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, February 6th, 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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* We'll have a Write-a-Thon the first Wednesday of every month.
* We'll have a Write-a-Thon the first Wednesday of every month.
* To participate, you only have to do two things: (1) start a ''new'' article (even just a stub will qualify, if not ''too'' short - and please remember to include the [[CZ:Subpages|subpages template]]!), and (2) make a substantive edit (not just a copyedit) to somebody else's ''new'' article.  Then you can list your name here as a partier.  Until then, sign in as a porch-sitter, party-crasher, or total party poop.
* To participate, you only have to do two things: (1) start a ''new'' article (even just a stub will qualify, if not ''too'' short - and please remember to include the [[CZ:Subpages|subpages template]]!), and (2) make a substantive edit (not just a copyedit) to somebody else's ''new'' article.  Then you can list your name here as a partier.  Until then, sign in as a porch-sitter, party-crasher, or total party poop.
* [[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] [https://lists.purdue.edu/pipermail/citizendium-l/2008-January/001213.html recommends] (but does not require!) attention to:


==This month's Party Theme==


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


<center><big><big><big><big><big><big>'''[[CZ:Core Articles|CORE ARTICLES]]'''.</big></big></big></big></big></big></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>


''(You can also be inspired by some of the theme suggestions, below.  Or propose one yourself--just scroll down. Or write about something that takes your fancy--or the first thing that comes into your head--JUST DO IT!)''


== Create an article, already! ==
== Create an article, already! ==
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== The Partiers ==
== The Partiers ==
*[[user:Aleta_Curry|Aleta]] was delighted to find the party room already occupied with [[The Prodigal Son|prodigals]] when she arrived.  Helped [[user:Louise_Valmoria|Louise]] on with her pretty [[glove]]s (it's so hard being a [[lady]] in these barbarian times, one could become [[Fury (television series)|furious]], if that were not so unladylike!).  The good news is that it' still Wednesday in the Americas.  Life's been rough, and no one else seems to have brought snacks, so when in doubt, go for [[soul food|comfort food]]. Felt guilty about denying [[user:Larry Sanger|Larry]] [[schnapps]], so here you go, and [[user: Derek Harkness|Derek]] can just stop accusing Australians of being [[miser|parsimonious]] now!  Have also decided to get my [[character actor|act]] together.  And I was inspired by a comment on Todd’s page to recall my only visit to [[Arlington National Cemetery]].  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:26, 6 February 2008 (CST)
*[[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)
: Oooh.. I inspire someone!  I wonder if I can ad that to my Userplan for accomplishments..--[[User:Todd Coles|Todd Coles]] 16:40, 6 February 2008 (CST)
:Aleta, don't these things include [[tractor pulls]]?  No ''American'' fair I've ever attended has failed to have one of those![[User:Pat Palmer|Pat Palmer]] 21:30, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
::I don't see why not :) Great talking point at parties, too: 
::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)
::"What do you do?" 
* 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]] ...
::"I'm a Muse"
::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)
::Hard to top that one
*[[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:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:59, 6 February 2008 (CST)
::Ian's here! [''punches air''] '''Yessss!!''' [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 20:09, 6 May 2008 (CDT)
::::Mmm...schnapps. --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 22:36, 6 February 2008 (CST)
:::In honour of Aleta's unbridled exuberance [[user:Ian_Johnson|Ian]] got excited and went off to [[Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras|Mardi Gras]].
*[[User:Supten Sarbadhikari|Supten]] decided to join the party by creating a [[clinical data warehouse]]. Then he thought of playing with the word [[glove]]s and took a temporary break to avoid [[user:Aleta_Curry|Aleta]] from trying to drag him here again! He came back to this page more than 8 hours later and was surprised to find that no one has edited anything here for such a long [[time]]! Finally he decided to [[skirt]] the Write-a-thon party for this month!
*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)
:I read that too fast--and wrong--and the image of Supten in a skirt just wasn't working for me!
*[[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]].
:As to the 8 hour gap--well, we've got to [[sleep]] sometime!
*[[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:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:38, 6 February 2008 (CST)
*[[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.
::[''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: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.
::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: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.
:Australians don't make iced tea, more's the pity.  Interesting you wrote about Juneteenth, because I was recently reading about the connection between Juneteeth, New Year's and Watchnight.  African American slaves did not *invent* [[Watchnight]]s, but the New Year's Eve of 1863 was so very important because the Emancipation Proclamation would take effect, that they participated in the Watchnight.  There's an article in here somewhere.... [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 21:06, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
* [[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] added to the [[New Year's Eve]] revelry...and then lo, his mouth opened, and he spoke [[truth]]!  Then he danced a [[reel]]--OK, no, he ''played'' a reel, the dancing you don't want to see.  By the way, it sure would be nice to include a recording or two of a reel...  Anyway, also started some [[Celtic music]]...appropriate for May Day as any, I'm sure...
* 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)


*[[User:David E. Volk|David Volk]] tried to clear up a nasty infection with [[fosfomycin]] and then had a laugh with [[Conan O'Brien]]. Unfortunately, [[amikacin]], [[ampicillin]], [[netilmicin]] and [[streptomycin]] didn't work either.  Maybe the [[aminoglycoside]]s were a bitter choice, but the [[hexose]] and [[glucose]] sure tasted good.
==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.[[User:Pat Palmer|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! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 03:41, 11 May 2008 (CDT)


* [[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] - Working on [[CZ:An extended introduction to the Citizendium]]. --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 20:54, 5 February 2008 (CST)
== Porch sitters--article creators who didn't edit a new article ==
**The Mistress of Ceremonies is considering whether or not this will be allowed to count towards your total.  Hmmm....  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 21:17, 5 February 2008 (CST)
*** Any comments on this speech (almost done) would be welcome.  To be delivered tomorrow night. --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 22:36, 6 February 2008 (CST)
**OK, now I'm in [[Ohio]] in two ways! --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 09:39, 6 February 2008 (CST)
**Worked a little on [[Peter Abelard]], and noticed that the word "castration" managed to be worked in, in an article of just two sentences...shouldn't that be linked?  [[Castration]]. --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 09:47, 6 February 2008 (CST)
***Ouch. [[User:Stephen Ewen|Stephen Ewen]] 11:31, 6 February 2008 (CST)
::::*Don't get me started! (sharpens blade--no, on second  thought--tosses sharpener--heh, heh, heh!)  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:38, 6 February 2008 (CST)
** Introduced CZ to my favorite philosopher, [[Thomas Reid]]. --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 11:07, 6 February 2008 (CST)


* [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] ust popped in to say happy [[Chinese new year]] to everyone. Also tweeked [[Mount Everest]]. No drink this month I'm afraid. Those thirsty Ozzies have drunk my store dry.
:I brought [[schnapps]]!  Enough with the whinging already! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:38, 6 February 2008 (CST)
* Still around for the party even though timezones mean it is now the next day ... [[user:Louise_Valmoria|Louise]] has stepped in to contribute to [[Peter Abelard|Abelard]], finally joining the party ... though in [[2046 (film)|2046]]. [[Time travel]], anyone?[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 13:54, 6 February 2008 (CST)


* [[User:Jim Bennight|Jim Bennight]] says, Be nice to a newbie ;) and my first attempt.  [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Origins_of_Carpets]
== Party crashers--contributors who didn't create a new article ==


::Hey [[User:Jim Bennight|Jim]], welcome to the party!!
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)
:::Hi, Jim!  Big welcome! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:26, 6 February 2008 (CST)
: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)
::::Jim! Nice stuff. [[User:Stephen Ewen|Stephen Ewen]]
* [[User:Derek Hodges|Derek Hodges]] decided this would be a good day to stay indoors at the Metro Reference Library in [[Toronto]] with a pile of books a laptop and free [[WiFi]] access. Created [[Architect]], puttered around [[Architecture]] and made a fairly inane change to [[Peter Abelard]] Tried to Work on [[Castration]], but he was cut off. -[[User:Derek Hodges|Derek Hodges]] 15:14, 6 February 2008 (CST)


*[[User:Todd Coles|Todd]] decided to swim across the pond and start an article on [[Charlemagne]], a core article.  And since the Geogra-thon didn't get off the ground, I'll throw out [[Ohio]] too.  I also made some minor changes to [[User:Jim Bennight|Jim's]] new article [[Origins of Carpets]] and offered a talk page suggestion.  He also added on to [[Arlington National Cemetery]].
[[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:Christian Liem|Christian Liem]] 20:41, 6 February 2008 (CST) thinks that [[Conan O'Brien]] should play in the next [[FIFA World Cup]].
:Learned something else new! Thanks! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 05:31, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
:* Conan's gonna replace [[Jay Leno|Leno]]? You don't say! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 22:11, 6 February 2008 (CST)


*[[User:Michael Yates|Mike]] hopped on to a core article on [[Rite of Passage]] and gave it a good start. He then headed over to [[Young earth creationism]] and composed some basic tenets of the teaching.
[[Image:Cucumber.jpg|right|120px]]
* [[User:Joe Quick|Joe Quick]] added some theory to [[rite of passage]] but did so quickly and without consulting any books, so he is sure it needs some work.  He didn't even mention comunitas! (Anthropologists gasp.)  Then, assuming that it is still Wednesday somewhere in the world, he found a nice picture of a [[cucumber]] to add to the non-existent page about those vegetables.  Realizing that he knows next to nothing about cucumbers other than that they are delicious, and feeling a little drowsy, he decided to go to bed and let collaboration work.


==Keen-as-mustard and jumped the gun==
[[User:Joe Quick|Joe]] showed up to the [[Cinco de Mayo]] festivities two days late but felt compelled to expound on its history anyway.
*[[User:Robert_W_King|Robert]] scratched a few lines down on [[Mohs' scale of hardness]], and started growing some [[Crystal (geology)|crystals]] while racking his [[Marble (stone)|marbles]] and thinking about [[K2|a certain mountain]]...
:My word, you're keen!  Well done, Robert! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 14:46, 5 February 2008 (CST)
*I know I cheated but I'll snip away at it tonight, a promise.  I heretically imported a well-done article from WP, [[Phenomenography]], '''a core article''' for education. [[User:Stephen Ewen|Stephen Ewen]] 16:43, 5 February 2008 (CST)
::You'll ''snip away''??  What's with the [[castration]] fixation, fellas?  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:40, 6 February 2008 (CST)


:::''Whose'' fixation?  [[User:Stephen Ewen|Stephen Ewen]] 17:39, 6 February 2008 (CST)
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)


::Oh, like ''I'' started it?  (looks innocent and walks away) [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 17:50, 6 February 2008 (CST)
==The shy ones, absent-minded profs, and other modest creatures==


:::Aw, cut it out! [[User:Stephen Ewen|Stephen Ewen]] 04:40, 7 February 2008 (CST)


== Porch sitters--article creators who didn't edit a new article ==
== The total party poops ==
''Go ahead, admit it!''


*Donning some [[gloves]] to go with her [[skirt]], Louise ducks in to say hullo to all the Write-a-Thon partiers for the day before having to dash off to her early morning [[capoeira]] class. And just for kicks and drinks, and keeping on the Brazilian theme, she offers all a [[caipirinha]].[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 13:28, 5 February 2008 (CST)
==Special Requests==
:First partier!  ''Go, Lou, go!'' [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 14:46, 5 February 2008 (CST)
While every one is here. Does anyone have any opinions on the proposal at: [[CZ:Proposals/Should we allow article specific subpages?]] [[User:Chris Day|Chris Day]] 12:04, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


*[[User:Gareth Leng|Gareth Leng]] started [[Thomas Aikenhead]], but is having a bad hair day generally.
:I'll reply on the page. --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 12:27, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
[[Image:Shortbread and candles.jpg|150px|right]]
[[User:James F. Perry|Jim Perry]] tried to talk some common sense (check the [[Thomas Reid]] article for the reference) into Sanger, but gave up and made some [[shortbread]] instead.


:*[[User:Stephen Ewen|Stephen Ewen]] added the photo to the right to [[Shortbread]], and understands giving up at some things sometimes.
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)


*[[User:Joshua Knapp|Joshua Knapp]] started [[Major League Baseball]], but because he is new around here, didn't realize that there was a party involved. Oh well, next month I suppose.
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)
:That's quite all right, we're glad to see you!  One more person for me to <s>annoy</s> remind next month! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 18:43, 7 February 2008 (CST)


== Party crashers--contributors who didn't create a new article ==
:Okay, I'll go take a look.  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 21:26, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


*[[User:Denis Cavanagh|Denis Cavanagh]] added to the [[History of France]] by adding details on the latter [[French Third Republic]] (Not an article of its own just yet :-)) He isn't going to create an article. Since Citizendium has hit the 5,000 marks he's trying to cut down on the amount of small stubs he creates, then overlooks and then eventually forgets about. He might extend the French History article but has to go to work at Six... (He will now stop talking about himself in third person)
:I came, I saw, I commented. I answered the question "no"... --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 21:47, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
*--[[User:Christian Liem|Christian Liem]] 14:22, 6 February 2008 (CST) gave his 2 cents about Citizendium article naming convention in [[Talk:France, history]], and now thinks that the discussion should probably be moved somewhere else because it doesn't just concern that particular article.
* [[User:Anton Sweeney|Anton Sweeney]] edited [[Chinese new year]] but then family intervened... maybed next month...
* [[User:Anthony.Sebastian|Anthony.Sebastian]] could not get out from under his academic load to start anything new. He needs to work on the one's he already started anyway. Nevertheless he did a little tweaking of [[Organism]].
::Aleta admits to (mis)reading this too fast. Someone has to do something about that woman's mind.... [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:33, 7 February 2008 (CST)


==Shy Boys, absent-minded profs, and other modest creatures==
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)


* Guess I must be one of those, although I can't remember which (or why). I'm just too busy today with other things. But before I go let me buy a round of [[Harvey Wallbanger]]s (which are said to be back in vogue) for the house. I'll be back for next month's soire. [[User:Roger Lohmann|Roger Lohmann]] 10:11, 6 February 2008 (CST)
:I tried it accidentally. Seems to work fine. Here's a queston: when I start definitions, I've been just launching into it, rather than opening with the actual name. In other words, I write, Def. Tea: a drink with jam and bread.  As opposed to Def. Tea:  Tea is a drink with jam and bread. This work for everyone? [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 21:26, 7 May 2008 (CDT)
::They're back?  Really?  I've never had one! I know the name of course, from books and old movies.  Hmmm...where's our resident cocktail expert when you need him? [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:47, 6 February 2008 (CST)
*[[user:Brian P. Long|Brian]], Long-ing for a [[beer]], started the whole [[Peter Abelard|castration fixation thing]].
*[[user:Richard Pettitt|Richard]] was [[hallucination|hallucinating]] over in a corner.
**[[User:Stephen Ewen|Stephen Ewen]] is ROFL at this comment!
*[[user:Meg Ireland|Meg]] led us to [[Ashanti (film)|action and adventure]]
*We sent [[user:Shawn Goldwater|Shawn]] [[Saint Lawrence River|up the river]]


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


Ok, ok, I admit it. You should try my dept. at wednesday, however, and then you might understand. Could we move the write-a-thon to another day? Please... --[[User:Nereo Preto|Nereo Preto]] 01:51, 7 February 2008 (CST)
== Questions ==
:Oh, poor Nereo!  Is Wednesday always bad for you?  I'm a bit afraid that people have already made mental notes about the first Wednesday, so I'm loathe to rock the boat, unless everyone wants to change.
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)
:How about if you get special dispensation from the M.C. to submit your offerings the evening before or the morning after?
: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)
:[[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:49, 7 February 2008 (CST)
::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)
 
==Special Requests==
*Request/Plea/On hands and knees: please consider working on [[Olympic Games]]/Olympic articles that are also in the [[CZ:CORE|Core Article Initiative]]! <code>;)</code> --[[User:Robert W King|Robert W King]] 15:06, 5 February 2008 (CST)


:Hmm, are we allowed to use the pinyin romanization of the Chinese name for a formerly independent country now occupied by China that has been in the news a lot (re: Olympic torch, violent repression, etc.) recently?  Oh.  I didn't think so.  Oh well, so much for my candidate for "X".  [[User:Bruce M.Tindall|Bruce M.Tindall]] 10:51, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


== Questions ==
: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)
How come this party page has been so lull? Is the New Year Celebrations' hangover still on? [[User:Supten Sarbadhikari|Supten Sarbadhikari]] 06:32, 6 February 2008 (CST)
: I think it's because I didn't get the announcement out to Citizendium-L last night.  I tried, actually, but for some reason it wasn't actually posted until the third time I tried. --[[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]] 09:38, 6 February 2008 (CST)
:: Maybe some of the early birds / regular participants can help you with posting the announcements to the list? Like, 'hey, it's hit Wednesday over here! Come and join us tomorrow!' [[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 13:40, 6 February 2008 (CST)
:::The Mistress of Ceremonies thinks that's a very good idea.  It's also been suggested that we need a write-a-thon bot.  An idea that is long overdue, if you ask me.  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:32, 6 February 2008 (CST)
::::My excuse is a snow day, schools closed, about a foot to shovel and navigate. What fun. [[User:Chris Day|Chris Day]] [[User talk:Chris Day|(talk)]] 22:46, 6 February 2008 (CST)
How many times do you let the phone ring before you pick it up? Is one too abrupt, four too long? (Says someone swamped by calls yesterday ...)[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 13:40, 6 February 2008 (CST)
:The answer is "three".  You pick it up on ring four.  I remember reading somewhere that a lot of answering machines default to five rings and on the sixth they click on.  I usually pick up my phone on ring three, because it'll vibrate once in my pocket, then another while I'm looking to see who it is. --[[User:Robert W King|Robert W King]] 14:31, 6 February 2008 (CST)
::Pick it up when you want to--if the caller has a mouthful of something, that's his problem.  Lou, if you're swamped by calls, you do not have to pick up your phone at all.  By the way, did you know that there is an answer to the "is screening calls rude" question? [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:32, 6 February 2008 (CST)
::: Now I have to ask: what is the answer to the "is screening calls rude" question?[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 17:20, 6 February 2008 (CST)
::::Hee, hee.  The answer is "no, it isn't".  Here's why:  it is the modern equivalent of having the butler say that you are "not at home". [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 17:48, 6 February 2008 (CST)
A European wants to know - whatever about the U.S. primaries to select presidential candidates, how do the vice-presidential candidates get nominated?  Is it the choice of the presidential candidate, some form of democracy, or a party decision?  (Hmm, [[Super Tuesday]] probably deserves an article...) [[User:Anton Sweeney|Anton Sweeney]] 15:12, 6 February 2008 (CST)
:I'm pretty sure the presidential candidate announces his choice of running mate (having a hard time writing his/her and I'm sorry but "their" just doesn't work for me).  I daresay that there's plenty of consultation with the party, though.  You're right; we need a ''Super Tuesday'' article! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:32, 6 February 2008 (CST)
::take a look at [[2008 United States presidential election]], which gets updated daily. I expect full coverage of Super Tuesday (Tsunami Tuesday) as soon as the networks finish counting and analyzing, probably tomorrow. [[User:Richard Jensen|Richard Jensen]] 16:38, 6 February 2008 (CST)
:::Oh, cool!  Glad somebody's on the ball--go, Richard! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 16:44, 6 February 2008 (CST)
No booze yet?! [[User:Anton Sweeney|Anton Sweeney]] 19:32, 6 February 2008 (CST)
:[''Passes [[user:Anton Sweeney|Anton]] the [[schnapps]] just in time--it's starting to [[storm]] again--later!''] [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 21:56, 6 February 2008 (CST)


::Also, the [[caipirinha]] is the national drink of Brazil. Thought it could get a look in as a cocktail for this month--I completely forgot about the draft I had about some other booze for you all I had waiting just for the Write-a-Thon--ah well, next month...[[User:Louise Valmoria|Louise Valmoria]] 03:27, 7 February 2008 (CST)
:''Hungry? Is that a country? I thought [[Europe]] was a country.'' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANTDkfkoBaI] --[[User:Tom Morris|Tom Morris]] 16:56, 7 May 2008 (CDT)


==It's a wrap!==
==It's a wrap!==
 
May was a whirlwind, so I didn't wrap things up properly, sorry folks.  Still, we had a success with informative new articles, as always.  Thanks, folks! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 19:39, 27 May 2008 (CDT)


== Previous shindigs ==
== Previous shindigs ==
* [[/January 9, 2008|January 9,2008]]
{{CZ:Monthly_Write-a-Thon/Previous_shindigs}}
* [[/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 167: Line 133:
* November - made up for last month with more [[vodka]] than was good for us and plenty of [[rum]].
* November - made up for last month with more [[vodka]] than was good for us and plenty of [[rum]].
* December - [[eggnog]] and [[wine]]
* December - [[eggnog]] and [[wine]]
* January - [[Whisky]] and the ''Cocktail of the Month'', a [[pharisee]]
* January - [[Whisky]] and the ''Cocktail of the Month'', a [[pharisee (beverage)|pharisee]]
* February - TBA--no jumping the gun; depends on what people bring
* February - [[schnapps]] and the ''Cocktail of the Month'', the [[caipirinha]] (considered the national drink of [[Brazil]])
* March - [[port wine]] (which should probably live at [[port (wine)]], no?  (Someone put that on their list, please....Oh, *someone* did--thanks, Ro) and the ''Cocktail of the Month'', a [[Dead Aunt]]
* April - [[Akpeteshie]] hot and fresh from Ghana.  And cool [[shandy|shandies]] and [[spritzer]]s if that took your fancy.  Lotsa staggering around the bar after this party!
 
== Write-a-Thon Theme Suggestions==
===New Suggestions and Discussion===
''Go ahead and propose one!''
====Great Men (and women too)====
What do you say we get some biographies started. No matter what workgroup you belong to, there will be a ''Great Person'' for your group so this is one that everybody can work on. You might do a famous scientist, maybe an actor or actress, perhaps a national leader, or whatever takes your fancy. [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] 07:20, 31 March 2008 (CDT)
:Ooh!  Love this idea, moi! [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 18:04, 31 March 2008 (CDT)
====Re: Olympics====
* If we do '''Olympics''' in May, how do we handle the passionate and possibly justifiable views of those who regard them as the 'Genocide Olympics' (thinking of Darfur) or the 'Cultural Genocide Olympics' (thinking of Tibet) or the 'Pulmonicide Olympics' (thinking of air pollution)?  Suggest we adopt theme(s) from Charles Darwin's works, to get ahead of the crowd planning activities etc. to celebrate the bicenntenial of Darwin's birth, Feb 12, 2009, less than a year away.  CZ knows a good idea when it sees it. --[[User:Anthony.Sebastian|Anthony.Sebastian]] 18:58, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
:We don't even have an article on Tibet yet! We know China has blocked Wikipedia. Has China blocked Citizendium? [[User:Meg Ireland|Meg Ireland]] 19:15, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
::Citizendium is not blocked in China. Also, the English Wikipedia is not blocked at the moment either. We don't have articles about most places yet. We don't even have a completed article about China let alone smaller places. [[User:Derek Harkness|Derek Harkness]] 20:16, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
:::I'm happy to add a Darwinian theme to a future write-a-thon--but...but...Anthony, are you nay-saying The Olympics??  Surely not! 
:::Meg and Derek--yes, but that's all right.  I think it'll make people ''want'' to get rid of red links!
:::[[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 21:50, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
====Why not themes on holidays?====
[[May Day]] is that week after all. We can getting cracking on [[Maypole]] and [[Moriss dancers]] and of course [[Fete]]s. Possibly tie in other [[pagan]] themes, [[stonehenge]] and such.  Or even go with the obscure maritime connection and make a start on the [[Titanic]], (may day may day). Of course there is the [[labor movement]] too and the [[Haymarket riot]] for those who want to stick to politics.  Anyway, you get the idea.  [[User:Chris Day|Chris Day]] 22:29, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
:What a great idea, Chris! ''Cinco de Mayo'', May sickness, St Joseph--I think we could work this.... [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 22:45, 3 April 2008 (CDT)
 
*[[User:David E. Volk|David E. Volk]] suggests '''My Favorite Band or Music Genre''', because everyone has one! [[User:David E. Volk|David E. Volk]] 12:37, 5 May 2008 (CDT)
 


:*Suggest a cognition enhancing libation instead of an inhibition reducing libation for one future month. How about hot cocoa drink in a.m. (heavy on the cocoa, light on the rest); V-8 juice in the afternoon (yumm...anti-oxidants, andiacidants); pinot or syrah in the evening (resveratrol; 2 glass max).  Open to suggestions.  [[User: Anthony.Sebastian|Anthony.Sebastian]] Anthony.Sebastian 22:25, 7 February 2008 (CST)
===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 176: 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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