back) and most of the things were claimed within the first 30 minutes.  Two people came over to our place right away to pick things up.  But, here is a weird e-mail I got in regards to the quick pickups:

I am just curious to know something. You just posted several items for free a little while ago, then you just posted "taken". Do people have wings?  How could they have picked them up that fast??

I have never had such a response to an offer for free stuff.  Getting this e-mail is just plain odd and makes me grumpy.  Yet, I can understand that using the Freecycle web site can be stressful.  One needs to be watching the e-mail system like a hawk because good stuff goes quickly.   If you snooze for even a minute or two - the thing you thought might be good to have is most likely gone.

I guess if you have a Blackberry, you might just have wings.

Tags: freecycle, environment, landfill, vancouver

Writing.  I wanted to write about writing.  Why?  Someone told me the other day they felt blogging was a lot of hard work.  I agree.  But it isn't the blogging.  It isn't the posting information on the web that leads to the hard work.  It is the writing.

The more I delve into creating content for the web, the more I come to realize that writing is quite easy to me.  I am no genius and I will never claim to know it all. (Lights.) I sit down every day and attempt to improve myself and my writing.  (Camera.)  Yet, I rarely tell readers of this website about other writers.  (Talk about something else!)

The other day, I had "writing on the brain" and wanted to write a blog entry about writing - yet - I couldn't think of a darn thing to write.  Should I write about my other "little online writings" or should I just whine and complain about how writing is wonderful.  I soon found myself looking through my photos and came across this one.  Oh, my!  A young writer!  The next generation!

Meet Jaime McGrane.

Jamie is an honest writer.  She has a lot of passion in her writing and has an incredible respect for writing.  Currently, she is neck deep and "paying her dues".  But, she plugs away - and is very honest about it.

So, go ahead.  Google her.  She has a great writing future.

Tags: jaime mcgrane, saskatchewan, writing

We went out to the football game tonight and it was damn fine.  A couple of months ago, we bought some tickets at Theatre Terrific's fundraiser (Allyson is the board president.) and we didn't know how cool they were until right at kick off time.  Sitting along the 50 yard line is far better than sitting off in the end zone.  Being able to follow the game and not ask questions about what was going on rocked.

Oh, and the Riders kicked ass.

I am involved in all kinds of technologies and playing with creating content on the web - yet I always wonder - is all of this "stuff" I do worth it?  According to Mark Cuban, the Internet is old and boring.  Whew.  I am glad someone said it.

I am forced to agree with a lot of things he is talking about in his post.  I get e-mails on a daily basis about what cool things are happening on the 'net.  I just can't get overly excited about it because, I suppose, I have watched it all happen before.  Aren't there still children starving in Asia?  Or Africa?  Shouldn't we be getting excited about those things and how we can help to solve them?

One fact about the 'net that is very cool is a lot of these technologies are connecting people.  The Internet is (finally) becoming more about the people using it and not the  technology.  Most of those who are using the 'net for daily communications may be quite young still but they will be adults sooner than later and they will bring their technology savvy with them.

At least, we can hope.

Tags: the internet is boring, boredom, internet

A friend of mine, currently conducting movie set reviews in the Flondon Quadrant, sent me this little tidbit today:

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/when_nixon_met_elvis/

I was poking around the various presidential library
sites and found it. By the way, don't be surprised if
you see me sporting a t-shirt with "I'd vote for Harry
S. Truman" on it...sorely tempted....

I admit, I am an Elvis man.  The Beatles are great - but Elvis was far more talented.  He didn't need anyone to help him dominate the stage.  Hail to the King, baby.