Honestly blogging friends, I never thought I would have a blog. It was my husband who made the suggestion. Why do I need a stupid blog, I said to him. And then, I went to a job interview with an employment agency for kicks, and the recruiter said to me off the record, “You want to write and you don’t have a blog?” It was like hearing it for the first time…sorry honey. Well, of course, that’s what I need to do…a blog! So, there you have my blogging roots.
This writing is Post #62. The number is not important except that you may consider this to be a random reflection. Only it isn’t. I only pause to reflect when I feel I have something worthwhile to share with you, dear readers. What is held steady since my last reflection is my admiration of my fellow bloggers. In fact, I feel enamored of you and continue to feel inspired by you on a daily basis.
Personally, my own blog has become a mish-mash of ideas. In my quest to write about the mysteries of life, I’ve allowed myself to write anything I fancy. The more I think about it and the deeper in I get into this blog, the more appropriate the name “The Bumble Files” has become. You know those people who choose a path in life, follow it, achieve wild success, and never look back. That’s never been me. I have trouble getting on the path, you see. So, The Bumble Files, really what better name to reflect my life thus far.
Lately, I’ve experienced a real sense of community in my blogging world. I’ve felt this immensely when I stumbled upon a certain Blogroll Contest. I’d never heard of a blogroll contest. I’ve never even had a blogroll for my own blog. Who would have a contest? Why would a blogger want to be on this blogger’s blog? Who could pull this off? Who would have the prestige? The gumption? The bravado?
I’ll tell you who…It’s Le Clown over at A Clown on Fire (also L’Eric). Let me tell you, Le Clown has it going on over at his blog. With the partnership of his lovely wife, the Ringmistress (Laments and Lullabies), his Blogroll Contest was a smashing success. I’ve never experienced anything like it.
Bloggers fully committed themselves, their Labor Day weekend hijacked (for Americans), and they stretched their creative muscle. He pushed his followers to a new blogging capacity. It was intoxicating, and I was entranced. Le Clown was handing out clown noses and points, responding to thousands of comments. I could hear the laughing, the applause, the music, the horns honking and blowing…the excitement, the fervor. You think I’ve lost it? It was magic, I tell you. Pure, blogging magic. I wanted my own little bottle of it. I thought to myself, this is what blogging is all about.
So, I followed Le Clown on the spot. He’s personable, witty, and happens to be quite, well…magnificent, Le Clown. In the process of this blogroll contest, I met many wonderful bloggers. Not surprisingly, Le Clown was recently Freshly Pressed (I knew he would be) in his post spotlighting the Bloggers for Movember, an online campaign to raise for money/awareness for prostate cancer. He continues be involved in great things.
I will continue to bumble along…Occasionally, I’ll have an episode of manic writing where I feel all is right with the world and I’ve come up with something meaningful. I might have a sudden burst of energy and stay up later than I probably should, and then, I’ll hit the publish button. I’ll wake the next day with what I refer to as a Blogging Hangover…that moment when I first wake up and think, “Did I really say that? Did I really put that post out there?” Oh, but dear readers, you are always supportive and encouraging, and I thank you.
Until next time,
The Bumble Files
photo credit: Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com via photopin cc
AmyReeseWrites 
I am happy to follow along as you “bumble” your way through blogging. I’d say you’re doing beautifully. 🙂
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Oh, thank you Carrie! That’s very sweet of you.
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I just read on another post that you were freshly pressed? If so, congrats!
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Yes, it’s coming down the pike. Thank you! It’s very exciting. It’s for the Balloons!
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Well deserved. That was a great post. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Carrie. It’s funny…I’m not really a photographer. 🙂 But, of course, I’m excited about it!
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The sense of community is great, and I’m pleased to see you buzzing around. Le Clown does a great job with it and always finds ways to engage others.
I often get nervous during blogging hangovers about what I wrote the day or night before, but the advice the others are giving on my blog right now feels right and I believe we need to be our creative selves and write that which makes us flow 🙂
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Hi La La, I like buzzing around and I like your advice. It makes sense to me. If we worried too much about every little thing we wrote, we’d never write anything. Le Clown has always seems to have new ideas that bring bloggers together.
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La La,
Thank you. Love this blogging community. And I will love my bed in a few minutes.
Le Clown
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I’ve heard of these people who are “goal oriented”, “focused” and “driven”. I thought they were just myths created to scare liberal arts students (like me). Well, consider me a bumbling sister. Thanks for the nod to my blog. You really get the whole community thing, and that is splendid.
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Well, ok bumbling sister! Who needs those focused people anyway, right? They’re no fun. Of course, I think you’re fantastic and a gifted writer, truly. It feels splendid to be part of this community. Thanks so much, Sara.
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TBF,
I have read a few posts written about Le Clown, but this one touched me. First, thank you for coming along my way, and allowing me to discover your blog by doing so. When I was reading this post, I could recognize a great deal of L’Éric in it… There’s not a single direction on A Clown on Fire as I can’t commit to only one train of thoughts. I like it messy, and it works for me. Whatever comes, I’ll write it in my notebook, and so on…
You have a wonderful thing going on here. Next time you meet an employer for a writing job, you’ll be fully armed. This Freshly Pressed not is well deserved. Kudos. Congrats.
L’Éric
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*this Freshly Pressed “nod”… if you would be kind enough to correct!
L’Éric
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L’Eric,
Thank you. So you know, I smiled really big while reading your comments. This has been a bonafide bitchin day! Bitchin? Where did that come from? Just as soon as I’d try to follow some singular theme, it would burst open. It wouldn’t last. I agree messy is good. Thanks for your lovely thoughts. They mean a lot to me. Kudos to you, too, and to Sara.
TBF
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Hi Bumble! Le Clown is a blogging genius, it’s true. I’ve met so many great people through his blog. And everyone blogs differently—bumbling along is just as good as planning things out meticulously or posting every day. We all have different styles. I tend to bumble my way through my posts too, for the most part. I don’t have much planned out in advance. So bumble away!
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Thank you, Madame. Yes, and I met you through Le Clown and I’m so happy I did. I prefer the Bumble method, although sometimes it takes a while to get my act together. Your blog is a delight and something I look forward to. I will bumble away!
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Thanks for letting me join the Bumble!
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Thanks, Lucas. You’re welcome to join me in my Bumbling anytime!
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I’m definitely a bumbler blogger. Also a freakin’ insomniac lately. It’s 4:30 AM arghhh. And yes, that contest was weird but Le Awesome and a lot of fun. And congrats on the pressing. If only I could press myself into the freaking bed and stay . . .
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Hi Alice, Yay! a fellow bumbler. The only way to blog. I hope you can get some rest…I have my problems sleeping from time to time. It was a really good thing meeting by way of Le Clown. I’ll agree was weird, but fun. I was rather hooked. Don’t give the pressing another thought. It WILL happen because you have such funny, lively posts. And, thank you!
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There are definitely some bloggers out there who just have great IDEAS. They come up with fabulous ways to connect with people via their writing. Those people are magical. Truly. Another person you might like, if you don’t already know her is Jules from Go Jules Go. She’s hilarious. And she’s my friend Julie Davidoski. Trust me, if you check her out, you’ll be hooked. She’s like meth. Or Ho-Ho’s. I prefer Ho-Ho’s. 😉
So happy to see that The Bumble has worked for you.
As you know, I’ve had to re-brand myself, but I’m happy about it. Because while I was never private about my name, you had to search for it a little. And I want people to recognize my name! YOu know, because I want them to shout out loud: “Omigosh, I know her!” when they see my name in magazines — next to a picture of Sarah Jessica Parker.
That would be awesome. 😉
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Renee,
Putting your name out there is especially a good idea if you want to make your name as a writer. The whole branding of myself still seems like a foreign idea, but I suppose that’s what it’s all about. I’ve heard of Jules before. I will definitely look her up. I look forward to seeing your name in lights. Thanks for the visit!
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I’m pretty sure you already are awesome… especially when you are wearing your ‘stache glasses.
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I’m going to change the name of my blog to The Bumble Files Dos. Sounds good huh?
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Oh, Chris. I’m a humble Bumble!
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Any time I hear ‘contest’ I start to wonder if pie was involved.
I’m not sure why… it’s kind of strange… and county fair-ish.
But seriously…
was there any pie?!
🙂
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SIG, I’m glad you mentioned that. I totally forgot. Indeed, there was pie!! You would have really enjoyed it. 🙂
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I’m glad you ventured on blogging. I was like you when I started. I thought me,write, share my most inner thoughts? But finally something inside me said,”just do it.” Best thing I ever did. I agree the blogging community is so generous and accepting. A lot of them are blogging friends for life.
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Hi Island Traveler. The power of words are amazing. I could see how you might have your blogging friends for life. That’s kind of a soothing thought. I’m really enjoying this outlet. It helps me continue to write while enjoying of a community of wonderful, supportive people.
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I came across your blog because WordPress just tweeted about your balloon race post. I love it. I have had my own blog for awhile, but I post infrequently and about random topics– I guess you could say I’m also “bumbling.” Anyway, if I could get my own blog to become half of what yours is, I’d be happy.
Looking forward to reading more of your posts!
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Thank you, Jhaneel. I’m happy you found me. It’s quite exciting to meet so many new people being FP’d. Thanks for checking it out and checking out my blog. Thanks for your nice comments. I appreciate it. Please join me in my bumbling journey.
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It was kind of awesome, wasn’t it? Who knew a contest could be so much fun?
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Indeed, it was awesome and crazy!
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I get the “Did I really say that?” mere minutes after posting. “Far from Grade-A; nice job.”
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Thank you, Adam. Yeah, every now and then, I have those thoughts! But they pass.
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lol i like that clowns follies
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Yes, he’s a crazy clown all right.
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This whole thing is awesome. I related especially well to the explanation of how your blog got it’s title. I think I bumble too..and then fall into an abyss to, usually, land (quite miraculously and through no skill of my own) in a relatively cushy situation.
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Thank you, Peaches! See that’s how I called you by the wrong name…I was bumbling along see. I’m so happy you have a soft landing. Very good.
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Just discovered ur blog thanks to Le Clown. I’m with you on the bumbling thing. I started my blog with a specific theme in mind but I find myself going off on various tangents. I am loving this blogging community that I have discovered thanks to a certain Clown
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Thanks! Good to see you here. Me, too. Le Clown is quite masterful at bringing bloggers together. He’s a lot of fun. I look forward to getting to know you. – Amy
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Congrats on the Freshly Pressed!! Enjoying following you!
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Thank you so much!
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We need to figure out how to patent that bottle of blog magic thing.
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Right. We could make a killing. What’s the secret?
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I guess I will have to find and kill Le Clown for experiments. I’ll be sure to report back with any findings.
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Oh, miss!! Not that kind of killing. We just need Le Clown to confess and give up his secrets. I’m sure he’ll tell us in French or something just to confuse us…and then, what?!
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We should gang up and tickle him until he comes out with it. That’s my alternative idea to the murder suggestion.
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ha ha…he’d have no choice but to surrender! That’s brilliant.
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Love the blogging hangover! I do that all the time. It’s worse when I schedule something; then I get up fifty times a night to go and revise it. Anyway, congratulations on the Freshly Press if I haven’t said so already (last week was a haze), and I am glad we connected. I am off to read more bumbling posts now!
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Thanks. I’ll do quick revisions, too. It’s a real pain when I turn my computer on, fix it, and then turn it off. I’ll do this a couple of times. I don’t know why I do this. I should have a “settling into moment” before I decide to turn my computer off. Congrats to you, too!!! Is it Jen? – Amy
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I do the same thing. And in those moments when I am waiting for the computer to turn on I change my mind fifty times. I don’t think I could ever get a book published because I would be standing at the printer’s asking them to reprint page 54. (and yes, it is Jen!)
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