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

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{{initiatives}}
<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, January 9th, 2008'''.  This month's Write-a-Thon was delayed to better accomodate vacationers and partiers! {{smile}}.  <!-- January 2nd starts on January 1st, 1200 UTC, in New Zealand, and ends on January 3rd, 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!
 
On another note, ''this is the first Write-A-Thon of 2008''! Let's make it a good one!


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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* We'll have a Write-a-Thon the first Wednesday of every month.
* 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 [[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.
* [[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] [https://lists.purdue.edu/pipermail/citizendium-l/2008-January/001213.html recommends] (but does not require!) attention to:


==This month's Party Theme==
<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>




<center><big><big><big><big><big><big>'''[[CZ:Core Articles|CORE ARTICLES]]'''.</big></big></big></big></big></big></center>
''(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 ==
*[[user:Aleta_Curry|Aleta]] took the lift with [[user:Louise Valmoria|Louise]], who called it an [[elevator]] for some reason.  Sat out on the top floor and wrote about the long-suffering monarch [[Mary I of England]], and another [[Peter, Paul and Mary|Mary and her friends]].  Life calls, but the day is young and ''I'll be back!!!'' Bwah, ha, ha....
*[[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)
:Later in the game, Aleta returned as she had <s>threatened</s> promised.  Spent so much time [[greetings and salutations|greeting and inviting]] people to the party (hope I didn't [[insecticide|bug]] folks too much), that she allowed the [[washing machine]] to overflow--three times.  Had to remind some of the guys that some [[Martina Navratilova|FABULOUS WOMEN]] can play tennis, too!  Don't think I'm done with causing trouble yet! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 19:21, 9 January 2008 (CST) I forgot to mention that I had always fancied myself a member of the [[peerage|aristocracy]]. And [[User:Pierre-Alain Gouanvic|Pierre-Alain]] has just let me know that we have a good three hours left--tee--hee-hee--how much more trouble can I cause? [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 21:01, 9 January 2008 (CST)
: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)
*[[user:Nereo Preto|Nereo "bad boy" Preto]] did nothing so far, but is keeping his place in this list warm for the next few hours... Against the rules? Well, come and find me if you can!
::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)  
: Hey, look at that! [[Oceanography]] now has a [[Bibliography]] subpage! This guy is not that "bad" after all...
* 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]] ...
: ...and, oho! Here comes the [[Burgess shale]]! THIS is a jump in the [[past]]!! (By the way, why don't we have "bibliography" and "past"?)
::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)
: just for completeness, I did some work on [[Fossilization]]. I also introduced a minor correction in the Wikipedia article "Solnhofen", hope you don't mind...
*[[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]].
*[[user:Louise Valmoria|Louise]] is now a partier because she has added her bit about [[glasses]], although at this stage she can think better in pictures than in words.[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 02:40, 9 January 2008 (CST)
::Ian's here!  [''punches air''] '''Yessss!!''' [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 20:09, 6 May 2008 (CDT)
:[[user:Louise Valmoria|Louise]] is in the middle of writing a long article about [[Prague]], except something happened to the template for her intro and she doesn't know what ... guess that's a cue to get back to some core articles. Much more shortly. [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 17:55, 9 January 2008 (CST)
:::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]].
::My father went to medical school in Prague.  Never been there myself, but he swears it's wonderful. [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 19:21, 9 January 2008 (CST)
*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)
:::It's absolutely gorgeous in Prague, and for the rest of the Czech Republic and the region, actually; very full of historical significance. Far too many interesting places I can think of to list them all here, but I'll be writing articles about them all soon enough :)
*[[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]].
:::On writing articles, a little bit of [[motivation]] came through to write about the [[European Convention on Human Rights]]. People are demanding we eat now so I ought dash--happy writing![[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 20:14, 9 January 2008 (CST)
*[[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 Harkness|Derek Harkness]] heard that them down under had some [[Brandy]] but it turned out to be an empty bottle. So yet again it fell to him to bring the drinks. Since Derek's Scottish, and it's new year, he felt a tott of [[Whisky]] was in order. The day before, Derek had visited (real life) [[Shenyang Imperial Palace]], a UNESCO heritage site, and noticed that wikipedia's article on the same was rather poor, so started work on something better. He also read up on some early history of [[Beijing]].
*[[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.
*[[User:Russ McGinn|Russ]] sitting in the corner, felt the need to contemplate the meaning of it all and sketched designs for his own [[Mausoleum]] on the back of an envelope. --[[User:Russ McGinn|Russ McGinn]] 11:36, 9 January 2008 (CST) Although, a quick article about the subject of the greatest true love story of all time, [[Mumtaz Mahal]], soon saw him reintroduced to the party.
::[''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)
::True love...awwww.... [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 19:21, 9 January 2008 (CST)
* [[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.
*  [[User:David E. Volk|David E. Volk]] was feeling [[ether]]eal today, and then got high on the [[elevator]].
::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:Regina Bouillon|Regina]] was visiting one of her favourite towns, [[Cape Coast]] in [[Ghana]], then had a [[pharisee]] or two or three.
* [[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.
:LOL--really enjoyed that--both the drink ''and'' the story about it! Odd choice of insult--I wonder if the good reverend sir didn't mean "Phillistine"? [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 20:23, 9 January 2008 (CST)
: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...
* [[User:Warren Schudy|Warren]] [[Voting system|voted]] to work on a core article, after [[CZ:Core_Articles/Applied_Arts_and_Sciences#Computers_-_Stage_3 | rigging an election]]. Jitse tried to [[Electricity|electrocute]] him as punishment, but [[User:Pierre-Alain_Gouanvic| Pierre-Alain Gouanvic]] showed him how to escape by the [[skin]] of his teeth. He also polished [[user:Louise Valmoria|Louise's]] [[glasses]] a bit.
* 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)
: Thanks for that, [[User:Warren Schudy|Warren]]. That'll teach me not to have cheesy [[advertising|tele-ads]] in the background while writing CZ articles! [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 16:50, 9 January 2008 (CST)
* [[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)
* Bringing the bacon home, or about to with his next article, [[User:Hayford Peirce|Hayford Peirce]] first established his credentials with some edits to existing articles about [[Whisky]] and presidential elections, then rolled up his metaphorical sleeves and began an article about the incomparable [[P.G. Wodehouse]]. Later today, ere the midnight deadline, he will also write some stubs about two Plum's greatest creations, the befuddled backwoods peer [[Lord Emsworth]] and his prize piggy (don't let Lord Emsworth hear you call her that, he'll fire you on the spot!), the immense, and prize-winning [[Empress of Blandings]]. Wodehouse, incidentally was so prolific, and wrote so quickly, that long before the age of the personal computer he contrived a special typewriter that used a long cylindrical roll of paper in it, so that he didn't have to waste time by putting separate sheets of paper in and out.
** Welcome, Pat!  Thanks for the edits! --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 21:49, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
**I imagine a dialog between Plum and his doting wife in the 1930s: "How much did you do today, dear?" Instead of "Oh, eight pages," he'd reply, "Oh, about seven and a half feet...." We should all be so endowed....[[User:Hayford Peirce|Hayford Peirce]] 17:31, 9 January 2008 (CST)
**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:Pierre-Alain Gouanvic | Pierre-Alain]], after starting the most superficial of all core articles in health sciences ([[skin]]), had to ask some [[insecticide]]s to [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]], to protect it. He's afraid that this won't protect it against the sting of [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Skin#In_oriental_medicine acupuncture needles].
* [[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)
* [[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]], yeah, so, so far I've been doing stuff in e-mail, not the wiki.  I'll be here later, doing core articles...just you wait!
::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)
:''Promises, promises! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 15:15, 9 January 2008 (CST)
::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)
::I'm here!  Whee!  I updated the Core Articles lists, which I deem makes me a party crasher, if not a bona fide partier... --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 20:38, 9 January 2008 (CST)
* [[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)
:::Okay, we'll buy that.  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 20:55, 9 January 2008 (CST)
::::And now I have visited [[Ancient Greece]], so it's official!  [[Toga]] [[toga]] [[toga]]!  (What, no [[toga]] article?) --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 21:13, 9 January 2008 (CST)


==Keen-as-mustard and jumped the gun==
==Keen-as-mustard and jumped the gun==
*[[user:Thomas Simmons|Thomas]] started things off with a [[Big Bang|bang]].
* 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)
*[[user:Simon Overduin|Simon]] suspects that many of us need [[glasses]].
: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)
*[[user:Michael J. Formica|Michael]] doesn't think we should be [[Antisocial personality disorder|antisocial]].
*[[user:Tom Stiff|Tom]] is off to the [[1997 Indianapolis 500|races]].
*[[user:Louis F. Sander|Louis]] just wants to be [[Free Republic|free]].
*[[user:Ro Thorpe|Ro]] started visiting places, and convinced [[user:David L Green|Dave G.]] to check out [[Malta]] and [[Cyprus]].
*[[user:Dawn Wright|Deepsea Dawn]] finally took the [[Philomath, Oregon|plunge]], and offered minor edits to [[Geography]] and [[Oceanography]] as well.
*[[user:Roger Lohmann|Roger]] was so pleased to have some extra time today that he got started on three new articles - [[Nonprofit management]],[[Social enterprise]], and [[Nonprofit board]]s - and edited three other recent starts: [[Social capital]], and two [[User:Larry Sanger|Larry]] was asking for recently: [[Membership organization]]s and [[Anonymity]]. Four of those were actually drafted by students and posted with their consent; sort of an informal [[CZ:Eduzendium]]. That last one could really use some input from those who have strong thoughts or contributed recently to debates on the subject of anonymous wikis.


== Porch sitters--article creators who didn't edit a new article ==
== Porch sitters--article creators who didn't edit a new article ==
*[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise]] is party pooper no more, as she has written a brief start on one of her favourite games, [[SimCity]]. Soon to come will be an article on her favourite spinoff, [[SimTower]]. This month she hopes to chip away at some core articles (SimCity was one of them) but will need to remain a porch sitter until some other new article creators come and join the party.


:Also, because [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek]] said last time that Australians never seem to shout the group, Louise has gone to find some really nice [[brandy]]. She does have some 'Waldbeeren'--forest fruit [[liqueur]]--and she got it from [[Austria]]. Write-a-Thon participants are welcome to share :) [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 15:39, 8 January 2008 (CST)


::Thanks to [[User:Chris Day|Chris]] for updating the Write-A-Thon page; [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise]] is making a mental note to ask him how to do that. She has written a brief stub on [[Elevator|elevators]], but now has to toddle off to the [[doctor]], and will possibly bring home some hydraulic engineering reference texts when she gets back. Happy writing, everyone.[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 16:41, 8 January 2008 (CST)
== Party crashers--contributors who didn't create a new article ==


:::Still a porch-sitter. Hi [[User:James F. Perry|James]], hi [[User:Aleta Curry]]. Has written a short intro to the [[Constitution]] but is not too happy with her writing style, so is going to review the [[CZ:Article Mechanics]] again as well as work on some other core articles. Back soon. Also--major painkillers, so expect weird questions ;) [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 21:49, 8 January 2008 (CST)
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)
: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)


::::[raises hand} Weirder than usual? Sounds like somebody had a trip to the dentist! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 23:45, 8 January 2008 (CST)
[[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)
:Learned something else new! Thanks! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 05:31, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


::::: Not dentist, fortunately. If I couldn't speak physically I would be writing effusively (with several chat programs running in the background) :D


::::: Also, intended to '''be bold''' and kick off a core article we need on [[Art|art]], and ... wrote a tiny stub instead because this one is hard. I can come back and edit this with more details about art, but am finding the initial introduction quite difficult. But at least it's started. Please feel free to pitch in here, partiers! [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 02:13, 9 January 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:James F. Perry|James F. Perry]] created article [[Encyclical]] and then followed up with an article on [[Humanae Vitae]], only slightly fearing 1) that it is pretty roughly hewn for such a controversial topic, and 2) it may be a bit too serious for the general party atmosphere hereabouts.
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)
:Don't worry, we can handle it. 


* [[User:Jitse Niesen|Jitse]] missed the previous parties, but is trying to [[electricity|electrify]] this one.
==The shy ones, absent-minded profs, and other modest creatures==
:Thanks! It's better than using [[candle|candlelight]]  At least you moved us out of the [[Dark Ages]]!  I'll go link [[washing machine]]. [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 21:05, 9 January 2008 (CST)
 
 
== The total party poops ==
''Go ahead, admit it!''


== Party crashers--contributors who didn't create a new article ==
==Special Requests==
*[[user:Ian Johnson|Ian]] -- Crashing parties is a favourite pastime of mine. So I took the [[elevator|lift]] up here.
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)
*[[User:Anton Sweeney|Anton]] didn't make it to the party on time, but still managed to sneak a [[whisky]]. [[User:Anton Sweeney|Anton Sweeney]] 14:32, 9 January 2008 (CST)


==Shy Boys==
:I'll reply on the page. --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 12:27, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


== The total party poops ==
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
:''Go ahead, admit it!''
clear enough. --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 12:27, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


*[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise]] doesn't know how to update the monthly write-a-thon page, but is here and is going to be a party poop until she actually writes something (hopefully, soon). She is, however, contending with an inconvenient illness ([[migraine]] just to start, but it's a bit more than that and may either contribute stubs or wait until later this evening. She is here, though. Also, she wants to put up a great art history photo she took in [[Germany]] about a [[pretzel]] but has no idea if we have an appropriate usage for it :) [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 15:11, 8 January 2008 (CST)
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)
*[[User:Robert_W_King|Robert]] - Possibly not this time, we'll see.  I have a lot on my [[plate]].
:Poor kid.  Is that why you [[false start|jumped the gun?]] [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 00:35, 9 January 2008 (CST)
::I started [[garbage]].  Enjoy! --[[User:Robert W King|Robert W King]] 13:41, 9 January 2008 (CST)
:::*Um...you're asking us to ''enjoy the garbage??!!'' [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 15:15, 9 January 2008 (CST)
*[[User:D. Matt Innis|Matt]] had high hopes that this would be the month that he could party with the big dogs, but is running out of steam!!!
:Awww...is it that late already?  See ya next month! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 17:10, 9 January 2008 (CST)
*[[User:Todd Coles|Todd]] has been lost in his own little world, editing stuff he left hanging a few months ago.  But since Aleta asked so nicely, he stopped in to say hi!  That should count for something, right?
:You betcha!  Much appreciated! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 17:10, 9 January 2008 (CST)


== Questions ==
:Okay, I'll go take a look.  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 21:26, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
''You ask--we answer.  Ask anything.  Keep it clean, now.''


* What time is it in [[Antarctica]]? For that matter what time would it be at the [[North Pole]]? [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 21:57, 8 January 2008 (CST)
:I came, I saw, I commented.  I answered the question "no"... --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 21:47, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
:Things that make you go "hmmm..."
::Well, as far as I know, time do not passes at the poles. That's why people wanted to reach the poles despite the difficulties of expeditions: to life forever. They then discovered that poles migrate, so that it is technically impossible to stay at the pole - someone tried to follow it, but without a roof upon his head, he died frozen. The project was then abandoned. Besides, a maximum of two guys globally could possibly live forever. And they are too far apart to fight and decide who'll be the "highlander". This shows how misleading movies can be. --[[User:Nereo Preto|Nereo Preto]] 01:59, 9 January 2008 (CST)
:::The same time as everywhere else. [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] 09:52, 9 January 2008 (CST)
::::Live forever in a frozen waste?  Well, okay then...! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 15:12, 9 January 2008 (CST)
:::::Some people will do anything for immortality ... [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 17:03, 9 January 2008 (CST)
:::[[User:Nereo Preto|Nereo]] raises a whole lot of interesting questions.
:::* How did they know which pole to follow if magnetic north is not the same as true north?
:::* If time doesn't pass at the poles--that would be, there is no day and there is no night, and minutes and hours have no meaning--the earth still revolves around the sun. So wouldn't aging still occur, just in years?
:::* Even if two guys could possibly live for ever, wouldn't the minute they step away from the pole they'd immediately age?
:::* By the way--dude, now I totally understand what [[highlander]] was all about. That film completely baffled me. Thanks!! [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 17:03, 9 January 2008 (CST)
::::''Highlander''', film? I remember [[Highlander (Television series)]] which I enjoyed far more than I would now admit.... [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 17:40, 9 January 2008 (CST)
:::::You've not seen the film, starring Christopher Lambert?!  Admittedly it hasn't aged well, but it was excellent. (Important thing is to remember that there '''''are no sequels''''' - ''even'' if you see films ''claiming'' to be sequels down at your local Blockbuster...) [[User:Anton Sweeney|Anton Sweeney]] 18:05, 9 January 2008 (CST)
:::::... there was a television series? Is the [[Highlander (Film)]] based on that, or the other way around? Also I feel a bit ripped off, because I'm pretty sure I've also watched a 'sequel'. Heh.[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 18:09, 9 January 2008 (CST)
::::No, Anton, I completely missed the film--what cave was I hiding in? (''wikigroan''-- Christopher Lambert/Connor MacLeod--oh dear oh dear.)  Lou--It looks like the TV series was based on the film. [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 21:27, 9 January 2008 (CST)


* Why do commuters in peak time still like reading over other people's shoulders when they have their own reading material at hand? [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 21:57, 8 January 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)
:Because you might have something better, of course, whereas they can read their own stuff any old time.  Besides, curiosity never killed nothin' 'cep maybe a few hours.... [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 23:43, 8 January 2008 (CST)


* How is it that kids can come up with the most stunningly discerning questions? Is it just that they haven't been overloaded with information yet, so they can see things from their unique perspective? [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 21:57, 8 January 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)
:No, they just ask directly whatever seems logical at the time.  As opposed to the rest of us, shackled by propriety into ignorance. [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 23:43, 8 January 2008 (CST)
::Hmmm, excellent point. Maybe we should all find a child and ask them what they want to know about the world, and start writing (simplified) encyclopedia articles about those too.[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 17:03, 9 January 2008 (CST)
:::Whoa! What a great idea! Louise, you are [[Yogi Bear|smarter than the average bear!]] [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 17:13, 9 January 2008 (CST)


*I want to know why it is that so many people who don't volunteer to do any of the needed work themselves, nevertheless have such an easy time of it telling the people who ''are'' working exactly what they *should* be doing? [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 23:47, 8 January 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)
:Hm, sounds like micromanagement to me; on the flipside, if someone is a perfectionist and they are trying to delegate their work to someone else, it's an oblique sign of trust.[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 17:03, 9 January 2008 (CST) <-- a perfectionist who has worked under perfectionists before, and learned a lot from the experience.


*Where is the middle of nowhere? [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 02:21, 9 January 2008 (CST)
== Questions ==
:[[Rovigo]], northern [[Italy]]. --[[User:Nereo Preto|Nereo Preto]] 06:43, 9 January 2008 (CST)
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)
::LOL--I shall report you to its fair [[citizen]]s! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 19:44, 9 January 2008 (CST)
: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)


*If a tree falls in the middle of the forest and there is nobody there to hear it, and assuming that there are air particles to create the resultant impact waves so there ''is'' a sound ... what does it sound like? [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 02:21, 9 January 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)
**"WHOOPH!" -or- there is no diaphragm around able to interpret the result of the air vibrations. --[[User:Robert W King|Robert W King]] 09:16, 9 January 2008 (CST)
:::Hey, great answer [[User:Robert W King|Robert]]! Also, you've just made me think that if we write articles about [[diaphragm|diaphragms]], we'd actually need disambig pages for them. At first I was thinking of the one in the abdomen before I remembered my old electronics classes.[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 17:03, 9 January 2008 (CST)


*How many times can you reuse the same word in once sentence back to back while still being grammatically correct. e.g. "The 'the' in the students sentence was incorrect." Here I have use the word 'the' twice back to back. Can anyone do more than twice? [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] 09:52, 9 January 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)
::The bored bare bear bared his teeth. ;) {{Unsigned|Brown Bear}}
:::Oh! ''That's cheating!'' [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 17:08, 9 January 2008 (CST) (But then again, all's fair in love and write-a-thons!)
::::The ''The The'' album, "Soul Mining", is well worth a listen! [[User:Anton Sweeney|Anton Sweeney]] 18:05, 9 January 2008 (CST)


*What exactly is a ''Shy Boy''? --[[User:Ian Johnson|Ian Johnson]] 13:42, 9 January 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)
:*Fellows who work away on Work-a-thon Wednesday without signing up. We haven't had any *shy girls*, for some reason--wonder why that is?  (Yeah, I know--leaving myself wide open with that one) [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 15:10, 9 January 2008 (CST)
::A sense of propriety is asking me to hold my tongue on so many levels for this one ...[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 17:03, 9 January 2008 (CST)
:::hahahahahahah-ouch [the sound of me getting a [[stitch]] from too much laughing!] [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 17:08, 9 January 2008 (CST)
*Where's [[user:Hayford Peirce|Hayford]]??? [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 17:08, 9 January 2008 (CST)
*Does the wind ''really'' come sweepin' down the plain in [[Oklahoma]]? [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 19:44, 9 January 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 ==
* [[/December 5, 2007|December 5, 2007]]
{{CZ:Monthly_Write-a-Thon/Previous_shindigs}}
* [[/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 179: Line 133:
* November - made up for last month with more [[vodka]] than was good for us and plenty of [[rum]].
* November - made up for last month with more [[vodka]] than was good for us and plenty of [[rum]].
* December - [[eggnog]] and [[wine]]
* December - [[eggnog]] and [[wine]]
* January - [[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]])
* 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!
 
== 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. [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] 07:20, 31 March 2008 (CDT)
:Ooh!  Love this idea, moi! [[User:Aleta Curry|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. --[[User:Anthony.Sebastian|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? [[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)
 
 
===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!
**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 185: 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}}

Latest revision as of 05:02, 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


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