DMOZ Projects and Personal Updates

It’s freaking cold today and supposed to get colder.  It was a whopping 17F when I left the house this morning and its showing a balmy 20F at the moment.  Its supposed to drop back down into the teens tonight with a high of 19F tomorrow and a low of 6F.  This wouldn’t be so bad if it would snow, but yesterday we had rain and sleet and today its just possible flurries.

Yesterday was a busy day for me in real life, its that time of year.  So naturally I didn’t get as much done with regards to DMOZ as I would have liked.  I did manage to make a few edits though.   Contrary to the misguided opinion that nothing new happens at DMOZ, I am proud to say that many of my edits were to create a new category for the Cherohala Skyway.  The skyway is a 36 mile roadway that connects Tellico Plains, TN to Robinsville, NC and is designated a National Scenic Byway by the US DOT.

I also was glad to have added some new township locality categories in Indiana.  That has been and is still an ongoing collaborative project I have worked on with another editor (who has done most of the real work ) to find sites and  expand the listings for the state.   There is still plenty of work that needs done and hopefully some where out there a few potential editors interested in Indiana will finally apply to help out.  We need all the help in Indiana we can find.

If anyone is interested in becoming and editor or think it might be fun and interesting, please check out the section above called Become An Editor and apply for a small area that might interest you.  If/when you get accepted, drop me an internal feedback and don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

Regards!

Edited – Why Do I Do It?

I had an entirely different post written for today. I decided to hold onto it for later, as it still very likely will be needed but just couldn’t publish it at this time. Instead I chose to go the high road and leave it at that.

I have always tried to keep an open mind about the ODP while holding true to my core beliefs of what this project is and what it can become. I do truly love this project and hope that in some small way my contributions have some value. Maybe they don’t, I get that feeling more and more lately but I am stubborn in my ways so I hold on that they are of some value.

I have never had a problem speaking my mind, even when I really should keep my damn mouth shut. That is one of my weaknesses I suppose. That can’t be changed this late in life and frankly I wouldn’t want to change it. I stand by my beliefs and opinions. Others disagree, but I don’t feel I owe anyone an apology for speaking my mind and don’t plan on issuing any apologies for those opinions anytime soon. Sorry.

Having said that, now its on to my DMOZ impressions for the day. Frankly I don’t know what I am feeling today. Its kind of scary, most days like today where the “Big Red Button” is flashing at me,  I am trying to find a reason to go ahead and push it and be done. Today is a little different, as I am seeing the button flashing and struggling to find a reason not to push it. That scares me frankly. Whether you like me or hate me (guessing most fall under the later), no one should be able to argue that I don’t sincerely love this project and its editors. I have never done this to seek recognition or appreciation, I certainly don’t do it for the kind words that are said to/about me (insert sarcasm here).

Why do I do it then?

• Because I enjoy and love it.
• Because of those who took the time to mentor me in the past.
• Because of those who still ask me to mentor them today.
• Because of the daily inquiries I get from newish editors seeking guidance and advice.
• Because I think its a good project full of mostly great people.
• Because of the friendships I have formed and those I communicate with daily.

I have always believed that I would rather be hated for who I am, than be loved for what I am not. That still holds true today, but more and more I wonder: Why I do I continue to open myself up to it each and every day?

Normally I would find plenty of positive answers to that question. Recent events have shown me less and less reason to bother though. They have given me less and less reason to care, and yet here I am still struggling with that same question. Is it really worth it, is it really worth the grief? 6 months ago I would have responded with a quick and firm yes. This morning its just “I don’t know”.

As I always do, I will take a breather and step back. Let the past weeks personal losses settle and absorb recent events. Hopefully things will look better after some time is taken to absorb them.

I hope so.