March 19, 2004

Next: Private Entries and Private Notes

Two Reminders

Happy Saturday everybody,

I know this is so last year, but I just finished reading The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown. DiaryMistress gave it to me for a present, but she didn’t think I liked it very much (because it took me a few weeks to get through it).

On the contrary, I thought it was a very good read – the sort that makes you stay in the bathroom longer than you need to, so you can finish a chapter. The coolness of the story, however, came from elements I’d read about elsewhere, before – like the Priory of Sion, Knights Templar, Merovingians, and the alternate meanings of the Holy Grail (and I don’t mean the one you have to get past Zoot and Dingo to find). I can see how somebody who hadn’t read about these things would have a “whoa that’s cool” reaction to DaVinci Code.

When I was in grade school, the book I checked out of the library the most was called (something like) Tales of the Unknown. It was filled with stories about Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, UFOs, Oak Island (in fact, I was surprised that DaVinci Code didn’t reference Oak Island, since that was one of the rumored resting places the Templars chose), ghosts, etc., etc. I’ve always been a sucker for reading about unknown and alternate realities – so along the way I’ve read more than my share of interpretations of the Grail legend. And I’ll always be the one who’s stopping at the alien or crop circle shows on the Discovery Channel.

Which is not to say that I believe any of these things (or don’t) – just that I’ve always found them interesting.

Just wanted to post two reminders here, for people who haven’t seen previous entries about this:

1) If you need information on how to do something in Open Diary, like putting pictures in your diary, changing your colors, etc., please remember to check the Open Diary Help facility. The Help facility can be found by clicking the Help menu, and then clicking “Help & FAQ”. Many of the questions that I receive by e-mail or notes can be answered by looking there.

2) While we’re speaking of notes – if you have a technical problem, please use the “Contact Our Staff” link on the Help menu to let us know about it. Leaving notes in this diary is not the best method to get your problem checked – I get a lot of notes, and can’t be sure your problem gets the proper attention if I only know about it from a note.

The problem reporting system provides me with a record of who filed a report and when, making it much easier for me to keep track of what has been done and needs to be done.

3) I know I said two, but what the heck. This diary is where I post information and updates about what is going on with the site, so try to check in here often (no, not trying to make more friends and get more notes). Not that I think my diary is the most brilliant – far from it. However, it might be good to put this diary on your Favorites, if it isn’t already.

Many people have suggested that I automatically add this diary to everybody’s favorites, but I think that might be ridiculously presumptious (even if it is my site).

Off to do some programming, so that’s all for now –

The DiaryMaster

i had already added you to favorites as my diary is a favorites only diary and as i reported a fault the other day i suddenly thought… what if the diary master cant get into my diary cos i am faves only… so yer you were added 🙂

I know you’ve mentioned people “borrowing” other people’s work without permission, but is there any way that it can be strictly enforced? I know of a few diarists in particular that are doing it and it’s finally happened to me and it really just pisses me off.

p.s. would love to have your job!!

As always, I like your sidebar ‘stuff’. I got about half way through The DaVinci Code and got distracted by a stack of library books that I couldn’t resist. Now I’m going to have to reread the first half to finish it. You make it sound worthwhile! Everyone I’ve spoken with loved the book!

have you been to check out the davinci code’s website? I went… it’s actually pretty fun. 🙂 http://www.davincicode.com i bought the book not all that long ago, and loved it. It’s at the 4th person’s house now… and she’s had it for 3 days and is almost done *laughs* gooooood stuff. Makes you wonder. 🙂

So then, are you crazy about the Tolkien Trilogy (books and movies)…

whats the point of adding you to our favorites? when you update it’s on the main page!

can you leave notes??? some sort of enticer to include you in the favorites list where everybody thinks it is their idea to add you? not everyone would, but you would get a big response….and once they discover the information, which is usually appropriate for everyone…ahh you get the drift.

I really didn’t need a mental pic of you reading while you’re taking a big dump. oy vey!

Thank you DiaryMaster for the reminders and everything. 😀

If you like the ‘templar mystery grail quest’ type of storylines, have a look for the ‘Gabriel Knight 3’ computer game. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

*giggles* have a great weekend!! isabel

I wrote a review on amazon, for the Da Vinci Code. Unfortunately, as it turns out, the book- including all the potentially thought-provoking revelations- is fiction. Dan Brown played his readers for fools.

That is because those shows ARE interesting. Nothing to inspire the mind like stuff you can’t ever really know for sure… 🙂

I had a suggestion in regard to the comment about adding your diary to everyone’s favorites. It took me almost two years of having a diary here to find your diary, which has since proved most helpful! =) Why not, when people sign up for a new diary, give them the suggestion or option of adding yours to their favorite list right away? That way they know you’re out there from the beginning! =)

hi! You’re on my favorites because you help a ton with things and updates for the site! Thanks for putting this in here again, and I like that help menu!

the question going around my circle of friends is who would play Sophie in the movie. Most agree that Harrison Ford would be a good lead…age wise, action hero… but Sophie..has to be someone older who can do british/french accents. any ideas?

you should read Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. Its the book that first introduces Robert Langdon.

You’ve always been on my favorites :o)

Good job with Open Diary. Its better than your other site, TeenOpendiary, no offense. I enjoy them both alot! They definitely save my day!

Dude, I sent you an email about a week ago and I STILL haven’t gotten a response. So much for the OD “help” crew. thanks not a lot,

I love your diary!

umm.. im soo with the automatic favs thing. it would be heaps easyer ciao! kirra

my diary is the most brilliant, and should be added automatically to everyone’s favourites. your diary is dull and boring. you’d think you could liven it up, considering how evil and wicked you are. you also can’t spell. being the magnanimous itchycoo that i am, i will help you: it’s ‘presumptuous’ not ‘presumptious.’

Sideler and I own a book that sounds strangely familiar to the one you spoke of, but it is titled Into The Unknown, Reader’s Digest 1981. Love those books and shows! 8)

I LOVED the DaVinci Code I agree with you about finding unknowns and alternate theories interesting. Dan Brown wrote the book well, if you liked that one you might enjoy his first “robert langdon” book Angels and demons. Its been said he’s coming up with a third book by the end of this year or so. Hope you enjoy.

Just so you DONT add yer diary to everyones favorite. I’d like to tell you, I’m against it, because well its stupid. It’s on the front page for god’s sake. I think I can handel remembering to check in from there.

I’ve tried out the codes for the little additional box on the right of your entries. I was wondering if it is possible to set an image provided on OD as a background of the box or does it have to be a solid colour. If the images provided on OD is available then what is the code numbers for them. Thanks.

>>>What would be your ideal job? If your not doing it, why not? <<< Oh, DM, DM! I’m so disappointed!!

If you love reading about alternate realities, then I think you would like the Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. Its very interesting! A little slow going at first, but it picks up. 🙂 Book one is titled The Gunslinger.

This really has nothing to do with what you are writing about.. but, yea you are the diary master so I’m coming to you with this… I think I’ve been reported for leaving rude notes in random people’s diarys… and now I’m upset at myself because I think i’m going to get deleted. My diary is really special to me, and… oh why waste the time, -.-… I tried appologizing, gah.. help?

I think you should make it so that when you sigh in it goes “You’ve got notes!” Hehe!

My hub has been trying to force that book upon me. Guess it might be time to give it a try.

Not sure if you’re interested in the whole King Arthur Holy Grail, but Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley is a good book, better than the movie! Take care,

My Father read that book, and he loved it. It took him awhile to read it as well but he said that it was an amazing book 🙂

A must read..that will keep you on the potty way too long also..is American Gods by Neil Gaiman (i think i spelled his name right) A MUST read. This guy is amazing.

thanks I used to use the html part a lot and wasn’t smart enough to find it in the new format.

well..I still have DaVinci code on my list. I put OpenDiary by the DiaryMaster on my favorites and I am extremely happy.