Welcome to OS Readers’ Picks
This week's RPs in the POST category go to:
Amy A - Transcending time in Author's Ridge
Ande Bliss - Dad Died Sliding Home
Ande Bliss - Who Or What Killed Aunt Julia
Bill Beck - Privilege, and the Epidemic of Masturbation and Voyeurism
Blinddream - Unusual - OS Weekend Fiction Club
bobbot - Intolerance Claims Another Life
Brian Carter - Obama's Political Ploy Lowers Gas Prices
Con Chapman - Citing Health Risks, OS Cracks Down on Blog Whores
Deoborah Mendez Wilson - My Little Peasant Feet
Fantastically Flawed - Mommy Dearest
Francois Arouet - George and Shellie Zimmerman: The Defense Self-Destructs
James M. Emmerling - MY MEETING WITH A GREAT POET (TRUE STORY)
Jan Wilberg - Ask Me No Questions, I'll Tell You No Lies
Jeff L. Howe - A Tune For Candy's Brother
Jimmy Zuma - Raped in the military, then raped by Congress
KC Redding-Gonzalez - Picturing Horror: Art as a Writing Prompt
Keka - studentoffortune.com: Why study? Just steal the course!
Lorianne - As Fast As I Can
maria heng - Crying
Mimetalker - My OS "Love Post" for another web site
Myriad - My father...with some SPAM
Naqib's Daughter - Military Coup in Egypt: Back to the Future
Procopius - Dad Wasn't Cool
Sande Berger - Sticks and Stones
sarah brennan - things just keep unfolding
Scanner - A Thief of Hearts
Ted Frier - Plutocrats Turning America into "Predator Nation"
tg within - El Regalo
Tichaona Chinyelu - Thinking of Daddy
Tinkerertink69 - YOU HAVE TO BE A LITTLE CRAZY TO BLOG HERE
Wren Dancer - The Meal
zacherydtaylor - Jill Stein wins nomination without corporate control
THE READERS' PICKS AWARDS FOR COMMENTS GO TO:
Art James - at Deoborah Mendez Wilson's My Little Peasant Feet
Jan Sand - at libbyliberalnyc's Libby's Political 'Stew' -- Post-Wisconsin Epiphany
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!
REMINDER: Please nominate your choices in the Comments section below. To assist our busy adminstrators, please remember to include the link to the post you are nominating.
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You are all used to Editor's Pick; this one is selected by your fellow bloggers.
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Administrators will check on comments and at least one of us will check on recommended posts, then comment on them. If the rationale for inclusion is present in the initial comment, it is seconded by any OS reader, and the recommendation does not meet with an unusual amount of opposition, a link to the recommended post will be included in the next post on this blog. At this point, it is our plan to post once or twice a week.
We hope this blog proves useful in terms of providing recognition to those you think deserve it and introducing you to bloggers you may not be aware of whose work is admired by your peers. Thank you for visiting.
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Salon.com
Comments
r.
http://open.salon.com/blog/just-walt/2012/06/21/jesse_ventura_on_democrips_and_rebloodricans
for illuminating POV
Lezlie
http://open.salon.com/blog/margaret_feike/2012/06/17/random_thoughts_about_dads
You never know quite what to expect when you begin to read one of Margaret's posts other than that it will be one fine read. I usually find myself fighting to keep from choking while laffing at her comic twists and themes and segues and change-ups and ironies and even just the unexpected perfect word that turns everything that came before it upside down. Sometimes her change-up isn't funny at all, altho the writing is still so crisp and unpredictable that you're never quite sure it isn't going to suddenly turn funny just as your throat is thickening and you're struggling to keep from allowing sentiment to get the best of you and make you bawl like a little girl. The post I'm nominating here, which should have made the lineup in this week's awards - c'mon, people, what's with you?? - is one of those. I didn't cry or bawl or even weep, mainly because I knew if I did and Margaret found out she would laff and make fun of me. But my throat did thicken and my abdomen began exhibiting those little spasms that if unchecked can build up to...oh, you know and if you don't you have no heart and you and I are from different planets, etc. As a bonus her post generated a thread of exemplary comments in which she mentions my pal Matt Paust's name numerous times - too many times, actually, and this nomination is our revenge.
Sunday Mass in Neenah
http://open.salon.com/blog/linthesoutheast/2012/06/20/sunday_mass_in_neenah
What I loved about this piece so much is that it "showed" not told a slice of life, an important slice of life, from a period in which civil rights was a hot topic. L does this without judgment and tells a story very well from her memory bank of dating a Caucasian man who just happened to have a lot of Mediterranian blood that made him look a little darker. How the parishioners of one church reacted to them as a couple and how the protagonist reacted is a great story.
http://open.salon.com/blog/linthesoutheast/2012/06/20/sunday_mass_in_neenah
In this smartly crafted reminiscence, Lezlie tells us about a harrowing weekend she spent with her very first fiancé in lily white Neenah, Wisconsin, not far form Packerland nor from the lily white town in which I grew up. We accompany Lady L as invisible witnesses during her trepidatious preparations to meet her beloved's parents, and we accompany them all to their lily white church for Sunday mass. We cringe with L as the entire congregation of smugly devout "Christians" stares uncomprehendingly at the lady of color in their midst and at the fellow parishioners who defied generations of lily white purity to bring her there. A powerful read, friends. Do NOT pass this one up!
http://open.salon.com/blog/james_emm/2012/06/21/my_galpal_rena_restored_from_the_fetal_position
He does a great analysis of the Bogart "smile" in this, as well.
One is great...two is stratosphere great with wings. A red carpet week for me! For those who take the time to read all the comments and put this list together, thank you for dedicating your time. It is a privilege write for you. Writing is nothing without readers. Stories are nothing without listeners. Comments are the currency. :)x2
Jonathan Wolfman, Beating the Hell out of Johnny's Bully, Then Mine
http://open.salon.com/blog/jlw1/2012/06/20/beating_the_hell_out_of_johnnys_bully_then_mine
This is Jonathan in a rare story-telling mode on a topic that is top-of-mind in the news again today. His personal experiences with bullying are told with crisp and colorful writing.
http://open.salon.com/blog/an_american_who_happens_to_be_gay/2012/06/21/gay_pride_parades_are_about_so_much_more_than_tight_shorts
A touching acceptance of self story that proves that a parade can change your life.
Barb Weickel's parade piece.
That Tink fellow sure can write guud!! :D
I'd like to thank all my fans; both of you! ;)
READERS PICK NOMINATION :
"Τhe longest day of the year''
Dianne Schuch- Lindsey
http://open.salon.com/blog/dlschuch/2012/06/21/the_longest_day_of_the_year
on Dianne Schuch - Lindsey's latest work, '' The longest day of the year'', which is her birthday.
Her work describes in such a clarity, the all so comlex to all of us family relations and through her thoughtful writing, one not only meets her/his feelings and thinking, but goes beyond the surface understanding...
Diannes attitude must also be noted cause in the beginning of her story she takes the time to gives us all informations on the work of another OS member and this to me, is admirable.
I want to thank you once again for your great work. It means a lot to all of us.
http://open.salon.com/blog/joan_h/2012/06/21/terra_firma_open_call_repost
SECOND NOMINATION: Margaret Feike's Random Thoughts About Dads.
http://open.salon.com/blog/margaret_feike/2012/06/17/random_thoughts_
She captured the complexity of fathers...or lack thereof beautifully.
on Paul Fornale's
"'More Than an Incident on a Bus""
http://open.salon.com/blog/pfornale/2012/06/21/more_than_an_incident_on_a_bus
This article deals with such a crucial issue on school bullying, but this time by children to adults, by students to teachers. The quality in Paul's writing is to be admired, cause not only he describes in a fully detailed manner the problem, but gives questions and solutions, stating an issue that we all, others as teachers or (and most important) as parents, must be aware of. I think the seriousness of this article, describes one of the undetected diseases of our times, and needs our attention.
Thank you all.
I still think what your doing is a great idea and wish you the best even if I can't keep up for the time being. Good luck
Instructions for putting the RP logo on your blog post:
Go to this address: http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=2170150
The title is Readers' Pick Badge of Honor
Right click on the Readers' Pick icon below the page title
Select "Copy Image"
Open your winning post in the OS Editor, as if you are going to make a correction in the piece.
At the very top of the editing screen, right click again, select paste
The icon should appear on the page.
Go down to the bottom of the editor and select "Update"
Good luck.
Lezlie
Sagemerlin
http://open.salon.com/blog/sagemerlin/2012/06/22/lets_take_over_open_salonno_really_lets_buy_os
Sagemerlin is suggesting we buy out Open Salon and operate it as a non-profit. This might be worth considering and it looks like there may be sufficient expertise on OS to pull this off if it comes to this. I'm nominating this based on the importance of the content and of the discussion. (Yeah, it's well-written, but that's not why to go.)
...for Paul Fornale's More Than an Incident on a Bus. This writer who seems to specialize in writing about education gives a brilliant take on the tragic viral video of Mrs. Klein being terrorized by middle schoolers on a Greece, NY school bus.
Lezlie
http://open.salon.com/blog/james_emm/2012/06/22/as_open_salon_sinksmy_last_post
I nominate James Emmerling's post "As Open Sinks...my last post." It is a poignant reflection on the role OS has played in his life.
I liked his "end of OS better than I liked my own!
Chapmanhttp://open.salon.com/blog/con_chapman/2012/06/22/os_bloggers_prepare_for_worst_stockpile_canned_goods
Also---if this is the last issue---wouldn't a special Poet Laureate Award for Art James be in order?
Why? The story itself is true and told from time in the 'hard news' trenches. The timing and pace is right on. He doesn't miss a beat. His characters come to life. And besides, someone who can tell stories that well, would be a great guy to have a drink with.
http://open.salon.com/blog/boanerges1/2012/06/20/last_call
Nomination -- Con Chapman
http://open.salon.com/blog/con_chapman/2012/06/22/os_bloggers_prepare_for_worst_stockpile_canned_goods
Just what we needed!
She has done it again absolutely beautiful
http://open.salon.com/blog/maria_heng/2012/06/21/moon_nights_pine_trees_open_call_repost
Marilyn Sands: "I had a dream last night ... about open salon!"
http://open.salon.com/blog/marilyn_sands/2012/06/22/i_had_a_dreamlast_night_about_open_salon
I nominate Marilyn Sands' latest knee-slapper, "I had a dream last night ... about open salon!" My faves had to do with expanding butt size relative to years open salon blogging and getting rewarded for non-usage of "WTF" as well as loser image punishment of having sex with someone in your opposing legacy political party (I wonder if they have a singles organization for such a minority of us "BOTH legacy party abstainers"? maybe and they call it "OWS"? naw, way too young!!! DFHs? Ooops... that might be like using WTF! sorry, Marilyn!) (Look what she has done! She has got me thinking I can do stand up. Well, only during my nomination speech for her!)
best, libby
I think this should be approved due to the importance of the content and the subject matter. This hasn't received nearly as much attention as it deserves and it is about an issue that should be considered important to everyone. If the government is committing war crimes it should be of interest to all; if this is a misrepresentation, which i doubt, then it should be acknowledged and debunked.
In all fairness this is something that I agree with but I assume that that guideline is a rough recommendation to be used with discretion.
Thanks
http://open.salon.com/blog/rw005g/2012/06/22/mcjustice_plea_bargains_and_the_breakdown_of_justice
Very important read. As told by a practicing lawyer.
Robert Fuller's post: "Religion and Science, A Beautiful Friendship part 3"
http://open.salon.com/blog/robert_fuller/2012/06/22/religion_and_science_a_beautiful_friendship_part_3
Clean and thoughtful writing examining the maybe not so conflicting teachings of science and religion. From his post:
"It seemed to me then, as it does now, that religion’s most serious short-coming was not that it harbored “deniers” of well-established science models, but that it had not found a way to realize its own aspirational goals."
A new writer to OS, he is writes guuud....
I went to a prep school in Connecticut, where we often had to ride buses, to go to sporting events and other activities. The local drivers apparently enjoyed speeding on the narrow rural roads, and driving a bus was an opportunity to show off. Riding on one of these buses was rather unsettling, like listening to an Irish concertina tune that increases in speed, while snipers take shots at you.
Steven Bridenbaugh
June 23, 2012 03:21 PM
http://open.salon.com/blog/linnnn/2012/06/23/mr_sadistic_public_school_bus_driver#comment_2991349
It shows a side of the world most people would never see
http://open.salon.com/blog/crane-station/2012/06/23/the_jailhouse_bullying_of_harry
Steven Bridenbaugh
June 23, 2012 03:21 PM
http://open.salon.com/blog/linnnn/2012/06/23/mr_sadistic_public_school_bus_driver
Lunchlady's nomination, about the so needed, informative, truthfull, and heartbreaking work of Crane- Station, dealing with such an issue, as jails and what is the truth behind the bars, the mental illness and the indifference the authoratives have to those among us that are in the most of needs. I think this work, is one of the best I have read in OS, regarding this kind of issues, and the quality of writing not only states in major clarity the heart of the issue, but goes beyond that, breaking our hearts with sadness, why and fear.
http://open.salon.com/blog/crane-station/2012/06/23/the_jailhouse_bullying_of_harry
http://open.salon.com/blog/rogershuler/2012/06/20/are_millions_in_oil_money_connected_to_mysterious_suicide
What's more, until I stumbled across this excellent piece only one other OS reader had commented. Did it get an EP? You kidding? OS wouldn't know a good story if it bit them on the ass. But we do. This is professional-level investigative reporting. Good job, guys.
http://open.salon.com/blog/rogershuler/2012/06/20/are_millions_in_oil_money_connected_to_mysterious_suicide
http://open.salon.com/blog/robert_fuller/2012/06/22/religion_and_science_a_beautiful_friendship_part_3
http://open.salon.com/blog/zumalicious/2012/06/23/stay_or_go_but_learn_some_classic_web_tricks_first
Zumalicious work, was such a breathing of fresh air after all the sadness OS has given to all of us. Not only she deals so creatively with the whole issue, but mostly she gives many insightful information on how to do some things that will only be on our best interest. I think it is a must read, cause it gives us many ways to find our way, in the internet ''jungle''.
http://open.salon.com/blog/greg_correll/2012/06/23/without_fear
http://open.salon.com/blog/daisyjane/2012/06/24/i_had_a_good_day_thank_you_for_my_lovely_lovely_comments
It's not easy doing good stream-of-conscious writing. It might seem easy, but it requires, first of all, a great heart. Mean hearts are too self-protective, too prone to denial and projection. DaisyJane has a great heart. Second, it requires so much honesty that it hurts - sometimes hurts real bad - so much honesty that the hurt and the happy sometimes come bubbling out almost simultaneously, which can confuse the reader who wonders well, which is it: are you happy or sad? Ever wonder why you (or me, anyway) sometimes cry while you laugh? That's a form of this honesty. DaisyJane is so honest you can't ever really get mad at her - for very long. The third ingredient in successful stream-of-conscious writing is an agile, smart and brave mind.
DaisyJane gives us all of this, displays all three of these vital talents in her latest post. Plus, she gives us a birthday cake dedicated to our youngest-oldest philosopher/poet James M. Emmerling, whose birthday is today and whose age we probly wouldn't believe even if we saw his notarized birth certificate.
bly is a great thinker. i wish he had done more thinking
on my very brief encounter. but that is foolish to
expect. the glorious old boy was exhausted...
thank u.
Lezlie
Damon Walters's California Dreaming: http://open.salon.com/blog/dewalsh301/2012/06/24/the_california_dreamer_series_song_of_ann_pt_1
J.P. Hart's Novella Excerpt: http://open.salon.com/blog/j_hart/2012/06/24/novella_excerpt
SECONDING Chicken Maan nomination of Greg Correll's Without Fear.
http://open.salon.com/blog/greg_correll/2012/06/23/without_fear
For being "able to articulate the lost, elusive sensations of life", for poetically tackling the "question of medicated identity" with a vivid presence that brings the reader inside his head and back into one's own
L in the southest's nom for Jonathan Wolfman's
http://open.salon.com/blog/jlw1/2012/06/20/beating_the_hell_out_of_johnnys_bully_then_mine
for good storytelling of a current, relevant issue.
Margaret Feike's Random Thoughts About Dads.
http://open.salon.com/blog/margaret_feike/2012/06/17/random_thoughts_about_dads
For it's intelligent, well written, fresh take on the role of fathers.
Turn Out the Lights, the Party's Over (Repost)
http://open.salon.com/blog/cranky_cuss/2012/06/23/turn_out_the_lights_the_partys_over_repost#comment_2991642
for class, wit, and much needed humour to bring perspective to the panic over OS's impending death.
OPEN CALL "RE-POST" GIVE IT A TRY! (the "Flounce" that followed the open call)
http://open.salon.com/blog/out_on_a_limb/2012/06/20/open_call_re-post_give_it_a_try
He painted a very descriptive picture of a life lived over decades within the discipline of "verses" that ran the piece like a song. I swear I could hear bluegrass music and taste the salt smoke flavour of the protagonist.
RP NOMINATION - Pandora S. Bach -
Why Write? OS, Kurt Vonnegut, and the Field of Stars
http://open.salon.com/blog/pandora_bach/2012/06/24/why_write_os_kurt_vonnegut_and_the_field_of_stars
for her exquisite use of language, imagery, imagination, that coalesced to transcend into the extraordinary.
and for relaying some very good writing advice.
http://open.salon.com/blog/scylla_the_rock/2012/04/09/the_end_of_the_day
http://open.salon.com/blog/califon_jer/2012/06/25/who_are_you
...for Pandora S. Bach's Why Write? OS, Kurt Vonnegut, and the Field of Stars. This is poetry I can really get behind and appreciate.
Lezlie
...for Scylla the Rock's The End of the Day. If you are in the mood for a well-crafted declaration of love, go here http://open.salon.com/blog/scylla_the_rock/2012/04/09/the_end_of_the_day
Lezlie
...for Joan H.'s Terra Firma. It's hard to imagine her writing getting any better than this...but it probably will.
Lezlie
...for Boanerges1's Last Call. The descriptions in this piece are riveting.
http://open.salon.com/blog/boanerges1/2012/06/20/last_call
Lezlie
http://open.salon.com/blog/daisyjane/2012/06/24/i_had_a_good_day_thank
Judy Mandelbaum's post by zachary taylor -
http://open.salon.com/blog/judy_mandelbaum/2012/06/21/un_calls_american
Cranky Cuss – Turn Out the Lights, the Party’s Over (Repost)
Dianne Schuch-Lindsey – The longest day of the year
Out on a Limb – Open Call “Re-Post” Give it a Try
James M. Emmerling – As Open Sinks…My Last Post
J. P. Hart – Novella Excerpt
Damon Walters – California Dreamer Series: Song of Ann (Pt 1)
Walter Blevins – Jesse Ventura on Democrips and Reblodricans
J. P. Major – Curiosity’s “Crazy" Landing
http://open.salon.com/blog/jsugarmansaloncom/2012/06/25/hello_open_salon
Tink and DaisyJane are two of the best stream-of-conscious writers on the planet. Tink's welcoming Jake Sugarman and affixing the nickname "Sugar Cube" on him made me laff so hard I regret not having worn a diaper this evening.
I second Matt's nomination of Tink's comment on the new Ed I Tor's Introductory post. Because it couldn't be much funnier.
She deserves to have this read by many, brave and strong is important.
http://open.salon.com/blog/eva_t_made_vaudeville/2012/06/25/a_coming_out_party_in_church_on_pride_sunday
http://open.salon.com/blog/eva_t_made_vaudeville/2012/06/25/a_coming_out_party_in_church_on_pride_sunday
With pride week coming, with issues of acceptance and tolerance still a major theme, Eva's story of courage and acceptance is a well told and needed inspiration.
James Emmerling
As Open Sinks
Really good writiing
I am stunned that Ephron passed away, and tried my hand at a tribute - but Jaime did something so much more eloquent and skillful, showing the impact of Ephron's "When Harry Met Sally" on her, as she grows up. Just so well done.
Toritto's SCREAM
http://open.salon.com/blog/toritto/2012/06/21/scream
I nominate Toritto's powerful and brilliant political poem "Scream" indicting corporate wars waged with the blood of the young adult children of the working class by the supposed "best" minds of a generation who thereafter give lip service to such service but no serious considerations for the welfare of the survivors. He also targets the prison industrial complex and its grotesque injustices as well as the military's rogue war criminal droning of innocents. And, most importantly and provocatively, he cites the massive levels of denial and exceptionalism of average Americans to all this ... yawn ... "collateral damage".
best, libby
...for Jaime Franchi's piece "Thank you Nora Ephron" - Thank You Nora Ephron
AND
...for Toritto's SCREAM
/SCREAM