1. This isn't a feature, but I kind of miss the old days when, in order to respond to someone's comment, you would leave them a comment on their page starting with "RYC" (Response to Your Comment). Sure, it's convenient just to reply to people in one place, but there was something nice about seeing RYC comments on a weblog.

2. Photos.xanga.com and Videos.xanga.com. Xanga used to feature the top-viewed photos and videos of the day via these directories. Of course, it was easy to abuse those lists (hello porno!) but it was also very cool to see what was popular on Xanga in terms of photos and videos, too. I understand why it's gone. But I did meet some of my Xanga friends via using that.

3. Metros. Another idea that had lots of potential for abuse. Hey there, people in my area, I see you! But I loved that if, say, I was moving to a different town, I could just check out the metro for that town and see if any Xangans who lived there seemed interesting.

4. Xanga TV. For about a year or two, a lot of folks did Xanga TV shows. It was cool to broadcast oneself via webcam (look mom, I'm on TV!) and then have your Xanga friends chat with you in the chatbox below. It can still be done via other sites, but I miss the initial charm of it all.

5. Hand-picked Top Blogs. Yes, some featured content was better than others, and there were always people complaining that they never got chosen. But some posts were so beautiful, and it was nice seeing what THE post of the day would be.

Ah, how amusing to be nostalgic for technological features. Your own choices?

Hi people. I always have a lot of good blogging ideas that I'm forced to discard lest I be tethered to my laptop 24-7. So here's one idea that would help make blogging more interesting: Xanga TV Viewing Parties!

The concept is simple. Take a TV show that lots of people will want to watch (Glee? I have no idea what's popular anymore). Since this is September, you have a lot to choose from. The debut of already beloved series, premieres of new shows, and of course, the return of college and pro football are all possibilities. Announce on your site that you are hosting a viewing party for the show (pick a popular show to be safe), and make sure there are enough people who also want to watch the show with you. Then be on Xanga when the show is taking place and chat about it together.

How can you chat, you may ask?  There are three different ways I've thought of:
1. Get a chatroom from coveritlive.com or chatango.com and embed it into your post via the "edit HTML" tag on top right of the post editor. Then just treat your Xanga post like a chatroom.
2. Create a post dedicated to the show and upload your thoughts as the show goes on (type during commercial breaks, if you want). Keep doing this until the show is over, let people follow along in the comment section.
3. Just create a blank blog titled "NFL Steelers vs. Raiders game" or what not and then chat in the comments with whoever else is available. Slower, but simple.

Thoughts? Feel free to take this idea and run with it/recommend it. Remember, give people some advance notice you're doing it and then update by pulse a little while before to remind them. Anyone want to put together a party for the NFL games tomorrow?

Come join me here at 10:30 PM for a Xanga TV show. It's been months, and I missed you all! I'll see you at 10:30 PM tonight. I'll be talking about being a stranger in America. I am not an immigrant, but my parents were, and I think there are a lot of interesting issues that this creates. I've also noticed that quite a few Xangans are from another country, so we can share our experiences of assimilation (or rebellion), haha.

Also, a very sweet Xangan sent me a little care pack when I was ill recently, and I want to thank her. I'll say her name if she wants, otherwise, I'll leave her anonymous. Thank you again so much, friend!

We'll probably also talk about Christian and relationship stuff, as usual, plus I'll reveal the name of my Xanga meetup this weekend. Trust me, you will be amused by who it is.

Hi all. As some of you know, I like using the Xanga TV interface at times to have video-chats with my readers. There are some other Xangans who use this functionality as well, such as vwagenjetta who helped teach me how to use it.

Anyway, edlives has put together a toolbar that offers a spot for hosting Xanga TV shows along with search and chat capability. You can download the toolbar at http://www.brainfriednetwork.com . If you use Xanga TV, you can also get your name placed on a broadcast schedule for Xanga TV here: http://www.brainfriednetwork.com/id168.html . If possible, I would love to see a time where one Xangan broadcasts for each day of the week, although I think that time is still far away. (I myself only broadcast about once a month). Just wanted to tell you that was available. Visit that page as well for the upcoming Xanga presidential debates via Xanga TV!

If you want to use Xanga TV and don't know how, or want promotion for your Xanga TV show, send me a message or comment and I'll help you as I can. Trust me, if I can do it, so can you.

Hi friends. This evening I will be doing a video session using Xanga TV. It is at 8 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday (today), right here on this page. Please come and visit. I'll be telling various stories and starting discussions. As a bonus I'll tell you my most embarrassing moment on Xanga. It involves 12-year-olds. You'll want to hear it.

Now, with that said, I'm starting a new series on the Christian church. You can read many of my old writings about church here: http://weblog.xanga.com/GreekPhysique/tags/thechurchandi/ . Most Americans have stepped inside a Christian church at one time or another. Many have been blessed by the experience and found spiritual renewal. However, many Americans have been wounded by the church, or decided to quit Christianity because of their experiences in the church. 

My question to you is, what are the characteristics of a good church?

I have planned a series on imperfect churches. Such churches can drive you to discouragement and despair if you do not understand what a good church looks like. But first, let's be positive about this. What would a good church do? What would it believe? What type of relationships would form, and what would the services be like? Tell me about the good churches you've been a part of. Looking forward to your answers in the comment section.