BlogAir To Vancouver.

Hi there, yes it's me, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar!  My human dad, Gary, is about to take a plane to Vancouver.  Okay, he's actually leaving on the morning of September 19.  I said goodbye to him yesterday, September 15.  From now and up until October 7, I will be staying with my human brother, Tristan and his girlfriend, Sue.  From the evening of Friday, October 7 until Sunday afternoon, October 9, I will be staying with Gary's ex wife because Sue and Tristan will be spending the weekend in Munich, Germany.  Gary arrives back on October 9.

This means that a soon as Gary gets back from Manchester airport in the taxi, he'll be getting into his car to come and get me.  I hope he remembers which side of the road to drive on.

While I'm pawing this pawst, I visualise Gary doing his final preparations for his trip to Canada.  I sensed how stressed he was because there was over three weeks of him wondering if he would even be allowed to board the plane.  He seems so much better now he knows that all is okay.

It's going to be a real challenge for him.  For my human dad has lots of anxiety and he's travelling on his own.  He hates travelling on his own.  I wish I could of gone with him.  Alas, the logistics would have been too much.

Then again, he is flying on the blogger's favourite airline, "BlogAir".  Hopefully, whatever blogger who ends up sitting beside him doesn't start going on and on and on about blog hops, blog fests or anything to do with the alphabark, um, alphabet!  Hopefully, whatever blogger who ends up sitting beside him doesn't go into acronym overdrive, such as, " I'm doing YA writing with an MG theme and my WIP is coming along real good!"  WTF!!?  ARF! 

You might have realised that I have actually worked for BlogAir.  However, Penny the Pawlet has now retired.  Shame really because I could of taken Gary to Vancouver and had a brief stopover meeting his friends, family and of course, his adoring fans.  Yes, Gary's delusional.  We must humour him.

I will miss Gary and I know he will miss me.  It will be wonderful to see him when he gets back. Gary, if you do get onto a computer when you're in British Columbia, pawlease, pawlease, bring me back some delicious Canadian doggy treats!  

You will note the comments section is switched off.  My paws need to pause.  Pawsitive wishes, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar! 

Blog Fests And More Jests!

I want to thank Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar for taking over the blog while I've been having strange dreams about the alphabet in reverse.

Penny has got me to thinking.  Yes, I've been known to occasionally think.  I realise that a number of bloggers are engrossed with all things relating to blog hops, blog fests, blog tours and a bizarre fascination with the 26 letter alphabet.

Thus, once again, I offer you some more blog hoppety suggestions.  Do with them as you wish.

How about a blog hippety hoppety for the animals in our lives?  No, I'm not referring to your partner, if you have one.  Of course, I'm referring to this.

Yes indeedy do, a blog hop dedicated to just how much our loving animal family members mean to us.  You might adore an aardvark.  You may be blessed by a bulldog.  Perhaps, you're charmed by a cat!  And logistics aside, you might even have zeal for a zebra.  Yes, note the A to Z alert!

This would be a blog fest where we go and leave the comment, "Great Post!  Thanks for Sharing!", to those drive-by bloggers who leave the comment on our sites that states, "Great Post!  Thanks for Sharing!"

You could really get into the flow with this one.  Think of all those times you let out a sneaky fart and tried to blame the dog.  Or the time you thought it was going to be a safe fart and you got a bit of a surprise.  Remember how you then tried to dash to the toilet hoping the folks at the biggest posh social event of the year hadn't noticed your unfortunate accident.  You might even mention the time you let one rip in the elevator and got out on the next floor, leaving those still inside to ponder and give suspicious looks to their fellow elevator passengers.  

A fun-filled, flatulence festival for fascinating, finicky, forthright, frenzied, frantic functions. 

Please try to keep, "The Fart Fest Blog Hop", fairly short.  A maximum of 300 turds, um words.

Blogfest Detox.

While my ridiculous human is off searching for a clone or a cloning machine, I have decided to take over and help him out, yet again!

I have received millions of emails that have asked me for help.  They often start out like this, "Dear Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar, I need your help!  I'm addicted to blog hops and blogfests and writing competitions and writing challenges and I have this weird fascination with the alphabet and I can't seem to stop writing run-on sentences.  Penny, I'm begging you.  Can you help?"

So I send back an email stating, "Why this fascination with all those things?"  The reply to my email goes something like this, "I love to be a part of a sharing, caring blogging community.  Okay, maybe I have some other reasons.  I join those challenges and even create my own challenges because I want to ego-trip and accumulate followers.  There, I said it.  What should I do, Penny?  I'm obsessed!"

I reply, "My human friend, you need a  blogfest detox.  Try staying away from all those tours and just do some writing that shows your originality.  It will take some practice, but you can do this.  I'm here to help you.  You have my total support.".

So concerned are the good folks at the "Blogger's Information Hotline", they have set up an additional number you can call if you need a trained counsellor to help you through the blogfest detox process.  Which means, in addition to all the other number choices below, you will now note that number for the blogfest detox.

"For the latest blogfests information, press one.  For the latest blog hops information, press two.  To set up your own blogfest, or blog hop, or blog party that you make out is because you care about positive interaction, but actually it's your way of accumulating followers, press three. For the latest information on how to be a blatant blogging self-promoter, press four or three..  For how to be even better at leaving vague comments that have absolutely nothing to do with the posting,  press five.  To learn to be really good at being a cynical blogger, press six.  To find out how to be an incredibly sarcastic blogger, press seven.  To leave comments to humour 'comedy' bloggers and pretend that their stuff is funny, when you know it isn't, press eight.  To find out more about "IWSG" or 'I Was Seeking Gary', press nine.  To have all the options repeated and to add your own suggestions to the Blogger's Information Hotline, press zero.

For a priority call right through to a blogfest detox counsellor, press the * key, followed by the # key, followed by the 0 key, followed by listening to a recorded message that tells you all our blogfest detox counsellors are busy and please call back in a year's time."

A 'Guessed' Posting.

First off, I wish to thank Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar for doing the previous pawsting, um posting.  I know she hastily did her poetic post so that we could move on from seeing my "tough dude" face in the posting before her posting.

I'm running a little behind. Or maybe it's a big behind.  Bottoms up.  I have an announcement to make that should of been made on Friday, July 26,  2013.  Told you I was a little or big behind.

I was asked by the kind and lovable Damyanti if I would possibly do a guest posting. Would I like to do a cynical, satirical, sarcastic, maybe even bordering on witty guest posting?  A guest posting that alluded to my thoughts on social 'notworks' such as, 'Farcebook'. Yes, that fascinating place where you can read my vital to your life, profile updates.  If you're not on Farcebook, gosh, think what you've been missing.

I was even considering posting up my thoughts on Damyanti's site in regards to blogfests, blog hops, blog parties, blog tours, blog challenges and the dreaded, "A to Z Challenge" that hijacks the month of  April. Oh how I look forward to the month of May. Only to discover A to Z reflection posts about reflection posts about reflection posts.  Before you know it, it's April 2014 and the darned thing starts all over again.

Do I mention that Damyanti is a co-host of the A to Z Challenge?  I suppose I just did.  The irony is not lost on me. In fact, more irony, even though I'd rather be publicly humiliated in the stocks at the local market square, I have, in my own discreet way, promoted the darned thing for those who might consider participating.

If you've never had the delight of visiting our friend, Damyanti's site, you will find the link to her site below. You will note that not only does she write thoughtful musings, she displays the ethos of bringing further awareness of her fellow writers and bloggers.  I'm grateful to know her. Damyanti, thank you for the opportunity to guest post and I wish to apologise that I somewhat screwed up by doing a serious guest post. I owe you something tongue-in-cheek.

 Here's the link to Damyanti's site and my guest post : Writing on Writing : Amlokiblogs

In Other News

The collaboration writing challenge is ongoing.  I would like to pass on my gratitude to Samantha Geary for getting this endeavour so well organised.  To check out the continuing story, you can find it here: Tree of Life: Branching Out

And even more news.  There's some sort of anti-blogfest circulating the wonderful world of blogging.  Can you believe it?   If for some weird reason, you want to get involved and you haven't already, here it is in all its glorious irony, "The Anti-Blogfest Gary Fest".  The info about this non-contest can be found via these fine collection of well meaning folks.

Here are the list of hosts!

Mark “Madman” Koopmans, 

Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh, 

“Life is Good” Tina,

Rockin’ Robyn Engel

Morgan “The Morg” Shamy. 

Ready to check out Damyanti's site and that guest posting?
Excited about the "Tree of Life: Branching Out" collaboration story?
Thrilled beyond belief about the anti-blogfest?
Smooth or crunchy peanut butter?  Both?  Or neither?
Your favourite superhero?
Your favourite monster?
Your favourite movie?
IWSG?
Why is this posting so long?
Have you visited Ninja Captain Alex!?

WARNING! Coming Soon To A Computer Screen Near You!

Blog hop this and blog hop that

I've even heard of a rhyming cat

Blogfests are all over the place

Gather followers in cyberspace

A blog hop should be for a bunny

So many of them it just aint funny

A blogfest you might of guessed

Is nothing more than promoting jest.

There's some kind "Anti-Blogfest" starting to circulate out in Blogland or Blogsville, or whatever the heck it's called.  The title of the anti-blogfest is the, "Anti-Blogfest Gary Fest".  And hey, and yay, it even has hosts. You know you've made the big times when you have hosts involved.  According to my sources, which are several, including a Jack Russell dog, a bewildered hedgehog and a collection of wee folks, this here anti-blogfest was the brainchild of "Mazza" aka Mark "Mad Maaaan" Koopmans.  Have you ever noticed those obsessed with blog hops and blog fests and blog parties and alphabet challenges, use the word "brainchild" to note the blogger that started the whole kit and kaboodle?  The nifty neato button above was designed by Morgan.  Thank you, Morgan.  Thank you all so much.  As Sally Field once uttered, "I haven't had an orthodox career and I've wanted more than anything to have your respect.  The first time I didn't feel it, but this time I feel it--and I can't deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me!"

Here are the list of hosts!

Mark “Madman” Koopmans, 

Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh, 

“Life is Good” Tina,

Rockin’ Robyn Engel

Morgan “The Morg” Shamy. 

"The rules are *very* simple."   Rules?  What?

"Create the titles of three PG-13 rated blogfests you would never join and then add a descriptive sentence or two.  That's it!"

For examples to inspire you in the amazing anti-blogfest, it's probably best you go check out the links to the hosts above.  If you are one of the hosts in the links above, you already know what your examples are.

Hey and thanks for the irony!   

An Award, A Non-Award And A BlogFest That Doesn't Exist.

To my utter amazement, I have been bestowed the above award,  yes, it's, "The New Slightly Enhanced LIEBSTER AWARD", not to be confused with the, Lobster Award, I mean, the "Liebster Award".  Our slightly eccentric friend, Rob, over at, ...The Slightly Eccentric Diary of Rob Z. Tobor...has graced me with his own, unique award.  Rob, I'm thrilled, honoured and I wish I'd prepared a speech.  

If you haven't visited Rob's blog, please do so.  It's often surreal, clever and basically confuses my last two brain cells.  

Now there aint no rules, as such.  Okay, I really should pass on this award so others can then pass on this award and so on and on and on until the whole planet has this new slightly enhanced version of the Lobster, the Liebster Award.  I was told I can do as I wish with this award.  Bidding will soon start on eBay.  Thank you, Rob, you are the bestest.

So for no reason whatsoever, I bestow the award onto the following bloggers.  All of you, yes the millions of starstruck fans who visit this site.  Grab the photo and think of ...The Slightly Eccentric Diary of Rob Z. Tobor...

Now looky here, y'all!  The above photo is of a cat.  I can deal with that.  It's actually the photo from an extraordinarily special NON-AWARD, dedicated to an elite few.  The elite few has been whittled down to one.  Nothing liking being whittled.  Well, I 'wood' say that.  Ha ha, gosh, comedy bloggers, take note.

Anyhoo, the NON-AWARD has been carefully, thoughtfully,.lovingly created for me, yes me, just me!  I announce to you that I'm the recipient of the Sad Oddity, sorry, I announce to you that I'm the recipient of the "SADOTY" aka "Super Award Dodger Of  The Year", NON-AWARD.  

Oh yeah, there are rules to follow.

1. I must never pass it on.

2. I must never reveal ANYTHING about myself.  Penalties are heavy if I do.

3. No Linkbacks are allowed.  Ever.

4. It self-destructs almost immediately after being claimed.  Stand back.

I think non-congratulations are in order for me.  In the true spirit of this NON-AWARD, I will not make mention of who bestowed this NON-AWARD on my good self.  Thus, absolutely no mention of, C. LEE McKENZIE!

The Blog Hop To Get You Hopping Glad!

Yes, this is the ultimate in Blog Hops.  Get on your bunny costume, your kangaroo suit and get hopping! Tell the toad!  Find the frog!   If you don't know Jack......

.....here's Jack Rabbit still wearing a jacket.  No doubt anxiously waiting for yet another Blog Hop!

To get you in the mood for yet another Blog Hop, listening to British Hip Hop music aka East London Grime music, may well do the trick.

Go to a restaurant to get your energy up for yet another Blog Hop.  Maybe, order some 'puncakes'.

Later on, maybe get a 'Hopsicle'.  Then again, this being a British ice cream van, you can't purchase a 'Hopsicle'.  

To get your euphoric excitement to another level for this Blog Hop, you might pretend you're a Spring Chicken.

Playfully posing perhaps pretending portly penguin pop, pop, pops pogo prancing.  

Oh no, Ogopogo on a pogo stick.  I don't think so.  Leave Ogopogo for your 'Favourite Monsters Blog Hop!'

Space hopper invasion in Barcelona!  Look at all those folks getting prepared for this Blog Hop!

Not to be confused with Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar!, this is,. "Slinky Dog". Slinky Dog likes to spring into action when it comes to Dog Hops.  Very much like a Springer Spaniel.  

"Who walks the stair without a care

It shoots so high in the sky

Bounce up and down, just like a clown

Everyone knows it's Slinky"  

Welcome to the "The Hopping Glad Blog Hop!"  A Blog Hop that needs an exercise video to go with it.  A Blog Hop where you quite literally discuss anything to do with hops, skips or jumps.   For further practice for this Blog Hop, hop on a bus, or a plane, or into your car, or into a canoe.  Maybe forget about hopping into a canoe.  

Bypass the millions of millions of Blog Hop fanatics listed below so you can actually get to the section where you comment!

Hopalong David Cassidy, blog.
Jumpin' Jack Flash is a Pain in the Ass, blog
Hop on Popcorn, blog
Hop Goes the Easel Bouncing Art, blog
Hop Springs Eternal, blog
Blogs Bunny, blog
I Get By With A Little Hop From My Friends, blog
Hotblogs, Jumping Frogs, Albuquerque, blog
Bad Hare Day, blog
Some Like It Hop, blog




What is a blog hop?

Get the code here...                                                                                                          S(linky)  Tools 

Dragon And On In Hope And Friendship.

Okay, what the heck, I've received another award.  And, what the howl, the award has a bunch of wolves on it.  Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar looked at the photo and started howling.  

"Semper Fidelis" comes from Latin and means, "always faithful" or, "always loyal".  The motto is used by the United States Marine Corps and also the Mexican Navy.  Incidentally, the motto is on the Coat of Arms of the city of Exeter, Devon, England, which can be observed in the right photo.

Now then, back to the award.  Al Diaz, over at, Father Dragon Writes, very thoughtfully bestowed the "Semper Fidelis award" upon me.  In the spirit of the meaning of the award, I do try to maintain an always faithful, always loyal demeanour.  I know I've been blessed getting to know Al and I know you may well have been blessed visiting such an open, honest, thoughtful and clever blog.  Al, I'm most appreciative of receiving the award.  Thank you, my friend.

Oh no, here are the rules :

1 :  Add the Semper Fidelis Award logo somewhere on your blog.  
2:  Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.  
3 :  Nominate five bloggers whose loyalty, friendship you value and you consider being part of your "pack of wolves".   
4 :  Post something special for each one of your nominees and dedicate it to them.  Such as a quote, saying, poem, picture.  Anything you think would pertain to that person.
5 :  Let the nominees know that you've nominated them.  

Okay, those were the rules.  I hate rules.  Now I have to pick five people and hope I don't upset anybody I might have overlooked.   Such a dilemma and please forgive me.  Pretty please.  Here goes......

Ah yes, the ever smiling, Tammy Theriault.  I've had the great privilege of much good natured interaction with Tammy, via an interview and quirky comments.  And beyond the joking around, lies a sincere, kind lady who is the epitome of awesomeness.  If you have never visited Tammy's site, why not?  You can find the happy, smiley Tammy, here, Tammy Theriault

Tammy, I dedicate the award to you and much success with your recently finished book, "Living RunAway".

Here is my dear friend, Kim Thomas.   Kim is a remarkable lady and has a passion to see vulnerable creatures treated in a humane, caring way.  On her site, which is more like her beloved dog, CindyLu's site, you can experience the concern and caring demonstrated by Kim.  Her site can be found here, CindyLu's Muse.   Kim, I treasure your friendship and I'm wishing that your life continues to move on in a more positive way.  I dedicate this award to you.

My kind friend, Sue, over at her site in Canberra, has meant a huge amount to me with her supportive interaction.  When I stayed online all of Christmas Day to be there for others who might have been lonely, or just wanted a chat, Sue checked in on me to see how I was.  I haven't forgotten how much that meant to me.  Above is a photo of her two playful cats, "Jazz and Jewel".  You can discover her marvellous site with superb photos, here, Elephant's Child   Sue, my kind friend, I dedicate this award to you.

One of the most supportive and nicest ladies I have the pleasure of interacting with is Delores.  Delores graces me with a comment on a regular basis  She leaves some of the nicest comments I receive.  Delores even had a virtual blog party for me to celebrate my fifth blogging anniversary, what she noted in an after post was this, Speak Up.  To discover Delores' blog as it is now, please go here, thefeatherednest.  Delores, I value your friendship and I dedicate this award to you.  

How could I possibly forget Tina Downey?  Tina and I have had plenty of good natured banter.  While I satirised the alphabet challenge so near and dear to her heart, she took it all in her stride.  Tina shares with me the powerful gift of empathy as we both try to reduce the unfair stigma that still surrounds mental health issues.  Much respect and admiration to you, dear friend.  Tina can be discovered here,  Life is Good.  Tina, I dedicate this award to you.

That's five folks, right?  Yes, I really hate this dilemma.  Who to pick and not hurt anyone's feelings.  And yes, they are all ladies.  What can I say.  Only this, those who have been included in my list must not feel obliged to acknowledge the award.  It's entirely up to you, ladies.  Thank you all for your friendship and it's party time at my place!

Ha! Ha! And Ha!   When our delightful Mexican friend, Al Diaz, posted something special about me, yes me, Al not only said some very kind things about me, yes me, but there was also a matching photo to evidently represent all of Al's nominees.  Much to my surprise, the above photo supposedly relates to me.

Am I now going to go on a rant?  Of course not.  This means I wont go on a rant about blogfests, or bloghops, or blog parties, or reflection posts about reflection posts about the amazing alphabet challenge. This also means that I will most definitely not rant about the fact that whenever a bloghop or whatever is on, virtually my entire blog list is on that bloghop theme.  How much of the same stuff repeated, over and over and over again, can my frazzled brain take..  The good thing about those themed posts is I can copy and paste my comment to each person involved in the blogfest, or bloghop, or blog party, or book tour, or whatever..."Argggggggghhhhh!  I feel better now!"

Finally, yes finally, thanks again, Al Diaz at, Father Dragon Writes, for your kind gesture.  Like you've been here for me, I shall continue to be there for you.  Despite some of the silly stuff I write, I want you to know that my true ideal is to share the gift of empathy and understanding.  That's powerful.

Before this posting starts to ahem, dragon, it will suddenly end!  

Press The "Hash" Key.

At the Blogger's Information Hotline, we do value your feedback from Gary's previous posting.  Several of you pressed zero to listen to all the options again and you were given the opportunity to pass on suggestions to us.  We have listened to your suggestions.  So thanks to you who actually got through to a human by giving up on pressing zero and pressed the hash key which looks like this, #.  And no, we have no idea why it's called a hash key.

Rum-Punch Drunk stated, "That's brilliant Gary. Can't stop laughing right now. You should have done a real poll next to your post and got people to press the buttons just to see the end results and added a little 'Bloggy Wonderland' music too, ha ha ha.  I wonder what button Penny would have pushed.. Great stuff."
We shall partly compromise, Rum-Punch Drunk and above is the music that those of you who haven't been able to get through to us, would actually hear, if you could get through to us.  

mybabyjohn/Delores stated, "But, if like Gary, you blog to expand others horizons, entertain, spread love peace and positivity....press 'star' because you are."  We have taken note of Delores' comment and we are touched by that.  In honour of her comment, we have now incorporated the star button, which looks like this, *, into our system.  If you press the star button, you will find out about bloggers we consider to embrace the all different, all equal ethos.

Al Diaz stated, "Gary, my friend, you forgot the "your call is important to us" line. And what about customer service? There must be someone you can yell at if something goes wrong in your blog. Maybe a robot that says "We care because you care" sort of thing. All companies have one."  We shall be changing our opening part when you have been spending an eternity waiting, by stating, "Please hang on, listen to 'Bloggy Wonderland' and know your call is important to us."  As for customer service, Al, um ha ha!  

Cherie Reich stated,  "What a fun post! It's a shame I'm too scared of phones to call. ;)"  We are saddened to hear that, Cherie.  I guess you'll just have to face the fax :)

L. Diane Wolfe stated,  "Is there a crisis number? One for those of us overwhelmed by all of it?"  We realise there is an urgency for such a number. Thus, we shall shortly be setting up a special number that takes you to the recorded sounds of whales.  

Sherry Ellis stated,  "Funny! I think I should press 3 to find out how to set up a blog hop. That might actually be useful."    Oh no, what have we done!?

Elise Fallson stated, "*presses 5* Great post! In other news, a group of frogs is called an army, but a group of toads is called a knot. (;"  To which we reply, Great comment! Thanks for sharing! I've noticed that there's a petition to have an official "Hedgehog Appreciation Day." I fondly recall my AMC Javelin. Quite a sporty number, red with white stripes.....

Julie Luek stated,  "If I press 6 three times, can I expect evil things to follow? This was hysterical"  If you press six, three times, you get directly through to some dude named Damien.

David stated, "Hi Gary,I think I'll press zero and have all the information relayed to me once again and then add my own category of "sycophantic comment leaver". This is a great post, Gary. Really funny. You're so wonderful. Really, I'm your number one fan! Very Best Wishes, your way, David."  David, we at  the Blogger's Information Hotline, completely agree with you.  

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com stated,  "Oh no, sorry. I seem to have misdialed. I meant to call the Adult Entertainment XXX Hotline. Never mind. *Click* Very funny post, Gary.  xoRobyn"  Robyn, we have noted your comment on Gary's blog and we are going to be setting up a * 69, number.  Oops, wait a sec, that's last call return.  Have to come up with another number that you can dial and will cost you an absolute fortune to use.

Laura Eno stated,  "Oh my... What happens if I repeatedly press 0? Will I become stuck in an interdimensional loop? Quite humorous, Gary. :D"  Yes you will. In unreality, you are not actually reading this within this dimension, but you are in alternate universe.

lotta joy stated, "Is there a number to press when the sidebar on EVERYONE'S blogs jiggles up and down? I have to read blogs at my own risk of getting a migraine!"  Nothing more annoying that a jiggling sidebar. We blame it on those who insist on having so many applications on their site that it takes two hours to load up their blog and actually read the darned thing. By that time, personally, we've lost the will to live. Press zero, listen to 'Bloggy Wonderland' and if you actually get through to a Blogger representative, you can make a suggestion to have the technical department try and eliminate the jiggling. Hint, just press the hash key. In the meantime, please try to avoid having a migraine by ignoring all those sites with the jiggling sidebars, which I guess, includes your own :)

Lisa stated, "I love # 9!!!! Actually they were all great. What a cool idea. Wish I could actually have that on my blog on the comments part... I'm laughing out loud now!"  We at the Blogger's Information Hotline, most assuredly agree with what you have mentioned.  We do hope you have some fun with this cool idea.

ilima stated, "I finally found the true meaning of IWSG...haha."  Ah yes, "I Was Seeking Gary."  We have noted that this been a good way for those participating at the other "IWSG" to remind them and others to maybe get involved with that one.  

Alex J. Cavanaugh stated,  "I guess I'll be pressing nine! Don't need more followers. Just want to support the ones I have now."  At the Blogger's Information Hotline, we would like to inform you that when you press number nine, it takes you to here,  Alex J. Cavanaugh: The Insecure Writer's Support Group  We have noted that "I Was Seeking Gary", has been a great way to remind folks who might like to check out the link.

At the Blogger's Information Hotline, we paid full attention to the comments in the previous posting.  And these were but a sample.  We truly appreciated all of them.  If none of this posting makes any sense to you, maybe the previous posting, might make things clearer, Blogger's Information Hotline.  Then again, perhaps not.

Good grief, what a long posting.  "Hello" if you skimmed to here! 

Blogger's Information Hotline.

"Welcome to the Blogger's Information Hotline.  For the latest blogfests information, press one.  For the latest blog hops information, press two.  To set up your own blogfest, or blog hop, or blog party that you make out is because you care about positive interaction, but actually it's your way of accumulating followers, press three. For the latest information on how to be a blatant blogging self-promoter, press four or three..  For how to be even better at leaving vague comments that have absolutely nothing to do with the posting,  press five.  To learn to be really good at being a cynical blogger, press six.  To find out how to be an incredibly sarcastic blogger, press seven.  To leave comments to humour 'comedy' bloggers and pretend that their stuff is funny, when you know it isn't, press eight.  To find out more about "IWSG" or 'I Was Seeking Gary', press nine.  To have all the options repeated and to add your own suggestions to the Blogger's Information Hotline, press zero."

""Please stay on the line. Keep listening to 'Bloggy Wonderland'.  There are one million calls ahead of you....."

Blogfest? You Jest?

Here is a list of blogfest ideas.  Of course, they probably wont happen because they don't involve the alphabet.

The "BlogPest BlogFest" : Yes, I suggested this in a previous posting.  Thanks to the overwhelming response to this idea, it has made me give it some serious thought.  Just imagine a wonderful blogfest where we did a posting on a blogger that aggravates us so much that we would much rather go to a Justin Bieber concert than continuing reading their crap. This blogfest, however, could seriously backfire as it brings loads of visits and new 'followers' to the blogger that aggravates us.

The "Drive-By Blogger Blogfest" : This would be a blogfest where you visit a site just the once and leave some comment that has nothing to do with the posting.  All you do is mention that you are now 'following' their blog. What you are really trying to do is get them to follow your blog so as to add to your blog 'followers'.

The "Blatant Self-Promoting, Self-Obsessed Blogfest" : Rather similar to the blogfest mentioned above.  What you do in this blogfest is demonstrate the fine art of self-promoting and being self-obsessed.  Here's an example sample of what you might write in such a blogfest :  "You must read my latest posting that ties in nicely with my other posting about the upcoming posting that tells you about my posting that I posted last month about how great my postings are!   You know, my blog is a very important place.  A meeting place where other lesser bloggers can come and note just how wonderful I am!"

The "Blogbuster Movie Blogfest" : For those of us who haven't actually had our exciting lives made into a blockbuster movie, we could do a fantasy posting about a must see film about ourselves.

The "New Kids on the Blog" blogfest : This one might actually work. Although still no mention of the alphabet.  This would be a blogfest bringing further awareness of new bloggers.  A sort of a big hello from this amazingly caring community.

The "Captain's Blog: Stardate 2013.2" blogfest : This would be blogfest for all those with this fascination for all things spaced out.  Make it so.

The "DogFest BlogFest" : This would be a blogfest where we show our appreciation for our doggy friends such as, oh I don't know, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar! 

The "Cynical Blogfest" : This would be a blogfest about stating that blogfests are a way of drawing attention to the creators of blogfests and a darned good way to self-promote, plug their latest novel or try to sell you timeshare properties in fashionable Stoke on Trent.

The "Groundblog Day" blogfest : Wouldn't it be great for a blogfest?  This would be where we repeat the same paragraph, over and over again.  Yes indeed, a paragraph that repeats over and over and over...If you get what I mean?

Wouldn't it be great for a blogfest?  This would be where we repeat the same paragraph, over and over again.  Yes indeed, a paragraph that repeats over and over and over...If you get what I mean?

Wouldn't it be great for a blogfest?  This would be where we repeat the same paragraph, over and over again.  Yes indeed, a paragraph that repeats over and over and over...If you get what I mean?

A Few Links Plus A Special Announcement.

Right then, I noted there are a number of "blogfests" out there and I see that a number of my blogging friends are doing this one, The Insecure Writer's Support Group  Details about this group, where those involved, do a posting about their insecurities, their hopes, their dreams and the support that those involved share with each other, is done on the first Wednesday of every month.  If you have never been involved with the group and want to be a part, then I would recommend it as a worthwhile endeavour for you.  This group was created by a gentleman that many of you will be familiar with.  However, if you don't know him and want to see his highly interactive and supportive blog, you can discover him here, Alex J. Cavanaugh

And of course, there's this blogfest,  Blogging from A to Z Challenge (April 2013) Yes indeed, the "brainchild" of Arlee Bird who can be discovered at his primary blog named, Tossing It Out  The last two years, I have been mostly doing alternative, satirical postings about the 'Alphabet Challenge'.  It has all been done in a sporting spirit and we've exchanged some good natured banter.

I was thinking about setting up my very own blogfest.  I'd name it "The BlogPest BlogFest",  Just think a blogfest where we could put up postings about how much a certain blogger annoys us and the reasons why.  Okay, forget that one.

Now then, continuing on, have you checked out the recently released book by Nancy S. Thompson, titled "The Mistaken"?  Nancy, one of my 'adoring fans' says she's not that famous.  If that be the case, perhaps you might check out this link and help make her famous, "The Mistaken" by Nancy S. Thompson   You can discover Nancy's blog site here, Nancy S. Thompson

Over the last couple of years, I have been working in the background with an author named Colin Hall.  His book is about to be released and it will be like no other book you read.  I'm very excited for Colin and I'm very flattered that he asked me for my opinion.  It has been my pleasure to support and encourage him.  Here is a taster of the book and I will publish further details when I receive them.  Here's a taster link, but the release date is incorrect.  Fact or Fiction?

Here is the front cover of Colin's book.

And here's an extract from Colin's book.

And here's the tantalising and intriguing back cover of Colin's book.  And Colin, thank you for considering my input to be of help.  It was my honour.

So, that's all for now.  May we realise a peaceful, positive 2013.  A year where we celebrate the diversity of mankind in an all different, all equal world.  .