That folks is Hindi, fancy writing that looks like a pretty picture of sorts but stands for Number Eighteen.  Eighteen weeks of fruity bits and pieces and now a new format, fewer links, more sanity, even more insanity and a few sprinkles. 

How are posts selected?  Through out the week I read about 50 blogs (I’ve trimmed) through Google reader.  Every time I come across a blog post that is incredible I star it and when übber “blow me away” material I click share.  At the moment I have 5 other people who use Google reader sharing posts that they feel are worthy and incredible.

What’s incredible?  Content, thoughts, out of the box thinking, funny, out of the ordinary and just “wow” material

Want to get on the reader sharing? Send me an email sanityf@gmail.com and I’ll send you my username for sharing.  The more the merrier, there are so many blogs, so many posts, not all of us read the same people so it makes it interesting.  If you don’t use Google Reader but want to know more about it send me a mail as well and I’ll walk you through.

Is there a limit to the number of links? I now have a limit of 25 and for when I break the rules 30.  So that means max 30 of the top posts for the week. This does not mean that any of the other posts aren’t just as good, it just means that the process is more selective. If you don’t appear in this weeks salad it is not to say you will not be in next weeks, etc.

What won’t make it in to the Salad? Politics and aggressive posts, this is not because it has become “New Age” but rather because those are generally negative and attacking someone.

The Ubuntu Frosting ~ by Amber 

I have been asked as the sort of spokesperson of our little Ubuntu group of ragtag players to talk a little bit about Ubuntu and what we hope to accomplish.  Each of us writes Ubuntu posts as we feel the movement in our lives and on our blogs to share its spirit with all of you.  I recently wrote A Guide to Ubuntu so that people could understand it a little more easily should you would like to learn more about it.  We seek to spread this small word that holds big feelings throughout the world.  One blog at a time.  Its simply “I am because you are”.

We all need a breath of fresh air don’t we?  Need to breathe it into our lungs and enjoy its life giving force just a bit more?  This week our air is brought to us by a special blog which has been chosen by our team to receive the Ubuntu badge for its posts towards humanity, and the spirit of Ubuntu which we all share.  Posts like The Web of Compassion ,Hello? Is this 2008? Are we “human”? Stop Florida from committing transgression, and Open letter to God.

We would like to extend our congratulations to Surface Earth.  Thank you for your beautiful words and spirit.  You will be a fine addition to our Ubuntu team.  With this nomination you can choose or not to post our Ubuntu badge on your blog, but we do ask that you post a blog post article about what Ubuntu means to you in return.

Have a good week Everyone!  Amber

Crunchy apples

This week has truly been incredible, it has been about compassion, people who want to be Souf Efrikan, love and kids. Yes that is Souf Efrikan pronounced Sooo-ff Eff-rick-ken and no that is not a swear word either.  So far there have been two who stepped up to this all time “honourary” (not coronary) status Skuttlevis(fish) and Antie Lisbet.  If you want to join the other Souf Efrikan’s then contact The Man with fast legs. By the way, while we are on the topic, should you ever get confused by my computer terms there is always an explanation ready…

Tasty Strawberries (with chocolate)

Communication is always key isn’t it? So often we can misunderstand someone and through doing so get hurt or worse unjustifiably angry.  Handwritten letters with the personal touch or friendships that form life long relationships.  Little hands holding within their grasp Forgiveness, Compassion, Empathy… humanity, we can learn a lot from children if we stopped to look into their eyes and see what they see.  Sometimes all it takes is taking the time to stand in the others shoes and try to understand.

A sticky healthy orange

Looking through the Johari Window into The night sky things can come flooding back.  One tends to remember Walking In Sunshine, Through the Rain, picking Flower’s along The Yellow Brick Road you tend to slowly gain back your self-esteem and just Be. Where ever we go we Plant the seed, grow a garden… run as far as you can but you can never hide but Living Your Dreams you must do.

A bunch of grapes

Heroin Charly making you wonder if your Contract is still good, you wonder where Grace has gone while checking if you are Still Breathing.  Bringing hope back is a continual process.  Personally I feel that all Dead Beat Dads need to all take a page from the book on How to Not Abuse Your Children.  Give us back some heavy duty maturity rituals perhaps? A simple rhyme about humanity all the while figuring out What makes us special.

Yip, it has been quite the week! Thank you all for each and every single post you wrote, it not only brought a smile to my face but to many.  You got our brains ticking over, inspired, gave us wisdom and many (gazillion) laughs!  Awesome week!

As always suggestions and thoughts are welcome.  If you know how to get thorn splinters out of a very hair covered head pleas also let me know… just found my 7th… without needles!