NEWS FLASH

My posts have been somewhat serious lately. I need a break from all that so I decided to make up a a tool (I guess it could blossom as a meme if others are interested). I have also been thinking about combining the two blogs (this one and "The Present Truth"). It just seems too hard to write both. I think it would have been different had I not had to go through some things in my life that took my thoughts in the spiritual realm anyway. Sometimes it is too hard to separate my thinking. Maybe it will be different when I come out on the other side of this tunnel. What do you think? I seldom ask specifically for feedback, but I would appreciate some on this.

On to my "NEWS FLASH". I made this thing up because I liked the idea of tracking my thoughts on a week-to-week basis. It should be relatively quick and easy yet it should be interesting to the point where I can see how my thoughts and interests have changed over time. Ultimately, it should be done once per week (or bi-weekly).

If anyone else is interested in trying this, let me know. This is how I stack it up:

NEWS FLASH is basically news or thoughts that may be changing over time - an update or an evolution of thought that covers a multiple of topics. It is what makes a blogger tick and it is the reason why we read. So, with that in mind, I came up with NEWS FLASH as an acronym that stands for what is going on in life: News (or current events), Entertainment (movies, TV, celebrity, etc.), Work (thoughts on the job or employer), Spirit (thoughts on God and/or the supernatural) Family, Love, Anxiety (a rant or a trouble) Sports (those who have no interest in sports can be creative such as contests, reality tv, recreation, cards, games), and Home (house, yard, or even another family type of thought.


Another good thing about NEWS FLASH is that it can be used as an introduction to a subsequent post this week. After all, these are things that are on the mind. I think it will help organize thoughts.


NEWS - I have been tracking the run for the White House. Last night, the Democrats debated. I was actually impressed with Hilary. Right now, I am giving her a slight edge over Obama. I will be interested to see what Fred Thompson will bring to the discussion. My vote is still up for grabs.


ENTERTAINMENT - I saw "Rocky Balboa" last night on video. It was okay, but I preferred the alternate ending included on the DVD.


WORK - It has been hard for me to concentrate at work lately - that bloody tunnel.


SPIRIT - We have a project that we are doing at church (starting yesterday). They gave us these rubber wristbands to put on to remind us not to complain or argue (for 21 days). If I catch myself complaining or arguing, I am supposed to change wrists. I find the rubber a little too hot to wear all the time, though (Excuse me, while I switch wrists now).


FAMILY - My sister really needs some help. She is disabled and can't work, but government bureaucracy is holding her down. In the meantime, she is running out of financial support from the rest of the family. The dollar can stretch only so far.


LOVE - Here is a stretch for "love", but I have discovered that I have a crush on Sarah Silverman. I hate it, though, because she is kind of vulgar and that is not my type of girl. What are ya gonna do?


ANXIETY - I have to cross the Ohio River to get to and from work everyday. They are closing parts of the bridges to paint and do maintenance. So, they have decided to put THREE lanes on the southbound bridge and have just one open on the northbound one. The three, too narrow, lanes have two going south and one going north inviting head on collisions because of the narrow lanes. It is a huge headache (switching wrists again).


SPORTS - I won on America's Bingo Night on ABC last week. I will know today if I won a trip to the Bellmont Stakes in New York, $50,000 in cash, or just bragging rights on my blog saying that I bingo'd. It sounds kind of pathetic, doesn't it? Maybe not so pathetic if I win one of those prizes, I guess.


HOME - I have the best lead yet on selling my house. I am showing it tomorrow to two sisters and a brother. I think they are all through with marriage and kids and decided to just hole up together for the rest of their lives. That is fine with me as long as they can get a mortgage.


There you have it, the first installment of NEWSFLASH. It beats the heck out of all the cryptic junk, no?

16 comments:

Tai said...

I like "NewsFlash". It's a great idea! In fact, if it's alright, you might see it pop up on my blog one of these days...with credits, of course!
(Good luck with the house selling, it's not easy, is it?)

The Real Mother Hen said...

(a) Hey Jeff, how to get to "The Present Truth?" I've been looking for a while, but can't seem to find the link from this site

(b) Love your NEWS FLASH idea! :) You're an organized person aren't you?

(c) I seriously think the wristband-and-can't-argue idea is great! Will try it out :)

Jeff said...

Tai: Sure, use NEWS FLASH to your heart's content. I didn't have the nerve to actually tag anyone, so you can consider yourself tagged since you volunteered. :) And no, it isn't easy to sell a house.

Mother Hen: A. I did leave one link to "The Present Truth" one time. I just didn't want to push it on anyone, you know? The link is http://the-present-truth.blogspot.com. Still considering merging the two. What do you think?

B. Glad you like NEWS FLASH. I wondered how it would be taken. So far, so good. Oh, and I WISH I was organized.

C. The wristband is hard - especially while driving. :)

Sayre said...

Hey, I like this!!! It might actually make it easier to blog as you have a format for organization and a list of things you'll talk about HERE as opposed to your other blog.

Also, I have two blogs - I list the other on my blogroll (It's called "Because I'm Fat" because I need some durn accountability here). Plus the title is just plain honest. I may have lost some ass last summer, and most of it is still gone, but my tummy has been expanding at an alarming rate. It's on my mind a lot.

Anonymous said...

Okay, okay... I've had a crush on Bob Saget ever since Full House. There, I said it. Phew! What a relief...

Anonymous said...

News Flash is a great idea. Nice one.

I think that it would be too difficult to write in two blogs and separate your thoughts. Sometimes I think that separating spiritual thoughts is separating what's possibly most important so that people aren't confronted or made uncomfortable. Sometimes people should be challenged.

Michelle said...

Great idea Jeff! I think you may have started a blogging trend. ;-)

Galen Brannagh said...

Fantastic idea for the News Flash! Looks like the ultimate non-meme meme. Count me in! Mind if I borrow your Sesame Street image?

The Real Mother Hen said...

Dude after reading The Present Truth, I'm inclined to say don't mix them together. One is so much about yourself, while another is all about God. Having said that, it's tought to do 2 blogs though, unless you're a 90-year-old dude who has nothing better to do! You know what, you inspire me to try something. Now there isn't one sentence about GOD mentioned in my blog, but I'm going to dedicate my entire next week on this subject. Let's see if I can make it, and let's see if people yawn! :)

Stepping Over the Junk said...

I am chuckling at your "Love" section.

I saw the anti-complaining wrist bands on Oprah...brilliant. Help be mindful of our thoughts and habits.

Ari said...

Ahh, NEWSFLASH, that's a great idea! Very clever.

I'm rooting for you on that 50,000. Bingo!

Sorry to hear about your sister. I hope things start looking up for her.

Ari

Jeff said...

Sayre: So you understand about the two blogs. I will check out your other one!

Stephanie: Bab Saget! At least that started when you were a kid. I had a crush on Marcia Brady!

Kristarella: I agree about the two blogs. It IS difficult to separate. I still don't know what I am going to do.

Jeff said...

Michelle: At looks like people actually like it. I'm flattered. Do you think I missed my calling? lol

Galen: Glad you like it. I checked yours out. You do a good job with it! I recommend others to check it out.

BTW - I haven't been able to check out all the blogs I read, so stand by if you did this but see no trace of me.

Mother Hen: Thanks! I was leaning toward combining the blogs till I read your feedback. Now I am confused again. THANKS A LOT! lol I do talk a little about myself in the other blog, though. ;)

Jeff said...

Stepping Over: My pastor mentioned that it was on Oprah. He said something like, "I usually don't want to do something if it has been on Oprah." lol He said that he learned of it from a pastor friend he had in Kansas, I think.

Ari: It is already Wednesday, so me winning anything on that bingo game is looking pretty bleak at this point. :(

Knock knock - it's cancer! said...

NEWSFLASH sounds really great. I can't wait to read all about it! (get it? LOL) Oh GAWD my jokes are bad...

You and your sister would be a fun pair to invite over for dinner sometime... I bet between the three of us we'd cover most ailments.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jeff, I came back to your original "News Flash" to make sure it had originated as a potential meme. I thought I had remembered your saying that, but just wanted to make sure. Anyway, I think I'm going to start doing it too - with a link back to you of course. I just like the idea of tracking all of these subjects, and how they unfold... Thanks for a great idea!