Random Thoughts

  • 2012 In Review

    Here we are at the end of 2012 and what a great year it has been.  While I don’t have a Top 10, I thought I’d run through some of the personal highlights that made this year so great.  Now I fully accept that I may be the only person interested in this, but by…

  • The (Almost) Thanksgiving Meltdown of 2012

    I knew this was going to be a great Thanksgiving when I woke up, headed to the grocery store for no particular reason and then as I left was greeted at my car by the most cheerful Thanksgiving herald.  A woman smiling ear-to-ear who waved cheerfully and shouted “Happy Thanksgiving!!”  This delightful Thanksgiving muse had…

  • He Kindly Stopped for Me

    I am descended from a long line of martyrs.  Now, you might be thinking the lion snack, pyre kindle, rock dodger sort, but you’d be mistaken.  See, I’ve long suspected my family actually survived through the centuries by being fabulous finger pointers.  “Oh, you’re looking for a witch?  Have you spoken with Goody Johnson?  No…

  • Just Like Lovecraft

    Today I was playing with an online writing analysis tool that promised to tell me to which famous writer my writing style was most similar.  I dumped several of my recent blog posts into the offered window, pressed the magical “Analyze” button and watched it whir until the author’s name kerchunked its way out.  Now,…

  • Backpackology with Steve McDonald

    I rarely talk about the blogs I read.  It’s not a remark on the blogs themselves, it’s more of a selfish thing.  I discover them (or they discover me) and then I start hoarding them – like that lady you once saw on that reality show – you know – that lady – the one…

  • You “Like” Me, You Really Do

    On Thursday, WordPress informed me that I’d finally reached the “100 Likes” milestone on the Big Blue Mess.  I know, I know, for some of you that’s called “a post” or “a Monday”, but for me that’s called 486 posts, six years later.  (Granted, the bulk of those were on Blogger and you didn’t get a…

  • Cheating: The June Creativity Challenge

    Judging by my calendar it looks like it’s time for the June Creativity Challenge.  You remember this challenge from last year, right?  This is the one where you challenge yourself to do something creative each day in June.  If you recall last year’s challenge, I tried to regale you with any thought that popped into…

  • 100 Photos Before June

    Chillin’, a photo by Big Blue Mess on Flickr. I have only confessed this to a couple of folks; I’m afraid of my camera. Sure, looking at it excites me, purchasing accessories for it makes me happy, but when faced with taking it outside I get anxious, then I tuck it away and grab my…

  • Right As Rain

    First, a quick aside.  I hate Adele.  Yes, the singer.  It’s not really her fault, but there you have it.  Until this morning,  I couldn’t name a single Adele song, although I know I’ve heard her music on the radio.  I think she has a great voice.  I use the word “think” because I have…

  • Super Cool

    My friend DeAnne sent an email out today that linked to a great blog post titled “You are Super Cool” along with a YouTube video. What DeAnne didn’t realize (until she started reading my post) is that her timing was impeccable, because this weekend I convinced myself I was exceptionally un-cool. It all started Saturday…