Random Site Link

I created a Javascript (2 actually) to generate a link to a random url, where the url is pulled from the database of urls at UUpdates. If you would like to add a link to a random UU website (UU blog, UUA, UU World, etc.) then follow the instructions for adding a random url here.

Also, please feel free to ask for clarifications or help with the instructions, and feedback for making the instructions more clear are also welcome.

Milestones

I visited a congregation in Ames, Iowa. One of the things that really impressed me was that they had a section of the service entitled "Milestones". It was remarkably similar to "Joys & Concerns" but the name and relatively few number of candles seemed to keep people from rambling on about the little things that made them happy or concerned. Or as ChaliceChick would say "Births, deaths and marriages:It's just that simple."

I think it's been about a year since putting together the UU RSS aggregator (originally "What's new with UU?" now UUpdates). I remember back then it having around 30 sites it was tracking. Now it's at 172. Maybe someday I will chart the growth, but I have to say it seems a pretty amazing growth. Thanks to everyone who has given feedback regarding the site, I did it to learn and the feedback is always helpful.

I haven't done much recently on the site, because I have been working on another project. More about that later...

Recommended Site

Every so often I get a recommendation to add a website to be tracked by UUpdates, the Unitarian Universalist Syndicated website tracker, that doesn't appear to be trackable (at least by standard RSS). I got another recomendation, and the person that recommended the site didn't leave an e-mail address so I thought I would mention it here. Most of the time even if the site can't be tracked it's still a worthwhile resource worthy of note.

So the site that was recommended is Starr King - http://www.online.sksm.edu/univ/ if anyone could help locate an RSS feed for this site I would appreciate it. Otherwise please be sure to drop a note to the Starr King webmaster letting them know what a great thing RSS is and how it would benefit people to be able to track updates to their website.

There are many good RSS resources on the web, and UU resources like the Websters list for UU webmasters which can help get a webmaster on the way to syndicated their content.

UU Musician

Jess has now reminded me twice that I should really put in a plug for a UU musician named Peter Mayer. The first time was when she reviewed Blue Boat Home which was part of her Singing the Living Tradition review series. And the second time was when she mentioned her job. When I read her post I found myself hearing a Peter Mayer song in my head. Emphasis added is mine.

WAKING UP

Last night I was dreaming I was in my GMC
I was feeling kind of empty because it was just a '93
So I filled it full of fossil from the bosom of the earth
Which I burned up quite a lot of on my long commute to work
Where I worked at what I hated just to keep up with the bills
Which I paid to meet the rising cost of feeling unfulfilled
Which I felt at every moment with occasional respite
Like the times that I'd go shopping or watch TV shows at night

CHORUS: But I'm waking up, but I'm waking up
I'm waking up from the American Dream

Last night I was dreaming of the one eternal hope
That my life would be improved if the economy would grow
Which already was a monster on a mission to consume
And was eating almost everything and running out of room
And it whispered to me "mister, here's some products that you need
And the standard of your living is too low" and I agreed!
So I got myself a credit card with not a penny down
And a long ride on the not-so-merry-money-go-round

CHORUS:

Yeah, the world was like an Amoco and I said "Fill er up!"
With a house, a car, a VCR, a lawn and all that stuff
But I got a nagging notion that enough did not exist
And at the end of every day I'd wonder "is this all there is?"
And someone said "Hey, you've already got ten times more than the rest
And six-billion other people want the little that's still left!"
But I snapped "It's a free country and by rights it's mine to keep
And by the way, who do I pay to take away this garbage heap?"

CHORUS:

It seemed that the beginning of the dream was so benign, I mean
All I ever wanted was a smidgen of the pie
And some comfort and security and good things for my kids
And, OK, to please the neighbors and my ego while I did
Anyway, it's great to be awake and feeling satisfied
With seeking out the simple and the deeper things in life
And with giving to the world instead of hoarding it for me
Boy, I guess I'm not too excited about falling back to sleep

And as crazy as it was, hey, was it a dream or not?
Well, just promise not to save me if I ever start to nod
Put no-doze in my coffee, throw me outside in the cold
Just don't ever say "OK now, back to bed you go!"

CHORUS:

copyright Peter Mayer, 1997

I have heard other songs of his sung in UU services. Peter Mayer's website does have links to some songs that you can listen to online. I am actually not a big fan of folk music, but I do like his, mainly because I think his lyrics are the best of any musician I know.

UU Blog Awards - Process Feedback

So, the big thing I realized I need to do a better job of is communication and explanation of the process. Or, find someone else to "MC" next years blog awards helping to communicate begin times, cut off times, etc.

Things for next year include more lead up time and discussion of categories.

Should there be a review of nominations? We had some nominations in "group blog" that I don't think really count as group blogs. Should the voting be restricted in the number of nominations that are voted on?

Did anyone miss the blog format from the first annual? Should vote tallies have been kept secret until the end?

What else? What did you like, what didn't you like? What can be done better next year for the third annual blog awards?