tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55769869001350729492024-02-08T04:40:19.703-08:00Find Me In Florida Again....The Other SideJeanne's feet are in the "Sunshine State" but her head seems to be all over the place. Since she's gracious enough to share her thoughts with the world, I've created a place where they can be answered and even *gasp* discussed. So, if you've been reading FindMeInFloridaAgain and need another outlook, pull up a chair and get comfortable.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-3155667154298010852014-05-08T07:44:00.000-07:002014-05-08T07:44:03.751-07:00Homeland SecurityI thought about leaving the title for this post as just Homeland. It sounds so much cooler and very Spy-like. But that's not what this is about, unfortunately. It turns out, I'm being watched. It says so right <a href="http://findmeinfloridaagain2.blogspot.com/2013/03/maybe-we-would.html?showComment=1399507671468#c1050722716364985194">here</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.799999237060547px; margin-bottom: 8px; text-align: justify;">
<cite class="user" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">Eric</cite><span class="icon user" style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span class="datetime secondary-text" style="margin-left: 6px;"><a href="http://findmeinfloridaagain2.blogspot.com/2013/03/maybe-we-would.html?showComment=1399507671468#c1050722716364985194" rel="nofollow" style="color: #7c93a1; text-decoration: none;">May 7, 2014 at 5:07 PM</a></span>The Hennepin County District Attorney advises you to stop stalkng anyone. YOU ARE BEING WATCHED BY CENTRAL COMMAND AND HOMELAND SECURITY.</blockquote>
I can't believe it, you guys. I'm practically famous. Central Command (whatever that is) and Homeland <i>freaking</i> Security are watching me. They've let me know through their most formal of methods: a blog comment. They even used a lot of capitols to let me know they're serious. Just like Jeanne does.<br />
<br />
Hey now, wait a minute. That's not how Homeland Security works? Eric No-Last-Name isn't the authoritative mouthpiece for the Hennepin County DA, Cantral Command and Homeland Security? Responding to some weird blog a few times a year doesn't make me interesting enough to warrant their attention? That was just Jeanne? <br />
<br />
I'm so disappointed. Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-61615651446625012342014-05-05T20:08:00.002-07:002014-05-05T20:10:16.720-07:00This Is NOT a Hate Site<div class="tr_bq">
I found that I got a mention over at <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/simchafisher/2014/04/30/was-it-something-i-said/">Simcha Fisher's blog</a>. But she called this a hate site. Not so, Simcha!</div>
<br />
Jeanne has a cartoon hate for me. The kind that makes her want to publish my address and threaten me with legal action. But I've never really hated her. <br />
<br />
I find her particular brand of crazy, incredibly fascinating. Sometimes I forget about her for months at a time, and then when I check in on her, I can't believe I was ever able to look away.<br />
<br />
For example, <a href="http://findmeinfloridaagain.wordpress.com/2014/05/02/you-can-ban-me-on-the-comment-boards-on-the-ncregister-but-not-for-long-my-comment-to-the-archbold-httpwp-mepmdre-2u1/">This Post (with the weirdly long title)</a> says<br />
<blockquote>
<i>"UPDATE: THE NC Register editors EDITORS BANNED ME. AGAIN. IF these northern people who do not live here are so so great, then why is their church empty? Why are the churches in Florida full, thriving and growing?</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>But here it is ANYHOW. God, I can’t stand these ultra conservative Catholic Bloggers and neither can Pope Francis. I just don’t have the heart to tell them that a relative of mine and someone that I know in my Diocese of St Petersburg knows him very well. </i> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>Don’t piss me off about stupid things."</i></blockquote>
Um, say what now? She's been banned <i>again </i>from a reputable website. <i>Clearly</i>, the problem is everyone else's, and couldn't <i>possibly </i>have anything to do with her delivery. Nope. And she know's the Pope y'all. They're practically BFF's. Because she knows a guy who knows a guy. And the last Pope had dinner at her house, she once said. <br />
<br />
I think that makes her in charge. So, yeah, no pissing her off about stupid things. Or smart things. Or...<i>any </i>things. <br />
<br />
Better leave her alone, or she'll tell the Pope on you. Now, granted, not a problem for me, since he's not the boss of me, but, if he's the boss of you, well, then you'd better get on Jeanne's good side. Quick! Move to Florida, or buy a gator or, something. I don't know. Just don't have babies or be a good Catholic. She doesn't like that. And you don't want to make her angry. You wouldn't like it when she's angry. <br />
<br />
Seriously, she's amazing. Someone help me look away again. Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-28038477398353226502013-08-11T13:31:00.002-07:002013-08-11T13:31:33.768-07:00Guess Who's BackJeanne is blogging again. <br />
<br />
I'm so excited!Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-30542873482789877242013-03-12T11:53:00.000-07:002013-03-12T11:53:10.823-07:00Privacy PleaseFMIFA has gone back to private. It's invite only, which is always going to disappoint her loyal fans (fans or people who can't help but want to watch the crazy). It certainly is hard to comment, critique, or otherwise discuss a blog I can't read. But it's got to be killing her that no one else can read it either. <br />
<br />
After all, her blog is so special. It's copyrighted and everything. (insert eye roll here)Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-36860537747839077522013-03-08T10:43:00.001-08:002013-03-08T10:43:08.520-08:00FMIFA, Great EntertainmentIt really does seem like Jeanne is trying to be serious with her blog. She posts songs and videos she likes, news stories, and readings from her church. She seems genuine.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She also seems genuinely nutty, and that's why I just can't help but be entertained by her. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One of the first rules of a message board, is that you don't feed the trolls. But I was new to message boards when I "met" Jeanne. At first I tried to correct her obvious misperceptions of people in our group. But when she got aggressive with our members, I stepped up to defend them. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I should have ignored her. I probably still should. But once I realized that she wasn't reasonable, I became totally fascinated. Even now, I still can't help but watch the trainwreck. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So I thought I'd list a few things that I've found entertaining over the last few days.</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>She's changed her background, once again, to something excrutiatingly painful to look at. It's as if she's daring people to try to read her blog.</li>
<li>She has posted warnings to me about cyber-stalking laws. And yet, she seems to be totally ignoring the fact that her threats of calling CPS on me as well as things like publishing my address, mean that she's more likely to be in violation of cyber-stalking laws than I am.</li>
<li>She has asserted that my reading her blog and responding to it on my own...is cyber-stalking.</li>
<li>She made a Find Me In Florida Again...The Other Side 2 blog, obviously to poke at me, but made it invite only, so no one can read it. I get it. Inside jokes are hilarious. And you can't get more inside than only sharing it with yourself. But it's hard for me to be insulted by something I can't see, nor can anyone else. Epic trolling fail.</li>
<li>Her husband supposedly sent me a warning, but she somehow posted it under her own name. </li>
<li>A while back when she was mad at me, I started to get password reset e-mails for my Google account. I have absolutely no evidence of it, but at the time I was fully convinced that it was Jeanne, trying to get into my account and shut down this blog. This morning I found password reset emails for a message board that I belong to that she mentioned on her blog. I think she's trying again to get into my account. But, sure, <i>I'm</i> the cyber-stalker. </li>
<li>She said that I'm allegedly a nurse and a mother. I read that to my son and we laughed. That's just <i>alleged</i>. </li>
</ol>
<div>
As long as Jeanne keeps writing her entertaining blog, I expect I'll keep commenting on it. And I'll be honest, it's kinda fun. </div>
</div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-84461910147433814942013-03-07T10:06:00.002-08:002013-03-07T10:06:43.460-08:00Permission DeniedFind Me In Florida Again has gone private. <br />
<br />
The world at large can no longer have full access to Jeanne's wisdom, her music, and constant reports regarding Tampa weather patterns.<br />
<br />
I could almost hear the nine people who read it, start to cry.<br />
<br />
She said she wouldn't be silenced. She wouldn't stop posting. She would not shut down her blog.<br />
<br />
And good for her on all of that.<br />
<br />
But it does beg the question, if you blog and no one can read it, are you really blogging? Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-85575509503345081272013-03-05T18:09:00.000-08:002013-03-05T18:09:06.938-08:00Where's The Beef?Sometimes, when I read Jeanne's blog posts, especially when she gets all fired up, it really seems like she's mad about something real. She's mad about something important. <br />
<br />
I'm always left scratching my head when it's me. <br />
<br />
Jeanne says she has beef (read her full post <a href="http://findmeinfloridaagain.blogspot.com/2013/03/one-last-beef-here-my-right-to-be-free.html">here</a>). So, let me see if I can figure this one out, or explain it to those less versed in Jeanne-speak.<br />
<br />
First of all, this hasn't been going on since 2005. I think maybe she had a run-in with someone else on our message board before me, and over time we've melded into one in her memory. I can't be sure, but I always find it interesting that I'm accused of starting to harass her before we'd even "met".<br />
<br />
Second, Jeanne called me a plebe. If it's "game on" as she said in one recent post, then she is off to a <i>weak</i> start. She's basically calling me young and fresh. How is that an insult?<br />
<br />
Jeanne goes on:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<quote>Regarding any other right I have, I have the right not to be a religious robot and
be afraid that my point of view is out here. I also have the right not to fear corporate America
and any threat that I am allowed to say what I need to say when I would not be getting paid by them
to shut up. Right now when I write this, it is after 5pm, when most people are off work. I wrote most people.
It is America and I have the right not to be harrassed and imitated on this blog.</quote></blockquote>
It must be confusing for people who are new to Jeanne. They must wonder who these people are out there who are denying Jeanne these rights? I wonder if she imagines a room of angry Catholic women, who are plotting to take them away from her. <br />
<br />
The thing is, no one thinks that. No one wants her to be a "religious robot" or "fear corporate America". And it certainly stands to reason that she has the right to not be intimidated and harassed. That said, she does not have the right to not be questioned, responded to, or criticized. We all have free speech here.<br />
<br />
Since Jeanne doesn't like me, she assumes certain things about me, whether or not they're true. I like the Huffington Post and feel no need to answer them. And I love Disney. I used to work for them, long ago. I grew up in California (which I think is infinitely better than Florida). So, I see no need to answer them either. But the interesting thing is, those kinds of blogs <i>do</i> exist. And nothing is done about it. Not a damn thing. Because these corporate entities understand that people have the right to share their opinion. <br />
<br />
Here is an example: <a href="http://disney-sucks.com/">DisneySucks.Com</a><br />
<br />
Of course, I post that as if she's going to read it and understand. But it never ends up working that way.<br />
<br />
I love that Jeanne has had 35,000 hits in 10 years. I love that she says that as if it means 35,000 people have come to her blog and supported her. You just know those hits (which by the way, is only about 9 hits per day, so it's hardly a blogosphere must-read) are from people like me who've met her on the internet and are just fascinated. I know I can't look away from that train-wreck of a blog. Even if her graphics do make my eyes bleed. <br />
<br />
Keep Calm and Carry On, Jeanne. I'll do the same. Right here. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-37243950214235433492013-03-05T12:47:00.000-08:002013-03-12T09:11:14.242-07:00Maybe We Would@Stark61555, everyone's favorite Floridian Blogger, tweeted something very vague about people not understanding. <br />
<br />
I responded. It's Twitter. It's there to be responded to, isn't it? My entire Tweet in response was, "Maybe we would". That's it. Nothing more. As I've said before, when I interact with Jeanne anywhere, I try to be respectful. I don't name call, harass, or threaten. <br />
<br />
So, of course I have been blocked. I'm the only one she's done that to, she says. Though I'd take bets that plenty of people have blocked her.<br />
<br />
I wonder if my tweet has been added to the list of "harassing" correspondences. <br />
<br />
I was really hoping she'd expand upon her vague message. Who knows what we don't understand? Usually Jeanne <i>loves</i> giving us all her wisdom. She's an expert on everything. <br />
<br />
And she has a degree. Has she mentioned that?Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-49406278983787818092013-03-04T19:00:00.000-08:002013-03-04T21:05:08.676-08:00Google TranslateIs one of the coolest things ever.<br />
<br />
Doesn't make you a linguist though. <br />
<br />
Nice try.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-33617247704447499842013-03-04T18:20:00.000-08:002013-03-05T13:17:18.496-08:00Free Speech?These days, it's only for some people.<br />
<br />
Once again, I'd like to make it clear that I've NEVER threatened the writer of the FMIFA blog. <br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong. I've never cried in my Wheaties because Jeanne doesn't like me. I used to try to talk <i>to</i> her, and <i>with</i> her though open dialog. Because that's how grown ups do it on the internet. And because I find her kind of fascinating. I talked to her once on Skype, when <i>she</i> initiated contact with <i>me</i>, and once on Facebook when it was brand new. But Jeanne never wanted to talk <i>to</i> me or <i>with</i> me via any medium. She only wanted to talk <i>at</i> me. And it usually consisted of her accusing me of being a bully and telling me to shut up. But I'm a big girl. I can take it.<br />
<br />
I really don't want to make this a big she said/she said. Anyone who was on our message boards would know what happened. I'd bet anyone who's had to deal with her over at Faith & Family could probably guess at the truth as well. And that's not really the point of this blog.<br />
<br />
I've never told her not to post. Never told her to be quiet. Never tried to infringe at all upon her freedom to say <i>whatever</i> she wanted. What would I have to discuss, if she stopped her blog? I like her blog, though for entertainment purposes only, not enlightenment.<br />
<br />
What I wanted to do was <i>comment</i> on her writings, and opinions. It seems that if you put yourself in the public sphere with blogs and such, you should expect that. Commenting, I mean, not threats and harassment. Jeanne is so much more interesting when you can interact with her. She didn't welcome that interaction on her blog. I can respect that. So, I do it here.<br />
<br />
It's funny to me that she thinks I need to get more original with the Blog Title. Um, it's a response blog. It's the other side. I'm sorry <i>Jeanne</i> doesn't get it, but I'm good with it. I should add that I've always been honest with Jeanne about this blogs existence. I'm not hiding anything.<br />
<br />
That said, I have <i>always</i> drawn a line. That line is at privacy. Whatever I think of Jeanne, she is a real person and I will <i>never</i> share her private information here, even though she is just as searchable as I am. I disagree with her, but I respect her right to privacy. <br />
<br />
Interesting that this very good Catholic woman would not seek to offer me the same basic respect I have shown her. I disagree with her and do so openly. I would welcome the same in response. By publishing private information (even though it is not all correct) she has shown more about her true character, in my opinion than anything else she's written. But seriously, since she posted my address, don't you want to send me flowers now?<br />
<br />
Game on, indeed. I will continue to be respectful of Jeanne's privacy. But I will not be afraid to give my opinion in the public sphere, and exercise my right to free speech, just as she does. <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I will keep bringing on the snark (which, in case you're reading Jeanne, is different than harassment and threats). </span>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-44798226528091769362013-03-04T10:42:00.002-08:002013-03-04T10:42:54.951-08:00Journalism Never RestsI think it may, however, lay down when it gets tired. <br />
<br />
And maybe that's the issue. Poor Jeanne is just tired. <br />
<br />
Tired of writing sentences that make sense.<br />
<br />
Tired of writing titles that explain what she's talking about.<br />
<br />
Tired of making verbs and subjects agree.<br />
<br />
Journalism is hard work, people, and sometimes, you need a break. <br />
<br />
Hence blog titles like this:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://findmeinfloridaagain.blogspot.com/2013/02/our-local-bishop-in-stpetes-blog-tell.html">Our local bishop in St.Pete's blog. Tell some of those bloggers even he asks that there questions. We are confessed bums here loved by God in Florida. His blog is busy this week.</a></blockquote>
Is it a blog from Saint Peter's church? A city? I don't know. <br />
<br />
Should he tell bloggers something? Should we tell bloggers something? I don't know that either. <br />
<br />
What are "there questions"? How does that sentence make sense? Does Jeanne know how to appropriately use "there" "their" and "they're"? Granted that can be tough for some people.<br />
<br />
I didn't know that Floridians were confessed bums, but I will say that Fark.com having a section titled "Florida" makes a lot more sense now that I know that. <br />
<br />
I wonder if they're loved by God <i>only</i> in Florida? If they leave Florida, will they still be loved by God? <br />
<br />
Apparently His blog is busy this week. I didn't even know God had a blog. I guess FMIFA is educational after all.<br />
<br />
Jeanne has proven that she holds a degree and writes things. Look her up on YouTube, it's enlightening. So, now I'm left to question whether she just chooses not to use her education to communicate effectively through the written word, or if the University she went to, just sucks. Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-91070678713309635842013-03-02T11:34:00.000-08:002013-03-02T11:42:04.962-08:00Jeanne Posts Banned Comments....or something.<a href="http://findmeinfloridaagain.blogspot.com/2013/02/if-you-are-wondering-why-i-post-banned.html">Jeanne has apparently been banned from somewhere. <br />
</a>
Who's shocked? Yeah, me neither. <br />
<br />
And <i>apparently </i>people aren't sorry to see her go!<br />
<br />
Yeah, still no shock here.<br />
<br />
But she posts banned comments from bloggers? That has to be a quote from elsewhere. I know she doesn't post comments she doesn't like. She's banned me from commenting on her blog. That's why I started this one. And I played nice over there, like I was debating real issues with a reasonable person. <br />
<br />
I think Jeanne can dish it out, but she can't take it. She is <i>fine </i>with posting inflammatory things at sites that she looks down on. But we'd better never want to post anything even remotely disagreeing with her on <i>her </i>blog.<br />
<br />
Listen, we just all need to realize that Jeanne is smarter than we are, more Catholic than we are, better educated than we are, and better able to decide what our kids need than we are. They should really just skip all the pomp and make her Pope. Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-28798981400973893862013-03-02T11:24:00.002-08:002013-03-04T06:42:41.142-08:00No Wait, There's VideoI will post it when I have all the links, but it turns out, Jeanne of <a href="http://findmeinfloridagagain.blogspot.com/">FMIFA</a>, makes videos. Now she doesn't just have write to us about how much better, smarter, and happy she is. Now she can tell us, too.<br />
<br />
And show us.<br />
<br />
And the best part is? It's just like her writing. <br />
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-85372011746558589142011-06-05T17:15:00.000-07:002011-06-05T17:15:54.052-07:00What Is Fair Use?There have been some difficulties with this blog, resulting from my quoting portions of the<a href="http://findmeinfloridaagain.blogspot.com/"> Find Me In Florida Again</a> blog. A commenter here, who appears to be the blog author has real issues with these quotes, calling it an infringement of her copywrite. Now, I thought I remembered reading that her husband was an attorney, so I would have thought he'd explained the legal idea of Fair Use to her. But just in case anyone is confused, I thought I'd post it here:<br />
<blockquote><h2 style="color: #003333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="" name="107">§ 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use</a><sup><a class="super-in-head" href="http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#1-40" style="color: #990000; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">40</a></sup></h2><div class="body" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0em;">Notwithstanding the provisions of <a href="http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#106" style="color: #990000;">sections 106</a> and <a href="http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#106a" style="color: #990000;">106A,</a> the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include — </div><div class="secondlevel" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 2em; text-indent: 2em;">(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;</div><div class="secondlevel" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 2em; text-indent: 2em;">(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;</div><div class="secondlevel" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 2em; text-indent: 2em;">(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and</div><div class="secondlevel" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 2em; text-indent: 2em;">(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.</div><div class="first-level" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 2em;">The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.</div></blockquote><a href="http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107">US Copyright Office </a><br />
<br />
Lemme sum up here. The use of quotes from the FMIFA blog, quoted appropriately, with links provided back to her blog to be read in it's original context, for the purpose of commentary or criticism, is within the legal standard of Fair Use. <br />
<br />
I suppose if she really wants to, she can try to sue me, but A) I don't have anything, and I have to say, I think she'd look kinda bitchy for suing a woman in her 3rd trimester of a high-risk pregnancy of a baby with a serious birth defect over something this petty and B) she can't possibly win. She might even end up responsible for my legal fees. <br />
<br />
I'm not super worried at this point. I've had multiple threats over the years. From the hope that I'd be eaten by gators, to threatening to turn me in to CPS for homeschooling, now to threats of lawsuits. So far, not much has happened, and I hope that continues. Seriously, it's not worth it.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-25050436778336141532011-05-05T11:04:00.000-07:002011-05-05T11:04:52.070-07:00What A Catholic Really IsToday, Un pOLKA DOT in Tampa has posted <a href="http://findmeinfloridaagain.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-good-catholic-is-not-this-is.html">this </a>about what the "truth" is about the definition of a Catholic in good standing. <br />
<br />
I think she and I have different definitions of the word "truth". Or perhaps she's just using hyperbole. While I've known a few Catholics who have a very narrow definition of who fits and who doesn't (seriously, there was a head-covering Catholic women's group online who believed if you didn't hear Mass in Latin, you weren't really a Catholic) they are by far, not the norm. <br />
<br />
1. Since the Eucharist is equally valid whether you drink the wine or not, what does she care how others recieve it? Seems she may be the one passing judgment on what makes a good Catholic with this one.<br />
2. I don't get the whole 90 degree angle prayer thing. Who said this to her, and why has she not been able to let it go? <br />
3. Where a good Catholic lives as judgement, is in my opinion, all in her head. Funny, I've never once heard anyone say anything about Catholics in Florida not being good enough. Or Catholics from anywhere for that matter. The only person I've ever heard criticize others for where they live, is Jeanne on her blog. <br />
4. I was in a Catholic women's group with Jeanne online. Most of us had jobs. While there is certainly an element within Christianity in general that seeks to keep women in only the most traditional understanding of womens roles, this is hardly the norm, and I don't know why she should take it so hard.<br />
5. I happen to live "Up North" though I grew up in a much warmer climate. Trust me, no one whispers about hating the damned snow. There are many things I love about where I live. Six freaking months of Winter, is not one of them. <br />
6. Most of the Catholic women I know are anything but bored. But still, I'm sure that there are women of many faiths who are. Still, are they something to be belittled and ridiculed and judged? I don't think so. If someone's faith has them so cornered that their lives are dull and unconnected, that's something to feel bad about for them. Instead I feel like Jeanne's posts come across as she has nothing but disdain.<br />
7. I have NEVER heard anyone say that you must have children in order for a marriage to be valid. There are many biblical stories of infertility. That Catholic women's group I was in with Jeanne? Several women were struggling with infertility and it was hard. They found comfort in our group, not judgement. I don't know who has made Jeanne think this, but I wish she'd stop insinuating that it's some wide spread issue. It isn't. It sounds like one bitchy busy body said something to her. Granted, I've had one of those bitchy busy body Catholic know-it-all's tell me about what they think I should be doing reproductively. And it kinda sucks ass. That said, I don't take her to represent all Catholic women. <br />
8. I call bullshit on the no laughter. Where does she get these ideas?<br />
9. I'm flummoxed. Got nothing. Wool? Really?<br />
10. Even when I was a Minnesota Catholic (I'm not Catholic anymore) I never wore a wool dress. Seriously, where does this come from? <br />
11. Plenty of Northerners tan. WTF? I don't, and didn't even when I live in Southern California. I'm a fair Celt. But what does that have to do with being Catholic, or who's good enough? Oh, wait, I remember: NOTHING. <br />
12. How would she know who's having real fun? Sounds judgmental to me.<br />
13. We have a Catholic radio station in MN. Relevant Radio. Or at least we did last time I checked. I would think that would make someone more Catholic, not less.<br />
14. Even what car you drive? She thinks people care? They don't.<br />
15. I think she meant HAVE a large house and lots of kids. Seriously, no one thinks anyone is better for having that. And if they did, they'd be wrong.<br />
16. It's not that no one can say anything about homeschooling. Homeschooling or not doesn't make a better Catholic. It's that, since homeschooling has been accepted as a valid choice by the Catholic Church as a valid choice, if you don't agree, maybe it's not your job to tell all homeschoolers that they shouldn't, can't, or are doing it wrong. Heck, maybe if someone is homeschooling, it's none of your business.<br />
17. Yes, an accent makes you a better Catholic. WTF?<br />
18. I call BS on voting Republican. Although there are a certain number of Christians that think that GOP and Christianity are synonymous. They're not representative of all of them. And isn't it sad that they have such a narrow view? <br />
19. and on....same old same old.<br />
<br />
I think Jeanne has issues with other Catholics not because they don't think she's Catholic enough, but because she has an antagonistic online persona. For example a while back she wrote <a href="http://findmeinfloridaagain.blogspot.com/2011/04/readings-for-easter-week-also-pope-john.html">a post</a> about sharing on the Faith and Family website about having met Joseph Ratzinger before he was Pope. It was a cool story, and if she'd just told it, I don't think it would be a big deal. Lots of people were sharing I met the Pope stories. <br />
<br />
But Jeanne includes in her comment "Fr Mike Scanlan TOR was there brought by my cousin. He tells this story too. Call him ask him." This is the kind of thing that is common when dealing with Jeanne online. She comes across as aggressive and antagonistic, and then she doesn't understand why people get defensive or start blocking her comments. <br />
<br />
Maybe she doesn't understand how she comes across online.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-23639454122871908822011-04-28T11:26:00.000-07:002011-04-28T11:26:35.319-07:00Where's the line?After my spam comment yesterday, I got to thinking about where the line is between disagreement and bullying, interest and stalking.<br />
<br />
Here are my thoughts.<br />
<br />
I know Jeanne's last name, but I don't share it. I assume she's a real person and I think a certain amount of privacy is fair.<br />
<br />
I don't know where Jeanne works, or where she lives. I do know where she's gone to school, only because she talked about it on her blog.<br />
<br />
I don't know a thing about her husband, other than what she's posted, and I don't know his name.<br />
<br />
I don't know these things for two reasons. 1) I don't care. I respond to an online persona and writings. That's it. 2) I don't look for these things. To me, that crosses the line between interest in what a person has said in a very public sphere (like the internet) and stalking. I am not a stalker.<br />
<br />
I don't tell Jeanne not to write her blog, though I have questioned why she does.<br />
<br />
I don't tell her what she can and cannot talk about.<br />
<br />
I've never told her that I'm going to take any action against her, despite a few rather nasty run-ins. Though some of her comments to me on a message board were reported which resulted in her being banned from the site. That, however, is not my fault. The terms of service there are pretty strict.<br />
<br />
I don't do these things because 1) I don't know the "real" Jeanne. I know an online persona. 2) I don't wish anything bad on anyone. Even if Jeanne is, in real life, exactly who she appears to be online, I wouldn't wish anything bad on her. She's a human being. She's someone I can disagree with, and not think about how I can sue her, or make her real life difficult. To me, that crosses the line between disagreement and bullying. And I am not a bully. An opinionated bitch? Sometimes. But not a bully. Jeanne has every right to her opinion and her blog as I do.<br />
<br />
The views stated here are my opinions. No more. No less. While I am not a bully or a stalker, I equally am not someone likely to be easily bullied, or put up with stalking. <br />
<br />
Since starting this blog, I've had threats of legal action, threats that I will be reported to Blogger, someone trying to hack my Google account, and the posting of my personal information (albeit much of it incorrect or not completely accurate) in a public space.<br />
<br />
Who ever that is, I believe it crosses the line into bullying and stalking. And I hope you're not doing it for Jeanne. Even I think she deserves better than that. And I'm going to choose to think it's not Jeanne. Because while I find her online demeanor to be all kinds of wonky, I'd like to think she knows where the lines are, and that I have certainly not crossed them.<br />
<br />
Besides, this blog, with it's few opinions and few posts, can't possibly rate that much work and ire, right?Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-16640001643751149172011-04-27T21:25:00.000-07:002011-04-28T11:02:07.203-07:00Love the LoveJust deleted a spam comment from "S" which listed itself as "S." Legal.<br />
<br />
Not only were the facts not <i>quite </i>accurate, but shared a lot of my personal information. Like my address and phone number as well as past addresses not just of me, but of my husband also.<br />
<br />
I find it interesting that I have <i>never </i>done more than share my opinion of Jeanne's blog, posts, or viewpoints. Certainly since Jeanne has made it clear to me that she has every right to free speech (something on which I <i>wholeheartedly </i>agree) she would wish me to also have that same right. She's a fair person, right? And believes in the rights of others as well?<br />
<br />
I make no secret of disagreeing with Jeanne, or disliking her blog. These are my opinions. But I do not share personal, nor private information. I don't follow her around the internet (with the exception of things I read upon occasion when they're pointed out to me), heck I don't even use her last name. And for a reason. Even though I know her last name (not through digging, honestly, but because she's shared it on her blog and on the message board we were both on). But she deserves her privacy. That's why I only write about things that she posts on the web (namely her blog). <br />
<br />
This is an <i>opinion </i>blog. I write on it rarely, when I see something I find worth writing about. <br />
<br />
I'm going to assume that "S" Legal is someone <i>pretending </i>to be the Floridian Blogger I discuss here. Certainly a devout Catholic, who has insisted on showing a kinder and gentler side, and someone who has stated that she loves people, free speech, and the equal rights of others would not stoop to such measures as posting my personal information on the internet simply because I disagree with her or share an opinion. Certainly I would never do such a thing to her either. <br />
<br />
We all have our opinions and should feel free to share them openly. Right?Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-24646883895086306892011-04-23T17:24:00.000-07:002011-04-23T17:24:13.899-07:00BlogghereaDear Floridian Blogger,<br />
<br />
With your hard won degree in journalism, I would think you would be someone who would gather your sources, collect your thoughts, and present them with some kind of organization. But it seems you post absolutely everything you find interesting, and all as separate posts. For anyone who does actually follow you, it's really obnoxious. Especially in a reader. And, to be perfectly honest, it's not as entertaining as it used to be. At least then you had an interesting, if bizarre take on things. Now most of it is just regurgitation and links. <br />
<br />
I'd tell you to stop it, but God forbid anyone should ever tell you what to do. After all, freedom of speech and all that. And I'm well aware that you don't really care about making anything easier for all two of us who read your blog.<br />
<br />
Happy Easter,<br />
<br />
Annoyed.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-62042158568597889542011-04-16T20:06:00.000-07:002011-04-28T11:04:21.775-07:00Again, How Florida Rocks & Jean Looks Down On No OneI know I've said it before, and I hate to beat a dead horse, but Jean's blog has become so much of an eyesore, I generally prefer to check it out via reader than actually visit her site. It's painful. But she's said some things I felt worth of answering. Not that she's blogging anymore. Because you know she said she wasn't going to! She's the most prolific non-blogger I've ever seen. <br />
<br />
So here we go.<br />
<br />
From <a href="http://findmeinfloridaagain.blogspot.com/2011/04/serious-clarification-is-needed-here.html">this </a>post, published April 16th 2011:<br />
<br />
I love that:<br />
<blockquote>Oh yeah. I have to laugh. Those Faith and Family ladies do not want to meet me because I will look at them with my sunglasses half on my nose and ask them "who are you?"Is then followed with:</blockquote><blockquote>I love God's people</blockquote>And:<br />
<blockquote>I try not to be haughty here. </blockquote>Of course you don't, Jean. you just complain about how everyone looks down on poor 'ickle Jean while saying things like:<br />
<blockquote>Most of those micro poly wanna cracker quasi religio folks can't even manage their own lives much less mine. They do not know how to keep it simple. Many of them never will. Many of them do not know what a real relationship with the Blessed Trinity really is. It is all about an over emphasis on externals and nothing about the internal life. </blockquote>I'm feeling the love, aren't you? Of course, she's right, people who live up North generally don't have Florida drivers licenses. {Insert seriously perplexed and confused look here}<br />
<br />
Still, my favorite quote from this blog post has got to be:<br />
<blockquote>I do this blog for NOTHING. I do it for the sheer enjoyment of it. I do not get paid to do this and THERE IS NO ADVERTISING TO INFLUENCE WHAT i CAN AND CANNOT WRITE. </blockquote>She just had to go all caps again, didn't she? It's sweet that she writes her blog for her own enjoyment (I guarantee no one enjoys reading it) but isn't it possible that no one would want to advertise on her godawful poorly written, hot mess of a blog? I think so. I wonder if she'll threaten to sue me again for saying that?<br />
<br />
Now, on to the next post!<br />
<br />
This <a href="http://findmeinfloridaagain.blogspot.com/2011/04/condoms-for-11-year-olds-happen-up.html">post</a>, published on April 16th 2011. It's like the third post in a day from the woman who's not going to blog anymore.<br />
<br />
You can't really understand the beauty of this post without the title:<br />
<blockquote>CONDOMS FOR 11 YEAR OLDS HAPPEN UP NORTH IN THE DIOCESES WHERE MOST HOMESCHOOLERS AND FAITH AND FAMILY LIVE LADIES LIVE. ISOLATION IS NOT GOOD. SIC KEEP DOING IT.</blockquote>Right, because no one homeschools in Florida, and no one from Faith and Family live South of the Mason Dixon Line. <br />
<br />
She goes on to say:<br />
<blockquote>In Florida, the majority of school districts and all of the Florida Metro diocese schools teach ABSTINENCE. </blockquote>Jean is correct about Florida largely teaching abstinence. And it's a good thing they're not handing out condoms either. It might interfere with their <a href="http://students.com.miami.edu/netreporting/?page_id=1454">rising teen pregnancy rates,</a> higher than they've been in 35 years! That abstinence program sure is working!<br />
<br />
<blockquote>I HAVE PROOF. COMMENT AND GET INDIGNANT IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE. I HAVE THE LINK. </blockquote>Relax, Jean, I believe you! I also think it's an idiotic statement and wonder again what the qualifications are to get a degree in journalism where you went to school. I wonder if this is why you didn't make it as a journalist? <br />
<br />
Whatever. Keep up the blogging, Jean. You always manage to hurt my eyes.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-49693928450492193292011-04-08T21:49:00.001-07:002011-04-08T21:49:03.869-07:00Um....Dear Jeanne,<br />
<br />
Your blog is a God Awful eyesore. Why do you keep it?<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
MeAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-60187340188759510292010-10-02T11:41:00.000-07:002010-10-02T11:41:17.032-07:00No More Blogging?Jeanne says she won't be blogging at <a href="http://findmeinfloridaagain.blogspot.com/">Find Me In Florida Again</a> anymore. If that's true, then this blog's activity will probably cease. If there's nothing to respond to, then there won't be new posts. If, however, she makes waves elsewhere on the internet, I may discuss it.<br />
<br />
But my thoughts on her no longer blogging there? I can only hope. Though I will miss the entertainment value from time to time.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-50155647186019312112010-10-01T20:50:00.000-07:002010-10-02T05:28:13.428-07:00Simple MathI joined the message board where I met Jeanne, five years ago. I joined because of the support offered after the loss of my daughter. I met Jeanne on the women's group about <b>four </b>years ago. How can I have been stalking her all over the internet for 8 years when I didn't know who she was 8 years ago? 8 years ago I was living in California and didn't belong to any message boards at all. <br />
<br />
Shame on whoever has been stalking Jeanne in my name since before I knew her. Or maybe she just needs to work on her Math. <br />
<br />
By the way, I know it's been said ad nauseum here but this is the kind of thing that makes me wonder if Jeanne really is who she says she is. I can't believe she's a teacher and can't tell the difference between a four year online interaction, and 8 years of stalking.<br />
<br />
I've been stalked on the internet. And I blog for a site that has a response blog. A response blog is not stalking.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-15677221707709238972010-09-29T16:11:00.000-07:002010-09-29T16:11:09.976-07:00I Think Someone Is AngryJeanne has informed me in <a href="http://findmeinfloridaagain.blogspot.com/2010/09/update-of-our-thought-of-adoption-we.html">her latest post</a>, that all of her material is now copywrited, and thus, I can't use it. I'd just like to make clear, for the record (because everyone's keeping a record, I know) that any time I've used Jeanne's material, it has always been quoted appropriately, and links left to the original posts. Really, this isn't a site to copy all of her posts. It's more a place for me to share my thoughts since I'm not allowed to comment over there. <br />
<br />
I think where Jeanne fails, and bloggers like <a href="http://amywelborn.wordpress.com/">Amy Welborn</a> don't, is that Amy Welborn can say what she enjoys or thinks about without insulting everyone who disagrees with her. Jeanne could easily tell us the kind of mom she'd like to be, without insinuating that everyone who does crafts and such with their kids, is crappy. Mom's are different. I wasn't a crafty mom, and I'm still not. But more power to those who are. It takes all kinds, right? No one cares if she wants to be a laid back, more hands off mom. But the idea that other kinds of mom's aren't as good comes across as insulting and judgmental. I've never been able to wrap my head around how she can see everyone else's judgment of her, but not her judgment of everyone else. Maybe it's that she thinks her judgment is justified. I don't know.<br />
<br />
I also don't get how her blog is a travel blog. I kind of see it as a whatever-comes-into-Jeanne's-head kind of a blog. It's rather scattered and unfocused. But it's what she wants to write, and it certainly keeps me...entertained.<br />
<br />
By the way, Jeanne, in case you're reading this, I think it's op-ed, not ed op. Really, don't you have a degree in journalism? <br />
<br />
I wonder if she's trying to be funny when she writes it that way, has she forgotten, or was her school exceptionally bad? I just can't tell. I'm hoping she's just trying to be funny and the humor doesn't come across on the screen. Otherwise it hurts my head a little.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-1244279154098222932010-09-27T16:05:00.000-07:002010-09-27T16:05:30.060-07:00Bleh Mommy BlogsJeanne finally says what most of us have already figured out: she will never be a "bleh mommy blogger". I get it. I wonder if it's that she's given up on the dream of adoption and a family, or if she's just decided it's not going to happen for her. Which ever it is, I hope she has peace with it. There are just too many hard feelings when it comes to decisions about family to wish anyone anything but peace about it.<br />
<br />
I did go and read the link she posted, and I think that blogger may have a point. The internet is full of Mommy Bloggers. I myself have been one since 2002. My blog has been hosted several places, and in it's life had at least 1 reader somewhere, despite long hiatuses. But I think these blogs are easy to avoid if one wishes to, and obviously there's a market for them if they're so wildly successful. So, I see no reason to begrudge them their place in the online world.<br />
<br />
I get the feeling that Jeanne loves to bash women who are in that place, like myself, where home and family are the center of everything. And I can't decide if she just really can't stand what she sees as a narrow existence, or if she's secretly sorry that she's never experienced it. Either way, I think it's time to let it go. Let the moms be who they are, interested in the things they're interested in, and everyone else can go about their business. Kids grow up, and our focus will change. Of course, by then, there will be newer younger moms to take our place.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576986900135072949.post-36608635731910864812010-09-25T10:39:00.000-07:002010-09-27T09:29:16.605-07:00Prayers, For Me?Since I doubt Jeanne actually listens to what I've said, though I know she reads it, I'll address this to everyone else. Once again, I think Jeanne is projecting. That I'm jealous of her is...let's just say, it's a reach. <br />
She is right about the long Winter, though. I'm a California girl, and Northern Winters are still something I don't get. But we have warm coats and good heaters, and snow can even be fun. Plus, anytime I want to go visit California, I do. The beauty of airplanes.<br />
<br />
I'm grateful that Jeanne has decided to be above posting my address online, a level of vicious I've never sunk to with her. I discuss what she's posted on this blog, and what I think. But that's it. I'm not even sure how long I want to continue to do that. It's not like she hears me, or will have any kind of reasonable discourse with me. I just dislike the idea of shutting down my blog because she's being a bully.<br />
<br />
I already own New In Town, but it was nice of Jeanne to offer me a copy.<br />
<br />
I wish she could understand that I grew up close to Universal and Disney, and that working at Disneyland was my first big job. I've said it before, but it's like she's stuck on how great Florida is and how much I must want to be her. And when I explain why that's not the case, I only get the same answer. But it doesn't make me want to live in Florida any more than I did before. I get how fun it is to live close to big theme parks. And I still have the option of going when I'd like to. But those things <i>don't </i>make me want to move to Florida. Nor do they make me jealous. Were they supposed to? I thought she was complaining about my jealousy, but maybe she's just hoping that she'll tell me about the things she likes and I'll <i>get </i>jealous. I'm not totally sure. It reminds me of a little kid pointing out her really cool toys, and then saying "Aren't you jealous of me?" Well, no, not really, but thanks for asking.<br />
<br />
I suppose I should be grateful that she's asking for prayers for me (while calling me jealous, histrionic, and showing off) but really, it's not necessary. I'm doing just fine, thanks. She should just keep posting about what ever interests her, and when I feel the need to share my thoughts on a subject, I'll do so. If she doesn't like this blog, she certainly doesn't have to read it.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15667772171360379262noreply@blogger.com2