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Image found here.
Remember when? |
I've been frustrated with the changes that Blogger has made and how it makes me feel sick. Then I had another issue come up with one of my other blogs so I had to set it to private for reasons I choose not to explain further. But I am determined to be blog again, I just need to have a reason, above and beyond posting about MOOCs, to do so.
First, I chose to remove the word verification because, as you've all noticed, changes have been made and the verification has become impossible. It takes me at least three attempts to post a comment and when my time is as precious as the next person's, I'm less inclined to bother leaving comments.
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Image found here.
Now it looks like this. |
So my gift to you: No More Word Verification.
This is true on this blog and my
book review blog.
Yes, I will still be blogging about my MOOC experience. For one thing, I'm taking another coursera course and want to put my thoughts into words. For another, I'll be starting another MOOC hosted on a different site altogether beginning in October. And, last but not least, I have invited a friend of mine to take yet another course with me; rather, I am taking it with her because I want to show my support of what she is doing and thought that by my taking it with her she would feel less overwhelmed by the idea.
However, there is more stuff coming in October as well, things that could result in my sharing more of my creative writing. This is part of my taking on an internship in hopes of learning new skills. Given that I am also still taking an online medical billing & coding course there are things I want to share.
But this is the most important thing of all.
I have been thinking about the old
salons where people would gather together and share things they have learned. I know that there are a lot of such things out there on the internets. Why there's even a website by that name, if memory serves. But I am thinking of something far more specific, inspired by
The Elders but obviously on a smaller and more intimate scale. Or maybe it would be nothing like them but something else, more rooted in the idea of my mother sending everyone she loves the same book and saying, "This is what I will be reading and focusing on this year and I would like you to join me."
Maybe I'm just disappointed because the Banned Book Group on goodreads is dead and I am not motivated to keep the momentum going because 1) I didn't create the group to begin with and 2) they keep choosing books I've already read.
Of course, my yearning to connect on a meaningful level doesn't require some deep discussion or exploration of morality and ethics. It could be as simple as creating a netflix streaming movie club or maybe my taking photographs with my fairly pathetic digital cameras and boring you without words. Who knows?
I am clearly open to suggestions. Are you interested in something like a salon or just a typical book or movie group? When I'm asked by some internet person I don't know in real life, "What would we do if we could hang out for a day?" I almost always answer, "I would want to sit down somewhere comfortable, perhaps with a cup of tea or coffee, and just talk and get to know you."
Maybe that's what it is I'm trying to find a way to do with my blog and I seem to be inviting you to join me.