Bloggranddaughter VW Bug of One Happy Dog Speaks has adopted herself a baby blogson:

Matthew of Maybe Baby

Since he's been around since January, I'm going to do a random sampling rather than the usual "link every post" tour:

Puppy picture! - didn't take him long to dive for the cuteness jugular, but I'll let it go because he learns an important lesson here: "Small Things Are Both Stupid and Defiant".

Photoshopping and whack-it blogging - always a good combination. Sure, it's TMI, but this IS the information age... too much, or otherwise.

I think this is one of those Zen questions - "If only I had a kid that I could boss around, an indebted member of my family who could vacuum, walk the dog, do the dishes and fold the laundry, perhaps I wouldnÂ’t be so stressed. But if IÂ’m stressed, how will I ever have that kid who will eventually cut down the amount of work I have to do?"

Concerned that the right of free speech doesn't cover "poop"? - Matthew is, and he's fighting for you!

Some important history on being formerly fat - A lot of folks have weight (or at least weight image) issues, and Matthew would probably be a good person to chat about those with. Voice of experience and what not.

I'd also like to mention that it looks like Matt has finally given up that disgusting habit of putting plain text in extended entries. Good job!

Membership in the Bad Example Clan is also an option, if you're so inclined to jump through the requisite hoops, but is not mandatory.

Meanwhile you can look forward - with either anticipation or dread - to regular visits and comments from me.

Welcome home.

Posted by: Harvey at 08:17 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Blogson Johnny-Oh of Closet Extremist on what to do about the Virginia Tech shootings:

For your soul, pray for the families and the wounded.
For your heart, grieve for the lost.
For your emotions, hold your family close and let them know you Love them.
For your mind, think of ways that you could avoid being a victim in a similar situation.
For your peace, turn off the damn TV and do one of the above.

Well said.

A personal note to the author: Though you blog infrequently these days, I'm VERY glad you still post when you can. There was a damn good reason I pushed you to get your own blog, and it makes me proud to see that reason is still there.

Posted by: Harvey at 11:52 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Under a special dispensation from the Federal Department of Blogchildren, blogstumpson Contagion of Miasmatic Review has been allowed to produce virtual offspring again. Thus I present:

Bruce Wayne of Back to the Batcave

Let's slide down the pole & have a peek:

Confesses to enjoying romps with turtles - First day and he's already abusing wildlife. Yeah, he's Contagion's kid, all right.

Allow me to quote: "Wrigley Field is HUGE and there is no way it can sell out." - I guess Bruce learned himself a lesson about the wisdom of poking Murphy's Law in the eye with a stick.

On the other hand he already knows the ultimate secret of blogging - When you don't have anything good to post, post something good from someone else. In this case, song lyrics. Maybe there's hope for him yet.

The only thing I'll suggest to Bruce is that he should provide a link to where he found the lyrics so that people who are unfamiliar with the song can find out what it is. Remember, it's all about reader convenience. There's no such thing as a post with too much explanatory linkage. It's what hyperlinks are for.

Next lesson - blogging while "niquilled" = typos. Which just makes more fun for the rest of us. Drunk blogging is fun, too. Just ask your blogdad.

Lesson the third - music will get you through times of no car better than a car will get you through times of no music.

Seriously, though, might want to check out my used car buying tips.

You know you have a Trek addiction when... - you post a link to some weird Turkish Trek fan-film. Gotta love those miniskirts in part 1, though. Please note the absence of panties at 1:21.

Bruce thinks that graphic portrayals of torture and murder are inappropriate for highway billboards. Can't argue with that. Heck, the one billboard picture he shows even makes ME queasy. This is one time you'll actually hear me say "do it for the children".

Tosses out a quick "About Me" post. It's a good start. Now just need to put a link to that one in the sidebar somewhere.

Membership in the Bad Example Clan is also an option, if you're so inclined to jump through the requisite hoops, but is not mandatory.

Meanwhile you can look forward - with either anticipation or dread - to regular visits and comments from me.

Welcome home.

Posted by: Harvey at 09:06 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Bloggranddaughter VW Bug of One Happy Dog Speaks has adopted herself a blogdaughter.

Who just happens to be the wife of her bloggrandpa.

Not me, the other one.

I tell ya, the Bad Example Family Tree just keeps looking more and more like this:

First, a word of caution to Bug... adopting a blogchild is a grave and fearsome responsibility. I expect you to lavish her with love, support, attention, and regular comments. Remember to encourage her during those dry spells where blogging doesn't seem like much fun anymore. Be a good blogmama.

Now, let's have a gander at this foundling:

Maranda of Maranda Under Stress

Since Maranda has actually been blogging for over a year, I'll just link a semi-random selection of posts instead of the "link every darn one" thing that I usually do with the newbies.

Answers the burning question: "Why would anyone be called Maranda unless they were being arrested or wore big hats full of fruit?"

The nurse's prayer... not sure where that bit about Astroglide came from...

Phrases that should never appear on ANYONE'S blog - "a guy in a thong style suit with thin straps that go over the shoulders on his sides".

Penis enlargement tip that actually works!

A handy tip to help NASA cope with those budget cuts.

Finally, she realizes too late the full implications of being her own bloggreatgrandmother.

Membership in the Bad Example Clan is also an option, if you're so inclined to jump through the requisite hoops, but is not mandatory.

Meanwhile you can look forward - with either anticipation or dread - to regular visits and comments from me.

Welcome home.

Posted by: Harvey at 10:23 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Bloggranddaughter Lee Ann of Lee Ann's View presents us with her new blogdaughter:

"Susan" of Get A Life

Let's peek under the little pink blanket:

Proof that celebrities should fornicate more cautiously.

Proof of her own insanity in the form of 30 degree coatlessness and a favoring of the Colts in the Superbowl.

Proof of her twisted sense of humor. You can always tell a Bad Example Family member by their inappropriate laughter.

In case you were wondering, that long-haired, black-hatted trumpet player on ESPN2 Thursday night wasn't some homeless guy who wandered in off the street, it was her son.

Membership in the Bad Example Clan is also an option, if you're so inclined to jump through the requisite hoops, but is not mandatory.

Meanwhile you can look forward - with either anticipation or dread - to regular visits and comments from me.

Welcome home.

Posted by: Harvey at 09:19 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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And it's not a blogchild this time.

Long-absent despite my incessant nagging (and thus still a milk carton kid) Blogdaughter Sally of Whimsy Capricious and her husband Alex of Alex in Wonderland are 22 weeks into brewing up a new offspring.

Thought you'd like to know.

Posted by: Harvey at 08:37 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Bloggreatgranddaughter Tink of Tink's Tribulations needs some scrapbooking help:

I need songs, specificially songs that begin with N, P, Q, S, T, U, V, X, Y, Z; where either a verse or the chorus would be appropriate for a young girl.

I personally don't know a lot of music appropriate for children. Those of you with more class, please feel free to chime in.

Posted by: Harvey at 06:27 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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As regular readers know, I try to encourage good writers and frequent commenters to start their own blogs, and - consequently - I have a lot of blogkids. Many of whom have blogchildren of their own.

Unfortunately, sometimes things don't always work out. A new blogger may start out with great enthusiasm, but - for whatever reason - doesn't develop the same obsessive-compulsive desire to blog that I suffer from.

Sometimes these folks just quit blogging.

Which makes me very sad.

And torn.

Because I don't want to de-link them - they're FAMILY for cryin' out loud! - but on the other hand, I've pretty much given up hope of them coming back, and the blogroll IS a little bloated... besides, a lot of the active kids use the official Family blogroll, and is it REALLY fair to keep all those dead links on it?

So I've decided to do something about it. A new blogroll just for the blogspawn who haven't posted anything in the last 6 months.

The list of the missing.

The Bad Example Family Milk Carton Kids.

The offspring that are no longer with us, but whose absence leaves an empty, aching hole in my heart.

If they post again, I will - with great rejoicing - put them back on the Family blogroll.

I hope they do.

Meanwhile, for those using the Bad Example Family blogroll, you won't have to skip the non-posters and 404's anymore. But if for some reason you'd like to include a list of the missing somewhere on your sidebar, here's the Blogrolling code:

<script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://rpc.blogrolling.com/display.php?
r=64a82ee75946298cde968c000df9a238"></script>

(Code divided for display purposes. If used, put all of it on the same line)

And if you ARE one of the Milk Carton Kids, all I can say is...

All is forgiven.

Please come home.

Posted by: Harvey at 08:48 AM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
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1 Awwwww... Now see? That's what makes you such a fine patriarch. That, and the scotch and cigars... ;-)

Posted by: Richmond at January 06, 2007 09:55 AM (e8QFP)

2 You're such a good dad! We'll have to think of a great Father's Day present for you. *grin*

Posted by: Teresa at January 06, 2007 10:11 AM (gsbs5)

3 Yeah, good luck with that.

Posted by: _Jon at January 06, 2007 10:26 AM (AqumQ)

4 It's sad, but sometimes you just have to let go.

Posted by: Contagion at January 06, 2007 11:04 AM (MsT2U)

5 Blow me....

Posted by: Madfish Willie at January 06, 2007 04:24 PM (qsZy2)

6 DAAAAAD I'm HOOOMME......HEH who's that smelly hobo In my bed...IT'S HAMMER TIME.WHACK..WHACK..BUDGEN...SMACK. Clean up-Isle three.

Posted by: blogless brother at January 07, 2007 04:52 AM (ogDGO)

7 Thanking you Harvey. What WOULD we do without you? ;-)

Posted by: Tammi at January 07, 2007 08:25 AM (3UQTn)

8 Jon of Ponytailed Conservative shuffled off his mortal coil, did he not? I wouldn't put it past you to try raising the dead just so you could have a separate "Bad Example Zombie Bloggers" blogroll

Posted by: Graumagus at January 08, 2007 09:06 AM (Rayvs)

9 Every now and then I have to delete inactive bloggers. I leave the links up there, keep checking, but after so many months, I figure they've probably moved on to other things and given up blogging. *sigh*

Posted by: kate at January 08, 2007 05:21 PM (cG4Xd)

10 Cute!

Posted by: pam at January 09, 2007 04:36 PM (l6NIn)

11 Well, it's a good thing it only took me a MONTH to post something!

Posted by: Ktreva at January 09, 2007 08:14 PM (MsT2U)

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Bloggranddaughter Mrs_Who of House of Zathras has ditched Blogger for a fancy Wordpress blog with her own domain.

She's also changed her name from Mrs_Who to Mrs. Who - I have no idea if it's a witness protection thing, or what.

Anyway, update your bookmarks.

If you're using the Bad Example Family javascript, it's already been done for you.

Posted by: Harvey at 05:41 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Blogson-in-law Alex of Alex in Wonderland mentions the trend toward bloggers becoming celebrities.

Fortunately, you'll see no bloated-ego pontificating, or mugging for the cameras at Bad Example. I never expect to rise above my status as a flea on the itchy butt of the blogosphere.

Unless some sort of graffiti-currency-related scandal breaks out, in which case you won't be able to throw a sneaker at a television without hitting my face.

Anyway, as for the title of this post - Alex has announced that his wife (and my blogdaughter) Sally of Whimsy Capricious (who REALLY needs to post something soon) is 4 months pregnant (with an actual child, not a blogspawn).

I'm predicting triplets, just to get Alex spun up.

Posted by: Harvey at 08:26 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Blogson Madfish Willie of Madfish Willie's Cyber Saloon lost his mother on Sunday, December 10th.

She ran a blog for the San Antonio Polio Survivor's Association for several years, which is a great resource for those afflicted with the disease.

Obituary here.

Pictures from the memorial service here.

Posted by: Harvey at 12:25 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Once again, the Bad Example Family tree experiences a dismal failure to branch, as I seem to have had a blogson in cooperation with my bloggrandaughter Mrs_Who of House of Zathras.

Please welcome Bitterroot of Friction and Harmony.

Amazingly, he's only got 10 fingers & 10 toes, so coming from a gene puddle instead of a gene pool doesn't seem to have hurt him any.

Let's see what else he's got:

Meanwhile, please notice the extended entry feature on this post.

The origin of names - both the pseudonym and the blog name. I have to admit, being a Packers fan, I can relate to panicky feelings about Bears.

Pegs the geek meter - by knowing more about .diz files than any normal human being ought. Keyword: normal.

By the way, I'll see your pole-dancing Lincolns and raise you a set of Viking Kittens.

A long and interesting story - which is mostly and excuse to post a link to a Dennis Leary video which I've never seen before, and which song will probably stick in your head for a while.

Accuses his wife of tattling - like he didn't see this coming.

Throwing cheetos at cheesecake - exploiting his wife's beauty for a little blog traffic. Has this man NO honor? Never see that sorta thing here at Bad Example.

Tech notes - Bitterroot could use some friends who know a bit about Wordpress. Which isn't me. I'm just there for the sexy wife pictures.

Membership in the Bad Example Clan is also an option, if you're so inclined to jump through the requisite hoops, but is not mandatory.

Meanwhile you can look forward - with either anticipation or dread - to regular visits and comments from me.

Welcome home.

Posted by: Harvey at 06:32 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Bloggranddaughter Sarah the Penguin of Because We Have Thumbs wants to engage in bitter, cantankerous repartee in her comments.

At her OTHER blog: Use A Pencil

First up - "Is it OK to shoot cops and grandmothers, or is it just fun?"

That's a paraphrase, but feel free to go bicker.

Posted by: Harvey at 10:24 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Thanks to bloggranddaughter ArmyWifeToddlerMom, the Bad Example Family has a new bouncing blogbaby girl to tag with those horrible, annoying memes:

KD of The Life of the Wife

Let's see what's underneath the little pink blanket:

This just tickles me - "donÂ’t want him to know I consistently fret" is what she posts on her publicly accessible blog. Heh. He'll NEVER see it there...

Now we start getting to know her as she deals with the first week of her husband's deployment. As to this statement: "I write him at least twice a day and I can't tell if he wants me to or not.", my response is "no... more". After 6 years in the Navy, I can say with certainty that messages from home can NEVER come frequently enough.

On the other hand, DO try to pace yourself. If the frequency of messages declines, a man starts to worry a bit. Between the two, consistency will trump frequency over the long haul.

Does anyone know German? If you do, maybe you can give KD a hand. Personally, my suggestion is to start reading German blogs. You can start by looking here.

Dealing with the empty house - and yes, DO be grateful for e-mail. Beats the hell out of waiting 3 weeks for a letter. And don't forget, they have internet-operable vibrators now [link NC17], so you've got even MORE advantages over your WWII forebears.

"Cracky loves the Wieners!" - KD, you've GOT to link some pictures for this piece. The Wikipedia article you linked isn't being very helpful.

Lonely summer nights - We'll have to do what we can to keep her company this summer. Maybe a nice BlogCrawl.

Outed - 'nuff said.

What to get for the man who has no room to put anything? - Good question. But if you're looking for something cigar-related, try Cigars International or JR Cigar. Might also send him a link to my handy cigar storage tips.

Looking forward to Thanksgiving - with picture.

"ohmygosh, ohmygosh, ohmygosh!! Mom, I want it! I want it! Moooooom, I NEEEEEED IT!" - Yeah, I say that a lot myself, except with more panting.

"Even better: someone buys and produces my universal, RFID tag based, closet contained laundry system." - We had something like that on the USS Enterprise. You throw your laundry in a mesh bag, put it in the laundry bin, and 3 weeks later it got tossed onto your rack, slightly damp and smelling like everyones else's sweat. Hopefully KD's version works better.

Membership in the Bad Example Clan is also an option, if you're so inclined to jump through the requisite hoops, but is not mandatory.

Meanwhile you can look forward - with either anticipation or dread - to regular visits and comments from me.

Welcome home.

Posted by: Harvey at 09:29 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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Watching Comedy Central's Premium Blend, and out on the stage steps bloggranddaughter ArmyWifeToddlerMom.

Or at least I *think* it was her.

All I know is that I've never seen her AND Tracy Smith together in the same room.

Posted by: Harvey at 12:25 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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Bloggranddaughter Irishpixie of Pixie Dust Productions, Inc. has been quite productive, indeed, as she has brought forth into this world a blogdaughter:

GiGi of GiGi's View of the World

Let's peer into the virtual bassinet, shall we?:

Traditional sucky first post... well, I guess GiGi's not a traditionalist. She went with some substantive reflection on giving advice to your children.

What to do with a bad doctor?... maybe strap him to a table and start prodding him with a speculum?

GiGi admits to being puzzled by the weirdly-knotted branches of her part of the Bad Example Family Tree. Wait until she gets a gander at the whole thing...

A little bit about her - Germany, cooking, art, the pooping of her grandson...

Someone needs to tag her with a meme to get her out of her shell.

Pumpkin carving! - Is there anything more heart-warming than gourd-related mayhem & mutilation?

Membership in the Bad Example Clan is also an option, if you're so inclined to jump through the requisite hoops, but is not mandatory.

Meanwhile you can look forward - with either anticipation or dread - to regular visits and comments from me.

Welcome home.

Posted by: Harvey at 09:47 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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To blogson GEBIV of There's One, Only!

I thought I'd get him a nice pic of a hot chick playing a banjo.

After several hours of Googling, I discovered the awful truth:

Hot chicks don't play the banjo.

Happy Birthday anyway... :-/

Posted by: Harvey at 06:40 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Blogson Contagion of Miasmatic Review had another birthday.

Embarrassingly enough, although I knew about it ahead of time, I was away from my computer, so I couldn't do a cruel and humiliating post to help him celebrate.

I'm sure he's broken-hearted about that.

As I was googling around for an appropriate present (which I didn't find), I *did* discover something interesting:

Looks like ol' Seamus MacPhail finally got his still working.

Congratulations on keeping the world inebriated.

And Happy Birthday!

Posted by: Harvey at 08:23 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Blogson Wandering Gunslinger of Gunpowder Grotto asks for guesses as to the meaning of the word "Zwitter". Apparently the title of some incomprehensible song or another by Rammstein.

My guess: A miniature high voltage fly swatter. The full-size version is called the "Zwatter", a combination of "zap" and "swatter". They changed the name for the new, smaller version - the letter "i" makes it sound diminutive.

Any other guesses?

Posted by: Harvey at 05:40 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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Bloggranddaughter Mrs_Who of House of Zathras is having a birthday. Heard she likes back rubs, so I got her a fancy-ass massage chair:

It looks pretty complicated, so I thought I should hire someone to operate it for her.

This guy looks like he'd be pretty handy around the house:

I'm sure Mrs_Who will find ways to keep him busy.

Happy Birthday, sweetie.

Posted by: Harvey at 06:00 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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1 Can you book him ahead for my next birthday, Harv? I've got some *ahem* chores for him....

Posted by: Susie at September 18, 2006 10:12 AM (I8uqK)

2 Woohoo! Thanks, Harvey! He sure looks like he can crawl an attic - he even has his own ladder! That blasted oven vent ought to be a cinch to finish now. I might warn him to at least put on a shirt - that fiberglass can be awful. Hmmm... Nah. HEY, wait a minute! That's *MY BEER* he's pulling out of MY refrigerator! OUT! OUT!!

Posted by: =HC= at September 18, 2006 11:51 AM (NfSVQ)

3 Harvey, you are just the bestest grandpappy a girl could ever want! When I came home, the curtain rod was up and the oven vent was in place! And a nice massage chair on top of all that??? Couldn't get better! ...and =HC=, after all of the 'gentleman's' hard work, he can have a beer...or even two!

Posted by: Mrs_Who at September 18, 2006 02:49 PM (NfSVQ)

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