To be quite honest, I subscribe through RSS feeds to a variety of different blogs. While being deployed often, it is rather difficult to keep up with the world. As the media is constantly reporting new stories, I am laboring away inside a large floating piece of metal. Blogs are my salvation. They keep me abreast of the ever changing world. A blog allows me to pick and choose my content, based on my own personal interests. It is almost like cable television; I choose the channels that appeal personally to me. Although I am well aware of blogger biases, that is what makes the reading so intense. A blog allows me to view both the story and the opinion that the blogger wants to express.
After giving much thought on my personal favorite blog, I decided to review, The Yankee Sage. This blog is authored by retired Navy Commander, Chris van Avery. Although I wouldn't specifically cite the author as literally aggressive, his comments and thoughts on integral news are mild, and he is efficient at covering what matters to me.
Mr. van Avery is devoted to his Christian beliefs, and really seems to be a family focused man. These integral pieces of his character are employed through his literary style and blog topic coverage. The Yankee Saga, offers a little bit of everything, while focused on the key elements of government, military, and Christian beliefs. He covers important military headlines with both flair and flop. van Avery blogs about everything military. His focus is on all branches and government, and how the world is affected and defected by them.
I enjoy reading his posts because he comes from the "old Navy" ,and is blogging about the transitions into the "new Navy". Mr. van Avery's blog attempts to encompass both the old and new military styles of leadership, politicking, and patriotism.
I began reading this blog when I was assigned to recruiting duty. His journals on recruiting, in all branches, encouraged my success, by relating his opinions on the qualities that a new sailor would possess. Although very opinionated on these qualities, he made a valid point within a question. "When you are recruiting these new sailors, consider what it would be to work next to them, or mentor them ( 2010)?" I tried to use this as a guideline to help mentor the new recruits to jobs and fields that they would excel in, while being the best sailor that they could be. It is through this blog that I could identify with a very demanding job in the United States Navy.
The blog itself is somewhat eye catching. Personally I preferred the original template, which was a pen and ink design, depicting the oceans and early style battleships. Now the template has transitioned to a scenic view of the country side ,with the roofs of old cottages just peaking out. While I don't think that this template specifically encompasses the blog, it definitely defines the transition that the author has made from nautical company to family contentment.
This blogs aesthetics aren't the reason that I am drawn to Chris van Averys' bias and whit. The template is rather bland, but the organization and easy accessibility to specific posts are superb. Using specific keywords and labels, has allowed me to be my own biased follower. I can read what I choose to read on specific material, without having to skim through something that may not interest me. I am a focused person, and I like to make use of all of my time. The Yankee Sage, allows me to pick out the blog entries that appeal to me, without weeding through excessive comments and personally unrelated subject material.
One of the other most important and rarely seen widgets on this blog is a daily bible verse. I will be blunt and say that my religious practices are rudimentary. But I try to visit this blog daily, just for the Bible Verse of the Day. This little bit of encouragement isn't spattered all over the page, but is visible on the home spot and always attracts my attention.
The Yankee Sage, is a blog of personal interest. While it does give credence to military ideals and agendas, it also offers its followers references and interesting opinions. Chris van Avery has done a fine job of becoming an astute blogger, covering controversial topics with minimum bias, and paving the way for slight influence through his literary writings.
van Avery, Chris. (2010). Christian, Husband, Father, and American. The Yankee Sage.
Retrieved on July 28, 2010, from http://www.yankeesage.us/
Response to Joe Lewis' Unit 4 Blog
ReplyDeleteI can see why you like reading The Yankee Sage. It seems like Chris is a down to earth kind of guy with strong work ethics and just expects other people to use their brains. It is a well-organized page and I too like seeing the bible verse. Its nice to see other people including scripture as a part of their daily lives.
Enjoy your readings and stay safe while you are deployed.
Joe I must say that once again I was genuinely impressed with your blog. You have such a gift for writing. While reading your blog I could understand how you got interested in blogging. This class was my first experience with blogging. Prior to this class I would never have thought I would have even attempted to write one, search for one or comment on one. I think it’s great that you have stayed so true to the man you are in all of your blogs.
ReplyDeleteI visited The Yankee Saga, by Chris van Avery, and I thought this was a well put together blog. I loved the idea of short blogs. Following a blog that is brief, and to the point, (not like me), would be one that I would follow. Looking at the template made me envious. If you noticed mine, I tried to change my template several time. I love the bible scripture. I think that sometimes in my busy life, just a scripture or daily verse, sometimes lifts my spirit.
What I loved about your personal blog is what you keyed in on from Chris van Avery’s blog that has helped you. When you are recruiting these new sailors, consider what it would be to work next to them, or mentor them ( 2010)?" I found this interesting how you were able to take something from this blog and use it in your employment to help others. As I read this I was sad that my company have seemed to have gotten away from mentoring or developing our new employees. It may me see you as a very confident and secure man who strives to be the best and train the best people. With you in the military as a recruiter, I feel that I owe you so many thanks, because I believe that you have been very instrumental in preparing our men and women serving in the Navy. Great JOB!