Dictionary for Toot & The List Updates

It has been requested that I add a dictionary to the blog. You will now find this widget at the top of the right sidebar labeled "Dictionary Assistant".

I have also determined that in the interest of readability I will post new entries every time I update the list. This way you don't have to seek it out at each visit to see what has changed. I will continue to cross items off which have been covered for organization purposes.

Thank You.

1. The impetus for this blog (11 worst blogs on the internet)

When I finally get around to talking about number 13 on “The List”, I will tell you about some of the sites that I visit on the internet and where I go for information.  But for now I want to talk about the number one item on the list as it has quite possibly been keeping most of you awake at night in anticipation of the answer (all 3 of you that have seen my blog).  Sufficed to say I was reading an article recently about the “11 worst blogs on the Internet” (PC Advisor).  I have to admit that it was almost a complete waste of my time as it was painful to read about Rosie O’Donnell, Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, and all the other celebri-freaks out there (that has to go on my list…and I am trying to coin that phrase so please use it).  However PC Advisor was able to point me to one of the most inane blogs I have ever seen since Web 2.0 started.  And it is quite literally called “the dullest blog in the world”. 

Now I personally don’t think this blog should have ever “won” the title of the worst blog on the internet simply due to the fact that it is the epitome of sarcasm and mockery.  It raucously spits in the face of all those people who take blogging too seriously (I do it for me, not for you, so I don’t count).  For example, the most recent post (which is pretty old since it was from March 2006), reads like this “Some pencils were scattered around on my desk. I picked them up one by one. I placed the pencils in the drawer which I use to store pencils.” Now who would argue that that doesn’t strike you as being funny?  One of my favorites is “Turning off a light…” you’ll have to check it out.  But I digress…as I do quite often…which is the beauty of this blog - I can.

Anyway, as I read this I realized that there is something out there for everybody and why shouldn’t I have a place to put my banal musings as well?  Why can’t I have a place where I can put all the details that fill my head, consume my thoughts, and distract my focus?  So this is what pushed me to start this blog.  I don’t claim to be a great writer (wait for the discussion that will come when I discuss number 12), I really don’t think I am a great orator and I would never be so bold as to proclaim that I am very verbose but I do know that I have an opinion.  From reading this article about the baloney that fills the internet I felt the desire, yea the impetus, to delve into the life of a “blogger”…so here I am.  Fully aware that I won’t get fame or fortune for doing this (especially the fortune part) but I really don’t care.

I finally figured out that I don’t update my “other” blog simply due to the fact that I don’t know what to put up there.  What might interest me, intrigue me, tickle me, or make me laugh when it comes to my family might just be too personal to share.  I like to keep certain details about ME to myself.  I hold close those things that are mine and I guard them with all the strength that I have.  I don’t want the violation that comes from others knowing too much about those whom I love. 

But, like I said earlier, I have an opinion…about most everything and I strive to base my opinions on facts; facts that I find through research on the internet, in books, in newspapers, movies, school, and church.  And this is the place where I can share that opinion.  A opinion is probably more personal that the stuff that I don't want to share, but the difference is that it's just that, and opinion (I find myself straying onto paths which touch upon other points from the list so I have to be careful - wait for #19 for the full discussion).  I continue to refer to this as a forum where discussion can take place and I really do mean that.  Please discuss with me, add additional minutiae to the list.  I will try and present facts that I find and their sources (where possible) and I hope that it promulgates the ideas that I try to convey and stimulates the discussion that I crave – even if that discussion is between me, myself and I.  I will also play the “point-counter-point game” and sometimes play the devil’s advocate.  The goal here is to give a bit of clarity to the way I think and the way I approach the mundane – the way I formulate the opinions that I have and why I don’t fear having them.  I love information and crave the minutiae of life.  This is why I wanted/needed the Minutiae Report!  

Course Syllabus:

I wanted to make a list of some of the things I want to chat about on this blog...and hopefully I will actually get around to addressing some of them (in no particular order).  I will continue to add to this list as I think of things that I want to talk about - or if you feel so inclined, drop me a note and I will try and focus my commentary on what my "readers" want to hear.  The following with now be formally called "The Minutiae List" or just "The List".  I will cross out those items that we have covered.

1. The Impetus for this Blog (11 Worst blogs on the Internet)
   
2. Making money with a blog...is it possible?
3. Digging a basement
4. Building a deck
5. Remodeling a home (that you hate) in general
6. Going to Regis University for my MBA
7. Essays and articles to be published from my classes...why not?
8. The differences between SAP and Oracle ERP systems
9. Hobbies
10. Investing 101
11. My philosophy on networking (familial and professional)
12. Books - writing and reading
13. What I read on the Internet and when
14. Working out and losing weight (FAT America)
15. America in general
16. Uses for lottery funds
17. Education in general
18. Finances in general
19. Opinions - why they stink? And how to sell them to siblings
20. The Yellow F650
21. Ol' Blue & other "nostalgic" vehicles
22. MOM and "her" grave
23. Shoes (why I like them)
24. Graveyard Shift
25. OCD vs Efficient Habits
26. ADD and peanut allergies
27. Driving and rush hour theories
28. Argument for Thanksgiving being the best holiday
29. Political correctness
30. Gerophobia and riding the short bus
31. Google are you listening?
32. Trend bucking
33. The Unit
34. Grants, New Mexico
35. Pandora Radio
36. Kantorei
37. Celebri-freaks
38. The Music I like
39. Stumbleupon.com
40. The violation that we call theft
41. Kickbikes
42. Demolition Derbys
43. Redneck Games
44. Waterfalls and Concrete
45. Does the dystopian world await us?
46. Music
47. Movies
48. Obtain as much education as is possible

So, Whats the deal?

Four for a dollar...or two for 50 cents.  So I was up really late one night working and I happened to be chatting with my little sister and the topic of blogs came up.  I have a decent little family blog that I never update because I never have time and I don't know what stuff I should and shouldn't put up there.  As I was headed for bed, the idea occurred to me that I would like to "jot down" a few of the things that go through my head on a regular basis...and I decided that I needed a place to "store" all of my stupid ideas.  I know that I really bore a lot of people with the amount of detail that I get into when I explain things so I decided that I might as well bore the entire populous as a whole - or at least the one or two people that will ever stumble upon this stupid blog.

So here's the deal...I am dedicating this blog the the mindless minutiae and drivel that goes through my head on a regular basis...and maybe, just maybe, someone might find something useful here (if nothing more than data elements that can be used to do some social construction of my life and steal my identity)!

UPDATE 1.1

One of the things that I have noticed the past few weeks is that time must surely be accelerating.  I have found that when I get together with family and friends I feel like my head is spinning (almost as quickly as the people around me are changing topics) and I cannot find time to fully develop my thoughts.  In addition to the aforementioned intentions for this collection of words, I will be using this blog as a forum for discussion and further development of responses to questions I get on a regular basis.   To that end I would hope that you come back often and see what I have to say.

In addition,  I have determined that I have an issue with information and curiosity.  I am an extremely curious person and when I dig into something I want all the detailed information about it that I can get...you could say that I crave the MINUTIAE in life!