Bleeding Espresso

28 October 2008

NaBloPoMo is a big, fat no-go

It is with deep regret that I announce I won’t be taking part in NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) this November. I had been going back and forth on the decision for weeks (yes, it’s that important dammit!), but I just can’t.

Yes, I’ll be busy writing a novel for NaNoWriMo, but what I *will* do for NaBloPoMo is pledge to visit as many blogs participating in NaBloPoMo as possible throughout the month. My blog reading has really slowed in the past few months, and I’d like to use November to get back in touch with *your* blogs–especially if you’re participating in NaBlo.

So, if you’ve signed up, please let me know in the comments or come find me at the NaBlo site here (I don’t think my profile will be erased or anything, will it?)!

And, hey, maybe I’ll commit to doing Pilates every day instead!

What would you commit to doing every day this November?

27 beans of wisdom »

27 beans of wisdom to “NaBloPoMo is a big, fat no-go”

awedree on 28 Oct 2008 at 7:31 am #

Hmm…kinda like an early New Year’s Resolution…I’d say go to the gym, read, relax and sleep more…who knows, maybe it’ll give way to a saner me…lol

BTW I’m glad/proud you made right decision for YOU

An end of the year resolution! All great ones for you, and thank you for your support
Gil on 28 Oct 2008 at 8:01 am #

I’m sure that you will continue to be productive even though you are not participating and I’ll continue to check your blog and a few others. I’ll probably start throwing away some of the junk in my office so I won’t have to listen to my wife complaining about the mess.

Maybe, a trip to Haverford, PA for Thanksgiving with my sisters. Although, the one hour trip to one of my wife’s brothers, in CT, seems like a better choice.

Yes, Gil, I’ll still be posting *most* of the week, just not the full seven days…and you get cleaning! You’ll work better without clutter (or at least I do)

You know I’m pulling for the trip to PA though….
Gill on 28 Oct 2008 at 9:25 am #

I am also going to give NaBloPoMo a miss I think, I am just not that into my blog at the moment, unfortunately. Got too much else going on in my life right now.

Gill’s last blog post..Labels….they aren’t good

I hear you, Gill; anyway it’s always nice to see you in my feedreader
nyc/caribbean ragazza on 28 Oct 2008 at 10:07 am #

Good luck with your novel. Look forward to hearing about your progress.

nyc/caribbean ragazza’s last blog post..Learning from failure

Thanks
Beatriz on 28 Oct 2008 at 10:07 am #

I think you are one of the most committed bloggers out there, and I am sure this is the right decision. I am glad you will be doing NaNoWriMo, as it will keep you in your toes with all that creative writing. I think I am going to paint every day in November… what about that?

Beatriz’s last blog post..If only this skill could get me a high paying job!

I love it Beatriz! I hope you’ll be sharing some of your work with us And thanks for your support!
Cherrye at My Bella Vita on 28 Oct 2008 at 10:56 am #

Since I was in TX for last November, I’m gonna do NaNoWriMo and NaBloPoMo this year. I’m all about pushing those limits, ya know?

Speaking of Pilates, I’ve been doing it every other day for the last month or so. Join me, won’t you?

Cherrye at My Bella Vita’s last blog post..Travel Tip Tuesday: Six Tips to Packing for An International Vacation

I did them both last year…best of luck
saretta on 28 Oct 2008 at 12:48 pm #

Hi there Michelle, Goodness, don’t be so hard on yourself! You’re a busy girl, you’ve got a lot going on, why stress yourself out about posting on the weekends, too! Be kind to yourself…do Pilates if that’s what makes you happy!

I already post every day on my Molfetta blog, so what’s the point of joining nablopomo (which sounds like an oriental variant of pomodoro to me!)? Is there some special benefit I’m missing out on?

saretta’s last blog post..Fruit and Vegetables, 2

The benefit is really the camaraderie with other bloggers doing it; the Ning site that is part of NaBlo lets you add friends, find other bloggers with common interests, etc.–I made quite a few new blog friends last year doing NaBlo
joanne at frutto della passione on 28 Oct 2008 at 12:52 pm #

I can’t even contemplate blogging everyday. Not unless I quit my job and send my husband and son to live with my mother in law! So much has slowed down this month, I can hardly keep up. Hopefully things will improve soon I’m starting to feel a tad guilty!

joanne at frutto della passione’s last blog post..A taste of things to come

No need to feel guilty, Joanne, especially when it’s your family taking up your precious time
nova on 28 Oct 2008 at 2:00 pm #

No matter what happens, sounds like November will be one busy month! You know I’ll be cheering you on for NaNoWriMo. Excitement!

Thanks Nova!
My Mélange on 28 Oct 2008 at 2:22 pm #

Sheesh. I can hardly have the time to post 5 days a week. I may be rethinking and reducing that as well.

I think you made the right decision. I can commit to getting out of bed every day in November How’s that?

My Mélange’s last blog post..Love Thursday : Sweets for the Sweet

Works for me, Robin
lucy on 28 Oct 2008 at 3:15 pm #

I don’t think I can do it everyday. I will however be watching my diet every day in November and walking at least 1/2 hour everyday. I want to fit into my New Year’s Eve outfit that I haven’t bought yet!

lucy’s last blog post..Soooo Cold and Other Things

Best of luck Lucy
shiborigirl on 28 Oct 2008 at 3:21 pm #

Hi Michelle,

Hhhmmmmm… I think doing pilates everyday sounds like a pretty ambitious goal! Good luck with that.

Kate

shiborigirl’s last blog post..Life Goes Back to Normal

I agree, Kate–and if you knew me, you’d know it’s *very* ambitious
Stefanie on 28 Oct 2008 at 3:28 pm #

I think I’m in… though it just occurred to me that I haven’t actually signed up officially yet. Must do that!

Yes, do it! I’ll be reading
Janet on 28 Oct 2008 at 3:59 pm #

I’ll be participating again this year, Michelle! Good luck with your novel

Thanks Janet! I’ll be reading you
anno on 28 Oct 2008 at 4:36 pm #

NaNo and NaBlo are great opportunities to nudge yourself in a new direction. You’ve already established yourself as an accomplished essayist & blogger. And, not that I want you to stop blogging (there’s a reason you’re on my Reader), but maybe it’s time to try for a different goal.

anno’s last blog post..Sunday Scribblings: Anno’s Brag

Aw thanks Anno This novel thing has been hanging around for a while; I just made a rather big decision regarding NaNo last night…gotta love inspiration!
paul of the clue-by-four on 28 Oct 2008 at 5:45 pm #

Hm… hadn’t even thought of NaBlo, but I think I too will give it a miss. I really do want to post 5x weekly, but it’s not a priority right now.

Anyway, I like your challenge, even if it was not intended as such, so I can commit to doing something every day to improve in one of four key areas:

- writing (blog posting, editing the draft of my novel)
- health and fitness
- art (want to take a drawing class and learn some kind of dance)
- spiritual (meditation, mindfulness)

What I’ve found is that if I do one thing that supports my goals every day, it really helps my peace of mind – in addition to all the direct benefits of the thing itself.

Good on you for being realistic about your goals. This might be primarily a guy thing, but I see lots of people set high goals for themselves, fall short, and then let frustration get the better of them.

Pilates, huh? I have to admit I’ve been seeing cute leotarded girls with rolled up mats for years… and I still don’t know what the hell that is.

paul of the clue-by-four’s last blog post..Sunday Special: weird randomness

Pilates is wonderful–doesn’t take many repetitions to make a difference, they say, which is one reason I love it. I’d like to do both yoga and Pilates…maybe I’ll alternate days with them so I don’t get bored right off the bat?

Anyway, your goals are great. I think if more of us focused more on doing ONE thing to further our goals every day, we’d feel much more satisfied. And I like to push myself, but I also know when to say when. Usually I’m definitely not one to get frustrated when I don’t finish everything on the to-do list, even when it is overambitious. I know tomorrow is another day
Wanderlust Scarlett on 28 Oct 2008 at 6:36 pm #

Lady, you have so much on your plate already, I don’t know how you do it! I admire you for all that you have already committed to, it’s impressive!

Don’t feel guilty about letting this one thing go. You’ll get some good reading in, and that’s half of the deal right there!

Scarlett & Viaggiatore

No guilt here! I think I could end up feeling a little left out, but I figure by reading my faves and some new blogs that are participating, I’ll feel like I’m taking part too
qualcosa di bello on 28 Oct 2008 at 6:45 pm #

i’m with you this year…i just can’t do it. instead i have committed to traveling to the bel paese again!

Now *that* is a commitment I can support
jen of a2eatwrite on 28 Oct 2008 at 7:18 pm #

Sure wish they’d separate out Nablopomo and Nano – it’s a pain, lol! I’m doing Nano, so I won’t be doing nablopomo

jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..Settling In

I suppose NaBlo is actually intended to be a substitute for NaNo, so some year when we’re not writing novels….
Jul on 28 Oct 2008 at 8:35 pm #

I know how you feel… I want to do NaNoWriMo, NaBloPoMo, and Art Every Day Month! But realistically, I know I can’t do all three. Even 2 might be a stretch. But I’m definitely doing at least one…

Jul’s last blog post..Fashion with a message in Padua

So many great things to participate in…best of luck choosing Jul!
Diana on 28 Oct 2008 at 9:52 pm #

Dearest Michelle, you have so many things going on!! Ok, the thought of daily pilates makes my butt hurt even though I am sitting on a big-a$$ pillow right now in front of the fire drinking a glass of barbera…but you go girl

OK well that sounds nice too…I could commit to *that* for November
Anali on 29 Oct 2008 at 4:36 pm #

This November, I commit to eating breakfast and lunch every day! That’s about it! I’m with you 150% on not doing NaBloPoMo again this year. I decided by around November 20th last year. ; )

Anali’s last blog post..Election Stress Baking Syndrome

Hah, I hear you! And breakfast and lunch is a *great* goal. Maybe I’ll do that one too….
girasoli on 30 Oct 2008 at 3:44 am #

I think it is good that you are being realistic and not stressing yourself out. I am rooting for your Phillies…8th inning right now 4-3…this could be it! One of the guys on the team (Shane Victorino) is a Maui boy. Many in Hawaii have been rooting for him and his team.

My goal starting November 4th is to do my physical therapy excercises every day (even on days when I just don’t fell like it) for the entire month so that I will get full range of motion back in my left arm. I have what is termed a “frozen shoulder” and am having a manipulation procedure under anesthesia on the 3rd which is why I am not starting this till the 4th.

girasoli’s last blog post..VOTE for HOPE ~ Obama ‘08

They did it! Now let’s hope for another big win next week
Nate on 01 Nov 2008 at 12:59 am #

I considered doing a post a day but I can’t even make it 5 days in a row, much less 30!

Nate’s last blog post..Fried Sanddabs with Garlic and Oyster Sauce

I hear you Nate!
Ice Tea For Me on 01 Nov 2008 at 7:40 am #

Lord knows I’ve been a lousy blogger these past months and with the problems I’ve had lately with my cable modem and wireless router I should be the last person in the blog world to do NaBloPoMo but…. that’s what challenges are for and I’ve thrown my hat into the NaBloPoMo ring.

I won’t guarntee insightful or meaningful posts but I will work hard to meet this challenge. Thanks Michelle for encouraging your readers.

Pilates, always wanted to try it but not sure where to start. I’m not a gym person. Do you recommend any DVDs?

Ice Tea For Me’s last blog post..trick or treat

Go for it! It’s all in good fun, so there’s no need to put too much pressure on yourself either

As for Pilates, I recently got “The Zone” DVDs (along with the gadget that comes with it) on eBay on the recommendation of Cherrye (My Bella Vita). Seems great so far, although I haven’t done it often enough to tell you much more…I’ll let you know at the end of November
AmiExpat on 08 Nov 2008 at 6:14 am #

I’m doing NaBloPoMo, at least so far Good luck with NaNoWriMo. I’ve never been able to come up with a decent idea for a novel. Oh well, maybe next year!

AmiExpat’s last blog post..A message to Obama meme

Best of luck…and sometimes the novel just needs to start being written even without a great idea
sarah on 15 Nov 2008 at 4:23 am #

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Sarah

Thanks Sarah!