Collins has reappeared (only in various comments, so far).

This could be scary and funny and touching and infuriating in turn and all at once. For a sample, or a warning shot (depending on your viewpoint), check out his archives.

I'm all a-tingle.

Posted by: Ted at 06:00 AM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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That's right folks, it's time to start gearing up for the second annual

The rules are simple:

1. If you have a favorite hockey team, place their logo somewhere on your front page.
2. Every time your team plays someone else's team in the Jamboree, the loser must place the winner's logo on their front page for 24 hours.

That's it!

Need an example? Let's say that Victor's Washington Capitals are playing Heather's St. Louis Blues and win (it's an example, not reality *snicker*), then Heather will display the Caps logo prominently for a day or so, and Victor can crow and link to and point out her shame and sudden increase in good blogging taste - yes, trash talking is encouraged.

Last year's line up (I assume you are all participating again):

Victor - Washington Capitals
Heather - St. Louis Blues
Helen - Dallas Stars
Ted - San Jose Sharks (hey, that's me!)

Others I expect will participate this year:

Daniel - Atlanta Thrashers
Nic - Washington Capitals

Who else? Gir, what moosey club do you follow now that the Jets left town? Any Detroit fans? Who still admits that they kinda like the Rangers?

So everyone, let me know and I'll do the minimal setting of this up (translation: I'll make a list). If anyone needs, I have a source for team logo's if you can't find one.

Despite the name, I see no reason that this can't be open to any and all.

I just hope that there will be a hockey season this year.

(sorry for the cheap shot, Victor)

Posted by: Ted at 07:24 PM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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July 3rd. It was a year ago (give or take a few days) when Rocket Jones started on BlogSpot. Like many others, I owe huge thanks to Pixy Misa for offering me a new home on Munuviana. One of my personal goals was to post something every day, and believe it or not I managed that. It's kind of like Cal Ripken's consecutive game record: at some point I'll miss a day and now that I've reached the one year point, I'll be ok with the end of the streak.

The first blog I ever read was Rachel Lucas, and it was sheer accident that I stumbled across her site. Several guys where I used to work are avid shooters, so for fun I googled "Girls with Guns" or something similar. Rachel Lucas' place came up, and I discovered blogs. I read around for some time, sent a few emails, was actually answered by a few people (which surprised me - thank you Rachel and our very own Annika), and eventually decided that by sharing myself on a blog of my own, the world might not be a better place, but it'd survive. What the hell.

So today, rather than toot my own horn, I'd like to mention a few memorable posts I've read since I started blogging. This is by no means a comprehensive list.

Spork bringing back Rachel Lucas. At least the scary little girl floating head part of her.

Stephen's iPod project, back when he was still on BlogSpot. His series inspired me to start building a rocket online.

Meatriarch's multi-part dog breed posts. Three quick notes: 1 - did you decide to not move to the Munuviana site? If so, then I need to readjust my links back to the old place. 2. There's no search function on your old site, could you give the links in the comments here, because... 3. These "dog" posts are outstanding, and everyone that hasn't had the chance to read them should take the time.

The story of Collins. The man, the nose, the saga. Gone, but not forgotten.

My first Instalanche, during the original link war on Frank J, when I compared Frank to Aquaman - unfavorably (yeah, so I tooted my horn a little bit).

Funniest line: From Anna at Primal Purge, about women having way too many children: "It's a vagina, lady, not a clown car".

(Ok, another toot) Winning three photo caption contests on three different sites: Wizbang!, Captain's Quarters, and Blather Review. Take that all you authority figures who said being a smartass would never get me anywhere!

The picture that Helen drew in my mind with this:

...while he was busy on a tractor on one of them I walked along the cornrows in amiable company with my man, Mario. We noticed a patch of unplanted ground, a little cove that had thick grass under the shelter of some trees. Investigating closer, I found it was a small graveyard, a jumble of tombstones falling to the side, the names edging their way back out of the headstone, a family of tombstones grouped under the trees, forgotten.

A whole family, buried and ignored for the rest of their internment.

Paul, over at Sanity's Edge, who had me laughing to the point of tears with his post Tales From The Holidays. Just head over there and click on his "best of" link, you won't go wrong (there, I've linked it - happy now?).

I know I'm forgetting a million others. I'm about 2/3 of the way through a bottle of Sangria, which makes my total alcohol consumption for the year about 3 beers and 2/3's of a bottle of Sangria. It also makes for a pleasant buzz, I'm a cheap date.

There was that intervention set up by WindRider over at Bloviating Inanities. Virtual Anarchy, and lots of fun. Search the archives over there, look for Rocket Jones amongst others.

And of course, meeting people in real life. Over the last year, I've enjoyed a wonderful visit with SilverBlue and his compadres PoloRandy and Tink (and Roxette Bunny). I've shared a fun meal or three with the lovely Dawn, which is pronounced completely differently than Don.

So that's it, one year. Thanks to everyone who's ever stopped by to read, and who've left a comment (on slow days even the spammers are welcomed). Some bloggers just seem to attract scads of comments, and I never really got the knack for the cult thing I tried to set up (the sample fridge magnets were hideous). My online time has been sharply curtailed lately, so I'm not able to visit as many sites as I'd like each day. If you're on the blogroll, I stop by at least occasionally.

Now I've got to watch one more old movie for a review I'll post today (tomorrow actually, because I'm writing this last night). And Rocket Jones will continue on as before, sputtering and sparking and occasionally soaring to great heights of silliness.

It's just a year, but damn I'm proud of it.

Posted by: Ted at 12:28 AM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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1 I discovered Rocket Jones when I saw the ISP State.gov in my sitemeter. I asked Mark Oakly of Rocketman Blog- who was the refering URL what he new about someone from the government reading our sites. I think I might have referenced black helicopters!

Congratulations on the first year. I hope you have enjoyed it as much the rest of us.

Posted by: Stephen Macklin at July 03, 2004 07:51 AM (4819r)

2 I've been reading you almost the whole time, then. You should be proud, you do a great job. And at some point we'll have to meet up in person; the Potomac isn't that wide a river to cross...
Oh, and what kind of cake are you making for the birthday party?

Posted by: nic at July 03, 2004 08:19 AM (16A49)

3 I took my traditional half-day before a 3-day weekend yesterday, came home and hit the kitchen. White Chicken Chile, a batch of peanut butter cookies, and a batch of snickerdoodles. Plenty of goodies for celebrating.

Posted by: Ted at July 03, 2004 08:35 AM (ZjSa7)

4 I don't remember when I started reading your blog, but you haven't scared me away yet. Happy blogiversary, Ted!

Posted by: dawn at July 03, 2004 08:12 PM (Zgn4s)

5 Congratulations!

Nice logo, too

Posted by: Pixy Misa at July 04, 2004 12:03 AM (+S1Ft)

6 Rocket Jones is one of only about ten blogs that I truly read every day. Great job, Ted, and here's to another year!

And I owe thanks to Jen--I found you thru her, as I recall.

Posted by: Victor at July 04, 2004 08:33 AM (16A49)

7 Ted,
Belated congrats on the blogiversary. It's not just that my knowledge of cheesy B-movies would have been lacking, but the whole blogisphere would have been a little darker if you hadn't stuck around.

Looking forward to another year of reading ya.

Posted by: Publicola at July 04, 2004 04:07 PM (Aao25)

8 Congrats on your Blogoversary Ted and thanks for the mention!

Here are the two posts you were interested in:

http://meatriarchy.blogspot.com/archives/2004_01_11_meatriarchy_archive.html#107399767864140106

http://meatriarchy.blogspot.com/archives/2004_01_11_meatriarchy_archive.html#107408560092268352


As for my new site I am working on a design with another blogger and will unveil it soon.

Meantime keep reading the original meatriarchy.blogspot.com or look for my occasional posts on "the shotgun" the blog of Canada's newest right wing magazine "The Western Standard."

And if you want to search my site or any site just use google's "search site" function.

Posted by: The Meatriarchy at July 04, 2004 09:05 PM (cYRBs)

9 Congratulations, Ted, and happy Blogiversary.

Posted by: Jon Henke at July 05, 2004 09:33 AM (EHefn)

10 Congrats on the paper anniversary! Sorry I was out-of-town and off-the-net when it happened.

Your site is one of my daily reads, and I am having fun catching up on what I missed while away in Colorado.

Posted by: John Lanius at July 14, 2004 12:30 AM (gplif)

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Does that banner above make my blog look fat?

It's a little too large I think. I'll have to shrink it a bit more this evening. I like the picture itself though. She's got a sly smile which hints at naughty times ahead. Just like Rocket Jones!

I'll be updating the hockey playoffs team array later to show the second round matchups.

And there's a new tagline over on the right. The tagline archive is here.

Oh yeah, Google has a graphic up celebrating Earth Day.

Posted by: Ted at 06:49 AM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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San Jose Sharks take the series against your St. Louis Blues, 4 games to 1.

Next!

Posted by: Ted at 12:45 AM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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(in the extended entry - work safe) more...

Posted by: Ted at 07:20 AM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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For proof, all you need to know is that "Yay!" is the traditional Munuvian greeting and celebratory exclamation.

He alone recognized the need to keep it short and simple, as MuNu expands at a rate comparible to the business at an all-you-can-eat buffet opening next to a Jenny Craig.

A collective Yay! to the following new fellow-Munuvians:

A Likely Story
There's One, Only!
Mamamontezz's Mental Rumpus Room
Light & Dark
It's All About De
TexasBestGrok
Fear Your Future
2Flower To You
Anticipatory Retaliation
The Meatriarchy
Ellis Island
Blogo Slovo
Brain Fertilizer
Physics Geek
Beyond the Black Hole
The Massive Whinger
Straight White Guy
Key Issues
Martinis, Persistence, and a Smile
Closet Extremist
Shoes, Ships, and Sealing Wax
Combat Arms
Frinklin Speaks

Some were already on my blogroll in their old digs, some are new to me. Go explore a little bit, and say hi.

Oh, and check out Fear Your Future. It's a new teen group blog born of some pebbles rattling around inside Mookie's skull. Ask pointed questions, and don't give them the easy out. Remember, they may be the generation that picks out your old-folks home.

Posted by: Ted at 10:41 AM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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Once again, the traditional Munuvian greeting, welcome and joyful exclamation (it's a compact language) echos through the hills as Munuviana continues it's assimilation of the blogosphere celebratory birthday expansion.

The newest batch to bribe their way through customs (hint: pineapple fried rice) have arrived. Stop by and say hello to:

Rambling Rhodes
XSet
Lemur Girl
Educated Beyond Her Intelligence
Primal Purge
Flying Space Monkey Chronicles

There are more pushing and shoving patiently waiting in line to join the Munuvia clan. They should, because we are the cool kids.

I expect there will be many housewarming parties held as folks get settled in.

Posted by: Ted at 08:07 AM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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That's the traditional Munuvian greeting, welcome and joyful exclamation. And if'n you listen carefully, you'll hear many a 'yay' in the distance as Munuviana expands mightily.

Pixy Misa, author of Ambient Irony, has generously decided to offer up space for relocation and settlement. So far, welcome:

Miss Apropos
Little Miss Attila
Triticale
Backstage
Um's Musings

Check back, there will be many more in the near future. Oh, and if they don't look active right away, give 'em a little time because it takes a while to pack up and move, not to mention decorate. Sheesh people, new homes are always painted stark white.

Posted by: Ted at 10:07 AM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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Say hello to Debbye over at Being American in T.O., the newest Munuvian. As far as I can tell, if you imagine Iron Chef Rivendell, speaking only in verse whilst competing in a dessert battle, you've got a fair idea. Then again, first impressions can be so misleading.

Welcome Debbye. I'm not really an idiot (see 'first impressions', above).

And if you didn't already know about it, over on the right I have a tagline that changes once in a while, and a tagline archive with some classic favorites.

Posted by: Ted at 06:01 AM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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Simon uses it, so does Helen (I think). I've seen it on other non-US blogs too.

Whinging

Is that whinging, as in "wing-ing"?

Or is that whinging, as in "win-jing"?

Posted by: Ted at 07:14 AM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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The grand announcements were met with a yawn. As was the reminder. So now I'm moving right past threats and heading straight for bribery.

You may remember, back when the Axis of Evil Naughty (Classic) was nothing but a disorganized mob - not that that's a bad thing - and Jennifer decided to bribe folks with topless pictures of herself. You may also recall that yours truly was the first to vote for Jennifer, and I got the 'special' picture. The rest of you got the innocent version. Nya nya slow-pokes.

Get your butts in gear and send some questions to Spork and Stephen. Google if you must, but don't let these two share a meal without your input! If it helps, pretend you're controlling their thoughts long-distance.

And don't forget the picture of Jennifer!*

*This offer applies to all but Jennifer. Dearest Jen, I'll post it on the newsgroup ALT.BINARIES.AMATUER.TOPLESS if you don't send at least one question to each. Don't test me, I'll do it.

Update: Susie is a classy lady.

Update: Victor is one hep rat too.

Posted by: Ted at 02:23 PM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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1 The deadline is Thursday. It is obviously Wednesday and I therefore have plenty of time.

Posted by: Jennifer at March 03, 2004 02:36 PM (DdBLw)

2 Bribery works better beforehand, otherwise it's a payoff, and I'm not comfortable with that.

Posted by: Ted at March 03, 2004 02:39 PM (blNMI)

3 Am I eligible to win?

Posted by: Stephen Macklin at March 03, 2004 04:30 PM (UquFN)

4 Ted, you rock! When yer up this-a-way in the late summer I'm buyin' all night!

Posted by: Tuning Spork at March 03, 2004 09:29 PM (6OMvH)

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Mucho thanks and manly back-slapping hugs to Pixy. With his efforts, all the Munuvians are now hosted on a new and much faster server. This means that Rocket Jones will now rocket*.

*Speed-wise that is. Expect the drivel to continue as before.

Posted by: Ted at 01:53 PM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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Taking a cue from the flea ethereal, here's a list of countries that have appeared on my visitor logs:

United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, South Africa, Italy, Sweden, Japan, New Zealand, Netherlands, Germany, Estonia, Norway, Belgium, Spain, Finland, France, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ireland, Austria, Denmark, Romania, Poland, Isreal, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Greece, Malaysia, China, Brazil, Iceland, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, India, Philippines, Portugal, Argentina, Slovenia, Nigeria, and the Russian Federation.

Welcome all, and thanks for visiting. And I know not all of them are countries, but they have their own internet country code suffix. And that, as my dad would say, is good enough for the girls I go with.

Posted by: Ted at 08:28 PM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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Last evening I had the pleasure of meeting the ultra-fuschia Dawn of Caterwauling. I expect that now she'll comment that her suit was 'dusty rose' or some other girl color - they do that to make us guys look stupid - but it doesn't matter, it looked good.

We shared wonderful conversation over mexican food, and then she treated me to my first ever Starbucks. I'm such a peasant, I ordered a coffee.

Good times. I tell you, blogging is the best thing this ol' internet stalker ever got into.

Posted by: Ted at 07:08 AM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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1 It was definitely fuschia. And it was a pleasure to meet you, too, my friend!

Posted by: Dawn at February 12, 2004 10:50 AM (Q0xHi)

2 I always order coffee at Starbucks.
The coffee is pretty good.

Posted by: starhawk at February 13, 2004 08:52 PM (EUVP8)

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I find myself deleting a lot of half-finished comments on other people's blogs. Or considering a response, only to censor myself for being too nitpicky, ornery or trite. I still try to comment everywhere I visit at least once in a while, if nothing else to show that I've been there and reading.

Do you do that?

Posted by: Ted at 02:15 PM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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1 I know what you mean about half-finished comments. Many times I start to say something, but then

Posted by: TL Hines at February 03, 2004 02:24 PM (lZuGl)

2 I comment if I have something to say but I'm hesitant about the "hi, love your blog" or "I linked to you" kind of comments. I guess I worry that people will think I'm just trying to be noticed, which of course is true sometimes.

Posted by: Lynn S at February 03, 2004 03:12 PM (Y5t7B)

3 I do it too, particularly if I lose track of what I was going to say in the middle of it. Which seems to be happening more often since my last birthday !

Posted by: Susie at February 03, 2004 03:22 PM (0+cMc)

4 Yup. All the time. I start writing a comment and then try to think how the other person might see it and figure it might be better left unsaid.

On the other hand some bloggers (like me) would appreciate any comment - they can always send a few emails to sort out any misunderstanding from the comment.

Posted by: Ozguru at February 03, 2004 04:35 PM (/acvO)

5 Sometimes I think I write more in other blogs comments than I do in my own blog. And since I'm doing it in their comment form and not the text editor I use for writing posts, I'm doing it without spell check! Always very dangerous.

Posted by: Stephen Macklin at February 03, 2004 04:57 PM (UquFN)

6 Yep. Constantly.
This is the comment to show you I'm still here and reading! ;-)

Posted by: Nic at February 03, 2004 07:43 PM (16A49)

7 No, never, not at all...

Uh, which is to say, yes.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at February 03, 2004 08:03 PM (jtW2s)

8 All the time. I probably wrote and cancelled five comments just last night. Usually it's because I tried to be either funny or profound and it just wasn't working. I'd rather say nothing than say something lame-ass embarrassing like this nipple shield I'm exposing.

Ooops.

Posted by: Tuning Spork at February 04, 2004 01:38 AM (2Wvu5)

9 Not often enough, and definately not often enough on your blog Ted.

Posted by: Rocket Man Blog at February 04, 2004 01:48 AM (OVHEo)

10 That's a load of sh

Posted by: AnonymousKyle at February 04, 2004 08:45 AM (blNMI)

11 Rarely, and that's usually because I have to calm down first. I do find myself editing the bejeepers out of some comments, tho.

Posted by: Victor at February 04, 2004 12:57 PM (L3qPK)

12 I seem to do that a lot lately (except since I'm a new visitor here, this is comment #3 so far) -- it's as though you're in the middle of typing a comment and you're suddenly struck with an extreme case of commentphobia or shyness or something. It's strange -- why begin typing a comment only to end up deleting it?

Posted by: Cindy at February 07, 2004 04:10 PM (i1ipe)

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The Dallas Stars beat the San Jose Sharks last night 3-1, which is something like their twelfth win in the last 15 games between the two teams.

So in keeping with the rules of our Inter-Munuviana Hockey Whoopass Jamboree, the Dallas Stars logo will be displayed up top in my banner for a day or so.

Congrats Helen.

Posted by: Ted at 12:16 PM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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I got the chance to meet SilverBlue, PoloRandy, Tink and Roxette Bunny this afternoon when they wandered northwards into my neck of the woods. I felt like I was getting back together with old friends, and we spent an hour talking about anything and everything. What was especially fun was to watch these four interact like the family unit they are.

Roxette Bunny was not as tall as I had imagined. And if I may be non-politically correct ungentlemanly for a moment, Tink is a real cutie! *wolf whistle*

PoloRandy and Tink had tickets to a basketball game and had to leave, but John and I walked and talked our way through Potomac Mills mall for awhile longer before I had to say adios.

A lot of bloggers do their thing because they have opinions to share, or they want to improve their writing. For me, today was what it's all about, it's the people I meet online and the friendships that grow there. For me, blogging is all about you. Thanks for stopping by my friends, and I hope you come back again soon.

Posted by: Ted at 06:04 PM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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Congrats to Helen and her Dallas Stars, who defeated my beloved San Jose Sharks last night 3-zip. In accordance with our informal bet for the season, the Stars logo will be displayed up top for a day or so.

Posted by: Ted at 04:53 AM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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1 WooHoo!

I love it when we crush the fish

Posted by: Matt Navarre at January 14, 2004 05:17 AM (n/wkr)

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I was wondering whether or not to respond here to The Bartender or not, and had basically decided to leave it alone. IÂ’ve got no problem with someone vehemently disagreeing with my opinion, but heÂ’s made it personal on his blog.

As he mentioned in the comments here, we had a private email exchange where we were talking about various points in my first post. It was friendly enough, although when someone warns me up front that they’re going to be sarcastic and then closes by telling me they’d better end it before they get really ‘shitty’ about it, well, that fits my definition of ‘incensed’.

I thought that bit about Tijuana was funny. After seeing it labeled ‘that little punch’ by Madfish, I carefully reread it. Sorry guy, I still think it’s funny, and I think you need to take the chip off your shoulder and work on your sense of humor.

Apparently I also didn’t include enough disclaimers about “this is my opinion”, or “to my eye”, or “this means nothing more than what you want it to”, because The Bartender took every bit of it personally.

I visit all the Mu.Nu blogs at least once a day. I consider that the least I can do as part of the Munuvian family. All families have occasional strife, and sometimes the best thing to do is walk away.

ItÂ’s a big internet Bartender, enjoy it. I am. 'nuff said.

Update: my original post is here, and the followup is here.

Posted by: Ted at 01:39 PM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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