I usually try to use this important space to entertain or inform on some level, but lately I am having an equilibrium problem. I'm coming up on my one-year dkos anniversary and like most milestones in life it has me reflecting on a great many things. Like a good many people, I lurked for a long time before I joined. This place ran at a fast and furious pace compared to most blogs I had been reading for some time and it took some getting use to. The diaries and front pagers were so interesting I felt like I was attending school each day soaking up all sorts of subjects and viewpoints. It was a very heady feeling to turn on the computer each day and wonder what I was going to learn from this community.
...A little personal history...
I remember shyly asking for some further explanation or expansion on a point I didn't understand and being overwhelmed with pertinent and in-depth answers that in turn sparked even greater discussion among commenters and in turn enriched their conversations. I've seen many fine examples of humanity, empathy and just plain caring spun out in countless threads day in and day out.
When I joined I thought that I would rarely comment and absolutely never write a diary for I couldn't imagine what it took to put your words and ideas out for so many to examine and find wanting or boring. My first comments were to tell writers how much I enjoyed and had learned from their efforts. Then one day I got into a playful wordplay contest in a diary that called to rename what the letters GOP stand for. Those of you that are familiar with me know that that diary struck a nerve and I played for a good portion of a night coming up with ever increasing outrageous combinations. Something clicked that night inside me; my voice started to reflect a part of me that not too many people ever see of me in public. I started to push my envelope that day.
Within a short time one of my comments was chosen one night for this diary that I often viewed, but didn't participate in at the time. That night I opened my mouth to thank the people minding the diary and was warmly welcomed. At last I had a place I could 'hang out' and get to know a few kossacks in a much more relaxed manner. The days were spent reading, but the nights were for play and a good measure of silly fun.
Each day I would stop into jotter's diary as soon as it was up to comb through to find interesting diaries I may have missed the day before. I could never imagine what it would be like to be on jotter's list. His lists did help me in incredible ways to get a sense of the scope of the site and who was who in a pretty short time. Besides, I am a stat junkie and that was my daily fix and still is.
One night when the site was in a blue mood over some bad news I said, what the heck and posted my first STORYTIME diary. I used that bold heading because I wanted to warn readers that my diary had nothing to do with anything political - just a simple story about my dad polishing his shoes every Sunday night and what that time spent with him meant to me. I was surprised that it didn't slip quietly away, but my TC friends and a few other kossacks responded with support and enthusiasm. Unbeknownst to me, a couple of weeks later CSI Bentonville had nominated my diaries to become a new community series. I was in shock, panic and scared spit less wondering if I should run and hide when the TC family took me in hand and said, 'you can do this'! So I embarked on a most amazing journey with the thought in mind to find other storytellers and coax tales out of them. That has been a most rewarding venture to see the kind of sharing going on in those diaries.
About a month after I started that series, BeninSC and gloriana asked if I would mind doing a few diaries to help out the regulars that were tied up in election work. After another bout of handholding and a crash course in doing the technical end of Top Comments I was launched in mid September in this venue. The 'temporary gig' just kept going through the fall, winter and into the spring.
...The point...
So what is the gut check part all about, you ask? Well, I am beginning to feel a bit long in the tooth coming up on almost 30 TC diaries. TC can be one of the most challenging (and rewarding) of the community diaries around here, as it is very time-sensitive in mining comments, posting and hosting the diary. After doing both diaries for about 9 months I'm feeling weary and in need of a hiatus and replenishment.
My last TC diary was three weeks ago, the day of the Virginia Tech killings. A bad cold intervened and it gave me a chance to think about what I am seeing around me and how I feel about it. We have all talked about dkos addiction, scandal fatigue, outrage fatigue and such many times at this site. I feel like I am reaching some of those critical mass situations myself these days. I wrote a few weeks ago about Balancing Lessons, but I lopped off a major portion of my essay as I had mixed feelings about my mixed feelings.
I know I am coming up on a busy time for the next couple of months that won't allow me the luxury of spending the time to do this diary the way I like so I'm going to step back for a few months until I have some slack in my schedule. When I mentioned this to my supportive family they were so relieved that it made me take a long hard look at myself and what my blog obsession is costing me in other areas of my life.
I have used my obsession to justify my time spent at dkos, as I had to stay on top of things since I was a weekly TC diarist. The truth, like so many come to face after awhile, is that I have reached a point of saturation, frustration, and angst that is pushing me towards ennui rather than action. So rather than burnout I choose to step back and hope for the best. I will not disappear completely from dkos; I have met far too many wonderful voices here to cut myself off from their wisdom.
I want to thank this wonderful group for all the support they have given me for the past 9 months. And to all you readers of Top Comments - thank you for many a fine evening of conversation and fun. You have all been so very kind to this old Crone!
STORYTIME will also be going on summer hiatus in a couple of weeks as well. If any storytellers have a story to tell contact me at cronesense AT aol DOT com about doing a STORYTIME PRESENTS diary.
Cronesense's Selections
Diary: To catch predators. . .AHIP & insurance salesmen
By: nyceve
nyceve serves up a truly stunning diary on the subject of medical insurance companies selling junk gap insurance plans to the elderly. Caveat emptor is the word of the day!
SarahLee speaks of the shift to corporate feudalism.
Owllwoman starts off a thread on how Big Pharma rigs the game.
Shandan7 tells of a road not taken and why.
Fungible Chattel gets right to the point.
Diary: The Rubber Soul Republicans
By: Greyhawk
GreyHawk lets loose a rant on the party that has lost its way and stretched ethics beyond the braking point. He posted this diary in the wee hours of the morning and stayed diligently to host with many excellent comments of his own that further fleshed out his views! If you did not read the diary I urge you to do so. GreyHawk has been on fire lately serving up well-roasted republicans!
rogerdaddy brings one of his own mini-rants.
hopesprings counsels one way to get the attention of the MSM.
Tigana has an outstanding picture that is worth a thousand words!
DWG examines history looking for the answer.
TrueBlueMajority quotes Beatles lyrics that seem prescient of today.
Diary: Firing Carol Lam Was a CRIME, Stupid
By: TocqueDeville
TocqueDeville burrows into this subject with a fire in his belly. Be sure you check out his tip jar comment as it contains a link to a google notebook he has compiled for research purposes. A fascinating idea for future investigations that kossacks may wish to persue.
NC Dem's second paragraph in this comment is one that needs to be heeded!
Halcyon has some shocking news to add to the mix that is expanded upon by NC Dem and kurious.
fly brings a scathing opinion piece on Doolittle from CA newspapers.
Dallasdoc on the scope of obstruction of justice by this administration.
LNK has an excellent quote from James Madison that should be sent to every member of both houses on a postcard! Anyone up for the challenge of organizing such a campaign?
Diary: Lou Dobbs Challenges The Great Objectivity Scam
By: davidsirota
David debates the perceptions of objectivity by today's press standards.
dspiewak2634 writes some very convincing opinions on opinions of journalists.
RFK Lives makes some very interesting points, especially his last paragraph.
TomP on the myth of objectivity.
kevsterwj's well-written opinion.
Diary: Sneaky pork in the war supplemental bill
By: skymutt
skymutt combs through the details and separates the pork from the 'back door pork'. Read this excellent diary to find out the difference and just where and what the back door pork was all about.
rktect starts out this thread with a heck of a question.
blitz boy smacks out a homer with this comment!
inclusiveheart on the shifting definitions of pork.
smintheus on previous bait-and-switch by the White House.
Diary: American soldiers DIE for campaign contributions
By: dhonig
dhonig revisits the controversy over the pentagon's reluctance to chose a foreign piece of technology to protect or troops from RPG's over an American counterpart that is still in development and about 5 years away from being ready. This subject has been covered before, but that was before the November elections. And as we know, "Elections have consequences."
dave1042 wants to ask Tony Snow a question.
Democrat has a quote from a play with a similar theme as the diary that resonates well.
Diary: Arctic Sea Ice: Going, Going, Gone
By: Land Of Enchantment
LoE takes 'lemonade makers' to task for missing the point and spinning the news.
DH from MD has a meltdown and Ed in Montana follows with a great comeback line.
wozzle starts off this informative thread.
lgmcp provides a link to a sea-level rise map. Beach-front property coming soon to a neighborhood near you!
Front Page: What a Tangled Web They Weave
By: Meteor Blades
Meteor Blades with the help of Tim Shorrock of Salon, exposes bed-hopping, CIA-style.
Fred in Vermont cogitates on Tenet's publicity stunt and what he doesn't deliver.
Meteor Blades differentiates conflicts of interest.
TocqueDeville on privatization creating a 'playground of robbery'.
The Angry Rakkasan brings another reason for outrage at the insider game.
Front Page: Worst. President. Ever.
By: mcjoan
A fact sheet released by the Democratic party cites the worst record for job creation ever for a president.
Gooserock coins an apt phrase I haven't heard before.
Randian has another piece of the report.
chemsmith has a stunning example of irony!
~~~~~~~~~~
From KathyinSC
IGTNT: I Will Carry Your Memory With Me
Joynow - Sadly, we already know that 14 more families will be receiving this horrifying notification soon - and their lives will be forever changed.
Please take a moment to read this Top Comment.
From Wee Mama
This one starts funny and continues with comments, many of which are also fun ---
From marykk
jimraff explains some of the difficult policy issues around adoption, and why asking "why don't we make those who oppose abortion adopt the unwanted babies?" doesn't result in a child-centered adoption policy.
From madgranny
dspiewak2634 sums up nicely a key problem with today's media in the diary Lou Dobbs Challenges the Great Objectivity Scam.
From keirdubois
In quaoar's great diary about an Iraqi blogger's
gobsmackitude over lackluster federal help to New Orleans (comparing it with Baghdad post Gulf War 1), commenter jrcjr reminds us that for conservatism, the destruction of that city was a feature, not a bug.
From kath25
zashvil cuts to the heart of the matter with this pithy description of the current RPG defense system in Iraq.
From NYFM
This so good!
From Land of Enchantment
DWG provides some incisive deconstruction in my Arctic Sea Ice diary this afternoon.
SarahLee says this one from keikekaze is worthy, and I agree. Also, energy wonk A Siegel adds a good two bits on albedo feedback loop.
From carolita
You think we have problems with the food supply NOW? Brace yourself, then go read Runs With Scissors excellent rant in farmerchuck's outstanding diary A Quick Trip Over the Rainbow. It will clear your head at the same time it breaks your heart.
From ZappoDave
Only Bob Johnson could make this statement!
From Miss Laura
Trapper John answers Bill Richardson's whole "I respect Trapper John, but..." thing.
crisitunity on how a Gravel vs Paul election would be settled.
Jay Elias and others try to explain why kossacks really wouldn't like Ron Paul as much as they think they would if they knew what his actual beliefs were.
~~~~~~~~~~
Tonight's Top Mojo is provided by BeninSC. Thank you Ben!
Top Mojo - excluding search-identifiable tip jars, first diary comments and C&J comments:
1 Thanks notimportant by TocqueDeville - 309
2 No matter how fast I try... by ChristieKeith - 184
3 If you have a lawyer, I would by hannah - 93
4 When I researched this, one fact shocked me by retrograde - 89
5 You should consider by tobendaro - 82
6 Scalia, Alito & Wingnuts in high places by FishOutofWater - 75
7 In all seriousness though by ssundstoel - 74
8 Jesus, you can't joke about bombs by JohnGor0 - 70
9 Couple points by Buzzer - 64
10 Fighting tornadoes in Iraq by ssundstoel - 63
11 Respectfully, nope. by Pager - 62
12 So glad you wrote this, Christie by SusanHu - 60
13 Man, I'm glad I have no reason to be by rogerdaddy - 60
14 I'm am happy by gchaucer2 - 59
15 Just as Bush warned the by ChuyHChrist - 58
16 'After we're defeated' by deepsouthdoug - 56
17 The Same Gov't by WV Democrat - 56
18 With that logic, it's time to close up shop and by hcc in VA - 55
19 used to be a researcher by notimportant - 55
20 sooooooooo by STOP George - 54
21 Funniest Concern Trolling Diary Ever by LeftHandedMan - 54
22 "Polar bears... by DH from MD - 53
23 Good Morning by Debbie in ME - 52
24 There's too many people in this country... by catnap1972 - 52
25 no SANE person would ever say this by distributorcap - 52
26 James Madison wrote: by LNK - 51
27 I think all of this is just negative. by ultrageek - 51
28 Thanks rogerdaddy by TocqueDeville - 50
29 Thanks for your concern by SallyCat - 50
30 It's not even the worst diary today. by clonecone - 49
Top Mojo - everything included:
1 Thanks notimportant by TocqueDeville - 309
2 mojo meter n/t by blueness - 267
3 TIP JAR by leveymg - 189
4 No matter how fast I try... by ChristieKeith - 184
5 Tip Jar by dhonig - 183
6 Tip Jar by davidsirota - 178
7 tips by hekebolos - 175
8 Whoops. Forgot the tip jar. by Land of Enchantment - 161
9 The government hasn't cared about us,,, by Miss Blue - 148
10 Tip jar by TocqueDeville - 139
11 I'll be adding footnotes & graphics as I go along by Troutfishing - 139
12 Tip Jar by skymutt - 131
13 excellent work by notimportant - 123
14 If you have a lawyer, I would by hannah - 95
15 When I researched this, one fact shocked me by retrograde - 89
16 You should consider by tobendaro - 84
17 Tips, thoughts, additional rantage by GreyHawk - 82
18 Tip jar by AAbshier - 78
19 Scalia, Alito & Wingnuts in high places by FishOutofWater - 75
20 In all seriousness though by ssundstoel - 74
21 The scamming of the American people. . . by nyceve - 73
22 Tips to lift folks out of poverty! n/t by TomP - 71
23 It's the terrists, see?! by benthos - 70
24 Thanks for the Mojo by ultrageek - 70
25 Jesus, you can't joke about bombs by JohnGor0 - 70
26 Couple points by Buzzer - 64
27 Fighting tornadoes in Iraq by ssundstoel - 63
28 Respectfully, nope. by Pager - 62
29 Man, I'm glad I have no reason to be by rogerdaddy - 60
30 So glad you wrote this, Christie by SusanHu - 60
Be sure to send YOUR top comment selections to:
topcomments (AT) gmail (DOT) com by no later than 9:30PM EST.
Please be sure to include your screen name so we can give you full credit for your nomination.
You can capture the browser code for a comment by clicking once on the date/time stamp next to the commenter's name. Copy that code from your browser box to email to us. It is helpful if you include a brief statement about the comment.