OK, so I got fed up with that photo on my header, and took it down. And now I'm fiddling around not knowing what to do with that space. I had plans for the day, and they didn't involve re-doing my blog header. Hm... How did this happen? It was a crime of passion when I pressed that delete button. No malice aforethought at all. Anyway, I'm now looking to YOU for ideas.
It could be a statement, like "Why is Google Chrome SO DARN SLOW at the moment, and is it going to get better or will I have to go back to Mozilla Firefox? I'm already hovering between the two, but I really prefer Chrome. SHAPE UP, GOOGLE CHROME."
It could be a picture. I've always quite fancied having a herd of bison up there, (remember the strapline "Among the bison with my dyson"? I've never quite kissed goodbye to that one). But I've spent hours trying to get a picture of a herd of bison long and thin, header-shaped, and it's not easy. Oh Blogger, I do love you, but you are very inflexible when it comes to header design.
I want to avoid the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes, tempting though that is, and there are some great pictures on Flickr of cupcakes decorated with the two flags. Isn't the internet amazing? You can go to a photo website, and type in "UK US flags", and poof! up pop pictures of CUPCAKES! It's as if the site can read not only your mind, but your subconscious too.
Are you a brilliant up-and-coming blog designer who'd like to do me a header for free? I'll give you loads of publicity. I'll love you forever. Please...
By the way, while you're thinking about ideas for my header, could you also answer a couple of questions? Does John Humphrys still do the Today programme on Radio 4? Just wondering. And over this side of the Atlantic, do you, or don't you, dial a 1 before a long distance or -800- call? Either way seems to work. What is the point of that 1 if it's dispensable? I've been here too long to ask that kind of question outside the cyber world. That's a "new expat" question, and I'm way past that stage. I'm well into the realm of "embarrassing if you don't know".
I think my blog is feeling a little embarrassed too now. Naked and exposed. Do help her out with that header won't you. Oooh... I said "her". So my blog must be female. I didn't know that. See how the internet can tap right into your subconscious.
I'm the world's most useless blog header designer, so I can't help you there. However, I always dial "1" before an area code. Haven't even thought about missing it off. I might try it and see what happens. (Living on the edge, as usual.)
ReplyDeleteI don't really understand about the '1' either. It doesn't seem to work if you don't put it in on mobiles. Yes, John Humphries is still on Radio 4. You can actually listen to the Today programme on iPlayer - we do at the weekends. As for the header, I think you should hold a reality-show type audition for the person who can give you your dream of combining Dysons and Bison.
ReplyDeletehmmm, if you just crop a photo long and skinny, won't blogger fit it into the header for you? that's how it worked on my blog. but no bison, please! cupcakes! when in doubt, always go with cupcakes.
ReplyDeleteHow's about a herd of Dyson with the one bewildered bison in the middle or am I now making things way too difficult???
ReplyDeleteOoh! I like Tattie's idea. But I can't help you on the rest (well, I could with John Humphrys but you've got that one sorted too). I need a new look for my blog too, am bored with it, have been for a while, if I'm honest, but I'm too scared of making it worse to try making it better.
ReplyDeleteHmm. That probably says something very important and not very positive about my subconscious doesn't it?
I spent hours/days/forever trying to do exactly this and was patently unsuccessful. That's why my header's just a big red square with words in it(words, I can do), so I think it's safe to say you won't be getting any useful advice from me. I wish you luck, though, and when you crack the secret, please share what you learned!
ReplyDeleteI liked your last blog heading! Bring back the old picture.
ReplyDeleteIt didn't cost too much to have a blog header designed when I did one for Brits in Bosnia - about £25. I can delve through old emails to find the contact if you like?
the day John Humphries leaves Today is the day the entire nation sobs into their tea. Life just wouldn't be the same.
PantsWithNames
ReplyDeleteI couldn't find the old picture on my computer, and decided I'd probably waste more time looking for it than I'd need to spend finding something else. But thanks for the vote of confidence. I'll have another look.
I like it - looks very clean
ReplyDeleteYes to John Humphrys - you can probably get it on iplayer if you are missing it (biggest discovery of this week has been being able to catch up on radio programmes on iplayer - yes I do live a shallow life)
Not really missing him. Just wondering.
DeleteI had all sorts of issues with browsers and my header at one point. I messed around for ages to get the size right, then Internet Explorer and Firefox did something that made my banner too small! grr! In the end, I just left it imperfect for a couple of months until I could summon up the enthusiasm to correct it again!
ReplyDeleteThe answer about the 1 is that sometimes it's necessary, sometimes it's optional, use it or not as you wish, and sometimes you must not use it. Depends on your local, regional or long-distance area carrier, on your cell carrier, on the phase of the moon. It is a holdover, from the days when you had to dial 0 before a long-distance number to get the operator to place your call. Then, I think it was late sixties, early seventies, the big innovation came in that you could dial 1 before your number and voila your long-distance call went through without an operator's involvement. As technology and progress marched on, we achieved our current state of dial 1 confusion.
ReplyDeleteSo expats, older people, and people who have just moved from one area to another are all legitimately confused. The rest of us are confused also, but we just have learned to cycle through the choices of necessary, optional,and must not, faster.
i like the header up there now. JH still on. do you ever miss eastenders?
ReplyDelete