Yearly Archives: 2006

Bloy Genealogical Theory

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Over past few days I’ve been exchanging emails with a Bloy from France (who discovered this web site). What I found most interesting was what he had to say about Bloys in France during a 17th century religious war.

I believe that during the religious war in France (civilian war between catholics and protestants- 17 century) a lot of Bloys from this part of France (well known also for [catholicism]) had left such an unsafe place for Germany.

On this site’s About page, I mention a theory an uncle of mine has, about Bloys who were French Huguenots that moved to Germany to avoid religious persecution. It’s interesting to note he’s not the only one with this theory.

On taking great photographs

I’ve had a few compliments on some of the photographs I post here, and I know there are a few people who read this blog who like to play with their cameras too. With that in mind, here’s an interesting read I stumbled across, How to make great photographs.

The following point struck a nerve with me:

Photography is the art of communicating passion. You need to be passionate about whatever it is that you photograph. If you are passionate you’ll get great results, if you don’t care, you won’t.

Maybe that’s why I like to take outdoor photographs so much (and why those are the ones I get compliments on).

A good read for those of you interested in photography. Check it out.

Having Balance

It?s been real quiet at my place of work this week. Graduation was this past Sunday and the summer session hasn?t started yet. With not that many people needing reference help, I’ve been spending most of the work day at my desk in the back room. Even when I?’ at the reference desk, reference questions from patrons have been few and far between.

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Mom’s Chili

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It’s been rainy and unseasonable cold here in Madison lately. When dreary weather like that comes around, I often find myself making comfort foods to pick up my mood. Today I decided to make one of my favorites — the chili my Mother taught me to cook. Chili is one of those dishes that everyone makes a little differently. I remember as a kid eating other people’s chili and thinking, “This is not chili. My Mom knows how to make chili the right way.”

I’m sure there are people out there who will scoff at what I make and think the same thing. Nevertheless, my taste buds and I have known it is the right way to make chili. Over the years I’ve made a few alterations to the original recipe (most recently using ground turkey meat instead of ground beef). Whenever I make it I usually end up thinking about Mom’s chili and appreciate the knowledge that she passed on to me. Thanks Mom!

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Web stats for play bloys

I usually try to take a look at the statistics for this web site once a month or so. One of the things you can see in the stats, are the search phrases people used to get to your site. Every month, without fail, at least a couple of visitors arrive here by searching for the phrases “play bloy” or “bloy job.”

I’m going to make two assumptions here.

  1. These people can’t type very well.
  2. They did not find what they were looking for.

Of course by posting this entry, I’m going to get even more hits from swingin’ play bloys looking for bloy jobs. Move along fellas, nothing to see here…

Neko Case, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood

I?ve been listening to the new CD by Neko Case, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood over the past few weeks and it’s one of the best albums I’ve heard in quite a while. You could probably file her music under the alt-country genre (along with bands like Wilco, or even Graham Parsons). Ms. Case prefers the term “neo-country,” a label once used by a reviewer to describe her music. However, like other outstanding musicians, Neko Case’s sound does not easily fit into strict categories.

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