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If I may translate, what Johannes said was "I like your inner attitude. I enjoy reading your articles and your comments." I agree with what he said ;-) SY

Hello Jo,

let me please say that I like your writing (as far as I am able to understand ;-)

Your thoughts are clear – and I wished I could say it in my home language, but why not? „Mir gefällt deine innere Haltung. Es macht mir Spaß, deine Artikel und deine Kommentare zu lesen!“

Goodl luck!

Heavy perfume can really be a problem and with industry behind the fragrances saying 'one for every occasion' things are going from bad to worse. If a perfume can be smelled from more than half a meter, it is already too much. This should be intimate, not public experience (similar to underwear...).
Thanks for this list. I hope it helps to somebody:)

I have a facebook page but I only use it much like people used to use land lines in the old days (lol)... It's more of a connection central phone book for me. I don't use it for communication so much as for being able to reach people easier i.e. "hey call me". For my goddaughters it's the only way I'd be able to keep in touch more). for my family spread all over the USA it's a convenient way to find them quickly

I don't use the actual "feed" other than maybe monitoring it once in a while to see what my family is doing and often this leads to a visit or phone call. I don't trust them (FB) with my personal data any further than I can throw the facebook corporate headquarters... but as a way to keep everyone I know in one easy to find/manage place it's great.

I don't even log into the site anymore, if something is important I'll get an email alert not for every boring detail of everyone's lives, I can use FB chat from Yahoo messenger...

I have to admit I love the convenience of digital communication- without it I'd not be able to talk to my true love all day during my work day (text/cell to computer using Gmail chat/text), but we don't lose any personal (warm body?) communication, for those I'd not generally talk to without FB connections it does enhance communication. In the end it's not the network to blame but how WE use the technology- ultimately nobody's putting a gun to your head, unless it's you...

My brother keeps canceling (it's no longer possible to fully cancel your FB account which is a bit disturbing) and re-activating his account- complaining about how the sites privacy is a joke, but in the end he keep going back because there are valid uses of the technology, you just have to be more disciplined to make sure you don't "Live" there and don't post- if you have something personal, email them OUTSIDE the site.

Great Nail Art Tips - I will have to try some of these - there are few I have yet to do. Thanks !! ;o)

I haven't done my nails in ages. I didn't even know these existed. I have to get to work on these. Thanks for the article.

I love lemon cake!

Lol Brenda. My grandma's favorite comment: "You're going to ruin your eyes reading in such dim light!" Then she'd turn on the bright light and I'd be blinded by the glare and have a harder time reading.

Fair comment on the respect for others issue. For me, the main thing was self-respect.

Let me add in a bit of context, as an example of what I mean. IRL I've worked hard since I was 14 and doing an Avon round. This went on, through several adult jobs, until I had a great work history. I was earning enough to be comfortable. In the meantime, I'd also got my BA and MA degrees. Then I got made redundant from the University where I worked.

In an age of recession, I quickly discovered that all that hard work and qualifications meant nothing in the job market. I filled in so many application forms, which just seemed to disappear into the ether. For 18 months, it felt like I was working myself into the ground, with nothing concrete to show for it.

But I could get a respite from that. I could log into Runescape, craft 1000 bows and get 1000 bows worth of XP for doing so. Effort = Reward. Yes, it was a poor substitute for the very real problems IRL, but psychologically, it was a boost.

Now the same ethos IRL rules in the game. You could argue that crafting 1000 bows still gets 1000 bows worth of XP. But psychologically I know that the person standing next to me might have got the same XP, because they're rich enough not to have to craft bows. They just have to buy spins.

I'm sorry if I'm not as on the ball as usual. I've caught a bit of sun today, so my thinking is a bit sluggish.

IMHO, ingame achievements aren't worth much one way or another. Sure, I'll congratulate you for achieving your goal. If you're lucky and I'm not busy I might even attend your 99 party for a few minutes -- but what lasting effect does gaining a 99 have? I have far more respect for someone who is kind and helpful and respectful and respectable, and low-leveled, than a maxed player who is rude and crude and obviously has a lot of experience to gain in the real world. I have more respect for people who complete difficult quests on the first day of release (so, obviously, without the help of quest guides) than I do for someone who spent hours and hours of tedium doing a skill they don't enjoy just for the gratification of a 99.

I remember spending about 30 hours one week going from level 60-some to 76 fishing, so I could fish sharks. I did one inventory of sharks, and swore I'd never fish again. From that I learned that game experience isn't worth losing the fun for. Yes, I've gone back to fishing. I do enjoy it -- it's relaxing, and fun to do while hanging out with friends -- friends who'll probably get a good bit of the fish I've caught and cooked, to use as food. Being able to give gifts is a big reason why I earn money -- it feels better to give it, than to have it and hold on to it.

I do agree that the rule-abiding ethos has shifted from a more parental, pure "nothing even remotely bad allowed" to "be adult and mature and take responsibility for your own actions" -- which has led to a lot of people being immature and irresponsible and taking advantage of others. (*cough*gamblers*cough*) That saddens me in some respects, but on the other hand, there's much to be said for encouraging people to take responsibility and to learn first-hand that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is; and to focus more on not harming others than on "don't break the rules!"

It really does make a difference. I get overwhelmed because I have a houseful of craft stuff in a 25 ft camper. There simply is no place to put it. But at 10-20 minutes a day I can clean one teeny space and it makes me feel better. Then I don't feel guilty for quitting because I know I'll move on to another space tomorrow. And I actually look forward to it because little by little, the whole space will be clean someday. (Glad to know I'm not the only one with a messy desk...ha)

Lil, You and I are two peas in a pod. My office is worse than yours. When I first got divorced and moved into an apartment 18 years ago, I decided I was going to keep a clean house. I would set an alarm for one hour. The goal was to beat the clock. I'd clean a two bath, two bedroom apartment in that time. It worked, but I gave it up when I moved into a house. Ten minutes sounds good to me.

Lots of love and support right back at you.

Micro-transactions per se aren't evil. But they never had a place in Runescape when I started playing it all of those years ago. The whole ethos was utterly against them. The rules even stated it. This is the thinking that charmed me about the game and kept me there.

To me, it's the difference between achievements based on merit and the same based on money. In the real world, for all the fine talk and centuries of struggle, money still counts for a lot, lot more than merit.

Runescape was my escape from that. It was the one place where what I took out was equal to what I put in. It was a lovely bit of idealism, which was underpinned by actual rules and company ethos. Now the bubble has been burst and it's caused my emotional reaction.

But it has also affected my game-play. Someone I love, respect and hung about with in game for years achieved 99 Slayer after months of working at it. Within weeks, SoF was in the game. A fortnight later, the first person bought their way to 99 Slayer through XP lamps. My friend was so dismayed that he cancelled his subscription. I lost his company.

He's just one example of friends leaving.

It's sullied the community atmosphere. It's also devalued in-game achievements. Who can prove that they didn't buy their 99 with spins?

Meanwhile, at every turn, I'm being bombarded with adverts about micro-transactions. I'm talking about spin tickets turning up everywhere. Sometimes it feels like I walk across the GE and end up with a spin ticket, just for breathing. It's in my face; and I hate it.

Yes, all of the above are emotional reactions, but we're there for fun. Emotion plays its part in fun.

Ermmmm... did I mention the touch of sun? Brain not nearly working right. I might understand the question tomorrow. LOL

Ok, this is what I mean: Say that writing about nail polish is absolutely and unequivocally guaranteed to bring in readers and make you lots and lots of money. But you personally can't think of anything interesting to say about nail polish. You don't use it. You find yourself tuning out when it's mentioned. Should you write about it?

I reckon not, because you'd just end up treating your readers like cash cows, while infecting them with your own boredom.

But say that you do have an interest in the history of nail polish. Then you could write about that, because you would insert some passion into the article. You would quite something a lot more worthy of reading.

It's also meeting them halfway. Because everyone wants to read about nail polish, so you have gone into the subject to contribute your expertise.

Oh! I've just re-read your question after having a hearty glass of water. I understand what you are quite plainly saying now! *face-palms* Yes, correct and agreed.