Israellycool

I’m back from my trip, but I think I left my brain at the luggage claim.

Regular posting will likely resume after I track it down.

I’m away in Europe on business for the week, so the blogging forecast is cloudy, with a chance of intermittent posts.

I’m hoping Elder and the rest of the guest contributors will pick up some of the slack.

In case you still didn’t get it, the theme change - replete with blog name change - was an April Fool’s prank. And once again, it was Harry who picked up on it.

Haven’t lost my touch.

As you know, I have been tinkering around with the site’s theme for the last few weeks. After some unsuccessful attempts, I think I have found the theme for this site. And you’re now looking at it.

What I really like about it is the fact it is classy yet simple. The only downside is it is also used by bloggers who are not so classy (but are simple).

I am open to feedback, but I think my mind is set on this.

I have to admit I feel a bit like Priscilla Presley at the moment. The plastic surgery seemed like a good idea at the time, but was not quite what I bargained for.

I am referring, of course, to the recent theme change I implemented for this site, and which I have now “undone.” The reason? The new theme had too many yet-to-be-ironed-out bugs. And since my ironing prowess is questionable, I thought it wise to return to this theme. For now.

Meanwhile, the guy who created the new theme is about to launch a new, less buggy version soon, so perhaps I’ll be revisiting that option in the near future.

I’m experimenting with this new theme for the site, and want your feedback.

Note: It still needs some tweeking, such as the inclusion of my banner, but I am interested in your opinion on the general look and feel, navigation, and load time.

I have noticed a real increase in the number of Christian missionary sites appearing in my referrers list. Clearly, they are not appearing on the referrer’s list because they linked to any of my posts. I am not entirely sure how they do it, but what is clear is that whatever they are doing is designed to bring more Jews like me to their sites.

If you are the owner of any of these sites, let me save you the trouble.

There is no way I will ever believe what you believe.

Ever.

With cherries on top.

So I suggest you focus on being a good person, and not on trying to cause others to stumble.

Now might be a good time to remind those of you who don’t already have a Gravatar to sign up here.

The next time you comment on this site, your Gravatar will appear alongside your comment, assuming you entered your email address.

As you were.

I interrupt this broadcast to mention that Israellycool is officially 5 years old.

Or 5,037 posts and 10,755 comments.

Or 35 in dog years.

I was thinking of using the occasion to solicit for donations to this site, but to be honest, I would rather you donated your money to a more worthy cause, like Sderot.

As you were.

Get some discussion going in the comments while I take some deep breaths.

As part of my continuing efforts to improve the sense of community on this site, I have added a chat room called The Cooler.

To access it, click on The Cooler button underneath the banner.

And if any of you are graphically gifted and would like to contribute to this site, I invite you to submit a button graphic which I will place on the sidebar as a more visible way to access The Cooler. If I get more than one submission, I will post all the entries and ask you to help me decide on a winner.

And here are the final results, based on your votes..