Once more, with feeling
Last night at 8:08 p.m. mdlrvrmuncher posted a comment that read in part, "Wow-you are working too late," I think because I had answered an earlier comment he/she had made, not because I had published it.
It made me think I should explain again how this whole commenting thing works.
I just checked, and since this time yesterday, I've read and published 173 comments. This is the most time-comsuming part of my job now, because of how the blogware is set up to allow me to read them. (It's a two-step process.) ...
Every comment you post has to be published individually by me. I try to publish as often as possible to keep the conversations going. When I get out of bed in the morning, I go to the computer first thing, and I publish any comments that have been posted overnight and those of early birds, usually Joyce W., dahlink and hmpstd. I greet them like old friends by now, although they don't know it.
Just before I go to bed at night I do one last check. That usually involves saying good night to Owl Meat, although he doesn't know it either. And if I wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep, I've been known to publish then, too.
I'm telling you all this not so you'll be impressed by how diligent I am (I wouldn't do it if I didn't enjoy it) but so you'll understand why there's sometimes a lag between when you post and when the comment publishes.
If I'm pressed for time, I'll sometimes publish comments that are questions, hoping someone else on the blog will answer them. If not, I often go back and answer them myself later.
I read the comments chronologically, not under the entries they are posted to, so I try to go back sometime during each day and read them on the blog itself, not in the software, the way they should be read. That's when I notice if I've published a comment twice by mistake, or let one through that shouldn't have gone through. We've started to get more spam on Dining@Large, and I'm always grateful for a heads up if I miss one.
On a day like this with a popular subject on the table (coffee), every time I publish a few comments and the saving process ends, which I have to wait through to use my computer again, three or four more have popped up to be published.
I'm not complaining.
Comments
I do appreciate it, and am glad you have fun, EL. I'm still more than a little surprised that I'm hanging out on a newspaper restaurant blog. Last place in the world I thought I'd hang my pixels.
Posted by: Lissa | March 24, 2009 11:12 AM
I'm still more than a little surprised that I'm hanging out on a newspaper restaurant blog.
Likewise! But this is now quite possibly my most-visited site. Thanks for all the work, EL!
Hmmm, I guess I should try to make my posts more substantive, since there are so many for Ms. Large to contend with. And I promise to never post a neighborhood correction again!
Believe me, I don't ask for substance. Sometimes the other kind are most amusing. And go for the neighborhood thing. Maybe some day I'll learn them. EL
Posted by: sean | March 24, 2009 11:42 AM
This blog is a ray of sun in the gloom of the day! Thanks, EL!
Posted by: Joyce W. | March 24, 2009 12:10 PM
I'm still more than a little surprised that I'm hanging out on a newspaper restaurant blog.
HaHaHaHaHa...
What's in a meatball?
Posted by: Bucky | March 24, 2009 1:37 PM
The only blog you will ever need.....that says a lot. We appreciate that you are certainly giving more to this blog than the head honchos have a right to expect. I am sure that what has taken hold here surprises them to no end. Great work, EL.
Posted by: Regina | March 24, 2009 2:16 PM
Once more, with feeling: not my favorite Buffy episode.
Posted by: Stacy | March 24, 2009 2:19 PM
I've learned more and laughed more reading this blog than any other. Thanks EL!
Its the first site I visit when I launch my browser. And then I forget why I got on the 'Net in the first place.
I love that. :-) EL
Posted by: PCB Rob | March 24, 2009 2:24 PM
What's in a meatball?
Bitter melon, of course.
Posted by: Lissa | March 24, 2009 2:35 PM
I go on several times a day and in the morning right after I read my favorite comics that aren't in the printed newspaper anymore. It's fun and always entertaining!
Posted by: Earl | March 24, 2009 2:52 PM
I have SOOO much fun on this blog. It is truly the only blog you'll ever need. Although I do visit Sam's blog and the Mommy blog (I know, what's up wit dat?), I'm on this blog the most.
Posted by: RayRay | March 24, 2009 3:25 PM
There are times when I feel like I'm not spending enough time on this blog. I find that when I don't check in at least four times a day that I've missed all kinds of things. Oh sure I can make a comment after the topic has moved on, but then I end up like the girl who is a step behind on the dance floor or the guy who keeps on applauding after everyone else has stopped.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | March 24, 2009 6:19 PM
RoCK -- all of your comments hit the mark with me. That remark you made about Red Emma's elicited a deep HA! causing my kids to wonder once again whether their Mom is totally losing it.
Well, it's been another fun day in the sandbox. Goodnight, EL.
Posted by: Laura Lee | March 24, 2009 9:05 PM
RoCK -
Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. — Ferris Bueller
Posted by: Bucky | March 24, 2009 9:19 PM
I know this won't go up until early tomorrow (Wednesday) morning but it is typical of the D@L blog. Today has been one of those days when I have not been able to check in hourly and I see why that's such a problem: 173 comments. No matter how hard I try, I know I will miss some as I try to do a crash read of today's comments. And knowing I will miss some comments: then I feel like I've missed seeing a friend. I do visit YDS and Clef Notes, but this is home. (Besides, who has time for more than the Sandbox? And this from someone with very little 'real' life.) So with my yellow bathrobe and bunny slippers on, I will soldier on to get caught up. Here's hoping that pesky job thing is not so interfering tomorrow and I can keep up with my real passion. [Good morning, Elizabeth.]
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | March 24, 2009 11:57 PM
Yes, good morning, Elizabeth. Good morning, Robert (the Single One). Good morning, blog.
Cute slippers, RtSO!
Posted by: Dahlink | March 25, 2009 6:09 AM
I also feel like if I don't get a little sand in my shoes a couple times a day that I am missing out on a delightful play date. I know I don't contribute often, but even just being an observer is so rewarding! And as Eve as pointed out before, if only this dang job would stop getting in the way, I would have more time to spend here!
Posted by: Trixie | March 25, 2009 8:08 AM
Thanks, Dahlink. I especially like how Lefty's right ear bends over.
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | March 25, 2009 9:25 AM
RtSO -- are you wearing a red cap as well?
Posted by: Laura Lee | March 25, 2009 9:35 AM
Oh, Ms Lee, how could doubt that the cap would be missing? And it comes with a fuzzy pom pom on the end: in OMG purple, no less. (As the weather gets warmer, I'll eventually have to put the AC on 60, at night, so I can wear my cap.)
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | March 25, 2009 10:53 AM
Admit it RtSO, you are really wrapped up in a Snuggie, aren't you? Just don't get to close to a flame...those things look like they would flare up in a second! I love the commercial where the happy family is gathered around a campfire roasting marshmellows. Any second I am expecting one of them to stop, drop, and roll.
Posted by: Trixie | March 25, 2009 10:55 AM
RtSO, since I retired from my "pesky job" I find I have less chance to log in. While at work I could usually take a few minutes several times a day to check up, but now I'm not at a computer all day so my comments have become rarer. Which is probably appreciated by some in the Sandbox.
Posted by: Retired in Elkridge | March 25, 2009 11:36 AM
RiE, not so!
Posted by: Dahlink | March 25, 2009 3:02 PM
Couple of them here (this is know as line jumping.)
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | March 25, 2009 5:37 PM
Ms Trixie, no not a Snuggie. I have this lovely tartan, wool, that goes well with the robe, slippers and cap. And none of the Snuggie colours go with the Turkish carpets and leather Chesterfield.
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | March 25, 2009 9:59 PM
I'm also retired, and since I'm not in front of a computer for eight hours a day, don't check D@L as often. On the other hand, I can spend half a day or night catching up with what I've missed.
Posted by: Dottie | March 27, 2009 12:01 AM