Saturday, June 6, 2009

Happy 200: A Mixorama

Da da da da da daaa! Pseudo has made it to 200 posts! Plus I consider June kind of the one year anniversary of the blog. Blogger will tell you differently, but since I barely wrote, like, four posts in the first six months, I don’t count those months. June was also the month where I started leaving comments on other blogs, beginning the process of creating a network of friends.

A lot can happen in a year and 200 posts.

I think one of the things I like best about blogging is that there really are no rules. Sure, there are guidelines, suggested ways of doing things. But in the end each of us gets to make what we want of our blogs and the experience of blogging. I love that.

I started the blog hoping it would lead me back to writing and feeling creative and it has. The no rules thing really helps and I find the blog so much more satisfying than my last experiment with writing. I also had hoped I would find a way to bring in extra income. Everyone knows that teachers do not make a lot of money, and the way things are going, after years of hard work and going into debt for a graduate degree, the State wants to cut my salary next year. So far I have not put ads on my blog, but this summer I am going to look into doing just that. I am planning to take it slow and not compromise the creative integrity I strive for.

I am hoping the blog has inspired me enough to pump out the first draft of a book this summer…

The biggest change in my life that has come to me through blogging is the people I have met. The closeness I feel with my online friends. I think we all expose a part of ourselves in our writing that lends itself to an immediacy of kinship. These friendships are a bonus I did not see coming when I began this experiment called blogging.

In honor of this bonus, my blog friends, my 200th post will host a contest as well as a peek at Pseudo. I remain anonymous mostly because I put the word teacher in my “experimental” blog title. This blog was supposed to be a test, an experiment. If I ended up enjoying it, I had planned another blog to be permanent. However, when that moment rolled around it was already past summer, I was already back to work, and there was never time to start another blog. So. I kind of got stuck with my lame blog title. Pseudonymous HS Teacher. I don’t want school or State authorities to get all up in my arse, so I remain anonymous.

I do like seeing photos of my blog friends though.

Thistle did a big reveal for her 200th. She was one of the first blog friends I met. She’s not been blogging lately due to a back injury and it is amazing how much I can miss her presence on the Internet.

Anywhos she gave me this idea.

Well.

Here goes.

My daughter took this on Mother’s Day.

Hit 40 freaked me out and now you only get my back... there were more.

There I am..Since I am fairly pissed off at some work related things and may end up writing about them, the photos will probably come down after the weekend. If you are reading this late, you are probably wondering WTF because the photos are already gone.

Next, I’d like to give a nod to the first blog friends I met last summer. The bloggers who helped influence me from sporadic blogging to full on commitment.

I already mentioned thistle. If you visit her, wish her well so her back gets better and she can sit long enough to go on the Internet.
My sister Shaunna at Shaunna' Soliloquies pushed me to start a blog for two years before I finally got to it. She is an incredible writer and we hope to work on a memoir project together this summer. Stay tuned for more tales from the eclectic Surf and Sand Mobile Home Park.

Kristan is a talented young writer. I left my very first comment on her blog. Her post was discussing being biracial and some of the issues hit home for me as my children are biracial. She’s working on the revision of her first novel and has a series online called Twenty Something that I love.

I found Movie in the beginning. I was looking for other teachers. She leaves the kindest, most empathetic comments, and for weeks she and Kristan were the only people commenting regularly on my blog. I’d wake up every morning and would be like a kid opening a Christmas present when I’d see I had 2 comments waiting to be read on a post I had written. Movie and I also have a lot of parallels in our lives. I feel like I have known her longer than one year.

Laura at Rebellious Thoughts of a Woman is also an English teacher. She blogs honestly and bravely about the demise of a bad marriage and the beginning of a new life.

Jane at By Jane hosts Midlife Bloggers. She posted a couple of my posts about being a cancer survivor over at Midlife Bloggers and fast forwarded my blogging. Thank-you Jane.
Liz at Inventing My Life blogs is in the middle of the adoption process. When her child comes home I feel like I will have been on the front lines from the beginning because of her honest writing.

Smart Mouth Broad over at Words of Wisdom from a Smart Mouthed Broad hosts a blog that is like the neighborhood hang-out. I love SMB and feel grateful to call her a friend.

Kate at What Kate Did Next lives in England and is a writer working on her fourth novel. Her blog (which posts writing prompts and thoughts) has been a huge influence on inspiring my creative side. She has recently published through blurb a book which features the best from her first year of blogging. She is donating all proceeds to War Child. How cool is that?

Twenty-Four at Heart writes about everything that I feel I should not with the word “teacher” in my blog title. Boobs, nekkedness, sex toys… She is funny and endearing and lives close to where I grew up. She posts photos that make me incredibly homesick, but I adore her anyway.

Jan at Jan’s Sushi Bar is amazingly funny and witty. She befriended me from my first comment. And I love her recipes. I wish I was going to Blog Her in Chicago so I could hang out with Jan and 24. I cannot even imagine how much fun that would be. Well, I CAN actually imagine it and so am jealous. They are going to have a blast.
Mama Dawg at Two Dogs Running is so much fun and I feel like I know her and her daughter LOML. Mama was brave enough recently to ask me to guest post.
Vodka Mom, well, everyone knows her. Despite her wild popularity, she has always made me feel like I know her personally. Her funny posts about her kindergarteners inspired me to write some posts about my classroom.

Braja at Lost and Found in India found my blog with a bang of an insightful comment. She is another blogger who has gained enormous readership over a short period of time; however, she always has the time to connect through her comments and emails.

There are many others I wish I could mention in this 200th post, but I’ll end there.

And now for the contest. I’m going to go with my last contest. Kathy, who won, seemed to like the contents of her Hawaii goodie box. The prize is a box of “stuff” from Hawaii. Swap meet stuff. Exotic snackie stuff. A shell or two from Pseudo’s beach walks.

To win the random drawing.

Leave a comment.

If you are a follower leave a separate comment for another entry.

If you voted for me in the Blogger’s Choice Awards, leave another comment. It may be silly, but I am hoping this Blogger’s Choice potential award might help me land an agent this year for the book I plan to write this summer. In the sidebar you can find my favorite posts, which would mean my better writing. I think.

My site was nominated for The Blogitzer!
If you post about the contest, leave another comment.

Leave your comments separately, as the comment numbers will be the contest drawing numbers. The contest will run all week and I'll do the random number thingy next Saturday.

Good luck and thank-you for sticking with my incredibly long 200th post.

80 comments:

Hit 40 said...

Honestly your scaring me!! Vodka Mom would back me on this. Take down the photos!! Keep the first of yourself with the back to us.

I would so miss my blog if I had to pull it. I check the site widget everyday to make sure no one is there that is local from my school district.

Love your dress!!! Congratulations on making it a year!!

PS... I think I will go delete my kids sax playing right now!!

AP Mommy said...

Congrats on your 200th post and a year! The package of goodies sounds great!

Unknown said...

OMG Pseudo, you've written 200 posts! You've been blogging a whole year! I feel like such an infant in blogland (but we all know I'm not!).

Well, congratulations!

I'm hoping to win your goodie box so this is my comment for being a follower.

Unknown said...

This is my comment because I voted for you!

Unknown said...

And this is my comment about the contest!

Again, congrats!
Jane

Fragrant Liar said...

Hi, Pseudo! Congrats on the 200th blog post. What an awesome accomplishment in a year.

This is also my comment for being a follower. A REGULAR follower, dontcha know. :)

Fragrant Liar said...

I voted for you (a long time ago) for Blogitzer, and they won't let me do it again. :(

Fragrant Liar said...

And now I'm commenting about the contest. I think. How many times do I need to do this again? Oh hell. Just count me in for whatever.

Fragrant Liar said...

Well, hell. I wanted to comment on the fact that I also have gotten so much out of this blogging foray. Much more than I ever imagined. I've only had Fragrant Liar since the end of December, and I wouldn't know what to do without all the friends I've made from it. I never would have thought to find social networking out of a blog where I blather on and on about nothing much.

Deb said...

congratulations! you don't have to enter me into the contest, but i wanted to leave a comment to tell you congrats and also that this post was very inspirational for me. your words about no rules are very, very true and a lightbulb just went off in my head. thanks!

Hit 40 said...

Thank you!

I still live in fear of my blog being found! I just love blogging!! I think I would throw down with our districts attorney if I had to save my blog!

Mike said...

I can't believe that teachers have to watch that closely for people checking to see if they have blogs, What is this? Nazi Germany?

Girl Tornado said...

I love your blog and I only found you a short while ago thru SMB. I've made some awesome friends thru blogging, and I never would have thought it. I don't think I could stop blogging; I would miss some of the very wonderful people I have met.

I think your Hawaiian goodie box is a great idea... when I was in Kona, I created goodie boxes to send to my hubby (BF at the time) and to my son and his wife. They loved them!

Congrats on your 200th post!!! Like you, I didn't really blog much in the beginning; even tho I started my blog in March 2008, I didn't get serious about it until this past January. So I don't really consider my year anniversary as having come and gone. Not yet.

Girl Tornado said...

Ok, here's my comment because I'm already one of your followers! :)

Girl Tornado said...

And I think I already voted for you in the Blogger's Choice awards, but just in case, I'm going to do it again! (If it will let me...)

I'm wishing you the best in landing an agent for your book. :)

Girl Tornado said...

I'll go one better than a blog post... I just tweeted about you and your contest! :) And I'll do it more over the coming day.

Pseudo has the BEST blog, hands down... check it out and enter her Hawaiian giveaway! http://tinyurl.com/o7she2 Tell her Oz Girl sent ya!

Smart Mouth Broad said...

I love you too

Smart Mouth Broad said...

I follow you.

The Rambler said...

Congratulations my bloggy friend :)

Here's to 200 more!!

When I get a day off I'll have to come back and check out all your recommendations!

xoxo!

Smart Mouth Broad said...

Do I get extra credit for another one, huh? Do I? Have I told you lately that I think you're beautiful?

Seriously, congratulations on your 200th post, Pseudo. You gave me the heads up and I realized that yesterday's was 203 for me. Oops. Slacker that I am, I didn't even notice. (Wouldn't you like to have a student like me?)

You are an awesome writing, an amazing friend and from all the signs, an incredible teacher, mother and wife. Keep those awesome stories coming. Love you! Mean it! Really! XOXO

Vodka Mom said...

I am clapping for you right now!! Happy 200th!! We are so close- I started blogging in July of last year.


I love your writing, your thoughtfulness, the fact that you KICKED cancer's ASS and most of that you are a loyal and trusted bloggy friend.

Lilly said...

Congrats on your 200th post and your photo is a great one! Seems you have achieved a great deal and I agree blogging is an amazing experience.

Lilly said...

This comment is because I am now following you and subscribed too. Found you via Ms Braja.

Mrsbear said...

Congrats on the 200 posts. I must have missed the original photos, but I completely understand. You've got a lovely back though. ;) Wishing you 200 more wonderful posts.

Mrsbear said...

I voted for you. :)

Mrsbear said...

I'm following you. :)

Amy said...

Wow congrats on being at 200. I am so happy for you. I am glad you stuck aroud or I would have not met you this year. I am happy to say I follow you.

Amy said...

I also voted for you a while back when you had it up that one time. I did vote though.

Amy said...

Here is my comment to say I would love your goodie box. I know it is as close I will get to Hawaii for now. Have a great weekend. Congrats again.

Ash said...

Congratulations on 200!!

I'm already a loyal follower, and I've already voted for you.

No, I'm not a stalker :-)

No wonder you're a teacher. There are a bunch of Writer's Digest short story contests happening that I haven't gotten motivated to do yet. I think your post was just the kick in the booty I needed.

And I pretty sure I've said that on more than one occasion.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Hi! Please do NOT enter me in the drawing...I really don't want to win anything...but I do want to congratulate you on your 200th and year of blogging!!!! That's amazing!!!! And I also want to thank you for your lovely comment...and for being a great new friend!!! Good luck pursuing your writing this summer!!!! Bravo!!!! You are so inspiring!!! I'll look forward to reading your published work!!!! Happy summer vacation!!!! ~Janine XO

InventingLiz said...

Congrats on the 200th post and on blogging a year! And thanks for the shout-out! It is so true that the unexpected benefit of blogging is the people you "meet" and I am so glad that I "met" you early on in my blogging too. Can't wait to hear more about your book project...

Casey said...

Wait, there were pictures and I missed them? Aw, man! Congrats on 200, that's quite an accomplishment. I smiled at your excitement over getting new comments, I was the exact same way when I first started blogging. These days the kids run the show and I rarely get to check my comments until nap time.

K Dubs said...

Congrats on #200 - I'm pretty sure I'm about there too - yeesh. I should do something special and Michigan-ey. That's not as cool as something Hawaii-ey though. :) Thank you again for my wonderful super stupendous gift box, I did love all of it! And this should not be considered an entry!! :)

Anonymous said...

Amazing feat- 200 posts! It seems like you've been writing forever, way longer than a year- and that's a great thing! It's been fun reading about you and your awesome life!

Mouthy Housewife said...

congrats. It has been a pleasure getting to know you

Joanna Jenkins said...

Congratulations on #200!!!!! Please keep blogging. I love your writing.

MsTypo said...

Happy Blogoversary!!! :) :)

Since i'm not really mail-able i shan't enter the contest. But wanted to say i'm glad you started blogging, and commenting, and visitng folks around the blogosphere. :)

If you teach even half as well as you write, then your students are incredibly lucky kids. :)

Unknown said...

Corrine and I love the photo of you on the beach and she suggests that you have it made into a painting. And also, is that a border collie? He (she?) looks JUST like our collie.

So you MUST be cool.

And if it's not your dog, you're still cool for being near it.

And for being on a beautiful beach, which normally would piss me off, because I'm jealous like that.

mo.stoneskin said...

Congratulations.

The word on the street is that Brits get two entries for each comment, which is perfectly reasonable and fair.

Laura said...

Milestones are made to reach and then transcend. Thanks for including me in your remembrances of this year, you are certainly in mine, too.

Laura said...

I'm sending out agent discovery thoughts your way.

Beth said...

I missed the pictures! But I totally understand. Educators might as well live in Nazi Germany (credit to Otin).

You are a great friend and an excellent writer! I've always loved your stories!

Congrats on your 200th post and your year anniversary! Have a happy, writing-filled summer!

Melissa B. said...

Happy 200, Pseudo! I agree with you totally on most things...including the work-related irritations & the satisfaction of blogging. And, of course, I'm quite resentful of some of my work-related irritations for recently interrupting my blogging, but that's a post for another day. Thanks so much for posting some more yummy blogs to visit. You haven't been wrong yet, and I'm really looking forward to blog-hopping.

PLUS: I voted for you in Blogger's Choice. More than once. I'm sneaky that way! Good luck!!

highschoolteacher said...

Who needs a novel when you have a blog?

Twenty Four At Heart said...

Congratulations on your 200th post! Thx too for the linky love! : )

Michel said...

Shit! the clown on the highschool teacher's comment just scared me.

Once I calm down I will tell you that I love your blog! And, congrats on your 200th post!!!

Cid said...

Congrats on your 200th. Now I have something to aspire to - my 100th, at least. Your reasons for blogging are so similar to mine and so many others out there. Isn't it nice that we have all found and support each other?

creative kerfuffle said...

congrats on the 200th post and what a great post it is : ) i saw the pic of you on the beach, well, your back anyway : )

Kristan said...

I was your FIRST EVER blog comment?! I'm so honored (and totally remember the comment and still think about it). Awww... {warm fuzzies}

Congrats on 200! And GOOOOO on the book! I'd say we should race, but I think you'll win...

(And I think the Bloggers' Choice Award could be helpful in landing an agent! I don't know what your site stats are like, but bringing a readership to the table is always a plus.)

Rikki said...

Congratulations on the 200th! You have been such an inspiration, proving that teachers can find ways to be themselves (as tough as it is ... and should NOT be).

Thank you.

Rikki said...

and I'm a follower! Who knew that could ever be a positive thing!

Rikki said...

and ... I voted for you!

shaunna said...

happy 200th! (thanks for the shout-out and don't include me in the comment contest... just wanted to say congrats and thanks)

Brigit said...

Congratulations. I think your blog title is just fine. And your blog, well, I love it. Your writing is wonderful. Do start that book. Your photos, well those of you I missed. Your back looks great. What you share in your photos is just as enjoyable as your writing. Thanks for the sharing, thanks for the laughs, and the beauty that is you.

Sprite's Keeper said...

You are the only blogger I know who would honor so many others on such an auspicious occasion when we should be celebrating you.
Can I applaud yiou now?
Hugs and congrats!
Oh yeah, and I voted for you!
And I follow you.
Because you rock.

Joanie said...

Congrats on 200 posts!!!

Dang! I missed the pics and only get to see the backside of you.

Kate Lord Brown said...

Congrats Pseudo! Loved pics - and thank you for a typically generous heads up. Here's to the next 200 x

Jack said...

Guess I missed the peek :(
Congrats on 200! Looking forward to celebrating your 400th post with you :)

Just B said...

it's been awhile, but I think it's another sign of our psychic connection that I visit again on your 200th post. Congrats!! Look forward to catching up with you over the summer.

Ann Imig said...

Happy 200 and very nice post. As much as I love having followers, I miss those days of having only a few close bloggy buds.

Ann Imig said...

I follow you.

cheatymoon said...

You had a photo of your face up? Darn!! I love the photo of you walking.

cheatymoon said...

Thank you for mentioning me in your big super blog. You're the best. I think I want a contest entry, hahaha.

cheatymoon said...

Also, I voted for you and of course, would follow you anywhere. If you're looking for a place to publish work stories, you know where to go...

midlife slices said...

I'm terrible at following instructions so I'm only leaving one comment because only one is all I can manage since I left my mind and soul in Kauai but my body is back in Texas. Congratulations on your 200th post and a successful blog venture. Aloha and Mahalo.

tera said...

I have stopped by from time to time, but for some reason I was not actually "following" your blog, but I am now!
Keep up the good work. I like your style! :)

That Janie Girl said...

Happy 200th post! Did you know I'm the "other Janie" to Midlife Slices?

Yup.

We think we're living parallel lives. Well, damn, at least we were, until she went to Hawaii.

I'm going to Pittsburgh tomorrow. Will that count?

naaaaah.

Anonymous said...

How crummy is it that I missed the pictures? Dang!

Happy 200th post. I don't always comment, but I'm always reading and enjoying!!! I know, I know, I need to get back on the stick and comment more!

Debbie said...

I am so sad to have missed the photos. I've been a little under the weather and look what I missed! Congrats on the 200th. I am also enjoyed getting to know you.

Debbie said...

And I did vote for you.

Debbie said...

And I am a loyal follower.

Hit 40 said...

wow 75 comments!!! Excellent!!

If I win anything... it all goes to Sudan!!

Mariah said...

200 posts? Has it been that many? I've been reading for awhile, WOW time flies.

Mariah said...

Here's my comment for following you!

C.G. the Foodie said...

I missed the pictures!!!!! But as a fellow teacher, I TOTALLY understand!

C.G. the Foodie said...

http://whoiamuncovering.blogspot.com/

I posted your contest at the top of my blog (post all contests up there so they don't get lost)

Stacy Hackenberg said...

Congrats on hitting 200 posts!

So, this is my comment on the contest. Stay tuned for further comments.

Stacy Hackenberg said...

And this is my comment for being a follower. ; )

Stacy Hackenberg said...

And this is my comment for voting for your blog in the contest. I did, really.