posted by:
Darksaber (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (7:33 am)
Yeah those hot blogs are pretty screwy aren't they? funny post.
posted by:
danielmacdonald (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (7:35 am)
Dave there is a rocky I spoke to him many times and Tmail him. he also change my basic account to pro again after the upgrade. So it has to be some one with power at tblog.
Dan
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (7:45 am)
Reply to: danielmacdonald
And this refers to the agnostic aspect of my understanding of this so-called "Rocky". I think most likely somone or, something is up there. I'm just not sure it is a personal being. Did you actually see Rocky or hear his voice? Was the communication really of a personal nature? I submit that a fairly simple computer program can take your queries and give personal-sounding responses. I can agree there is someone with power. But probably not a personal and caring Being.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (7:46 am)
Reply to: Darksaber
Yeah. If there is a ral Rocky, then why are the Hot-Blogs so messed up. Surely a good Rocky would care and do something about it.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (8:16 am)
No, no, no! Don't leave. I don't know that the community has weakened, but it is changing. And I think that is the nature of blogging.
I don't know what the "divine beings" of t-blog are up to with hotblogs. I think they are using it as an advertising tool, hoping to hook those who first visit by the "hep and interesting" blogs displayed at the top of hotblogs. I think it is a matter of personal taste on the part of whoever, or whatever, is in charge; no real statistics being used.
Sweetsue, I think, got a little upset with her treatment on hotblogs. She never told me that. To me it is no big deal, just a way to point out that "Rocky" must not truly be in charge.
posted by:
preceptlady (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (8:37 am)
I have had some of the same feelings as you! I figure the Hot Blogs are on an automatic rotation. Makes no difference how many hits you have...if it ain't your time to be at the top, you ain't gonna get there.
I kinda doubt the Rockster will surface.
posted by:
CrimsonBlood (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (8:59 am)
I don't really know what to day, I usually just post my thoughts adn go on with it. But now that I have decided to quit tblog then I guess it doesnt really matter to me anymore. But I agree, is there really a Rocky?
posted by:
funkadelichika (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (10:52 am)
The whole hot blogs thing is interesting. On some of my posts I have up to 10 comments people visit my blog regularly but I still am not on the list. I use to be but now im not for some reason. On the subject of does rocky exist. I don't think he exists in the sense that we would normally think he does. Uhhh yeah.
posted by:
graceshaker (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (11:22 am)
the evidences of rocky are all around you dave. why on this very page there is evidence of rocky - if you will open your eyes to see it. Ü
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (12:18 pm)
Reply to: preceptlady
Automatic rotation? Like, maybe, someone set t-blog into motion and is now no longer involved. An impersonal force, a Prime Mover?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (12:21 pm)
Reply to: CrimsonBlood
I imagine your journey on t-blog has come to an end because you have matured beyond what it has to offer. It was good for you at the time. But now it just no longer fulfills you. You've outgrown it, I suppose.
It is saddening when one finally realizes there is no Rocky. You want to believe. It is comforting to believe. But I guess there just comes a time when you have to grow up.
Best of luck in your blogging journey.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (12:27 pm)
Reply to: funkadelichika
Quite interesting. So maybe Rocky does exist, just not as we conceive him to be? Perhaps so. He could be a force which hovers over T-Blog, infusing it with his presence. He could be Widsom, incarnate. No. I fear this is just wishful thinking. A way we, as humans, long for a divine being and crave for that something beyond. I guess we have to have a Rocky, we think.
Well, I am trying to break out of this limiting philosphy of T-blog.
Concerning the comments, there is no rhyme or reason. Maybe we should just comment because we enjoy it, and not worry about recognition and reward? We should just do it because it is a good thing to do, and not expect rewards from a mythological Rocky.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (12:34 pm)
Reply to: graceshaker
You say the evidences for Rocky are all around, that what I must do is use the eyes of faith. As far as T-Blog is concerned, faith just does not do the trick. For every evidence of faith you propose, pure Reason will trump it. No, I have to view T-Blog through reason, not faith. I have tired very hard to consider the presence of a real and caring Rocky with reason. But it is not reasonable that Hot-Blogs would be in such a mess if there were a reasoning Rocky. It's not reasonable that Rocky's own blog would be so sparse. It's not reasonable that he seems to never be there when he is needed the most. Faith excuses. Reason shows no sympathy nor animosity toward Rocky. Reason looks, but does not find.
So, through the eyes of Reason, I find no Rocky. Discouraging I know. But life goes on. Now, maybe we can move forward with T-Blog and together make it what it needs to be. Not with faith in a non-existent Rocky, with work together for a reasonable cause, the goodness of T-Blog. Makes sense?
posted by:
rocky (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (2:02 pm)
I am Rocky and yes, I am in fact real...
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (2:12 pm)
Hey now wait a darn minute... I just came back here after being gone for 24 hours, saw Daniel Macdonald telling Rocky to check out your blog, wondered what was up and just read your post... what the hell do I, (or Taboo for that matter) have to do with anything? Hell I never even changed formats after "the change" cuz I'm a chicken!
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (2:14 pm)
(And I'm not even a "pro-user"... Just a cheap bastard with a keyboard and a tv lookin' thing here in front of me.)
posted by:
danielmacdonald (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (2:51 pm)
Rocky, Rocky we command you to come fourth and lift up our comuters. I talk to him and help some person out with there pages. after the changes my account was set back to basic and he set me back to pro. Dave you talking about the a "BOT" in computer program and what I was talkng about with him in mail there is no way a Bot can come back and tell me what I ask him. maybe he a ghost of Tlbog pass LOL LOL.
surrogate: comeon open that wallet up and get a pro account and a new tv thing in front of you!! :) lol lol
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (4:18 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
I'm doubting the reality of Rocky. And I remember a famous moment when Madeline Murray Ohare looked up to the sky, shook her fist, and said something to the effect: "If there really is a God, I dare you, right now, to strike me dead with lightning." Nothing happened. So, inspired by her, I made a much less dramatic challenge to this so-called "Rocky". but, just in case he is real and he is a wrathful t-blog deity, I would rather you guys experience the consequences than myself. Fair enough?
posted by:
almsthvn (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (4:32 pm)
i believe in rocky.
i also have a really hard time reading your blog - is it my eyes ?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (4:37 pm)
No. It's Mozilla Firefox. Someone told me that Firefox uses the pure code, while IE has an altered version that is sometimes incompatible. Funny, since I am trying to ease into Firefox. I wonder if I can alter my site somehow to make it readable to Firefox? I'll do some investigating.
So, you are a believer?
posted by:
trina (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (7:07 pm)
Hey PD, funny post. I started at tblog in the beginning and he was around more then, it seems.
I use Firefox and have a hard time reading your blog so I always highlight the page in order to be able to read it.
posted by:
bacardibreezer (
reply)
post date:
02.11.06 (8:58 pm)
lol, I've never gotten help with my requests either, but I did talk to Nickster...who claims to work alongside Rocky...
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (1:00 am)
Reply to: rocky
Now, now, you think I will fall for this? Some written statement attesting to be from "Rocky", attesting to inspiration, does not prove his existence. One of his true believers, and we all know how far a true believer will go, could easily have fabricated this statement.
Nice try, guys. But I'm a reasoned skeptic. I want to believe, but I just will not be deceived.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (1:03 am)
Reply to: danielmacdonald
I guess when you want to believe something, bad enough, then you simply invent reality. I'm interested; some of these "writings" from Rocky- has anyone other than yourself actually seen them?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (1:06 am)
Reply to: trina
Yeah. I'm aware of the problem with Firefox. I'm going to experiement with another template and see what happens.
I can believe there was once a Rocky. Here was here. But he never intended to stay around for all time. The idea of an ongoing Rocky is probably just the invention of his followers. People like danielmcdonald, needing a Rocky for their own personal reasons, have come up with this idea of "Rocky-without-end".
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (1:08 am)
Reply to: bacardibreezer
Yeah, Nickster. You haven't experienced Rocky firsthand, but you have the testimony of Nickster. And I guess Nickster assures us all that Rocky is indeed real? And I have no doubt Nickster truly believes such. He's probably quite convincing.
posted by:
ruined (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (7:32 am)
Oh ye of little faith... lol
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (8:22 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
Yeah I get it... but fair enough? Geeeeezzzz. Don't sic the tBlog gods on me.
posted by:
nickster (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (9:04 am)
Be VERY careful... We're watching everything you do... LOL!
N
posted by:
sweetsue (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (9:10 am)
Pastor Dave..did you read my mind..lol..wow..things I have been thinking for along time.
I have not been blogging much lately..as the hotblogs really peeves me..like you said..people like you,surrogate,ruined and other great post...just keep dropping..mine included..and we get all these hits..and the ones up there get nothing..something wrong somewhere..and Rocky..pssf..makes me wonder for a long time...but I love the bloggers here..so try to over come it all..and make the best of it.Have a great day!
posted by:
TaBooTenente (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (9:15 am)
WHOA. Now just a darn-tooting minute!
1) my blog was in perdition, and was resurrected by Rocky Himself (with help from dan the acolyte);
2) my tears are blurring the screen, but i can't understand why Taboo is proof of rocky's nonexistence? though our differences be great, dave, have i not attended to your blog with love, tough but fair though that love may be? and my blog hath neither rank nor privilege of the hotbloggers, though my site be fair to the eye;
3) aye, verily you should switch to firefox an you wish a pure blog experience though IE heathens be spread far and wide; and yet, it were a template issue, rather than a Rocky issue.
moreover, i may guide thee through the template tempest to the eternal firefox life, should thou but ask.
TABOO!!
posted by:
Sillygrrl3 (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (1:01 pm)
This blog and comment train are why I love each and every one of you! *Grin*
I am smiling! Thank you! Sillygrrl
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (2:58 pm)
Reply to: ruined
But I do have faith. It is just not placed in a supposedly wise and allknowing, yet unsee, "Rocky". My faith is in my fellow t-blogger.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (3:01 pm)
Reply to: nickster
Is that you, Nick. THE Nickster? Uh... Would you believe I didn't really mean it? I was just kidding! Hey, I really think t-blog is great, and you are probably the best programmer and blog host around. And your picture...I'm a guy and a heterosexual, but you are really quite cute. And you have that mature, distinguished look about you. Nick? Are you there?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (3:05 pm)
Reply to: sweetsue
Yeah, sue, I agree. Just keep on posting. We are really here, doing this blogging, for the good of t-blog anyhow. A humanist motivation, if you will.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (3:10 pm)
Reply to: TaBooTenente
Your blog was resurrectd by Rocky? You have actual, first-hand experience of Rocky? What you are is a t-blog fundamentalist. You have never seen this great presense behind the scenes. Admit it is but a matter of faith for you. Ah, but with t-blog, I cannot worship at the altar of Rocky. It is the altar of Reason where I bow, and reason tells us there is probably no Rocky.
By the way, why has my blog been doing these crazy things lately? When I post a reply, I get this strange error message. Where did that come from?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (3:12 pm)
Reply to: Sillygrrl3
And sillygirl, even if there is no "Rocky" to love you, WE love you.
I hope you get this reply. My blog has been acting up a little.
posted by:
rocky (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (3:17 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
test
posted by:
rocky (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (3:18 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
test
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (3:26 pm)
Reply to: rocky
Uh....
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.12.06 (3:26 pm)
Reply to: rocky
Yes, Rocky. I am listening.
posted by:
graceshaker (
reply)
post date:
02.13.06 (8:38 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
i doubt things too. i doubt rocky knows me or cares. i doubt he pays any attention to my blog posts or comments. i doubt he cares about my questions on the community board.
but his activity is all around us. the very form you use to answer me is evidence of rocky. the template design page that alllows you to formulate you own coloscheme and layout within limits is evidence of rocky. tfriends new design is evidence of rockys continuing interaction with the wee ones here at tblog.
so ultimately you are doubting something from within it. thats peculiar reasoning to be sure...
posted by:
funkadelichika (
reply)
post date:
02.13.06 (10:34 am)
I find this continued train of comments very amusing and thought I would join in. So rocky hello you out there? You supposedly made a few comments... Well anyone could do that! All you have to do is change the Your Name dealie. Do a little more. I invite you to my blog to play around with it. Come on!!! Oh come on!
posted by:
DrForbush (
reply)
post date:
02.13.06 (1:46 pm)
Surely if there was a Rocky he would be born of a Virgin and come to Earth to correct all our ills. Surely the all-powerful Rocky could fix all our problems. But, those who would doubt his authority would rise up against him and perhaps have him committed or even put to death. But his true believers would certainly record his time spent here and pass the story on to future believers....
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.13.06 (4:48 pm)
Reply to: graceshaker
I must confess a change of heart. I came to a point of great need; my blog was behaving strangely. In my distress I cried out on tblurt, and Rocky heard me! that's right. He said, "I'll take care of that right away." And he did. All it took was a time of great need, and an honest cry for help, and he took care of me. I am now a believer.
You know, looking back, you are right. The evidence of Rocky was all around, even before my very eyes. I was making excuses; refusing to believe. The blindness was on my behalf.
But now I see!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.13.06 (4:50 pm)
Reply to: funkadelichika
Ah, another unbeliever. But I am now convinced; no longer wondering if he is real. He touched me! Oh, sister, won't you open your eyes and your heart and let Rocky in?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.13.06 (4:52 pm)
Reply to: DrForbush
I have wondered why there was such a long time of silence when we heard nothing from Rocky. Maybe you have enlightened me. His family and friend had him "committed". Now he is out and back with us.
posted by:
funkadelichika (
reply)
post date:
02.14.06 (11:20 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
He hasent done anything for me though! I need to see! I nees to see a miracle or a sign.
posted by:
graceshaker (
reply)
post date:
02.14.06 (7:27 pm)
i tell you the truth funkadelic - disbelief is not altered by miracles or signs bc they can always be 'explained' away.
posted by:
funkadelichika (
reply)
post date:
02.15.06 (9:48 am)
Reply to: graceshaker
If I saw someone being raised from the dead now that would make me believe...
posted by:
graceshaker (
reply)
post date:
02.15.06 (11:48 am)
people are raised from the dead all the time. ever visited an ER? Ü
posted by:
LadyG (
reply)
post date:
02.15.06 (9:53 pm)
ROTFL PastorDave, I really enjoyed you post and every comment, you have a great sense of humor.I still don't think rocky exist.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.16.06 (6:14 am)
Reply to: funkadelichika
Since I am now a believer, I can see that the signs and wonders were already there. Rocky created this wonderful place. Then, he came again, and recreated it. I should have seen it, but just did not. "Most blind is he who refuses to see."
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.16.06 (6:16 am)
Reply to: LadyG
You are a stubborn disbeliever! What will it take?
posted by:
kurtmaddox (
reply)
post date:
02.16.06 (7:28 am)
Ha! Ha! I assure you, PD, that if I were "Rocky" that tblog would be different than it is -- I'm not saying it would be any better or any worse -- just different. "Rocky" certainly "exists", but, could just be name used for whoever is owning/running tblog. Remember, a blogging community is pretty easy to set-up. You just have to buy the software to run on your server, build the site and then have someone be the admin. My guess is that "Rocky" is trying to improve tblog in an attempt to make it more commercially viable and less of a hobby.
As for Hot Blogs, the rankings, as I understand them, are computed on a 7 day running average of a formula that includes page visits / comments left / comments made on other blogs / etc. No one knows the exact formula but I it seems that traffic to your site and comments made to other blogs are the largest weights in the formula. My observations also suggest that the formula was tweaked a bit to lessen a persons ability to become #1 simply by being a hyper-poster to other blogs, as was the case before the upgrade.
On balance, I really don't get all the complaints about tblog I hear all the time. I like my blog, I love "small community" feel of tblog, and I like the features of the site. I have other blogs on blogger, the monster of blogware -- and I rarely even post them any longer. Blogger is much more sophisticated but you are just a pebble of sand on a beach on blogger and there is no continuity of interaction. There is no community like I feel with you, Graceshaker, ScubaDiva, Surrogate, SweetSue, Dr.Forbush, and many many others here on tblog.
I have, however, looked into what it would take to launch my own blogging community. The short answer is that it takes more money, time, and risk than I can justify at the moment :-) Hey, but I do love being mentioned as part of the conspiracy!!!
posted by:
kurtmaddox (
reply)
post date:
02.16.06 (7:57 am)
BTW... your purpose of your blog isn't lost on me. My answer to the theological implications of your post are the same as if you were speaking of "God" -- my answer is that "I have no idea if "Rocky" exists or not".
I will add, however, that your analogy has a critical weakness in that it is very much within our human capacity to do the work neccessary to find out whether "Rocky" exists or not and what the exact nature of "Rocky" is and what "Rocky" wants from us.
The same can NOT be said for God's existence. The existence or non-existence of "God" is unknowable. Period. Sure there are may who make claims, as you do, that they have a "personal experience" with God, as you creatively make that point with your "Rocky" analogy (I know there is a "Rocky" becuase I've talked to him personally). The problem, of course, that billions of people report very similar personal experiences of what they believe to be "God" and yet they come to very different conclusions about exactly "God" is and, more importantly, what "God" wants from them/us.
Human beings a single tool for survival and prosperity -- reason. Any philosophy that is an enemy of reason, must be a de facto enemy of whatever might be suggested to have created us.
I certainly give you your right to believe about "God" or about "Rocky" as you see fit. You have, however, only one acceptable explanation for any reasonable person to accept about your faith in "God" and your belief that a person MUST believe in Jesus in order to avoid ETERNAL DAMNATION -- and that one explanation is that you have a PERSONAL EXPERIENCE and that "God" told you the right answer personally. There is no rational path to faith to Christ. There exists no argument or explanation that provides a single compelling reason to hold that Christianity has it right and everyone else has it wrong. Christian ethics, theology, and morality are NOT inherently superior to other moral codes eminating from other cultures and/or other religious traditions. In fact, I believe Christian ethics, morality, and moral codes to be fundamentally flawed precisely because it asks of its adherents that they abdicate reason and that the substitute divine revelation as the basis for how human beings should relate to one another.
The Christian world is forever divided, for all eternity, into two camps of very unequal eternal value. In one camp are those to whom God told the right answer and they believed. This camp goes to heaven and an eternal reward. The other camp, which includes me, was either given the wrong answer or was given the right answer and rejected it, or was not given the answer at all.
You, of course, would suggest everyone is given the "right" answer and either accepts or rejects it, which is your right. The clear message, however, if you are right, is that God created a world in order that an overwhelming number of all the human beings who will ever exist are doomed to eternal punishment.
Again, it is certainly your right to hold and to promulgate such beliefs. It is my hope, that the current and future generations of human beings will recognize the absurdity of the proposition you claim that God offers mankind and will reject exclusivistic religious doctrines which confer eternal second class existence upon 90% of every human being who will ever exist.
If there is a God whose nature it is to be concerned about our existence and/or our eternal welfare, then I suggest that this God does not live in any religions box, including Christianity's.
Right Rocky?
Rocky: "Right Kurt!"
Right God?
God: "Right on, Kurt!"
:-)
Namaste!
posted by:
graceshaker (
reply)
post date:
02.17.06 (6:40 pm)
"I suggest that this God does not live in any religions box, including Christianity's."
you simply must stop saying things that cause me to agree with you. its getting bothersome. Ü
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.18.06 (4:51 am)
Reply to: kurtmaddox
Lots of the complaining about t-blog is unwarranted, I agree. This is a pretty good deal, especially considering it it free, and fairly unhindered by ads and troublemakers. And you are right, "rocky" could be just a front name for someone or something else. But I do believe "rocky" is a personal being. The communication I have had with him attests to such. He responded personally on t-blurt. He sent and answered t-mails. And, he did just enough tweaking with my site to get my attention. He is still very much a mystery, but there's enough evidence for me to believe.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.18.06 (5:01 am)
Reply to: kurtmaddox
Christianity is beyond the confines of reason, after you travel so far. As graceshaker has pointed out, much evidence for God is all around. But I admit, there comes the point when faith becomes necessary to interpret the evidence as being from God.
But, I wonder if reason is the single tool for survival and prosperity. Faith is always an element of human behavior. One must even have faith in those he most loves and trust, and even in life experience beyond the next hill. It may be a reasoned faith, but still it is faith. I think submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ can be a reasoned faith. If He loves me that much, and if He promises me that much, and if He has truly changed others as they attest, then it is reasonable to submit to and love Him.
Kurt, your reason is keeping you from the kingdom. The prohibition against idolatry includes the worship of reason.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.18.06 (5:04 am)
Reply to: graceshaker
God does not live in any religion's box, true. But He does live in Jesus Christ. Completely, though not exclusively.
posted by:
exsuscito (
reply)
post date:
02.19.06 (8:34 am)
Time to put this to rest, I've talked to him on the phone.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.21.06 (4:17 pm)
My faith is built on reason, but reason is not the foundation. The resurrection proves the validity of the teachings of Jesus. The scriptures are reliable because, when considered, they are reasonable. And my personal life experience makes trusting Christ to be reasonable. Finally, the changed he makes in the lives of others, and continues to make, causes commitment to Him to be the reasonable decision to make. Still, faith is essential.
