211th review, requested is of Thru the arch

Rating out of 10: 8

Layout etc.: (2: 2)

Generally, the site is easy to navigate with clearly marked links. The light yellowish cream background was gentle on the eyes. I enjoyed the family pictures the author placed at the top of the page. The author did her own layout. The layout is almost too busy, with a couple of blinkies, links, and a tagboard, but the focus is on the main entry. Some entries have music attached to them.

Unique: (2: 2)

The author is a 47-year-old married mother of two teenagers who has multiple sclerosis. In spite of life's hardships, she maintains a positive attitude within her journal. The author has been writing in Thru the arch since March 2003, but she said in one entry that she had been writing at another site before that. Many entries contain photos of her home, herself, her family, and her neighborhood. I enjoyed seeing the people she wrote about.

Annoying writing habits: (2: 1)

The author does not use capitalization. There are frequent misspellings and typos. As a reader, I prefer conventional use of type. It would help to break some of the long paragraphs were broken up into smaller paragraphs. Overall, though, the diary was easy to read.

Quotes from the diary: (2: 2)

"you see, i was one of those stupid hippies that thought that no matter what you're chidren did - you never, never hit them. i know better now."

"I never made a bed until i left home when i was 19."

"i have decided this entire world is full of insane people, with the exception of me of course."

"this girl was raised in such a nice family. but from the very beginning she chose mullet heads to date."

Would I go back for another read? (2: 1)

I probably would go back for another read. The author's writing style is lively and engaging and her entries are interesting.
posted by cass on Wednesday, June 18, 2003

210th review, requested is of Magic Whiskey

Rating out of 10: 9

Layout etc.: (2: 1) 1

Lovely shades of red, orange, and yellow brighten a standard DearDiary.net layout. The text is plain black, in a nice size, which makes for easy reading. I would have liked an "About Me" page, so that I could get a quick overview of the author.

Unique: (2: 2)

The author is a recovering addict and professional artist, who must work a day job to pay the rent.

Annoying writing habits: (2: 2)

None. I imagine that this author writes how she speaks.

Quotes from the diary: (2: 2)

"She dresses like she's about to go yodeling with her friends. The only thing missing was the accordion and the goat."

"I'd Have Rather Been Raped By Hemophilic Dwarves" (entry title)

"My only attempt to learn to drive was after mixing the intoxicating effects of Vodka and a speedball and since the police had to tow the car out of a diving pool none of my friends would lend me another car."

"...the only reason he ever took a shining to walking without dragging his knuckles through the dirt was because it freed his hands for masturbation."

These quotes are quotable!

Would I go back for another read? (2: 2)

I would go back for another read. The author has had her ups and downs in life and she writes about her difficulties with an air of devil-may-care, but underneath it all, the real person shines through.
posted by cass on Thursday, June 05, 2003