Extinct Blog of the Day

Today's hospiced blog is...The Pseudo Body Politic. For the past two weeks I'm sure our loyal reader(s) has wondered what has befallen TPBP. Rest assured, pw, Aaron, manfish, and myself are all alive and well. Put simply, after a discussion with those folks, I've decided that TPBP has run its course.

On a more positive note, and one of the reasons I'm taking a hiatus from TPBP, is because it's looking likely that I'll soon be a contributing member to Beyond Bread, a blog run by Bread for the City, a large DC nonprofit that engages in all kinds of support services for DC residents in need of help. I'm not sure exactly when I'll be up and running with those folks, but it should be soon. I'll let you all know.

This blog started with a $1 bet (that has yet to be paid) with my friend Dome about whether TPBP would endure for a week. It did. It's been seven months, nearly 500 posts, four total contributors, and 200,000 words of original content. During it's tenure, over 1,000 separate people from 30 countries checked it out at one time or another.

In terms of content, some of it's been shit, and some of it (mostly from pw, Aaron, and manfish) has been quality. Sorry for anybody that had to wade through the former to get to the latter.

This blog came along when I desperately needed something to focus my time on, and a way to sharpen my writing skills. TPBP gave me both.

A blog is, above all, a community. To anybody that stopped by, commented, or contributed in any way, thanks. Commenters db, nick, and anonymous deserve a special shoutout, as does any cleveresque pseudonym my brother invented. Special thanks to Aaron, pw, and manfish, who are all great people and talented writers, and were willing to let me share this space with them.

I won't be "turning the blog off" so to speak. It will remain up and one never knows when one of us will show our Pseudo faces, so feel free to check back at your leisure.

Until then...

Extinct Blog of the Day

Today's (un)dead blog is focused on WoW (World or Warcraft). For those of you unfamiliar, WoW is the most popular of a class of on-line games that has ultimately ruined more lives than crack. I was reading something on Ta-Nehisi's blog about how a lot of companies intentionally screen out WoW players because they have haphazard sleeping paterns, tend to be less socially motivated, etc. I had a (relatively) normal friend of mine who WoWed an average of 50 hours a week over the course of a year, and subsequently sold his character (yes, you can do that) for an amount that literally turned out to be like 2 cents/hour.

Anyway...in this blog, whose author remains anonymous, you can find out these useful tips for beginning players, of which my favorite by far is number five which states:

5. Have an escape plan in mind when you get jumped

Words to live by.

Extinct Blog of the Day

Today's feckless blog belongs to the Ohio University Undergraduate Student Senate, with their "yOUr Undergraduate Student Senate Blog". It's unclear what purpose the blog was supposed to serve, though whatever it was it hasn't served it since May of '08. It was apparently designed to be, "Your source for Student Senate information". Alas, these days there seems to be no information to convey.

I checked the homepage of the organization to try to ascertain the fate of the blog (and with it the purpose of the organization). My favorite part was under the "About Undergraduate Student Senate" tab on the left. I implore you to click on the "What We Do" button, which brings you here. Good times. I hope they're one of those organizations that people join in order to put on a resume and get recommendations, and not advocacy based, or else those poor kids are screwed.

Extinct Blog of the Day

Today's blog is hosted by Oakley C. Merideth (I insist you to follow that link and check out his bio), winner of the "2004 NM Culture Net Poetry WebSlam". Oakley has "always wanted to ride a horse while holding the severed head of a mythical behemoth while my father shouts “Callooh! Callay!” (and really, who hasn't)"

He hosted a poetry blog for "Santa Fe Arts and Culture" (I further insist that PW follow this link, for a reason that should become obvious). Though he has managed only one post in the last 2+ years, I think it's safe to say that his legend will never die. I actually tried to get someone to do a weekly or bi-weekly poetry post a while back, though they politely declined (I should try again, as they recently quit their job to move abroad).

Regardless, I would like to appoint Oakley C. Merideth the official Poet Laureate of TPBP, and I insist (my third insistence this post for those of you keeping track at home) that this honor feature prominently in Oakley C. Merideth's CV.

Extinct Blog of the Day

Today's sad blog belonged to "the dealio", and followed the Seattle Supersonics, who ripped the heart out of a great fan base and moved to Oklahoma City to become the Thunder this year. It's both funny and sad seeing dealio's final posts as the Sonics finally departed Seattle. Bill Simmons, a formerly great sportswriter, who's now just intermittently good and well on his way to being the next Rick Reilly, pretty much hit all the nails on the head detailing the Sonics demise. Despite the above swipe his stuff's actually worth checking out.

On a side note, after a lifetime of being a Cincinnati Bengals fan, I'm really giving some thought to following the Redskins now that I'm in DC. Anyone have any thoughts on this? It's a little on the pathetic side, as I'm not sure it'd be considering it minus the Bengals being so unlikable, but here I find myself...

Perhaps we could formulate some pros and cons.

Extinct Blog of the Day

Today's blog belongs to "padutch" who founded the Amish Blog. Founded might be too strong a word, as the blog only contained one post -- about the killing of 10 children at an Amish school that occurred in 2006. This blog was apparently a resource for those curious about the Amish, though it's origins and purpose are a bit clouded, as you'll see if you check it out.

In what can now safely be called a pattern, despite the blog's singular post, there were 36 comments, and multiple front page ads, which would indicate a fair amount of traffic. It would seem that I continue to pick Extinct Blogs that had far more notoriety, sometimes even in death, than TPBP has in life. But fear not TPBP community, as our fame is quietly biding its time.

Extinct Blog of the Day

Today's blog, Meet Vernon, belongs to Vernon Lee Evans (via Virginia Simmons). Vernon was a death row inmate in Maryland. He received a stay of execution in 2006, but I was unable to find out how long that had been for and if he was still alive. Given that the blog was last updated nearly 30 months ago, I am assuming that he was eventually executed.

There aren't tons of posts, but the ones that exist, combined with comments and questions from people that wrote him, make for interesting reading.

Update: Commenter Chuck D stated that Vernon was still alive and on Maryland's death row. I'll post a link if I can find one.

Later Update: In the comments Chuck D said:
The organization "Maryland Citizens Against State Executions" has a good, regularly updated website. Check the details of Vernon's captivity here.

Thanks for the info Chuck. I wonder why he stopped posting?

Extinct Blog of the Day

Today's blog belongs to Farah Anwarullah, who writes The Muslim Housewife blog, and likes "...working out, trying out new recipes, reading and of course Apple computers!". She started her blog to be a "place where limiting beliefs are lifted and the true definition of a Muslim housewife is brought to life and crowned!".

Though she used to be a semi-frequent poster, she appears to have trailed off a bit in the last couple of months. Her posts are interspersed with all kinds of Arabic sayings that make following it annoying and cool at the same time.

Though an infrequent poster, she's got at least a moderate following, as damn near every post has quite a few comments. This seems to be an emerging theme here with the Extinct Blog of the Day. I highlight all these abandoned blogs that still manage to have more traffic than mine. I'm sure it doesn't mean anything.

Being an agnostic, Farah and I probably don't have much in common (though we both apparently enjoy cooking...and reading, so perhaps I shouldn't be so quick to judge). Regardless, I salute you Farah -- owner of our Extinct Blog of the Day.

Extinct Blog of the Day

Today's foreclosed blog belongs to Bill McCready, whose futures blog we were assured would be filled with:

...articles, trading tips and charts which show how to day trade futures, including futures trading strategies, systems and resources, as well as money management and trading psychology for successful traders.

Alas, Bill's blog, though not quite extinct, seems to only ring in at about one post every other month. Though lacking in posts, Bill's a big fan of labels, which he uses liberally. It's worth checking out, if only to see Bill's kick ass head shot in the upper left-hand part of the page.

Update: I googled Bill's name, and it seems as though he wrote at least one of those silly 10 step "guide-to-making (X) wildly-successful" books, X in this case being running a small business. It's difficult to figure out whether he's semi-legit or a snake oil salesman. Either way, I'd wager his blog receives significantly more traffic than mine.

Hats off to you Bill, our Extinct Blog of the Day.

Extinct Blog of the Day

Today's cashed blog belongs to "Robert Marley" who, in an apparent effort to reinforce stoner stereotypes, only made 13 posts before his "Legalization of Marijuana" blog was put to bed. My favorite part is the Legalization Survey on the right sidebar. Three in favor and none opposed. A landslide. In light of the recent Massachusetts decriminalization vote, you'd think he'd come out of retirement in order to fire up the troops (I'm sorry, I can't help it).

Extinct Blog of the Day

I don't really know how extinct this blog is, but it simply had to be featured. You're doing yourself a disservice if you don't take a moment and check it out. My favorite part: At least now I don't need to worry about what to get everyone for Christmas (just scroll down to the third post).

I would've had to make this place up if it didn't already exist.

Extinct Blog of the Day

Today's bankrupt blog chronicled the fall of the Enron company, and was apparently "sponsored" by the people that brought you "The Smartest Guys in the Room". Sounds pretty sweet. Anybody out there want to sponsor TPBP? We come cheap, believe me.

Extinct Blog of the Day

Today's belly up blog is the "Bass Pundit Fantasy Bass Fishing HQ", where one could have gone for all of the latest on fantasy bass fishing. I can't even imagine really. We're all into some odd stuff, but this is pretty hard core. The sad thing is that these guys probably have all the disdain in the world for losers that play D&D, with absolutely no sense of irony.

Extinct Blog of the Day

Today's blog belongs to Cincinnati Inquirer reporter Paul Daugherty, who blogged the 2004 Olympic games in Athens. Paul treated his blog more like a spiral note pad during 7th period study hall, than as an actual medium for the distribution of news. Which, wouldn't be at all funny, if he wasn't, you know...a professional reporter and columnist. Enjoy.

The Not So Extinct Blog of the Day

Faithful TPBP readers may remember my Extinct Blog of the Day on August 6th in which we profiled the Green Family, who was enjoying an "Eco-friendly journey towards ethical living, self sufficiency and a sustainable lifestyle". One was left to wonder what had become of the Greens -- had they perished from a vitamin deficiency? Had they lost access to the computer when the stationary bike turbine that powered it went kaput?

Wrong on both counts, I'm happy to report, as Mrs Green herself informed me today in the comments section:

Awww, we're not extinct - like a phoenix we rise from the ashes! Let's call it hibernation!

Interesting feedback on the lunar posts - I'll put a full moon one up this week, just for you ;)

Mrs G x

Score one for TPBP! Score several in fact. In order of importance:
1) The Green's blog on, and are no doubt continuing to have a carbon footprint the size of a quark.
2) Though I've been uncertain of the identities of several commenters in the past, this is the first one I'm absolutely sure came from outside our immediate (and peripheral) circle of acquaintances.
3) We can expect another lunar astrology post (this probably should have been number one)! The full moon, no less. Mrs. Green, could I but wish that this one be in honor of the community that is TPBP? Definitely the stuff that dreams are made of.

Extinct Blog of the Day

Today's departed blog belonged to soldier Andrew Olmsted, whose blog ended when he was killed in Iraq on January 3rd of this year. His last post (pre-written, to be posted in the event of his death) was published by hilzoy over at ObsidianWings. I read his blog before his death and remember crying when I read his last post more than 8 months ago. I didn't know then that I'd ever have a blog, much less a feature whose confines allowed me to rediscover his writing. I learned more from reading his blog than from every embedded reporter I ever saw on NBC combined. Money quote(s):

What I don't want this to be is a chance for me, or anyone else, to be maudlin. I'm dead. That sucks, at least for me and my family and friends. But all the tears in the world aren't going to bring me back, so I would prefer that people remember the good things about me rather than mourning my loss. (If it turns out a specific number of tears will, in fact, bring me back to life, then by all means, break out the onions.) I had a pretty good life, as I noted above. Sure, all things being equal I would have preferred to have more time, but I have no business complaining with all the good fortune I've enjoyed in my life. So if you're up for that, put on a little 80s music (preferably vintage 1980-1984), grab a Coke and have a drink with me. If you have it, throw 'Freedom Isn't Free' from the Team America soundtrack in; if you can't laugh at that song, I think you need to lighten up a little. I'm dead, but if you're reading this, you're not, so take a moment to enjoy that happy fact...

I do ask (not that I'm in a position to enforce this) that no one try to use my death to further their political purposes. I went to Iraq and did what I did for my reasons, not yours. My life isn't a chit to be used to bludgeon people to silence on either side.

Fair enough. As he wished, I won't espouse my personal views about the Iraq War in this space, under his last words asking me to refrain from doing just that. But, I hope that he will excuse me if I do take this opportunity to remind people that through the Olympics, through McCain's attack ads, through Obama's vacation choice, through Paris Hilton's jail time and John Edwards' paternity issues, the Iraq War continues. Andrew's fate, while particularly public, was not particularly special, having been shared by 4,137 other American soldiers as of today. I think we owe it to them, not necessarily to call for troop withdrawal, or further commitment and involvement -- but to at least care. To think about the way forward. To realize that, in a democracy, our government's involvement is your involvement, and my involvement, and to think about what our roles are (however small) within that framework. To refuse to be bystanders.

Extinct Blog of the Day

Today's inactive blog features the Green family's "eco blog". I particularly enjoyed their four posts under the "lunar astrology" label. Live the dream Green family.

Extinct Blog of the Day

Today's orphaned blog belongs to Steven Carlson, a self-described "Child Custody Coach", who started a Child Custody Blog that only ever had three postings. So...if you ever wanted to know the parameters of California child custody law, or buy his great book, "Winning Child Custody: Proven Strategies that can Win You Custody and Save You Thousands in Attorney Cost!" I guess you know where to go.

There's just something about that subtitle, especially the exclamation point, that makes me feel creepy. I realize there are those out there that would probably be into a blog or book like this, but personally, I'm not about to start an e-mail campaign to get Steve to resurrect this site, which hasn't had a post in exactly one and one half years. I don't know if Steve's still out there coaching, but part of me hopes the occupation went the way of the blog.

I will say that in the category of "morbid statistics that there's luckily no way to possibly gather", I'd be interested to know how each child of a parent that bought this book was doing five or ten years down the road.

Extinct Blog of the Day

Today's featured extinct blog is Cassandra Angel's modeling blog "Eye Candy" which contains but a single post with the unfulfilled promise of more to come.

I tried googling her name, to see if she'd made it big as a model or as something else, only to find this site, registered with her own domain, which was seemingly abandoned as well.

Extinct Blog of the Day

In fairness, this blog had a post a month or so ago, but as I'm in charge of the selective criteria for what constitutes a retired blog... Messenger and Advocate is a Mormon blog about politics and law. The last couple of posts were about the LDS church's response to the California constitutional amendment initiative seeking to nullify all same sex marriages and revert back to their previous Heteros only definition.

Apparently the LDS Church sent out an official memo of sorts to be read in "sacrament meetings" urging the congregation's support of the amendment. Far out. This guy's blog links to an article in the San Fran Chronicle talking about it.

Though I recognize that it's perfectly within the church's right to engage in political advocacy of this nature, I'd be lying if I said it didn't creep me out.