Tuesday, July 20, 2004

Hard Headed Pimp Fest

 

What an incredible AOL-J week it has been for me! Last week, I received an email from Lisa at Wearin My Heart on my Sleeve informing me that a blip from my journal was being quoted on one of the Personal Finance pages here in AOL along with other journalers. Then, the J-Land Awards landed me a nomination for "Most Thought Provoking Journal." This one really touched my heart because I never expected to be nominated for any of the categories, least of all this particular category. I write about what is on my mind. As I say in my description at the top, I write about my mind cud. My intention isn't to be a provocateur. It's to ruminate and regurgitate on cyber paper whatever might be rumbling through my brain at the time. So, for those who nominated me and voted for me, I thank you very much. I am in excellent company so please check out the others as well.

But, wait! The excitement doesn't stop there. Somewhere, or another, I found out about the Technorati list and found my name on that too. I'm still scratching my head about that one because there really aren't that many journals that have me linked. Many of the people who read and comment here don't have me linked (which is cool, by the way.) Now, today I come home and there is an email saying that I am being highlighted on the Finance page again, along with two wonderful journalers. Carly of Ellipsis fame and Vivian of Nwanyiomas Journal fame, amongst other things. But, it's not just this little quip calling me hard-headed (oh how well they know me - lol). If you click on the "Fill the Piggy Bank" link it takes you to a full synopsis of what I wrote which I have a picture of at the top of this entry. I actually couldn't capture the whole story though. So, you'll have to click on the link to read the whole thing.

I feel a little arrogant sharing this here. I never really feel comfortable tooting my own horn. But, my motivation is two-fold. There are those who read my journal who aren't part of AOL and wouldn't find out otherwise and because I also want to share the secret of how to be highlighted or recognized if that's what you want. I shall reveal my secret: Stop trying. Take a sincere interest in other people and their journals/blogs. Leave comments that are meaningful to the entry. Write in your own journal about whatever it is that interests you and be consistent. Ah...but here is where I have been failing lately. I haven't been consistent in writing here. I have so many journals that I try to follow that I often neglect my own. I've even been questioned if something is wrong that I'm not writing about. The only thing wrong is that there isn't enough time in the day to do all that I want to do.

I believe in spreading the joy. There are so many fantastic people here in J-Land and some don't get nearly enough recognition for their contribution to this community and to me personally. As such, there's a new feature that I am adding to Robbie's Ruminations. I've been meaning to do this for a while now but wasn't sure how to implement it. I think I've finally figured it out. Many journalers have started a rotating list of links to other journals on their sidebar. What I've been wanting to do is a little different. I want to highlight specific entries that impacted me in some way. I thought of doing a pimping entry but never seemed to get it off the ground. As such, I am going to use my sidebar to link them. I'll pick five entries each week that have touched me in some kind of way. Maybe because of their humor, or topic, or photo. Eventually, I'll include an explanation as to what it is that prompted me to highlight a particular entry. Thanks to Bloglines and a new feature it has I think it will be possible to do without too much effort. In addition, I am working on something new and fresh for my Journallinks Journal. And, I plan on updating the links. There are many journals that I read that aren't contained there because I have them in Bloglines. If you don't know what I'm talking about when I say Journallinks Journal click on one of the topics in my sidebar. I keep links to all kinds of stuff in another journal.

Gotta go....Big Brother will be on soon and you don't want me to get "hard-headed."

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Robbie, congrats on ALL of your highlights.  YOU are a breath of fresh air and one of the kindest people I've had the pleasure to meet through the AOL journals.  I love your new idea for highlighting specific entries.

Oh, and Big Brother 5...somebody better do away with Scott before I break my television...

Anonymous said...

Robbie, this is way cool.  I don't think you are in any way 'tooting your horn' too much.  Just right!  Good for you.

~Phinney

Anonymous said...

Yes, there are many fantastic people in journal land and you're on the top of the list.

Angela

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Robbie!  So well deserved!!!!
Enjoy your time in the spotlight!  
Lovish!
Connie

Anonymous said...

TOOT away girl, you deserve it :)

Yay!!!!

Danielle

Anonymous said...

your worth every bit of attention ms robbie!  :)   congrats on all the nods your way!!   soak it all up and revel in it all. :)

Anonymous said...

Wow Robbie!  Lots going on here.  Very cool.  It's so nice to see your smiling face all over this page.  Lots to celebrate.  Well-deserved recognition.  Interestingly [or, strangely] that Technorati thing says I should be up there in the top 5 in a search...but I've never seen my Journal on the list.  Go figure.  It must know how absent I've been this summer. :P  Have fun with all the hooplah around here!! :) xo

Anonymous said...

Robbie, if any journal deserves recognition for provoking thoughts and a high overall fascination level, it's yours.  You get me thinking in a way that few people do.  I'm very proud to be in your company.  I think you're right in that the secret is not to try to be noticed, but to write about what interests you and to show a sincere interest in other people.  I know that I'm surprised that the entries that I think will garner the least attention because they're so personally quirky are the ones that people connect to the most.  Anyway, I sincerely hope that you enjoy your moments in the sun.

Anonymous said...

You deserve all the recognition! Congrats :)
(Personally I hope Jase and Scott go soon on BB!)

Anonymous said...

Wow!!  What a week!  Congrats!
V

Anonymous said...

Robbie, congratulations on your nomination and all the recent recognition - - it is well deserved!!     Jon

Anonymous said...

Robbie...congratulations on your well-deserved nomination and for having your smiling face and words of wisdom appearing all over AOL!
~Kelly

Anonymous said...

good for you.... delightful things are happening and I am so happy for you. :):)

Anonymous said...

Robbie! I didn't forget you I promise! I have been AOL-Absent
Glad to see you are all over the place!
Hussie!
Luvah~Kathleen

Anonymous said...

ye-ee-ee haw, Robbie!  hoots and hollers.  

I neglected to ask where your brother lives in my state.  I am assuming Chi-town area...

Would it be a kick to meet you on Labor Day if you did get near the area!  I get to go to Seattle August 2-5 for my first time.

Anonymous said...

thats so cool that u were showcased like that im so proud of you horray (((((((((((((((((robbie)))))))))))))))))))) woo hoo

Anonymous said...

Thanx for visiting my journal and commenting. I have been so preoccupied lately I have neglected my journaling and visiting my pals. So wow..I can imagine how excited you are. Whoo hoo! ~Barbara

Anonymous said...

Thanx for visiting my journal and commenting. I have been so preoccupied lately I have neglected my journaling and visiting my pals. So wow..I can imagine how excited you are. Whoo hoo! ~Barbara

Anonymous said...

You deserve the recognition. Your journal challenges and inspires me. Well done!

Anonymous said...

Don't worry about seeming arrogant! If you hadn't of written about the fact that you were given a feature in finance (TWICE!) I never would have known. CONGRATULATIONS on your Journal Award nominations and for making the Top 100 most linked journals in AOL. They are well-deserved honors.

Anonymous said...

Robbie, it's no surprise to me that your journal is getting noticed.  Your writing is thoughtful and thought provoking (hence the nomination), and your journal is beautifully laid out and put together.  Congratulations, and enjoy the attention!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Good people in AOL Personal Finance too :-)

I like what you say about blogging and tooting your own horn. I am somewhat of the same opinion. I just do whatever it is I do with my Journal and it all seems to go alright. Wish I had more time to keep up with every Journal.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the well-deserved attention!

Anonymous said...

First, congrats on all your successes!!  I'm so proud of you. Your journal has always been wonderful, but it's your warm personality and your insightful entries and comments that really shine.  You deserve every nomination, every consideration, every feature, and every geniune adoration that comes your way.  I'm a fan!!!!  :D

Anonymous said...

Hey Robbie, sorry I've been ignoring you!  Between my desparate bid for an award and then the events of this weekend, I had to take a break from some of the blog-jogging... anyway, congrats on all the spotlight attention.  I agree with others that your journal deserves to be read!  xxoo, Albert  

Anonymous said...

If i had a $1,000,000.00 I would buy my own country and start my own empire. Is there any country for sell on Ebay? lol

Anonymous said...

Your heart is larger than L.A. !!  I would consider it an honor to photograh you !!

Anonymous said...

Robbie, you deserve to be highlighted, not just once but often.  YOu write well and from the heart.  If you were not informed, you were also highlighted on the main welcome screen for one day which explains why you got tons of comments on that "millionaire" entry.  

Congrats also on the AOL J land awards nomination for Most Thought Provoking Journal.  Considering that there are now hundreds of us journaling on AOL, being nominated is reward enough, in my mind.  Winning is just icing on the cake, especially when you consider all the friendships that enriched our lives through this journaling community.