Mark Vasché – Sharing the drive
Thanks Mark for your column on the front page of the Sunday – September 7, 08 - BEE. And thanks to all the reporters who shared their thoughts on why they write. I'm looking forward to the next installments.
The reason for this post is to follow-up on Mark’s reflection, but from the prospective of a blogger. Mark, in his article said that he “works with an amazing group of people, they’re bright, they’re talented, they’re dedicated… etc…” He is correct in his view of the Bee staff. One of the side products of the Bee is the Modesto Bee “HIVE”. Here too there are many bloggers who spend countless hours going over a variety of events in our local community, the state, and in our Nation. Bloggers have a tendency of placing more passion into their postings than are allowed professional journalists, mainly because bloggers are expressing their own opinions and stories and are not always restricted by the normal “Who, What, When, Where, and Why” of reporting just the story. We are allowed to give “our opinion”.
Mark asked “Why do they do it, each and every day?” Well, that is a good question for bloggers also. Why do we feel the draw to The Hive? What is our motivation, our “passion and purpose” behind what we do? I’d like to open this thread to all those who blog at The Hive to (just as Mark had many of his reporters do) tell their personal story as to why they blog here at the Hive. To start it off, I’d like to tell you why I do.
My main reason for being involved at the Hive (over two and a half years now) is because I enjoy the interaction with people who are also opinionated and are willing to discuss a variety of subject matter and share differing views. I might not always agree with many of the other bloggers, but I do gain some insight as to what others think and feel. I feel it’s important to not just take what you read or hear on the television (or in print) at face value, and being able to blog enables me to throw out ideas that I’ve noted have not been covered or are not in the main stream media. It’s a way for me to learn as will as inform others. Often times when I read others posts, their reasoning causes me to review things I had considered “chiseled in stone” as truth and sometimes they have cause me to change my views on specific subjects. At other times it has just caused me to “roll my eyes” and think, “Oh really!”
Patty Guerra, assistant city editor wrote in her response: “I do what I do because even thought it’s trying and exhausting and frustrating and sometimes depressing, it’s also exhilarating and rewarding and challenging and – most days fun.” She sort of hit what blogging is all about for me. When I write many of my post, I spend a fair amount of time researching and checking sources and verifying what I post (I hate it when someone comes along and points out where I made an error…). I look at each of my postings based on my life’s experiences and conversations I have with others in the local community. I don’t just sit behind my computer cranking out blogs without personally getting involved. Often times I will go to community meetings (city, school board, or other events), or I’ll attend a 'happening' in the area, take some photos and post my feelings. I feel a lot like Jeff Jardine (local columnist) when he said: “I have what I consider the best job”… For several decades I was in the business and government world and being retired gives me the time and opportunity to keep my mind active and creative. As Jardine said: “It’s a voice a regular reported doesn’t have and with it comes an incredible responsibility; to do the reporting that maintains credibility" for me… Giving the reader a prospective they may not have caught sight of or a perspective that is not reported in the main media outlets.
Bloggers are not professional journalists, however many of us do view blogging as an important part of the exchange of ideals, ideas, information, and from time to time, just telling our story. I often times envy those who’s lives revolve around the gathering of a good news story (real journalists and photojournalists). The Hive is a way for bloggers to help in the process of getting news and information out without the burden of having a Senior Editor reviewing and cutting what we see or what we say. Thanks Modesto Bee for providing The Hive for all of us to use.
Mark’s article: http://www.modbee.com/local/story/421298.html
- Bmoore3's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Well I guess...
Bmoore3...
Bravo. Very good post. Thank you for taking the time to write that. I enjoyed it very much.
Robert Stanford
Airport Neighborhood Activist
http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=%22robert+Stanford%22+modesto
Good question.
I stumbled upon the Hive quite by accident. I had "Googled" the Modesto Bee to get some details on an issue of national concern. While reading I noticed a little ticker at the top of the page that said "Blog with ..." and clicked on the picture. My very first post was in response to rubber_side_down. Then I started exploring the Hive, reading posts, reading responses, I did that for a few days I think before getting up the guts to toss out a question that had been discussed among friends. Wow! The responses were amazing! There were people who seemed to care, people who scoffed at the Christian nature of the question, others who seemed to want to convert me away from my faith. Others were just easy going and responded with a calm "hears my take It was amazing! I was hooked.
I still blog here because I can both give and receive. I like being challenged to think outside the box and I appreciate the opportunity to toss something in the mix that is either funny, inspirational or simply kicks over a bucket of "droppings." Of course I only attempt to kick over a bucket of "droppings" if I think I smell something really "fishy." Most of all, as with everything I do in life, I want to inspire people to love and take care of each other. I believe that a personal relationship with God is the only way to really know love and it's that love that I try to share without beating people to death with religion.
I tease about the Hive being my college but actually I study in our church, I make good use of our library these days (especially since reading the if we continue learning we can stave of alziemers--which I don't think I spelled correctly), and I do hope to get well enough to take Spanish and a writing course at a junior college.
Blogging has stimulated me to think, to write, to think even more and to study more and more. That's all I can come up with and I have been thinking about this since I read it much earlier today. I do reservy the right to come back and add more if I think of something else. Thinking is good and I do a lot of it. Thank you Bee for the Hive!
I have absolutely no idea
I have absolutely no idea why I blog with the Hive. I've been doing it for more than two years. Often I have to delete my posts before I say something I'm sorry I said. I probably log in every single day and have for the duration of my membership. I started with my real name and kept it for about a month or so before I decided it wasn't a very good idea and decided to have a screen name.
I like that I can just post my stream of consciousness (sp). I like that there are some good ideas exchanged. I like that I have, like, invisible, imaginary friends. I also have not-so-invisible foes. Folks that I wouldn't share an iced tea with on the hottest day of the year. But, there are a few people that I'd enjoy having a sandwich with at a cool cafe.
I am pretty left-leaning (although it is likely that I won't vote that way this time) and I completely respect the differing points of view of most hive members.
Some are just plain dumb and I try not to address them and mostly I succeed. Dumb is not attractive to me. Dumb is dangerous.
My name is Robert Stanford (hi Robert...)
And I have been actively blogging for nearly a year now -
I would like to educate and bring together my point of view for presentation freely without being insulted. I would prefer to ignore most of the hype - which I am working on doing.
That is not possible here.
I have nothing but disdain for users in particular (they are on my enemies list)
The most disdain and lack of respect I have are for some of the following:
JHeaton
Activist1
IDPNC - or whatever
MJC2020
Bmoore3
If I ever said anything kind to any one of you, I apologize, I take it back.
Though, I do realize that these users (if they are not all sock-puppets of Activist1 - do not really know anything about me whatsoever, nor I them.)
But they have taught me - that you don't have to know anything about a person to dismiss them as "crack-pots" and fasciest creeps.
And that is why I say to them now - that the only way are you ever in my prayers is for your conversion - for you to see the light. Be ye converted now -
TO RADIOACTIVE VAPOR!!!
Robert Stanford
Airport Neighborhood Activist
http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=%22robert+Stanford%22+modesto
Seriously Though....
When you click the picture of Bmoore3 bleeding like Christ from his thorns slumped over the Bmoore3 Blog typewriter cartoon - why is it that the access is denied?
Robert Stanford
Airport Neighborhood Activist
http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=%22robert+Stanford%22+modesto
Alright!
That is one list I am happy to be on. Means I am doing something right.
"I care not of what others think I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do. That is character!" Teddy Roosevelt
May I digress and say I like your present tagline JH?
OK back on post. JH it's your turn to explain why you blog on the Hive. Details and deep thinking.
Simple
I like seeing myself talk! I also get a kick out of watching some people contradict themselves when confronted with truth. I wish this blogging thing was a paying job!
"I care not of what others think I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do. That is character!" Teddy Roosevelt
Thanks MtnMom and Peacelover
Your posts are what I had been hoping to see on this tread. You both bring a perspective to why you post and you have been open and honest in your evaluation of why you post at the Hive. I'm hoping that others will follow in the manner you have chosen to respone. No lists, no attacks, no pictures... just thoughtful insight.
if I was a teacher you would get a bucket of ...
And Jh, short and to the point.... "I like seeing myself talk! I also get a kick out of watching some people contradict themselves when confronted with truth. I wish this blogging thing was a paying job!" I think we all have a bit of that in our reasons also...
Well
The reason I post... there are several.
1. Nothing as egotistical as JH, but I hope in some small way I can make a difference.
2. Because we all deserve the truth!
3. Because I enjoy reading other people's perceptions of the world around them. It's interesting.
4. Because I wanted to improve my writing skills, which I have.
5. I'm lucky to have made some amazing friends.
6. This reason is top secret.
chim chimminey
Robert Stanford
Airport Neighborhood Activist
http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=%22robert+Stanford%22+modesto
"I like seeing myself talk."
Yes,
Or like Bmoore3 says -
instant journalists. That's what we are -
Robert Stanford
Airport Neighborhood Activist
http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=%22robert+Stanford%22+modesto
I enjoy
writing in general. This is one of three blogs I write. I enjoy sharing information about The Church and I enjoy expressing my views. The challenge for me has been to address specific points brought up without allowing the personal attacks to derail me. I have grown in my ability to do that and I am pleased with that growth. I had a member of the writing community I do not know personally contact me through a third party to tell me it was fun to watch people on The Hive and compare the comments. While this person does not share my views on every point, he told me he liked the writers that addressed issues without being 'snarky'.
What a great word - 'snarky'.
Thank you, BM3, for your post.
Reasons
I think we could sit and read all day about why we blog. Watching yourself talk is a really good one. Activist1 wrote "Because we all deserve the truth!" OMG, now thats a good one, The only truth here is were all crack pots. This is a ModBee blog, only thing here is opinions and wise cracks. One mans truth is another mans lie. What is truth? "a verified or indisputable fact" well I cant think of one blog based on facts, all here are only rewriting statments heard from other blogs, news, TV and other media. Most here are giving opinions of such information. Verified or indisputable, I think not. We all take for granted that the News media is giving us credible information without even thinking that the media is only trying to tell us what we want to here verified or not.
What kind of truth have you given us Activist1? I have only read cheap shots and word twisting from you. Its clear that there is a lot of animosity between yourself and other bloggers. I have read your blogs and credit you for your research and in depth opinions. I also credit you for your loyal modbee blogging for you are always here. What I do denounce is your ever criticism and slander of others who blog and give there own opinions. You seem to follow the very ones you say you dislike and condemn them as childish then act in the same manner you called childish. You know sticks and stones will brake your bones, but blogging can never hurt you.
Closing this post, I say everyones post are worth reading and evryone is welcome to there opinions. Lets keep the negitive slander of other bloggers out of our topics. "Cant we all get along" RK
Well Geeeze Boones tell me what you really think. lol.
Truth.... truth, you say... You can't handle the truth! (Sorry I couldn't help it)
I don't believe we have ever spoken to each other. Yeah, we can assume that becuase of the fact that I am an Anti-Drug Activist, I'm bound to rub that crowd the wrong way. It comes with the territory. Depending on who you are talking too, like Stanford for instance, he has some pretty colorful words to describe me. He sent me one via email just the other day. (Between you and me, that guy is a walking disaster, don't tell him I said that.)
But, I suggest if you have any questions why not just ask me? I don't bite.
Truth is a strange thing to some people, especially those who have mastered the art of surrounding it but never actually touching on it. That happens a lot around here! But, truth is very real. It's listed in the dictionary, and dictionary's don't lie. :D
Here's one definition:
"the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality"
Yep, that's what I strive for, that's what I work for, that's who I am.
Nice to meet you.
Email...
I sent you that email because I could not post it on the hive and have no place on my blog to post anything of that nature -
I just wanted to tell you how I really felt about you.
From the bottom (very bottom) of my heart.
Robert Stanford
Airport Neighborhood Activist
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22robert+Stanford%22+modesto&hl=en&safe=off&
You over-estimate your importance
You underestimate my importance.
Taylor. Literally.
Robert Stanford
Airport Neighborhood Activist
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22robert+Stanford%22+modesto&hl=en&safe=off&