Friday, April 28, 2006

All Things In "Moderation"

*click click*

"This thing on...?"

Hello everyone! Sorry for being gone so long. So much to talk about, so much going on. I would LOVE to tell you everything, but I'm going to try and pace myself a little bit. In the not-to-distant future, I will be going into detail on the enormous growth "boom" that Midland is experiencing at the moment, life with a new baby, more on real estate, the desire to return to martial arts training... and so much more.

BUT for now, I will start off by talking about one of my new hobbies: Forum Moderator.

If you look to the left, and down at the bottom of the list, you will see a link called "Midland Forums." These forums are the community bulletin on the web for people to come together, share information, relay stories and jokes and pictures. It really has been a fun place to socialize. In the "real world," many of us from the forum have gotten together to meet and talk and have fun. And it is fun!

But even more fun is the opportunity to be a moderator for these boards. As of now, I am the forum moderator for "Economic Development" and for the political forum "Moderate Forum." Both of these are very interesting as news regarding the development of Midland, new or expanding businesses and city expansion takes place... all discussed on the E.D. forum. "The Moderate Forum" is for people who want to discuss politics, but not get mired down in talk about only Republicans or Democrats and how one party is better than the other... or worse. ;)

My job as a "Moderator" is to keep things civil, keep things entertaining, keep things moving and to encourage conversation about the various subjects at hand. It isn't a paying job, nor is it hard, nor... is it even a really job! However, it does require one to be vigilant and aware. Things can quite down and soon you'd have no one talking. No fun there. Things can become heated and confrontational, which requires some tact to keep in line but not shut down abruptly.

I'm happy to say that the Economic Development forum has been highly productive. Very useful conversations take place, people thinking of new ideas for Midland, sharing news about businesses coming to the Permian Basin. It is also a sources for "links" to other websites relating to the Cities of Midland and Odessa and the economic development each city is working on. Please feel free to stop by and check it out sometime. ;)

http://www.myopenforum.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4&sid=477cc2d382788d7a78b950a97fb0e44b

As for the Moderate Forum, well, that's a "Member's Only" forum due to policing the activity in there. Anyone interested has only to e-mail me and explain your intentions and reasons you'd like to join. In truth, I'd like to have everyone come participate. However, not everyone, I've found, can "play nice." So... e-mail me if you, too, would like to join us and discuss politics in a positive light with ideas on how to get things done!

snowshadower33@yahoo.com

Anyhow... I'm going to run, but I'll be back again soon. Hope to see you all on the forums! Just don't take everything too serious. If laughter is truly the best medicine, we'll have you're cure on the boards. (Might catch something else though! LOL)