Category Archives: Publishing

The process of production and dissemination of literature, music, news, opinion, information — the activity of making information available to the general public.

You’ve Come A Long Way Ms Ives

You’ve come a long way Kathleen Ives.

Back on September 4, 2007, I wrote a post about my meeting candidate for Newburyport City Council at Large, Kathleen Ives (Katy).

I found her to be delightful, smart, gutsy and energetic, someone who could be an real asset to Newburyport, MA. But being a newcomer, I really and truly did not think she had a prayer in the upcoming elections.

I do believe that Ms Ives could, might prove me wrong.

I have not talked to one person, once they have talked to Kathleen Ives, who would not like to see her on the Newburyport City Council.

And that’s no small accomplishment.

At first it was the more progressive folks and centrist folks that seemed to take a shine to Ms Ives.

However, when I started to talk to more conservative folks, they had the same reaction. They liked her too.

When Kathleen Ives started to put out signs, I would often see a sign just on its own. No other sign to be had on whatever property it might be. And that is often still the case. It appears that for some folks, Ms Ives would be their only pick.

And then I began to see Kathleen Ives signs clumped in with progressive candidates. Nestled in, for example, among signs for City Council candidate Donna Holaday and Mayoral candidate, Jim Stiles.

And then, low and behold, Ms Ives looks like she could be a crossover candidate. Her signs started to appear with mayoral candidate John Moak.

Kathleen Ives
John Moak
Campaign signs
in conservative ward, Ward 6

Kathleen Ives struck me as a person who could be able to facilitate people coming together. And other people appear to think so too. And if the signs are any sign that that could be true, despite her recent arrival, it is a possibility that Ms Ives could, might be an addition to Newburyport politics.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Local Journalism, Newspapers and The Newburyport Blog

Ask not what The Newburyport Blog could do for you, but what you could do for The Newburyport Blog.

Just to mess up the famous and inspiring words of John F. Kennedy.

What I am seeing is that local newspapers are having any number of blogs. (One local newspaper actually, for a few days, had a blog called “The Newburyport Blog.” This mix-up has been taken care of and the name has been changed, which I very much appreciate.)

And all of this had me scurrying to see what in the world could be going on.

And I spent several days doing some research. (Disclaimer, a few days– not a PhD’s worth of days.)

From what I read, it appears that local newspapers in general are now under the same pressure that national newspapers have been. Many people appear now to be getting their news more and more from the Internet. Especially I would imagine the 40 and younger crowd. And folks who grew up with newspapers, the “older” crowd, as I understand it, may still very much enjoy having that newsprint to read with their morning coffee or whatever, as a way to get the news.

And it appears that newspapers could be in a cyclone of transition–what to put in print and what to do with the Internet. And apparently how to convince advertisers that advertising on the Internet would be a good thing, which it most certainly would be.

And local newspapers in general, as I understand it from my reading, could be at risk.

And personally, I am a big fan of “old fashion” journalism.

Bill Moyers (Bill Moyers keeps showing up on the Newburyport Blog, because I happen to be a big fan of “wise men.” And Bill Moyers fits into that category for me big time) addressed this particular issue in a speech called:

“What Adam Said to Eve,” For the annual conference of the  Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication , On August 9, 2007 in Washington, DC. ( Please press here to read the entire transcript of that speech. It is truly fascinating and very moving.)

And what does this have to do with the Newburyport Blog?

Well, apparently, folks take the Newburyport Blog (this Newburyport Blog) way more seriously than I ever intended, wanted or realized.

The Newburyport Blog does try to analyze events in a meaningful way, and does try to be fair, and does try to do its best for its own version of “truthiness.” And, I’ve been around awhile, and do try and put events in context of what Newburyport, MA, as a city, has been through.

So 2 things. Local “traditional journalism” is vital to our democratic society (Please read Bill Moyers). Please support local newspapers. It is a really important thing to do.

And second of all, The Newburyport Blog is a “labor of love,” but it is still a “labor.”

And if you value The Newburyport Blog, please–ask not what The Newburyport Blog could do for you, but what you could do for The Newburyport Blog.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport Activists

As an (sort of former) activist (fighting to save High Street, etc.) I am very sympathetic to activists who contact the Newburyport Blog, hoping that I would give a plug to their cause.

This is what I learned as an activist fighting to save High Street (starting in 1999).

There are times when folks pay a great deal of attention to what you might be saying. And then there are times that no matter what you do, people simply are not listening, especially the way you might like them to. And there is really nothing an activist can do when this happens.

An activist can push their agenda during these fallow activist times, but my experience has been that if folks aren’t in the listening mood, that it could often be a waste of time and energy, which might be better saved for a more seasoned moment.

“Timing is everything,” certainly applies.

And sometimes pushing an agenda could backfire.

My experience is that after a certain point, folks in the political world know what the activist agendas are that are out there. And what I have found is that pushing an agenda when folks aren’t ready to act at that moment, could make whoever it might be, feel pushed into a corner. And instead of “cooperating,” whoever it might be, could be pushed the other way.

And as I continue to blog the Newburyport Blog, one of the things that I find that I often try to do, is try to listen to what the residents of Newburyport, MA might be willing to hear.

And if my gut tells me, don’t push that particular issue now, and then I go ahead and do it anyway, because I feel really sympathetic or pressured or whatever, it almost always backfires.

So activists out there, it’s not that I haven’t read your emails or heard your requests, it is that I am waiting for what feels to me to be the right time to blog about whatever it might be that you could be passionate about.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Blogging, a New Journalistic Medium

Blogs are becoming a new journalistic medium. And to state the obvious, nationally, some blogs have become very powerful.

Last week, when the Newburyport Daily News called to do their story on blogs, what came to my mind was Bill Moyers’ interview with national blogger, Josh Marshall, who broke the Alberto Gonzales story. (Please press here if you would like to read a transcript of that interview.)

I know I’ve said this before, and a similar quote was in the story by Steven Tait in yesterday’s Newburyport Daily News, but I really like Ed Cameron’s and Bruce Menin’s blogs. And the more I think about it, the more that I think that the blog medium would be a pretty amazing way for voters to get to know their candidates. And help them make an informed decision on how they would like to vote.

(All the Newburyport candidates’ blogs and websites for the election, November 6, 2007, that I know of, are listed at the side of the Newburyport Blog. If I do not know about a candidate’s blog or website, please let me know, and I will list it on the Newburyport Blog ASAP.)

And I am fascinated to see how national blogs, as well local blogs would evolve.

And since there are a variety of blogs popping up, what I have learned in the last almost 2 years of blogging, is that all bloggers, candidates or otherwise, need to be really careful.

Bloggers are considered “publishers” and have all the responsibilities of the New York Times, but in most cases, they do not have the resources, legal and otherwise of the New York Times. (See “Publishing” category in the “Issues” section on the side of the Newburyport Blog.) Especially as blogging becomes more prevalent and more mainstream and blogs become more of a challenge, in any number of ways.

To have blogger, Josh Marshall, break the Alberto Gonzales story, with all the political ramifications that have taken place as a result, is huge. And many folks, including major media folks and politicians, check out Josh Marshall’s blog “Talking Points Memo”, the first thing in the morning, or the last thing at night.

This is a big difference in the blogosphere, even from just a year ago.

So, bloggers out there, give yourself a crash course on the legal issues about blogging.

There is a lot of stuff on legal issues now for bloggers on the World Wide Web. And the legal issues are constantly changing as the blogging medium evolves.

And bloggers out there in Blog Land (including me!), please blog with knowledge and with care.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Hot-linking and Copyright Violations

One of the things that I have found blogging the Newburyport Blog now for almost 2 years (Wow… hard to believe) is that my “stuff” gets used all over the World Wide Web without my permission and, many times without acknowledgment or a link back to the Newburyport Blog.

I gotta tell you, this really, really pisses me off.

Here’s a photo:

Photograph of Inn Street, Newburyport, MA
with copyright information
(Mary Baker Eaton © 2007)

Yup, you got it, it has copyright stuff and the name and address of the blog all over it. (The Inn Street photo seems to be particularly popular.)

And yup, it’s for a reason. If folks are going to download stuff or “hot-link” it– “linking” an image instead of downloading it, I have a few options.

One, is to remove the image all together (and since I’ve put time and effort into gathering up a myriad of images for the readers of the Newburyport Blog to enjoy, I hate to get rid of them.)

Two, do what a lot of bloggers do, which is replace the picture being found elsewhere with another image that tells whoever it is, where to go, and it’s usually where the sun does not shine (this is done with images that are “linked” or “hot-linked… I can’t believe that I actually know this kind of stuff now. Gesh.). I’ve seen some of these and they are pretty creative, but not exactly quite my style.

Three, try and get in touch with whoever. And surprisingly, this is not always so easy, and often not so fun. And if successful, often requests are ignored or stonewalled.

Or, four, voila, have copyright and info scattered all over the image, as in the example above. (Which doesn’t do much for the image.)

So those of you out there in Web-Land who might be “borrowing” stuff, please make sure that whatever it is that might be being “borrowed,” from wherever it may be being borrowed from, please make sure it would not be copyrighted.

And (and believe you me, for those of you who have been following the Newburyport Blog, I never thought I would be on this end of this comment, and this one is way ironic) using an image that is copyrighted is illegal, a copyright violation, and is against the law.

It is my understanding that to use a copyrighted image from any place, written permission is required along with the proper acknowledgement. A link back to the place where the image is found and a “thank you” does not hurt either.

Plus this technique is just plain classy and thoughtful and very much appreciated by whoever happens to have the image in the first place.

(And, for a variety of reasons, there are times when permission is not always granted.)

Oh readers of the Newburyport Blog, thank you for your patience on this particular topic. Who knew, not moi, that such things as “hot-linking” would be discussed in such depth on the Newburyport Blog. Good grief.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport Politics, Condescending, Not Good

I am fascinated that I apparently touched a nerve with the infamous “coupon, low-low price of hamburger” post. (See previous post.)

I often “lurk” at a forum about Newburyport called Around the North Shore:
aroundthenorthshore.com/forums/index.php.

You have to join to be a member of the forum.

And on the forum one of the posters really articulated something for me. The word that was used was “condescending.”

A nerve that the “coupon, low-low price of hamburger post” apparently hit, was that folks felt that I was “condescending.” (Oh, that I had put “BMW” or “Jaguar,” instead of “hamburger.” Thereby, of course, pissing off a whole set of other folks.)

If some people had such a visceral reaction to what could be perceived as a “condescending” post on my part about hamburger and coupons, that could also tell me a whole lot about what could be a visceral response concerning a whole lot of political stuff in Newburyport, MA.

Tom Ryan often used the word “arrogant.” “Condescending” could be a variation of the same thing.

It would explain people’s visceral response to the “Yes for Newburyport” folks. Many perceived them to be “condescending.”

It could explain people’s reaction to Donna Holaday’s run for mayor in 2005. It seems that some folks perceived her in 2005 to be “condescending.”

And it could explain why, although John Moak, despite having views and policies that people in Newburyport may disagree with, may well be electable for a second term. The electorate so far appears not to have found our present mayor to be “condescending.”

And “condescending” seems to be the “kiss of death” when it comes to Newburyport politics.

I am truly fascinated by all of this.

It explains to me (something that has puzzled me for a long time) why many voters (liberal, conservative, centrist) often appear to be turned off by very intelligent progressives. The progressives could at times be perceived as being “condescending.”

To quote from a post on the Around the North Shore Forum, that “anyone who disagrees with them (progressives) is either stupid or simply needs to be ‘educated’.”

A light bulb has gone on for this blogger.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Infamous Hamburger Post

From the feedback and emails, I guess folks found my now “infamous coupon post” on the “low-low price of hamburger” offensive, to say the least… try condescending, elitist, patronizing, arrogant, snobby, uncompassionate, insensitive, nasty… you get the idea.

Wow.

Confessions of a blogger:

I am too lazy to read the coupon ads. And I go straight to the store that I’m pretty sure always has the “low-low price of hamburger.”

And I do NOT have anything against coupon users.

And I even like to cook. And if you check out my art blog, I have “recipes for artists.” A number of them contain the low-low price of hamburger. In fact, one of the things I like to do (and I got this from my Dad) is try and experiment each week, and come up with some variation of some “cooking concoction,” (which often contains the low-low price of hamburger).

I did get a very nice email from the folks who run the “poverty program,” that was supposed to be (but I guess was not, for some readers of the Newburyport Blog) the point of the post (along with my frustration that there was such a low turn out for the primary election for mayor, among all socio-economic groups of people).

They said they had just been reading a book that talks about how freedom would decline when people care more about their possessions than other stuff, although the book apparently “doesn’t specify cheap hamburger” (their quote).

Their sense of humor made me smile, along with their thoughtfulness and appreciation. Thank you so very much. It sure did beat folks thinking I could be callous, condescending, elitist and snobby.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Irony and Political Cartoons

I guess the fact that I said that I was “whining” in an earlier entry, resonated with at least some readers of the Newburyport Blog.

On one of my “walks” last week, someone asked me if I was “whining.”

Sigh.

One cannot “whine” about a 43.7% rate hike on one’s health insurance. One’s blood pressure can go through the roof (making one need health insurance more) and one can feel outraged, betrayed, terrified, etc., etc., etc., but “whining”–no.

This is called “irony.” Irony is “using words to suggest the opposite of their literal meaning.” (Thesaurus, Microsoft Word)

For the record, I’m one of the least “whiny” people I know.

Being from New York, I’ve always been very big on “irony.” “Irony” in the last 6 years or so, seems to have gone out of fashion.

Sigh.

I like “irony” a lot.

It was one of the reasons that after I Googled the political cartoonist I met (see previous post), and eventually stopped feeling like a “dope,” that I found myself just downright fascinated, because I like the “edgy” political cartoons that I have found so far.

I have a feeling that I (and the readers of the Newburyport Blog, who feel like it) might now learn a whole lot more about political cartoons. (Another major learning curve for moi.)

This is from “The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists” (AAEC) on the Herblock Prize (see previous post).

(Already I’m feeling “enlightened” throwing around stuff like “AAEC.”)

“The Herblock Prize was created by the Herb Block Foundation to encourage editorial cartooning as an essential journalistic tool in preserving the rights of the American people.

Or, as Herb Block himself once put it: ‘Cartooning is an irreverent form of expression, and one particularly suited to scoffing at the high and mighty. If the prime role of a free press is to serve as critic of government, cartooning is often the cutting edge of that criticism.’ ”

“…the judges selected Auth’s work because his cartoons ‘not only pointed out the flaws, ironies and injustices in the system and its leaders, but simultaneously offered a playful sense of hope. This was truly a ‘Herblokian’ collection of work.’ ” (The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, May 10, 2005)

See, there is that delightful word, “irony.”

In my complete brazen, chattering to Mr. Auth, I actually had the very true audacity to suggest that blogging has something in common with political cartoons. (I can hardly believe I said that. Geesh.)

Because, in part, gently, sometimes, the Newburyport Blog does try and point out the ironies and silliness and flaws of civics and government, and also (one tries) to suggest the possibility that there might be a slight chance that things could get better.

(And don’t forget, I have a political consultant called “George”. It’s just not the “other” George.)

I am really fascinated by Tony Auth’s political cartoons, the ones so far that I have discovered (although I realize that not all the readers of the Newburyport Blog might be as “fascinated” as I am… they might even be offended…). And this is a whole new medium that I know absolutely nothing about, and I’m looking forward to learning a whole lot more about it.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Ignorance is Bliss when Schmoozing About the Newburyport Blog

I feel like a dope.

When the New York art gallery expressed an interest in my artwork (see earlier entry) I thought it would be a good idea to be real upfront about being the editor of the Newburyport Blog.

(It’s amazing how attached I’ve become to this silly thing.)

Not too many artists are “connected” to a local, community, political “blog” with a large readership. How does one explain this? It is weirdly difficult.

At the art opening, this Saturday, September 8, 2007, in NYC, the gallery director (I do not know if she has read the blog or not) pointed out a gentleman who is a political cartoonist with a major newspaper.

I, in my schmooziness, schmoozed on over to the gentleman in question, and brazenly introduced myself as a political blogger. His wife turned out to be a fellow artist.

This, in retrospect, demonstrated incredible “chutzpah” on my part (vast understatement).

I chattered on (apparently I can be prone to chattering on) about the Newburyport Blog with the political cartoonist and his wife (who turned out to be lovely, lovely people.)

Their first question was, had I ever had “death threats” (no, thank goodness, may that NEVER, ever happen). They recommended, if threatened late at night, to get dressed, so if one is actual killed, one at least looks good when found.

We did talk about the, my, “being sued” thing. (See entries under “Publishing.”) This pales in comparison to the “death threat” thing.

I promised when I got home that I would “Google” the gentleman, and of course I did, being the curious human being that I am.

The “death threat” thing should have been a tip off to moi as to the distinguishedness of the political cartoonist that I was cluelessly chattering, schmoozing with. Good grief.

Turns out to be a “Pulitzer Prize” winner and recently received the “Herblock Prize.” This apparently (my Googling) is a huge award and the “Herblock Lecture” was delivered by Senator Barack Obama (more Googling) in 2005.

And I, chit chatting merrily about the Newburyport Blog. Geesh.

So if this distinguished gentleman (and believe you me there is absolutely no irony with that one) does “Google” the Newburyport Blog… “Hi.”

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Ulrika Gerth and the Newburyport Current

I’m feeling cranky.

Ulrika Gerth is no longer the editor of the Newburyport Current and believe you me, it’s already showing big time.

(I know, I know, I’m deliriously happy, seriously, that Ulrika Gerth is the brand new mother of one gorgeous baby girl… but still, I’m cranky.)

There are 2 big stories out there this week. Will the Newburyport Current, under the new regime, have any interesting coverage of them, or any coverage at all, or even know that they are stories?? Doubtful. (See how cranky I am?)

The first story is the fact that Mayor John Moak (finally) has a new administrative assistant (Newburyport Daily News, August 23, 2007).

The story is A) finally, that the mayor has a new assistant. We (the city of Newburyport, MA) could have used this fellow a while ago. If the mayor does not get reelected (which seems unlikely at this point, but you never know), getting an administrative assistant at the 11th, Ok, the 10th hour, seems a little late. (It’s still a little late.)

However, on paper, this guy, Ari Herzog, sounds great. He has a master’s degree in public administration–yeh! (thank goodness, whew).

Mr. Herzog worked as a journalist and then on Beacon Hill, according to the Newburyport Daily News article by Stephen Tait (August 23, 2007). And Mr. Herzog’s main emphasis as Mayor John Moak’s assistant chief administrative officer would be “budgeting, generating funding, human resources/labor relations and constituent services.”

All of this works for me.

“Herzog said there are challenges he knows he will face, among them getting to know the community” … Yes, is this a vast understatement or what? But at least Ari Herzog appears to know that this would be a “challenge.” (Thank goodness.)

I would imagine it would take anyone a good year, even going to all the board and committee meetings with a group of guides, to begin to understand how this small New England city works.

But from the article, Mr. Herzog sounds “hungry.” So honey, “chow down.”

The second story is the fact that the Undertoad has sold to a gentleman from Salisbury called Steve Nichols.

A) Mr. Nichols is from Salisbury, not Newburyport and B) Mr. Nichols has worked for 26 years as an “arborist, or tree-surgeon” and eventually plans to expand the Undertoad to 10-12 communities (Newburyport Daily News, August 24, 2007).

Believe me, as editor of the Newburyport Current, Ulrika Gerth would have been all over these 2 stories in a major and significant way.

Good grief I miss her.

Who knows whether the new regime is even remotely capable of the same “editorial savvy” that Ms Gerth so aptly demonstrated and brought to our homes every Friday morning.

And at least Mr. Herzog appears to be “hungry.” Who knows whether the “new regime” at the Newburyport Current has an “appetite,” much less whether they are actually “starved” or not.

From the first few issues, it appears that they have no appetite at all.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Tom Ryan Sells the Undertoad

On Wednesday, August 22, 2007 (yesterday), Tom Ryan sold the Undertoad.

The next issue of the Undertoad, which will come out next week, will be the last Undertoad edited, published and written by Tom Ryan.

I didn’t ask who bought it folks. Sorry. Just have to wait for that one.

Not to state the obvious, but to state the obvious, some people will breath an enormous sigh of relief, and some people will be mighty distressed–who will tell us NOW what’s really going on in Newburyport, MA (don’t count on this blogger).

Tom Ryan plans to be out of town by October 1, 2007.

Wow.

Are things ever going to be different around here, in Newburyport, MA. Good grief.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

It’s a Baby Girl!

It’s a baby girl!!

Ulrika Gerth gave birth this morning to a “young lady” — Amelie Gerth in Newburyport, MA.

Amelie is 8.6 pounds and apparently just beautiful. And Mother, baby and Dad are all doing just fine.

Yeh!!

Ulrika Gerth became the editor of the Newburyport Current roughly 2 years ago. Smart, “fearless,” a quick learner, she made the Current a “must read.”

Ms Gerth stepped down as editor a little over 2 weeks ago. One tough act to follow, if not downright impossible.

Not getting the Newburyport Current delivered (until recently), every Friday morning I would go out on a hunt looking for a Current that might not be read by one of my neighbors.

(I was always afraid I’d be arrested for stealing a free newspaper.)

I first started rereading the Newburyport Current because Ms Gerth let Jim Roy write his (either you love it or hate it) column. Apparently that column was/is the first thing a whole lot of people look for Friday mornings (those people who get the Newburyport Current delivered to them) before work, over their morning whatever.

After discovering Mr. Roy’s column (what can I say, I’m a fan. I sure hope they let him keep writing undeterred, under the new editorial regime), I discovered Ulrika Gerth.

And wow, did I ever become an aficionado.

And although I’m going to miss Ulrika Gerth like crazy as editor of the Newburyport Current, I sure am excited that she is the proud Mom of a gorgeous baby girl. And congratulation to the proud Papa, Ralf Gerth, as well.

Welcome to the world Amelie.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport and Friendship

I read about Mr. Ryan’s definite departure from our fair city with great sadness.

Mr. Ryan has probably become one of the Newburyport Blog’s biggest friends.

I know this comes as a surprise to many and horror to more than a few.

The Tom Ryan that I have come to know in the last year and a half is a completely different Tom Ryan than the often cruel, smart-assed editor of the Undertoad, who often seems to have a huge chip on his shoulder.

It’s as if the Tom Ryan of the Undertoad is a “persona,” and the Tom Ryan that I have come to know is a completely different person.

And if the Undertoad editor is a “persona,” believe me, I more than understand.

Over the last year and a half plus, I find that as the editor of the Newburyport Blog I have begun to develop a “persona” myself. A completely ditzy person, who talks to birdbaths, has stuffed animals making political commentary, and who occasionally makes an intelligent observation.

And as I put myself “out there” in a small community, it feels as if the “persona” serves as some sort of protection or shield.

I could honestly say that it is very possible that Mr. Ryan is the best friend that the Newburyport Blog has had thus far.

Mr. Ryan calls up and checks on me. Sees if I’m doing Ok. Tells me I’m doing something worthwhile (yes, hope that is true) and not to lose heart. And there is no agenda.

Possible small gestures that have gone a long, long way. And no one else in Newburyport, MA has come close to showing the consistent compassion, empathy and support that Tom Ryan has.

Actions speak loudly.

Now as the election heats up and I may disagree with Mr. Ryan on this or that, I still may well get “Toaded.” But all those “small” kindnesses have added up to a mountain of consideration. It would take an awful lot of wild “Toading” to negate all the kindness that Tom Ryan has shown to me and the Newburyport Blog.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, My Faithful Visitor

When I started the Newburyport Blog, a local blog, I also started a blog on national issues (as well as an artist’s website and an art blog– a lot of stuff).

The Newburyport Blog ended up flourishing, way beyond my windswept expectations. But that’s not the only reason why the Newburyport Blog gets the most attention from moi.

Way back in the early days when I first had my art website, when maybe 7 people would come visit, and 3 of them happened to be me, I had a faithful visitor who every month would check every page. Who wouldn’t be happy? I was.

Now my stats (statistics) show IP numbers. An IP number is the number of a particular computer. It took me a while to figure out all of this IP stuff out. And then I realized that you could look up IP numbers. Most of the time it doesn’t tell you much, but every now and again, you will get the name of an actual company (as opposed to Comcast or Verizon). And way back when, when there were only 3 or 4 IP numbers a day, it didn’t take much time to give them a gander.

So who is my faithful visitor? Well, after a little IP-ing and a little Googling, I found out that my faithful visitor turned out to be a company used by Home Land Security.

Yikes, and I was pissed. I mean, this was an art website, for crying out loud.

So, when I started the national blog, I put this information, with the IP number and the name of the company on my national blog.

Then my “faithful visitor,” visited me a whole lot more frequently, and I was very freaked. So, I decided to take down the IP number and the name of the company. And yes, you bet, I’m chicken. I decided to concentrate on my own home town community, where hopefully my “faithful visitor” would only see fit to visit me once a month, just like in the old days.

And as a btw… I have no idea how many times these folks now come around, because I’ve long stopped, long since, checking IP numbers. So how often my “faithful visitor” comes a calling will just have to remain a mystery. Which remains fine and dandy by me.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

(Editor’s Note: O’ you out there in Web Land, if my “faithful visitor” was checking out an art website, one would imagine that they are probably checking your blog or website out too.)

Newburyport, Frogs and The New England Really Religious Watch

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any weirder with frogs, The New England Really Religious Watch is concerned that I am corrupting the youth of Newburyport, MA and wherever, by having the frogs “live in sin” at the Newburyport Blog.

The New England Really Religious Watch is concerned that, you guessed it, George Cushing (of Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall in Newburyport, MA, the political consultant for the Newburyport Blog ) and his “love interest,” Georgiana Tadpole, are setting a very, very bad example for youth in general on the World Wide Web.

George+G.jpg
George and Georgiana, both angry and perplexed
by the accusations

I assume that they are talking about the “Valentine” post where they mercifully and eventually “hopped off to froggy hormonal wonder-land wherever,” and my reference to “love-struck, hormonal frogs” around the Newburyport Blog.

First of all they are making the assumption, whether it is true or untrue, that George and Georgiana are “getting it on.” Personally, I do not think that there is any indication that that might be true, thank you very much.

Second of all George and Georgiana are adults (I think). Well at least George is. I’ve never had a “chat” with Georgiana about her age. However the last name of “Tadpole” does give one pause for thought. But she’s a FROG, for goodness sakes, so who cares how old Georgiana Tadpole might be. Good grief.

And G & G are FROGS. Even if they were humping their little brains out, they are FROGS not human beings. What right does The New England Really Religious Watch have in being upset that FROGS could be humping “in sin” or not “in sin” at the Newburyport Blog.

Am I supposed to insist that we now have froggy nuptials at the Newburport Blog? They just met, for crying out loud. Who knows if they want to get married or even if it would be a good idea. A little early to be insisting on a wedding for goodness sakes.

And do frogs even get married? I don’t know. I simply don’t know that much about this sort of FROG stuff. George is supposed to be a political consultant, not a political lightening rod. Good grief.

Who knew. Intimating that moi, the editor of the Newburyport Blog has fornicating frogs hopping around. Being threatened with lawsuits was bad enough. But this, Oy Veh.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

(Editor’s note: Having just read the editorial in the Newburyport Daily News, March 2, 2007, “Bloggers need beware of legal challenges,” reminding me once again that yes, there is such a thing as “blogging peril,” as far as I can tell by extensive Googling, etc, “The New England Really Religious Watch” is purely fictional, and such an organization does not really (I hope) exist.)

Publishing, Weather, Comics and Newburyport News

This is what I’ve come to ask myself as I reflect on my momentary euphoria at putting links to horoscopes, the weather, comics etc on the Home Page of the Newburyport Blog:

Have I gone over to the “dark side,” the commercial side, by blatantly linking to CNN and the Weather Channel instead of my fellow struggling bloggers and even my own local media?

Or is this a case of “blogger savvy?” Aspiring to lure local readers to bigger things, in hopes that they might notice the encroaching elements and issues that (in my mind at least) plague their own home town? (Or have I just lost it?)

I’m not a black and white thinker. Multi-determined, probably.

I myself find that I now linger over my own blog, checking the weather, then my horoscope and finally finding out what Doonesbury could possibly be up to. I find that I actually forgo checking out the 20 something “stud-muffins,” that may be “very easy on the eyes” at the Personals.

Yes, a quick check at Sports. A wander over to the National News. (It’s fun.) And then I crawl back to the warmth of my own sometimes myopic blogging of my own small New England burg.

I think to myself, why not? Newspapers have a broad swatch of whatever and then lure readers to dangle over, while checking out TV Listings and the Comics. Why not moi?

Why not do it backwards? Have a small blog-about, about whatever and then lure readers with the possibilities of “stud-muffins” at the Personals and “laughter” at Comics and “euphoria and agony” at Sports.

In fact, I wonder why I had never thought of this sooner. Why not blend hot-stuff major mindsets and things with small city, local blogging?

One of my frustrations is that so many people in Newburyport, MA find out about “important stuff,” let’s say like the proposed development at the Wheelwright property, a year after the whole thing has gotten well under way.

I checked, the first blog entry on the SOS on the Wheelwright Property was way back in January 2006. The second major blog entry no less.

Where have these people been? Some of them have been reading the New York Times and the New Yorker for goodness sakes. All good stuff, but nothing in there about the encroaching dilemmas of Newburyport, MA. How will they know? Or at least how will they know a little sooner or the vague possibility of a whole lot sooner?

Or worse yet, they haven’t been reading much of anything, if anything at all.

So my little theory and experiment. A brief glance might inform about some of Newburyport’s concerns, whatever. And then, yippee, fun and serious stuff can be linked to, and hence, it might be worth a visit to the Newburyport Blog.

So I will be interested to see how the “Newburyport Blog goes national” thing goes. And at the very least, I’ll be entertaining myself, “dark side” or no. (Plus, the frogs love it. And, yes, this is the deciding of all important, possible deciding factors; factual, fun stuff for frogs.)

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

The Newburyport Blog: Weather, Horoscope, Sports, Personals

The Newburyport Blog gets national (sort of).

This Newburyport Blog gets national (sort of) thing, came by quite by accident (really).

I was think, gee, it would be nice to have the “weather” on the Home Page of the Newburyport Blog, but I couldn’t get the little weather button to work, so all I had was a link to Newburyport’s local weather on the side of the Home Page of the Newburyport Blog. Looked kind of lonely.

So what to put there to make “weather” look not so lonely? TV Listings, that might be fun. Let’s do that. Cool.

Still looking kind of lonely though. Horoscopes. Ooooh, Horoscopes. Love that one. So I look around the World Wide Web and came up with a “Horoscope” that was not too short and not too long and sounded sort of like my day. I went with that one.

Now I was really getting into it. What next? Comics. So I looked around the World Wide Web again, and came up with what I thought was a pretty good comic site, that includes Doonsebury. And you can go back and read all the Doonsebury strips you missed. How fun is that.

By this time, I’m really smiling. What are we missing now? Sports. I look around the Internet at sports stuff. All that I’m seeing is missing one very important ingredient: The Red Soxs. So I look at the two most likely links and come up with the best website. Maybe they’re not your favorite writers, but hey it’s not bad. This way when you check in with the Newburyport Blog, you can find out what’s going on with the Red Soxs and spring training. How cool is that.

I figured if people wanted to feel “tony” they might want to check the National News. And again it came down to reputation and a good website.

What would be really fun? The Personals. It’s a slow day a work and you want to pretend that you are 20 again, and can go check out the 20 something “stud muffins.” I’m loving this.

Oh, oh, oh… and then I found the coolest Crossword Puzzle. You can check “Regular Skill Level” and it will help you solve the darn thing. I just love the World Wide Web.

So come visit The Newburyport Blog and after you’ve read whatever quip I may have written, stay a while with me. Check out the weather; read your horoscope; find out what Doonesbury is up to today (can’t wait to see what they do with the Sunday Comics on the World Wide Web); follow the beloved Red Sox’s spring training, or whatever; glance at the National News; check out the “stud-muffins” in the Personals; and if things are really, really slow, work on that crossword puzzle and then have them solve it for you in a twinkle, and you will feel, oh, so smart. I did.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, An Appraisal of a Blogging Year

Well, I’ve been blogging the Newburyport Political Blog for a whole year. Who knew? Not moi.

I had no idea what would happen when I started the Newburyport Political Blog January 1, 2006. I figured I might last a couple of weeks, possibly six. 12 whole months. My.

And what have I learned in the last 12 months of blogging the Newburyport Political Blog?

1) As a blogger I am considered a publisher (along with people who write Letters to the Editor, fliers, email lists, petitions) and as a publisher I can be sued. Really lousy surprise.

2) Most people threaten to sue bloggers to shut them up. This is called a “SLAPP” suit. Frowned upon big time by the courts in Massachusetts.

3) I’ve actually been threatened a number of times. Another really big lousy surprise. I thought I was fairly mild mannered and reasonably reasonable, although, of course, sometimes opinionated.

4) During the last 12 months I’ve gotten my share of “unpleasant” phone calls and emails.

5) It has been my observation that the wealthier the human being, the more “unpleasant” the correspondence tends to be.

6) It appears that mostly the upset correspondie is sent a post out of context of the Newburyport Political Blog. It seems that most upset correspondies don’t actually read the Newburyport Political Blog. So why have they been upset? Who knows.

All of the above pisses me off.

But now for the stuff that doesn’t piss me off.

1) People, lots of people, thousands of people actually read the Newburyport Political Blog. Big surprise. Really, really big surprise. Thank you readership of the Newburyport Political Blog.

2) I’ve met and gotten to know a whole lot of wonderful people that I never would have gotten to know before.

3) I’ve gotten to know people in the “media,” including Ulrika Gerth, the editor of the Newburyport Current, who when I thought about quitting blogging because of an “unfortunate” situation, was immensely supportive, to the point of actually writing a story about the whole thing.

4) An amazing amount of people were also supportive during that time and have been enormously supportive and fun over the last 12 months. And for this I thank you and am most deeply grateful.

5) George Cushing, of Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall was given to me by Madame Swartz, and subsequently became a political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog. First frog ever, that I know of, to ascend to such a blogging apex.

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George Cushing, Political Consultant
to the Newburyport Political Blog

6) Subsequently the “Twins,” C. G. Cushing and G. C. Cushing of Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall also want to get into the act and are aspiring consultants to the Newburyport Political Blog. Who knew that so many frogs would want to blog?

The Twins, Aspiring Consultants
to the Newburyport Political Blog

7) And as a blogger I’ve learned more than I ever dreamed of about civics in Newburyport, MA. And my hat is off to all our elected officials, Newburyport board members and Newburyport committee members, whether I agree with them or not. Running Newburyport, MA is one tough nut. And the more that I learn, the more I understand how difficult their job to be. So thank you all for “stepping up to the plate.”

And with that, Happy New Year! We will see what 2007 brings for the Newburyport Political Blog. These last 12 months have been quite a ride.

Cheers,
Mary Eaton
Editor of the Newburyport Political Blog

Newburyport, Preservation and Blogging Peril

You know what else I’m pissed about. I’m pissed that so many people are upset that I used a certain verb on the Newburyport Political Blog.

That verb can also mean, “plunder,” “despoliation” as in “the — of the countryside.” Which was how I meant it by the way.

Ok, I’ll admit it was a little over the top, but that’s as over the top as I’ve ever gotten on the Newburyport Political Blog, for crying out loud.

And it does feel like that is exactly what could happen to the back of the Wheelwright property, so there.

The subdivision in question would be right next to the Oak Hill Cemetery, a dignified and sacred place. According to the Newburyport Daily News, a 34-acre burial ground for many of Newburyport’s beloved ancestors, including the Wheelwright family and I believe 175 sea captains and 29 mayors. Not Shabby.

In the Newburyport Current, Friday, October 27, 2006, Nathan Felde is right when he says, “Barbecues and burials don’t go together.”

Mr. Felde is correct again; the area is the “soul” of Newburyport, MA.

Ester Macomber, who is a dear, dear lady, as well as being very well respected in this New England seaside community, in the same article calls the plan “ridiculous.”

Mrs Macomber has protected her huge piece of land on the back of the Ridge so that it can never be built on. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is and setting a great example for her neighbors on High Street. Bless this wonderful woman.

And if the developer, Todd Fremont-Smith (that’s in the Newburyport Current too) thinks that only the neighbors are upset, he might not have things quite in perspective yet. From what I’m getting, almost the entire town is outraged.

Will this finally be the wakeup call that the residents of Newburyport, MA need? We can no longer take our historic heritage for granted.

If Mr. Fremont-Smith and company are “aware of the legitimate preservation issues and are trying very much to be respectful,” (the Newburyport Current again) then one of his options could be that he could sell that piece of property to the folks who are apparently going to do right by the Wheelwright House and gardens, put a deed restriction on it and make sure it goes to the Essex County Green Belt.

He won’t make any money that way, but at least he’d be able to live in town or even New England without people wanting to picket in front of his home.

You see this is where I get into trouble. (George Cushing the political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog is scrunching his nose and looking at me with those beady little eyes of his. He does not want me to put myself in peril.)

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George pleading with me not to put myself in peril

I’m blogging about money. Lots and lots of money is at stake here. And people don’t like people saying they shouldn’t make lots and lots of money on a particular piece of property.

But this is no ordinary piece of property; this literally verges on sacred ground. It’s been written about extensively now in the Newburyport Current and the Newburyport Daily News, so I hope I’m safe on the “being sued thing” here. George is not so sure.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

George

One of the other reason’s I’m pissed about all these complications I’ve discovered (like being sued) if I keep on blogging on the Newburyport Political Blog is that George could no longer make an appearance on the World Wide Web.

I love George. We are talking about George Cushing of Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall, in Newburyport, MA, who has graciously offered to be the political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog, for goodness sakes.

And George has a big fan club. And when he gets upset about something all the frogs in Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall get upset too. So upset sometimes that they even make guest appearances in an effort to comfort and abet (as in support) whoever they seem to feel needs comforting and abetting.

You know any other political blog that has a frog for a political consultant? I don’t.

George mulling over multiple dilemmas

George is mulling over how I could keep on blogging. He’s thinking of “safe” stuff that maybe I couldn’t be sued over. Like the mayor’s current plan for Newburyport’s Central Waterfront.

The map of the latest version of the new Waterfront possible plan has already made an appearance in both the Newburyport Current and the Newburyport Daily News (you’d think I’d be covered on the “being sued stuff” on this one.)

George and I both looked at the latest version of the new Waterfront possible plan, and said to ourselves, “Say what? The green part is where?”

And one of the things he and I are both confused about is a delightful gentleman, an ardent preservationist, seems to be plugging for this less than green wonder of a proposition.

(One of the things I’ve learned is that people don’t like to see their names in anything that could possibly be inferred as a “bad light.” That’s one of the ways I get these nasty phone calls. So, that’s one of the reasons I’m not saying who this well loved, ardent preservationist is, in this post at least. You’re just going to have to read the Newburyport Current’s past issues, they are on line.)

This very well respected preservationist has been described to me as “going over to the dark side” (George is wondering if “going over to the dark side” is suable. I hope not, I think it’s just someone’s opinion. I hope.)

“Going over to the dark side” (this is someone else’s phrase, not my phrase, I’m just repeating it here) is a little over the top, but it does indicate how impassioned (is that an understatement or what?) people are over this darn waterfront thing. People are equating the Newburyport Central Waterfront saga to “Star Wars!”

George (who is green) recommends that the mayor put in lots more green (i.e. park) in this particular parking plan. That might mean there could be some sort of resolution in my lifetime (how utterly optimistic of moi) to this ongoing, going on way more than a quarter of a century, emotionally charged, stunningly baffling Waterfront opus.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport