Blog Nirvana: Courage, Bugs, and Bite Size Nuggets
November 29, 2008
This was a short week for many of us in Blogopolis. My reading was a little lighter than normal, to make room for all that cooking, cleaning, and eating! We’re still lying around in hyperglycemic comas here, I hope some of you are up and moving. 
“Today. You have a choice. You can choose to worry when life confronts you with it’s challenges. Or you can choose to live your life. Taking care of what you do have control over. Yourself. Your actions. What do you choose?” Lance http://www.jungleoflife.com/2008/11/18/dont-worry-be-happy/
“Self-esteem is not based on what you give your children, or on flattering words. It is based on an attitude of acceptance of who they are, and encouragement for the effort behind their actions.” Corey http://www.parenttolaunch.com/building-your-childs-self-esteem.html#more-156
“And readers too want to experience that very same instant result with your content. They don’t want to waffle through mountains of information. They want a nice, quick bite to begin with.” Sean D’Souza http://www.copyblogger.com/ramen-noodle-content/#more-1417
“Sometimes it takes courage just to get out of bed and face another day. It takes courage to look in the mirror. Courage to look at the checkbook balance, the Visa bill, and the unpaid stack of medical bills piling up in the corner.” Wendi Kellyhttp://lifeslittleinspirations.com/collecting-courage
“Even when bugs move in, appliances threaten to die, and the kids act squirrelly, there is room for laughter and love. (And even if you can’t quite find laughter and love in the moment, you can trust they haven’t left for good—they’re just taking a little break.)” Kristen, commenting at Writer Dad. http://halfwaytonormal.com
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I am more confident and happy with myself today than I have ever been. I am no longer looking for happiness in all the wrong places. I know it’s not found in house square footage or shiny gadgets. I know it has nothing to do with what I have and has everything to do with what I am. Choosing to live on less today has made me feel full of more. More love, more appreciation, more creativity, more peace, more time, more space.” Emily http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/11/25/unexpected/
Blog Nirvana: White Bread, To-Do Lists, and Deep Thinking
November 22, 2008
This week’s blog nirvana is a mish mash of sorts. But that’s just the kind of week it’s been. I’m working diligently on my book, an article for the local paper, and a special 12 days of Christmas blog series. I may need to be medicated before the week is over.
“I’m making my life an open book because I’m sick of being the only one who sees it.” Matthew Dryden http://www.matthewdryden.ca/2008/11/17/i-didnt-know-if-youd-do-it-or-not/
“There isn’t a kid on the whole planet that doesn’t love squishy white Wonder Bread. So naturally, it’s your duty to BAN IT from the household at all costs. Only serve Dempsters Ultra Colon-Blow Fibre-Bread, made with 28 kinds of grain, including chunks of actual hay, topsoil, and un-shelled sunflower seeds.” Deep Friar http://deepfriar.wordpress.com/2008/11/17/how-to-suck-all-the-fun-out-of-your-kids-childhood/
“One trick I’ve practised is to take an opening sentence from another writers book, and construct a possible plot from it. You too could try using other authors opening sentences as a springboard to unlocking your own creations.” William Meikle http://theadventurouswriter.com/blogwriting/archives/112
“When you start your new business, especially one in an area of high competition like writing or design, you need to think beyond the product you sell. Before that product hits the virtual world shelves, you have to decide on the image you’re going to portray to the public.” Harrison McLeod http://menwithpens.ca/what-do-you-selli
“Today’s women have daily to-do lists as long as their arms. It’s difficult to concentrate on deepening friendships—or even developing them—when our idea of fun is crossing items off that list. Also, those endless lists make us feel alone even in a crowd. Women need each other, but often it takes special effort to form those connections.” Sandra Aldrich http://thedabblingmum.blogspot.com/2008/11/interview-for-one-womens-friendship.html
“When you sit down to write a blog post, what’s your purpose? Are you just trying to fill space so your blog doesn’t go without being updated for more than 24 hours?” Jason Katzenback http://www.copyblogger.com/purposeful-blogging/
“I’m a freelancer now. I thought I would feel more free. But I’m still mostly a workaholic trapped inside corporate skin. Only difference now is I’m the one trapping myself there.” Amy Derby http://amyderby.org/1
Blog Nirvana: Ninjas, Snakes, and World Domination
November 15, 2008
This was an awesome week to be a blogger! I found so many helpful and entertaining posts this week that I entered three pages of quotes into my journal! Here’s a spattering of a few of my favorites.
I would say that I enjoy the feeling of my pen scratching at the surface, but mine breaks straight through it, digging all the way down to the core of the issues that I’m not afraid to expose.” Matthew Dryden http://www.matthewdryden.ca/2008/11/10/who-the-eff-is-matthew-dryden/
“They have choices. They have leverage. They have freedom. All because Jerry and his wife decided to turn off the CSI reruns and look into diversifying their income streams.” Naomi Dunford http://ittybiz.com/why-were-broke/
“ Just recognizing that I’m not — and don’t have to be — self-sufficient all the time is feeling really weird and vulnerable. So I’m practicing the art of the ask.” Havi Brooks http://www.fluentself.com/blog/update/sigh-of-relief-edition/
“The key is to focus on mistakes, or what not to do, instead of focusing only on what to do.” Brian Clark http://www.copyblogger.com/what-not-to-wear/
“Ninjas are like cockroaches. For every one you see there are a thousand you don’t see. “ Jenny the Bloggess http://thebloggess.com/?p=688
“There are no accidents” Ugway from Kung Fu Panda (I know it’s not from a blog, but it found it’s way into my journal this week.)
“What really prompted me to join Men with Pens were dreams of World Domination. A team that works well together can get far more done than any individual and can do far more than another team that doesn’t work well.” Charlie Pabst http://menwithpens.ca/interview-with-pen-man-3-charlie-pabst-goes-naked
“At the exact moment I achieve internet domination, all of the bad ex-boyfriends are going to show up with the baskets of dirty laundry and the skeletons and everything that I’ve worked so hard for will be snatched from my grip and I’ll be left huddled in the corner of my shower, alone and naked and crying into a bottle of Jack Daniels – and I don’t even like Jack Daniels.” Jessica http://www.loveheylola.com/2008/11/it-could-really-be-any-member-of.html
“So I’m tossing nickels at it but they’re all bouncing off and rolling away and that’s when I realized that I’m standing in the street throwing change at a dead snake like it’s some sort of performing monkey with an accordion. “ Jenny the Blogess http://thebloggess.com/?p=534
And because Matthew Dryden rocked my world with a post that echoes of my favorite writer’s deepest thoughts, go check out The Writers Are Ultra-Violent. But be forewarned, it’s a little graphic and definitely not G Rated. http://www.matthewdryden.ca/2008/11/13/the-writers-are-ultra-violent/
Blog Nirvana: Blind Monkeys in Straight Jackets, Passion, and Dreams
November 8, 2008
This week was a week of reflection and growth for me. I found a few new blog that I adore, and received a much appreciated second round of sunshine in the form of Indian Summer in Ohio. This week’s Blog Nirvana is definitely an eclectic mix, but it was a smish-smash kinda week.
My favorite quotes this week:
“If your leap is an act of love, even if you fall on your face, you will have felt as though you have flown.” Hayden Tompkins
http://persistentillusion.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/the-courage-to-leap/
“Too much drink lowers our inhibitions, but too much broadband can heighten our bravado.” Tim Brownson http://www.adaringadventure.com/blog/wordpress/uncategorized/the-keypad-is-mightier-than-the-sword/
Seriously, who hallucinates about dictionaries and small men fighting over vocabulary? Apparently, I do.” Zoe Westhof http://www.zoewesthof.com/http:/www.zoewesthof.com/blog/geeky-to-the-core
Don’t be afraid to ask for what your time and expertise are worth. Your plumber or doctor don’t give discounts because of economic conditions, and neither should you.” Jodee Redmond http://freelancewritinggigs.com/jobtips/?p=19
“If the world is filled by those who can, and those who can’t as well, then those who can should KNOW they can, then HELP OTHERS to excel.
If NONE of us are stronger, then how can we give assistance, to those of us who life’s seen fit to offer some resistance?” Sean Platt/Writer Dad http://writerdad.com/writing/bright-ideas/
“I am about as handy with tools as a blind monkey in a straight jacket.” Blogger Dad http://www.bloggerdad.com/handyman-i-am-not/
“I am drinking an Italian Soda (raspberry and lemon flavor). I face away from the center, feeling more exposed than ever. I often peer over my shoulder to see if anyone is watching me write these words. It’s weird, it’s weird, it’s hot in here. No, not like the song, but like there is the passion and determination of a thousand writers and other artists boiling from the center outwards.” Matthew Dryden http://www.matthewdryden.ca/2008/11/04/us-election-day-means-no-readers/
“Within the last year, I’ve dreamt outrageous dreams of leaving my job and living a new, more rewarding life. I’ve also dreamt of earning a living by creating things of value, and then inserting them into my own agenda.
The first part of my dream has already come true. I have absolutely no doubt that the rest of the dream will also come to be a reality. In fact, it’s already starting to happen.
I urge you – dare to dream – about what’s possible. Buy into the story you create for yourself, then fulfill it with happiness and success.” Dave Fowler, guest posting at Writer Dad http://writerdad.com/bloggers-i-heart/jolly-good-then/
Blog Nirvana: Flaming Bloggers, Silly Puddy, and Vanilla Pudding Tag Lines
November 1, 2008
Welcome to November! Hopefully this month holds lots of goodies for the blogging world as we Americans gear up for the Big Thankful Turkey Day and the BIG football game here in Ohio, OSU vs. Michigan.
It’s been a wild week here in Blogopolis. Here’s my G-rated summary.
“Kindness is the silly puddy version of the never-ending gobstopper. It stretches and stretches and never loses it’s flavor. Even a small amount of kindness can alter a person’s life. So, next time you think you don’t have anything to contribute, please remember kindness. It’s cheap, accessible, and it doesn’t take much of a brain to use.” Oktober 5 http://oktober5.com/2008/dear-posterity-i-was-here/
“I don’t remember sex being as torturous as this.” To which I responded: I don’t think writing is hard, not at all.” Matthew Dryden http://www.matthewdryden.ca/2008/10/29/no-really-writing-is-just-like-sex/
“I want to look at my position through a pair of well rested eyeballs rather than the blood shot blobs I’m currently seeing in the mirror. “ Dave Fowler http://www.teachmychildrenwell.com/2008/10/24/i%E2%80%99ll-sleep-when-i%E2%80%99m-dead/
“It’s a tactic of capitalizing on a person’s inability to control what they say. Silence is the ultimate nullifier of otherwise strong points of reason. No matter how solid the logic, all arguments will fail when given the silent treatment.” Oktober 5 http://oktober5.com/2008/what-to-do-when-someone-says-something-stupid/
“My favorite vanilla pudding taglines are the ones that promise to “deliver results.” Or even better, “results-oriented.” (You aren’t even saying you’ll deliver them. You just think about them a lot. Oh good.) It’s verbal wallpaper. No one knows what this means, and no one cares.” Sonia Simone commenting at CopyBlogger http://www.copyblogger.com/tagline-mystery/
Your blog is not you; it’s not your identity. If it crashes and burns that doesn’t mean you do too. We all want a successful blog with people lining up to comment and pay us homage (I know I do anyway), but it’s really not life and death. Keep some perspective. Go all out to achieve your goals (you have got written goals, right?), but don’t stay attached to the results. Not only will that mean you keep a sense of balance, but conversely it will make you more likely to achieve your aims anyway.” Tim Brownson, guest posting at Problogger http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/10/27/the-psychology-of-blogging/
“Write about three things constantly: your topic, your thoughts, and yourself. Almost everything you write should have at least a little of all there of those blended together.” Chuck Westbrook http://chuckwestbrook.com/great-content-no-readers/
It’s been a heck of a ride on the blogging roller coaster this week, thanks for hanging on tight.
Blog Nirvana: Communication, Swinging Vines, and 3 Drag Queens
October 25, 2008
“I bet when you read that previous paragraph, you could almost hear my voice in your head saying those words, a far more intimate and effective style of communication than the dry alternative.” Dave Taylor http://www.copyblogger.com/write-with-a-distinctive-voice/#more-957
“Occasionally, one is lucky enough to get “an expert” to write a Guest Post. This Post, written by Artur Urbanski of http://artursattitudes.blogspot.com, is so much more than luck: it is Artur’s story of living what we consider “history” behind The Iron Curtain as a boy and young man. For decades, Western Society has been trying to trade on truths and fictions of what REALLY happened in countries under Soviet Rule. Artur’s story is NOT a “Guest Post.” It is an HONOR – one for which I cannot possibly thank him enough. I am certain that readers will agree.” Rita’s Digest http://bloggrrl.com (NOTE: This is Rita’s note about an AMAZING series of posts by Mr. Urbanski. These are must-reads!)
“Once you feel inspired by basic elements, don’t stop. Release your imagination and figure out how to make the elements you’ve discovered unique.” Harrison McLeod http://menwithpens.ca/artistic-creative-proces
“It would be a shame if a great story were not shared, if it went to the grave with you, for we are a race of storytellers.” Brett Legree http://6weeks.ca/2008/10/24/viking-fridays-tears-in-the-rain/
“If I was a mugger I’d use vines to swoop down on my victims because that would be very entertaining and they’d feel like they were getting something for their money” Jenny AKA The Bloggess (This is like the best title ever written!) http://thebloggess.com/?p=677
“Find your own voice. Flaunt it like a bright pink feathered boa. Get naked, wrap your arms around it, and take it to bed. “ from :How Three Drag Queens in a Bus Lead to Better Blogging by James Chartrand http://www.copyblogger.com/priscilla/ (Okay, maybe this one gets the all-time greatest title award. I can’t decide.)
“Communication problems happen because you don’t like what the other person has to say” Corey http://zenhabits.net/2008/10/listen-up-how-honest-communication-can-save-your-marriage/
Have a great weekend everyone, catch you on Monday!
