I'm an open book, so I'm not shy to share some of my recent experiences:

First of all, I'm still not really feeling the effects of the crashing economy. My boyfriend and I had no problem getting a loan from GMAC last week to buy an SUV. My bank, Washington Mutual (which was saved from a crash by Chase two weeks ago), offered me a credit card when I went to make a deposit. I declined, but it made me think, "What credit freeze?"

Also, I'm actually having a hard time trying to spend my money! I ordered a rug through Home Decorators only to receive a notice that they've discontinued that rug and I'd be getting a refund. I registered for a crib at Babies R Us only to find out they're out of stock — not only in the store, but also at their distribution center. The only bummer is if I still want this particular crib, I have to order it online and pay $110 for shipping. (I'm going to call them and try to negotiate the shipping charges.)

The only thing that I've witnessed, of course, is my shrinking 401(K). Since June 30, my balance has fallen by a little more than a third, from $18,482 to $13,577. (I called today to find out my balance.) But I'm not worried. It'll go back up.

I'm just not feeling that "depression" that people are talking about. Now, ask me again in March when I return to work from maternity leave and I have to start paying for child care ...

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The graffiti-covered wall at Dracena and H streets that I blogged about Monday was painted over Tuesday. But now on my way to work this morning, another tagger has hit the wall again. When will it end? Never. But I'll keep reporting it to the City of Bakersfield's graffiti hotline (32-ERASE) and Web site so at least they can stay on top of it and it hopefully won't explode like it did over the weekend.

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It's been a long time since I've decorated a co-worker's desk! But when our assistant breaking news editor, Chris George, was off getting hitched and honeymooning in Costa Rica, I just couldn't resist. Behold the fruits of our efforts. (Thanks to Christine Peterson for injecting the colorful bells and posters!)

Congrats, Chris!

PS .... favorite quote from him upon seeing his desk: "The handcuffs are a nice touch."

One thing I've noticed in the past couple of weeks, perhaps due to the tanking financial industry, is I haven't gotten a single offer for a new credit card in the mail. Thank goodness! My junk mail has decreased significantly.

It will be interesting to figure out how many trees will be saved during the credit freeze.

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This is what can happen over the course of three days if graffiti isn't instantly removed from a building. The first message appeared Friday. I saw it on H Street at the corner of Dracena on my way to work. These pictures show what exploded over the weekend and what the building looks like today (Monday).

I'm going to be reporting the graffiti to the City of Bakersfield's graffiti Web site. They also have a hotline to call at 32-ERASE.

I'll also be adding it to Bakersfield.com's graffiti map.

In the editors meeting this morning, we talked about whether we are in a recession and headed for a depression. I mentioned the fact that I'm not really personally feeling the effects of the economy -- yet. I still make the same amount of money and spend the same amount of money and save the same amount of money.

Maybe it's because I have a steady job, and I've never been a "big spender." I shop at Winco and Food Maxx, where milk is still less than $3 a gallon. I have a four-minute commute to work, so a tank of gas lasts me about three weeks. I make my mortgage payments on time, and don't face default or foreclosure. I do "splurge" every so often, such as my three visits to the county fair (and all the food I ate there!). But all in all, I feel pretty good.

Now this will probably all change in a couple months when I pop out this baby and I'm facing child care costs. But that will be an effect of my change in life circumstances, not the economy. I guess the one thing that could happen that would end my "security" would be if I was laid off from my job. But I refuse to live my life in fear of what "could" happen.

So with all this talk of a failing economy, I guess I just don't feel personally affected -- YET.

So as some of you know I'm due Nov. 21. That's getting close ... and as I research baby sleeping arrangements, I am having a hard time deciding what to do. Maybe some of you parents out there have advice.

Of course, I would like a crib for the baby's room. But for the first couple of months, I'd like the baby to sleep in the bedroom with me. So what do I put in my bedroom? Cradles seem unstable, bassinets are way cheesy and frilly, and "play yards" don't seem very durable. But I like the idea of a portable sleeper of some kind that I can have in the bedroom, and take with me when traveling.

I am against co-sleepers (which attach to the bed) because my research has found this is unsafe for the baby, who can fall between the sleeper and the bed and suffocate.

I'll post this on RaisingBakersfield.com, our local parenting Web site, as well, to see what others suggest.

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The Kern County Museum has posted a bunch of old photos of local houses to the Your Words section. Check them out and see if you know where any are located.

A couple, including the one on the left, look like houses in my Oleander neighborhood. But I can't pinpoint exactly where. Now I'm going to have to walk around and see ...

Every so often, a Your Words article comes in from a reader on Bakersfield.com that brings tears to my eyes. Bree Alvarez has submitted this touching article about saying goodbye to one friend while welcoming another friend's baby into the world in the same week.

Bree's friend Shari died in a tragic car accident on I-5 on Labor Day. Then, today, her friend Misty gave birth to a baby girl.

"The circle of life moves us all," Bree writes.

It certainly does. Thank you for sharing your story, Bree.

Hi all,

Blogger ALICEN inquired about my status update yesterday that read "jbaldwin is researching citizen journalism web sites."

I thought I'd share my response for all of you. If you have any questions, please ask! I'm happy to answert them.

"Citizen Journalist" is an industry buzzword that describes non-professionals who report news - either by writing blogs or articles, or taking photos, or making videos. The interactivity of the Internet has revolutionized news coverage now that "average citizens" can participate in reporting news as fast as (and even faster than!) professional journalists.

News organizations such as The Bakersfield Californian and Bakersfield.com caught on to this trend early and started offering its Web site users the ability to write their own blogs, and submit their own articles, photos, videos and events to the Web site. You can find all of this content on the People section and the Your Words section. Sometimes we print some of the "user-generated content" (another industry buzzword) in the newspaper.

Another side effect of the Internet is the ability for our Web users to create their own community online, and feel ownership over the site. Our bloggers are a pretty tight-knit group who have done just that. Through our newly launched interest groups and forums, we hope to see even more niche communities form on Bakersfield.com and all of our affiliated Web sites.