Time to Regroup

As you may or may not have picked up on by my erratic posting schedule and some of the content I’ve written about, my life has gotten a little crazy the past few months. Back at the very beginning of June I went through a major life change and have been struggling to keep up with everything while also adjusting to this change. I haven’t done as poorly as I might have, but I haven’t exactly been successful with it either.

Why do I bring this up? Well, because I have made a very tough decision. I have decided to take a break from my blog for at least the entire month of September.

The past three months I have had to begin the difficult process of rediscovering and redefining who I am (and I’m not finished). Thankfully, this process has been incredibly freeing and, well, FUN! But it has also sucked up a lot of my *free* time that I normally would use for writing. This week was the first time I even opened my manuscript file since the end of May. That’s not a good thing for one who wants to be a writer.

Since I haven’t been doing all that well with keeping up my blog anyway, I figured that it would be better for me to take the creative energy I was using for it and turn it back towards my fiction. Once I get my feet firmly on the ground once more I will return to blogging. I have grown to love this little blogging community and the interactions it has sparked, so there is no way I could leave it forever.

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me over here this past year – you are all amazing. I hope to see all of you again when I come back. In the meantime, I would love to keep in touch with you through Twitter, Facebook, or over at Hypable where I podcast. *HUGS*

Chicago Bound

This week a very exciting thing is happening for me – I get to go to Chicago for the first time and attend the Harry Potter convention, Leaky Con! I am beyond excited about this. I’ve also got a ton of stuff I need to do to get ready to leave bright and early Thursday morning. For some reason I thought I could work three days this week, get everything ready and packed, and still write 2-3 fabulous blogs posts, and then I remembered that I’m not Hermione. So, I am going to take this week off from blogging. But I will be back next week and I am sure I will have many fun stories and pictures to share from my Chicago adventures. See ya then!

MASH-UP: Men, TV, Odd Fashion, and More

I have lots to share with you guys today. First, in case you missed it, on Monday I did a guest post over at the always fabulous Natalie Hartford’s blog. I discuss the rather severe culture shock I faced when I was suddenly thrust into the realm of male sex after I started dating my husband. My innocent little self didn’t know how to handle the truth about boys.

Okay, and now I have a short little mash-up of awesome blogs for you to check out.

Meet Little Miss Took by Myndi Shafer: Myndi shares pictures of the newest addition to her family. Her little miss took is adorable.

Word Wisdom: Phrases I’ve Misinterpreted by Karen Rought: This post had me laughing so much as Karen shares five common phrases that never made sense to her because she was hearing them incorrectly. Something I am sure we can all relate to.

Farewell, Firefly: 5 TV shows gone too soon by Fabio Bueno: This post had me sold when I saw that the first show Fabio listed was Pushing Daises. I adored that show and was so sad when it went away.

The 6 Strangest Fashion Trends in History by Colin Falconer: This post is from last week, but I just saw it so it is getting included now. Colin found some hilarious fashion trends from the past, including a codpiece. Yep, you read that correctly.

And finally, here is my latest vlog. This week I give my reaction to the synopsis that was just released for JK Rowling’s new book, The Casual Vacancy, which will be released on September 27, 2012.

http://www.hypable.com/2012/04/12/j-k-rowling-announces-title-release-date-for-new-book/

MASH-UP: Urban Words, Taking a Break, & Much More

It has been a really long time since my last mash-up, but I have one for you today!!

I Can’t Believe I Said That by Lisa Hall-Wilson – Lisa shares several stories of times where she stuck her foot in  her mouth, usually because of her innocent misunderstanding. This is a very funny post and one that I related to a little too well.

Urban Word Wednesday: Five Alarm F*ck by Natalie Hartford – Once again, Natalie and her husband have a hilarious conversation out in public that teaches us new urban lingo. This post will have you in stitches.

Sometimes We Just Need a Break by Emma Burcart – Everyone should read this post. I know this is something we all struggle with from time to time and something that we can never be reminded of too much.

Don’t Eat the Butt #4 – Real Writers Never Struggle by Kristen Lamb – I know this post is a couple weeks old, but it is still worth a mention. Don’t let the word “Writers” in the title fool you – this post is for anyone and everyone. A great lesson that we all need to be reminded of.

I’m a Recovering Job Gypsy. What Are You? by Debra Kristi – This post hit home for me. Debra recounts the journey she has taken on her search to discover what job and career were the right fit.

And finally, here is my latest vlog all about ‘Movie Etiquette’.

Kreativ Bloggers and Vlogs

Last month I was once again astounded when two very fabulous bloggers honored me with a blog award. This time the award was the Kreativ Blogger Award and came from Jessica Salyer and Fabio Bueno. Both of these bloggers are absolutely incredible and to be recognized by them was more than I could have hoped for. I want to extend them both my heartfelt thanks. And if you have never been to their blogs go check them out now. That’s right, go. Now. This post will still be here when you get back.

Welcome back! Now for the fun part. When given this award you are supposed to:

1. Thank the person who gave it to you. (already done)

2. List 7-10 random facts about yourself. (I did that on this post and am not interesting enough to come up with 7 more.)

3. Pass the award on to 6 deserving bloggers and let them know about it.

4. Display the badge on your blog if you so choose.

Time to pass the award on!

1. Myndi Shafer

2. Lisa Hall-Wilson

3. Kate Wood

4. Emma Burcart

5. Elena Aitken

6. Marcy Kennedy

There you have it! Now go check out their blogs. Also, in case you didn’t notice, I added a tab at the top of my blog called “Blog Awards”. It dawned on me one day that these posts where I pass on praise to my fellow bloggers quickly get lost in the constant stream of new posts. I decided that I needed a place where anyone could find links to these posts and the excellent bloggers included in them without too much trouble as well as show my thanks to the people who saw fit to honor me. If you have a minute, go browse the links. You will find lots of good stuff.

And my final order of business is to let you in on this week’s ATW Chat vlog, ‘Winter Is Coming’. Hope you enjoy it!

 

MASH-UP: Berttie Bott’s, Man Movies, and More

It’s been a while since I posted a mash-up, but I have one for you today! Make sure you take the time to check at least some of these out – they are all fabulous.

Did I Eat All the Bertie Bott’s Beans Flavors? by Marcy Kennedy: This post is from about a month ago, but this is the first mash-up I’ve done since then and I don’t care. It is hilarious and one that I related to from experience.

The Opposite of Chick Flick by Fabio Bueno: Ever wonder what the male equivalent of a chick flick is? Fabio answers that question in this fun post.

A Pitfall of Creativity by Lisa Hall-Wilson: As a fellow person who is “not clumsy – just distracted”, this post had me rolling with laughter.

Are You Suffering from Information Overload Syndrome? by Debra Kristi: This is a post I think EVERYONE can relate to. Who hasn’t felt overwhelmed with all that needs to be done at some point in time and suffered from the resultant sluggishness?

My New Time-Saving Social Media BFF: Triberr by Jenny Hansen: If you are like me you have been seeing this weird word, Triberr, all over the placewith no idea what it meant. Jenny takes the time to explain it and there is even a Part 2.

Did This Really Just Happen?

Over the past two months I have been honored with some very special blogging awards. It is still so shocking to me that, not only do people read the things I have to say, but they also enjoy them enough to actually give me an award for it. That is just incredible to me and it is an honor I never expected once let alone three times!

First the Versatile Blogger award. This was given to me by two other incredible bloggers. I would like to give a HUGE thank you to Martin Shone and Lynn Kelley for choosing to pass this award on to me. Be sure you check out their blogs, you will find some fantastic stuff there.

There are three rules in accepting this award.

1. Thank the person who shared the award with you by linking back to them in your post.

2. List seven things about yourself.

3. Pass this award on to 15 newly discovered blogs and let them know that you included them in your blog post.

I have already linked back to Martin and Lynn (and have just done so again ), so I will go on to number 2. This part is rather difficult for me, especially since many of the fun things I could mention I have already talked about in previous blog posts, but I will do my best.

1. Over the course of my vocal studies I sang in 7 different languages. English, Latin, Italian, French, German, Spanish, and Hebrew.

2. I was an extra in the 1994 movie Summertime Switch and you can actually see me in the scene I was in. I look ridiculous.

3. I like ice cream. A lot. I can eat a pint of Ben & Jerry’s in 5 minutes without purposely trying to do so. My in-laws used to buy it for me just so they could watch.

4. I played the Fairy Godmother in my 5th grade production of Cinderella.

5. I almost died at the age of two from encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

6. When I was 13 and went on a family vacation to the Smokey Mountains I was chosen to compete in one of the games in the performance ring at the Dixie Stampede.

7. When Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out it was right before my birthday. I got the book at midnight and was going out with my girlfriends the next evening, so I stayed up all night and read the entire book so I could fully enjoy my friends without wondering what was going to happen to Harry.

Okay, now for the fun part. I get to pass the award on.

1. Natalie Hartford – Life Out Loud

2. Jenny Hanson – Cowbell: You Need More of It

3. M.G. Miller – A Little Southern Exposure

4. Jillian Dodd – Glitter, Bliss, and Perfect Chaos

5. Debra Kristi – Sparks in the Fire

6. Marcy Kennedy – Life at Warp 10

7. Coleen Patrick – Read. Smile. Repeat.

8. Clay Morgan – Pop Culture & the Meaning of Life

9. Liz Schulte – Bat Country

10. Ginger Calem – I am Blogger…Hear me Tweet

11. August McLaughlin – Savor the Storm

12. Emma Burcart – Occasional Epiphanies

13. Alicia McKenna Johnson – Arm Chair Adventures

14. Colin Falconer – Looking for Mr. Goodstory

15. Lena Corazon – Flights of Fancy

Now imagine my astonishment when not long after I received the two Versatile Blogger awards I received another. This time it was the Liebster Blog award from the one and only Myndi Shafer. I was rendered pretty much speechless from this. Myndi is one of my absolute favorite bloggers and for her to recognize me was one of the biggest compliments I could receive.

“Liebster” is the German word for “dearest” and this award is given to new bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. As before, there are a couple of stipulations for accepting the award.

1. Thank the person who awarded you and link back to them.

2. Pass the award on to 5 fellow bloggers and let them know.

I have already thanked and linked back to Myndi, so now to pass this award on.

1. Coty Chanley – My fellow, and hilarious, Glee Chat co-host uncensored.

2. Tim O’Brien – Static in the Airwaves

3. Karen Rought – The Midnight Novelist

4. Fabio Bueno – Diomonds & Rust

5. Samantha Warren – Stealing Starships

* * *

If you are one of the blogs that I listed here I hope that you will be able to take the time to pass your award on, but there is absolutely no pressure. Feel free to take your time if you are just too busy right now – I certainly did. Also, make sure that you remember to save the image and attach it to the blog post that you create.

I really hope that you check out some of the blogs that I have listed. I know that there are a lot of them, especially when you combine the two lists, but I promise you they are worth it.

MASH-UP: Bullies, Panties, Beer, and So Much More

This week I do not have a guest blogger. Instead I am going to provide a mash-up of 10 blogs that I have really enjoyed for various reasons. Of course there are many, many more wonderful blog posts out there than these 10, but it would be impossible for me to find them all. I hope you enjoy the posts I am able to feature as much as I did!

Take a Stand Against Bullying! by Natalie Hartford: Did you know today was International Stand Up To Bullying Day? Neither did I until I read Natalie’s post. She shares a very honest, moving story about how she was a bully when she was younger and how she changed. She is now trying to spread the message that this kind of stuff needs to stop.

Silly Soapbox: Beer-Can Barriers by Myndi Shafer: Myndi shares a very amusing video of a dog who can’t reach it’s toy because it is surrounded by a beer-can fence. It’s a cute video followed by some very interesting thoughts the video elicited from Myndi.

Golden Sky Showers of a Sister Remembered by Debra Kristi: In this powerful and touching post Debra remembers her sister whom she tragically lost in a car accident. It is a beautiful post that I am thankful she was willing to share.

Biking in Panties by Lisa Hall-Wilson: Lisa shares the mortifying – and hilarious – story about a time she had to ride a bicycle in her panties. You don’t want to miss this one!

Tele-Tuesday: Remembering the Family Programs of Years Past by Tiffany A. White: This is a fun, nostalgic look at the lost age of funny, family sitcoms such as Growing Pains and The Cosby Show.

The Life Cycle of a Blogger – 10 Stages by Roni Loren: This hysterical look into the cycle of new enthusiasm to overwhelmed craziness can be applied to virtually anything we decide to try in life. So even if you only read blogs rather than write them it is still worth checking out.

Are You Living Life at Warp 10? by Marcy Kennedy: This post looks at the Star Trek: Voyager idea of Warp 10 and how it can adversely affect us when we try to live at that speed.

Right Back Where We Started From by Rachelle Gardner: Literary agent Rachelle Gardner takes a break from her usual blog topics with this post and instead takes a trip down memory lane. In it she remembers her 7th grade self and imagines what she would say to her if they could talk.

Hello, My Name Is… by Clay Morgan: One of my favorite TV shows is Psych. In this blog Clay shares a video montage of the hilarious nicknames the main character comes up for his best friend. He also shares stories of the identities and nicknames he and his friends used to come up with. It’s a very fun read.

Structure Part 7 – Genre Matters by Kristen Lamb: If I could I would include a link to pretty much every blog this fabulous lady writes, but instead I chose one. Her series on writing structure has been fantastic and taught me so much. If you haven’t already, you should check out her latest entry – and then browse the rest of her posts.

There you have it – 10 blog posts that I enjoyed enough to share. I really hope you check some of them out, and if you do, let me know in the comments. Also feel free to share links to posts that you enjoyed, but I may have missed. The more blog love and sharing the better!

The Soothing Touch of Structure

A week may not be that long, but that short break was exactly what I needed. I now have my feet firmly settled beneath me again and am ready move forward.

Beginning tomorrow I will put up a post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each day will have posts of a similar theme. I know many bloggers are great at coming up with cute little labels for their different blogging days, but apparently I am not one of them. I have tried and it just isn’t happening. Ah well. But hey! I do have some pretty fabulous readers who are very creative so I’ll tell you what – if one of you can come up with a catchy little phrase that you think would be a good descriptor of one of my days, put it in the comments. If I see one I like, then I will use it and give you credit each week with a link to your blog (or twitter, or facebook, or …).

Now to tell you what is going to happen each day:

Mondays – These are going to be the days where I post things similar to what I have been doing up to this point. I will continue to post reviews and commentary on books, TV shows, and movies that I encounter, but I am also going to introduce something slightly different. I am going to begin doing series lasting 3-5 posts. I will alternate each week between a series post and a review/commentary post. The first series I will be doing takes the lead from my Snape post. I have chosen several characters from the Harry Potter series and will be doing a character analysis on them. Ideas I have for future series include an exploration of dragons and a look into the mythology of King Arthur.

Wednesdays – I am going to be using these days to share things that have been on my mind or fun stories that I have to tell. Some of these posts will be serious and some will be funny (at least to me they will be, hopefully you think so too). Examples of past posts that would fit in this day are The Power of a Good Story and An Education in Nerd Lingo. This day will be a chance for you to get to know me better and my hope is that you will be inspired to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments so that I can get to know you better as well.

Fridays – There are so many talented bloggers out there that I have decided to make Friday my day to highlight that talent. On these days you can expect to find guest posts from whoever I can coerce is kind enough to agree to do so as well as mash-ups of blog posts I think are worth mentioning.

There you have it. This is what you can expect to see from me each week. I am really excited with what I have planned and think that it will be a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

Paying it Forward

This week I had a very unexpected pleasure – two bloggers listed me as a blog worth checking out. Ginger Calem awarded me with the Versatile Blogger Award along with 14 other bloggers. I was still gaping in speechless wonderment when, just two days later Jessica Salyer included me in her Pay it Forward blog post along with 3 other bloggers. I am so honored that these two wonderful women chose to include me in their lists. My blog is still such a young baby and being recognized by two fellow bloggers is more than I could have ever hoped for. As a thank you I am going to continue what they started.

Martin Shone: Martin is one of the nicest people I have met since joining the worlds of blogging and tweeting. He writes some amazing poems and short stories and has recently started a new blog where he shares his thoughts on various matters using his unique style and humor.

Stephanie Scott: When I read the tagline for her blog, “Book reviews, a writer’s life, and some nerd culture”, I knew this was a blog I would enjoy and I was not wrong.

Girls With Pens: Marcy Kennedy and Lisa Hall-Wilson share this blog on writing. My first experience with this blog was a very entertaining post that used Buffy the Vampire Slayer versus Bella Swan (from Twilight) to illustrate what makes a good character in a story.

Tiffany White: Tiffany, like me, is an avid television watcher and a post on one of my favorite shows, Psych, is what brought her blog to my attention. Her blog is a ton of fun and infused with her personality whether she is writing on TV, movies, or whatever else she is Ooo-ing over.

the Little Red Reviewer: As the name of this blog implies it is full of reviews, mostly scifi/fantasy books. This blog is an excellent source for reading material and also engages in “readalongs”.

UPDATE 10/19/11:

Myndi Shafer: I just discovered this blog and HAD to add it. Myndi has a great, funny personality that shines through her writing. Whether she is writing about underwear drawers, popsicles, or crying in public there is something relatable and funny.

I hope that you are able to check out the blogs I have listed as well as the two that were kind enough to honor me. There are so many amazing blogs out there that I am still discovering every day. It was a pleasure to take the opportunity to highlight a few of them.