[Caelum's Scrapbook] Use Your Words.

[Sayana]

If the main problem is that the current graders haven't been properly taught, would it help to have a separate discussion thread for grading related questions and discussions? I believe that the "Global Grading Status" thread is supposed to include questions regarding grading, but I didn't know that until today and it's not really used for that purpose. I see it as a place to check numbers and stats regarding which regions need grading. And also to see moderator updates and grade request thread changes (like links to the old and the new grade request thread). I would like to see these types of discussions on a single Grading Discussion thread. This way other graders can read the questions and answers without the same questions being asked over and over again. Additionally, when there are different opinions regarding an aspect of grading, then it can be resolved and confirmed by the parties themselves or with some input by a staff member (or whoever makes the final call on these things). Even just amongst five or so of us here, there were differing interpretations of the grading guide. I also think it would be helpful to have a demo thread that is short yet tricky in terms of grading, so that graders can compare their grading style with others. This might help people learn which skills they don't pick up and conversely, see if they are being overly generous in comparison to their fellow graders. It would also help stimulate discussion as to what counts as a skill and what does not (similarly with lores). I know it is the goal of the grading guide for graders to objectively come up with the same set of grades, however, I think it would be helpful to check if we are truly standardized and see where the issues are if we are not. All this would be an aspect of the grading discussion thread in order to promote discussion and to better teach people to grade well. Ideally this would happen every month or so, so that there are new examples and new discussions. Once there is more confidence in the abilities of the current graders, the frequency might be reduced. Note: if two or three people participate then it should be enough to compare baselines and promote discussion. This does not have to be a time intensive activity for all graders. On the first post of the thread I'd also like to include a few supplementary resources for graders. As questions get answered in the discussion, I'd want to include a FAQ with concise summaries of the answer and a link to the post in which it was answered. I'd like to include other common skills that are not currently on the skill master list (Planning, Hostessing, Deduction, etc). This is to help differentiate between skills that can be awarded and those that can't (eg. Weapon: Rock, Braiding, etc). I might also include sample "skill sets" as Caelum described them. This would help new graders look for related skills and do better at grading advanced/complex threads. These are just a few ideas to better teach graders and to have standard grades across the graders. I see this as being mostly PC driven. Some input may come from the staff but I don't want to turn this into extra work for staff members. If staff members have time, are interested, and want to clarify certain points then that's great, however I think the main benefit will be promoting discussion amongst graders and critically looking at the way people grade (with the intent to improve it). I'd happily run a discussion thread like this. I feel that some aspects of grading are not always accounted for (or accidentally overlooked) and I'd like to bring those things up. I think it's important that threads are graded fairly, and equally important that graders can get that extra bit of help to do such. I really like the grading guide. It is thorough yet concise. There are things that it does not cover as well and there are things that are too specific to cover. And that's what I'm hoping that a discussion thread will clear up. But this might just be another thing that should be read but won't be read. I'm not sure. But either way, I'd enjoy chatting about grades and grading techniques with people, at least whoever is interested.

[Caelum]

Hey, Sayana. I’m pretty sure every time a Grader discussion thread has been brought up it’s turned down. I’m sure there is good reason. People are free to chit-chat about anything on topic in my scrapbook though so long as they’re not being douche-waffles. lol Hey, everyone. This is a scrapbook. It is just a scrapbook. It’s not a rules discussion thread or a lore development place or an official anything. My scrapbook isn’t a lore writing or revising place or disguised as anything but a scrapbook. We have a whole forum where we do that and that is, again, not what I’m doing here. It’s where I scrap about things and sometimes my friends scrap back at me. Scrap away. Scrapbook is scrapbooking. There’s got to be a meme for this.

[Caelum]

Y'all, this is my morning. Baby armadillo has invaded the office. (Don't worry, we're taking it to a nice, cushy rehab place.)

[Fallon]

On the subject of scrapbooking :

I pretty much do have a meme for most occasions.

Also *makes grabby hands* gimmie the armadillo. So cute when they're small. Actually, general all the time - yes totally 100% biased. Any idea how it got in?

[Ssezzkero]

I feel like this was the meme you needed:

Secret :

[Caelum]

This is a safe place to say this, where no one knows the people I'm talking about. I received some bad news yesterday which resulted in me hugging my young god daughter after she was told her mother was dead. It’s difficult to be so angry with the dead because by what address do you send hate mail to heaven? How do you yell at someone who has left life’s room? She has hung up in my face and while the signal between us was still clear, while she still lived, no matter how wrong and selfish her choices, no matter how far off the track and into the dark empty fields she’d strayed, hope sustained. Her heart beat, so she could still come back. She lived so she could still get clean, stay clean, and make mother-shaped choices again. Her daughter, despite piles of neglectful and abusive evidence against it, still believed. I, who had known her since our own childhood, still hoped. I pray that she has found the peace that has eluded her so long. This is where hope ends. You should be happy; I left emptiness for you To taste – See how much more space You have left to hold. -- mojani.

[Ball]

That's sadness there. For you and your god daughter. If ya need a shoulder or an ear. You can send me rants, raves, whatever... Just PM me and I will send ya my email or you can do it right there

[Caelum]

Thanks, Ball. Guys, does anyone here know about if and how you can take hypodermic needles on an airplane? Medically required and the doctor said they’ll provide me with a medical release letter, but what I’m trying to determine is if they have to be in checked in luggage or if they can go carry on. I need carry on. The TSA regulations page is sort of vague in this regard. Maybe I'm just not reading it right?

[Matthew]

TSA regulations do allow hypodermic needles in carry-on baggage, provided you also have injectable medication. Their website isn't very clear about this, like you mentioned. If a TSA officer happened to discover the needles, they would likely ask to see the medication or a medical note. This can vary depending on the state laws for possession of empty hypodermic needles.

There are also TSA regulations on liquid medication, so be sure you are aware of those as well.

[Caelum]

Every girl here needs to see this. And buy them. Maybe all of them. I WANT THEM ALL. GEEK BRAS