Audrey Okaneko writes:

Chris,

Thanks for the ideas. I often feel like some of your blog posts are written directly to me :)

Audrey

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Jonathan Farrington writes:

Chris

Rasberry tort – yes, I can synergise with you there!

Will you consider adding a seafood section? I might be tempted to add a few thoughts/recipes and drag myself away from the business section.

I also think you might consider giving wine its own category – it is complimentary to good food, well essential in my view, whereas spirits are more of an enjoyable “social thing”

Jonathan

PS. Susan, I have not forgotten you – trying to fit two weeks activity and commitment into one week right now – need a large 12 year old malt, just as good as red wine for any ailment you might have!

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Edward Weiss writes:

That is one huge raspberry! When I first saw it on the page it looked like a big red dot… but a closer look revealed a delicious looking berry. Yum!

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Jonathan Farrington writes:

Ed,

Huge rasberry indeed – don’t you just wish we had sound effects?

Jonathan

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Kathy Ostman-Magnusen writes:

I like it!

I have been thinking about what to write today.. hey, this works.

After having my last articles first submission refused because I guess my title was a bit too pornographic as I tried to fit my keywords to the popular niche of sexuality, recipes are a cinch.

Ahh me, too funny! I will forever be known as a porn girl now…who cooks!

OK.. recipes, I can do that!

Now, to someday get EzineArticles to add the niche of VISUAL ARTS in the ARTS and Entertainment section. Ohhh did you hear me? I was just thinking (dreaming) out-loud, don’t mind me. Smile.

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Jonathan Farrington writes:

It would appear that Kathy got to my 12 year old malt before I did:)

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Christopher M. Knight writes:

We’d be open to creating a separate section for wine & seafood in the next round of updates.

Kathy Kathy Kathy… :)

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Kathy Ostman-Magnusen writes:

Ehhh that’s funny Jonathan.

You have all driven me to drink 12 year old malts with these crazy blogs for sure! I would never thought of myself writing to fit a keyword about girls on wild, but here I am now.

It is all of your fault, you blogging crazies. Yesterday I was normal and now…

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Jonathan Farrington writes:

Thank you to the three Kathys – is this an attempt to replace the “Three Tenors”?

Good news re: seafood and wine!

Jonathan

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Jonathan Farrington writes:

Kathy,

To begin with, I would never assume to tease anyone I did not like or respect – you fit into both of those categories.

This is, sadly, my weekly visit to the EZ blog – as time allows and I am always prompted to think that we really do need to extend the reach of this medium. 45.000 authors and only a handful of people contributing?

I will sleep on it and e-m Chris with some thoughts – Lance, Ed and all of you, will you do the same? This is such a great platform.

How about a guest blog entry here each week?

The concept of an EZ community is a great one, but we all need to play a part and develop it fully.

Jonathan

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Kathy Ostman-Magnusen writes:

Ohh this community is so dear.. really.

Sometimes it keeps me on the edge of my seat and I can hardly wait to see what comes next.

EZ has brightened many a day and that is because of a wonderful bunch of contributors who are charming and full of wit.

Everyone is generous to a fault. I have never felt embarrassed by asking simple questions because of that.

Off to paint now dear friends.

Pasta anyone?

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Christopher M. Knight writes:

Jonathan,

EzineArticles blog stats:

Last month there was 1,076 people who came directly to the blog, 3,350 more that came to the blog from within the site somewhere else (4,426 total unique visitors).

About 18,000 total views for the short 28 day month of Feb.

The challenge with the guest blogger idea is that I’ve wanted to keep this blog as an EzineArticles centric purpose/communication tool and therefore didn’t envision it being used to promote direct or indirect competitors. Most people who would want to contribute to the blog would most likely be a direct or indirect competitor… and those who aren’t competitors are already found in the Article Marketing or Article Writing section.

We’re open to topical ideas for what you want covered or discussed in this blog…

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Jonathan Farrington writes:

Chris,

Yes, I understand that entirely:

I am not suggesting for one minute that “outsiders” are granted access, but rather within the community: My suggestion is that you yourself invite a guest blogger every week to initiate a topic.

At the moment, topics are lead by you and we respond – the reality is that maybe, just maybe, there are subjects that we would like to discuss (all article writing/submission orientated) that you may not have considered.

If you are keen to ornate and develop a democratic community – which I believe you are – then maybe you should grant us the opportunity to elevate this medium.

If however the EZ blog is an information source, whereby you keep us up to date with all things EZ -then, that of course is a different matter and understandable.

It’s your call!

Jonathan

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Christopher M. Knight writes:

Jonathan,

Just so you know, I use questions asked here:
http://askchristopherknight.com/

Along with frequently asked questions in member/author support to guide the topics selected.

I didn’t intend for the EzineArticles blog to be used by guest bloggers…

If you want to direct or start the discussion, that’s what the forums are for… and hopefully we can get them destroyed and rebuilt this year with our own forum software that will act more like this blog, but that’s on the to do list that is already 2 pages long single-spaced.

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Priscilla writes:

Here’s a raspberry energy snack.
Mix the pure energy of honey, white and black sesame seeds, dried whole raspberries, peanuts and olive oil.

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Jonathan Farrington writes:

Chris,

Maybe this is a personal issue but I do not typically have time to get involved in forums, however I am ennergised and enthused by this blog on a weekly basis.

My perception is that here we have revitalised “the community”, if that is what we are attempting to do, but this is purely a personal perspective and possibly a selfish one as I have never, as I suggested before, had the time to participate in the forums.

Were you to suggest that I change the format of my own blog, I may well take the stance that you have – it’s my blog and if you don’t like it then I will take my ball home.

I think you have created a medium that we want to contribute to, not just read.

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Jeff Herring writes:

With all due respect Chris, and totally kidding around, that is the ugliest picture of a raspberry I have ever seen! – and I think of fruit as “God’s Candy” – but this one looks like it has hair!

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Kathy Ostman-Magnusen writes:

Oh! Jeff… I thought so too. It looks kind of like a brain!

Sorry Chris.

Just squish it up I guess and make Pricilla’s snack.

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Dina at Wordfeeder.com writes:

“God’s Candy…”

Jeff… I love it.

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Jonathan Farrington writes:

Chris, you are suggesting that 0.09835% of EZ authors visit this blog on a monthly basis. Impressive?

Please do not discount the value of guest contributions, who may be less enthused by the volleyball prowess of the Ezine team or even your ability to enjoy a weekend in snowy climes (I am actually very envious) – but would rather focus on critical article writing issues.

If you want us to participate here, as I believe we want to do, I suggest you create a separate noticeboard of EZ internal activity and develop this as a serious, (occasionally friviolous), platform where EZ converts can exchange intelligent views.

The concept of allowing a guest blogger does not diminish your standing and should not represent a blow to your ego – the reality is that you have moved on from the “Chris Knight” show, you have created a community(your words not mine)

It is time to stand back and allow your contributors to assist you to move forward; not that I ever thought you were taken in by the sycophantic comments you often receive?

There is a better way!

Jonathan

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LanceWinslow writes:

I do not like Raspberry Tort, in fact it makes me gag. But I do love raspberries as is. I also do not like the way raspberries is spelled. I think it should be without the “P” because that is how kids pronounce it anyway.

Has anyone written at least one article in all those categories yet? I think I would like to hire them as my own cook?

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Jeff Herring writes:

Lance – “I do not like raspberry tort”

“I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them Sam I Am”

Can you tell I have 2 young boys?

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Edward Weiss writes:

Priscilla wrote:

Here’s a raspberry energy snack.
Mix the pure energy of honey, white and black sesame seeds, dried whole raspberries, peanuts and olive oil.

Everything sounds good here except olive oil… although you never really know until you taste it huh?

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LanceWinslow writes:

Did you know that in 1952 Dr. Suess was the first person to use the word; “BLOG” in fact the sentences was the “…blogs and blogs the Trout ate”

Which means that whoever adopted the word “Blog” was making a funny statement? Food for the Fishes, so that humans can enjoy all their sound and fury about trivial things to keep them happy and busy. Well that is my interpretation, meanwhile I put dried whole raspberries, white and black sesame seeds and pure honey on my shopping list, I already have the peanuts and olive oil, so thanks Edward.

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Jonathan Farrington writes:

Lance,

I agree entirely with you; witness my attempts at humour earlier in this posting. However, it would be good to have some meat with the two veg occasionally – some “brain food”, although I am not sure I could manage it five times a day!!

Chris,

Have you considered hosting the EzineArticles blog on BlogTalkRadio – BlogTalkRadio.com. My perception is you would make a jolly good host and we could all make use of the excellent phone in facility!

I host my own blog there:”The Business Show” as an experiment ahead of the launch of “Top 10 Sales Articles” in April and I have been mightily impressed with the service.

Food for thought(back on topic!)

Jonathan

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LanceWinslow writes:

Let’s have an EzineArticles Sponsored;

“Raspberry Parade”

and everyone wear “Purple” and instead of “Prince” singing, we can have our Trusting “Knight” Chris do the Karaoke honors as the Official DJ. Yah!

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Kathy Ostman-Magnusen writes:

Lance… are you dipping into the Raspberry Cordial?

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