Bloggin' the Blues

For the last several days, Blogger has not been playing nice. I can visit blogs, but couldn't comment on many of them. You know, one of THOSE kind of days.

After researching the issue and thinking about the blogs I visit, a pattern appeared. I could comment on blogs that had a pop-up box or side bar comment box. Blogs with a comment section imbedded at the bottom of the page simply showed as "frozen"...no comments, no comment box, and no ability to scroll up or down. The only way I could get out of the blog would be to use the back arrow. As of today, it seems the issue has been resolved. At least I hope so.

Oh, Blogger. Why do you do this to me? Can't you keep things up and running the way they're supposed to run? I need perfect performance, non-glitchy updates, and personalized troubleshooting. Sometimes I wonder why I pay such an extravagant sum of money to you for services and still have all these problems.

Oh, wait a minute...

Never mind, Blogger. Do the best you can.

Me vs Blogger

On Thursday morning, I sat at the computer, ready to do some catching up. Critter Alley opened with no problem, but then...Surprise! Blogger would not let me log in. I went to my most recent remedy for such problems and clicked on "sign out". Usually Blogger will then politely allow me to properly sign back in. This time, no dice.

After trying the same method about 5 times, I gave up. No doubt some temporary little traffic problem. Surely later in the day things would be fine. I couldn't have been more wrong. Thursday night I went through the same process. Blogger still refused to allow me  in. What's more, Critter Alley seemed to be doing some rather strange things. Comments disappeared, while some odd looking symbols showed up. What the heck did that mean?

Then I started to worry. Had Critter Alley somehow become corrupted? Could it have been hacked? All my attempts at solution failed. Once again I shut down the computer, hoping that Friday (the 13th) would be a better day. It felt so weird not to blog that I had to soothe myself by eating half a DQ ice cream cake.

Bright and early Friday morning I went  back to Critter Alley hoping all would be well. But once again, I couldn't log in. Blogger doesn't provide a way to directly communicate with administrators, so while looking for answers in the "Help" section, I discovered that Blogger had apparently experienced some sort of major meltdown during maintenance work. The entire system had been put in "read only" mode while they tried to correct the problem.

Somewhat relieved that issues weren't unique to me, I shut down the computer and decided to try my luck on Saturday. To kill time, I finished off the rest of the ice cream cake.

On Saturday, signs of hope appeared. Blogger had posted a notice that issues were resolved, posts restored, and everything was back to normal.

Everything except Critter Alley, that is. After another hour of trying to figure things out, I posted my issues in the Blogger Issues forum. And I must say that would be a pretty darn handy place to visit if only you really got any help there. I still haven't heard a word from anyone.

So, amidst renewed sweating and slight hyperventilation, I went back to the drawing board, culling through the Questions and Known Issues Forums. Unfortunately, there were way more questions posted than answers. The hunt continued until much, much later.

Finally, I stumbled across a suggestion to clear my computer's history of cookies and cache. Now that sounded like pretty drastic measures to me. Delete my cookies? Clear my cache? And what in the world is a cache, anyway? Would this impact on my computer's functions? Erase valuable information? Produce the blue screen of death? Not to mention the fact that I hadn't the remotest idea how to perform such a deed.

After even more research, I found a step by step guide. Going into "Tools", I checked the appropriate boxes and pressed (gulp) the "Delete" button. A little blue bar traveled back and forth for a full three minutes.

Then, in a virtual sweat, I went back to Critter Alley. Attempted to log in...

Hooray! It worked! Finally, I'm blogging again and feeling so good about it that I didn't even bother to eat dinner tonight.

H'mmm. Do you suppose there's a 12 step program for bloggers?

Thank You Day

Many thanks to Sew Doggy Style for the Stylish Blogger Award. We appreciate it so very much, though we must admit gratitude that no one out in blogland sees what we're actually wearing as we type these words.

Our award might be recalled.

In accepting the Stylish Blogger Award, we're supposed to list 7 things about ourselves. However, our readers probably hear more than they want to about life at Critter Alley, so I'll refrain. Likewise, we could never limit ourselves to a mere 15 blogs that are deserving of this award. Each of our Blogger Buddies are not only stylish, but also funny, inspirational, talented, and a joy to read. Check out the sidebar blog roll list if you want proof.

Therefore, we invite each of our Blog Buddies to post this award proudly on their ever so stylish blogs. And since Critter Alley has been written today in the "Royal We" tense, let us add this for all you stylish bloggers: You look maaaaahvelous, darlings!

The long weekend is nearly over, so it's deadline time now. We're taking a commercial break from blogging to work. Today we're going to write.

And. We. Really. Mean. It.

Blogger I Love You!

Anyone who knows me, knows I love hummingbirds. So when I decided to tweak Critter Alley and found this new design...well, let's just say it was a match made in heaven.

Sometimes Blogger annoys me terrifically. Other times I fall in love all over again.

Meanwhile, remember the Six Word Story contest! Check out my post of June 28 for full details. Place your entry in the comment section on the June 28 contest announcement post. The winner will receive $25 and publication on the Critter Alley blog for the whole world to enjoy!

Here's a rules refresher:

Contest entries will be accepted from June 28-July 12, 2010
One entry per person, so send your best work
Entry must contain 6 words; no more, no less
Story topic of your choice, but no porn or gore--we're a family friendly site!
Enter on any of the above dates, but enter as a comment on the Contest Announcement post of June 28
Please include a way for me to contact you in case you're the winner
No entry fee
Judge's decision is final


Winner will be announced by July 20, 2010
 
Good luck!

Makeover Moments

No, you haven't reached the wrong blog. This is the result of pure envy. Many of you have such gorgeous sites, I've come to the conclusion that we really need a makeover. Therefore I, the uber-tech-know-not, plan to play around with a new image for Critter Alley.

To find our look we'll be trying on an assortment of new clothes over the next few weeks while we search for something that fits without being too loose or too snug. Then we'll find a color palette we like, and a layout that appeals. The process may take some time and until the final decision is made, who knows what we'll look like when you drop in for a visit.

Because I'm justifiably leery of my own skills, I've drafted my computer literate daughter who has pledged her assistance...soon.

In the meantime, I'm on my own.

So please be patient as we emerge from the fitting room and twirl around in front of the tri-fold mirror to ask that age-old question.

How do we look?

Global Animal Blogging Event

Be sure to check out Twink's first annual Global Animal Blogging Event (GABE).

It sounds like it's going to be loads of fun. In addition to learning more about Twink, a rescued Chi who has more adventures than most of the human race put together, you'll discover lots of new animal related blogs to visit.

Even better, listed blogs will be offering the opportunity to win prizes. You'll find specific details on the blogs you visit.

Oh, and by the way, Happy April Fool's Day!

Disclaimer: Don't worry. I promise that today's blog contains the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!

Beautiful Bloggers

Thanks to my blogger buddy, Ann, who awarded Critter Alley the Beautiful Blogger award! Be sure to check out Ann's blog, Cozy in Texas where you can find out about her books, her adventures, and see examples of her lovely photography.

Hopefully I'm following the rules correctly. First a link to the one who gave the award...done!

Next, seven interesting things about me. H'mmmm. Interesting is a matter of opinion, but here goes:

1. I've had a career in juvenile justice for more than thirty years (gasp!).
2. I love attending musical theatre and have seen my favorite, "Phantom of the Opera" performed four times. I won't tell you how many times I saw the movie for fear you may deem me certifiably insane.
3. I was a cheerleader mom (mayhem but no murder involved).
4. My very first critters were imaginary...a dog and a horse. (See what happens when you don't let kids have pets?)
5. My first published piece was a letter to the editor I wrote at the age of 14 to the Spiderman comic book series. I was annoyed with their storyline direction and bossy even back then.
6. I bought my first car, a 1966 Rambler American at age 18. It was a stickshift. I used to drive miles out of my way to avoid the necessity of stopping while heading uphill.
7. I spent two months in Florida the summer of 1969. Best. Summer. Ever.

Now I must award the Beautiful Blogger to seven other sites. Every site I visit has a beautiful blogger involved. So choosing was tough, but I picked the nominees based on unique appearance or content of blog.

Bloggers, please...this isn't a chain blog. You won't self-destruct if you don't have time to go forth and nominate seven other sites with links. Just know that I think your blog is bee-yoo-ti-ful! Copy the above award to your blog with pride!

The nominees are:

1. Amazing Animal Lovers Blog. Lovely and full of information that animal lovers will appreciate.
2. Aspiring to Be a Freelance Writer. The site is colorful and eyecatching, and the content will make you think.
3. Designs by Gollum. Can you say drop dead gorgeous site? And chock full of helpful tips. How does she do this and have time to write her quirky southern characters, too?
4. Khyra's Khorner. If you want to get a feel for what someone does in animal rescue work, check out this site.
5. Donna's Book Pub. Donna will keep you up to date on writing contests, tips, and events. She just tweaked her site and it looks awesome!
6. The Daily Oskar. This site features an adorable black miniature schnauzer. What else need I say?
7. Twinkie Tiny Dog. You won't believe the adventures that one tiny dog can experience. Check out Twink's upcoming Global Animal Blogging Event!

Phew! I think I did it. Hopefully the links will work properly. Congratulations to all, and keep on blogging!

Superior Scribblers

Thanks to Donna at Donna's Book Pub for awarding Critter Alley the Superior Scribbler Award. There's lots of rules attached which I immediately admit have not been followed to a "T" (more like to a "Q", I guess). Anyway, here goes:

1. Pass the award on to five blogging buddies. Okay, maybe I didn't list five. But the three I did list are wonderful (see end of this post)!

2 Link to the author and name of the blog from who gave the award. That would be my friend, Donna.

3. Display the award on my blog and link to this post which explains the award.

4. Visit this post and add his or her name to the Mr. Linky List at the Scholastic-Scribe's blog.


5. Post these rules on your blog.

Phew! Here are my three (yes, I know) nominees:

1. Judy at The Word Place. Her posts are informative, insightful, and downright inspirational for writers.

2. Linda at Nlindabrit. She is a wonderful writer who keeps us informed of what's happening on the other side of the pond.

3. Leona at Love Life and Everyday Things. Posts on her busy life and writing experiences are always delightful to read.

Congrats to the nominees!

Guest Blogger-WOW

I'm scheduled to be guest blogger for Friday Speak Out this Friday, August 7 at the Women on Writing (WOW) blog. Since this was given as a "probable" date, guess we'll see if it happens that day or not. My post will contain some observations about writing Critter Alley.

If you get a chance to check it out, please do. Comments are always welcome! The Women on Writing site has terrific information relevant for anyone who writes, and it's a great site for readers, too!