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

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


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


<center><font color="red"><big><big><big><big>'''[[CZ:Core Articles|Core Articles]]</big></big></big></big></font></center>
<center><font color="red"><big><big><big><big>'''[[Holiday|Holidays, Festivals and Fetes]]</big></big></big></big></font></center>


<center><font color="red">''At least one edit to the Core Article list in your main area of interest, or, if the list is complete, at least one edit to a Core Article.<br>Bonus points for starting a new article!<br>Super bonus points for significantly editing or completing a Core Article list for a workgroup!!!''</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>




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== The Partiers ==
== The Partiers ==
*[[user:Aleta Curry|Aleta]] stumbles bleary-eyed into party room, finds evidence that people started early.  Working on [[hobby|hobbies]] core article list in the corner.  Going to wake up some lazy-a$$ Aussies.  Be back soon--that's a promise! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:45, 1 April 2008 (CDT) It was awfully quiet in Aleta's [[Cinderella (Rodgers and Hammerstein)|little corner]] so she started [[singing]] to herself.  Asked John who the fellow with the [[beard]] was. [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 19:49, 1 April 2008 (CDT) I'm hungry, so helping myself to some of Todd's [[butter]]. Might as well grab some of Tom's wine while I'm at it.  Need more sustenance.  1500 hours:  I hear the rest of the girls from Oz are coming.  Better open up the bar.  [[Spritzer]]s are up; [[shandy|shandies]] on the way. [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 23:47, 1 April 2008 (CDT) Aleta is [[Patterson’s Curse|cursing her luck]]; [[gale]] force [[Blowin' in the Wind|winds]] keep blowing her out of the party room. Really must do something about a [[high-speed internet connection]].  The [[wind]] is also keeping her from a decent game of [[badminton]]. Honestly, it's too bad!  Keep partying, folks, and with any luck at all I'll be back before all the Americans have called it quits. [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 19:09, 2 April 2008 (CDT)
*[[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)
:Well, it's still Wednesday in [[Portland, Oregon|this Portland]] and [[Honolulu]], so Aleta's back at it. Made a list of [[user:Derek Hodges|the other Derek's]] [[Jane Austen|date's]] [[Jane Austen/Works|works]], including her only [[epistolary novel]]. Also, I call [[samosa]]s ''samusas'' so I said something about that. [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 23:58, 2 April 2008 (CDT)
:Aleta, don't these things include [[tractor pulls]]? No ''American'' fair I've ever attended has failed to have one of those![[User:Pat Palmer|Pat Palmer]] 21:30, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
*[[User:Tom Morris|Tom]] sits at the kitchen table in his pyjamas sipping wine, then doffs his philosophical hat to [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta]] and ticks [[Continental philosophy]] off the [[CZ:Philosophy Workgroup|list]].
::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)
::Hi there, Tom!  So glad you could drop by! ''[Looks around for libations--where's [[user:Derek Harkness|Derek]]???] [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 19:49, 1 April 2008 (CDT)
* Waves to [[user:Aleta_Curry|Aleta]]. [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] has wandered onto the porch outside, with lots of work in hand--busy day on the roads today. Still buzzed from some low-key [[Cinco de Mayo]] celebrations, she is wondering who else is around to join the [[masquerade]] ...
* [[user:Derek Hodges|the other Derek]] came in with [[Jane Austen]] and went straight for the [[shandy]]. -[[User:Derek Hodges|Derek Hodges]] 04:55, 2 April 2008 (CDT)
::Hi Louise! Haven't stopped by the bottle shop yet, but I will! (Where's [[user:Derek Harkness|Derek]] when ya need him??)  ;) [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 19:27, 6 May 2008 (CDT)
*[[User:Meg Ireland|Meg]] retires to the drawing room with a snifter of brandy in hand, after working with [[Heavy metal (music)|heavy metals]].
*[[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]] wanders into the party perusing her copy of the [[Nuremburg Chronicle|Nuremburg Chronicle]], and seeing as it's been a really quite full-on day at work, goes for ''both'' a [[spritzer]] and a [[shandy]]. Looking for potato-based foods, she wants to cook some [[hash brown|hash browns]] for dinner ... might also help out those who are just waking up to the day too! [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 05:39, 2 April 2008 (CDT)
::Ian's here! [''punches air''] '''Yessss!!''' [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 20:09, 6 May 2008 (CDT)
* [[User:Supten Sarbadhikari|Supten]] liked the idea of potato-based foods and decided to try his hand in cooking an Indian favorite [[samosa]]. Then he didn't like that [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta]] was [[singing]] alone so arranged for some company for her! Finally he remembered that he has now got a new [[Chair]], in the [[CZ:Editorial_Council]] and decided to take a look there.
:::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]].  
* In the spirit of slightly misplaced formality, [[User:Tom Morris|Tom]] dons a [[Received Pronunciation|more formal tone]] and tucks into a [[vegetarianism|vegetarian]] [[samosa]]. --[[User:Tom Morris|Tom Morris]] 08:39, 2 April 2008 (CDT)
*Dave here, a bit early, but also leaving early, since I turn into a pumpkin at midnight... Mulled cider all around...and good night! [[User:David L Green|David L Green]] 22:53, 6 May 2008 (CDT)
* [[User:David E. Volk|David Volk]] described the slippery soapy aspects of [[hydrophilic]] compounds, including [[detergent]]s and imported/edited articles by [[User:Cheris Carpenter]], including Hammerin' [[Hank Aaron]] and others. [[User:David E. Volk|David E. Volk]] 10:37, 2 April 2008 (CDT)
*[[User talk:Chris Day|Chris]] noticed [[Auld Lang Syne]] mentioned in Aleta's [[New Year's Eve]] and thought an Ode to a [[Haggis]] was needed, so started on [[Burns supper]].
[[Image:Wings.jpg|thumb|200px|The The "brise soleil" opened at the Milwaukee museum of art. Designed by architect [[Santiago Calatrava]]]]
*[[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:Chris Day|Chris Day]] searched flickr for great photos of architecture in [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]] and [[CZ:Wiki-converting|converted]] an article about [[Ralph Abernathy]] by Cheris. Populated some subpages to get rid of those red links. Currently contemplating proof reading our new [[Quantum mechanics]] article aimed at a lower level (Old high level article moved to the [[Quantum mechanics/Advanced|Advanced subpage]]).  Now contemplating doing a similar move of [[DNA/Draft]] to [[DNA/Advanced]] and writing a new version that will be more exciting to read. Started on [[Norman Borlaug]] subpages and might take a shot at his biography tonight.
*[[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:Steven Clark Bennett|Steven]] Went to [[Lebanon]], and decided to see [[Mount Lebanon]] and ran into some [[Druze]].
::[''Edited to say--exactly *how* mixed up can one woman get?? See comment immediately below.''] What on earth we're going to do with all these folks with the same first name...bunch of nicknames?  Don't know why all your parents couldn't have named you something sensible, like Aleta....though I've been mixed up with other Aletas on the very rare occasion, believe it or not.... [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 05:44, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
*[[User: Regina Bouillon|Regina]] was a bore, wrote as usual about [[Ghana]], this time chosing the philosopher [[Anton Wilhelm Amo]], who had been in [[slavery]] for some time. To make the topics less dry, she added [[Akpeteshie]].
* [[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:Anthony Argyriou|the other Anthony]] started early with an article about [[San Francisco]], and created [[San Jose, California]] on the correct day. He also got into continental drift by expanding the [[Pacific Ocean]]. He also wikified and posted [[Diversification (finance)]] for [[User:Brian Kelly|Brian Kelly]]
::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:Roger Lohmann|Roger]] went on a new article bender and did some real damage to the [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/CZ:Core_Articles/Social_Sciences#Sociology_-_Stage_3|Sociology Core articles] with new entries on [[Bureaucracy]], [[Social organization]], [[Socialization]], [[Social act]], [[Social group]], an assortment of related subpages, and a reorganization of the sociology core articles page.
* [[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.
*[[User:Kjetil Ree|Our Norwegian friend]] remembered his vacation to [[Venice]] a couple of years ago (a city full of touts and crooks!). He also visited India this easter, and decided to have some [[Samosa]] &mdash; he really likes north Indian food!
: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:Anthony.Sebastian|Anthony.Sebastian]], who actually lives in San Francisco and will surely review "the other [[User:Anthony Argyriou|Anthony]]"'s piece on the City by the Bay, anticipated today's Write-a-Thon, starting a few days ago a 'life and work' article on [[Alfred Russel Wallace|Alfred Russel Wallace]], the co-discoverer (with [[Charles Darwin|Charles Darwin]]) of the powerful force in organic evolution, natural selection, which philosopher Daniel Dennett awards as the most important idea humans ever had, but called it 'Darwin's Dangerous Idea', though by Dennett's criteria Wallace's same idea &mdash; which Wallace argued cogently to call "survival of the fittest" &mdash; qualifies as no less dangerous (?dangerous).  How Wallace gets marginalized! But not on Citizendium.  This [[User:Anthony.Sebastian|Anthony]] also tried to help student [[User:Brian Kelly|Brian Kelly]]'s new article on [[Diversification (finance)]] clarify his Intro, and offered a citation to back up his assertions. Now to look at the Thon's new articles for editing possibilities &mdash; after an once or two of resveratrol-rich grape ferment.
* [[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:Hayford Peirce|Hayford]] opened his evening's ration of a modest magnum of [[Champagne]] (no, that was [[Fernand Point]] opening it in his garden in the morning while being shaved) and wrote a full-blown article about the fat man who ran the greatest restaurant on earth for 30 years or so before succoming to a surfeit of bubbly. Then, to fully establish his Partier credentials, he did some editing of, and made some additions to, the new article about Everybody's City, [[San Francisco]]. And all it took was a couple of scotches and a glass or so of wine -- no champagne needed!
* Embarrassed by not turning up with anything more bountiful, [[User:Tom Morris|Tom Morris]] rustles up a quick stub on [[Harvest Festival]], a rather reserved and British version of [[Thanksgiving]]. Being an author in [[CZ:Philosophy Workgroup|the realm of eternal, transcendent ideas]] makes it rather difficult to think about the day-to-day. --[[User:Tom Morris|Tom Morris]] 17:13, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
* [[User:Pat Palmer|Pat]] has been meddling with Larry's [[Celtic music]] article.  This is a milestone: my very first opportunity to participate in a WriteAThon. Whoopeeeeeeeeeee![[User:Pat Palmer|Pat Palmer]] 21:28, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
** Welcome, Pat!  Thanks for the edits! --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 21:49, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
**It's still Wednesday and I have yet to create an article. Well, here goes: in keeping with the theme, I'll create the [[World's Biggest Fish Fry]].[[User:Pat Palmer|Pat Palmer]] 22:25, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
* [[User:Hayford Peirce|Hayford]] wandered into the party with a smug expression on his face as if [[Butter|butter]] wouldn't melt in his mouth, having already created [[Butter, homemade/Recipe]]; [[Clarified butter]]; and then, just for kicks, [[Clarified butter/Recipe]]. Then he remembered that '''supposedly''', true Partiers were supposed to not only '''create''' an article, they were '''also''' supposed to '''edit''' someone else's newly created article. So he zoomed off to Larry's latest article and, in [[Truth|truth]] wrought a couple of edits. So at least '''he''', with a glass of single-malt Scotch currently in hand, is a true partier. But is anyone else?  Or is the Must Edit rule now being observed only in its abeyance? Not that that actually makes the other Partiers bad human beings, I suppose.... [[User:Hayford Peirce|Hayford Peirce]] 21:32, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
::Ha, ha--no, you're right.  I ''suppose'' I should '''really''' move a whole lot of people over to the ''porch sitters'' list.... [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 03:49, 11 May 2008 (CDT)  
::Very impressive, Hayford. I wasted 20 minutes trying to think of something useful to add to [[butter]] but then realized I was tired and needed to quit.  Signing off soon, I really mean it this time.[[User:Pat Palmer|Pat Palmer]] 23:08, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
* [[User:Anthony.Sebastian|Anthony.Sebastian]], steeped in working on [[Hippocrates]], succumbs to [[User:Brian P. Long|Brian P. Long]]'s urging to start an article on [[Galen]]. Bare bones.  Help. --[[User:Anthony.Sebastian|Anthony.Sebastian]] 22:12, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


==Keen-as-mustard and jumped the gun==
==Keen-as-mustard and jumped the gun==
*[[User:David E. Volk|David Volk]] wrote about [[Susan Criss]], a local judge in Galveston County, Texas, on Monday, because Wed. will be hectic. [[User:David E. Volk|David E. Volk]] 13:17, 31 March 2008 (CDT)
* 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)
::Go, David, go! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 18:05, 31 March 2008 (CDT)
: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)
::Have now read very interesting article. Anyone who advocates for children is a friend of mine!  Tell Sue she's welcome at the chez Curry anytime! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 23:43, 31 March 2008 (CDT)
*[[User:J. Noel Chiappa|Noel]] suffered a bit of [[quantum mechanics|quantum uncertainty]] and tunneled through into Wednesday from Tuesday. [[User:J. Noel Chiappa|J. Noel Chiappa]] 23:35, 1 April 2008 (CDT)
:Going to go right now and see if I understand that.  There was a TV programme called [[Quantum Leap]]--is that related?? [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 23:47, 1 April 2008 (CDT)


== Porch sitters--article creators who didn't edit a new article ==
== Porch sitters--article creators who didn't edit a new article ==
*[[User:John_Stephenson|John]] came back aching from a hike in the wilds of western Japan, but managed to get some info up on [[Kyushu]] and [[Kumamoto prefecture|Kumamoto]] before collapsing on the porch. [[User:John Stephenson|John Stephenson]] 22:23, 31 March 2008 (CDT)\
::[[user:Aleta Curry|Aleta]] fully intended to pass John some water, but was distracted by his beautiful photos.  Planning to drag John off porch later. [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 23:41, 31 March 2008 (CDT)
:::John, still in a stupor, hammered on the window for the water, then headed off to get some more snaps elsewhere. He spotted [[Jimmy Wales]] heading the other way. [[User:John Stephenson|John Stephenson]] 08:41, 1 April 2008 (CDT)
::::''John still looks much the worse for wear.  Aleta hands him a [[spritzer]].  Couldn't hurt.''
*[[User:Todd_Coles|Todd]] is kickin' it on the porch with his.. um, stick of [[butter]]? --[[User:Todd Coles|Todd Coles]] 19:29, 1 April 2008 (CDT)
::Tasty.  And it *is* mentioned in the bible.  Who knew? [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 22:40, 1 April 2008 (CDT)
:::Still being a party pooper until she has finished work (soz: will be raring to write once she gets home), [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise]] is unable to resist commenting at this point that *now* she knows why butterscotch cookies are so nice and crunchy. Learn something new every day, especially here![[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 22:55, 1 April 2008 (CDT)
::::Sweet!  I'll have drinks ready--but what, I wonder?  Hmmm...? [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 23:00, 1 April 2008 (CDT)


*[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise]] is finally stumbling onto the porch after an extremely busy day's work (ironically--she really did get up late today so couldn't join the party before work this month and then sneak off to the office) and is currently unable to take off her [[Jurisprudence|legal theorist]] cap off. Which is just as well because it is a [[CZ:Core Articles|Core Article]. Hoping she doesn't fall asleep on the porch before the day is up, she is reaching for her legal reference books and her copy of the [[Nuremburg Chronicle|Nuremburg Chronicle]] to find out if a currently unconfirmed-source public domain image she spotted here on CZ the other day really is part of that work ...  [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 03:41, 2 April 2008 (CDT)


== Party crashers--contributors who didn't create a new article ==
== Party crashers--contributors who didn't create a new article ==
* [[User:Anton Sweeney|Anton]] was trying to think of a new article he could write when he heard the news that [[Bertie Ahern]], the [[Taoiseach]] of [[Ireland (state)|Ireland]], had resigned, and thought he'd concentrate on that instead. [[User:Anton Sweeney|Anton Sweeney]] 06:44, 2 April 2008 (CDT)


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


*Eduzendium participants are a [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Special:Recentchangeslinked/Category:Eduzendium_Workgroup hive of activity] at the moment. [[User:Chris Day|Chris Day]] 11:08, 2 April 2008 (CDT)
[[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)
*[[User:Daniel Mietchen|Daniel]] went completely [[Brain morphometry|mental]]
:Learned something else new!  Thanks!  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 05:31, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
*[[User:Robert Badgett|Bob]] dealt with some [[Neuroleptic malignant syndrome|syndromes]]


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


:My mind has too many neurons firing as a result of having to worry about so much going on today and this coming week that I simply do not have the mental patience to participate this month {{codefrown}}. --[[User:Robert W King|Robert W King]] 11:16, 2 April 2008 (CDT)
[[User:Joe Quick|Joe]] showed up to the [[Cinco de Mayo]] festivities two days late but felt compelled to expound on its history anyway.


:Sorry to miss out this time, but am jet lagged and functioning even less efficiently than usual[[User:Gareth Leng|Gareth Leng]] 11:31, 2 April 2008 (CDT)
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)


:I was literally unable to access the Internet all day Wednesday...after I got up, I was travelling, and when I got to the hotel, they couldn't fix the stupid Internet connection!  ''But...''I will soon have excellent news--''big'' news for us. --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 17:42, 4 April 2008 (CDT)
==The shy ones, absent-minded profs, and other modest creatures==
::Is the big news that we're finally getting a forms extension?????????? --[[User:Robert W King|Robert W King]] 18:36, 4 April 2008 (CDT)


==Special Requests==
Be sure to stop by [[CZ:Article of the Week]] and [[CZ:New Draft of the Week]] and nominate/vote for your favorite articles! --[[User:Todd Coles|Todd Coles]] 20:28, 1 April 2008 (CDT)


== Questions ==
== The total party poops ==
*Noel?  Were you born on 25th December?  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 23:47, 1 April 2008 (CDT)
''Go ahead, admit it!''


: No, about a week earlier. I was the 5th kid, and by the time I arrived, my parents were running out of ideas for names! So the date gave them a start. :-) Let me tell you, as a kid, having your birthday one week from Christmas sucks. A 11-month drought with no presents... :-( [[User:J. Noel Chiappa|J. Noel Chiappa]] 02:08, 2 April 2008 (CDT)
==Special Requests==
While every one is here. Does anyone have any opinions on the proposal at: [[CZ:Proposals/Should we allow article specific subpages?]] [[User:Chris Day|Chris Day]] 12:04, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


::Incidentally, [[User:Supten Sarbadhikari|Supten]] was indeed born on December 25th! [[User:Supten Sarbadhikari|Supten Sarbadhikari]] 06:07, 2 April 2008 (CDT)
:I'll reply on the page. --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 12:27, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
:::Oh, cool--does the name 'Supten' actually reflect that in some way?  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 23:40, 2 April 2008 (CDT)
::::No, it is derived from Sanskrit ''supt'' which means sleeping (emperor)![[User:Supten Sarbadhikari|Supten]] 06:36, 3 April 2008 (CDT)


*2008 is the International Year of Languages, Sanitation, Green Earth and the Potato. Anyone want to recommend any good recipes based on that very important food staple, the potato? [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 03:43, 2 April 2008 (CDT) clearly needs to make dinner
I have a special request of my own. Any feedback on the developing [[Archive:Workgroup Weeks|Workgroup Weeks]] plan?  It's not entirely finished, but there's enough there that should make the general idea
clear enough. --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 12:27, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


:From an old Irish/UK TV advert and to the tune of ''Que sera sera'': "Oh, its chips, its chips, we hope its chips, its [[Chips (food)|Chips]]!" [[User:Anton Sweeney|Anton Sweeney]] 04:36, 2 April 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.) [[User:Denis Cavanagh|Denis Cavanagh]] 16:50, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


::If anyone is interested in [[Catalog_of_Indian_cuisine|samosa]], [[User:Supten Sarbadhikari|Supten]] may try! [[User:Supten Sarbadhikari|Supten Sarbadhikari]] 06:07, 2 April 2008 (CDT)
:Okay, I'll go take a look.  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 21:26, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


:::I'm making Irish Stew tonight: That's got potatoes in it. Just meat, potatoes, some tomato paste, fried onions and maybe some carrots boiled up in a good meat stock. Or you could do shepherds pie. I think I know over 100 ways to cook potatoes. A very versatile food. [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] 06:17, 2 April 2008 (CDT)
:I came, I saw, I commented. I answered the question "no"... --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 21:47, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


::::Tomato paste? ''Fried'' onions?! That's not ''Irish'' stew! :P [[User:Anton Sweeney|Anton Sweeney]] 06:46, 2 April 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. [[User:Chris Day|Chris Day]] 17:13, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


::::Irish stew is a stew made with the potatoes in the same pot as the meat. Beyond that you can stick in just about any vegetable you have to hand - depending on the seasons. I double checked and I can't find any recipes on thin that ''don't''have onions. I always fry my onions till lightly golden before adding to the stew as it gives better flavour. Tomato paste is not in every recipe but it is in many. You shouldn't use a lot. By which I mean, in my 8 pints of stew there is 4 ounces of tomato paste. It's just to enhance your gravy a little and make it less watery. [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] 10:06, 2 April 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? [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 21:26, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


:::::Oh, I agree the onions are mandatory - just I've never seen a recipe that didn't say "throw 'em raw into the pot" :P  Having to fry stuff up separately kinda defeats the purpose of a one-pot dinner, for me anyway. Anyway - enjoy! [[User:Anton Sweeney|Anton Sweeney]] 10:42, 2 April 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? [[User:Chris Day|Chris Day]] 23:03, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
::::::Always one pot. Put the onions in first and brown them then add the meat and other veg and warm them up. After a few minutes frying add your stock, herbs and spices and boil for a long time. Last add your cubed potatoes. When the potatoes are soft, eat. [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] 06:49, 3 April 2008 (CDT)


:::I actually did make [[Samosa]] just now and will probably dabble with your suggestions for Irish stew tonight--thanks guys :) [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 00:02, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
== Questions ==
::::You didn't!  You ''did''???  Oh, why oh why do you live so far away? (waling) [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 00:22, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
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)
:::::I'm going to have to try making these Samosas. Here in China I get cravings, not for English food, but for Indian food. [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] 06:49, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
:Honest answer (tried this in the last 15 minutes): <s>I'm stuck on 'W' and 'X' for countries.</s> Oh, I am naff. Now I'm only stuck on X. I know the capital city for only about half of those. Of course, if I went back to my country list and filled it in with country names with capital cities that I know, instead of listing the first ones that come to mind, my hit rate might be higher (why do I think of 'Finland' immediately instead of 'France'? ... oh, I just remembered what the capital is, but still, not the first that comes to mind), but even then my capital city knowledge would probably be only be about 65%, max. Need to improve my knowledge on African and Middle Eastern countries. Nice challenge, Derek. Now, I wonder if we have articles on each of the ones we come up with? [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 09:16, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
::Ohh, I think I cheated.  I used whatever name I thought of first, either in English or in that country's language.  You didn't say we had to stick to English. I used old names too. I also named the first country that came to mind and then if the capital didn't pop into my head I picked another country.  Stuck on "W" and "X".  Okay, okay, going back and eliminating foreign names and names of countries that no longer exist.  Still stuck on "W" and "X". Thinking of cities, states, territories, districts, everything but a COUNTRY with those initials!  Aaaargh!!!  Not able to let this go--I HAVE to get it!!!  Aaaargh!!!  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 17:36, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


==It's a wrap!==
: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)
OK, I added a core article on [[cotton]] with three pix. I've got lots more pix, so I'll probably add more, but it's bedtime (yawn), so my party's over. Have fun, all. I just turned into a pumpkin. [[User:David L Green|David L Green]] 23:46, 2 April 2008 (CDT)


Oh, darn, it's no longer the first Wednesday anywhere on the planet.
: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)


Not only couldn't I read all the new articles on the day they were written, but for the first time, I couldn't see all the edits done on the second--my 'Recent Changes' couldn't handle the volume.
:''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)


Soooo....I've probably missed some shy guys.  You'll all have to make sure you sign in yerselves next month!
==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)  
 
Thanks a bunch, everyone!
 
[[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 18:26, 3 April 2008 (CDT)


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


== Official libations==
== Official libations==
Line 160: Line 139:


== Write-a-Thon Theme Suggestions==
== Write-a-Thon Theme Suggestions==
===New Suggestions and Discussion===
''Go ahead and propose one!''
''Go ahead and propose one!''
===Great Men (and women too)===
====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)
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)  
:Ooh!  Love this idea, moi! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 18:04, 31 March 2008 (CDT)  
 
====Re: Olympics====
===Future Theme Schedule===
* What about May? - oops!  how embarrassing!  Lemme think, here....
* 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!!!
* 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)
* 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)
: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)
Line 176: Line 151:
:::Meg and Derek--yes, but that's all right.  I think it'll make people ''want'' to get rid of red links!
:::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)
:::[[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)
====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)
: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 183: Line 170:
* [[CZ:Weekly Wiki|Weekly Wiki]]
* [[CZ:Weekly Wiki|Weekly Wiki]]
* [[CZ:Article of the Week|Article of the Week]]
* [[CZ:Article of the Week|Article of the Week]]
* [[CZ:New Article of the Week|New Article of the Week]]
* [[Archive:New Draft of the Week|New Article of the Week]]


{{initiatives}}
{{initiatives}}

Latest revision as of 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!

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