It’s time to leave the confines of Blogging U. to seek other opportunities (blopportunities?). From weekly photo challenges to monthly flash-fiction events, blogger-hosted events are fun, free ways to get … Continue reading Blogging 101 – Day Thirteen: Try (Another) Blogging Event
Today’s task: read six posts written in response to the same prompt, and leave comments on at least two of them.
Oh how I tried to do this task. I randomly picked six posts and I came up with nothing. After my 15th, one I gave up. I did liked a handful of comments but just wasn’t inspired enough to leave a comment.
I don’t know I really have to feel something to leave a comment. I am not the type to write something for the sake of writing something.
I suppose the good thing is you know now that when I do leave a comment on your blog is because I was genuinely touched in some way. That’s good, no?
Writing prompts can be a blogger’s best friend: when inspiration is low and fresh ideas few, responding to someone else’s question can do get you out of a slump. There’s no need to treat them as requirement, though; prompts work best when you personalize them to fit your interests and perspective.
Today’s assignment: publish a post based on your own, personalized take on a blogging prompt.
Even though I have seen these blogging prompts, I never had the desire to participate in them because I can’t write on command. I am not that good. When I write is because I have been inspired in some way.
I admit I wasn’t very hopeful but when I went to their page, I found this.
The Kindness of Strangers
When was the last time a stranger did something particularly kind, generous, or selfless for you? Tell us what happened!
When I read this, it instantly took me back to a few years ago…
First, I want to share this video.
I know this is just a commercial but it’s beautiful and I like to think that these kinds of things can happen to some people in real life and that people are able to give without expectations.
Anyway, this video reminded of how about a year or so I experienced someone giving for just the sake of giving. That was a first for me.
We had lunch at a lovely restaurant that overlooked the ocean. It was a nice time and nothing extraordinary happened, just two people having lunch together enjoying each other’s company with lots of laughs.
When it was time to pay the bill, the waitress simply smiled at us and said it was all handled.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
Her smile grew wider and said a customer paid for our lunch as she handed us the receipt.
Now it was my turn to be shocked. Across the receipt, it was written paid in full by another patron’.
I was quite perplexed and I am sure it showed. I just didn’t understand why a complete stranger or strangers would do this for us. Believe me we aren’t anything special.
“Who did this and why?” I asked her as I started to survey the restaurant to see if I saw anyone that looked responsible….
She simply replied that they didn’t want to be known.
She smiled at us told us to enjoy this act of kindness and left.
End of story.
Funny thing is that this isn’t a story or a commercial it is real life and it happened to two regular people. It left a great impression on us and we talked about it until he dropped me home.
Truly one a great reminder on how some people can be generous. Makes you feel good for humanity.
Several months later, I “paid it forward”. It wasn’t planned but when I was at a Starbucks I just suddenly felt the need to buy whoever was behind me their cup of coffee or tea. I have to point out that I that time there was no one behind me. I gave barista 6 bucks, told her what I was planning, and told her if there was any change for her to put it in their tip jar.
What happened next is for another blog post but it turned out better than I could have expected but you know what? It felt good.
Writing all of this down is making me want to do it again… 🙂
Today’s assignment: create a blogroll to share a few links you love.
Done and done!
Look at the bottom of my blog for my new blogroll. I follow some very talented people. Please pay them a visit. 🙂
Today’s assignment: write a post that builds on one of the comments you left yesterday. Don’t forget to link to the other blog!
I stumbled upon this beautiful painting by Yuriy Ku. I left a brief comment that said “Beautiful…” I did that because I was at a loss for words. I am not a connoisseur of art or, even less, one that should talk about it but I found myself being captivated by his painting. I found myself being lost in it. The warm colors are inviting… It’s like a warm inviting dream.
Make me want to bathe as the sun retires for the night. 🙂
I asked him if I could write a poem based on his painting, put it here in my blog, and he has graciously accepted. Thank you Yuriy Ku!
If you have a chance please go and visit him.
Here is my attempt on today’s assignment hope you like. 🙂
She sheds her clothes
Her toes slip into the cool water
It feels good to get away
From the heat summer brings
The water rises to her hips
her navel
her breasts
her shoulders
The sky shines orange and brown
It unfolds
It’s golden light
Onto the reflecting lagoon
Finally
she plunges
So captivating
So serene
So quiet
So perfect
This is her escape
This is her dream
It is what she needs
To shed all her cares
To release her inhibitions
To be vulnerable
Today’s assignment: create and upload a simple header, background, or both. Already done? Try a widget.
Done and Done! 🙂
Today’s assignment: create and publish your About page, then either adapt it into a widget on your home page or add it to your menu.
I am not being lazy or unimaginative but I am happy with my about page.
I believe it tells the reader what my blog is about…
A girl
her camera
and
her pen
What else do you need to know? 😉
Today’s assignment: try out at least three other themes — even if you’re happy with the one you first chose. Try one you’re drawn to, and one you would never use.
I hope you like my new theme. As you can see I am in sunset orange kind of mood and this theme is perfect (until I get bored with it).
Besides changing the color on this theme I also added one of my pictures for the background and while it’s a bit fuzzy I think it looks artistic. 🙂
If you have any advice on how to improve my layout I welcome it.
We often create posts hoping that someone in particular will see (and appreciate) our work. Today, publish a post you’d like that person (or people) to read — and stretch your blogging chops as you do.
Today’s Assignment: publish a post you’d like your ideal audience member to read, and include a new-to-you element in it.
My first impulse was to write that I don’t create posts hoping that someone in particular will see them! I even told my bestie that I was going to write how my blog is for myself, how I post for myself, not anyone else. Oh boy, I was going on a tangent.
Yes, I stepped on my soapbox and ranted away. My poor friend. 🙂
Then as I started to write, I realized that I do have someone in particular that I want to see my posts.
I will let my picture and words speak for themselves…
Today’s assignment: follow five new topics in the Reader and five new blogs.
I never realized that there were topics in the reader that I could follow.
Wow, talk about finding some hidden treasure. I went a little crazy wanting to follow lots of topics but finally settled on these (yes, I know it’s 6 topics not 5… don’t shoot me 😛 ):
Once I have a chance to look into them I will pick some new blogs to follow. I can’t wait! 🙂
My Moment In Time 