is now online.
In this issue
• How to Draw a Horse
• Horse News & Notes
• Horsemanship 101 Biting Horses
• Warhorse comes to the big screen
• Pony Pals Art Gallery
• Stories & Poems
From the owner and creator of Club Pony Pals, where anyone can ride the pony they always wanted.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
November Magazine
The cover photo on this issue is phenomenal.
Many thanks to our members who contribute!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
October Pony Pals Magazine
It seems that with keeping a quarter million members happy, managing Facebook upgrades and keeping the ranch going, along with training my pony, creating a monthly 68 page magazine is just that one thing that keeps me sane. Enjoy.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Time passes
 | ||
| September 21, 2005 |
Having a horse that has never known another owner is both wonderful and scary.
He came out and took a deep breath, the dance began.
A year later, his mom was gone and he was starting work in the round pen.
 |
| December of 2006 |
Aslan came out full of "ponytude". He loves to play. He grew steadily.
 |
| Winter solstice, 2007 |
I saddled him a few times when he was two.
But mainly he got to hang out in a pasture and mature. He grew in attitude.
Aslan knew he was destined to be top horse here on the ranch.
There was just the matter of being only 14 hands high.
The other horses let him know he was not the boss.
So did the humans.
Riding him is like driving a small, very fast sports car.
He is six years old today.
Happy birthday, Aslan Equinox.
Monday, September 12, 2011
September Pony Pals Magazine
Not much time to blog lately, with the September issue and increasing traffic at ClubPonyPals.com
Thanks for stopping by!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Solstice slow food
Every day here is another item getting bigger. These long days of intense sunlight make things grow so fast. Here in the desert it is a trick to keep them wet enough.
Boysenberries are in.
They take a half hour to pick.
Every day.
Beans are up, they need to be dusted with diatomaceous earth every evening. You can see a slug in this picture, chowing down before the sun hits the plants.
Then there is the tomato garden below,
These tomatoes are doubling in size every day. Likely first ones will be ripe in a couple weeks. Why were there no Early Girls this year? These are Better Boy plants.
The potato garden was slow to start this year but looks good, the sunniest area is just about ready to replant with new seeds.
If potatoes were not so common, they would be a gourmet expensive food. As it is, they are a staple.
Oh, and school is out. Our site traffic has doubled. Welcome to summer!
Boysenberries are in.
They take a half hour to pick.
Every day.
Beans are up, they need to be dusted with diatomaceous earth every evening. You can see a slug in this picture, chowing down before the sun hits the plants.
Then there is the tomato garden below, with eggplants and onions...and a gopher that I am trying to trap -- unsuccessfully so far. 
These tomatoes are doubling in size every day. Likely first ones will be ripe in a couple weeks. Why were there no Early Girls this year? These are Better Boy plants.
The potato garden was slow to start this year but looks good, the sunniest area is just about ready to replant with new seeds.
If potatoes were not so common, they would be a gourmet expensive food. As it is, they are a staple.
Oh, and school is out. Our site traffic has doubled. Welcome to summer!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Pony Pals Magazine
We published our first issue of our new Pony Pals Magazine today.
http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/190091
You can download a copy for free or buy a printed copy.
http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/190091
You can download a copy for free or buy a printed copy.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Photoshop atrocity
And I have been guilty of photoshopping in items into a photo where they did not exist before. But....Why did they only put in ONE shoe? The other is a red shoe.
Now maybe if she was making a fashion statement -- like a guy wearing one red sneaker and one blue. But I suspect the photomaniupulation came down to they only had one angle on the shoe that matched, so they threw that one in and figured no one would notice.
Or that bloggers would post how bad it looked. LOL
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Slow Food in a Fast World
When I work on our site and game I am always on the run. There is more work than the day can hold, so I'm in a constant state of picking and choosing today's most important tasks.
That rush-rush carries over to my cooking sometimes too. "What's fast?" I think.
But on the other hand I also do not eat "fast food." No burgers. No fries. No take out. No pizza.
Plus, I grow vegetables in my gardens and there is usually something ready.
This week there is lettuce (wonderful, fresh tender spring heads). Fresh green spring onions. And there are peas. Not snap peas, English podded peas.
Every few days there is about a quart of pods ready to pick.
Now English peas are delicious. The fresh ones are divine, sweet when lightly cooked and they take no time to cook.
But you have to shuck them out of the pods.
As I open each pod, marveling at the peas lined up, my mind goes a mile a minute. What am I doing here?
Don't I have to get back to WORK?!!
Can I afford this time away from the computer?
Is this bowl of peas going to be the reason I don't get everything done?!!!
But I keep shucking them.
I think of English peas as the original slow food.
They really are. To prepare them you must SLOW DOWN.
And that is why I grow them.
That rush-rush carries over to my cooking sometimes too. "What's fast?" I think.
But on the other hand I also do not eat "fast food." No burgers. No fries. No take out. No pizza.
Plus, I grow vegetables in my gardens and there is usually something ready.
This week there is lettuce (wonderful, fresh tender spring heads). Fresh green spring onions. And there are peas. Not snap peas, English podded peas.
Every few days there is about a quart of pods ready to pick.
Now English peas are delicious. The fresh ones are divine, sweet when lightly cooked and they take no time to cook.
But you have to shuck them out of the pods.
As I open each pod, marveling at the peas lined up, my mind goes a mile a minute. What am I doing here?
Don't I have to get back to WORK?!!
Can I afford this time away from the computer?
Is this bowl of peas going to be the reason I don't get everything done?!!!
But I keep shucking them.
I think of English peas as the original slow food.
They really are. To prepare them you must SLOW DOWN.
And that is why I grow them.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Life is what happens while you are making plans....
John Lennon said it (probably quoting someone else) but it is true.
I started to write this blog entry. Then the unexpected came to visit. And things changed.
Smudge, the darker of my two adopted cats ran away for two nights. She simply vanished without a trace. Around my neighborhood, that usually means an owl, coyote, bobcat or mountain lion had been to visit. I spent a day mourning. But an old story was about to repeat itself.
--- Meanwhile ----
The dog I adopted from the pound a month ago has been looking a bit unkempt.
Then, yesterday his hair began to come off of him in handfuls. Uh-oh. Was he sick? A thorough brushing revealed no, he was getting his long summer coat.
What I thought was a short haired dog appears to be getting "feathers" the long hair of a ruff and tail that is typical of a border collie. Who knows why he'd been clipped, but it is beginning to look like what I thought was a border collie cross may end up having the long hair typical of a border collie. That makes me happy.
While 3D's fur lengthens, we continue to work on our Pony Pals game.
Launching Club Pony Pals took a lot of hard work and patient negotiation. We got the rights to a best selling book series and launched an internet site to promote its brand.
I've been acting on well honed instincts. My dad was an entrepreneur in the classic mold. He built a company in Minnesota and was bought out. Then he moved to California and built a company there and was bought out by a different big company.
So I've got the spirit in my genes.
But that alone may not be enough these days.
Pundits love to pound out persistent, lurid, dire warnings of ruin and failure for the venturesome:
TechCrunch published an article that said if you are over 25 you can forget getting VC.
Then there is the "known lack of VC going to women entrepreneurs."
But was Arrington's (acquired) magazine quoting fact or fancy? Here are his charts about who gets venture money
Looking at the graphs, it is clear that men get a lot of angel investments.
But judging from the amount of money invested, the winners are teams who are over 35, mixed gender, and have two founders. Like, say, for instance....US!
We have great member retention. Of our members who completed registration, better than half return monthly, many several times a day. A whole wagon load of better funded competitors of ours do not do anywhere near as well as we do, either.
So we look good. We have revenue. Our members are not into gore, violence, killing or shooting. There is no combat in our club. Yet a legendary warrior had a sage insight:
Club Pony Pals offers riding.
We offer a respite from armchair warfare.
We reward compassion and caring for others.
In short, we have created an online destination where members are rewarded for being -- well, nice.
So far, all of our site's growth has been via word of mouth. That tells us that there is a global, underserved market that desperately wants a place where members and their parents don't have to worry about being bullied or hassled.
So we have worldwide demand, our members stick around, we have revenue. We are now ready to scale.
But we aren't just a passenger on this wild ride.
Now we are publishing a magazine, too.
As it turns out, the world is watching us rather closely. As always, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Another publisher apparently is trying draft our marketing of the Pony Pals brand.
One article said
But originality, boldness, daring and nerve are on our side.
We have created an entertaining, sticky online game, and have a suite of rights that includes online, mobile, an existing Facebook game, console game rights, feature film rights and television. And merchandise.
And sometimes, even small things make a big difference:
this week we started sending a follow up letter to people who tried to register for our site but did not succeed, almost all the time due to the ubiquitous Spam filter.
Our percentage of completed registrations has promptly risen by 10%.
Cats come back, persistence pays off and not all sensational headlines are true. To paraphrase the late IF Stone, ".....the secret is not to mope and to get out of bed in the morning."
I started to write this blog entry. Then the unexpected came to visit. And things changed.
 |
| smudge being groomed by scout |
In our case, three days. 35 feet up in a neighbor's tree, we saw ravens croaking and diving at something. It was Smudge. We coaxed her down from her treetop. Since then, it has been like having a ghost share our house. A changed ghost. Always hard to catch outdoors at twilight, she would run away and play "chase me" in the gathering dark, sometimes with coyotes starting to howl not so far away. We'll never know what happened. But she is quiet proof that hope is a durable thing, that faith has a place in our lives, that courage and self reliance can outlast, outwait and outlive overwhelming odds with sharp teeth.But the cat came back, she couldn't stay no long-er, Yes the cat came back de very next day, the cat came back—thought she were a goner, But the cat came back for it wouldn't stay away.
(Traditional - Harry S. Miller, 1924)
--- Meanwhile ----
The dog I adopted from the pound a month ago has been looking a bit unkempt.
 |
| day he arrived from the pound. this is one worried pup |
Then, yesterday his hair began to come off of him in handfuls. Uh-oh. Was he sick? A thorough brushing revealed no, he was getting his long summer coat.
 |
| at 2 weeks after adoption |
 |
| at one month after adoption |
What I thought was a short haired dog appears to be getting "feathers" the long hair of a ruff and tail that is typical of a border collie. Who knows why he'd been clipped, but it is beginning to look like what I thought was a border collie cross may end up having the long hair typical of a border collie. That makes me happy.
While 3D's fur lengthens, we continue to work on our Pony Pals game.
Launching Club Pony Pals took a lot of hard work and patient negotiation. We got the rights to a best selling book series and launched an internet site to promote its brand.
I've been acting on well honed instincts. My dad was an entrepreneur in the classic mold. He built a company in Minnesota and was bought out. Then he moved to California and built a company there and was bought out by a different big company.
So I've got the spirit in my genes.
But that alone may not be enough these days.
Pundits love to pound out persistent, lurid, dire warnings of ruin and failure for the venturesome:
TechCrunch published an article that said if you are over 25 you can forget getting VC.
Then there is the "known lack of VC going to women entrepreneurs."
But was Arrington's (acquired) magazine quoting fact or fancy? Here are his charts about who gets venture money
Looking at the graphs, it is clear that men get a lot of angel investments.
But judging from the amount of money invested, the winners are teams who are over 35, mixed gender, and have two founders. Like, say, for instance....US!
One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself. Lucille Ball
An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity; a pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity. Sir Winston Churchill
We have great member retention. Of our members who completed registration, better than half return monthly, many several times a day. A whole wagon load of better funded competitors of ours do not do anywhere near as well as we do, either.
So we look good. We have revenue. Our members are not into gore, violence, killing or shooting. There is no combat in our club. Yet a legendary warrior had a sage insight:
No time is wasted that is spent in the saddle. Winston Churchill
Club Pony Pals offers riding.
We offer a respite from armchair warfare.
We reward compassion and caring for others.
In short, we have created an online destination where members are rewarded for being -- well, nice.
So far, all of our site's growth has been via word of mouth. That tells us that there is a global, underserved market that desperately wants a place where members and their parents don't have to worry about being bullied or hassled.
So we have worldwide demand, our members stick around, we have revenue. We are now ready to scale.
But we aren't just a passenger on this wild ride.
Now we are publishing a magazine, too.
As it turns out, the world is watching us rather closely. As always, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Another publisher apparently is trying draft our marketing of the Pony Pals brand.
One article said
...a lot of the dollars currently spent on traditional advertising are migrating to gaming. Businesses are beginning to understand keeping customers engaged on their website is easier if something entertaining is being offered.
But originality, boldness, daring and nerve are on our side.
We have created an entertaining, sticky online game, and have a suite of rights that includes online, mobile, an existing Facebook game, console game rights, feature film rights and television. And merchandise.
And sometimes, even small things make a big difference:
this week we started sending a follow up letter to people who tried to register for our site but did not succeed, almost all the time due to the ubiquitous Spam filter.
Our percentage of completed registrations has promptly risen by 10%.
Cats come back, persistence pays off and not all sensational headlines are true. To paraphrase the late IF Stone, ".....the secret is not to mope and to get out of bed in the morning."
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Another week
Each Thursday night we publish an online newsletter. It starts with a list of who is pals with the members you know. Since I have 8500 friends on the site, the list is LONG. But below we include a little text about what is going on at our club.
So here is the Wiggins Weekly for today
-----------------------------------------------------------
HAPPY EASTER PALS!
First, there's an animated card from all of us here in Wiggins to you. To view it, click here
http://phplist.clubponypals.com/wigweekly/Easter2011.html
---------------
SCAVENGER HUNT HINT
To complete the current scavenger hunt you need a
New Pony Pal Bonus Certificate
To get one, you have to become Pals with a new member. You can go to the Pals Please page by clicking on the words " See who wants Pals " on your home page. The link is
http://www.clubponypals.com/pals_please.php
Pretty much anybody there who is a new member (member number over 185,000) is someone you could send a wmail to that says NEW PONY PAL BONUS and each of you would get 100 Wbucks and the certificate. If that member does not have a cabin, then you need to make them your Pal before you can send that message.
----------------
GIVE A GIFT GET A GIFT CLUB
Speaking of quests and gifts, if you need something to finish a quest or scavenger hunt, we have a new club that is going to be real handy. CPP member Columbinestables wrote this about how it works:
"Give a gift, Get a gift Club" It would be a club where people could give and get gifts, make new friends, and just chat about CPP, and of course real ponies!
We focus on being generous and friendly to all and making new members feel welcome by sending them gifts and maybe wmails.
Members post in club forums a message like "I give and get." to let other members know that they will return a gift of equalish value to you.
So say you need lilacs for a quest....this new club is the place to get them!
---------------
SPECIAL "EASTER EGG" COUPON IN OUR ONLINE NEWSLETTER
Can you find a special 100 Wiggins Bucks offer in our online edition of the Wiggins bi Weekly? Hint: the first is an Easter card. Check our online newsletter through April 30 for a new ca! rd that can be redeemed for 100 WB. It's that easy!
Message changes, follow directions to get a prize. One prize per member account for this contest. Void where prohibited. Wbucks awarded daily until April 30, 2011.
---------------
GET YOUR COMPETITOR RIBBONS AT NEXT WEEK'S
LIVE MODERATED CHAT AND LESSONS
Jane Crandal's online riding lessons and mini show will be in our chat room's virtual riding arena. Stop by and say hi on
TUESDAY APRIL 26 (or Wednesday if you are past the date line)
10 pm - midnight London time
11pm - 1 am Continental time
6 - 8 pm Eastern USA time
3 - 5 pm Pacific USA Time
7 - 9 am Wednesday in Malaysia
8 - 10 am Wednesday in Perth, Australia
9:30 - 11:30 am Wednesday in Adelade Australia
10 - noon Wednesday in Sydney Australia
Noon - 2pm Wednesday in New Zealand
FRIDAY, APRIL 29th (or Saturday the 30th if you are a kiwi or aussie)
Live Moderated Chat
11 pm - 1 am London time
midnight - 2 am Continental time
6 - 8 pm Eastern USA time
3 - 5 pm Pacific USA Time
7 - 9 am Saturday in Malaysia
6 - 8 am Saturday in Perth, Australia
7:30 - 9:30 am Saturday in Adelade Australia
8 - 10 am Saturday in Sydney Australia
10 am - Noon Saturday in New Zealand
Lessons and Live Moderated Chats are a great way to make new pals! Just look for our "live link" on your personal page at the times above. Click on it and come on in!
---------------
CONTEST NEWS
Email your art, stories and poems to contests@clubponypals.com
We need lots more cartoon entries. Send your black and white drawings to us and earn 500 Wbucks when your cartoon is used.
Vote for your favorite coloring contest #23
http://phplist.clubponypals.com/wigweekly/MyCPP/2-11CC23/CC23voteforentries.html
Vote for the March story contest entries here
http://phplist.clubponypals.com/wigweekly/MyCPP/3-11STORY/3-11StoryContest.html
Choose art for Coloring Contest #24
http://phplist.clubponypals.com/wigweekly/MyCPP/3-11CC24/CC24chooseart.html
Vote for entries in the cabin contest here
http://phplist.clubponypals.com/wigweekly/cabincontest4-27.php
Vote for what you want to say in the Pal Corral
http://phplist.clubponypals.com/wigweekly/4-27PalCorralsayings.html
So here is the Wiggins Weekly for today
-----------------------------------------------------------
HAPPY EASTER PALS!
First, there's an animated card from all of us here in Wiggins to you. To view it, click here
http://phplist.clubponypals.com/wigweekly/Easter2011.html
---------------
SCAVENGER HUNT HINT
To complete the current scavenger hunt you need a
New Pony Pal Bonus Certificate
To get one, you have to become Pals with a new member. You can go to the Pals Please page by clicking on the words " See who wants Pals " on your home page. The link is
http://www.clubponypals.com/pals_please.php
Pretty much anybody there who is a new member (member number over 185,000) is someone you could send a wmail to that says NEW PONY PAL BONUS and each of you would get 100 Wbucks and the certificate. If that member does not have a cabin, then you need to make them your Pal before you can send that message.
----------------
GIVE A GIFT GET A GIFT CLUB
Speaking of quests and gifts, if you need something to finish a quest or scavenger hunt, we have a new club that is going to be real handy. CPP member Columbinestables wrote this about how it works:
"Give a gift, Get a gift Club" It would be a club where people could give and get gifts, make new friends, and just chat about CPP, and of course real ponies!
We focus on being generous and friendly to all and making new members feel welcome by sending them gifts and maybe wmails.
Members post in club forums a message like "I give and get." to let other members know that they will return a gift of equalish value to you.
So say you need lilacs for a quest....this new club is the place to get them!
---------------
SPECIAL "EASTER EGG" COUPON IN OUR ONLINE NEWSLETTER
Can you find a special 100 Wiggins Bucks offer in our online edition of the Wiggins bi Weekly? Hint: the first is an Easter card. Check our online newsletter through April 30 for a new ca! rd that can be redeemed for 100 WB. It's that easy!
Message changes, follow directions to get a prize. One prize per member account for this contest. Void where prohibited. Wbucks awarded daily until April 30, 2011.
---------------
GET YOUR COMPETITOR RIBBONS AT NEXT WEEK'S
LIVE MODERATED CHAT AND LESSONS
Jane Crandal's online riding lessons and mini show will be in our chat room's virtual riding arena. Stop by and say hi on
TUESDAY APRIL 26 (or Wednesday if you are past the date line)
10 pm - midnight London time
11pm - 1 am Continental time
6 - 8 pm Eastern USA time
3 - 5 pm Pacific USA Time
7 - 9 am Wednesday in Malaysia
8 - 10 am Wednesday in Perth, Australia
9:30 - 11:30 am Wednesday in Adelade Australia
10 - noon Wednesday in Sydney Australia
Noon - 2pm Wednesday in New Zealand
FRIDAY, APRIL 29th (or Saturday the 30th if you are a kiwi or aussie)
Live Moderated Chat
11 pm - 1 am London time
midnight - 2 am Continental time
6 - 8 pm Eastern USA time
3 - 5 pm Pacific USA Time
7 - 9 am Saturday in Malaysia
6 - 8 am Saturday in Perth, Australia
7:30 - 9:30 am Saturday in Adelade Australia
8 - 10 am Saturday in Sydney Australia
10 am - Noon Saturday in New Zealand
Lessons and Live Moderated Chats are a great way to make new pals! Just look for our "live link" on your personal page at the times above. Click on it and come on in!
---------------
CONTEST NEWS
Email your art, stories and poems to contests@clubponypals.com
We need lots more cartoon entries. Send your black and white drawings to us and earn 500 Wbucks when your cartoon is used.
Vote for your favorite coloring contest #23
http://phplist.clubponypals.com/wigweekly/MyCPP/2-11CC23/CC23voteforentries.html
Vote for the March story contest entries here
http://phplist.clubponypals.com/wigweekly/MyCPP/3-11STORY/3-11StoryContest.html
Choose art for Coloring Contest #24
http://phplist.clubponypals.com/wigweekly/MyCPP/3-11CC24/CC24chooseart.html
Vote for entries in the cabin contest here
http://phplist.clubponypals.com/wigweekly/cabincontest4-27.php
Vote for what you want to say in the Pal Corral
http://phplist.clubponypals.com/wigweekly/4-27PalCorralsayings.html
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Politicians are crooks, we have video
The nightly TV news content should be the most important stories, the things that will influence our lives. Right now the Japanese meltdown of nuclear reactors should be at the top of the list, but it is not. Why? The footage is boring.
Translation from TVspeak = the first question for any story on the news should be how important is the story. The actual first question is "Is there footage?" meaning good video images to accompany the story.
In this instance, yes there is.
Long ago, I thought politicians were civic-minded professionals who served at the behest of the electorate and lived to serve our best interests.
My opinion has changed a bit, this video made me laugh.
This guy is the President of the Czech Republic. He cannot hide, yet watching the video I had to laugh. He is so human. This is such a typical simian behavior -- he grins because he thought he was not being watched.
Big Brother is alive and well. Maybe in this case, not such a bad thing. I do know that this video made me smile.
Translation from TVspeak = the first question for any story on the news should be how important is the story. The actual first question is "Is there footage?" meaning good video images to accompany the story.
In this instance, yes there is.
Long ago, I thought politicians were civic-minded professionals who served at the behest of the electorate and lived to serve our best interests.
My opinion has changed a bit, this video made me laugh.
This guy is the President of the Czech Republic. He cannot hide, yet watching the video I had to laugh. He is so human. This is such a typical simian behavior -- he grins because he thought he was not being watched.
Big Brother is alive and well. Maybe in this case, not such a bad thing. I do know that this video made me smile.
Monday, April 11, 2011
And that's the way it is...
Growing up I heard Walter Cronkite say that phrase every evening.
No matter if there were shots of injured soldiers and war and terrible things, somehow I felt that the world was a better place because the news had been sorted out, evaluated and presented in a cogent form that gave me hope that there was sense in the world.
Even more, somehow I trusted that governments and companies really did want to provide products that were safe, dependable and economical. That was what the free market meant, I thought, if somebody came up with a better, cheaper mousetrap then it would succeed.
So when I started work as a young woman there was always a boss, usually male. There was a pile of stuff to do. I worked on making that "to-do" pile smaller and the "done" pile bigger.
Actually, I guess I thought that was what life was.
Then my jobs changed, I got into the entertainment industry and began working on projects more closely with the managers and producers who were creative types.
Always curious, I earnestly asked how did they do things. How did they choose the songs for American Idol? The answer "The cheapest songs we can clear" meaning they can get permission from the composer and publisher to use the song.
Other people I worked for were clueless.
"I can do better," I thought.
Then I started as an entrepreneur. I began hiring suppliers and independent contractors.
And suddenly I was the boss.
It is weird. Now when a supplier calls up and says I can't work, my work does not go away, their work just gets added on top of it, like an extra sweater on an already too-warm day.
So I am going to publish our next newsletter. I am doing all the contests. I am creating all the art that members are sending in. And we are still working on moving forward the business end as well.
Funny, just when I thought I couldn't work any harder, suddenly I am.
And tonight I rode our big bay gelding, and for the first time in a couple months I suddenly felt at home on his back. :)
No matter if there were shots of injured soldiers and war and terrible things, somehow I felt that the world was a better place because the news had been sorted out, evaluated and presented in a cogent form that gave me hope that there was sense in the world.
Even more, somehow I trusted that governments and companies really did want to provide products that were safe, dependable and economical. That was what the free market meant, I thought, if somebody came up with a better, cheaper mousetrap then it would succeed.
So when I started work as a young woman there was always a boss, usually male. There was a pile of stuff to do. I worked on making that "to-do" pile smaller and the "done" pile bigger.
Actually, I guess I thought that was what life was.
Then my jobs changed, I got into the entertainment industry and began working on projects more closely with the managers and producers who were creative types.
Always curious, I earnestly asked how did they do things. How did they choose the songs for American Idol? The answer "The cheapest songs we can clear" meaning they can get permission from the composer and publisher to use the song.
Other people I worked for were clueless.
"I can do better," I thought.
Then I started as an entrepreneur. I began hiring suppliers and independent contractors.
And suddenly I was the boss.
It is weird. Now when a supplier calls up and says I can't work, my work does not go away, their work just gets added on top of it, like an extra sweater on an already too-warm day.
So I am going to publish our next newsletter. I am doing all the contests. I am creating all the art that members are sending in. And we are still working on moving forward the business end as well.
Funny, just when I thought I couldn't work any harder, suddenly I am.
And tonight I rode our big bay gelding, and for the first time in a couple months I suddenly felt at home on his back. :)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
A 3D dog tale
When I moved to the ranch, I had never had a dog. My dad did not like dogs. I viewed them with uncertainty, as strange creatures.
Our first dog came as a bonus with two pigs we bought. She was an aged lab/beagle mix with half a tail and a winning attitude. Sissy taught me about having dogs. She was unfailingly cheerful, liked to gently pick up any stray shoes and take them into her doghouse.
She started to slow down and I decided to adopt another dog to help with guard duty. I went to the pound and picked a dog that had a kind eye, had just had puppies and was kind of sorry looking. She looked like a small black colored golden retriever, with a white patch on her chest. She was a pet that had been surrendered. "Couldn't keep" was all I knew. And she developed kennel cough between the first time I saw her and the second. That was DD the first.
A trouper, she also was sneaky. We like to dine outside in the evening. I took a whole roasted chicken outside on a platter, went back in to get a bottle of wine and glasses. When I returned, less than 30 seconds later, the chicken was not only missing, it was GONE. DD looked innocent. I do not have a picture of that DD, only memories.
When that DD passed away years later, we needed a new dog. Our second DD was a puppy, gotten from a lady who our farrier knew. She raised and had racehorses, her initials were DD, so we named the new puppy after her. DD the second.
DD the second loved to climb trees. She was the first dog I ever had that would wait for me to wake up, then explode into activity chasing squirrels and crows. She was a great dog but since the first of the year she'd been increasingly picky about her food. Finally about a month ago she pretty much stopped eating.
The vet palpated her and she had a tumor the size of a softball on her spleen. Within 24 hours of our finding the tumor, she went from being a great dog, chasing crows, climbing trees to stopping both eating and drinking. We researched the tumor treatment options. Not good. We had her put to sleep. It was very hard. She was only seven.
But that left our other two dogs, aged sisters who are becoming infirm.
So we had to look for some young blood.
I went to the Los Angeles County Shelter nearest us.
Unlike when I went to that shelter and got the first DD, the population had changed.
First, instead of a huge mix of breeds and types, there were two types of dogs. Pit bulls and chihuahuas.
I discovered the way that the Shelters work is different now than it was when I got my first DD. DD the first had been there for a couple weeks when I saw her, I went home and thought about it and came back a few days later and finally decided to take her. I took her with me on my second visit, and brought her back to be spayed a month later.
Now it is different. When a dog is taken into the shelter, they take a photo and post it on the internet. It stays there for four days. If no owner comes forward, and no one signs up to be interested in adopting it, on the fifth or sixth day it is euthanized. No dogs can be taken from the shelter without being neutered. The world has become a harder place.
Now, to find a dog, you need to look in the lost and abandoned animals. When a dog is picked up or dropped off and the owner is unknown, then the LA County shelter holds the dog for four days. During that time if you want to adopt that dog, you have to go to the shelter in person and fill out a form stating you are willing to take the dog. They take the willing to adopt notes in order and put you on a list.
The first few border collies/aussie shepherds I saw were gone immediately. Until I figured the above out, I did not understand how the game had changed.
So I began looking at the lost and abandoned listings, and I saw a border collie puppy that was cute. It looked small and young and lost.
So I went by the shelter to see it in person. I was looking at it, and suddenly had that prickly feeling you get when someone is looking at you. But I was alone. I turned around.
This boy was looking at me in the peculiar way that dogs have when they KNOW. It is not always that we humans choose. I called my husband, and said I had found a dog. The "cowdog" had been there for two days, and was waiting for his owner to pick him up. I was struck by an incredibly intelligent stare, the picture does not do him justice.
I was unsure. We had two more days. Bob went by and visited him on Monday. He did not seem aggressive. Bob walked the dog. It was clear he was housetrained, there was much happiness at being able to go outside and relieve himself.
Then we waited. There was someone else in line. The owner might yet show up.
Tuesday during the live moderated chat we got a call. The first in line person had declined to take the dog. He had been neutered and we needed to come pick him up. Now.
We did. We tried names. Lucky? Buddy? Who Knew? Spot?
He was following in the big paw prints of DD, and even bigger ones of beloved DD2.
So of course there was only one thing to name him.
Welcome home, 3D
Our first dog came as a bonus with two pigs we bought. She was an aged lab/beagle mix with half a tail and a winning attitude. Sissy taught me about having dogs. She was unfailingly cheerful, liked to gently pick up any stray shoes and take them into her doghouse.
She started to slow down and I decided to adopt another dog to help with guard duty. I went to the pound and picked a dog that had a kind eye, had just had puppies and was kind of sorry looking. She looked like a small black colored golden retriever, with a white patch on her chest. She was a pet that had been surrendered. "Couldn't keep" was all I knew. And she developed kennel cough between the first time I saw her and the second. That was DD the first.
A trouper, she also was sneaky. We like to dine outside in the evening. I took a whole roasted chicken outside on a platter, went back in to get a bottle of wine and glasses. When I returned, less than 30 seconds later, the chicken was not only missing, it was GONE. DD looked innocent. I do not have a picture of that DD, only memories.
When that DD passed away years later, we needed a new dog. Our second DD was a puppy, gotten from a lady who our farrier knew. She raised and had racehorses, her initials were DD, so we named the new puppy after her. DD the second.
The vet palpated her and she had a tumor the size of a softball on her spleen. Within 24 hours of our finding the tumor, she went from being a great dog, chasing crows, climbing trees to stopping both eating and drinking. We researched the tumor treatment options. Not good. We had her put to sleep. It was very hard. She was only seven.
But that left our other two dogs, aged sisters who are becoming infirm.
So we had to look for some young blood.
I went to the Los Angeles County Shelter nearest us.
Unlike when I went to that shelter and got the first DD, the population had changed.
First, instead of a huge mix of breeds and types, there were two types of dogs. Pit bulls and chihuahuas.
I discovered the way that the Shelters work is different now than it was when I got my first DD. DD the first had been there for a couple weeks when I saw her, I went home and thought about it and came back a few days later and finally decided to take her. I took her with me on my second visit, and brought her back to be spayed a month later.
Now it is different. When a dog is taken into the shelter, they take a photo and post it on the internet. It stays there for four days. If no owner comes forward, and no one signs up to be interested in adopting it, on the fifth or sixth day it is euthanized. No dogs can be taken from the shelter without being neutered. The world has become a harder place.
Now, to find a dog, you need to look in the lost and abandoned animals. When a dog is picked up or dropped off and the owner is unknown, then the LA County shelter holds the dog for four days. During that time if you want to adopt that dog, you have to go to the shelter in person and fill out a form stating you are willing to take the dog. They take the willing to adopt notes in order and put you on a list.
The first few border collies/aussie shepherds I saw were gone immediately. Until I figured the above out, I did not understand how the game had changed.
So I began looking at the lost and abandoned listings, and I saw a border collie puppy that was cute. It looked small and young and lost.
So I went by the shelter to see it in person. I was looking at it, and suddenly had that prickly feeling you get when someone is looking at you. But I was alone. I turned around.
This boy was looking at me in the peculiar way that dogs have when they KNOW. It is not always that we humans choose. I called my husband, and said I had found a dog. The "cowdog" had been there for two days, and was waiting for his owner to pick him up. I was struck by an incredibly intelligent stare, the picture does not do him justice.
I was unsure. We had two more days. Bob went by and visited him on Monday. He did not seem aggressive. Bob walked the dog. It was clear he was housetrained, there was much happiness at being able to go outside and relieve himself.
Then we waited. There was someone else in line. The owner might yet show up.
Tuesday during the live moderated chat we got a call. The first in line person had declined to take the dog. He had been neutered and we needed to come pick him up. Now.
We did. We tried names. Lucky? Buddy? Who Knew? Spot?
He was following in the big paw prints of DD, and even bigger ones of beloved DD2.
So of course there was only one thing to name him.
Welcome home, 3D
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Video/online games & violence
I have a secret. This is a bit hard to admit.
But I read an article today that gave me courage.
Like all good thought-provoking articles, it also made me a bit sad.
First I have to get this off my chest.
I have, however killed before. In real life. Hundreds of times.
Watching life ebb out of an animal is one of the saddest things I have ever seen. I have never killed another human but I imagine that would be even worse.
To me, having seen real life death so many times, I have no desire to kill in a video game. But apparently lots of other people do.
The game violence study is by Edward T. Vieira, Jr., Ph.D. He said
Stop by and adopt a pony at our club and see what I mean.
But I read an article today that gave me courage.
Like all good thought-provoking articles, it also made me a bit sad.
First I have to get this off my chest.
I have never played World of Warcraft.Truth be told, I never wanted to play WoW.
I have, however killed before. In real life. Hundreds of times.
Watching life ebb out of an animal is one of the saddest things I have ever seen. I have never killed another human but I imagine that would be even worse.
To me, having seen real life death so many times, I have no desire to kill in a video game. But apparently lots of other people do.
The game violence study is by Edward T. Vieira, Jr., Ph.D. He said
"Certainly not every child who continues to play violent video games is going to go out and perpetrate a violent act, but the research suggests that children — particularly boys — who are frequently exposed to these violent games are absorbing a sanitized message of ‘no consequences for violence' from this play behavior. The concern arises when children are taking in this message and there is a convergence of other negative environmental factors at the same time, such as poor parental communication and unhealthy peer relationships."No game is a substitute for real parental and real life friend relationships. But we have an incredibly loyal following who believe that we are in on to something in what we are doing. In our game players are REWARDED for empathy, compassion, caring and nurturing.
Stop by and adopt a pony at our club and see what I mean.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Newsletter publication
One of our site admins had a family emergency this week. So for the first time in a long time, I built our bi-weekly newsletter and published it.
The Wiggins bi-Weekly was one of the first things we started way back in 2007. At first is was made up out of the whole cloth. There were the books, but nothing had ever been done online to incorporate the stories and characters. We made up adventures for the book characters and wrote about what they were doing in their hometown of Wiggins, CT.
By the first year's end we were starting to get letters and content from members. Then we launched the first version of our game in November of 2008.
Reviewing these old issues it is fun to see how the site grew and improved over time. Each change and addition are documented. The old paddock riding experience did not work well enough for us to keep it after we got a sample trail built.
Looking back at the early issues I am as always amazed at how much work we have put into the game and site. I truly believe that what we have built is important and amazing.
Then I look at what is being built by the "big boys". For instance, Mattel, the home of Barbie, is rolling out a huge new brand called MonsterHigh and that show has some odd subtext messages revealed by the clothes and actions of the characters.
I wonder "What are they thinking?" The one 'smart' girl in the series cannot talk clearly and wears glasses-- in watching clips it is almost as if that girl is disabled because she is intelligent.
I grew up thinking it was weird that I was strong, smart, kind and independent. And that is weird -- so when we built our club, that was who we built it for.
Without games that tell girls they are ok and able and skilled and good enough, will there ever be girls who think that they are?
The Wiggins bi-Weekly was one of the first things we started way back in 2007. At first is was made up out of the whole cloth. There were the books, but nothing had ever been done online to incorporate the stories and characters. We made up adventures for the book characters and wrote about what they were doing in their hometown of Wiggins, CT.
By the first year's end we were starting to get letters and content from members. Then we launched the first version of our game in November of 2008.
Reviewing these old issues it is fun to see how the site grew and improved over time. Each change and addition are documented. The old paddock riding experience did not work well enough for us to keep it after we got a sample trail built.
Looking back at the early issues I am as always amazed at how much work we have put into the game and site. I truly believe that what we have built is important and amazing.
Then I look at what is being built by the "big boys". For instance, Mattel, the home of Barbie, is rolling out a huge new brand called MonsterHigh and that show has some odd subtext messages revealed by the clothes and actions of the characters.
I wonder "What are they thinking?" The one 'smart' girl in the series cannot talk clearly and wears glasses-- in watching clips it is almost as if that girl is disabled because she is intelligent.
I grew up thinking it was weird that I was strong, smart, kind and independent. And that is weird -- so when we built our club, that was who we built it for.
Without games that tell girls they are ok and able and skilled and good enough, will there ever be girls who think that they are?
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Slow change
Watching members grow and learn from the interactions on our site is amazing.
How does growth happen? What triggers that ah ha moment?
In one member's case, it was having a chance to correspond with a bully in an online environment.
Backstory -- Pony Pals Tommy Rand's dad left his mom and Tommy misses him. Tommy and his pal Mike Lacey both tease the Pony Pals in the books, calling them the Pony Pests.
One member was quite upset by their teasing. She wrote to Tommy and told him off. Then she wrote to one of the Pony Pals.
Then she wrote
And then today, the surprising answer...
How does growth happen? What triggers that ah ha moment?
In one member's case, it was having a chance to correspond with a bully in an online environment.
Backstory -- Pony Pals Tommy Rand's dad left his mom and Tommy misses him. Tommy and his pal Mike Lacey both tease the Pony Pals in the books, calling them the Pony Pests.
One member was quite upset by their teasing. She wrote to Tommy and told him off. Then she wrote to one of the Pony Pals.
Tommy is scared off me! And me and him got in a fight. I told i would tell you! bff, haily
Then she wrote
Ok. Just ignore Tommy. If you ignore him he might walk away. Because th more you pay attention to his teasing, The more he will do it! pals haily
And then today, the surprising answer...
I'm trying to get him through this nonesense (To stop teasing you) And me and the Christians might help. And you have to help to. Whether we like it or not. Last night I felt God telling me to stop being mean to him And help him. And with God, Nothing is impossible.
p.s He still calls you pest. and me and another girl are teasing him so he knows how it feels like. More than anything I want to help him. I can tell he is hurt when he writes w-mails to me, I can feel the fear it almost a gags me! In fact I felt God tell to stop teasing him and start helping him, So, I asked the Christiain girls if they could help, And I would like it very much if you and Anna and Lulu help to, With God nothing is impossible. pals, hailyWow! As the twig is bent....
Monday, March 28, 2011
2011 Memory Lane, Wiggins, CT -- post #251951
In addition to writing this blog, every day I review and answer dozens of member "w-mails" that are posts in our moderated forum. When there are over 100 w-mails waiting for moderation, I sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed. Then there are messages that make me stop, sit up straight and think I am doing something RIGHT.
From Maid Mairain, a CPP member.
Hi MM
When we first started the website, it was just the newsletter. We got lots of letters from people who knew about the Pony Pals books.
Then we added our registration to adopt a pony, our barn where you could groom your pony and a paddock riding experience that did not work well. :(
We replaced that paddock riding with our first Pony Pal trail and Cross Country trail.
We added the forum and Wmail system next.
Then we added more parts of Pony Pal trail, first to three birches, then to the sheep pen, then all the way to Anna's downtown.
Then we built downtown.
People did not like to ride to down town, so we added the bus.
Then we added the Pal Corral.
Then we added Olsons and the ability to have more than one pony.
At the same time we added being able to have your own cabin.
Then we added trails to the Wiggins Estate Clearing.
Then the trail that takes you to Wiggins Mansion, and at the same time the Forest Adventure trail where you help to find trappers.
And most recently we added a Facebook game.
Areas we REALLY want to build now are
Wiggins Mansion Interior
Off-Main Diner
Wiggins Estate barn
More trails so you can ride to Olsons and the Off-Main Diner
Library
Trails and adventures on Mount Morris
And a lot more....
Jane
From Maid Mairain, a CPP member.
...for curiosity's sake when CPP first came out, what could you do? I know you couldn't RIDE to town, but could you even go there? What was available? I think you've come a long way. Thanks so much for making this site. I've been ALL over the internet looking for another wholesome fun horse website. None. They all are either boring or unmoderated. On Howrse, some AWFUL things showed up in the forums. Not here. I LOVE this site. Thanks so much,
Maid Mairain
Hi MM
When we first started the website, it was just the newsletter. We got lots of letters from people who knew about the Pony Pals books.
Then we added our registration to adopt a pony, our barn where you could groom your pony and a paddock riding experience that did not work well. :(
We replaced that paddock riding with our first Pony Pal trail and Cross Country trail.
We added the forum and Wmail system next.
Then we added more parts of Pony Pal trail, first to three birches, then to the sheep pen, then all the way to Anna's downtown.
Then we built downtown.
People did not like to ride to down town, so we added the bus.
Then we added the Pal Corral.
Then we added Olsons and the ability to have more than one pony.
At the same time we added being able to have your own cabin.
Then we added trails to the Wiggins Estate Clearing.
Then the trail that takes you to Wiggins Mansion, and at the same time the Forest Adventure trail where you help to find trappers.
And most recently we added a Facebook game.
Areas we REALLY want to build now are
Wiggins Mansion Interior
Off-Main Diner
Wiggins Estate barn
More trails so you can ride to Olsons and the Off-Main Diner
Library
Trails and adventures on Mount Morris
And a lot more....
Jane
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Each day is a gift
This morning I awoke at 4am. Couldn't get back to sleep, even using the most favorite tricks like counting my breaths backward 1000, 999, 998 -- when I got down to the 860's I gave up.
Sleepless nights are good for considering things. I contemplated our 180,000+ club account signups, the overall cheerful tone of the 300,000+ forum messages we have moderated, and wondered how this unruly pony will turn out.
My husband arose and fed the real life horses early, at about 6. I was glad when he returned, and drifted off to sleep for a few minutes before the alarm went off.
When I got up I was cold and groggy and not very alert, so I showered and then came in to the office to check my computer while I drank a cup of tea. I sat down, drank a swallow of tea, and fell deeply asleep for a couple minutes. After eluding me for hours, sleep was all I wanted...perchance to dream....
My husband then woke me up, and I got up, drank my tea, and went off to a business meeting.
There I learned that Club Pony Pals currently is a "visual slice" of the game we really want to build. What a nice term, thanks to Stew Kosoy for sharing that vision. Also big thanks to Mark Harwood for organizing the PGA event today.
It is late here now, the wmails keep pouring in but I have to stop sometime. Tomorrow is another day.
To sleep, perchance to dream.
Sleepless nights are good for considering things. I contemplated our 180,000+ club account signups, the overall cheerful tone of the 300,000+ forum messages we have moderated, and wondered how this unruly pony will turn out.
My husband arose and fed the real life horses early, at about 6. I was glad when he returned, and drifted off to sleep for a few minutes before the alarm went off.
When I got up I was cold and groggy and not very alert, so I showered and then came in to the office to check my computer while I drank a cup of tea. I sat down, drank a swallow of tea, and fell deeply asleep for a couple minutes. After eluding me for hours, sleep was all I wanted...perchance to dream....
My husband then woke me up, and I got up, drank my tea, and went off to a business meeting.
There I learned that Club Pony Pals currently is a "visual slice" of the game we really want to build. What a nice term, thanks to Stew Kosoy for sharing that vision. Also big thanks to Mark Harwood for organizing the PGA event today.
It is late here now, the wmails keep pouring in but I have to stop sometime. Tomorrow is another day.
To sleep, perchance to dream.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Japan
I grew up Japanese. I was not in Japan but I lived in a suburb that was all Japanese. My first school field trip I opened the lunch and found a plate with teriyaki chicken, rice, vegetables and a set of chopsticks. I learned how to use them.
My best friends all were Japanese and went to Japanese school for three hours every day, after regular school. They were learning to write and read the Japanese language.
I cannot tell you the states on the USA Eastern seaboard -- but we spent a whole year studying Japanese history.
Then I graduated from High School and I moved to Japan. I studied the language.
Another friend from high school was there too. She lived with her uncle, his wife, their three kids and her -- in an apartment that was one large room, about 20x30. There was no furniture save a low table. The walls were all cupboards, beds were futons that were rolled out at night. Bathroom was down the hall.
My friend said that when she went there her relatives were astounded at the way she spoke the language -- the Japanese spoken where I grew up had remained "classical" and it was as if she spoke of "thee" and "thou" instead of the more common modern "you."
Things you don't think about much in America were important in Japan. I had one neighbor who was unremarkable, except at night he practiced archery in his garage. Blindfolded.
Everyone there went to the communal baths every day. I could not believe how HOT the tubs were, I got into the coldest one and felt scalded, yet in the hottest tub were all these little old ladies laughing and telling stories while the steam rose up around them.
There was never any trash on residential streets, they were perfectly manicured.
Every tiny delivery truck had a driver -- and an assistant. No one-man delivery teams.
The driver for a limo that came to pick up my neighbor each day had an assistant as well, who would stand outside the car and direct the driver in his huge imported Lincoln through the narrow streets that he had to traverse to pick up his executive. The car would stop and the executive would climb in, then the car would back up the street until the assistant would stop traffic so it could back out into a two-lane street and leave.
One weekend I took a train to the seaside town (probably one that is gone now from the tidal wave) and I remember walking along a road and the shoulder of the road was planted neatly with a row of onions. Every square inch of tillable land was planted, neatly and with love and reverence for the life spirit of that spot. Rice was planted manually in little paddies up the hills. No machine could ever plant or harvest there, it was all hand work. All trees looked like they were pruned.
In the time I lived there I came to value the incredible spirit of the Japanese people and their industriousness and thrift and how everyone worked together to solve problems and succeed.
When I was washing rice I learned to save every kernel -- a tradition from a place that valued each grain of rice. "From the one came the one thousand."
The fable was that a man sent his son out into the wilderness with one grain of rice, telling him not to return until he had grown 1000 grains from that one seed. The son did it, it took years. This was a typical inspirational story told to children to encourage them to work hard.
Today's lunch was miso soup, rice, gari (pickled ginger) and some stir fried vegetables with a little chicken. I am still eating seaweed every day, just in case. But eventually I will have to buy more, the package of wakame I have was picked in Japan. I would be afraid to buy wakame from Japan now.
How sad.
My best friends all were Japanese and went to Japanese school for three hours every day, after regular school. They were learning to write and read the Japanese language.
I cannot tell you the states on the USA Eastern seaboard -- but we spent a whole year studying Japanese history.
Then I graduated from High School and I moved to Japan. I studied the language.
Another friend from high school was there too. She lived with her uncle, his wife, their three kids and her -- in an apartment that was one large room, about 20x30. There was no furniture save a low table. The walls were all cupboards, beds were futons that were rolled out at night. Bathroom was down the hall.
My friend said that when she went there her relatives were astounded at the way she spoke the language -- the Japanese spoken where I grew up had remained "classical" and it was as if she spoke of "thee" and "thou" instead of the more common modern "you."
Things you don't think about much in America were important in Japan. I had one neighbor who was unremarkable, except at night he practiced archery in his garage. Blindfolded.
Everyone there went to the communal baths every day. I could not believe how HOT the tubs were, I got into the coldest one and felt scalded, yet in the hottest tub were all these little old ladies laughing and telling stories while the steam rose up around them.
There was never any trash on residential streets, they were perfectly manicured.
Every tiny delivery truck had a driver -- and an assistant. No one-man delivery teams.
The driver for a limo that came to pick up my neighbor each day had an assistant as well, who would stand outside the car and direct the driver in his huge imported Lincoln through the narrow streets that he had to traverse to pick up his executive. The car would stop and the executive would climb in, then the car would back up the street until the assistant would stop traffic so it could back out into a two-lane street and leave.
One weekend I took a train to the seaside town (probably one that is gone now from the tidal wave) and I remember walking along a road and the shoulder of the road was planted neatly with a row of onions. Every square inch of tillable land was planted, neatly and with love and reverence for the life spirit of that spot. Rice was planted manually in little paddies up the hills. No machine could ever plant or harvest there, it was all hand work. All trees looked like they were pruned.
In the time I lived there I came to value the incredible spirit of the Japanese people and their industriousness and thrift and how everyone worked together to solve problems and succeed.
When I was washing rice I learned to save every kernel -- a tradition from a place that valued each grain of rice. "From the one came the one thousand."
The fable was that a man sent his son out into the wilderness with one grain of rice, telling him not to return until he had grown 1000 grains from that one seed. The son did it, it took years. This was a typical inspirational story told to children to encourage them to work hard.
Today's lunch was miso soup, rice, gari (pickled ginger) and some stir fried vegetables with a little chicken. I am still eating seaweed every day, just in case. But eventually I will have to buy more, the package of wakame I have was picked in Japan. I would be afraid to buy wakame from Japan now.
How sad.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Riding lesson day
Today is clear and bright, the sun gleaming on washed greenery everywhere. During the long dry months everything here gets coated with a layer of dust that mutes the colors. A good rain like the one on Sunday is like cleaning your eyeglasses. Suddenly everything POPs with color.
Our online riding lessons are becoming more popular. We run them for an hour on Tuesdays, a couple times a month we hold a two-hour lesson on Friday. Members stop by for text-based roleplay riding.
The theater of the mind is a wonderful place. Members have to visualize what they would do, then write about it. Going through the process makes them think about their real-life riding intently. I found that the lessons make my real-life riding better, more focused because I have visualized doing it correctly so many times online.
When we go to give out the ribbons, the same experience of nervousness and pins and needles tension as a real show appears. It's pretty unique, it is easy to forget that we are all these individual people all over the world, sitting at computers.
The club's community and group spirit reflects the original IP. Jeanne Betancourt's books have a particular feeling to them that infuses the site. Today one member wrote about inviting new members into a club --
It wouldn't be the 'Pony Pals' (NOT BEING MEAN)
And of course that member is right. Club Pony Pals (and the Pony Pals books) are all about inclusivity. One of our members wrote that our site was the "most Welcoming" place online she had ever been.
It's a tough old world out there. I think that there is a market for a place that offers friendship.
Our online riding lessons are becoming more popular. We run them for an hour on Tuesdays, a couple times a month we hold a two-hour lesson on Friday. Members stop by for text-based roleplay riding.
The theater of the mind is a wonderful place. Members have to visualize what they would do, then write about it. Going through the process makes them think about their real-life riding intently. I found that the lessons make my real-life riding better, more focused because I have visualized doing it correctly so many times online.
When we go to give out the ribbons, the same experience of nervousness and pins and needles tension as a real show appears. It's pretty unique, it is easy to forget that we are all these individual people all over the world, sitting at computers.
The club's community and group spirit reflects the original IP. Jeanne Betancourt's books have a particular feeling to them that infuses the site. Today one member wrote about inviting new members into a club --
It wouldn't be the 'Pony Pals' (NOT BEING MEAN)
And of course that member is right. Club Pony Pals (and the Pony Pals books) are all about inclusivity. One of our members wrote that our site was the "most Welcoming" place online she had ever been.
It's a tough old world out there. I think that there is a market for a place that offers friendship.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Fem tech
Tonight Aileen Lee wrote a great article in techcrunch about why women rule the internet. It had some basic statistics about social site use, all well put together. She wrote:
It seems logical that our game (where women are rewarded for compassion, teamwork and caring for others) does touch some real basic feminine values.
It just amazed me to see the level of anger in some of the comments about Aileen's article. If the percentages were reversed, would women have responded the same way?
Having ladies who aren't focussed* on them makes some men nervous, I think.
Of course, these are the same guys who do not think it is weird that in some games the only way you can react with an object is to shoot it.
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*I am using the New Yorker Magazine approved spelling of that word.
If you figure out how to harness the power of female customers, you can rock the world.
It seems logical that our game (where women are rewarded for compassion, teamwork and caring for others) does touch some real basic feminine values.
It just amazed me to see the level of anger in some of the comments about Aileen's article. If the percentages were reversed, would women have responded the same way?
Having ladies who aren't focussed* on them makes some men nervous, I think.
Of course, these are the same guys who do not think it is weird that in some games the only way you can react with an object is to shoot it.
--------------
*I am using the New Yorker Magazine approved spelling of that word.
Rain rain rain rain rain rain
When I lived in the Midwest a rainy day was so common that I didn't remark on it. We just waited for it to clear up.
Here in California the rain only happens a handful of days a year, less since the seasons are changing so rapidly.
When we planted our orchard it bloomed starting in mid-March. We usually pruned in mid-February.
Once the holidays pass we have to prune right away, as the same trees now bloom in mid-February.
In 15 years, the weather has changed enough so the blooming happens a full month earlier.
We used to use about 2 cords of wood a winter here (Michigan cords = 4x4x8 feet of stacked, split wood).
Now we burn about half that much. Of course a California cord is now figured as 4x2x8 feet, too.
The rain today is steady, drenching. A quiet descends as all we can hear is the raindrops, gusts of wind and the soft crackle of our woodstove.
The cats don't think much of the rain. They run from door to door, asking to be let out into the world they know, the one that is dry and warm. Each door reveals the same wet world, they meow and turn away, then try another door.
Traffic at our Club is up this weekend as spring break has started. Today I activated an account for a member that has been dormant for two years. Amazing -- welcome back to the barn!
Here in California the rain only happens a handful of days a year, less since the seasons are changing so rapidly.
When we planted our orchard it bloomed starting in mid-March. We usually pruned in mid-February.
Once the holidays pass we have to prune right away, as the same trees now bloom in mid-February.
In 15 years, the weather has changed enough so the blooming happens a full month earlier.
We used to use about 2 cords of wood a winter here (Michigan cords = 4x4x8 feet of stacked, split wood).
Now we burn about half that much. Of course a California cord is now figured as 4x2x8 feet, too.
The rain today is steady, drenching. A quiet descends as all we can hear is the raindrops, gusts of wind and the soft crackle of our woodstove.
The cats don't think much of the rain. They run from door to door, asking to be let out into the world they know, the one that is dry and warm. Each door reveals the same wet world, they meow and turn away, then try another door.
Traffic at our Club is up this weekend as spring break has started. Today I activated an account for a member that has been dormant for two years. Amazing -- welcome back to the barn!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Another oil spill
Today I ate more seaweed for lunch. It was cold all day here today, for us it may be one of our last cold snaps before spring really springs. It got up to 50 degrees F today. We got out the chainsaw for a few minutes and used it to chop up some windfall branches and wood from the trees that are here on the property.
It looks like the wood we got two years ago, delivered green from a tree trimmer, is going to cover us for the rest of our winter. We have always heated with wood, even way back in 1974 when we first started dating.
As we cut up the logs, I reflected a little about how our lives in 2011 are so dependent on "cheap" energy.
After the countless human tragedies in Japan, with thousands missing and dead, the reality is more horrifying than the worst scary movie. And it is all related to our civilization's dependence on energy.
There are burning nuclear reactors in Japan spewing radiation that has me eating seaweed 5000 miles away.
In the Mideast -- dictator or not a dictator, the oil underneath the ground is what has taken us to war after war there.
And now another deepwater spill in the Gulf.
One of our site admins wrote today that when she works in our virtual world, answering customer service and writing messages to members, it is like being on a vacation. That was the place I knew Club Pony Pals would be when we started.
A famous game designer that I know and I went to see a movie last night, Patricia told me that "Games are designed by the people who already play games. The change in the kind of games made is going to have to come from outside the game company system."
I think she is right. Welcome to our barn. It's a pretty nice place.
It looks like the wood we got two years ago, delivered green from a tree trimmer, is going to cover us for the rest of our winter. We have always heated with wood, even way back in 1974 when we first started dating.
As we cut up the logs, I reflected a little about how our lives in 2011 are so dependent on "cheap" energy.
After the countless human tragedies in Japan, with thousands missing and dead, the reality is more horrifying than the worst scary movie. And it is all related to our civilization's dependence on energy.
There are burning nuclear reactors in Japan spewing radiation that has me eating seaweed 5000 miles away.
In the Mideast -- dictator or not a dictator, the oil underneath the ground is what has taken us to war after war there.
And now another deepwater spill in the Gulf.
One of our site admins wrote today that when she works in our virtual world, answering customer service and writing messages to members, it is like being on a vacation. That was the place I knew Club Pony Pals would be when we started.
A famous game designer that I know and I went to see a movie last night, Patricia told me that "Games are designed by the people who already play games. The change in the kind of games made is going to have to come from outside the game company system."
I think she is right. Welcome to our barn. It's a pretty nice place.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Socializing in games
Today I got a note from Richard Bartle about an article from GamaSutra where he was mentioned. Richard wrote
What happens with my player types is that designers do apply them,
but in the wrong way. They say "we need to encourage socialisers!" and then
give them extra points for socialising - an achievement reward of not
interest to socialisers... It's like they understand the words but not
what the words combine to say!
I'd seen it already from my Google vanity search,
but it doesn't always pick up articles so it was worth telling me about it.
but it doesn't always pick up articles so it was worth telling me about it.
What happens with my player types is that designers do apply them,
but in the wrong way. They say "we need to encourage socialisers!" and then
give them extra points for socialising - an achievement reward of not
interest to socialisers... It's like they understand the words but not
what the words combine to say!
How true. At Club Pony Pals we've found that giving achievement awards for socializing does not work.
Kids enter text about "I'm not allowed to have online friends" all the time. Yet unless we get our members to reach out to others on the site, they don't stick around.
Quests provided one answer to this problem. We start with simple quests. "Pick two apples and drop them off in the barn." But the complexity quickly grows, with entire stories being played as members do errands, shop and drop off items.
About a dozen quests in, a member has to deliver something they can only get as a gift. There is a cheat to avoid having to ASK for the item, but the member must have create a friend relationship in the game to use it.
A dozen quests later, in the member has to upgrade to an account that pays board to to to a part of the game and complete a quest.
Finally, at about the 100th quest, the member is forced to contact a game character to continue.
Forced socializing on a small scale. That seems to be working, members who make that request discover the whole moderated social network we have set up and many start posting messages.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Serious blog
For the past few months I've had a "blog" on Club Pony Pals. But 178,000 active members tend to ask questions about the site and game and the content got a bit wandery.
This is a serious blog. Seriously. Well, not too seriously.
J
This is a serious blog. Seriously. Well, not too seriously.
J
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