Larry: People just don't understand what is involved in this. This an art-form! You know, I think that most people just think that I hold a camera and point at stuff, but there is a *heck* of a lot more to it than just that.
~Groundhog Day
So here we are: Groundhog Day, 2009. If it's February, then it must be the next One Post a Day (OPAD) challenge, the gauntlet thrown down this time by none other than Allan Gyorke. Anyone who remembers the first round last August knows that I had to bail because, quite simply, blogging each day while prepping the start of a new school semester was waaaaay more than I could handle. The beginning of the semester is always overwhelming, and add to it The Rules By Cole (specifically that everything would be relevant to educational technology) meant that I suffered from a severe case of paralysis by analysis in my blog writing. Everything had to be timely, and interesting, and well written, and thought provoking (Shelby Thayer, anyone?). And we all know that's really not how I role. I'm the exuberance, the community, the engagement. I'm about the people, the connection, the passion.
Allan's initial OPAD blog post explains his rules this time around; I actually think his take on things is more in alignment with my views than Cole's OPAD challenge last August. Per Cole, his posts would be every day, and relevant observations. Well, heck. That immediately put me into paralysis by analysis, because I felt every post had to be perfect. Let's face it: there are simply not enough hours in the day for work, play, family, duties, and obsessive writing and editing. Oh yeah, and sleep. So I couldn't keep up, and finally gave up.
This time around I am starting with a looser definition of blogging. Here are Allan's rules, bent to suit me and the multitude of demands on my time (Don't mess with me, Porkchop!):
So I think that's it in a nutshell. We squirrels are starting all over again, collecting our One Post a Day nuts. Let me know if you're joining in the conversation. I think we just might make it this time.
This time around I am starting with a looser definition of blogging. Here are Allan's rules, bent to suit me and the multitude of demands on my time (Don't mess with me, Porkchop!):
- At least one post on this blog, every work day in February. Yep, that's a given. However, I'm going to try some structure in when I blog during the day. I've actually reclaimed my desk and work area due to the moving out of TheCoed, so I'm going to use it to target an early morning blog time while the house is quiet and before I get caught up in work. If that falls through, then it will end up being the typical 11:00pm, hurry-up-and-come-up-with-something-witty-before-midnight post. So be it.
- I can make more than one post here or additional posts on other sites, but those don't count toward anything. Actually, I will make most--if not all--posts here, but if I do create a post somewhere else related to work, I will trackback to it here. Or write it here and trackback to it there. I figure I'm within my rights to fudge this point.
- If, GOD FORBID, I miss a day, then I plan to keep going with the challenge and I'll make up an extra post on the weekend. I like this one because it keeps the spirit and doesn't make me feel like a failure if it's 12:05am and I've missed the boat. Sometimes I've gotta cut myself a little slack.
- Posts have to be more substantial than "check this out [link]". Links, videos, images, and other embedded objects are fine, but they need to have some original commentary. Which is precisely why my Tumblr site doesn't qualify for OPAD.
- I am not planning on sticking to a theme. Period. I'll try to make it relevant to educational technology, or social networking, or web 2.0, or community engagement, or ... well, okay, pretty much anything's fair game as long as I can make an interesting argument for it.
- I plan to comment on three to five other blog posts each week. I know this is probably the weakest statement ever, but I want to be realistic as opposed to setting myself up for failure. After all, blogging (to me) is about being engaged with your audience, and starting the conversation. What good is throwing a party if no one comes?
So I think that's it in a nutshell. We squirrels are starting all over again, collecting our One Post a Day nuts. Let me know if you're joining in the conversation. I think we just might make it this time.
Rita: What did you do today?
Phil: Oh, same-old same-old.
~Groundhog Day
I'm glad you're giving it another shot Robin. It's nice to have company when doing something like the one-post-a-day challenge. Plus I love Groundhog Day!