Last but not Least: Tribute to Indian Bloggers and Other Bloggers

"Whoa, I'm not done yet!" (Photo by Roberto Kaplan)

This is going to sound crazy, silly perhaps even, but I did not realize that today is the last day of the month for the Ultra Blog Challenge! No way! Weird! How can that be? Why did I think I had Wednesday as well? Time just snuck up on me. That's what happens when you write late at night I suppose! ;)

I had at least one if not two more posts I wanted to write for this month. In fact, one is in draft form entitled, Indian summer. Gosh, maybe I should retract the coffee/tea blog post, a prompt from WriteTribe but I already posted! Oh dear, what a dilemma! :(

Ok, I have an idea. In that case, I am posting two as I understand we can...right? ;) Well, now that it's the end of the month, who cares (anyway)?! ;)

A quote I wanted to share with all you, before you leave, from the beloved late actor, Robin Williams is the following: "No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world."

I think us writers know that, that "the pen is mightier than the sword" in changing lives, the world even. Isn't that what we want? I know I certainly do!

So I say: Write. Keep writing. Keep on writing. As you do, your life will change, and those of others around you.

My plan for October? Take it easy or rather easier, like posting when Spirit strikes me as I have been dealing with health challenges and pain for almost three weeks. Getting organized by catching up I hope on housework (like dishes) and papers.

I hope to 'see' a lot of you again soon, especially the regulars I follow and who follow me...love you all! And yeah, that includes all you Indie bloggers! ;) <3 ... I already feel sad to say goodbye, even temporarily to ALL of you, all around the world, as I feel a part of this blogging, this blogospheric community and tribe...it is a small world after all! ;) (heart shape as blogspot doesn't like my heart symbol unfortunately)

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!) ;)

An Ultra Blog Challenge?

At the end of July, the Ultimate Blog Challenge - daily blog posting - I wrote that I would probably not reconsider - why not? - participating in a daily blog post challenge (except that I do love the pretty blue badge my blog got to embellish, don't you? Didn't know about that till just recently!).

Read that post now to find out and some reasons for reconsidering joining a similar venture, the Ultra Blog Challenge (UBC): http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/07/last-day-whew-july-31st.html, reasons you may wish to join.

Due to signing up for Kathy Hadley's UBC program and that I enjoy - no, love to write - creative writing that is, and that I was featured as a guest blogger on one of my newfound friend's blog - truly exciting! - were reasons for compelling me to do so.

Take a few moments to read my fictional story at http://vinodinii.blogspot.in/2014/08/my-newfound-friend.html and tell me what you think.

Writing a bio - I had expected a shortened version - for Vinodini Iyer's blog (whose fictional story writing is catchy and compelling) actually motivated me to change my profile, to the right of this posting. ;)

What motivates you to write? I'd love to know!

Half the Battle with Ultimate Blog Challenge

Photo of me a few years ago by Roberto Kaplan (those were my signature earrings!)

I realize posting every day this month, thus far, that half 'the battle' is deciding what topic to write about. And speaking of 'half' I am glad that this Ultimate Blog Challenge (UBC) is more than half over!

Please understand, I do enjoy writing, love to 'write' actually - I type 99.99% of the time - and blog. However, at this time, due to full-time work and other responsibilities including community volunteer work, it is a challenge for me to blog on a daily basis. (I'm sure I'm not the only one!)

And besides, I truly wish to be different and stand out, not be like everyone else (ok, maybe not everybody) in posting daily or almost daily.

Really, who has the time nowadays to read all these blog postings, in addition to books and other writings (magazines, articles, etc.) anyway? That is why my preference is to write, usually, biweekly. Depending on the number of weeks per month, that entails two postings, sometimes three. I throw in an extra posting occasionally on a whim, when the urge and/or inspiration strikes me to do so.

Even though my posts have varied extremely, bouncing around topics like a striked ping pong ball, I am still on track, at least in my mind. More often than not, I do my best to keep with the themes as stated on my blog home page that weave through my writing and questions: our essence (beingness), authenticity, self-expression, and gifts (talents) in the hopes of inspiring and/or empowering some of you from time to time.

Originally my blog's intent was to inform people, the general public (particularly in my community) about me as to who I am and what my alternative youth choir (what I used to term "co-creative children's and youth choir") was about. Read http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2010/07/call-to-action.html (Call to Action) and Why Me? Why this Choir? http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2010/07/why-me-why-this-choir.html.

The choir is an ongoing project for now. I expect to relaunch next year if all goes well, that is, according to 'plan.' Time will tell...

For those of you who blog or write (or type) daily, what challenges do you face? What do you do when you are blocked with your writing? What techniques/tools/tips do you use to ensure you have an abundance of material/ideas/inspiration/creativity to fuel you?