Yes my title is sensational, and totally meaningless. I will be producing this rag whenever I damn well please.

OS Buzz file~

Recently we've had a few famous flounces; nothing new around here but the departures sparked a flame war of over-blown proportions. I will refrain from naming names, but if you've been engaged you know exactly who I'm referring to. If not, you need to plug in more often. Anyhoo, I'm happy to report the OS climate has returned to a temperate norm--back to reading, not reading, posting, and commentary. From my lips...

Featured Blog of the Week~ Alysa Salzberg

So how do we move on from the ugly? Often it's the meaningful meta posts where we gather to purge and pledge. One such post is my Blog of the Week. When Alysa Salzberg asked "Why are you here?" we responded to the tune of 142 comments at last count, including one by the elusive Larry Lauerman. Drawn by Alysa's winning persona and heartfelt sentiments, we flocked to her Paris flat like pigeons in the park.

But where did the dynamic diva called Alysa come from anyway. Well, I happen to be just the person to ask.

Now if you're at all familiar with Motown history you know there has been some dispute as to who discovered the inimitable, late Michael Jackson. Diana Ross claimed it was she who first presented the talented tyke to Berry Gordy or was it producer Suzanne De Passe? Who even knows anymore at this point and does it really matter?

Yes, it matters. I totally discovered Alysa Salzberg.

I wouldn't swear it on a stack, but if memory serves I made the discovery through Mark Trost. Now there's a blast from the past. Remember him? I admired his work and would sometimes follow him around to see who he was reading. One such sojourn led me to Alysa's place.

Right away I knew she was a find. Though honestly at first it was more about the novelty of her location. "Our girl in Paris" was the headline in my mind; a feather in our community cap. She just needed a little, uh, help.

Truth be told, when I found her the poor child was barely literate; loafing aimlessly around Paris, cursing at her freakishly talented boyfriend. It was going to take some work, but recognizing potential I generously committed myself to the nurturing of my little diamond in the rough. For example, I encouraged her to get out and really "eat" the city, to explore a Parisian haunt or two. Perhaps she might enhance her cultural awareness by visiting museums you know, that kind of thing. These were just suggestions of course. Hell, why not report on current events in Paris. Since she was there, duh. Eventually she began to get a clue, blossoming under my tutelage.

When she published her breakout piece, and my favorite to date, Eiffel Tower Games, I was hooked and moved to send out my first promotional PMs for a blog other than my own. Not to get all self-aggrandizey, but I introduced her to my people and voila, a star was born!

And now she has surpassed her accomplished mentor. Do I resent her for this...of course, not, but even if I did that would be envy not jealousy, a distinction which LintheSoutheast explicated nicely this week. 

But seriously, I'm not gonna lie in my own rag. It's true I have felt the sting of the green scorpion where Alysa's concerned. How big of me to feature her anyway.

Cheers my friend.

Who gave good comment?

 Leepin Larry on Joanie's Commas and Question Marks.

What was Emily thinking?

 Joan H. and her poignant meditation on aging and punctuation should have graced the cover. It was just perfect, that's all.

In the News~

 Lea Lane encountered the late Elizabeth Taylor not once but twice. Is it just me or has Lea been everywhere and met everyone?

Open Call~

 Linda Seccaspina wanted to know "What's in your wallet?" Being the super-cool gal she is, links to all the responses can be found on her post.

My take~

When others wrote about the members they would miss, I didn't get it at first. How can you truly miss anyone (other than close friends) with the wealth of content from which to choose? Then I gave it some deeper thought, cause I'm deep like that, and realized I do miss someone: Catherine Forsythe.

Catherine was one of my first favorites and I like her style. I came to think of her as our resident reporter/lifestyle editor - specializing in technology, sports, and all things canine. Catherine, I'm not sure I understand why you're so pissed at mishima666 but this place is not the same without you. I'd like you back please.

So there you have it folks. The weekly dish. Quantitatively speaking, I skimped on the comment feature 'cause I've got other shit to do. I will have more next time. Signing off for now...

Good day and good luck.

Contributors~

 Gabby Abby did an extensive interview with Alysa in October of last year. Ok, whatever. She's trying to claim discovery credit now, but don't believe the hype.

The rival rag~

 Robin Sneed's OS Week in Review. If I must have a rival, let it be a cherished friend. Thanks for the shout out Robin.

                 Editor-in-chief~ The Bluestocking Babe