Here we go - National Blog Posting Month 2009!!!

Thanks to Deb for the beautiful NaBloPoMo badge!


I'm gonna do it, folks!! I am really ready to buckle down and get back to blogging regularly. Honestly, I miss it, and I think that using the structure of NaBloPoMo might just do the trick.

My lovely sister, Lindsay, is concerned that I am taking on too much by committing to a month of blogging, but I love it so much.

Anyone else gonna join me? Let me know, and I will include a post linking to your sites!!

Good luck!

Grammar Girl's "How to Write a Great Blog Comment"

I'm a big fan of Grammar Girl, a weekly podcast (available on iTunes) by Mignon Fogarty that highlights a different grammatical question or hint each episode. She also posts the transcript of her show on her website, and this one I found particularly relevant (in a "meta" kind of way). I would LOVE to hear your responses to what Grammar Girl has to say about "How to Write a Great Blog Comment." Enjoy!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rule #1 -- Determine Your Motivation

People have different reasons for writing blog comments. What's yours? Are you trying to get the attention of an influential blogger? Drive traffic to your own blog? Establish yourself as an expert on a topic? Do you appreciate the person's work and want to say thank you or brighten his or her day? Do you disagree so strongly with what you're viewing or reading that you simply can't let it stand without a rebuttal? Sometimes, understanding your motivation will help you decide what kind of comment to write.

Rule #2 -- Provide Context

I know as you're writing your comment *you* know what you're responding to -- maybe it's the article or video or maybe it's someone else's comment, but when people come to the page later and read the comments, it isn't always immediately clear what you're talking about. It's most important to provide context when there are a lot of comments. If comments are coming in really fast, for example, yours can get separated from the comment to which you're responding.

For example, instead of just starting out "Humidity is important too!" it's helpful if you start with some context like "User Squiggly1234 has a point about chocolate storage temperature, but has missed one important variable" and then go on to talk about humidity. That way other commenters won’t be confused as to why you started talking about bad hair weather on a post about chocolate.

Rule #3 -- Be Respectful

I shouldn't have to tell you this, but comments that start out "You're an idiot," are laced with profanity, or are just plain disrespectful, undermine the authority of your argument. Nobody gives much credence to an obnoxious troll. So aside from the pleasure you get from annoying people, you're wasting your time writing such comments. Always remember there is a real person reading your comment. It's easy to be mean while hiding behind the anonymity of the Web, but you shouldn't say anything you wouldn't say in person.

Rule #4 -- Make a Point

Sure, most bloggers will lap up short comments like "Wonderful!" "I love it!" and "Thank you," and if all you want to do is express gratitude or brighten their day, comments like that are fine, but you'll make a more lasting impression and a more meaningful contribution to the conversation if you say a bit more. Why is it wonderful? Why did you love it? It's even more important to make a point when you disagree. It's a waste of time to just write "You're wrong," or a longer ranting equivalent. Make sure you include the reason you disagree. It's easier than you think to avoid making a point. Consider the comment "You're spreading lies by saying the ideal temperature for chocolate storage is 28 degrees. At that temperature, the chocolate will go bad." Really, all you've said is "You're wrong." You need to say *why* the temperature is wrong. Say what temperature is better and why. Maybe say where you get your information. Is it based on your experience, the recommendations of the Chocolate Storage Association, or just your own wild guess? Make a point.

Rule #5 -- Know What You're Talking About

When I read comments I’m always amazed by how many people admit (admit!) they have no idea what they're talking about and then go on to make recommendations, suppositions, or write long rambling analyses based on nothing more than a pure guess. I swear I've read comments like "I've never worked with chocolate before, but I think 29 degrees would be better than 28 degrees." That kind of comment is not the way to get positive attention from an influential blogger or establish yourself as an expert. If you have a question the author didn't answer about why 28 degrees is best, it's fine to ask; but when you're commenting about something that's based in facts, you're not adding anything useful when you write comments based on your intuition. You're not under orders to comment on everything you read. Save your time for commenting about things where you can actually say something useful.

Rule #6 -- Make One Point per Comment

People have short attention spans, and in my experience attention spans are shorter on the Web and even shorter when people are skimming comments. A comment should be just that -- a comment -- not a manifesto. If you have something so complex and important to say that you can't do it in a few short paragraphs, start your own blog. If you have two separate things to say about the video, photo, or blog post, it's usually better to break it up into two separate comments. Remember, people are often skimming.

Rule #7 -- Keep it Short

This is really an extension of Rule 6, make one point, but since it's possible to go on and on about one point, I thought I'd also remind you to keep your comments short. Again, it's a comment, not your own blog post.

Rule #8 – Link Carefully

If you're posting a comment with the hope of driving traffic to your own site, think carefully before you include a link in your comment. Of course you should include your link if the comment box has a place for it, but leaving a link in the body of your comment is a risky thing. Many people think it's great marketing, but a minority of people think it's obnoxious and pushy.* If you decide to do it, make sure you've written a thoughtful comment that truly contributes to the conversation on the owner's site, not a useless comment that's just a transparent excuse to leave your link. It's also considered more acceptable if your link points to something you wrote that's relevant to the conversation, not just a link to your general landing page.

Rule #9 -- Proofread

I know it's hard; those boxes in which you write comments can be tiny, and they usually don't include a spellchecker. But proofreading is important because if you have a lot of typos or misspellings, it undermines your authority. Any troll who disagrees with you can just say, "What do you know about chocolate storage, you can't even spell 'their.'" If you have trouble proofreading on the Web, write your comment in a word processor where you can see the whole thing and run it through spellcheck, and then paste it into the comment box.

Happy Blogoversary to Me!!!

By the way,

TODAY IS MY BLOGOVERSARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I can't believe that I have been blogging for TWO YEARS! How has that happened?

Which leads me to ask -

What is something amazing that YOU have accomplished over the last two years?

NaBloPoMo Begins!

Well, here we go: National Blog Posting Month is beginning. As I mentioned in my last post, NaBloPoMo is a fun site that encourages bloggers to post every single day of one month. Often there is a theme to inspire our writing, but this month does not have any particular topic. Of my blogging friends, so far Ima on (and off) the Bima and Confessions of a Rock and Roll Bride are also participating this month.

Would you like to join us?

Do you have any suggestions of something that you would like me to write about this month?

Hope you all have a good Saturday, and I will see you tomorrow!

(And, thanks to Cait at til_midnight for the cool graphic above!)

Shabbat Shalom....I'm Gonna Need It!

Hello to you! I have a few fun things to update you on:

1) I am well into my second full week on Jenny Craig. Today is the....11th Day! I've gotta tell you, other than the cost (it IS pretty expensive), this plan couldn't be easier. I feel so good, so energized, and really positive about making this choice. It definitely feels great to be taking care of myself. You guys have witnessed so many changes in me over the past year or so. Thanks for coming along for the ride thus far!

2) I've got a BUSY weekend coming up, and I am totally excited about it. The New York region of the Union for Reform Judaism (the big umbrella organization that brings all Reform Jews and congregations together) is holding its Regional Biennial Convention tomorrow. The event will provide Jewish professionals and layleaders a chance to come together to learn, pray, eat (of course!), and network. I am SO HONORED because I was asked to lead the big Shabbat Worshp Service tomorrow morning. A cantor and I will lead the service, and help everyone get centered and involved in the rest of the day. What a great privilege!

3) The NYC Marathon is coming up on Sunday. A few clasmates of mine started a group called the Running Rabbis a few years ago. They run the marathon for a good cause each year, and they ROCK! Check them out - they're awesome :)

4) I am going to do my best to be a part of NaBloPoMo, a site that encourages bloggers to post every single day for a month. Think I can do it? Check me out to see if I keep up with it!

Shabbat Shalom!

A Post Worth Reading...

If you have time, and I hope you do, please visit my friend, Zilla's, page, for her excellent post, "Anti-choice doesn't work." I couldn't have said any of this better.

Zilla, you rock.

My visit to the Egel Nest

(Pictured: Back Row - Bradley Egel, his brother-in-law, Tom;

Middle Row: Bradley's Beautiful Wife, his Sister Sue, ME!;

Front Row: Sammy Egel, and Bradley's nephew, Zach)

Those of you who have visited Bradley Egel's blog, "The Egel Nest," have gotten to know him, the Beautiful Wife, and their WONDERFUL son, Sammy. (And if you haven't visited yet, please be sure to drop by - it's one of the most entertaining blogs out there!).

Well, it turns out that Bradley is an old OSRUI camp friend of mine, and I was able to visit him and his family while I was in Chicago. Bradley's sister, Sue, is also an old camp friend, and she wound up marrying a high school friend of mine (such a small world!!). They have a baby, Zach, and the seven of us had a blast.

You can visit his post about our visit (titled "Marci...Boku," isn't that great?!?!) and also take some time to tour his blog.

(As a P.S., I really wanted to visit another friend, in the real world and blog world, Phyllis, but she was out of town at a camp retreat at OSRUI, with my brother. Next time, Phyllis!)

Oh my goodness - an award!!

I was delightfully surprised to learn that Sandy, over at I Beati, presented me with an award! She was in a particularly giving mood, and she gave many people different awards. I was blessed with the Special Scribe Award, which she said was given to those of us who have unique blogs and things to say. I am so excited to visit some of the other award winning blogs. If you happened to receive one from Sandy, mazel tov! No matter what, please be sure to visit her and see some of the other blogs that she has highlighted.

Thanks, Sandy!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Celebrating One Year of Blogging!
(First Post - February 23, 2007)

The Power of Schmooze

It has taken me awhile to figure out to whom I should present awards, but I am really pleased to announce that the "Power of Schmooze" Award is being given to:

Cooper at superconductor: I am always tickled by what Cooper has to say on all sorts of topics. His posts cover everything from art, current events, games, and personal observations. Not only do many people visit his blog, but he is a devoted reader of others' blogs. I am always excited to see what he has to say on my newest posts. Thanks, Cooper, for creating a blogging community (filled with plenty of laughter!).

Andra Sue at I've Landed: Andra Sue shares so much about her life (she's a tri-athlete), her dogs, her appreciation of nature, and more. I always enjoy her blog, and other readers do, too! She writes with candor and a great sense of humor, and I think she contributes a lot to the blogging world. Thanks, Andra Sue!!

Please be sure to visit these terrific blogs :) And I look forward to seeing who they pass this award onto later on!!

Have a great Tuesday :)

Oh my goodness - another award!!

I am so honored to have been selected for the above award. My dear blog-friend, Shan at Rambing Shan, bestowed this honor on three blogs for, well, basically being nice!! Here's what she said about me:

"To Marci at The Myriad Musings of Marci: Marci has been through a lot lately, but she stills remains a strong spiritual leader, an optimist, and a downright amusing blogger. Her post about PostSecret was enough to make me feel she deserved this award. I have also never seen a bad word about anyone on her site. She is quite nice indeed."

Oh my goodness, I just don't know what to say. If you haven't had a chance to visit Shan yet, please do. She is what we call a "mentsch" - a truly good person. She was one of the first blogs that I visited, and she has been very welcoming to me. It's because of people like her that there is, indeed, a blogging community.

I look forward to passing this award on to others, and spreading the joy around. Have a good week, everyone!!

I'd Like to Thank the Academy...

I am just so gosh-darn honored to have been given an award from my blogging buddy, Shan at Rambling Shan.She has bestowed upon me the Schmooze Award:

The Schmooze award apparently goes to bloggers who blog themselves and also comment on many other peoples' blogs (which is a favorite hobby of mine - I just love seeing what is out there, and hearing people's individual stories). They truly have the "power of schmooze." I got all choked up when I read the following on Shan's page:

"The Myriad Musings of Marci--She approaches everything with such honesty and sensitivity and she always has some great link for her readers to check out."

Well, thanks again, Shan, and I look forward to finding other wonderful blogs to pass the award onto!