It’s Time Out for Theta Mom Thursday! For those of you visiting for the first time, the goal is to grab one hour of time within one week to do whatever you want…without the kids. It’s such an amazing proposition, I know! On Thursdays, post how you spent your “time out” (add my button from the right side bar or link to me) and be sure to stop here to link up and meet other Theta Moms to see how they spent their time out!
Before I get to my time out, I have to share my frustration lately over Google/Blogger with all of you:
If you thought I was a little MIA this week, it’s not because I wasn’t reading your blogs, it’s because if your blog is set-up to accept comments from Google account holders only, I am having a difficult time signing in to leave a comment! It’s hit or miss, sometimes I can’t get in at all and other times it takes 5 years for the comment page to load and 5 years to sign out. It’s a real problem. And honestly, I don’t have 5 years to wait.
My Google Reader is completely messed up and I have no idea why. I’m not getting all of the feeds and over half of the blogs I follow are floating somewhere I cyberspace. Every blog that I know for a fact that I am following, on your website my little cute profile face is either a blank square, a mysterious blue profile, or I am not there at all. It’s as if I don’t exist!
I have been on all of the Blogger help forums and I am not alone. There is a very small percentage of bloggers affected by this and I just happen to be one of the lucky ones. The problem is, the Blogger administrators aren’t doing a damn thing about it to assist us. In a nutshell, Blogger sucks for me right now and I’m not a happy camper.
Between spending countless hours this past week, trying to find out why I have this blank profile, why my reader isn’t updating the feeds, why I am having trouble signing in to leave a damn comment, I am HIGHLY considering a move to WordPress. I hear life on that side of the blogosphere is pretty sweet.
So if you are following me and I am not following you, it’s not because I don’t like you, it’s because Blogger won’t allow me to sign in and follow you, because right now, Blogger sucks. If you comment on my blog and I haven’t commented back, I am not ignoring you, it’s because I can’t leave a freakin comment on your blog, because right now, Blogger sucks.
If you are a fellow tweep of mine, you’ve heard my rant all over twitterville the last few days. So as you may have guessed, among my crazy Blogger frustration and confusion, I spent countless hours (used as my time out) to vent on Twitter and it was just what I needed!
Why do I love Twitter?
1. You can get an answer to any question within minutes from a fellow tweep.
2. Once you sign in, you’re in. No drama about logging back in and out to do just that…tweet!
3. You’re never alone. I don’t care what time it is, if you’re bored and want to converse, get up on there and you’ll find somebody to chat with.
4. Instead of waiting for an email, a tweet is instantaneous.
5. It’s real time. It’s exciting. It’s addictive. Need I say more?
If you haven’t created a FREE account yet, you have no idea what you are missing. Now that I am hooked, I can’t remember life before Twitter. So follow me on twitter…I can actually FOLLOW BACK on Twitter! Click here to follow me on Twitter.
So although Blogger sucks for me right now, I got to share my anguish and tweet with some of my peeps about it. To me, this was the kind of time out that I needed to keep my sanity!
And if you ARE a WordPress user, I would love to hear your experience. Please email me or leave it in the comments. I would totally appreciate any advice!
By the way, don’t forget the 27 piece mini-makeup collection giveaway from e.l.f. ends tonight at 11 pm so get those last entries in!
And if you are participating in Theta Mom Thursday, how did you spend your one hour? Link up and share your time out with other Theta Moms!
I totally took a bubble bath for my time out tonight. Actually a fellow blogger suggested it after I had somewhat of a tough evening. Let's just say I was close to sounding an Amber alert at a local fast food joint!
As far as leaving comments,..I've always had this problem!! It use to be worse but lately, knock on wood, it seems to have gotten better for me at least!
I had a similar rant a few weeks ago, but mine was because I keep getting locked out of all things Google for no reason. Don't even try asking for help in the Google forums. If his royal highness Nite Cruz, who appears to be the only guy there, finds your question to be a complaint (and isn't most of our questions a complaint if we have to resort to a forum for help), he won't help you. Pretty much he helps no one until there is 100 people reporting a problem, and even then he just refers you to the same 4 posts on his blog, no matter what the problem.
I get so tired of all the hassle, I spend hours browsing different hosts for WP where at least I'd have a 800 # to call. Then I always chicken out because I'm scared WP will be even worse.
In other words, I feel your pain. Like you, I'm thankful for Twitter because at least you're able to find out that others are having the same problem. Yet tell that to NiteCruz. According to him, problems reported on Twitter don't count because they're one sided conversations.
Personally, I think if Google plans on ruling the Internet, the least they could do is provide decent customer service.
Sorry to hear about your google problems. I hope they clear up soon!
Twitter rocks!
Google and FB should get together.
Sorry to hear about the google issues…ugh. I am so 2000-late on Twitter.
I'm another Blogger blogger who is about to jump ship. I know so many who are completely dissatisfied. Another friend's blog feed is totally messed up…she posts every day and I haven't gotten anything from her since Sept 30 in my Google Reader. And Google will not give her the time of day to help.
I have made the decision to switch to WordPress. At first I was going to go to WordPress.com since it's free, but then I discovered there were some limitations. I do want to keep the Google Friend Connect feature. I don't love having it, as it seems to slow down my page load times. But I do want to have the option for my readers who are already following. Also, I want to keep my Disqus comments.
I hate leaving comments on blogger blogs. It is ridiculous how long it takes for the comments to load. I just don't have the time. There are certain blogs that I just don't even bother with anymore. I like them, but I can't sit there all day…I've got 2 little kids and my computer time is limited!
I don't know a lot about WordPress, but I know that there seems to be a lot less complaining coming from WordPress users!
I am exploring hosts now and trying to decide which way to go with that. Not sure when I'll make the switch, but it is definitely coming.
I'll be curious to hear what you decide!
i have not yet jumped on the twitter boat! lol i'm on the fence about it. sorry you're having issues!!
My brother is designing my new blog layout for me and he's trying to move me over somewhere else… I'm scared to leave blogger though in case people can't find me!
So not on board with Twitter but under your recommendation I may just give it a go!
Happy Theta Mom Thursday! x
As a fellow google blogger myself, I am considering moving my blog to wordpress. I've heard many, many good things about wordpress so I think I'm gonna pack my bags and move to the other side too. sorry for your frustrations.
Ugh. That is SO frustrating. I've lost my reader for days at a time and couldn't keep up with bloggy friends. I haven't had any problems in a couple months, but every time it happens I think about switching to WP. Anyhow, I'll be watching to see how it goes for you if you decide to switch because I might end up doing it too. Good luck!
I'm sorry you have Blogger blues. I am with you. I'm thinking of a switch too but I get nervous. If someone would do it for me and it would go extra smooth I would do it in a heartbeat.
I love twitter too. I just need to get on more than I do:)
Ack frustrating! I have other friends who used Blogger and stay there because everyone knows that's where they are… but wish they'd switched. I have one blogger blog that I occasionally use for my crafty stuff but I'm pretty happy with WordPress. The number of toys you have available to play with are incredible. I wish I could help on the following issue. I'm trying to get OpenId to work somehow but because my WordPress is self hosted it's not as easy.
I love twitter too–it's how I found your blog!
Amy
http://housewifehacks.com
I haven't had the problem you have but I figure it is only time. I know nothing about hosting and/or WP so def nervous to jump ship
As for Twitter I love it too… great to browse while in line or waiting in a waiting room. and the real time is great as well.
Good luck theta.. keep us informed
i started using google chrome instead of internet explorer and all my problems got over…
go to my blog and you can find that post under blogging 101 category…
i especially have blogger account…this one…to comment on blogspot faster…inspite of having wordpress.org blogb..
Great post d:
This is my first time to the blog, and this is an awesome meme. I could totally get behind this. 😀 I'll bookmark you for future thursdays. 😀
I started off with Blogger and did not like it for several reasons. I'm now on selfhosted WordPress. Life is much easier with it.
Webdesign and programming is my business, so if you need any help with it just let me know. I provide hosting for it as well.
WordPress is very easy to work with and to me, much easier to customize!
Again, if you need help, let me know.
Sorry to hear about google issues.Frustrating!
Sorry to hear about your troubles, Heather. I'm on Blogger and have considered moving to my own host and WordPress. Haven't decided yet so I'd love to hear from your readers, too.
Oh, and I had my midday escapade/time out yesterday.
What a mess. I hope that my blog is okay…
Let me know if it is not.
I spent and hour at a little party this week. No child or husband. Go me…
I'm fortunate to have older kids now, so basically the time they are in school is "my" time.
I'm moving off blogger onto wordpress and my own host. I'll let you know once I get there how it is.
I'm sorry you're having trouble.
Hi Heather. Thanks for stopping by my blog. My blog is blogger. I was looking at layouts one day and found that one and it was free. BUT I found a lady that does custom blog makeopvers for a nice price, a price I can live with..lol! So there will be one more change, next month most likely.
UGH! Seems I have this same gripe EVERY DAY! Some days I can comment on people's blogs and other days I can't – it is SO WEIRD and SO FRUSTRATING!
If you decide to move to wordpress. I will still follow you there. I know a great blog on wordpress that is very pretty. And she's super nice. http://www.myitwins.com/
Ick… I hate when internet tools don't work the way they are supposed too! It's sooooo frustrating.
Happy Thursday to you Theta Mom! I'll have to go look at the contest and get an entry or two in before it ends.
I do enjoy twitter as well… course, I already follow you and have for a while now
You rock!
Oh dude that really sucks. I know I had a friend with a similar problem. If you subbed her through Google rather than RSS, her feed wouldn't load. I had though she'd fallen off the earth and had stopped blogging but luckily that wasn't the case. And it was thankful for Twitter that I Was able to contact her and find out I had to unsub her and resub using RSS….what a crock.
I've been lucky with Google/Blogger so I'm staying. Plus, I'm a mini-peon in the world of blogging so I have no need to rush off to WP for now.
Good luck!
Hi Theta Mom!
Thanks for stopping in yesterday, I am no following / subscribing! Love your blog.
Am so sorry you are having frustrations, I tend to be cursed when it comes to this stuff too, so I feel for you!!! I don't know much about WordPress, keep us posted on what you do!!!
GOOD LUCK and I look forward to reading more!
Cameron
http://www.conquerthemonkey.com
I love Twitter!!!!
I have problems with blogger and sometimes I can't leave comments on people's blogs because I can't see the word verification thing.I know different days theres different problems.
Oh man i am having the same crap happening to me.. I go to leave a comment I type it in and you know it is brilliant then the @#$% thing say some crap that I cant leave a comment after clicking the damn thing a bazillion times it finally takes..
Then the whole screen blank on google happens to me I have to get out and log back in completely which you know ticks me off….
LOL….
I have a Twitter account, but I hardly use it…
My one hour of 'me' time? Actually it was two hours! I went back to bed after we sent the kids off to school on Tue and I had a lie-in. I felt that was warranted considering the past two weeks that I had, which was SUPER busy.
Hope your Blogger troubles end soon.
I feel the same way about blogger lately too! i think iam going to move to WP after the first of the year once things sort of settle down for me. good luck on the move!
Google/blogger can be so frustrating sometimes!
Blogger stinks. They need to make some changes before they're left in the dust. But right now, I don't have time to look into changing. I just got comfortable with how things work and I like how blogger connects with google, feedburner and reader. Or maybe I'm not doing it right lol!
So, what was your time out??
I have heard many other people voice a similar rant. Blogger needs to figure it out…soon!
Man, sorry to hear google's being a pain in the butt!
Blogger is sucker so much of the time. Sorry you are having issues! So, for my time out I gave my kids a time out!!
Sorry about the technical problems!! I have those often!! LOL!! enJOY your day!!
I have this problem on and off with blogger. It's so annoying!
Enjoy your time out today! I think you can get through to me.
I'm wishing that people would open up allot more things on their blog. I would love to email them back rather then noreply!
Just stopping on by to say Happy Halloween to you and yours! I spent my hour listening to NPR on WINAMP and farting around online
T.
I myself am a die-hard wordpress fan. I hope you get things worked out. Having just moved to my own domain and having to re-set up my blog/theme/etc I am itching to get back to what it's all about… WRITING!
Love your site!
Courtney
http://www.barefootinmykitchen.com
You are a noreply, did you know that? I can't answer you back from your comment. I was testing this yesterday. On your edit profile you must have the share my email checked. But seeing that you seem to know allot more then me, your blog is fantastic, maybe you could tell me if there is another reason.
Yikes! Not cool!! Last month I was having an issue with Google. Anything I was doing that was connected with Google was not working. Also a couple of blogs I follow that use the goggle connect thingy no longer updates on my dashboard. One blog has been 5 weeks and she posts everyday.
Also after a couple of months of having problems I finally switched from Internet Explorer to Firefox. Can't believe I waited so long!!
I love using twitter. My family doesn't use it like they use Facebook. So I can post some stuff I don't feel like telling them…nothing bad, cuz you never know.
Sorry you are having problems. I hope they all get fixed soon.
My time out tonight is just reading. I started The Lost Symbol and have been progressing so slowly.
You know I'm a WP fan, and especially of Thesis. Make the move…you won't regret it.
Hello friend. Sorry about your frustration over Blogger. Same thing is happening to me.
My time out this week was going to a nurtionist to revamp this body. She gave me some good tips, including an exercise routine I have never heard of. Maybe I've been in the dark, but it's called T-Tapp. Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting this body into shape, inside and out.
xox
I'm scared to say this (because of, you know, Karma) but I have never had a problem with commenting on blogs or receiving comments on mine. ** knocking on wood**
Computer issues are so frustrating! I hate my computer sometimes! I hope you get it figured out though!
I totally agree! I am just getting started with Twitter and blogging. I've been writing about them forever, but I never took the plunge. Now I find that I tweet more than I Facebook. Such a wonderful resource!
Great blog, BTW!
I'm havin exactly the same problem with blogger! I'm getting ready to pull my hair out. Not only do they not help at all, but some of the responses I have seen are down right rude "I can't believe you're so stupid that you can't figure this out by yourself" answers. I'm furious! But I'm also glad to know that I'm not alone.
So have you gotten it fixed yet?
Tonight I started a hip hop class. Shit, if my abs and butt look like my teacher's in a month I will be a happy women.
Sweated profusely to loud, great music. Learning all the moves. Feel like I'm twenty again, only slightly less loose.