Too Trashy For Me
Jan 23rd, 2008 by Don Ray
Yesterday, I went to INFOX, to double check with Alex, to make sure that Electronica National was the place to take my LG monitor. While I was waiting, I over heard these two ladies talking.
As I often do, when I run into new people I haven’t met, I introduced myself and passed out two of my Chiriqui Chatter Cards.
One of the ladies said she had been on the site and was positive about it. The other said, “Oh, that is the gossip site.” I was a little taken back by Chiriqui Chatter being called a gossip site, but assumed that maybe some could see it that way.
I asked her if she still read it and she said, “No, it is too trashy for me.” Now, I was really baffled. That statement is sort of like telling someone, “Gee, your baby is really ugly.”
I asked for an example that she considered trashy, and what she said, sounded more like one of the Yahoo Group sites.
I hope, if she gets back on Chiriqui Chatter, she will point me to the trashy area, then I can better understand her perspective.
I know that many people are not into blogs, and I understand that. I do this for my pleasure and to keep the old brain cells active. I am gratified that so many stop in to see what is happening in Chiriqui and specifically, David.
But after yesterday, I guess I need to take a step back and ask myself, “Is my baby really ugly?”
Hey! Don you are doing an exellent job. I am “Chiricano” and believe me I know what a gossip is and your site is nothing like that, but remember that we will find all kind of opinions and people along the way and we have to deal with them the best way we can. And the hell with everybody if you are doing something you like to do just do it and that’s it.
You have a beautiful baby and your regular readers would agree! It upsets me when I hear this kind of ignorance and I think we know where the “trash” is here!
“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”
Abraham Lincoln
Hi Don: Keep doing what you are doing. I know I can’t do without the explicit information I get from your site. Charlotte
Bull. this sight is full of good info and great reading…Keep it up
Your BABY is gorgeous. I love your blog KEEP IT UP. When I come into my office in the morning I look forward to reading your chatter.
Chiriqui Chatter my daily info from David, keep it up Don.
Your are doing a great job, and do not let anyone say you are not. My guess is she did not want to show her ignorance of the site.
Keep on Keepin’ oon!
Shrader
Don: Keep up the good work and it is one of the better blogs out there! I live in North Carolina and hope to visit David at some point and wondering if you could post some information on volunteering in your area. Thanks
Don: your blog (baby) is very informative, harmonious, ethical, beautiful, especially your pictures and poems! Your blog definitely is NOT about gossip.
Obviously, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and it seems that this person is a not a happy person. You do a great work and we are very thankful for that. Thank you, thank you, thank you and keep on doing it!!!
Lilia
Don
I think your site is the only one that can be considered having the least gossip…in fact I don’t even think there is any gossip. I am SURE she must have meant one of the Yahoo groups too because I myself, am tired of reading them. I always have pleasure reading yours and I am inspired by your site. You always manage to find something and interesting to talk about…it keeps me interested !
Thanks for all the comments. In taking a quick inspection, I have found a few warts on CC, but considering the age of the author, if all that is wrong is a few warts, that ain’t all that bad.
.
I think she must be confused. I am thinking too maybe she is thinking about some of the Yahoo Groups. I have learned more about David and Chiriqui on your blog than any other place. I especially appreciate your restaurant reviews and the photos so we can see what the food looks like. Some friends have questions about here and I send them to Chiriquii Chatter and tell them to check out the links. Your blog is a rich source of information. Thanks.
Don Ray:
No trashy at all! Of course, “para gusto, los colores” (something like different strokes for different folks). SO if somebody does not like your site, they lost. I feel you are given a fair and complete view of David and Panama in general.
Thanks
Jaime^
Hi Don:
Quite a surprise to know that somebody categorized your blog as “trashy”. I surf a lot during the day in order to find useful information for my blog, and let me tell you, Chiriqui Chatter is one of the best, if not “The” best blog I’ve encountered.
As you know, Chiriqui Chatter has been in my daily agenda for over three years now. Keep up your outstanding work, Mr. Ambassador.
Best Regards,
Omar.-
Don, thanks for your site, your page for us has been a help not quantifiable, always reach new customers from chiriqui chatter, some you know personally, others only know your page, a page David news , a useful work for many people …. While news of the Mercedes collided and crashed in the interamericana Hummmm Gossip gossip gossip ….
Don, smile, you are above any Panamanian journalist, And it is a meritocracy that day by day I ask, where is Don today?
“If CNN sent Don Ray to Iraq surely we will read a blog news more human that we would all smile”
Don’t change your ways !
Y’r beautifull !
Greetings from Holland !
Rob
Absolutely nothing trashy about it. We really enjoy being able to virtually visit David through your website. God willing, Tom will recover enough to resume our annual holiday there next year.
You are doing a great job. I am a Chiricano living in North Carolina, and I love reading your blogs. I have learned something about life, “if you don’t want to be criticized, don’t do anything.” Don Quixote also told his beloved San Panza once, “if dogs are barking, it is a sign that we are galloping.” And you are galloping in Chiriqui mi friend.
Hasta Luego y pa’lante.
Juan
Your site is excellent, without any “rants” at all. The lady you met surely had it confused with something else. Keep up the great work, Don Ray!
Don Ray,
All the posters above have it right. If you see warts, be assured that I don’t. I really appreciate the opportunity to read what you post and hope to get to Panama (and David) someday.
Hi Don,
Thanks for having your site. I must say I don’t see anything trashy about your site, I don’t really think she ever delved in to see that it is simply an informative site that has definitely given my husband and I a joy for our up and coming trip to Panama. I am an actress on the series “Stargate SG 1″ Well I died on the show a while back but am very busy… But the important thing is we are going to be buying property there and your connection with properties of all prices even low cost was helpful in getting a grip on the range. We live in the Santa Monica area in California and really just need a simple lot to build or a simple small home so we can relax every few months and do some scuba and practice our Spanish etc… We are a younger couple but have become very fascinated with the Panama Forum and other groups of which you are a part. In addition, those of you who have gone to the trouble and I am sure joy to share this wealth of information has saved us I am sure from some future trouble or unnecessary situations and emotions about what to expect in this amazing country of Panama. Thanks…
Hello Don;
Ok let us be honest about it…I sometimes dont like other peoples babies….you know….! Que lindo bebe ! ?? Give me a break. Now PETS that is something else….I like your pet very much.
Don’t think so.
dear don-ray,
bebe muy bonita que guapo!
way to start an uprising comrade! ellen
Keep on keeping on, Don Ray. She is just probably still bent out of shape because of HER ugly baby.
Don;
I remember in a few of your blogs you were discussing
burning “trash.”
Gracias to all who responded. I appreciate your sentiments. I try to keep a reasonable amount of balance in this site. You can read all the overblown in International living and any commercial site.
At the same time, you can read complaints and find reasons not to move to Panama in some of the commentary that gets written in the Yahoo Groups.
The truth is that there is a little of both in Panama, and a lot is in the perception of the individual who is living the experience. I personally don’t trust much that is written in any site that has financial motivation to induce people to move to Panama. That is the reason that I have refused many offers to promote or place ads on Chiriqui Chatter.
I have lived here almost five years and I have had good and bad experiences. However, the best experiences have been related to all of the Panamanian people I have met and the gracious outpouring of warmth and friendship that I have received.
One thing I have learned, since I first started writing Chiriqui Chatter, is that there have always been many things I have seen in everyday life that I totally ignored in the past and took for granted. In carrying a camera, I find myself being on the lookout for even the slightest thing that I would have considered unusual, had I seen it while I lived in Texas. That accounts to the selection of some of the photos that appear.
However, this is a blog and therefore sometimes contain things that may only be of interest to me, such as my interest in Linux or an occasional poem that has worked its way into my mind.
I really feel that the lady had confused this site with some other site. There certainly are some trashy sites out there. However, I have even found some value in some of those sites.
It kind of reminds me of the story of the little boy that got put in a huge room filled with manure. He was told he needed to clean the room. It was intended as a punishment. Hours went by and every time people checked on the little boy, he was whistling and shoveling and having a great time.
After several hours, they decided to ask why he was so happy when he was having to do such a disgusting job.
He just smiled, kept shoveling, and said, “Gosh, with this much poop, there has to be a pony in here some where.”
Hello Don,
I’m from David and currently live in Tampa, I have been here for 11 years and the last time that I visited David was back in 2004, we are getting ready to take a trip this year in April (if God wants). I love your site, this is not a gossip site at all. This is the way that I have to see and learn of all the new places and how my beautiful David has grown.
Keep the good work and thanks for everything.
Jenizel
Hi Jenizel.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. David has changed a fair amount since you were here last. I hope you have a good trip here this year.
Your Baby is a very interesting web site; there has to be a reason why i log on to your site, every time i go on line! Obviously, this lady must have had your site confused with another one! Keep up, just with what you are doing! Delmar.
Hi Don, the woman must have been confused. My wife and I appreciate everything you do with your site. My wife talks to her mother every day about things in David and she doesn’t give us any information compared to what you blog about. The pictures and articles are great. When we went to David this past Christmas and New Years, thanks to your site, we knew about everything. We appreciate you and your site.
Keep up the good work!!
Don Ray,
You weren’t fishing for compliments when you posted this, were you?
Well deserved.
Actually, I was just reporting that day’s happenings, but I have to admit that complements do make one feel better.
I hope I can learn from the experience. I think it is easy for me to speak sometimes without thinking of the effect that my words might have on another person.
Don:
She is a quart low
Keep doing what you are doing.
You are an incredible resource for future expats.
Jeff
If by “trashy” she meant helpful, intuitive, intellectual, yummy (yes, the food photos are quite yummy), informative, humerous, etc….well then, your site is FULL of trash. Don, most of us are or have been a part of one or more Panama yahoo groups and we know where the gossip (a.k.a “trash”) is….there is no doubt in my mind that she has your gem of a site confused with one of those…I sure hope you invited her to revisit your site. I think it would take less than a minute for her to realize her mistake….Keep up the good work! We appreciate you and all that goes into keeping this site up and running!
Jeff and Shawna,
Thanks for dropping in and the nice comments.
Well……The votes are in…
And,
The ‘Yea’s’ have it.
The only trashy items I remember recently were a few photos of these alien mannequins from a way out discount clothes store! That piece was funny & whacked at the same time. Very observant, Don!
KK
Hahahaah. They did stand out.
Hi Don:
More than 30 responds to this post, sure that your blog is not gossip or trashy.
Continue with this great job of information.