(I’m sure y’all HOPE so, anyway! Next week should be a return to as close to “normal” as it ever gets around here. Thanks for putting up with my public processing of the BlogHer experience!) BlogHer’s organizers have asked for feedback on the conference. Rather than subject you to the ridiculously long comment I left there, I’ll just give you the link, and you can read the whole discussion over there if you like (it’s […]
Category: ‘riting
Book Blog(H)ers, we need to talk…
…because we didn’t get to do that at the BlogHer’09 Conference! I mentioned in my BlogHer Bullet Points that book blogging doesn’t even begin to show up on the BlogHer conference radar, and I think this is a big mistake. I pitched a “Room of Your Own” session for book bloggers – it didn’t get the votes. We couldn’t even get a dedicated table at one of the “Birds of a Feather” lunches. BlogHer is […]
My BlogHer’09: Yes, it actually WAS a conference!
I went off to Chicago for BlogHer’09 knowing I was not going to be a party animal. While there’s certainly no shortage of parties surrounding the conference, a conference is what it is. Some attendees have noted that it’s changing; as it’s grown bigger and bigger, there seems to be more emphasis on various forms of marketing than on blog-building and writing, but since this was my first time, I can’t say much about that. […]
Alias (Weekend Assignment #276)
This post has nothing to do with one of my favorite TV shows ever (well, the first two seasons of it, anyway). Karen‘s assignment this week is inspired by Facebook, where her friends list features such “real” names as “Aperson” and “Crazyknight”: Weekend Assignment: #276: Create an alias for yourself – not one you’re already using or planning to use, but a temporary one for this assignment. Tell us the name you’ve chosen and why, […]
Can’t stand the heat (Weekend Assignment #275)
It’s the middle of July, and if you live north of the equator, you’re probably experiencing summer weather right about now. That’s inspired Karen‘s question for this Weekend Assignment: Weekend Assignment: #275: What’s your favorite way to stay cool in the summer? Is this even an issue where you live? Extra Credit: Was climate a significant factor in deciding to live where you do? The Southern California dream: the endless summer. Bright, comfortably warm days […]
Happy anniversary, a few days late…
I’ve never driven a “mom minivan” or worn the “mom uniform” (despite looking rather matronly for a number of years). My schedule isn’t governed by school functions and extra-curricular activities. I’m often seen with my husband, but without the kids. There may be people who know me and don’t even realize that I’m a mom. But even though I’m not on active duty these days – one child is out on his own, and two […]
Meaningful music(ians) (Weekend Assignment #273)
Weekend Assignment #273: The death of Michael Jackson has provoked a huge reaction, much of it from people who grew up listening to his music. Is there a particular musician whose work has particular meaning for you? Extra Credit: What is your personal reaction, if any, to the death of Michael Jackson? I already did the extra credit – that was yesterday’s post. It should not surprise you if you’ve been reading here for awhile, […]
The Mom Alarm: It works long range, and it’s never turned off
I probably should call it the “parent alarm,” since I know plenty of dads who have it too (I’ve been married to two of them). It comes as a free gift with the arrival of your first child, it’s always turned on and it works at any distance, and you don’t even realize it’s been installed until the first time it goes off. After nearly 25 years, mine is still functioning quite well. I spent […]
A summer snapshot, starring my town (Weekend Assignments #271/272)
I didn’t intend to blow off last week’s Weekend Assignment from Professor Karen at Outpost Mâvarin, but I did have some trouble getting a handle on it…until now. It’s being worked into this week’s Assignment. I hope that it will be accepted as my make-up exam! Weekend Assignment #271: No matter where you live, the daily sights you take for granted are bound to seem exotic to someone who lives in very different surroundings. Describe […]
Husband and wife…and wife…and wife…and wife…
This is turning out to be Polygamy Week around here, what with two book reviews related to the topic (one posted on Monday, the other will be up tomorrow) – and two books with common themes read in near-succession tend to get me thinking. In a review of yet another novel about polygamy, Natasha of Maw Books Blog asked the question, “Should polygamy be legal?” and wondered if the answer might be less obvious than […]
It’s just not a good time, baby
Do you ever get the feeling you’ve walked right into the middle of something? It was one of those dreams that was so vivid it was hard to shake off, and I’m still thinking about it. I realize that for some people it would be a wonderful dream, and one they really hope will be fulfilled. For me, it was definitely one that I’m glad was just a dream, and one I have no desire […]
The Tall Tale of the Magic Makeover (Weekend Assignment #270)
Karen said she was a bit hesitant to give this Assignment: “I think the reason I’ve been sitting on this idea is that it asks you to implicitly criticize yourself, which can be a bit of a downer. But let’s try to have fun with this, shall we?” Weekend Assignment #270: You’ve been given the magical opportunity to change just one thing about yourself, instantly and painlessly. There is no going back; whatever change you […]
