Archive:Monthly Write-a-Thon/May 7, 2008: Difference between revisions

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<center><font color="red"><big><big><big><big>'''[[Holiday|Holidays, Festivals and Fetes]]</big></big></big></big></font></center>
<center><font color="red">''Anything having to do with a celebration.  Or a commemoration (sometimes memories are sad, too).<br>Bonus points if it's an event that takes place in the month of May!''<br></font> </center>
== What's a Write-a-Thon? ==
== What's a Write-a-Thon? ==
It's a bunch of people getting together on a wiki at a particular time to do a bunch of writing.  It's like an online party!  Heck no, it ''is'' an online party!  It's also an excuse for infrequent wikiers to show up and party hardy; to exchange ideas with people we might not "meet" otherwise.
It's a bunch of people getting together on a wiki at a particular time to do a bunch of writing.  It's like an online party!  Heck no, it ''is'' an online party!  It's also an excuse for infrequent wikiers to show up and party hardy; to exchange ideas with people we might not "meet" otherwise.
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== When? ==
== When? ==
Write-a-Thons happen the first Wednesday of every month.  The next Write-a-Thon is '''Wednesday, March 5th, 2008'''.  <!-- January 2nd starts on January 1st, 1200 UTC, in New Zealand, and ends on February 7th, 1000 UTC, in Hawaii.--> Save The Date!  Put it on your calendar!  Set yourself a reminder!
Write-a-Thons happen the first Wednesday of every month.  The next Write-a-Thon is '''Wednesday, May 7th, 2008'''.  May 7th starts on May 6th, 1200 UTC, in New Zealand, and ends on May 7th, 1200 UTC, in Hawaii.  Save The Date!  Put it on your calendar!  Set yourself a reminder!


Any new article you create, and any edit you make to somebody else's Write-a-Thon article during that time period will count, though to be a ''bona fide'' partier, you have to write your new articles when it's that day in your part of the world.
Any new article you create, and any edit you make to somebody else's Write-a-Thon article during that time period will count, though to be a ''bona fide'' partier, you have to write your new articles when it's that day in your part of the world.
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* To participate, you only have to do two things: (1) start a ''new'' article (even just a stub will qualify, if not ''too'' short - and please remember to include the [[CZ:Subpages|subpages template]]!), and (2) make a substantive edit (not just a copyedit) to somebody else's ''new'' article.  Then you can list your name here as a partier.  Until then, sign in as a porch-sitter, party-crasher, or total party poop.
* To participate, you only have to do two things: (1) start a ''new'' article (even just a stub will qualify, if not ''too'' short - and please remember to include the [[CZ:Subpages|subpages template]]!), and (2) make a substantive edit (not just a copyedit) to somebody else's ''new'' article.  Then you can list your name here as a partier.  Until then, sign in as a porch-sitter, party-crasher, or total party poop.


==New! This month's Party Theme==
==This month's Party Theme==


<center><font color="red"><big><big><big><big>'''Something you absolutely ''love'''''.</big></big></big></big></font></center>
<center><font color="red"><big><big><big><big>'''[[Holiday|Holidays, Festivals and Fetes]]</big></big></big></big></font></center>


<center>''Anything.  Long as you love it.''
<center><font color="red">''Anything having to do with a celebration.  Or a commemoration (sometimes memories are sad, too).<br>Bonus points if it's an event that takes place in the month of May!''<br></font> </center>
''(Keep it clean, now, folks!)''</center>




''(You can also be inspired by some of the theme suggestions, below.  Like [[user:Derek Harkness|Derek]], who's getting a five-point bonus for combining all the themes in one fell...something.  Or add to the theme suggestions for a later Write-a-thon.  Inspire someone else.  Sky's the limit!)''
''(You can also be inspired by some of the theme suggestions, below.  Or propose one yourself--just scroll down. Or write about something that takes your fancy--or the first thing that comes into your head--JUST DO IT!)''


== Create an article, already! ==
== Create an article, already! ==
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== The Partiers ==
== The Partiers ==
*"Oh look, I'm first." said [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] while keeping to the trend of writing in the 3rd person during the party. He started by fulfilling all the theme requests in one article with the [[Imperial Palace, Beijing]]. That's his local tourist attraction and also related to the up and coming Olympics in Beijing. After an new article must come and edit so Derek did a little bit about the population of [[China]].
*[[user:Aleta_Curry|Aleta]] found her way into the party room, despite not feeling in the party mood due to [[intestine|intestinal]] upset.  Oy!  Where is everybody???!! [''Searches for [[party hat]]'']  Decided to start at the beginning with [[New Year's Eve]] before moving on to my beloved [[agricultural show|shows]].  More--I *did* actually do my edit, to [[Cinco de Mayo]] so I count as a bona fide partier.  I did some other stuff, too, but this was an awful internet connection week and I've forgotten what.  Like Pat, I've jumped the gun on [[biography|biographies]].  Probably gonna jump the gun on '''Olympics''', too.  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 03:49, 11 May 2008 (CDT)
:Aleta, don't these things include [[tractor pulls]]?  No ''American'' fair I've ever attended has failed to have one of those![[User:Pat Palmer|Pat Palmer]] 21:30, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
::You know, I don't think so.  I think that *might* be an element at a field day, but I'm not entirely sure.  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 03:49, 11 May 2008 (CDT)
* Waves to [[user:Aleta_Curry|Aleta]]. [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] has wandered onto the porch outside, with lots of work in hand--busy day on the roads today. Still buzzed from some low-key [[Cinco de Mayo]] celebrations, she is wondering who else is around to join the [[masquerade]] ...
::Hi Louise! Haven't stopped by the bottle shop yet, but I will! (Where's [[user:Derek Harkness|Derek]] when ya need him??)  ;) [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 19:27, 6 May 2008 (CDT)
*[[user:Ian_Johnson|Ian]] got right into the groove with [[Madonna (performer)|Madonna]], and spent more than '4 minutes' on edits to [[New Year's Eve]].
::Ian's here!  [''punches air''] '''Yessss!!''' [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 20:09, 6 May 2008 (CDT)
:::In honour of Aleta's unbridled exuberance [[user:Ian_Johnson|Ian]] got excited and went off to [[Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras|Mardi Gras]].
*Dave here, a bit early, but also leaving early, since I turn into a pumpkin at midnight... Mulled cider all around...and good night! [[User:David L Green|David L Green]] 22:53, 6 May 2008 (CDT)
*[[User talk:Chris Day|Chris]] noticed [[Auld Lang Syne]] mentioned in Aleta's [[New Year's Eve]] and thought an Ode to a [[Haggis]] was needed, so started on [[Burns supper]].
*[[User:Supten Sarbadhikari|Supten]] was late this time and decided to inform all about [[Rabindra Jayanti]]. However, he found that there wasn't any article on [[Rabindranath Tagore]], so he created a stub and tried to find out which new articles to edit. Finally, he added an external link to [[New Year's Eve]].
*[[User:Derek Hodges|Derek Hodges]] (Guess I'm not going to be on a first name basis around here, not even Derek H.) just got back from a couple of days with family and the [[Canadian Tulip Festival]]. A festival! and in May.
::[''Edited to say--exactly *how* mixed up can one woman get?? See comment immediately below.'']  What on earth we're going to do with all these folks with the same first name...bunch of nicknames?  Don't know why all your parents couldn't have named you something sensible, like Aleta....though I've been mixed up with other Aletas on the very rare occasion, believe it or not.... [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 05:44, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
* [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] thinks Aleta's getting worked up over nothing. It's not that common a name. Just think of the problems if we were called John Smith. Thinking of which, do we have any Smiths here? Derek started earlier today with a new article at [[Inner Mongolia]] then added some history to [[Liaoning]]. He was going to do holidays but he'd already done [[Chinese New Year]] and [[Shrove Tuesday]] on a previous write-a-thon.
::But...but...it was Derek! The other Derek!  Well, first it was Robert, because we've got a lot of Roberts, as well.  Okay, so I'm a twit and I responded to one Derek by talking to the other one.  I'll leave, now.  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 20:56, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
* [[User:Bruce M.Tindall|Bruce Tindall]] started an article about [[Juneteenth]], which, because it originated in Texas and occurs in the summer, may make ''very sweet iced [[tea]]'' eligible to become this Write-a-Thon's official libation.  But, because Aleta started the day with [[New Year's Eve]] (to which I added a few sentences), it may be difficult to avoid enshrining [[champagne]] this month.
:Australians don't make iced tea, more's the pity.  Interesting you wrote about Juneteenth, because I was recently reading about the connection between Juneteeth, New Year's and Watchnight.  African American slaves did not *invent* [[Watchnight]]s, but the New Year's Eve of 1863 was so very important because the Emancipation Proclamation would take effect, that they participated in the Watchnight.  There's an article in here somewhere.... [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 21:06, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
* [[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] added to the [[New Year's Eve]] revelry...and then lo, his mouth opened, and he spoke [[truth]]!  Then he danced a [[reel]]--OK, no, he ''played'' a reel, the dancing you don't want to see.  By the way, it sure would be nice to include a recording or two of a reel...  Anyway, also started some [[Celtic music]]...appropriate for May Day as any, I'm sure...
* Embarrassed by not turning up with anything more bountiful, [[User:Tom Morris|Tom Morris]] rustles up a quick stub on [[Harvest Festival]], a rather reserved and British version of [[Thanksgiving]]. Being an author in [[CZ:Philosophy Workgroup|the realm of eternal, transcendent ideas]] makes it rather difficult to think about the day-to-day. --[[User:Tom Morris|Tom Morris]] 17:13, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
* [[User:Pat Palmer|Pat]] has been meddling with Larry's [[Celtic music]] article.  This is a milestone: my very first opportunity to participate in a WriteAThon. Whoopeeeeeeeeeee![[User:Pat Palmer|Pat Palmer]] 21:28, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
** Welcome, Pat!  Thanks for the edits! --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 21:49, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
**It's still Wednesday and I have yet to create an article.  Well, here goes: in keeping with the theme, I'll create the [[World's Biggest Fish Fry]].[[User:Pat Palmer|Pat Palmer]] 22:25, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
* [[User:Hayford Peirce|Hayford]] wandered into the party with a smug expression on his face as if [[Butter|butter]] wouldn't melt in his mouth, having already created [[Butter, homemade/Recipe]]; [[Clarified butter]]; and then, just for kicks, [[Clarified butter/Recipe]]. Then he remembered that '''supposedly''', true Partiers were supposed to not only '''create''' an article, they were '''also''' supposed to '''edit''' someone else's newly created article. So he zoomed off to Larry's latest article and, in [[Truth|truth]] wrought a couple of edits. So at least '''he''', with a glass of single-malt Scotch currently in hand, is a true partier. But is anyone else?  Or is the Must Edit rule now being observed only in its abeyance? Not that that actually makes the other Partiers bad human beings, I suppose.... [[User:Hayford Peirce|Hayford Peirce]] 21:32, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
::Ha, ha--no, you're right.  I ''suppose'' I should '''really''' move a whole lot of people over to the ''porch sitters'' list.... [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 03:49, 11 May 2008 (CDT)
::Very impressive, Hayford.  I wasted 20 minutes trying to think of something useful to add to [[butter]] but then realized I was tired and needed to quit.  Signing off soon, I really mean it this time.[[User:Pat Palmer|Pat Palmer]] 23:08, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
* [[User:Anthony.Sebastian|Anthony.Sebastian]], steeped in working on [[Hippocrates]], succumbs to [[User:Brian P. Long|Brian P. Long]]'s urging to start an article on [[Galen]].  Bare bones.  Help. --[[User:Anthony.Sebastian|Anthony.Sebastian]] 22:12, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


*[[user:Aleta Curry|Aleta]] thought she was early, but [[user:Derek Harkness|Derek]] was already there.  Gave him five points for being first in, and awarded an extra five for the stunning combination of themes in one article.  Deducted two points because he didn't bring a [[bottle]].  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 14:44, 4 March 2008 (CST) [[Family]] was the first thing I thought of that I absolutely love.  Our [[farrier]] missed an appointment, bit of a worry since we've got a [[pony]] with chronic [[laminitis]].  Decided to tell you all a bit about [[Jack Russell]], credited with originating one of the world's most lovable terriers. [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 03:50, 5 March 2008 (CST)  Just discovered that in fact, CZ had no [[lightbulb]]s!  Jeez, Louse!  No wonder the poor woman couldn't change one! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 17:18, 5 March 2008 (CST)
==Keen-as-mustard and jumped the gun==
**Hey, did you know bottles played a key role in the creation of the world?  My college roommates and I reenacted it once: [http://www.metacafe.com/watch/455668/the_brewmasters_tale here].  That's me who appears on the left once in a while.  Use a fast internet connection and good speakers to get the full effect. :) -[[User:Joe Quick|Joe Quick]] 15:45, 4 March 2008 (CST)
* No way am I going to have time for the Write-A-Thon in July ("Biographies"), so I've gone ahead and started the article on [[Claude Shannon]] right now.[[User:Pat Palmer|Pat Palmer]] 11:00, 9 May 2008 (CDT)
:::Y'know, you should not make fun of the handicapped!  "Use a fast internet connection", indeed!  Okay, if you leave that long enough for me to check it out at a [[library]], or something....Acutally, I'm supposed to be testing out satellite internet sometime soon...so they tell me.... [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:31, 4 March 2008 (CST)
:Good on ya, girl! Accepted with pleasure.  (Someone remind me to copy this to the July W-a-T! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 03:41, 11 May 2008 (CDT)
::: Joe, that reenactment is very cool! Nice work with the bottles.[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 06:13, 5 March 2008 (CST)
:::: &$@#( college LOTR geeks.  Seriously, as a closet geek and musician who has blowed across his share of empty bottles, that is very, very cool!  ROTFL --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 12:41, 5 March 2008 (CST)
::::: For the grand final of the [[cricket]] in Australia recently, they ran an ad where a full orchestra was playing the sponsoring beer company's theme jingle on beer bottles at the [[Melbourne Concert Hall]]. Loved it. Proud to be a closet geek and musician if people can come up with stuff like that! [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 16:41, 5 March 2008 (CST)
*[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise]] waves to [[user:Derek Harkness|Derek]] and [[user:Aleta Curry|Aleta]]--good morning, partiers! (and thank you, Aleta!) She is starting off her contributions today by a short stub on her actual native language: [[Chavacano language|Chavacano]]. More to come, especially after she asks her mum how to spell most of the vocabulary. (With an Australian upbringing and schooling, it has always been a spoken language for her) ;) Happy writing, all![[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 17:15, 4 March 2008 (CST) ... continuing on with a quick note on what was once a mysterious monument to her: the [[Metronome, Letna Hill|Metronome]] in Prague.
:I thought Louise was saying that the Metronome was a mysterious monument to [[user:Louise Valmoria|Louise]]! O-KAY, then! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 18:28, 4 March 2008 (CST)
::[[user:Louise Valmoria|Louise]] can learn a lot from Aleta's excellent writing skills ;) How about ... a monument that she had once found mysterious?[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 19:13, 4 March 2008 (CST)
:::That was generous--are you sure it isn't Aleta's altogether-too-fast first reading of things?? [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 19:29, 4 March 2008 (CST)
::::Not too generous--I might be too fond of riddles, but people often take issue with the way I can write sentences that can be read in several ways ...! Works well in fiction, not so well in an encyclopedia ...
::After some delicious [[creole (food)|creole food]] (thanks [[User:Todd Coles|Todd]]), Louise is now thinking about drinks. In the mean time, as a lover of chemistry and physics, there is now a stub on one of her role models, [[Marie Curie]], and also a bit on one of her favourite languages/the language of her second home, [[Czech language|Czech]]. To help out with the Olympics request below, also something about the [[1956 Summer Olympics]] which were held in Melbourne (a trip to the State Library is required for more research, but it is a start ...) [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 21:57, 4 March 2008 (CST)
:[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise]] is tottering back with some [[Port wine]], just for drinks.[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 23:51, 4 March 2008 (CST)
*[[User:Todd Coles|Todd]] was inspired by [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta]] and started a stub on [[creole (food)]], which he loves a little bit more each time he has some.  Hopefully, he will make it in the front door shortly.. and he has arrived at the [[Imperial Palace, Beijing|palace]].
:[[User:Supten Sarbadhikari|Supten]] wants to know whether anyone may be interested in including [[creole (food)]] in the [[CZ:Proposals/Recipes_Subpage_and_Accompanying_Usage_Policy|recipe]]?
*[[User:John_Stephenson|John]] was also surprised to see so many people showing up early... he got talking with Aleta over in the corner for [[creole (people)]], then picked up a [[manga]]. [[User:John Stephenson|John Stephenson]] 21:14, 4 March 2008 (CST)
* Fortunately there isn't any alarm set to the user page - otherwise [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta]] would have dragged [[User:Supten Sarbadhikari|Supten]] at 3 o'clock in the morning. Anyway, another six hours later he managed to scribble a few lines about his native tongue [[Bangla]], by modifying from WP! Then he went to find out whether another ''write-a-thon'' article is as empty as the [[bottle]] and took a break. (Empty bottles are often broken and put to other use by stronger men!)
: Hey, [[User:Supten Sarbadhikari|Supten]], is that a quote or an adage or something? Or beer wisdom? I really like it ...[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 23:12, 4 March 2008 (CST)
::Louise, [[User:Supten Sarbadhikari|Supten]] added a comment on the [[Bangla]] page on the most well known form of region-specific humor but coudn't elaborate because of language barriers! Then he added a few links to [[Marie Curie]].
*[[user:Joshua Knapp|Josh Knapp]] has started an article about one of his first loves, the [[Detroit Tigers]]. And as a party contribution, he has brought a couple bottles of another of his loves, whiskey! (Yes, he realizes that it was the official libation two months ago, but as he does not see any listing for this month yet, he decided to make a nomination.) Now, since the party has just started on the east coast of the US, where he lives, he plans to go to bed. He plans to make a substantive contribution to another article when he gets up in the morning.


*[[User:Gareth Leng|Gareth Leng]] 04:23, 5 March 2008 (CST) started [[Growth hormone]], not really something he loves, except maybe it would be nice to be a few inches taller. Also added a bit to [[Marie Curie]]. Maybe will look in on the whisky later. (No 'e' though). OK hit the [[bottle]] instead.
== Porch sitters--article creators who didn't edit a new article ==


*"Well, hope I didn't mess this up", thought [[User:Carlos Ferreira|Carlos Ferreira]], as he submited his very first contribution to Citizendium, a stub on the beautiful [[Focke-Wulf Fw-190]]. After concluding that no, it was probably a good thing, he went back to work, before his boss ever noticed what had happened...


::[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise]] welcomes [[User:Carlos Ferreira|Carlos]] to the party! Nice one![[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 06:13, 5 March 2008 (CST)
== Party crashers--contributors who didn't create a new article ==
::Belated welcome from me, too, Carlos--and well done! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 18:00, 5 March 2008 (CST)


*What's a party without music? [[User:David E. Volk|David Volk]] brought his [[bass guitar]] to provide a little beat for y'all, and being newly married, gave [[monogamy]] a try.
Its 2AM in Ireland and [[User:Denis Cavanagh|Denis]] was getting pretty tired of looking at a very short [[Jean-Jacques Rousseau]] page, so he made it a little bigger. Anyone else up for one of the most influential thinkers of European History? [[User:Denis Cavanagh|Denis Cavanagh]] 20:02, 6 May 2008 (CDT)
:Just noticed that you've joined the married crowd.  Good for you! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 18:00, 5 March 2008 (CST)
:Rousseau area of my brain has cobwebs, I'm afraid.  Go get some sleep.  Come back.  Wait--you're young--stay up, what the heck! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 20:11, 6 May 2008 (CDT)


*[[User:Joe_Quick|Joe Quick]], having visited a number of [[museum]]s recently for one of his classes, decided to start an article on that topic. One of the museums (the Field Museum in Chicago) had an extensive [[ethnography|ethnographic]] collection, so he thought it was appropriate that he add his two cents to the article on [[Creole (people)]].  He'll be back this evening to pitch in a bit more.
[[User:David E. Volk|David]] is still busy importing musician pics for the [[Stingaree Music Festival]], but hey, its not quite Weds where I live, so I still have a chance to party tomorrow. [[User:David E. Volk|David E. Volk]] 23:03, 6 May 2008 (CDT)
:He came back to upload a photo of some [[bottle]]s but as he was arranging the shot, he realized what poor taste he has had in liquids recently.  It must be the intermittency of his paychecks.  He might try again after his evening class.
:Learned something else new!  Thanks!  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 05:31, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


*[[User:Regina Bouillon|Regina Bouillon]], one of the latest on this Wednesday, but - thanks to Aleta - alert. I wrote about one of my favourite dishes, [[Fufu]], and added some lines ton an article about one of my favourite countries, [[Ghana]]. To make it more exotic, I wrote down the recipe of a German beverage, [[Dead Aunt]].
** "[[Dead Aunt]]," that's the lyrics to the [[Pink Panther]] theme song.  Who knew it was a German [[beverage]] too? --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 12:34, 5 March 2008 (CST)
::::What, really?  ''Did you just make that up?''  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 18:02, 5 March 2008 (CST)
:::::If "Dead Aunt" is really in that tune, we Germans do not mind. Of course they have taken the name of our cocktail, but we are generous, if it is not the cocktaiil itself they take away. [[User:Regina Bouillon|Regina Bouillon]]
::::::That sounded so fab, I just had to try it.  Only had clear [[rum]] on hand, though, Regina.  So does that mean I made a ''Living Aunt''? (It was yum, whatever it was.)  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:24, 6 March 2008 (CST)
* [[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] loves [[Flattop Mountain (Alaska)]], which used to be a local tourist attraction for him, and which he has hiked a few times (along with most of the other front-most peaks of the Chugach next to Anchorage), but he does not love the [[Focke-Wulf Fw-190‎]], which probably shot down some of his compatriots, but he is not above copyediting CZ articles about it. --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 12:34, 5 March 2008 (CST)
** Added a fair bit of info to [[Robert A. Heinlein]], one of my favorite sci-fi authors.  Anybody up for an article about [[grok]]?  This is one of my very favorite made-up words. --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 15:17, 5 March 2008 (CST)
** Hit the [[bottle]] like the other sots... --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 16:00, 5 March 2008 (CST)


* [[User:Carlos Ferreira|Carlos Ferreira]] came back for more, still dozing on the vagaries of to hyphen or not to hyphen - on the Focke-Wulf Fw-190. Or is it Fw190?--[[User:Carlos Ferreira|Carlos Ferreira]] 14:10, 5 March 2008 (CST)
[[User:Joe Quick|Joe]] showed up to the [[Cinco de Mayo]] festivities two days late but felt compelled to expound on its history anyway.


* [[User:Derek Hodges|Derek Hodges]] started [[Robert A. Heinlein]] and would have continued working on authors starting with "H" until he got to the "Hod"s, but his battery is about to conk out. -[[User:Derek Hodges|Derek Hodges]] 15:51, 5 March 2008 (CST)
Have been busy coding this afternoon (in [[Python (programming language)]]), and before that was getting an eye test at the [[Opthalmology|opthalmologist]] after a week of severe computer monitor-induced headaches. Now too tired to put an article together, but glad to see [[Special:Recentchanges|others have been busy]]. Opts for a tall, cool glass of cloudy lemonade, pops some [[Big Beat]] tunes on and parties. --[[User:Tom Morris|Tom Morris]] 16:43, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
** If your CZ work is done using battery power, it's time to buy a backup battery, Derek! --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 16:00, 5 March 2008 (CST)


* [[User:Hayford Peirce|Hayford Peirce]] cranked up the volume on his computer tracks of [[Tom Dooley]], [[The Tijuana Jail]], [[MTA]], and [[The Reverent Mr. Black]], and wrote a brief article about the semi-immortal [[Kingston Trio]], who are still touring 51 years after their first incarnation. He then added a query in the discussion area of [[Robert A. Heinlein]], whom he was lucky enough to know towards the end of his life, and added a sentence about Cajun food to the article about [[Creole (food)]]. But now Larry wants him to do a [[Topic Informant]] thingee about Mr. Heinlein, and I guess I'll have to figure out how to do that before rewarding myself with a well-merited [[Mai tai]] for today's labors....
==The shy ones, absent-minded profs, and other modest creatures==
::'bout time you got here!  Pass over a Mai Tai, will ya?  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 17:18, 5 March 2008 (CST)
 
* [[User:Kjetil Ree|Chuck]] loves [[Cristiano Ronaldo|C. Ronaldo]]! He also found a photo for [[Port wine]], even though he is not that enthusiastic about Port. --[[User:Kjetil Ree|Kjetil Ree]] 17:40, 5 March 2008 (CST)
::Yeah, Ronaldo's pretty amazing, isn't he?  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 18:00, 5 March 2008 (CST)
* Fearful of the [[weak force]] applied by our host, [[User:Jitse Niesen|Jitse]] joins the party just before the clock strikes midnight. He also tried to chat up [[Marie Curie]], but she just pretended she was dead. No chance for love here.
::''Guffaw!'' Reallly Laughing out Loud, Jitse!  My Border Collie, whom I love, thinks I've lost it.  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 18:00, 5 March 2008 (CST)
 
* [[Jeffrey Scott Bernstein]] effervesced over with info on one of the world's great music compositions, [[Violin Concerto (Beethoven)]].[[User:Jeffrey Scott Bernstein|Jeffrey Scott Bernstein]] 17:53, 5 March 2008 (CST)
* [[User:Joshua M. Jensen|Joshua]] started an article about the [[Jarai language]] and spent more time on the bibliography than on the article. I also got frustrated by how hard it was to find citation templates. And I don't like the new proposed skin. [[User:Joshua M. Jensen|Joshua M. Jensen]] 18:44, 5 March 2008 (CST)
 
==Keen-as-mustard and jumped the gun==
 
[[User:Roger Lohmann|Roger]] thought that the main party room was getting a little crowded and stepped briefly into this empty space with little thought of keen mustard nor gun jumping. He did start a new set of [[Civil_society/External links]] yesterday! Thinking his family was something he really loved, he did a bit of writing expanding the [[Family]] stub today, and performed a batch of edits on aspects of [[Civil society/Related Articles]] of which he is very fond. (Loving civic engagement and debate about civil society might be a bit over the top.) To top off the March party he started a new stub on [[Applied social sciences]].
 
== Porch sitters--article creators who didn't edit a new article ==
[[User:Yuval Langer|Yuval Langer]] just got from his first [[Ethology]]... erm... [[seminar]]? (The [[Doctor|Dr.]] asked [[User:Yuval Langer|Yuval Langer]] and the other students questions, so it wasn't a [[lecture]]) ANYWAY, he wrote a SINGLE SENTENCE about [[Monogamy]] and will continue with [[Polygamy]] and [[Polyandry]]. He is also asking for help. Monogamy can increase the [[fitness]] of the individuals, but where do I find reliable sources saying that? What about the number of humans that fit into the monogamy definition? [[User:Yuval Langer|Yuval Langer]] is running google searches, but as you might have heard, google does not care about reliability, only popularity...
:[[User:Yuval Langer|Yuval]], you might try running searches on monogamy and emotional and physical fitness in any academic journal databases you have access to. Other keywords you might use to filter your Google search could be 'behavioural neuroscience', 'sociology', 'statistical evidence' (as a phrase, not individual words ... because how often does your average romance advice site ever use those phrases?? Any psychology-related databases might assist you there, but I advise to start your search from inside an academic search engine (even if it filters only to that publisher's list of journals it's a start). I haven't tried searching in Google yet, but I can imagine the kinds of sites you're getting at the moment ;)
:I have read a couple of summary articles about this in the plethora of journals I subscribe to in recent years, and will run a search to help you out ... I do have to run shortly though, so it might not happen during the Write-a-Thon period. Will definitely keep you posted on my findings though. Hope this helps? Cheerio! [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 16:54, 5 March 2008 (CST)
:: Woah, thank you. [[User:Gareth Leng]] contributed so much in the time I wasn't here. I'll try to do as you say and add more material later, not in this Write-a-thon. [[User:Yuval Langer|Yuval Langer]] 17:30, 5 March 2008 (CST)
 
* [[User:Petréa Mitchell|Petréa Mitchell]] normally has no time to write on Wednesdays, but suddenly had a couple hours free this evening, plus new pictures from the zoo, and created a stub for [[Asian elephant]].
:Hmmm...well, if your schedule will never allow you to work on Wednesdays, we'll have to award you the same dispensation as [[user:Nereo Preto|Nereo]] [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 23:18, 5 March 2008 (CST)
::Not being a student, an academic, or a retiree, I have to keep my writing to outside work/commute hours, and Wednesday is usually the worst day of the week for me. But I realize I'm in the minority, so y'all carry on with your party schedule... [[User:Petréa Mitchell|Petréa Mitchell]] 22:59, 6 March 2008 (CST)
 
== Party crashers--contributors who didn't create a new article ==


==The shy ones, absent-minded profs, and other modest creatures==
*[[User:Olier Raby|Olier]] played a [[number]]s game.
*[[User:Hendra I. Nurdin|Hendra]] explained that a [[martingale]] is not a bird singing sweetiy in the night.
*[[user:Meg Ireland|Meg]], fresh from her recent ''Draft of the week'' triumph, [[New Yardbirds|made music]] over in the corner.


== The total party poops ==
== The total party poops ==
''Go ahead, admit it!''
''Go ahead, admit it!''


I must admit that I slept away the Feb WaT and did not even confess it. So I do it now instead. Which kind of punishment is waiting for me? [[User:Regina Bouillon|Regina Bouillon]]
==Special Requests==
 
While every one is here. Does anyone have any opinions on the proposal at: [[CZ:Proposals/Should we allow article specific subpages?]] [[User:Chris Day|Chris Day]] 12:04, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
Well, you can be one of the Citizens who has to change the [[lightbulb]] ... seriously, no worries, just jump in and write! Welcome to the party, it's good to have you here this month Regina![[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 16:30, 5 March 2008 (CST)


:I'll change all your [[lightbulbs]], but not without having asked an expert. - Thanks for your welcome, Louise - [[User:Regina Bouillon|Regina Bouillon]]
:I'll reply on the page. --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 12:27, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


==Special Requests==
I have a special request of my own.  Any feedback on the developing [[Archive:Workgroup Weeks|Workgroup Weeks]] plan?  It's not entirely finished, but there's enough there that should make the general idea
clear enough. --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 12:27, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


== Questions ==
Also, while everyone is here, can they have a look at my new proposal: [[CZ:Proposals/Should we remove the educational prequisites in place in order to be considered for the Constabulary?]] (P.S- Look at my main summary also.) [[User:Denis Cavanagh|Denis Cavanagh]] 16:50, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


* How many Citizens do you think it would take to change a lightbulb? Points for the most creative answer ... [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 17:55, 4 March 2008 (CST)
:Okay, I'll go take a look.  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 21:26, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
**One to just go in there and replace the lightbulb, and another to constantly ask to be updated on the process of the lightbulb changing, request future notification should the lightbulb be changed (or need changing), and when it goes dark. --[[User:Robert W King|Robert W King]] 18:30, 4 March 2008 (CST)
**Do you mean "replace a burnt out lightbulb"? --[[User:Anthony.Sebastian|Anthony.Sebastian]] 13:14, 6 March 2008 (CST)
::Oh, Lordy!  Let's see:  One to notice that the lightbulb needed changing,
::Ten to agree with him, ten to discuss the relative merits and disadvantages of lightbulb changing....
::Two to ask if the lightbulb really ''wanted'' to be changed....
::Two to say "See?! That's why I voted ''against'' lightbulbs during the pilot phase!"
::One to propose that a '''CZ:Proposal for lightbulb changing''' be written.
::Three to demonstrate why they themselves cannot be lightbulb-changing Proposers.
::Two techies to suggest that well, as long as there's a proposal anyway, could we not upgrade to '''CZ Illumination version 5.0?'''
::One decorator to put forward new lightbulb fixtures and chandelier designs.
::Another decorator to argue with him.
::Three health nuts to point out the dangers of incandescence.
::One bold soul to say "to hell with it" and actually *draft* the ''CZ:Proposal to Change a Lightbulb''
::Two to point out that the Lightbulb-changing proposal is driverless....
::Two to ask if lightbulb changing actually requires a proposal, or could someone just change the lightbulb?
::One to suggest that someone ask the Editor-in-Chief
::Two to nominate a third person to be the Proposal Driver
::One ''proposal driver nominee'' to explain in great detail that he does not care to be the driver, but will if no one else volunteers.
::Five to debate the current '''Proposal to Change a Lightbulb'''.
::One to propose an Alternate Proposal.
::One to suggest that the new '''Lightbulb Changing Proposal''' be merged with the old '''Proposal to Change a Lightbulb.'''
::Five to state loudly that ''they would prefer to just sit in the dark....''
::One twelve-year old to actually go ahead and change the lightbulb.
:: [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 18:44, 4 March 2008 (CST)
::: This just made my day, lol. --[[User:Todd Coles|Todd Coles]] 21:00, 4 March 2008 (CST)
:::: Haha! Is it too early in the Write-a-thon day to declare this one the winner yet? [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 21:12, 4 March 2008 (CST)


:How many wikipedians to change a lightbulb? Answer, 200. Of these 199 will change the lightbulb but one will continually revert back to the broken lightbulb stating vigerously that the old bulb is better than any of the new ones. [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] 22:36, 4 March 2008 (CST)
:I came, I saw, I commented. I answered the question "no"... --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 21:47, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


:: That's mean.... but all too accurate, alas. [[User:J. Noel Chiappa|J. Noel Chiappa]] 12:08, 5 March 2008 (CST)
OK, i have set up an experiment. There is now a definition subpage tab (Def) at the top of the page. Also talk pages will have instructions in the todo box. Feel free to play with it. Or complain, it might be buggy. [[User:Chris Day|Chris Day]] 17:13, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


:I just discovered that we don't seem to have an article for [[lightbulb]]. In light (!) of the fact that [[User:Nereo Preto|Nereo]] has difficulty joining us on Wednesdays, that we haven't forgotten him ... let's see just how many Citizens actually ''can'' change a lightbulb, eh? :D [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 17:02, 5 March 2008 (CST)
:I tried it accidentally.  Seems to work fine. Here's a queston: when I start definitions, I've been just launching into it, rather than opening with the actual name. In other words, I write, Def. Tea: a drink with jam and bread. As opposed to Def. Tea:  Tea is a drink with jam and bread. This work for everyone? [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 21:26, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
::In light (sorry!) of the fact that the timeclocks are wonky, I've no idea if your wish is my command or if you're a day late and a dollar short, Lou! [[user:Aleta Curry|Aleta "let there be light!" Curry]]
:::Citizendium has been enlightened! I think that got through to the Write-a-thon day. Thanks Aleta!
:::I also thought it would just be funny if everyone edited the [[lightbulb]] at least once, so that the answer to the question 'how many Citizens does it take to change a lightbulb?' would be 'well, all of them ...'[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 10:59, 6 March 2008 (CST)
::::Yeah, I would find that pretty funny! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:19, 6 March 2008 (CST)  


* If we were to put music to this write-a-thon, what would be your music of choice? Are we discoing writers here, classical, or living it up to rock and roll? [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 21:12, 4 March 2008 (CST)
::That's what I do to, no need for redundancy. Just out of interest, how would you feel if we had the definition in the metadata template rather than on a subpage? Would that be more or less complicated/confusing? [[User:Chris Day|Chris Day]] 23:03, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


:: (a couple of hours later) ... looks like from [[User:Larry Sanger|Larry]]'s email to the CZ-List that he's a [[jazz]] fan. Come on, someone make his day with an article about [[Fats Waller]]![[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 23:15, 4 March 2008 (CST)
== Questions ==
Test yourself, an be honest, no books. Can you name one country for each letter of the alphabet. Then, can you name the capital city of each of those countries? [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] 07:00, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
:Honest answer (tried this in the last 15 minutes): <s>I'm stuck on 'W' and 'X' for countries.</s> Oh, I am naff. Now I'm only stuck on X. I know the capital city for only about half of those. Of course, if I went back to my country list and filled it in with country names with capital cities that I know, instead of listing the first ones that come to mind, my hit rate might be higher (why do I think of 'Finland' immediately instead of 'France'? ... oh, I just remembered what the capital is, but still, not the first that comes to mind), but even then my capital city knowledge would probably be only be about 65%, max. Need to improve my knowledge on African and Middle Eastern countries. Nice challenge, Derek. Now, I wonder if we have articles on each of the ones we come up with? [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 09:16, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
::Ohh, I think I cheated.  I used whatever name I thought of first, either in English or in that country's language.  You didn't say we had to stick to English. I used old names too. I also named the first country that came to mind and then if the capital didn't pop into my head I picked another country.  Stuck on "W" and "X".  Okay, okay, going back and eliminating foreign names and names of countries that no longer exist. Still stuck on "W" and "X". Thinking of cities, states, territories, districts, everything but a COUNTRY with those initials!  Aaaargh!!!  Not able to let this go--I HAVE to get it!!!  Aaaargh!!! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 17:36, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


:::I think people might have noticed by now that I have [[David Bowie]]'s China Girl on repeat the whole time I'm at the party. [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] 06:04, 5 March 2008 (CST)
:Hmm, are we allowed to use the pinyin romanization of the Chinese name for a formerly independent country now occupied by China that has been in the news a lot (re: Olympic torch, violent repression, etc.) recently?  Oh.  I didn't think so.  Oh well, so much for my candidate for "X".  [[User:Bruce M.Tindall|Bruce M.Tindall]] 10:51, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
::I'll give you television, I'll give you eyes of blue, I'll give you men who want to RULE THE WORLD! Or is that [[Iggy Pop]]'s version? [[User:Ro Thorpe|Ro Thorpe]] 16:56, 5 March 2008 (CST)


* [[User:Supten Sarbadhikari|Supten]] piqued my curiosity about another one, while we're thinking of CZ:International and native languages: what's your favourite adage, local or otherwise? Ever visit another country and heard a local bit of wisdom that made you think twice? [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 23:15, 4 March 2008 (CST)
:Can't come up with anything for X.  Surprised myself with how well I did on capitals.  Now here's another question: can you come up with a capital city for each letter of the alphabet and then name the country? --[[User:Joe Quick|Joe Quick]] 11:49, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
:In China, above the teachers blackboards is a saying that translates are "Day day studdy good good up." [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] 23:27, 4 March 2008 (CST)


* When writing about <font color="red"><big><big><big><big>'''Something you absolutely ''love'''''</big></big></big></big></font>, why do we have to "''keep it clean, now, folks!''"? Aren't we allowed to write about [[penis]], [[vagina]], [[clitoris]], [[sex]], [[fellatio]], [[cunnilingus]], [[anal sex]], [[pornography]], [[dildo]], [[handjob]], [[Sadomasochism]], [[masturbation]], [[bukkake]], [[gang bang]], [[orgasm]], [[anal beads]], [[phone sex]], [[cybersex]], [[sex doll]]s, [[missionary position]], the [[Kama Sutra]], and [[artificial vagina]]?--[[User:Christian Liem|Christian Liem]] 12:24, 5 March 2008 (CST) - Is this man a Buddhist? - [[User:Ro Thorpe|Ro Thorpe]] 17:00, 5 March 2008 (CST)
:''Hungry? Is that a country? I thought [[Europe]] was a country.'' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANTDkfkoBaI] --[[User:Tom Morris|Tom Morris]] 16:56, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
*:Oh yes, just not in a prurient way. Basic rule is that this is family friendly, so write about these things, but in a way that you'd be comfortable with children reading. Children have a right to know, and better get their information from here than elsewhere, but nothing exploitative, sexist, offensive to reasonable enlightened people, nothing crude prurient or pornographic. Just basic good sense really. [[User:Gareth Leng|Gareth Leng]] 14:12, 5 March 2008 (CST)
*::Is 'family friendly' synonymous with 'child-friendly'? The former always sounds as if we mustn't offend the parents. I speak as an only child, mind you...  [[User:Ro Thorpe|Ro Thorpe]] 16:56, 5 March 2008 (CST)
*:::Sigh. Christian, I think you may be using a different definition of ''love'' from mine.  I can't speak for [[user:Larry Sanger|Larry]], the original proposer.
*:::Ro, what a can of worms!
*:::[[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 17:49, 5 March 2008 (CST)
*::::I think I can write about just anything if sufficiently motivated, ie, in the form of a contract and an eventual check, but I seriously wonder if I, or even [[Robert A. Heinlein]] for that matter, could do much of a "family friendly" article about [[bukkake]].... I think that maybe Christian is not entirely Clear On The Concept here.... [[User:Hayford Peirce|Hayford Peirce]] 18:18, 5 March 2008 (CST)
*:::::''Philia,'' not ''eros.'' --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 23:42, 5 March 2008 (CST)
*::::::Since we're all so classically educated here, what about ''agape''? [[User:Hayford Peirce|Hayford Peirce]] 08:47, 6 March 2008 (CST)
:::::::See, Hayford can pull that off.  I was going to say ''agape'', but I'd sound snooty.  Meanwhile, I'm still agape at Christian's list. [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:19, 6 March 2008 (CST)
*:It's got nothing to do with ''philia'' or ''eros''. Some people love movies, some love chocolate, some others love sex. I'm just sayin' :) --[[User:Christian Liem|Christian Liem]] 01:31, 6 March 2008 (CST)
:::Yeah, well--''we heard ya!'' [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:19, 6 March 2008 (CST)


==It's a wrap!==
==It's a wrap!==
May was a whirlwind, so I didn't wrap things up properly, sorry folks.  Still, we had a success with informative new articles, as always.  Thanks, folks! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 19:39, 27 May 2008 (CDT)


== Previous shindigs ==
== Previous shindigs ==
* [[/February 6, 2008|February 6, 2008]]
{{CZ:Monthly_Write-a-Thon/Previous_shindigs}}
* [[/January 9, 2008|January 9,2008]]
* [[/December 5, 2007|December 5, 2007]]
* [[/November 7, 2007|November 7, 2007]]
* [[/October 3, 2007|October 3, 2007]]
* [[/September 5, 2007|September 5, 2007]]
* [[/August 1, 2007|August 1, 2007]]


== Official libations==
== Official libations==
Line 210: Line 135:
* January - [[Whisky]] and the ''Cocktail of the Month'', a [[pharisee (beverage)|pharisee]]
* January - [[Whisky]] and the ''Cocktail of the Month'', a [[pharisee (beverage)|pharisee]]
* February - [[schnapps]] and the ''Cocktail of the Month'', the [[caipirinha]] (considered the national drink of [[Brazil]])
* February - [[schnapps]] and the ''Cocktail of the Month'', the [[caipirinha]] (considered the national drink of [[Brazil]])
* March - [[port wine]] (which should probably live at [[port (wine)]], no?  (Someone put that on their list, please....) and the ''Cocktail of the Month'', a [[Dead Aunt]]
* March - [[port wine]] (which should probably live at [[port (wine)]], no?  (Someone put that on their list, please....Oh, *someone* did--thanks, Ro) and the ''Cocktail of the Month'', a [[Dead Aunt]]
 
* April - [[Akpeteshie]] hot and fresh from Ghana.  And cool [[shandy|shandies]] and [[spritzer]]s if that took your fancy.  Lotsa staggering around the bar after this party!
:*Just ignore my suggestion tendered last month or the month before.  No hurt feelings. --[[User:Anthony.Sebastian|Anthony.Sebastian]] 13:16, 6 March 2008 (CST)
::Oh dear! ''[pat, pat, pat, comfort, hug]'' what did we ignore? [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:11, 6 March 2008 (CST)


== Write-a-Thon Theme Suggestions==
== Write-a-Thon Theme Suggestions==
===New Suggestions and Discussion===
''Go ahead and propose one!''
''Go ahead and propose one!''
===- Local tourist attractions ===
====Great Men (and women too)====
This would be a way to promote local attractions and let us learn a little more about the places where fellow CZ authors live.  We could slant it toward the little-known attractions over Disneyland for example.
What do you say we get some biographies started. No matter what workgroup you belong to, there will be a ''Great Person'' for your group so this is one that everybody can work on. You might do a famous scientist, maybe an actor or actress, perhaps a national leader, or whatever takes your fancy. [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] 07:20, 31 March 2008 (CDT)
[[User:David E. Volk|David E. Volk]] 08:39, 3 March 2008 (CST)
:Ooh! Love this idea, moi! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 18:04, 31 March 2008 (CDT)  
===Olympics!===
====Re: Olympics====
[[user:Robert W King|Robert King]] reminds us:
* If we do '''Olympics''' in May, how do we handle the passionate and possibly justifiable views of those who regard them as the 'Genocide Olympics' (thinking of Darfur) or the 'Cultural Genocide Olympics' (thinking of Tibet) or the 'Pulmonicide Olympics' (thinking of air pollution)?  Suggest we adopt theme(s) from Charles Darwin's works, to get ahead of the crowd planning activities etc. to celebrate the bicenntenial of Darwin's birth, Feb 12, 2009, less than a year away.  CZ knows a good idea when it sees it. --[[User:Anthony.Sebastian|Anthony.Sebastian]] 18:58, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
"Can we please have an Olympics theme for this write-a-thon? They are becoming more and more important as we get closer to the Olympics in China."
:We don't even have an article on Tibet yet! We know China has blocked Wikipedia. Has China blocked Citizendium? [[User:Meg Ireland|Meg Ireland]] 19:15, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
::Citizendium is not blocked in China. Also, the English Wikipedia is not blocked at the moment either. We don't have articles about most places yet. We don't even have a completed article about China let alone smaller places. [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] 20:16, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
:::I'm happy to add a Darwinian theme to a future write-a-thon--but...but...Anthony, are you nay-saying The Olympics?? Surely not! 
:::Meg and Derek--yes, but that's all right.  I think it'll make people ''want'' to get rid of red links!
:::[[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 21:50, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
====Why not themes on holidays?====
[[May Day]] is that week after all. We can getting cracking on [[Maypole]] and [[Moriss dancers]] and of course [[Fete]]s. Possibly tie in other [[pagan]] themes, [[stonehenge]] and such.  Or even go with the obscure maritime connection and make a start on the [[Titanic]], (may day may day). Of course there is the [[labor movement]] too and the [[Haymarket riot]] for those who want to stick to politics.  Anyway, you get the idea.  [[User:Chris Day|Chris Day]] 22:29, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
:What a great idea, Chris! ''Cinco de Mayo'', May sickness, St Joseph--I think we could work this.... [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 22:45, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
 
*[[User:David E. Volk|David E. Volk]] suggests '''My Favorite Band or Music Genre''', because everyone has one! [[User:David E. Volk|David E. Volk]] 12:37, 5 May 2008 (CDT)
 


===What's your native tongue?===
===Future Theme Schedule===
In light of the CZ International discussions, how about checking to make sure that there's at least a stub on your native language?  And what about the country of your birth or the place you now live?  Aw, come on--five sentences will do.... [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 22:33, 3 March 2008 (CST)
* May - '''Holidays'''
* June - '''The Olympics!''' (Need Olympic Rings here) (and a sub-theme for July and August too, I would think)
*July - '''Biographies!''' The Good, the bad, and the altogether ugly.  Also: The Olympics, because I will well and truly have Olympic fever by then!
**Computer authors please note the list of [[List_of_people_who_made_conceptual_breakthroughs_in_computer_science|people needing biographies]]
*August - '''Attractions''' - Someplace you always wanted to go/something you always wanted to see. And/or a local attraction--go ahead and plug something wonderful about your city, county or village. AND...you guessed it...The Olympics!!!
*September - '''My Favorite Band!''' - Or your favourite Music Genre...your favourite orchestra...recording artist--their best song ''(I may shudder, but hey, it's up to you!)''  If it's musical, and it's your fave, write about it!


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 231: Line 170:
* [[CZ:Weekly Wiki|Weekly Wiki]]
* [[CZ:Weekly Wiki|Weekly Wiki]]
* [[CZ:Article of the Week|Article of the Week]]
* [[CZ:Article of the Week|Article of the Week]]
* [[CZ:New Article of the Week|New Article of the Week]]
* [[Archive:New Draft of the Week|New Article of the Week]]


{{initiatives}}
{{initiatives}}

Latest revision as of 04:02, 8 March 2024

Holidays, Festivals and Fetes
Anything having to do with a celebration. Or a commemoration (sometimes memories are sad, too).
Bonus points if it's an event that takes place in the month of May!

What's a Write-a-Thon?

It's a bunch of people getting together on a wiki at a particular time to do a bunch of writing. It's like an online party! Heck no, it is an online party! It's also an excuse for infrequent wikiers to show up and party hardy; to exchange ideas with people we might not "meet" otherwise.

But hey, why not show up in between the write-ins, too!

When?

Write-a-Thons happen the first Wednesday of every month. The next Write-a-Thon is Wednesday, May 7th, 2008. May 7th starts on May 6th, 1200 UTC, in New Zealand, and ends on May 7th, 1200 UTC, in Hawaii. Save The Date! Put it on your calendar! Set yourself a reminder!

Any new article you create, and any edit you make to somebody else's Write-a-Thon article during that time period will count, though to be a bona fide partier, you have to write your new articles when it's that day in your part of the world.

Our first Write-a-Thon took place Wednesday, August 1, 2007 and was considered a roaring good time--we had about 30 partiers creating something like 50 articles, and editing lots.

What are the rules?

Rules? This is a party! There are no rules!

Well, OK, maybe there are a couple rules:

  • We'll have a Write-a-Thon the first Wednesday of every month.
  • To participate, you only have to do two things: (1) start a new article (even just a stub will qualify, if not too short - and please remember to include the subpages template!), and (2) make a substantive edit (not just a copyedit) to somebody else's new article. Then you can list your name here as a partier. Until then, sign in as a porch-sitter, party-crasher, or total party poop.

This month's Party Theme

Holidays, Festivals and Fetes
Anything having to do with a celebration. Or a commemoration (sometimes memories are sad, too).
Bonus points if it's an event that takes place in the month of May!


(You can also be inspired by some of the theme suggestions, below. Or propose one yourself--just scroll down. Or write about something that takes your fancy--or the first thing that comes into your head--JUST DO IT!)

Create an article, already!

Check it out: Start an article!

Now (this time anyway) easier than ever! Stubs are not only permitted they are encouraged!

The Partiers

  • Aleta found her way into the party room, despite not feeling in the party mood due to intestinal upset. Oy! Where is everybody???!! [Searches for party hat] Decided to start at the beginning with New Year's Eve before moving on to my beloved shows. More--I *did* actually do my edit, to Cinco de Mayo so I count as a bona fide partier. I did some other stuff, too, but this was an awful internet connection week and I've forgotten what. Like Pat, I've jumped the gun on biographies. Probably gonna jump the gun on Olympics, too. Aleta Curry 03:49, 11 May 2008 (CDT)
Aleta, don't these things include tractor pulls? No American fair I've ever attended has failed to have one of those!Pat Palmer 21:30, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
You know, I don't think so. I think that *might* be an element at a field day, but I'm not entirely sure. Aleta Curry 03:49, 11 May 2008 (CDT)
  • Waves to Aleta. Louise Valmoria has wandered onto the porch outside, with lots of work in hand--busy day on the roads today. Still buzzed from some low-key Cinco de Mayo celebrations, she is wondering who else is around to join the masquerade ...
Hi Louise! Haven't stopped by the bottle shop yet, but I will! (Where's Derek when ya need him??)  ;) Aleta Curry 19:27, 6 May 2008 (CDT)
Ian's here! [punches air] Yessss!! Aleta Curry 20:09, 6 May 2008 (CDT)
In honour of Aleta's unbridled exuberance Ian got excited and went off to Mardi Gras.
  • Dave here, a bit early, but also leaving early, since I turn into a pumpkin at midnight... Mulled cider all around...and good night! David L Green 22:53, 6 May 2008 (CDT)
  • Chris noticed Auld Lang Syne mentioned in Aleta's New Year's Eve and thought an Ode to a Haggis was needed, so started on Burns supper.
  • Supten was late this time and decided to inform all about Rabindra Jayanti. However, he found that there wasn't any article on Rabindranath Tagore, so he created a stub and tried to find out which new articles to edit. Finally, he added an external link to New Year's Eve.
  • Derek Hodges (Guess I'm not going to be on a first name basis around here, not even Derek H.) just got back from a couple of days with family and the Canadian Tulip Festival. A festival! and in May.
[Edited to say--exactly *how* mixed up can one woman get?? See comment immediately below.] What on earth we're going to do with all these folks with the same first name...bunch of nicknames? Don't know why all your parents couldn't have named you something sensible, like Aleta....though I've been mixed up with other Aletas on the very rare occasion, believe it or not.... Aleta Curry 05:44, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
  • Derek Harkness thinks Aleta's getting worked up over nothing. It's not that common a name. Just think of the problems if we were called John Smith. Thinking of which, do we have any Smiths here? Derek started earlier today with a new article at Inner Mongolia then added some history to Liaoning. He was going to do holidays but he'd already done Chinese New Year and Shrove Tuesday on a previous write-a-thon.
But...but...it was Derek! The other Derek! Well, first it was Robert, because we've got a lot of Roberts, as well. Okay, so I'm a twit and I responded to one Derek by talking to the other one. I'll leave, now. Aleta Curry 20:56, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
  • Bruce Tindall started an article about Juneteenth, which, because it originated in Texas and occurs in the summer, may make very sweet iced tea eligible to become this Write-a-Thon's official libation. But, because Aleta started the day with New Year's Eve (to which I added a few sentences), it may be difficult to avoid enshrining champagne this month.
Australians don't make iced tea, more's the pity. Interesting you wrote about Juneteenth, because I was recently reading about the connection between Juneteeth, New Year's and Watchnight. African American slaves did not *invent* Watchnights, but the New Year's Eve of 1863 was so very important because the Emancipation Proclamation would take effect, that they participated in the Watchnight. There's an article in here somewhere.... Aleta Curry 21:06, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
  • Larry Sanger added to the New Year's Eve revelry...and then lo, his mouth opened, and he spoke truth! Then he danced a reel--OK, no, he played a reel, the dancing you don't want to see. By the way, it sure would be nice to include a recording or two of a reel... Anyway, also started some Celtic music...appropriate for May Day as any, I'm sure...
  • Embarrassed by not turning up with anything more bountiful, Tom Morris rustles up a quick stub on Harvest Festival, a rather reserved and British version of Thanksgiving. Being an author in the realm of eternal, transcendent ideas makes it rather difficult to think about the day-to-day. --Tom Morris 17:13, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
  • Pat has been meddling with Larry's Celtic music article. This is a milestone: my very first opportunity to participate in a WriteAThon. Whoopeeeeeeeeeee!Pat Palmer 21:28, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
    • Welcome, Pat! Thanks for the edits! --Larry Sanger 21:49, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
    • It's still Wednesday and I have yet to create an article. Well, here goes: in keeping with the theme, I'll create the World's Biggest Fish Fry.Pat Palmer 22:25, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
  • Hayford wandered into the party with a smug expression on his face as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth, having already created Butter, homemade/Recipe; Clarified butter; and then, just for kicks, Clarified butter/Recipe. Then he remembered that supposedly, true Partiers were supposed to not only create an article, they were also supposed to edit someone else's newly created article. So he zoomed off to Larry's latest article and, in truth wrought a couple of edits. So at least he, with a glass of single-malt Scotch currently in hand, is a true partier. But is anyone else? Or is the Must Edit rule now being observed only in its abeyance? Not that that actually makes the other Partiers bad human beings, I suppose.... Hayford Peirce 21:32, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
Ha, ha--no, you're right. I suppose I should really move a whole lot of people over to the porch sitters list.... Aleta Curry 03:49, 11 May 2008 (CDT)
Very impressive, Hayford. I wasted 20 minutes trying to think of something useful to add to butter but then realized I was tired and needed to quit. Signing off soon, I really mean it this time.Pat Palmer 23:08, 7 May 2008 (CDT)

Keen-as-mustard and jumped the gun

  • No way am I going to have time for the Write-A-Thon in July ("Biographies"), so I've gone ahead and started the article on Claude Shannon right now.Pat Palmer 11:00, 9 May 2008 (CDT)
Good on ya, girl! Accepted with pleasure. (Someone remind me to copy this to the July W-a-T! Aleta Curry 03:41, 11 May 2008 (CDT)

Porch sitters--article creators who didn't edit a new article

Party crashers--contributors who didn't create a new article

Its 2AM in Ireland and Denis was getting pretty tired of looking at a very short Jean-Jacques Rousseau page, so he made it a little bigger. Anyone else up for one of the most influential thinkers of European History? Denis Cavanagh 20:02, 6 May 2008 (CDT)

Rousseau area of my brain has cobwebs, I'm afraid. Go get some sleep. Come back. Wait--you're young--stay up, what the heck! Aleta Curry 20:11, 6 May 2008 (CDT)

David is still busy importing musician pics for the Stingaree Music Festival, but hey, its not quite Weds where I live, so I still have a chance to party tomorrow. David E. Volk 23:03, 6 May 2008 (CDT)

Learned something else new! Thanks! Aleta Curry 05:31, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


Joe showed up to the Cinco de Mayo festivities two days late but felt compelled to expound on its history anyway.

Have been busy coding this afternoon (in Python (programming language)), and before that was getting an eye test at the opthalmologist after a week of severe computer monitor-induced headaches. Now too tired to put an article together, but glad to see others have been busy. Opts for a tall, cool glass of cloudy lemonade, pops some Big Beat tunes on and parties. --Tom Morris 16:43, 7 May 2008 (CDT)

The shy ones, absent-minded profs, and other modest creatures

The total party poops

Go ahead, admit it!

Special Requests

While every one is here. Does anyone have any opinions on the proposal at: CZ:Proposals/Should we allow article specific subpages? Chris Day 12:04, 7 May 2008 (CDT)

I'll reply on the page. --Larry Sanger 12:27, 7 May 2008 (CDT)

I have a special request of my own. Any feedback on the developing Workgroup Weeks plan? It's not entirely finished, but there's enough there that should make the general idea clear enough. --Larry Sanger 12:27, 7 May 2008 (CDT)

Also, while everyone is here, can they have a look at my new proposal: CZ:Proposals/Should we remove the educational prequisites in place in order to be considered for the Constabulary? (P.S- Look at my main summary also.) Denis Cavanagh 16:50, 7 May 2008 (CDT)

Okay, I'll go take a look. Aleta Curry 21:26, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
I came, I saw, I commented. I answered the question "no"... --Larry Sanger 21:47, 7 May 2008 (CDT)

OK, i have set up an experiment. There is now a definition subpage tab (Def) at the top of the page. Also talk pages will have instructions in the todo box. Feel free to play with it. Or complain, it might be buggy. Chris Day 17:13, 7 May 2008 (CDT)

I tried it accidentally. Seems to work fine. Here's a queston: when I start definitions, I've been just launching into it, rather than opening with the actual name. In other words, I write, Def. Tea: a drink with jam and bread. As opposed to Def. Tea: Tea is a drink with jam and bread. This work for everyone? Aleta Curry 21:26, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
That's what I do to, no need for redundancy. Just out of interest, how would you feel if we had the definition in the metadata template rather than on a subpage? Would that be more or less complicated/confusing? Chris Day 23:03, 7 May 2008 (CDT)

Questions

Test yourself, an be honest, no books. Can you name one country for each letter of the alphabet. Then, can you name the capital city of each of those countries? Derek Harkness 07:00, 7 May 2008 (CDT)

Honest answer (tried this in the last 15 minutes): I'm stuck on 'W' and 'X' for countries. Oh, I am naff. Now I'm only stuck on X. I know the capital city for only about half of those. Of course, if I went back to my country list and filled it in with country names with capital cities that I know, instead of listing the first ones that come to mind, my hit rate might be higher (why do I think of 'Finland' immediately instead of 'France'? ... oh, I just remembered what the capital is, but still, not the first that comes to mind), but even then my capital city knowledge would probably be only be about 65%, max. Need to improve my knowledge on African and Middle Eastern countries. Nice challenge, Derek. Now, I wonder if we have articles on each of the ones we come up with? Louise Valmoria 09:16, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
Ohh, I think I cheated. I used whatever name I thought of first, either in English or in that country's language. You didn't say we had to stick to English. I used old names too. I also named the first country that came to mind and then if the capital didn't pop into my head I picked another country. Stuck on "W" and "X". Okay, okay, going back and eliminating foreign names and names of countries that no longer exist. Still stuck on "W" and "X". Thinking of cities, states, territories, districts, everything but a COUNTRY with those initials! Aaaargh!!! Not able to let this go--I HAVE to get it!!! Aaaargh!!! Aleta Curry 17:36, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
Hmm, are we allowed to use the pinyin romanization of the Chinese name for a formerly independent country now occupied by China that has been in the news a lot (re: Olympic torch, violent repression, etc.) recently? Oh. I didn't think so. Oh well, so much for my candidate for "X". Bruce M.Tindall 10:51, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
Can't come up with anything for X. Surprised myself with how well I did on capitals. Now here's another question: can you come up with a capital city for each letter of the alphabet and then name the country? --Joe Quick 11:49, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
Hungry? Is that a country? I thought Europe was a country. [1] --Tom Morris 16:56, 7 May 2008 (CDT)

It's a wrap!

May was a whirlwind, so I didn't wrap things up properly, sorry folks. Still, we had a success with informative new articles, as always. Thanks, folks! Aleta Curry 19:39, 27 May 2008 (CDT)

Previous shindigs

empty form

Official libations

  • Inaugural - beer!
  • September - champagne
  • October - we were refurbishing the bar and only had coffee!
  • November - made up for last month with more vodka than was good for us and plenty of rum.
  • December - eggnog and wine
  • January - Whisky and the Cocktail of the Month, a pharisee
  • February - schnapps and the Cocktail of the Month, the caipirinha (considered the national drink of Brazil)
  • March - port wine (which should probably live at port (wine), no? (Someone put that on their list, please....Oh, *someone* did--thanks, Ro) and the Cocktail of the Month, a Dead Aunt
  • April - Akpeteshie hot and fresh from Ghana. And cool shandies and spritzers if that took your fancy. Lotsa staggering around the bar after this party!

Write-a-Thon Theme Suggestions

New Suggestions and Discussion

Go ahead and propose one!

Great Men (and women too)

What do you say we get some biographies started. No matter what workgroup you belong to, there will be a Great Person for your group so this is one that everybody can work on. You might do a famous scientist, maybe an actor or actress, perhaps a national leader, or whatever takes your fancy. Derek Harkness 07:20, 31 March 2008 (CDT)

Ooh! Love this idea, moi! Aleta Curry 18:04, 31 March 2008 (CDT)

Re: Olympics

  • If we do Olympics in May, how do we handle the passionate and possibly justifiable views of those who regard them as the 'Genocide Olympics' (thinking of Darfur) or the 'Cultural Genocide Olympics' (thinking of Tibet) or the 'Pulmonicide Olympics' (thinking of air pollution)? Suggest we adopt theme(s) from Charles Darwin's works, to get ahead of the crowd planning activities etc. to celebrate the bicenntenial of Darwin's birth, Feb 12, 2009, less than a year away. CZ knows a good idea when it sees it. --Anthony.Sebastian 18:58, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
We don't even have an article on Tibet yet! We know China has blocked Wikipedia. Has China blocked Citizendium? Meg Ireland 19:15, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
Citizendium is not blocked in China. Also, the English Wikipedia is not blocked at the moment either. We don't have articles about most places yet. We don't even have a completed article about China let alone smaller places. Derek Harkness 20:16, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
I'm happy to add a Darwinian theme to a future write-a-thon--but...but...Anthony, are you nay-saying The Olympics?? Surely not!
Meg and Derek--yes, but that's all right. I think it'll make people want to get rid of red links!
Aleta Curry 21:50, 3 April 2008 (CDT)

Why not themes on holidays?

May Day is that week after all. We can getting cracking on Maypole and Moriss dancers and of course Fetes. Possibly tie in other pagan themes, stonehenge and such. Or even go with the obscure maritime connection and make a start on the Titanic, (may day may day). Of course there is the labor movement too and the Haymarket riot for those who want to stick to politics. Anyway, you get the idea. Chris Day 22:29, 3 April 2008 (CDT)

What a great idea, Chris! Cinco de Mayo, May sickness, St Joseph--I think we could work this.... Aleta Curry 22:45, 3 April 2008 (CDT)


Future Theme Schedule

  • May - Holidays
  • June - The Olympics! (Need Olympic Rings here) (and a sub-theme for July and August too, I would think)
  • July - Biographies! The Good, the bad, and the altogether ugly. Also: The Olympics, because I will well and truly have Olympic fever by then!
  • August - Attractions - Someplace you always wanted to go/something you always wanted to see. And/or a local attraction--go ahead and plug something wonderful about your city, county or village. AND...you guessed it...The Olympics!!!
  • September - My Favorite Band! - Or your favourite Music Genre...your favourite orchestra...recording artist--their best song (I may shudder, but hey, it's up to you!) If it's musical, and it's your fave, write about it!

See also


Citizendium Initiatives
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