Poll questions and other notes

This will be pretty scattered — I don’t have any rambling thoughts in my head like I did Tuesday, so I’ll hit a few different topics. This ought to appeal to the ADD section (I hear you out there).

• I think the vote total in our poll has plateaued at 14, so we’ll go ahead and close voting on that now that a week is up. The final results showed the yeses winning with seven votes followed closely by the I don’t care people with five. It sounded like the people who commented on the post were I don’t care voters, basically saying that they want to hear about Asbury sports stuff but are more interested in the behind-the-news stories. So that’s the direction I’ll head — including Asbury sports without muddying up the real meaty stuff, namely interesting people and bizarre stories. Thanks to everybody who voted.

• Now, about what to do with the poll. I like it. It’s a nice way for some reader interaction, and it serves as a talking point for posts when I don’t have any ideas (which seems to be frequently — I swear I’m trying to post as often as I can. I just want to make sure there is some substance when I do). It also gives me an idea of what kinds of topics you all are interested in, and it keeps me up to date on who is reading.

Not that you care, but I get stat sheets that tell me how many hits this site is getting each day and where they are coming from. A majority come from jessaminejournal.com, but some also come from search engines and from my Facebook page. The stats tell me that the site averages about 40 hits per day, with the highest being 92 hits (while the Asbury coaching carousel was spinning). That does not count hits from my computer at the office or from from our wireless internet at the house. Those IP addresses are considered mine and not factored in. The poll showed 14 votes, and you cannot vote twice from the same IP address. So since I know some people didn’t vote, and some people may hit the site more than once, the actual number of readers probably lies somewhere in the middle. That just gives me a reference point. Another thing it shows me is that the more often I post, the more hits I get. If I go a week without posting, people stop coming back. If I post three times in five days, readers are more inclined to check back often. That also gives me an incentive to write more.

So basically what I am saying is that I would like to keep the poll questions going with topics relevant to the blog. Feel free to give me suggestions on future questions, and I will do my best to include the idea in a post and open up the voting.

• Speaking of voting, Sarah Palin had me eating out of her hand last night. What a speech that was. I’m still not convinced that she is the most qualified VP candidate, but John McCain did a good job finding somebody to fight for him. The line about the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom (lipstick) was brilliant, and her sweet-as-sugar winks after each vicious attack on Barack Obama told more about her strength and courage than any of her actual statements (which may not have been as accurate as originally thought). Anyway, this should be a fun election.

By the way, this made me giggle out loud in my cubicle.

• Big weekend for me in Wilmore — a lot of good opportunities for stories, photos and posts. Here is the schedule of events:

Thursday, 7 p.m. — Asbury women’s soccer vs. Campbellsville University

Friday, 7 p.m. — Shane & Shane concert at Asbury Theological Seminary. One of my favorite Christian acts; I’m talking to Asbury PR director Tina Pugel about setting up an interview with the band, so that could very well be my next post if that happens. I’ll let you know.

Friday, 7 p.m. — Asbury volleyball vs. University of Virginia-Wise. Home opener, and the first chance to see my little sister play college volleyball.

Saturday, 10 a.m. — Asbury volleyball AC Quad. Three matches at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. for the Eagles.

Saturday, 4 p.m. — Asbury women’s soccer vs. Union College.

Saturday, 7 p.m. — Stonebridge Concert Series Finale. The Metrognomes perform for Picnic Under The Stars. The Metrognomes is one of the better big band groups in this area, so that will definitely be worth checking out.

I will be at most, if not all, of these events this weekend, with the obvious conflict being Shane & Shane and the volleyball home opener. Come say hello — if you don’t already know me, I’ll be the guy with the big camera.