Smorgasbord Saturday: 4th Week of NaBloPoMo

Photo by Roberto Kaplan

Below is a review of my posts this past week which were a potpourri of topics - from blog titles to a social media challenge, to a different perspective on an inspired poem to my future blog, and TV and non-fiction bloggers: such a mishmash as usual! ;)

Monday's post, Favourite Headline/Blog Post Title? featured some of my favourite blog titles as I can't only choose one! Considering some of the comments I received, I think my readers and I were on the same page about that! ;) Check out some of these titles at http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/favourite-headlineblog-post-title.html

Tuesday's post, NaBloPoMo Social Media Challenge was an idea to revolve social media on the theme of kindness: http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/nablopomo-social-media-challenge.html

Wednesday's post was entitled A New Angle on 'You' or is that 'Me?' ;) Yes, a wink is a part of the title and I love how this blog site now can understand or rather take my wink and possibly - sometimes? - heart-shaped symbols! Woohoo! ;) This post was a different take, a reverse, a mirror image of my inspired poem that came to me a number of years ago: http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/a-new-angle-on-you-or-is-that-me.html

Thursday's post, Forecasting my Foggy Bloggy Future was an aim at predicting my future behaviour regarding blogging. I think I would need to look into a crystal ball to determine what fate lies ahead! ;) Read http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/forecasting-my-foggy-bloggy-future.html for some ideals that I have in mind. ;)

Friday's post TV and Non-fiction Bloggers is a take on being a cast member for a TV show, and possibly on bloggers who write non-fiction like I do! ;) OK, well I wanted to tie the latter in somehow! ;) See http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/tv-and-non-fiction-bloggers.html featuring some attractive men! ;)

Thank you again to all of you who read my posts and especially those who commented on my posts this past week.

What post would you most favour of mine this past week, and why?

P.S. Blogging friends, you may be interested in my post tomorrow ...

Smorgasbord Saturday: 3rd Week of NaBloPoMo

Photo by Roberto Kaplan

Below is a review of my posts this past week which were a potpourri of topics - from controversial kindness from strangers to being (naturally) funny - not! - to helping feed a child in India for one year and writing a book to favourite appliacnes.

Posts of the Controversial Kind! posted on Monday, November 17 answered the prompt question: "What is the most controversial thing you've ever written on your blog? What compelled you to write it?" - http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/posts-of-controversial-kind.html. Self-explanatory!

From the Kindness of Strangers on Tuesday, November 18th was a blog that began from, "Tell us about one time that you benefitted from the kindness of strangers." I loved this theme as I had three stories to share, though two were of me being a recipient of kindness. Can you get what the other one was? ;)

Wednesday, November 19th’s post was my idea of merging two blog prompts into one: I barely mentioned one only to go into another, thus the title: NaBloPoMo Prompt to Feed a Child: Universal Children's Day ;) - http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/nablopomo-prompt-to-feed-child.html

The original prompt was actually as follows: "Are you the funny one in most groups? What kinds of things do you find funniest?" In one line: No, I tend to be serious, quiet, and contemplative generally; however, I do love to tease and have fun (though I have to feel comfortable/safe in order to do that). ;)

Books inside Me? on Thursday, November 20th was in answer to, "Do you have a book in you? Fact or fiction? Related to your blog or totally different?" (http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/books-inside-me.html)

Appliances: My Favourite?! http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/appliance-my-favourite.html was written from this prompt, "What is the one appliance you can't live without?" Otherwise, if I wasn’t so lazy/tired that day, I might have blogged about something else! ;)

What post would you most favour of mine this past week, and why?

Thank you again to all of you who read my posts and especially those who commented on my posts this past week.

Smorgasbord Saturday: 2nd Week of NaBloPoMo

Photo by Roberto Kaplan

Monday’s post on Knowledge and Skills was interesting due to the wording of the prompt that day: "What knowledge do you have that others don't? Write a "how to" post about anything you've got skills for, small or large." I actually had a challenge answering that question, even though responses to my post were overwhelmingly in favour of me having tons of experience; perspective is a funny thing. Read more about it at http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/knowledge-and-skills.html.

Tuesday’s post on The 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month was my attempt at paying tribute, albeit a small one, to Remembrance Day. However, I actually think I answered the question incorrectly! - "If you could permanently get rid of one worry, what would it be?" What do you think: did I answer okay? - http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/the-11th-hour-of-11th-day-of-11th-month.html

Wednesday’s post on Writer’s Block: Not! was in answer to the prompt, "Have you ever had extended writer's block? How long did it last? What did you do to break out of it, and do you have tips for other bloggers?" which appeared as if I had it, but I hadn’t. Find out why at http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/writers-block-not.html and let me know what you think.

Thursday’s post on Envy AND Kindness: What a Combo! was my aim at combining two prompts in one! One writing prompt from NaBloPoMo on a skill I admired in bloggers, "What is the one skill you see in other bloggers that you wish you had?" and World Kindness Day from Write Tribe Bloggers -
http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/envy-and-kindness-what-combo.html

Friday’s post on Aging Gracefully or Not: That is the Question! was an interesting theme from "Do you enjoy growing old or do you fight against it?" Perhaps because of the way I was feeling that day, for some reason or other, I only (managed to) focus on the negatives, hmmm... (http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/aging-gracefully-or-not-that-is-question.html)

What post would you most favour of mine this past week, and why?

Thank you again to all of you who read my posts and especially those who commented on my posts this past week.

Smorgasbord Saturday: 1st Week of NaBloPoMo

Photo: Roberto Kaplan

This past week I started NaBloPoMo (short for National Blog Posting Month) on the first day of this month which was a Saturday, with a post on my new 100% vegan runners. It was National Vegan Month after all! ;) Entitled My New Runners are 100% Vegan! (I Kid You Not!) it featured my bright fuschia running shoes: http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/my-new-runners-are-vegan-i-kid-you-not.html.

Sunday brought Post Halloween Photos... with the purposeful marching dots in the title in the hopes of enticing readers - hahahaha (witch's cackle) - to read the post of one of my favourite days, at least in terms of "dressing up!" (http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/post-halloween-photos.html)

Monday's post should technically have been or could have been Saturday's post, November is National Novel Writing Month which is challenge to write a first draft of a novel within 30 days: http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/november-is-national-novel-writing-month.html

Tuesday's post, Writing when Emotional? Not! spoke about a few matters relating to writing when emotional or not, and writer's block (http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/writing-when-emotional-not.html).

I actually didn't think I had a blogging voice per se on Wednesday's post, My Blogging Voice http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/my-blogging-voice.html with a 'cheeky' picture to boot! ;) You blessed readers assured that I indeed did have a voice and a unique one at that! Thanks for your feedback! :)

Thursday's post initially was untitled as I was struggling with it, http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/todays-post-is-nablopomo-prompt-with.html, contemplating what would be most appropriate; sometimes I get titles intuitively, but not that day! I ended up with Me? Professional Blogger? And You? - you can let me know of a better one along the same lines if you wish - which spoke about the difference between a professional blogger and a hobbyist one. Me: definitely the latter, though who knows, that could change one day...never say "never!" ;)

Friday brought forth Vacation Spot: Not with some countries I have no interest whatsoever to explore and others I do as I am curious about them for different reasons which I mention, http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/11/vacation-spot-not.html.

Thank you to all my wonderful robust readers, faithful followers, and courageous commenters! Love you all!

P.S. Blogging friends, you may be interested in my post tomorrow ...

I am linking this to NaBloPoMo and Write Tribe Bloggers.

Smorgasbord Saturday: 2nd Week of Ultra Blog Challenge

Photo I took of an artistically swirled latte

After this week, especially yesterday's post, I feel like I could use a break - a cup of coffee (espresso-type) drink or rather, a BIG cup of soothing Earl Grey Tea please!

This week was rather interesting with me discovering that it was World Suicide Prevention Day which I never heard of before. The following is a really great and simple, easy-to-read site with some startling facts and stats: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Suicide_Prevention_Day. This year the theme was "One World." Suicide Prevention Week was also this week.

My posts were as follows: Here’s a recap of my week’s posts starting with Monday, September 8th:

I had originally intended to title this post as "Mental Health Monday..." but it would have been too long a title and it was long enough already. I felt and wanted it to be part of this series that I had started after the death of Robin Williams, a beloved American actor and comedian.

Instead, the post became "Part 3: Aftermath of a Brilliant Comic’s Death: Funnyman AKA Robin Williams" which was about the stigma of mental illness. I know and have known a number of people with mental health issues, primarily depression, but also PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), bipolar disorder, etc. They are still people, still humans, just like you and I!

Me and my love of the moon and stars at night prompted my second(?) posting on the sensational Supermoon, "Tantalizing Tuesday: Supermoon No. 5 in 2014" where I – with that beautiful photo I wish I took – wrote about the relationship to the Law of Attraction (LOA) which was another theme of mine this week in part, as well as a phenomena known as the "observer effect" which thrilled me when I first read it a few years ago.

My original "Word-less" Wednesday was transformed to "World Suicide Prevention Day & Suicide Prevention Week" as I had just discovered that they were the themes for that day and the week. I was astounded by some of the mind-blowing stats, sad to hear.

This with a photo I took which I absolutely love – the same is hanging at my workplace for now - touched ever so slightly on the three main criteria for suicide, then onto a brief story about my life on one of the factors, followed by a brief mention of two potential lifesaving supports (though one may not be apparent generally under certain circumstances).

I changed Thursday’s post title to "Self-Love: Suicide Prevention". This post was actually meant to be part 3 with Friday’s post as Part 2; however, I switched them around for some reason though can't recall now. (I'm sure I had a good reason though.) I spoke about why I wanted to die most of my life, until a certain point.

Friday’s post and title was changed as well. Instead of Part 3, I changed it to LOA: - short for Law of Attraction - Suicide, Homicide, and Me. This posting was relatively easy to write physically, but I was surprised, shocked even, that I still had emotion come up at the end after I posted it. I thought I had forgiven, dealt with the situation, and moved on with a clean slate. After all, it happened years ago!

I realized I didn’t add questions to Thursday's and Friday's Part 2 and 3 so added those before I post this one!

Again, thank you to my robust readers, faithful followers, and courageous commenters! Love you all! :) <3 (There may be better words to describe my readers and commenters, but that's what came to my mind immediately and I can't seem to think of any others. If you have better descriptors, let me know and I may consider changing it!) ;)

Smorgasbord Saturday: 1st Week of Ultra Blog Challenge

As per Kathy Hadley's email suggestion about Ultra Blog Challenge postings, I have come up with some of my own versions of themes for the day. They may change slightly per week and/or per per month; however, my intent is to post shorter blogs as much as possible:

(1) I understand how much time and effort it can take to read and/or comment on blogs (2) how much time and effort for me to read and/or research, write, download information/images/videos, and post blog postings (3) I prefer to be outside on especially nice days such as the bright sunny one today, and (4) have a life other than blogging, though don't get me wrong, I do enjoy it!

So here is a recap of my weeks posts (if I am interpreting this correctly):

Amusingly, I started the Ultra Blog Challenge on the wrong foot (though apparently not the only one), when I wrote about "Another Ultimate Blog Challenge" only to realize, though similar in name, it is slightly different. ;) I wrote about why I reconsidered another month of daily blogging and why perhaps you may choose to too!: http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/09/an-ultra-blog-challenge.html

I met five new people that day - thank you for your comments - two whom I had met prior via the Ultimate Blog Challenge! ;)

And Tuesday, thinking it was Monday after a long weekend, was originally going to be "Mental Health Monday" as a theme in lieu of somewhere where I read 'health' was the theme for this month. I entitled it, "Part 2: Aftermath of a Brilliant Comic’s Death: Funnyman Robin Williams": http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/09/part-2-aftermath-of-brilliant-comics.html. It is a slightly longer post (though not too long) with some facts about mental health and a fun-filled video featuring Bobby McFerrin and Robin Williams, the late beloved actor and comedian.

"Word-less" - a word I created (as I love inventing words) - Wednesday displays a photo I took last year with a very brief post, my shortest in fact: http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/09/word-less-wednesday.htmlNo comments that day, thus far! ;)

On Thursday, the theme was "Talented Thursday" and I changed the title to end with, "Blogging AND...?!" which you will understand when you read it: http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/09/talented-thursday-blogging-and.html. This was from my perspective as a blogger who is a singleton.

Last but not least, for "Frolicking Fun Friday: Painting with Fire," I wrote about something entertaining that I thought you might enjoy, albeit I couldn't seem to download the videos my friend took: http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/09/frolicking-fun-friday-painting-with-fire.html

"Smorgasbord Saturday" is named as I am recapping my posts that span a variety of subjects.

Thank you to my robust readers, faithful followers, and courageous commenters! Love you all! :) <3 (There may be better words to describe my readers and commenters, but that's what came to my mind immediately and I can't seem to think of any others. If you have better descriptors, let me know and I may consider changing it!) ;)