In my opinion, I subscribe to the best of the best of blogs. Not only do the writers entertain me with their posts, but they attract the best of the best of commenter[s]. Kim, the G is silent, a fellow blogger, shares my sentiment in a comment she left on Blurt’s “Irony, With Mustard and Kraut” stating, “I need to stop reading all the comments before commenting on my own. With each comment I feel my funny slip-sliding away. Bastards.”
I agree with Kim. One has to be quick to leave a comment on the best of the best of the blogs or risk being overshadowed by another best of the best of commeter[s]. Moreover, I admit I’m competitive, and I admit I think I am funny looking. Funny thing about blogs, you realize A.) you’re not the only writer in the world, and B.) you’re not the funniest looking person in the world.
There was a time when talent was hard to fine, seemingly rare. For one to get noticed/discovered one needed to be in the right place at the right time. Nowadays, one just needs to audition for one of the many ‘talent’ driven television shows: American Idol, America’s Got Talent, So You Think You can Dance, The Voice, etc. Or, one just needs to upload a video to YouTube and promote the heck out of the video until it is viral. Nowadays, everyone is talented. Bummer.
While everyone and their 70+ yr old Grandma is oozing with talent, not everyone is paid for their talent. There in lies the challenge. Having talent is no longer enough to guarantee 15 minutes of fame or a steady paycheck. Now, one needs to be better than the millions (literally) who appear in YouTube videos, audition episodes of reality television or publish their own book.
For whatever reason, I equate a form of success (notoriety) with the nod of approval from the WordPress gods. I write and compete with over 300,000 bloggers, all of us trying to stand out from the crowd – if only for 15 minutes. Every post I write is my own personal audition with the WordPress judges. To date, my auditions have fallen flat. Thankfully, I am not berated for my lack of writing talent by a Simon Cowell-like blogging judge. Moreover, the lack of negative feedback from the WordPress judges helps keep my ego strong, as I continue to write with champagne wishes and caviar dreams.
Are all bloggers writing in hopes of being published? I don’t believe so. When I started blogging, I wrote to release the voices in my head. I was not writing for others; I was writing for me. Now? I still write for me (and the voices), but I also write in hopes of gaining followers and subscribers. My talent for sharing my thoughts with walls is great, but I also appreciate sharing thoughts with live humans.
Recently, I received a nod from two bloggers I follow and enjoy. Both Julie True Kingsley and Deborah-Bryan deemed me worthy enough to receive The Versatile Blogger award. Though there is no cash prize for this award, I am excited to receive the recognition. If nothing else, I know I have two readers who enjoy my writing enough to tell others. And, since they told two friends, perhaps those friends will tell two friends, who – in turn – will tell two friends, and so on and so on and so on. (Do you remember that shampoo commercial? If you are under 38 yrs of age, you probably don’t. Please be kind to those who do remember it.)
There comes a responsibility when awarded The Versatile Blogger. One is required to share his/her favorite bloggers with others, thereby awarding them with The Versatile Blogger award. Fulfilling my responsibility, I am going to share my picks with you. However, my award winners are winners, in part, because of their commenter[s]. Be advised, if you decide to follow these bloggers (which I highly recommend), you will feel a pressure to leave clever comments after their posts.
Interestingly enough, within the blogosphere, one need not worry about keeping up with the Jones, one need worry about keeping up with the commenter[s]. Good luck! And again, thank you Julie and Deborah for the recognition! Cheers!
The Good Greatsby: Creator of countless clever posts, as well as countless clever commenter[s]. For starters, why not take part his current Caption Contest, submission deadline is June 26th at 6:00 AM EST.
Blurt (aka Omawarisan): I have a talent for parallel parking. So, too, does Burt. In his post, “You Wouldn’t Know It From Reading This Blog But…“, you find out Blurt is also good at parallel parking. You also find that Blurt has several funny commenter[s].
Refrigerator Magnet (aka Spilled Ink Guy) may not attract the funniest of comments, but he is the provider of funny comments. Moreover, he photography talent is huge. Check out his version of “Worn“, and read how he created the picture. Fascinating.
Izzie and her “Whatever Factor” generates many comments. Her post titled, “I Want to Know Why” related to looking people in the eyes when speaking to them. The comments were interesting. Her post titled, “The Love Letter” is simply lovely regardless of the comments.
Two other specific posts I want to point out deal with the memory of losing a parent in two different ways. Deborah’s post, “Six hands for lifting” about her Mom’s battle with mental illness. Please, read the post. And Maineiac, dealing with the loss of her father, finally found the strength to write about it as she was “Struggling to Breathe“. Again, please read the post.
In addition to the above bloggers, I also recommend you take note of Havocandshine and New Mind Shack. Havocandshine’s writing is haunting. The way she creates her sentences and incorporates the pictures …. I don’t know. I wish I could express myself as beautifully as Havocandshine. In fact, I am unable to pull a specific post from Havocandshine, because all of her posts are so moving. Right now, she is in the midst of dealing with the recent death of her brother, and she is sharing her pain with us, in part to help herself heal.
Like Havocandshine, The New Mind Shack is an excellent story teller. Her sentence structure and format adds to the beauty and purity of the story. Of course, one may not see that in her post containing boob balls. However, read “T’ank You, T’ank You” and you’ll laugh yourself into agreement with me that GMom is real … in so many ways.
Once more, I extend thanks to Julie and Deborah. Also, I send special thanks to all the commenter[s] out there for keeping me on my toes and putting a smile on my face. I enjoy reading so many blogs – the fact that the comments are entertaining is a wonderful bonus. Basically bloggers – we rock!
Lenore's Thoughts Exactly 
I’m still in the stage where I post my own comment, read the other commenters’ comments and feel a moment of chagrin when I realize someone else already said it better above me. I’m trying to train myself to read comments first then add my own comment if it hasn’t already been said, but I’d put my success rate at somewhere in the F- range.
Patience! I’ll get it someday.
Thank you so much for sharing “Six hands for lifting.” It’s funny, but I’m much more concerned with people reading that than my book. When I’m sitting around going, “How do I get folks to read [x]?” sometimes it strikes me as silly that the [x] isn’t TMD. It’s just that it was so freakin’ hard going through that, and I’d love others to have any of that pain diminished–even a little–by the comfort of knowing they’re not alone.
My success rate is somewhere in the F-range … that is not true. Funny – yes, but not true.
I applaud your strength for putting your story out there. I’m not surprised you are more concerned about people reading the post vs. your book. Though your book is personal, in that you’ve written it from your own imagination – your post is your personal and real life. No curtains. And, based on the responses you received, the true story needed to be told, as it helped many.
Great post, Lenore! I look forward to checking out these fellow bloggers.
I always feel a sense of excitement with each comment notification. I get a little giddy like a child on Christmas morning. I consider each comment a gift. 🙂
Thank you, Young American! Like you, I feel a sense of excitement when I receive a comment notification. For me, it’s like an affirmation that someone saw my post. Woo hoo! They see me – they see me! Ok. That may sound a bit – fine – overly desperate. In any case, I do like comments. Thank you for being a loyal reader (and commenter).
I feel that same sense of excitement. Every time my phone beeps, I perk up and think, “Comment?” Maybe it’s just because I’m in the same boat as you*, but I don’t think that’s a sign of desperation so much as a sign we’re people interested in being engaged in conversation. 🙂
* “Maybe” here is just another way of saying “It’s highly likely . . .”
Woo hoo! A rationalization for my desperate nature! (smile) Actually Deborah, you raise an excellent point – I am a talker. However, actual conversations are rare with the internet. So, I should not be surprised at my eagerness to read and reply to comments. Here’s to more conversations! 🙂
Congrats on your award! I look forward to reading your posts every morning and I thank you for helping me quiet all those pesky voices (oh and the Ben and Jerry’s!)
Thank you, Lenore, for sharing my post and for your encouragement to finally write it. It was so hard to revisit those memories but I felt it needed to be done for my own healing to come full circle (even if that meant going through an entire box of kleenex in the process!) I much prefer writing the funny stuff.
And thank you for sharing all of these wonderful bloggers. I can’t wait to get a spare moment to check them all out.
Well Ms. Darla – thanks for the congrats, but you, too, were awarded the Versatile Blogger Award. I am passing the honor to you. Do with it what you want. I hope you will chose to use it for good and not evil. (smile)
I hope I was not out of line for sharing your personal post. I tend to act first and ask for forgiveness later. Not a good thing, I suppose. I thought your post was worthy of being noted, because I know so many people can relate to the rawness of your emotions. When you loose someone, you find you gravitate to those who have also lost – because you can talk about it openly. Until you’ve lost a loved one, talking about death can be uncomfortable for the person who can’t relate.
Have fun reading the other blogs – they are all fantabulous! (like yours!)
Out of line? You?! Never! 😉 Seriously, I do appreciate you sharing it.
Tell that to my husband, will you please? 🙂
well thanks Miss Lenore and right back acha! You know I always look for your entries first thing after work or when I can’t sleep. You are a great reminder that good still abides out there. Bless you and thanks again.
gmom.
GMom, GMom … it is so good to see you. So, do you look for my posts when you can’t sleep because I put you to sleep? Hmm…… I’ll have to liven things up a bit.
Thank you for your kind words, GMom. As a favorite blogger friend of mine says …. Peace out!
The blogging world is much, much more than I knew or expected. I started because I’d been asked to share messages from my guides. I was VERY shy about “exposing” myself. Turns out I’ve made many fabulous friends and am wonderfully “fed” daily by the variety of offerings from other bloggers. Plus I have an outlet in which to express myself – something incredibly important for all of us.
The same holds true for me, Soul Dipper, I began blogging to help clear my head and ease my mind. I never dreamed I would make friends along the way. Blogging has enriched my life in ways I had not imagined. I am grateful for bloggers like you – and the words you share with us. ~ Lenore
Hey! Someone beat me to it … Good morning! I, too, have presented you with the “Versatile Blogger Award!” For more please visit http://emjayandthem.wordpress.com/2011/06/20/its-an-honor-just-to-be-nominated/
Congratulations, and thanks for all you do to inspire me!! MJ
Good morning, MJ! Thank you so much for the award! (Can one receive too many accolades? I think not!) I will happily visit your blog, as I always enjoy visiting your blog. And I thank you for reminding me of the simple lessons in life. The simple lessons are the ones we forget about quickly and easily. Cheers! ~ Lenore
Thank you for this award. I’d like to thank all the little people. Also the big people. Also rich people. I’ll try and live up to the versatile label.
You should thank the clown cops in the world, too. And Todd. Don’t forget about Todd. Cheers, Paul! ~ Lenore
WOWZA! That is awfully kind of you, Ms. D! Thank you so much for thinking of me! I’d love to dance around and post this award all over my blog… the only reason I’m not is I would feel bad about deciding who to pass it along to next… (too many talented friends)! And you have already received it, after all!
Really, thank you so much – this really made my day (I needed a smile today)! 🙂
You are welcome, SIG! I’m looking forward to more pictures via your blog. Happy creating!
The part I hate about commenting is repeating what someone else said. But I also hate that I have never been freshly pressed. Then I read what does get pressed and I think “Gawd, that was awful” or “Man, why did I write my post that way?” Congrats on getting your award and keep up the good work!
Rumbly …. speaking of comments, for whatever reason your comment came through as SPAM. What?! Ironic a comment about commenting is labeled SPAM.
I am so glad you said what you said – some of the posts I see getting FP leave me scratching my head. I really don’t understand the FP gods. Oh well.
Thanks for visiting! I hope you are having a good week.
I have been having trouble receiving and giving commentary lately. I write something great, hit post comment and nothing shows up. I think it has to do with updating my browser but first I need to update to Microsoft 7. It makes me nervous because they ask you to download new program, delete old program and then run the new program. I am terrified of blowing everything up.
That makes me laugh, because I have those same fears. For what it is worth, I am running on Windows 7 now. So far – so good. (As I look around nervously, wondering if I have jinxed it.) 🙂
“Someday your iron will come”, Lenore, and you will be “Freshly Pressed”! I liken it to winning the lottery (and I have to say that the three posts of mine that have been honoured by WordPress editors are not necessarily my favourite, or even my best work! – I’m still grateful though – never good to anger the WP gods!).
I find your comments very funny…
Wendy
Promise Wendy? Promise? 🙂 In due time, I suppose. Or not. Regardless, I have the best readers in the Blogosphere. I don’t need no stinkin’ Freshly Pressed. Shhh…. don’t tell the runners of the lottery.
~ Lenore
I was Freshly Pressed a few weeks ago, thirteen months into my blog and just days after declaring to more than one person, “It will never happen to me.”
Your blog is always informative, well-written, and fun to read. But that isn’t enough to do the trick. So here, let me take care of it for you:
Lenore, your blog will never be Freshly Pressed!”
You can thank me in a week or two.
Hahahahaha, I like your thinking! I can’t wait to thank you, too. 🙂
I agree with another commenter (on another LDTE post?) that it’s kinda perplexing which posts are selected. My Freshly Pressed post wasn’t one of my least favorite, but it was nowhere near my best post, either . . . whereas entries to which a dozen people have expressed the hope they’ll be FP’d have been bypassed. I kinda laugh at FP after seeing this pattern time and again in the blogs I follow that’ve been FP’d at some point (“that entry? really?”), but it is nevertheless a nice experience to have!
Wasn’t that your second Freshly Pressed experience, Charles? Seems you are a two-time award winner. In any case, you cracked me up with your comment.
I am so excited. I’ll spend the weekend writing my acceptance speech. Wait. Will that jinx it? Perhaps I should wait. After all, I’ll never be Freshly Pressed!
P.S. Thank you for your kind words about my writing. Please forward your comments to the powers that be in the Freshly Pressed department. 🙂