I Got Bored
Jun 4th, 2008 by Don Ray
I just felt that I needed a little change. Do you ever feel that way? I decided to change the photo that has been the trademark for this blog for some time. The current photo, in the blog header, was one I took in David in 2003.
You can see that the old park is still there and vendors lined the street. I happened to see this lady walking, in front of the church, with a young boy and I snapped her photo. I had posted it on my first blog in 2003 and on this blog in 2005.
If I get bored again, I may make another change. In the meantime, you can tell me if you think the old Misty Look theme photo was better or if you like one that is actually from Chiriqui.
If you need a comparison, here is the Misty Look photo.
Don Ray,
I prefer the David picture to the standard Misty Look picture. A number of similar types of sites the header picture changes every week or so. I like to see different pictures (I know - more work for you).
Rob
Hi Rob. I originally thought of changing the header, but couldn’t decide on a replacement. I have also thought of changing it on some frequency, maybe not on a weekly basis, but possibly on a monthly basis. Thanks for offering an opinion.
Hi Don:
The truth be told, I prefer the Misty Look picture. Maybe it’s because I’m accustomed to it.
Regards,
Omar.-
Hi Omar. I understand the feeling. Misty Look was a very polished photo. It also looked good on my blog cards. I doubt if I will change the cards. Change is always in the air. I sort of like the blog having more of a connection to a real Panama location.
Don Ray:
Pictures of David or Chiriqui will be nice. Parque Cervantes, Feria de David, Chiriqui Mall, Avenida Obaldia, Parque De las Madres and many others, that you can keep changing. That will be so neat!
Jaime^
Hi Jaimie. Thanks for adding your opinion. There are plenty of beautiful or interesting locations in Chiriqui and David. I do have ample photos to choose from.
Being a reality freak, I like the David one much better!
Reality freak?! I would have never taken you for one. I do think there are good reasons to have it contain some of the local color. Thanks for adding your opinion.
I like the David picture much better, too. It is more representative of your blog. On another note, what web host to you have? I’ve been thinking of starting a blog and website for sometime. Now that we are one year away from taking an early retirement and moving to Panama, I need to sell my lifetime of possessions. With the cost of gas, I want to develop an online garage sale so local garage sale hunters can view my things without making a trip. I have a year to sell my belongings, one room at a time. I’d like to accompany it with a link to my blog describing the process and experiences of becoming a baby boomer expat.
I’m thinking of usng Hostgator as my web host and Joomla as my web builder, and Word Press for my blog. Right now, I use FrontPage, and my University server for my school website. I have no programming experience, but I’ve figured out how to embed videos, etc. through trial and error. Are you familiar with Joomla? Any advice as to the best web host and web builder?
Hi Debbie. Thanks for offering an opinion. This photo is a little dated, but it does have some local color.
Wwhen I chose my host, I wentfor low cost and one that offered Fantastico, because I thought that would semplify my maintance problems.
I think you will always have some hosting problems, no matter who you choose. There are always problems in technology, especially web technology.
You might start with on of the free blogging engines such as WordPress or Blogger while you are doing your investigation. You can import the site to the new location after you pick your host.
I am hosted on VistaPages. For what I wanted, they have been satisfactory. I now am no longer using Fantastico, and prefer having full control of my own maintenance. I stay more current with WordPress updates. A little more work, but I do what I want.
I tried several blogging engines and for me, you can’t beat WordPress. The new WordPress has a very easy update process for all of the plugins.
I remember looking at Joomla, but decided I could do all that I wanted with WordPress.
As far as the best web host, there isn’t any. Some cost more than others. All will eventually have problems. You have to keep your own backups. I don’t do that as well as I should.
Good luck and when you get it started, let us know the URL.
dear don ray,
i love the new/old header of david ! thank you ellen
Hi Ellen. I am happy that you like the new header. It is the same old blog, just with a new accessory to its wardrobe. Thanks for offering your opinion.
I love the new picture.
Hi Mary. Thanks for taking the time to add your opinion.
When I accessed this morning, the new header shocked me and at first I thought something had gone wrong with your blog. Then as I read your post I realized everything was fine. Change at first is shocking but in this case, refreshing. I like the Misty Look but having pictures of David/Chiriqui is more representative of your blog. I agree with you that you should keep your cards with the Misty Look, it’s a unique card. In summary, I enjoy the David picture much more.
Hi Lilia, Thanks for adding you opinion. I think having something in the Chiriqui area that people may have seen has its positive side.
Hi Don, I like the new picture. Like some of your other readers, other pictures from David would be nice as well. I do like the Misty theme picture as well. But my vote is for the new picture. Change is good sometimes.
Hi Mike. Thanks for taking the time to leave your comment. I try keep the site fresh and sometimes it requires a little change.
I prefer the picture, though I must admit that it was hard for me to identify the area. It´s no wonder ´cause I am dominated by my left brain hemisphere… I agree with those who suggest to keep the misty look in your cards.
Have a nice day!
AS
Hi AS. It is a little hard to identify the location, because it looks so different now. The new park no longer has vendors parked along the side and it is much more open. You can see the Hotel Panama Rey in the distance, which is now under remodeling.
Thanks for taking the time to leave your opinion.
Great header photo! The real David. I like. It sure is a lot different today though. Past and present eh?
Hi Jerry. Tes, the change to the park mad a huge difference to downtown.
Drat! You just missed including me in the picture. I was sitting just to the right on the doorstep of the church with my bottle. Well, maybe next time…
Hahaha. Frank, you are a riot.
Go with whatever picture you like Don Ray, but I have GOT to know how tall the guy on the right in the background is. He looks to be at least 8 ft. Does he play basketball? Maybe he’s the guy who retrieves papaya from the tall plants?
Henry
Hi Henry. He does look pretty tall, but I bet it is an illusion of some sort. I am usually taller than all Panamanians I run into and I am only 6 foot.
My two cents…I loved the old picture. Has a very oriental feeling, Japan or China.
I also like the new pic. I think you should change it once a month so that your faithful following who haven’t made it to Panama yet can see what it’s like. Street scenes are wonderful for getting a sense of place.
Hi Richard. Thanks for adding your opinion. I will probably try to change it at various times. I spent a fair amount of time just looking at theme formats, but I didn’t see anything that does any more than this theme, so I just decided to change the photo. Kind of like changing wallpaper in the kitchen. The food may be the same, the environment is different.
Don Ray,
Now I’ll have to change the picture on my blog!
I think pictures from David (or anywhere in Chiriqui) are appropriate.
Hi Tuxi. Thanks for dropping in. I will probably keep them as Chiriqui related from now on.
you will need change “all” car too
David
Naw, just the oil.
Have you ever had a segment generate such response! Thirty two replies. We are a tad possessive of ‘our’ blog, are we not.
Hi Mary. It is always good to know someone is out there. I enjoy letting the readers participate in the decisions of the presentation of this blog. I remember having a good number of responses when I was trying to decide on the theme to use. I an happy that people are interested enough to respond.
dear don ray,
lol i remember “the misty vote” i must have voted several xs voting is
fun & a gift sooooooo “get out the vote america!”(gringo norte)
thanks again ellen
A word to the wise, right Ellen.
Don, as a ‘newbie’ I don’t want to insinuate myself into a discussion amongst old friends, but my vote (for what it’s worth) is for the David street scene. Having yet to get there, I appreciate some local color. In fact I would love to see a section in CC where you posted a changing group of ‘local’ photos. Doable?
Dick
Hi Dick. I could probably do that, but it might require an account with flicker or some such site. The are plenty photos in the Photo section, but you will have to use the manual approach to see them.