Here is a wonderful personal statement by a QnA Team Member, "T"  The sentiments she expresses are shared by many of us who were members of the QnA Community.  Thank you, T, and I appreciate your hard work and contributions. They will have an impact of many of us for years to come.

-Mary

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Quote

Good-bye QnA

Note: The following blog is my personal opinion and does not necessarily reflect the views of Microsoft.

 

 

I agree with all of the business decisions to close the QnA beta site and I am excited about the future opportunities to integrate questions and answers into MSN.

 

However, hanging up my green QnA Team hat and closing the door to the beta site is much harder than I expected. True other doors have opened, but I’m saying good-bye to my dream job and the people and place that became my Cheers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BdJYIXMe1M

 

 

 

Where Everybody Knows Your Name by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo

 

Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got

Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

Wouldn’t you like to get away?

 

Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name,

And they’re always glad you came.

You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same

You wanna be where everybody knows your name.

 

 

 

I’m grateful I had the opportunity to become a part of the QnA community. I’ve learned many lessons along the way including the dedication and time people are willing to give to make something they believe in better, that moderation is more than removing a piece of content, you can turn things around with honesty, time, and patience and last but not least, it is possible to care about people you have never met.

 

Thanks for being a part of this wonderful experience.

 T

 

 

p.s. To learn more read the QnA Team blog here: http://liveqna.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!2933A3E375F68349!2244.entry

 

 

 

         T Time with Chicago Lady

  T Time with Chicago Lady

Welcome to T Time. I just went to the work kitchen and noticed that once again the ice cube tray was empty (sigh...). Turns out this week's featured guest, Chicago Lady, has experienced the same thing and asked a question about it on QnA. Hope you enjoy the interview.

Questions

Q: Based on your user name I think it’s safe to guess you are from the windy city, Chicago. Just how windy does it get?

A: T, Chicago can get very windy! It is not unusual to look out my window and see large metal newspaper dispensers blowing down the street, traffic signal light poles and tree branches down, and awnings and occasional lawn furniture blowing by. This is especially true along the lakefront, where the winds really pick up!

Q: Have you ever had your umbrella get blown inside out?

A: Yes, many times! Even away from the lake there are strong wind tunnels caused by the skyscrapers. My suggestion is, if you visit Chicago, leave your umbrella home, and bring an outerwear garment with a draw-string hood!

Q: What’s the best time of the year to visit Chicago?

A: In my opinion, Summer and Autumn are the most beautiful seasons here. Chicago city proper enjoys approximately 26 miles of Lake Michigan's shoreline. The harbors, parks and beaches are gorgeous. There are free concerts and festivals in neighborhoods throughout the City. Visit the museums, take a walking or trolley tour, boat tour, architectural tour, or historical tour. The City is beautiful! Here's a small example and here's the Earth Cam outside the Museum of Natural History!

Q: I’ve heard that you are interested in gardening. Do you have a couple of tips for those of us missing the green thumb gene?

A: Gardening is not for the faint-hearted! All plants require differing amounts of water and sunshine, varieties of soil and fertilizer, and attract different pests.  It is not something you do on a whim! It requires patience and steady maintenance. I've made plenty of mistakes but I keep coming back. The results are worth it!

Q: Of the plants in the garden what is your favorite?

A: Roses, peonies, and of course, the flower in my avatar, the tulip!

                          

 

Q:  How do you spend your time when you're not on QnA?

A:  In addition to spending time with family, I have a full time career which I enjoy. Also, I'm in school part-time working on a post graduate degree.

Q:  Do you have any hobbies or projects?

A:  Yes, there is a small town in Wisconsin where our family has lived for many generations. I have been researching the town, our family and the homestead. I am gradually working on the restoration of our historic family home. Some I can do myself, but much of it has to be contracted out to professionals. I have brought many questions to QnA about home rehab and restoration projects, and received lots of sound advice and ideas!

 Lightning Round

Q: What makes you laugh?

A:  Anything that's silly but harmless, and doesn't hurt anyone. Several QnA members make me laugh out loud!

Q: What have you learned on QnA?

A: QnA is a great big virtual classroom! You can learn as much as you are willing to put into it - learn about subjects you never knew of, learn of the hopes and dreams and opinions of people you've never met. Sometimes I search for an obscure question with no answer. This is a good way to help someone and learn something new in the process. Once I was able to help someone locate a mechanical blueprint. I found it in a journal article published in another country. It took me three days, but I found it for him!

Q: What is your favorite word?

A: Thanks.  The world would be a much better place if we all used this word frequently and meant it!

Q: What about you would surprise the QnA community?

A: That I enjoy city and country life equally. I was born and raised in a small Wisconsin town, and have lived more than twenty years in the big city.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Snack Food -  fresh and dried fruit, nuts, popcorn, veggies and dip, cheese and crackers. I could live on snack food and never eat a traditional meal!

Q: What keeps you coming back to QnA?

A: The intellect, curiosity, good humor and enthusiasm of the wonderful, quirky, QnA Community!

 

Have a sweet day.

T

p.s. To be considered for an interview you must have a Spaces account and allow people to send email to it. Refer to the How to use Windows Live Spaces to connect with other QnA members blog to learn more about setting up your Spaces account.