When I was Charlotte this weekend I took my absolute most favorite furry critter for a walk. He’s such a great guy, so forgiving. He’d not been for a walk in a long time. Sure, when I’m at home, I take him down to the neighbor’s house so that he can play with Poo, a female shih tzu, and he usually ends up doing what he likes to do best. Explore.
This weekend we went on one of our one hour exploration walks where he’s on the leash for about 20 minutes, off for 40. We always go to the same place. There’s a side of the neighborhood that remains undeveloped. As we were walking in this area, I noticed that the signs that were normally posted had changed. Formerly, the signs read: Available. Available meant that this lot had not been chosen for a home and it was available to choose. Now, all of the signs read: Lot for Sale. The builders in the neighborhood have called it quits, basically. The have a few pre-built homes remaining, but are building no more. Further, the lots that they still own, where they would have built other houses, are now for sale to the general public. Build it yourself!
On this particular journey, I did not take my camera with me. This was Hobbs’ time and I wanted him to have my full attention, though he doesn’t need it. I like to give him my full attention because, quite frankly, it gives me joy to watch him zig zag around, smell, pee, zig zag, smell, pee, repeat! He’s always so grateful, too. He’ll take a pause from this meanderings, come back, lick my hand a couple of times, then be on his merry way.
Comments and Courtesy
Passing emotions
I read a very short post by Paul Butzi the other day about his comment policy.
During the 4 years that I’ve run this blog, I’ve only had to delete one or two comments because they were directed at the person who made the comment rather than the the subject.
In my post, Contemporary Photography; I still don’t get it. I gave my opinion about that type of photography and, intentionally, did not mention any specific photographers, as I was talking about the genre, not the photographer him/herself.
Everyone debated the merits and gave their opinion. Some agreed, others did not. Cool. It was just a topic for discussion. However, this morning when I awoke, I had one comment from Martin Doonan that ended:
At first blush, I wondered what I had done to cause such an attack, if you will, and almost deleted the comment. Then I took a moment to look at it, for what it was, an opinion, nothing more, though directed at a particular photo of mine. Quickly, the anger receded and I realized that he did have a right to not like my work, in total, or in single. It doesn’t matter. Had this been directed at another commenter, I would have deleted it for sure.
I did, and still do, think that it was rather rude, though, but that’s my opinion and based on how I would conduct myself in someone else’s ‘house’. Perhaps he revels in contemporary photography and took offense where none was intended. I’m not asking anyone to agree or disagree with me or to throw arrows toward Martin Doonan, or to even validate my opinion that it was rude. Should you decide to hurl arrows, I will delete those comments.
I simply ask that when you leave a comment, please stick to the topic and leave the arrows at home.
If you have your own blog, I’d be happy to hear about your opinion on comments.
Thanks!