Blogher - Friday morning session

The Bloghers ACT is now being discussed...

In light of the diversity of the bloggers in Blogher, one aspect of the project is to find those key questions that the 2008 candidates need to answer. No matter the answer, we need to know where they stand on various issues.

The burning global issue is health.

Top 4 issues for the voter manifesto:
1. Health care (57%)
2. Global warming
3. Iraq
4. Homelessness

Bloghers ACT spawned a lovechild...Bloghers ACT Canada! The environment wins as their top issue.

blogher07

Blogher Pre-Party

Last night's Chicago Moms blog party was awesome. Not only is it great to meet people I meet online, but I got a lot of compliments. And honestly, mujeres, it was what I really needed.

One of you said that I make you feel like you write fluff because I go off on political rants and you write about the fun things you do with your kids. Let me say that we need the fluff. The fluff is what I want us to be able to do more of. Flextime, paid leave, real work/life balance is all about being able to do the fluff more.

The other Vero & I connected with more than our names. I usually find it quite odd to be in the same room with another Vero, but I felt uber-comfy with you, thanks.

And gotta give it up to Yahoo! for sponsoring the party and MASSIVE martinis. Goodness, I wish I didn't have to drive last night. Photos to be posted later.


blogher07

Homelessness...It's a Choice!

No, I didn't just lose my mind, but it's the debate going on over at Chicago Parent. Head on over and chime in my dear 2 readers. I promise I'll still love you if you don't take my side. If you bring me coffee with Splenda & lots of cream.

NASA "Bottle-to-Throttle" Time: 12 Hours

CNN reported that astronauts were allowed to fly drunk on at least two occasions. A special panel studying astronaut health, which found "heavy use of alcohol" before launch that was within the standard 12-hour "bottle-to-throttle" rule.

I never knew that such bottle-to-throttle" rule even existed... According to the the International Herald Tribune, "the level of alcohol in the bloodstream allowed by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau is zero. In Britain, in contrast, the alcohol limit for pilots and other air crew is set at 20 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood.

We have a 10-hour bottle-to-throttle rule," said a senior pilot for the Cathay Pacific Airways who did not wish to be identified."

The Federal Aviation Administration recommends 8 hours from “bottle to throttle." (PDF file).

References:
Report: Drunk astronauts allowed on shuttle. CNN, 7/2007.
Image source: Wikipedia, GNU Free Documentation License.

Chocolate Rain by Tay Zonday

This is the latest YouTube hit: Chocolate Rain by Tay Zonday has been seen (listened to) 820,000 times in just 2 months.


From Tay's profile:

"Yes, I have a deep voice. No, I don't fake it. Yes, I look young. I am 25 years old. I have never studied piano or voice formally."

"Chocolate rain..."

It is a catchy tune for sure. This is one of the YouTube responses.

Update 8/1/2007:

Chocolate Rain has been viewed 2,580,00 times on YouTube as of today. Tay has a new song called Internet Dream that many bloggers may identify themselves with:

"So every day I'm gonna go to bed at like eleven.
And all of a sudden its 4AM . . .
And I was just watching Youtube and reading Wikipedia for five hours."



References:
Tay Zonday Day. YouTube blog, 7/2007.

Blogher here I come!

This weekend Blogher 2007 hits Navy Pier and the Chicago Parent blog will be well represented. So far, I know that Meredith from A Mom's Life, Kim from Scrambled CAKE and myself will be there. If you're going, please leave a comment so we know to look for you. If you're too shy to leave a comment, here are the breakout sessionsI plan to attend. I do plan on being at each night's cocktail reception, but who knows for how long. I'm not staying at a conference hotel, but commuting from home:

Day One Schedule - Friday, July 27th, 2007

10:45-12:00: Breakout #1

Community: The Life Stages of Online Communities

Backup is Art of Life: Finding and Following Your Passion: A Room of Your Own session

1:30-2:45: Breakout #2

I'm not sold on any in this group right now, but I'm leaning towards - Identity: Our Bodies, Our Blogs

2:45-4:00: Breakout #3

Considering my growing work of reviewing I really do need to attend - Art of Life: The Art of Writing Reviews

4:30-5:45: Breakout #4

Obviously I'll be going to - Identity: The State of the Momosphere, sponsored by Five Moms

Day Two Schedule - Saturday, July 28th, 2007

10:30-11:45: Breakout #5

Considering that a good friend of mine, Jennifer Pozner, will be on the panel for Politics: Earn Our Votes: What Questions Do Women Bloggers Want Candidates to Answer in Election 2008? I have to be at it! Oh yeah, I'm also on the board of Women in Media & News, which Jenn is executive director of. :)

1:30-2:45: Breakout #6

Oh...Amy Sedaris....Art of Life: The Art of Crafts: A Room of Your Own session

But I'll most likely end up at - Politics: How to Write Great Political Coverage: From Breaking News to Op-Ed

2:45-4:00: Breakout #7

Politics: Patriots Act: How to Turn Your Blog into a GOtV (Get Out the Vote) Machine

And what I'm really looking forward to is seeing Elizabeth Edwards and hearing what she has to say about John.

Sunday is the Open Space or unConference part of the conference. I did pay $21 for my ticket, but I can't attend. So if anyone wants my ticket for the best offer, just leave me a comment.

BlogMe

Mocha Mom made me do it.

Here I am in 10 secs:

Name: Veronica
Blogs at: Chicago Parent, Chicago Moms Blog, and Viva La Feminista!
Labels: feminist, latina, mother, partner, cubs fan, activist, bookworm, scifi-lover

I'll be at Blogher 2007, so come and find me!

blogme2007