I Blog therefore I am

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“If I waited until I felt like writing, I’d never write at all” Anne Tyler

I Blog therefore I am

Today is my day off, so I have some extra time on my hands (Laughs out loud; good joke that one! While trying hard to catch up with a lo-oong list of uncompleted tasks!) I had to take the day off just to be on the safe side, and well prepared for the up and coming huge “Five O” day tomorrow. Readying myself for the celebration (read awaiting in horror of dooms day!) 😛

 

I have gotten a few questions on “how I manage to keep up and publish posts on daily basis” and decided to drop this little note to all you bloggers out there.

I promised myself a while back to write “at least” a poem a day, if nothing else and I have almost achieved that goal. I also try to post them daily, or then at least catch up the next day with a couple of posts. The writing is mostly for myself, but I am glad others enjoy it as well. It is also good to keep up with publishing(posting), so that your readers have something to come back to.
Let me share this one personal thing as to why now:

If I hadn’t started writing again earlier this year, I would probably have suffered a second burn out during my current career. For me, personally, both writing and photography are outlets to a hectic day at the office and, well, life in general. Sometimes I end up staying awake all the night typing away, even though knowing I have to go to work early in the morning. I still see it as time well spent. And, even though tired the next day, I feel happy and exhilarated for the simple fact I actually am producing something concrete and interesting, which unfortunately, doesn’t usually happen in the day job.

Quoting myself from one of my posts: “A poem a day keeps the shrink at bay.
A great guideline to follow and it is working for me at least.

My advice, in case you asked, is, to set yourself some thirty minute aside each day and if nothing else, pour your minds flow onto the paper or as it is in these modern days, in bits and bytes. I know this may sound like cliched advice, but it’s better to force yourself to a routine of writing rather than postponing it for one reason or another. I know there are always excuses as to why not, but in the end, if you have a passion for writing, the excuse are just that – excuses.

 
Hang in there and don’t stop writing, EVER!
Gun

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Blogging 101: Day Fifteen: Create a New Posting Feature

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“Poetry is the art of uniting pleasure with truth” Samuel Johnson

Blogging 101: Day Fifteen: Create a New Posting Feature

Today’s task: develop a regular feature for your blog.

I promised myself a while back to write “at least” a poem a day, if nothing else and have almost achieved that goal. Sometimes I end up with two or more even in one day.

So far I have posted eighty five (85) poems. Some of them have been featured on WILDsound Writing, Screenplay and Film Festival Review -site also and I am glad the readers seem to enjoy my wee rantings I like to call poetry.

I have also set up a feature page in the blog to guide the users to the latest postings: Poetry of the Day

My poetry is based on three things:

– The Idea: It usually a prompt from the radio, workplace or from what ever situation develops during the day.

– The Adage or Quote: I try to find a humorous one whenever possible or make one up if needed.

–The Picture: Either from my personal archives or borrowed from the WWW.

Go and Enjoy the written word!
Gun

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Blogging 101: Day Thirteen: Try (Another) Blogging Event

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Blogging 101: Day Thirteen: Try (Another) Blogging Event

It’s time to leave the confines of Blogging U. to seek other opportunities (blopportunities?). From weekly photo challenges to monthly flash-fiction events, blogger-hosted events are fun, free ways to get feedback on your work, build your audience, and make friends.

Today’s task: pick a blogging event from the Community Event Listings (https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/) , and participate in the next round.

 

I found too many interesting ones! And I solemnly swear to try all of them in the near future (fingers crossed) 😛

Writing:
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/dark-side-thursday/
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/the-sunday-wrap/
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/flash-fiction-for-aspiring-writers/
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/poetry-101-rehab/
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/just-for-fun-poetry-challenge/

Photo:
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/photo-of-the-week-2/
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/black-white-sunday-photo-challenge/

Combo:
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/sunday-photo-fiction/

Check them out!
Go Bloggers!

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Blogging 101: Day Nine: Get Inspired By the Neighbours

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“It’s a good thing I was born a girl, otherwise I’d be a drag queen” Dolly Parton

Blogging 101: Day Nine: Get Inspired By the Neighbours

Today’s assignment: write a post that builds on one of the comments you left yesterday. Don’t forget to link to the other blog!

I am cheating a little and writing today’s post from an inspiration I got while browsing the world wide word (press). This is a new acquaintance and the topic hit right home. For several reasons, first being that I am a *huge* fan of drag queens and RuPaul’s Drag Race, but also of the topic itself.

This is the post Open letter to Ginger Minj as written from the heart by this wonderful lady, Elizabeth, in her blog: Inside the Mind of a Dramatic Mother

I can relate to some extent on the issue of body image and the falsified images presented in the media. Being of an “older generation” the pressure wasn’t as bad when I was growing up, but looking at my younger sisters and their daughters, it seems the effect is quite clear.

Don’t take me wrong, looking nice and putting a little make up on, or a lot if you go on stage is great. A pair of nice heels and a pink dress, great, but as long as you do it for yourself, making yourself feel good, not for the benefit of others.

I am turning fifty in a week’s time and am finally comfortable with who I am, what I am and what I want. I have gained and lost weight over the years, but still felt mostly comfortable in my own skin. Apart from the dubious task of having to buy a new wardrobe with each size (or maybe that was fun after all!). I posed in nudes for artistic photographs, which was never a big thing for me. After all, us Finns like to sit in the Sauna naked with family, friends and even strangers!

I guess this summarizes the rant rather nicely:

“If you don’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?” RuPaul

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Blogging 101: Day Eight: Be a Good Neighbour

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“The trick is to not let people know how really weird you are, until it is too late for them to back out”

Blogging 101: Day Eight: Be a Good Neighbour

The best thing you can do to build a readership is to engage. Publishing posts is just one part of blogging; interacting with the community is the other. You’ve already been following topics and blogs, so let’s take that up a notch with some comments.

Today’s assignment: leave comments on at least four blogs that you’ve never commented on before.

 

Today like most days, I visited a lot of sites, mostly those I follow, but also new ones. I mostly like what I see and follow, and this time also left the comments.

I chose these sites in particular, mostly because they are new in my neighbourhood, but also due to being very visually appealing.

 
Please check out these different and wonderful sites:

Stuff and what if…

Lily pups life

My Friday Blog

Beauty By Elyse
 
 
Keep on blogging Y’all!

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Blogging 101: Day Seven: Keep Personalizing

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Blogging 101: Day Seven: Keep Personalizing

Picking a theme you love is the first step. Next, make that theme your own; start with the basics, like a header and/or background. (Lots of you have already begun this — keep it up.) If you’re happy with your header and background, try your hand at a widget.

Today’s assignment: create and upload a simple header, background, or both. Already done? Try a widget.

 
 
For my blog, Rantings of a Third Kind, I have chosen the black-white-gray theme, mainly for the readability and also for the presentation of photographs.

The header is chosen from one of my trips and depicts what I enjoy, both as scenery and as a hobby: Italy and sailing.

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On the main page I also added a small intro to the blog with a photo of the blogger, myself of course and a few anecdotes in pictures, naturally 😉

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As for the widgets; there are several, informative and also filtering the posts by date, category, popularity etc. I also have the blog counter and follower counter visible. And those I follow appear in on of the widgets in random visited order.

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More photos on Flickr:

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About, bio and contact information are all on their own pages.

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Step right in, enjoy the site!

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About This Blog

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Day Six: Make an Irresistible “About” Page

You’ve now completed the first week — congrats! It’s been an incredible experience to read your stories, watch you getting your blogging legs, and see the connections you’re making.

This week, you’ll continue publishing and personalizing your blog to perfection. First up, we’ll tackle an element that all blogs need: an About page. Some of you have already written one, others have one in progress or feel stuck, and some of you don’t have one at all. Let’s change that.

Today’s assignment: create and publish your About page, then either adapt it into a widget on your home page or add it to your menu.

Go check out the finished product:
About This Blog

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“Every story I create, creates me. I write to create myself” Octavia E. Butler

About This Blog

Who?

Gun Roswell

AKA Gunilla Roswall, Gun Roswall and La Gun, with the fastest bullets.
(A rose by any other name 😉 )

More in BIO 

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Why?

“Be careful what you wish for, you may get it”

Welcome and feel free to stalk about in my blog! You may find things you actually enjoy and get hooked!

“Seek and ye shall find”

Hope you you will find something worth your while!

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In my posts you can find some of the following:

Some lessons learnt, some wisdom (if you look with a fine-tooth comb), maybe even some fact and a lot of fiction! Then again, who says wisdom ends with fiction? For all we know, life is a fantasy! And to top it all, lots of photographs.

I write and photograph mostly for myself, but hope others will enjoy my products too.

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What?

As the slug says:

A blog about everything and nothing.
Fiction, fact, poetry, odes, homages, photography.
Humour, yet some serious thoughts.

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Here are some of the topics, not in any particular order:

Awards and contest
My publications on other sites
Photography
Poetry
Quotes on writing
Reviews
Serials
WP 101

I have also compiled some links useful for writers for networking behind this link: Social networking sites for writers page.

And some of my favourite writing on Quotes on writing page.

And it’s all done in the best possible taste!
Enjoy!

Gun

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My Coffee Addiction

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“Coffee and love are best when they are hot” German proverb

Blogging 101: Day Four: My Coffee Addiction

Blogging 101: Day Four: Identify Your Audience
Today’s Assignment: Publish a post you’d like your ideal audience member to read, and include a new-to-you element in it.

Coffee, probably the most searched for topic on the World Wide Web. Most people can handle their coffee and enjoy a fine blend every now and again. And then there are the others, us, those who are completely hooked on the intoxicating, exquisite dark liquid. One or two cups a day just won’t do, thinking if less is good then more must be better!

While most people enjoy looking into their own coffee cup and are completely satisfied with the one time visual experience, there are some, who spend a lot of time looking at pictures of other people having coffee. The worst of these people actually develop habits, such as peeping in on others enjoying their cups of java be that in coffee shops or even in the privacy of their own homes.

I discovered my passion for coffee when I was around five. Sneaking into the coffee room, looking on while the adults were enjoying themselves. After they had finished their moment of coffee, I snuck in and had a taste, and have been hooked ever since!

I like having coffee by myself or in company. A nice cup of java in the morning, several times during the day and before I go to sleep. At work there are those of us, who enjoy our coffee in a group setting. It is most enjoyable especially during those days, when you need to work late. After all, you can never go wrong with a coffee party!

My taste in coffee varies. Sometimes I like to add a little vanilla to keep the taste soft and sweet. But other times, a more stronger blend is needed to satisfy the thirst. Then again, there is no such thing as bad coffee, or even an undrinkable kind. Cold, tea like or tar, it’s all fine as long as it spells c-o-f-f-e-e!

During my travels, I try to choose cities to visit, which have special shops and even dedicated streets for coffee lovers, like Paris or Amsterdam. There you can have your coffee pretty much in any way, form or position you like. I have also heard of places, where coffee is banned for what ever reason and you dare not even speak the name out loud. Personally, not my first choice to visit, I cannot stand too long a dry spell, not the mention the withdrawal!

Mostly you can drink coffee for free, especially if you are not too picky on the company and enjoy any type of coffee you can get. But, unfortunately not all coffee is free. Sometimes you have to pay for your coffee! Then again, paid coffee can taste as good as free coffee, it’s just a matter of adjusting your way of thinking.

OK, so I admit I have and addiction to coffee, but I generally like to blame my Finnish heritage of it. Since most of us are born with an the newly discovered gene, the coffee bean. That’s right, it is in our DNA to love coffee!

In summary, my advice to you is, enjoy your coffee while you can, when ever and where ever you can, you are never too young or old for it!

Related posts in Rantings:
Coffee, Coffee, Coffee and some more Coffee
Four Options For Coffee
Coffee, a Bliss and a Blessing
Not without my Coffee

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Blogging 101: Weekend One : Some thoughts from Rantings of a Third Kind

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“Keep calm and keep blogging”

One week down – nice work!

  • Spend more time in the Reader. Add a few more topics to follow, or check out our Recommended Blogs.
  • Download the WordPress app. There are apps for iOS and Android— use them to catch up with blogs you love while you’re waiting for the bus, post photos on the fly, or check in on your stats from anywhere.
  • Write another post. We’ll be publishing more posts throughout Blogging 101, but that doesn’t mean you can’t also publish on topics that’ve been on your mind — take the weekend to create something totally independently of Blogging 101.
  • Share some love in The Commons. If you haven’t visited yet, we encourage you to pop in; it’s a great space full of supportive bloggers waiting to give you feedback, pats on the back, and page views. If you’ve already posted there, take some time to leave feedback and kudos on someone else’s post.

Dear fellow bloggers, I have checked out so many blog sites during this week and today and all I can say I am IMPRESSED! There are so many interesting sites out there, I wish I had more than 24 hours a day to spend on browsing, reading and looking at pics and videos. Everyone: Keep up the good work and always remember to hit LIKE when you have visited a site and liked what you have seen 🙂

Been there done that and posted a few more: I am trying to keep up with a promise I made myself to write *at least* a poem a day if nothing else. Check it out: Not without my Coffee

Feedback: Yes please and trying to do that myself too. But even a LIKE is feedback in itself.

Have a great weekend all!
Gun

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Blogging 101: Day Five: Love Your Theme

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“Blogs are whatever we make them. Defining ‘Blog’ is a fool’s errand” Michael Conniff

Day Five: Love Your Theme

Today’s assignment: try out at least three other themes — even if you’re happy with the one you first chose. Try one you’re drawn to, and one you would never use.

No one is going to spend more time on your blog than you, so you should love the way it looks. As with jeans, you never know if a theme fits until you try it on.

My current theme version is the choice for me, at least for now. It fits with the writing as well as with the photographs. The theme I use is The Visual Theme.

I went through four themes on my blog during the five months since I started and tried on a few more for size, but still came back to the option I am using now. As I recall, someone even complemented on it earlier.

I try to keep the looks clear and simple, unfortunately or fortunately I have so many things I want to put out there, simple may not be the option for me.

Please check out for your self. Click on the various links and find out what I am up to. I am planning to add more into the wide world of Rantings of a Third Kind in the near future.

Bloggers Ago!

Gun Roswell

Rantings Of A Third Kind

Blog about everything and nothing and it’s all done in the best possible taste

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