General

Reach Out Tour?

So, here we are, the ones who got left behind.

I don’t know about ya’ll, but if I hear one more thing about BlogHer, I’m going to scream!!

Okay, not really, that’s just the jealousy talking.

Right now, as you’re reading this, there are 1,000 bloggers rubbing elbows, taking notes, live blogging, and sneaking unobtrusive sips of vodka from the decorative flasks they have hidden in their fashionable (and most likely brand new) handbags.

What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on THAT wall. I can just hear the chatter, the laughter, the sound of zippers as they open their bags and stuff in more skag.

Er, I think it’s called skag, I’m just learning BlogHer lingo. 🙂

I looked over the agenda, WOW! I’d love to go to so many of the talks! And the PhotoWalk sponsored by the Shutter Sisters! And the closing keynote sounds sooo interesting.

Is my face turning green? Because I’m definitely feeling envious.

I’m making a conscience effort to get more involved with the BlogHer site. I’m going to post, I’m going to comment and I’m going to make some friends because dang it, I want to go next year! And it sure would be nice if I knew someone.

Of course, the Reach Out Tour is coming up, and I’m thinking I might go to the Nashville one. Nashville is only about an eight hour drive … but it’s on a Thursday and someone, who shall remain nameless, gets a BIT cranky when his schedule is disrupted during the work week, so I don’t know.

Anyone else thinking about going to a Reach Out Tour? Anyone going to Nashville?

Hello? *taptap* Anyone? Is there even anyone IN the blog-o-sphere right now?

I feel lonely.

Blog-a-thon 2008

Blog-a-thon ’08: Support Our Troops

Photo Contest at writefromkaren.com
You can grab this banner, or the button in my sidebar, from this page.

The last saturday in July every year, (July 26th this year), the blog-o-sphere hosts a blog-a-thon.

A blog-a-thon is:

People who update their websites every 30 minutes for 24 hours straight. For this, they collect sponsorships. Pledges can be a flat donation, or a certain amount for every hour the blogger manages to stay awake.

I think this is an excellent idea and plan on participating every year. This is my second year to participate. Last year, I was part of a collaborative effort and we blogged for First Book. Won’t you join me in blogging for a worthy cause? My blog-a-thon begins July 26th at 6:00 a.m. U.S. central time and ends July 27th at 6:00 a.m. U.S. central time

The theme for 2008? SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

Usually, bloggers pick one charity and blog for that one charity for 24 straight hours. However, this year, I’m approaching the challenge a bit differently.

There are so many worthy organizations out there for our troops that I can’t possibly settle on blogging for just one. So, I would like to take this 2008 blog-a-thon opportunity to showcase several different organizations in the hopes that

1. you will know about these outstandings causes and

2. that you might find it in your heart to partake of these charities and either donate your time, or your money, in helping them carry out their mission.

In addition to some pretty awesome links and an ongoing story about three military women waiting for their men to come home during that 24-hour period, I also plan on giving away two books and one journal.

The first book (are you making notes? I don’t see you writing anything down! Have you added me to your RSS read yet? It’s a whole lot easier than actually clicking over! Do it now before you forget!) I’ll be giving away is:

null
A Year of Absence: Six women’s stories of courage, hope and love by Jessica Redmond

This book will be given away beginning at 8:00 a.m. July 26th. All you’ll have to do is leave a comment between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. – a random winner will be announced in the 11:30 entry.

The second is:

null
Chicken Soup for the Military Wife’s Soul: Stories to Touch the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit by Jack Canfield

This book will be given away beginning at 2:00 p.m. July 26th. All you’ll have to do is leave a comment between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – a random winner will be announced in the 6:30 entry.

And the journal will be PERFECT for some lucky winner to record his/her thoughts or events while the loved one is away.

null

The journal will be given away beginning at 8:00 p.m. July 26th. All you’ll have to do is leave a comment between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. – a random winner will be announced in the 11:30 p.m. entry.

If you are a military spouse (or soldier), or know of a military spouse (or soldier), you really won’t want to miss this. It promises to be a patriotic, and emotional, 24-hours. I plan on showcasing several charities, showing pictures of homecoming moments and posting dedication videos to our wonderful armed forces every thirty minutes.

The fun begins July 26th, at 6:00 a.m. U.S. central time. Don’t miss out!

(If you’re participating in the blog-a-thon this year, leave me a comment and I’ll include your link on the blog-a-thon page so others can come visit you!!)