Monday, August 1, 2011

My Intro to the blOscars

I'm relatively new to blogging. When I decided, about a year ago, to try and make good on a lifetime goal of writing a novel, I thought a blog might be a good way to chronicle that journey. It really is nothing more than an online journal of my two favorite exploits - fiction and food. 


Each day I am more amazed at the size and diversity of the blogging community.  It has its own lingo, etiquette, and method of information gathering and distribution.  Today I was introduced to another aspect of blogging I was unaware of - awards.


A friend of mine from high school, Robin Weeks, gave me an award today.  The award is the Leibster Award, which spotlights up and coming bloggers who currently have less than 200 followers. 


 


I don't consider myself "up and coming" but I definitely have less than 200 followers - I have less than 10. 


The rules of the award are (who knew awards came with rules):

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you. (DONE)


2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog. (SEE BELOW)

3. Display the award on your blog. (DONE)

4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers. 
(The Few I have will hopefully do so) 

5. And most of all - have bloggity-blog fun! 
(Hallelujah - something I'm already doing) 

Choosing five bloggers with less than 200 followers was the largest challenge.  Since I'm relatively new to the blogosphere, I don't know a lot of new bloggers beyond myself.  Here are the five I chose, with some caveats (aren't there always caveats). 

1.  Robin Weeks - Not sure if this is against the rules, since she gave me the award, but I'm doing it anyway.  She has been a great friend to chat about writing and my guide through this new blogging world.  I follow her blog regularly. 


2.  Brohammas - This is another friend from high school.  I couldn't tell how many followers he has on his blog so I'm assuming it is below the 200 mark.  He will forgive me if I'm wrong.  His views on life, politics, rugby, and beverages are a joy to read.  He also maintains another blog displaying his artistic talent.  if the other blog has more than 200 followers, this one is probably new enough to not have reached that level yet.  


3. House of Broken Crayons - This is actually the family blog maintained by my wife.  I know this is totally cheating, since I'm listed on this blog, and that is why I'm hiding it in the middle.  


4. Mundane Magic - Full Disclosure, this is my cousin's wife.  However, she maintains a great blog and I love the stories about their family life.  They are great people and some of the funniest storytellers I know. She has over 400 followers on twitter, so she probably has more than 200 followers of her blog. Wordpress doesn't list followers clearly, so I'm hereby deeming her up and coming even if she has more than 200 merely so anyone who reads this will visit her blog.  You'll be happy you did.  


5. Memories for Later -  This is another friend from high school.  She was a lot of fun back then and you will see that her life since then is even more fun.  She is also another great storyteller and it is a joy to read about family life through her comedic lens. 


So there it is, my first time hosting a blog award.  It feels a little like a chain letter email, without the threat of death or destruction if not passed on, rather than a true award ceremony.  However, it was still fun to list five of my favorite blogs to follow.  To avoid guilt about over burdening them, they may participate on a completely voluntary basis.  

15 comments:

  1. Well, you're a cheatin' cheater, but it's not like you lose the award. Once, I got an award that required me to list recipients, and I just gave it to everyone in my sidebar blogroll. :)

    I like the ones that make you say why you chose each recipient. Talking up my friends is easier. :)

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  2. Robin - Guilty as charged. I enjoyed giving shout-outs to my friend's blogs. They are much better bloggers than I am.

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  3. fiction and food! those are good favorites! :)

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  4. Aguilar - Welcome. Glad to find a fellow lover of fiction and food.

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  5. Oh wow! I am completely honored...you know I'm not a typical writer so to have you nominate me means a lot. I've really enjoyed your blog and am excited about seeing this side of you. I consider you and your family to be some of the most special people in my life. If we can't be neighbors, then the next best thing is to read each other's thoughts...

    Can't wait to pass this on. Thank you so much! I owe you a Thai meal.

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  6. Ann - you totally deserve the award. I am amazed at your blog as I watch it develop. I only wish I had more followers to send your way.

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  7. Hey JD! Robin said to come on over, so here I am! Hope you don't mind. I, too, received the Liebster from Robin.

    I can't say enough good things about her. I'm just so grateful to have met her last month during the GUTGAA blogfest. She gave me great advice on my query. Okay, okay, she more or less wrote it for me, but the point is, I tend to do what she says. So I'll be following you now. But I'm a harmless stalker so no worries.

    It's funny, you and I use the same blogger template! Great minds and all that, I guess. So please feel free to come on over to my place and poke around my followers. They tend to follow you right back!

    And if you follow me, I'll put your blog on my roll for all my friends to see.

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  8. Nancy - Hello and welcome. I never mind a visitor on my blog. Robin is great, I've known her since we had lockers next to each other in middle school. I'm heading over to your blog now to check it out.

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  9. You are a generous man Josh. Forgive my not playing along but I have a little sumthin' sumthin' going on that doesn't really mesh with blog awards. I am however quite flattered and you have displayed the finest taste in blogs.

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  10. Brohammas - no problem, as I said - no obligation. I enjoy your blog and wanted to direct people there.

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  11. Welcome to blogging! Groovy site, nice post:)

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  12. Mark - Thanks for the welcome, and calling my site groovy. Just checked out your blog and added myself as a follower. Yours is pretty groovy as well.

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  13. Well now you have an even ten--looking forward to your posts, sounds like a great concept.

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  14. Thanks for getting me to 10 Angela. Your blog was a welcome find as I am trying to work more vegetarian cooking into my lifestyle.

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  15. Nice to meet you JD. It's great to connect with other writers.

    Christy

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