Layout-20/25: Oh how I was conflicted over this layout score. In so many ways, what a cool layout! The picture is awesome, it makes me feel like I'm still inside the cave watching these people row to their freedom. All of your links somehow tie in with that theme, but not in such a way that I can't at least guess at what I'm clicking on. Extremely neato. I love the color scheme, sky blues and blacks go wonderful together!
I only have two problems with this layout. The first one is that your space for links is a little too small. It looks like it was kind of crammed in there at the last minute for lack of better place to put them.
Unfortunately, I don't have much of a suggestion on fixing it, because if you made it wider, the next problem that I have with this layout would become worse...
When your words run off of the black space onto the picture, it is extremely hard to read them. I know that it only happens with snippets of words rather than whole sentences, but it's at the end of every line! Might I suggest making your text space a little smaller? I found myself having to scroll down every time I finished a line so I'd move the words to the black part and be able to read it.
When I got to the bottom, I just plain out had to highlight stuff. Not cool.
Other than those two things, I think this is a pretty nice layout. Maybe a little too popular for my liking, but nice.
Content-25/50:
When I read the very first paragraph of this entry, I was touched. I myself am not yet old enough to have experienced the death of someone very near and dear to my heart, and I can't imagine what it must have meant to you for your loved one to have such beautiful flowers on their grave.
This entry had the capacity to be heartfelt and touching through and through, but instead it took a 180 degree spin. I felt as if the person who wrote the first paragraph and the person who wrote the second paragraph couldn't have possibly been the same person. You suddenly went from caring to ranting and raving peppered with cursing. On the one hand, for the entry's sake, this was a bitter surprise. On the other hand, how overcome with emotions you must feel, talking about that subject. I think that I might have felt more inclined to agree with your side of the story if you had voiced it in a different way. Instead of telling how angry and frustrating it was how his parents handled his death, you came off as self-righteous with your rant about all the things that you had to do.
In your third paragraph, you asked if we had any idea what it was like to pick out a casket. Thankfully, I can say I don't. I can also say that it must be emotionally and physically exhausting, to go through something like that, especially if you don't have the support of loved ones. Again, I saw your anger and bitterness as you seemed to lash out against the person who was selling you the caskets. All I can say is, he was just doing his job. I know that doesn't make it any easier on you, but can you imagine what it takes to deal with people day in and day out who have just lost someone that they love? It takes a strong person to do that, and I sure wouldn't be quick to pass judgment on them.
It shocked me that you said you picked the most expensive casket out of spite, although by this far in the entry, nothing should surprise me anymore. I do have to say that if you and I were ever to meet, we would not get along. You seem to let your anger control you, and it saddens me that even in such an emotionally delicate time, you still found a way to be spiteful and mean-spirited.
I speak harsh words, but only because this entry of yours tells me that you aren't exactly sensitive.
Your last paragraph was touching, but not enough to get rid of the bitterness that the rest of your entry showed. In all, this entry was just way too angry about a subject that shouldn't have anger attached to it. There is a time and place for anger, and this certainly wasn't it.
Contact-2/5: The only way to get ahold of you is through your notes.
Errors-5/5: Links seem to work, no huge spelling or grammar mistakes. Too much cursing for my liking....but I won't deduct for it, your score has suffered enough.
Navigation-5/5: Easy to find, links on the side.
Bonus-0/5: Not only did you not link to me, but you have absolutely no extras!
Would I read another entry?-2/5: Only out of morbid curiosity.
Quote from Entry: "...we didn't exactly talk it over at night, saying, "Well, if I should die tomorrow, I'd love to be burried in the black one. The satin is so smooth, and the finish is lovely, don't you think? I tell you, that's a real casket, a real casket.""
Last Thoughts: I'm not suggesting that you hold back your anger from your own diary, just that you find more appropriate subjects to express it in.
Score 59/100
Last 5
graffitihart - 2006-09-19
wait4you - 2006-09-17
iamblessed - 2006-09-17
allicanbe - 2005-11-22
for-you-only - 2005-11-12
