Open Thread – Photo Contest!
You’ve heard about Eric Boehlert’s new book Bloggers on the Bus. I posted about it HERE. And it just got a great review HERE. And it’s climbing the charts on Amazon HERE. And another great mention for Alaska bloggers HERE.
Media Matters’ Eric Boehlert focuses on the myriad changes in the mainstream media’s standard operating procedure inspired by the blogosphere in his welcome new book, Bloggers on the Bus. Alaskan blogger and professor Phil Mungerrecounts the nation’s first brush with a certain Tina Fey lookalike in “Saradise Lost,” which also happens to be a headline from his blog. The non-Alaskans among us with no idea who governed that far-off, freezing land came to rely on a group of little-known Wasillian bloggers when John McCain rolled the dice on an hitherto unknown politician named Sarah Palin to be his running mate. On the morning of McCain’s announcement, “liberal bloggers all over Alaska tapped away on their keyboards,” warning the uninformed (i.e. most of America) about the “Bridge to Nowhere,” Troopergate, Palin’s unorthodox religious beliefs, her former love affair with federal earmarks, her antiscience beliefs, and her dubious claim to being “commander-in-chief” of the Alaskan National Guard.
As Boehlert explained, these bloggers, including Progressive Alaska , AKMuckraker, Celtic Diva’s Blue Oasis, Kodiak Konfidential, Mudflats, Own the Sidewalk, AndrewHalcro, What Do I Know?, Alaska Real, Immoral Minority, and Just a Girl from Homer, already “owned the story.” Meanwhile the mainstream media were scrambling to “even get reporters to Alaska to start their background reporting.” He adds:
“They didn’t realize it then, but within just a matter of days Alaskan bloggers would emerge as one of the most important local newsgathering sources of the entire election season. Collectively, they wrote a new chapter in campaign journalism. In the right place—4,300 miles and 74 hours by car from the Beltway — and at the right time and boasting unmatched knowledge about Palin and Alaska politics, the bloggers served an invaluable function.”
Well, now is your chance to win your very own hard-cover copy hot off the presses! I’m going to be making a post on Sunday afternoon at 4:00pm Alaska time. (That’s 5:00pm Pacific, and 8:00pm Eastern) You’ll be getting a photo assignment, and the first one to complete it, and email it to me will win the book! So get your cameras ready, and check back on Sunday for details!
Alaska bloggers and Tina Fey – they need a Hall of Fame all of their own.
“…the [Alaskaa] bloggers served an invaluable function.”
Amen to that.
And many many thanks.
Flippin’ eck! Now I’ll have to learn how to put photos on to my computer!
Did you see the NYT article on Levi and a possible book?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/fashion/24levi.html?_r=1&ref=fashion
Another funny thing, about ten days ago Kos had a post about how a spoof article had gone out that the Pres was going to apologise for the US on WW11. Well apparently one of the right wing blogs hadn’t realised it was snark, so Kos were taking the Mick and saying lets see how long before the morons take up the cry. Well today in PeePee land guess what? Yup you got it! They really are a bunch of half wits.
Let me guess.
We’re going to have to photograph people in pajamas with laptops getting on a yellow school bus?
If this requires flickr or some other account like that I’m out. I can post on the internet but I use my own website.
No flickr required. Just email me the picture.
AKM
“Report blasts Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Alaska roads project
By Sean Cockerham
The Anchorage Daily News
The Interior Department is tightening the flow of economic stimulus money to the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Alaska roads program after a scathing inspector general’s report alleged mismanagement and the waste of millions in tax dollars.”
Now Alaska gets to find out who the contractors are and how they got the contracts and who is responsible for oversight and hopefully get some of the money back.
Unfortunately, in the meantime, it summertime in Alaska and the road construction has stopped.
I still think that witch doctor put the Whammie on Sarah instead of getting rid of her baaaaad spirit and she’s infected the whole blessed state.
And as much pain as most Alaskans feel the rural Alaskans are in a world of hurt.
I know.
Some body write Obama and nominate her as ambassador to Siberia or someplace. Then he can make a bipartisan appointment and send the curse somewhere else.
She’d still be able to wave to her kids on a clear day.
Oooohhh… It sounds almost like a Treasure Hunt…?
As a side note, there was a baseball game on last night SF Giants and Seattle Mariners. Between the action the guys in the booth were making small talk and chit-chat. All of a sudden one guy says something like ‘it doesn’t get any better than getting some of that ” Copper River Salmon”
Network TV is doing some advertising for You.
As long as you’re feeling generous, why not send an additional copy of the book to Sarah, along with thanks for giving you all of the free publicity.
Yay! How perfect that I bought my first real camera a month ago! Woohoooooo!!! Can’t wait to find out what it is.
Oh wait, I’ll be at a picnic….all day…. and probably well into the evening…Oh well, I’ll just have to put my hand over one eye to read the assignment! LOL
#4 mlaiuppa Says:
May 23rd, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Let me guess.
We’re going to have to photograph people in pajamas with laptops getting on a yellow school bus?
—————–
….and wearing yellow boots!
#5 Marnie Says:
I still think that witch doctor put the Whammie on Sarah instead of getting rid of her baaaaad spirit and she’s infected the whole blessed state.
—————-
Let’s just say the witch doc’s prayer was heard and answered. S…P… gets blessed, becomes governor……and then she goes and blows the whole freakin’ blessing by lying, inciting division and hate, dishonoring her savior, and neglecting her job.
I’ve not had the opportunity to read the book yet, but from the excerpts, it appears one name is (still) missing from the list of valuable political reporters in Alaska – the Anchorage Daily News. Other than some occasional stories showing up on their blog, the ADN has mostly been MIA during the Palin affairs – most of their reporting being a simple regurgitation of Palin’s news releases. As their page count, circulation (and relevance) dwindles, the ADN might take a lesson from the Daily Telegraph in London whose circulation is up 10% after it broke the major story on corruption in the House of Commons. Our real appreciation to the Alaskan bloggers.
Any Anchorage mudpups going to the World Beard and Moustache Championships ?? It’s today in your town. Austin has sent 4 contestants. Here are three of ‘em :
http://www.austin360.com/search/content/events/stories/2009/05/0523beards.html
9 curiouser Says:
May 23rd, 2009 at 10:10 AM
#4 mlaiuppa Says:
May 23rd, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Let me guess.
We’re going to have to photograph people in pajamas with laptops getting on a yellow school bus?
—————–
….and wearing yellow boots!
************************************************
How about getting on this bus ??
http://epicfailwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/sharkbus.jpg
Ooo. I was wondering about the beard contest. Read it on Yahoo. Wondering if any Mudpups would be going so we could see pics.
14 mlaiuppa Says:
May 23rd, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Ooo. I was wondering about the beard contest. Read it on Yahoo. Wondering if any Mudpups would be going so we could see pics.
**************************************
Someone with our guys is gonna blog from the contest. If I see any fun pictures , I’ll throw ‘em up. The beard parade thru downtown must have been a hoot !!
New post up on beard parade! AKM
austintx – OMG! the spookiest thing just happened. Was reading your post, clicked in to the beard comp. was scrolling down reading story, UKMAN was watching ‘Back to the Future 3′ (aw bless), and he is talking to me, me half listening and reading as usual, ZZ top are the band in the film and he is telling me the story about Frank Beard being the only one without a beard at the same time as I am reading it in your link. Four minutes later, my brain catches up and I realise what he said!
I’m feeling guilty now realizing that I’ve never shared this link with Mudflatters. It’s one of those piloty things that I take for granted. The FAA has a website showing photos and diagrams of all the airports in AK. The oblique views are wide enough to help provide some local orientation, and almost always include the village that is served by the airport, and normally from at least two directions.
When I was flying up there, it was in the semi-dark ages before the internet. There were days it would have been nice to have had some preview of what it was that I was out looking for in the murk and rain. Having missed out on that, they’re nice now to refer to for a sense of perspective when I read about rural AK villages that I haven’t been to before.
Alaska Airport Photos and Diagrams
http://www.alaska.faa.gov/fai/airports.htm#YK
UK Lady – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzlG28B-R8Y
This is Kommandant George Soros contacting all Komrades (oops, I mean Mudflatters) to announce a mandatory meeting this evening. Everyone is to meet at 7:00 pm at the official commune (oops, I meant headquarters). Please bring your tinfoil helmets as we will take a group photograph of all Party Members (oops, I meant Mudflatters). Attendance is mandatory, so please check in on the comment board.
Over and Out.
Here I am before everything got old and gray.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41813756@N00/3557768884/
duncan
Hmmm somewhat OT but I live just a half hour from Auburn, NY where SP is supposed to be visiting in two weeks. I just saw a huge commercial about everything going on that day: parade, ice cream, amusement rides and not a single mention of you-know-who. Anyone know if she’s “pulled out” again?
Hmmm. I haven’t heard anything, but I wouldn’t bet too much money on her showing up anywhere, frankly. And remember, no such thing as OT on an open thread!
Keep us posted on the goings on in Auburn! AKM
Here is an open question to all you Mudflatters out there.
Last week I finally got signed into the Forum but have really only been on and investigated the Eagle-recovery link. I havn’t investigated ALL of the folders there.
On the Forum is there a discussion board and or pictures and stuff as it relates to ‘gardening’..?
Or is that a subject mostly related the new blogs that popped up on ” I Heart the Mudflats”. I havn’t checked all of them on I Heart and so don’t know everything that is there.
Is there a gardening type one someone recommends….?
Heading out the door now to work in my garden……
OK… I didn’t get out the door yet.
I wonder if Gryphen has seen this story on the Huffpo yet. Him and Phil Munger has posted on the subject this week.
Jason Linkins
“Colorado Third Grader Organizes Rally For Gay Marriage”
So much for all those NOM videos and Carrie Prejean speaking out. I guess this kid is not as confused as NOM says he is . ( Is NOM Lieing……?)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/22/colorado-third-grader-org_n_206923.html
Duncan, I love your beard! (I have a thing for beards, actually. I believe that any man that CAN grow a respectable beard, SHOULD, at least once. Hopefully they will get lots of compliments and keep it.)
Scarah is cursed!, Muthee must have got his spells mixed up.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/5/23/734776/-Sarah-Palins-Latest-FailureThis-One-REALLY-Hurts!
Marnie……it’s that road code and permit thingy.
Duncan, you have a great name! And it just so happens that it is my son’s name too:)
So Regina has a blog post that says Scarah is pals and has a church connection with the person in trouble, was endorsed by her……..what is this about?
5!!!!! people resign? they are trying to say something about something, what is it?
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/matsu/story/804225.html?commentSort=RecommendationsDescending&pageNum=1
Five resign from Wasilla Chamber board
good comment post about the Wasilla chamber resignations…….
jbwilson wrote on 05/22/2009 09:23:23 AM:
Those who think the 5 who resigned should have stayed to fix the problem may overlook this possibility. The resignation of 5 out of 7 people from a board doesn’t happen overnight or for any simple dispute. The 5 must have tried and exhausted all avenues till they met too much resistance. It’s up to the business owners and the public to force the issue to resolution. Someone must follow the money trail and hold the guilty accountable.
austintx
Just wanted to say congratulations on your son going to Carnegie Hall! What a great experience and honor for all involved. I’ll be here, 45 miles away, thinking of him and you and the participants. It is just a fabulous and iconic place in NYC, and I’m thrilled for all of you. Happy trails on the travelling, and best of everything for the performance! Really great news.
30 MinNJ – Thank you very much for your kind words and thoughts. bubbles asked for some info and I posted a link for her. She sounds like she might go. Told my son that a woman named bubbles might be there and will be meeting him. He got the deer in the headlights look and asked if I knew this person. Told him “Yeah , she’s a mudpuppie” . As only a 15yr. old can do “Oh Dude…..”
You must be very proud austintx – dude.
Sounds like a really great kid.
austintx Says:
May 23rd, 2009 at 4:38 PM
30 MinNJ – Thank you very much for your kind words and thoughts. bubbles asked for some info and I posted a link for her. She sounds like she might go. Told my son that a woman named bubbles might be there and will be meeting him. He got the deer in the headlights look and asked if I knew this person. Told him “Yeah , she’s a mudpuppie” . As only a 15yr. old can do “Oh Dude…..”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Heh! We will have to call you Austin dude! Congrats on your Son
Thanks guys !! UK Lady – Did you get my response/link to your little “episode” earlier ??
WooHoo, Shannyn’s radio show going to be on a podcast, and some ” christian” has the nerve to call her up and quote the bible and call her non-christian…man…SHE rips him a new one!!!!!
Awesome, and her Dad was like a preacher. If you missed it got to ask her where the podcast is. Its in the last 10mins of the show.
@ Duncan
Nice looking beard!
@ AustinDude
Congrats too on your son’s big adventure! You must be so proud.
Good article here by Sen. Begich in the Tundra Drums regarding the federal budget and need for input by Alaskans–covers many issues.
http://www.thetundradrums.com/news/show/6033
@austintx–freaking great about your son!!!!!!!! Wow.
I was looking to see what websites of media types were talking up the book and what they would say. “Crooks & Liars” has a VERY good story.
They actually had Eric on the blog and they were doing a LIVE blog-chat with people asking him questions. Very informative.
Here is just one of his comments that I found interesting.
(talking about Right-wing blogs)
“Thu, 05/21/2009 – 09:45 — boehlert
i think it is part of human nature. and as you note it’s far more pronounced among the right-wing blogs, whose readers, as far as i can tell, almost never call bloggers out for concocting phony stuff. in fact, the readers seem to thrive off it.
but i think the mere fact that the lib blogosphere is made up of so many like-minded people means there is going to be some sort of echo effect, which isn’t alway a bad thing. in fact, it’s one of the goals; to create a narrative and adopt the power of repitition.
what i think eveyrone wants to, and ought to, avoid, is making sure a lemmign mentality never sets in.
———————————————–
http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/cl-book-chat-bloggers-bus-eric-boehle
Hmmm, photo contest, eh? Well, we’re out of town this weekend, but I do have my laptop, my camera and some PJs. Not too spiffy though and not the frumpy ones I normally like to wear at home. But I don’t have any other interesting things with me. Could be a problem.
Austintx dude! I love it. Making our teens convinced that we are round the twist is the primary job of being a parent to teens. Can’t let them think they have all the answers in doing things that surprise others. I remember a time when a whole group of us who met on line exchanged Christmas gifts. It was fun, and my family stopped teasing me so much when they realized that there were real people on the other end of my computer.
****
As a side note, there was a baseball game on last night SF Giants and Seattle Mariners. Between the action the guys in the booth were making small talk and chit-chat. All of a sudden one guy says something like ‘it doesn’t get any better than getting some of that ” Copper River Salmon”
Network TV is doing some advertising for You.
I was going to mention this before, but every year people in the Puget Sound region look forward to getting Copper River Salmon. It’s quite tastey. Last year, though, it was so expensive that we didn’t get any. I haven’t heard the prices yet, so we’ll see.
Just thought I would mention……at the ADN, the “Ear” has a funny little tidbit up.
Ph.D. IN PALIN … Roberta Graham, former ad exec and current member of Dan Sullivan’s transition team, is presenting a paper at a big convention in Chicago — something called the International Communications Association. Thousands of people from all over the world, according to their Web site. Lots of scholarly presentations on how people talk to each other, or something like that.
Imagine Robbie’s surprise when she checked in and discovered that no fewer than 14 research papers and a whole workshop were devoted to the study of our Sarah.
Some of the titles almost moved Ear to buy a plane ticket to the Windy City:
• “Pit Bulls, Politics and Gender Performance. A Feminist Analysis of Sarah Palin on Major News Web Sites.”
• “Your Mama Wears Combat Boots. Palin and Cultural/Ethnic Contradictions in the Framing of Motherhood.”
• “Dudes for Sarah: Sportin’ and Courtin’ Election Affections.”
• “When a Hockey Mom Met the RNC Platinum Card.”
The workshop is “Gender, Race, Sexuality and the Palin Factor.”
Another funny note about this, one of her group of fans has part of this up. They are acting like it is a plus, that people are talking about Palin and doing research papers on her, and having workshops devoted to discussing her. It is also noted that they don’t list any of the titles of some of these papers, nor do they mention the title of the workshop.
@ #11 simple mind – My favorites at ADN are Sean Cockerham and Kyle Hopkins. I think ADN is pretty worried though – I know a few people who have canceled their subscriptions there because they’re so “anti-Palin”. They’ve cut back on both the number of reporters and size of the print edition.
#17 Closet Mudpup – Thank you so much for the airport link. That is really cool. I had fun looking up some of the places I haven’t been in awhile plus some I’ve never been to.
Ok so, the shuttle still has not landed, but today should be the day.
There are two additional landing opportunities Sunday on both U.S. coasts.
For the first opportunity in Florida at Kennedy Space Center, the crew would execute a deorbit burn at 7:58 a.m. and land at 9:11 a.m. The second Kennedy opportunity calls for a deorbit burn at 9:43 a.m. and landing at 10:49 a.m.
The first landing opportunity in California at Edwards Air Force Base would start with a deorbit burn at 7:43 a.m., and result in landing at 9:02 a.m. The second Edwards opportunity would begin with a deorbit burn at 9:25 a.m. and culminate in a 10:40 a.m. landing.
NASA TV link is below, where you can watch and hear them make all the decisions about landing, etc.
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv
Levi’s bomb will be that Trig is not Sarah’s child. Can’t wait.
the problem child Says:
May 23rd, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Duncan, I love your beard! (I have a thing for beards, actually. I believe that any man that CAN grow a respectable beard, SHOULD, at least once. Hopefully they will get lots of compliments and keep it.)
The last time I shaved was June 1970, I’ve saved a lot on razor blades, but it’s all white now.
BTW, I wish to thank you all for the compliments.
duncan
It’s after 8 and where is the assignment? I have photos of Sarah with her mouth shut. (with the help of Photoshop). Do I win?