Proof that I can blog about anything (aka: Proof that I can run a CONTEST about anything)

     People have often commented on my posts, “You can blog about anything!”  I think I got a comment like that once when I blogged about my favorite coffee cup.   When I get these comments I am never sure whether that is a compliment or a criticism----but given the number of comments they generate they must not be all bad.

     I think it is pretty much true that I can blog about anything----although I think there are some things that are either “out of bounds” or that I at least feel I need to “sanitize” to make them fit for public consumption. 

     We don’t have to blog about everything that pops into our heads----but it is good to know that we can. 

     It is this “knowing part” that gives us the permission to find blog fodder in just about anything.

     This post takes the premise a step further with the creation of a new group called, “WeBlog Anything.”  This group will attempt to accomplish a couple of things.  It will give people a group where they can post those posts that just don’t quite fit into some of the other groups.  So when you feel compelled to blog about that ingrown toenail you will have a group to post it too-----along with "Whacked"!!!, Psych Ward and BananaTude.

     The second purpose of this group (initially at least) will be to act as a place to collect posts that are to be included in a new activerain contest called: 

“Proof that I can blog about anything!”

     The basic idea of the contest is to provide an opportunity for all activerain bloggers to stretch themselves----to step “outside-the-box” a bit----and realize that there is stuff to blog about everywhere one looks ----even under the kitchen sink. 

The Challenge:

     Pick an item under the kitchen sink----or the bathroom sink.  Everyone has a kitchen and a bathroom sink don’t they?  (If you don’t----use a friend’s sink, which would likely have some serious blog potential in itself.)  Do a post about this object----finding some way to make this object relate to whatever your profession is.  There will be extra points for pictures and links-----and especially for making the post go Hyper-local at the “Neighborhood” level.

     If you are one of those people that swears they can’t think of anything---even after picking an item from under the sink----don’t panic!  Cart that item around in your head for a few days.  Every now and then pull the thing out and think about it----an “idea” will come to you.  By the time you type that idea down, some other thought will have been triggered to expand that idea----the next thing you know you will either have more than 50 words or your first novel.  Trust yourself.

     As a home inspector I get to see what is under all of your sinks and I know for a fact that there are tons of things under there that don't belong there----surely some of that must be blog fodder.

The Points?

     Everyone that enters (one post only) will receive 275 points just for entering plus the normal 200 points for posting (any post over 50 words) plus 25 points for including the post in an ActiveRain Channel.  Contest judges can enter but will not be receiving any “prize points.” 

The Prizes (points---what else?):  

     1^st place, 2000 points, +100 points per picture up to 3 pictures, +50 points for each link up to 2 links.  (Total of 2,400 points possible.)

     2^nd place, 1500 points, +100 points per picture up to 3 pictures, +50 points for each link up to 2 links.  (Total of 1,900 points possible.)

     3^rd place, 1000 points, +100 points per picture up to 3 pictures, +50 points for each link up to 2 links.  (Total of 1,400 points possible.)

    4^th place, 1000 points, is reserved for whoever comes up with the best post (in the opinion of our illustrious judges) that is posted all the way down (Or is that up?) to the  Hyper-local, “Neighborhood” level.  If the best hyper-local level post happens to be one of the 1,^st 2,^nd or 3^rd place winners, the points will go to that blogger.  In this way 3^rd place could actually end up with the same number of points as 1^st place----and 2^nd place could actually end up with more.  Entrys looking for these points should also be posted to the HyperLocal Neighborhood and Community group.

The Notorious Judges (plus me): 

     This was perhaps the most difficult part of setting this contest up----there are just so many I wanted to ask.  I finally decided on a list of 20 and decided that the first 6 that said yes would be the ones that I would pick.  As it turned out it only took 7 calls and I ended up with the following list.     

     Lizette Fitzpatrick - Kentucky

    Amy Hahn - North Carolina

     Alan May - Illinois     

     Carla Muss-Jacobs - Oregon

     Jason Sardi - Pennsylvania     

     Gary Woltal – Texas

     The judges that I have asked to help me with this contest are already used to stepping outside of themselves----some WAAAAY outside of themselves----in their blogs.  If you haven’t subscribed to them by now, I recommend that you do.    

 A Few Additional Notes:

     For the post to be considered in the contest it must be posted to the group, “WeBlog Anything.” 

     All posts must be “time-stamped” by midnight October 18th. (That's two weeks)

     All posts have to be posted with comments “enabled.”

     It should go without saying that ALL posts must be fully original content----no “purchased” content of any kind even if it is technically/legally “yours,” all photos must be original as defined by:  “You personally pushed the button to take the picture.”  Obviously the best way to “police” this is for everyone who enters the contest to consider themselves hereby “deputized.”

Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector