Category Archives: NaBloPoMo

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National Podcast Post Month Year 5

National Podcast Post month Logo

NaPodPoMo

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Today marks the beginning of the audio marathon I call NaPodPoMo or National Podcast Post Month. Over the course of the next 30 days podcasters from around the globe will be podcasting daily with the goal of having 30 podcasts completed by November 30th.

This is the 5th year we have done NaPodPoMo. I use this monthly long audio recording frenzy as an opportunity to try new things. From platforms to tools to style to shows I call it my experimentation time. Some experiments work out beautifully and continue on such as Tech in Twenty from year 2 while others go the way of the dodo like my effort in year 3. Regardless of the success rate of my experiments the one thing that holds true is that I learn something new each time.

For many folks who have been curious about podcasting this is a great opportunity to learn. With a podcast due each and everyday the learning curve is fast. No time to freak out about a less than stellar performance. Chalk it up to experience and put your game face on for the next day’s show. One thing that is always true is that your 30th podcast will be markedly improved from your day 1 podcast.

For veteran podcasters, NaPodPomo is the opportunity to recapture the love of the audio medium. There is no doubt that folks who started podcasting in the early days 2004-2006 love audio. Recording a podcast has never been easier with all the mobile apps and online services at our fingertips. Discovering new tools to do recording, editing and posting is exciting and fun.

Whatever the reason you are joining us for this year’s NaPodPoMo challenge, I welcome you into the fold. My advice is to forgive yourself quickly and enjoy the journey.

Cheers!

NaBloPoMo Day 30 – 30 Days of Blogging Success!

I am glad to have taken part in the National Blog Post Month 2007. Coupled along with the NaPodPoMo 2007 event made two of the items on my wish list come true. At the start of it all, I said I wanted to blog and podcast more often. Although I had several podcasts and a blog I never felt I could tackle it on a daily basis. Then along came all the buzz for NaNoWriMo and then I heard about NaBloPoMo and NaVloPoMo. All happening during the month of November. What better way to dive right in head first into something I’ve been wanting to do than to tackle it along with several thousand other folks?

Success by doing something alongside others even though I had never met a single person who was embarking on this challenge with me. Just knowing there were others plugging away at all hours to do their 30 days of blogging made it easier for me to see this through. It was almost as if I had an obligation to each and every one of them as much as I had an obligation to myself. So thanks. Thanks for being my blogging partners even though we never met.

I’ll be back next year for NaBloPoMo 2008.

You can count on it.

NaBloPoMo Day 29 – The Tale End?

With only 1 more day to go before the NaBloPoMo challenge is complete it almost seems as though it didn’t happen at all.  It has gone by relatively fast and the fact that we’ve been doing this for 29 days seems unreal. I almost don’t believe it and I’m the one who did it.

So with only 1 more day to go, I’m left to ponder my daily blogging and podcasting future. It’s tempting to stop, but also tempting to just keep going. I’ve heard that it takes 30 days to make or break a habit. I would say that after tomorrow I will have created a new habit for myself. Daily podcasting & blogging.

What does that mean? Well it could mean that I’m free to continue the NaPodPoMo and NaBloPoMo experiences. When I look back on the last months posts I see bits of myself in both the audio and written format.  Yet I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of the things I’m passionate about. Things that interest me. Things that are fun. Things that me go ???

After all tomorrow is another day.

NaBloPoMo Day 28 – Sharing in the Community

With NaPodPoMo & NaBloPoMo & NaNoWriMo & NaVloPoMo going on all at the same time. It has really made the sense of community come alive. Even though we are all doing each of these events by ourselves we feel as though we are a small part of something bigger. Each one essential to the making of the whole event.

I know that I’ve felt completely connected during the NaPodPoMo & NaBloPoMo events to each and every one of you. So yeah, to Social Networking and the power of our individual efforts combining into one big effort

NaBloPoMo Day 27 – Refreshing

Something I’ve learned after yesterdays frustration is that just like the Good Book says, (and I’m paraphrasing here to save me from getting up to look up the exact verse)  “Each and every day is new”. It’s been refreshing to realize that although yesterday was a tough day that today is a day that I can start anew.

I’ll admit to having a fleeting moment of dread when I hit record for my NaPodPoMo #27 post. Thankfully after an initial moment of nerves I was glad to find the “old me” again. Whew!

The ability to bounce back is an inherent part of being human. When we’re in our personal “darkest hour” it’s easy to doubt our triumphant return.  Luckily we have our own experience and faith to see us through.

NaBloPoMo Day 26 – Simple can be difficult

I had the most difficult time today recording the podcast for today’s NaPodPoMo titled: Simple is Good.

I usually record, edit and post at around 11pm right before I post my daily entry for NaBloPoMo. I’ve been crunched for time on a few shows, but because my shows are simple and single concept based it’s been easy enough.

Today I thought I would get a head start on todays show. I was at my microphone by 8:00pm. Woohoo! I’ll get this up and out early and enjoy the rest of the evening. Or so I thought. I recorded and re-recorded and edited and deleted and started over recording and re-recording and editing and deleting and……. UGH!

A few things come to mind. Am I just not in my comfort zone? Is 11pm my witching hour and 8pm not? By giving myself a limiting topic (NaPodPoMo Countdown) did I limit myself? Have I come to the end of my “On the Fly” way of podcasting? Is my head broken?

I don’t know. What I do know is that my head hurts, my shoulders are tense, I’m in serious need of a massage and I’m freaked out. What the heck?!

So while the show on simplicity….wasn’t. At least it’s out. Only 4 more to go.

NaBloPoMo Day 25 – Recapping the fun

With NaBloPoMo coming to a close in the next 5 days, I am going to spend the next few days recapping my experience. By participating in both the NaBloPoMo & the NaPodPoMo I was able to pursue the two things I never felt I had the time to do, blogging and podcasting.

Dont’ get me wrong I’ve been blogging and podcasting for a couple of years, but never as frequently as this. Creating content on a daily basis had its moments. Some well planned others….not so much. Regardless both experiences have been a true pleasure.

NaBloPoMo Day 24 – Surprises

Today our family ventured out to do some Christmas shopping. A few of us went to the outdoor mall, La Cantera and few others went to Wal-Mart. Those of us who went to La Cantera did window shopping while the folks who went to Wal-Mart did not. Nope. They did the real thing. Came home with electronic goodies. However instead of wrapping these goodies to put under the Christmas tree (which we haven’t gotten yet), they opted to go with the “Christmas came early” approach.

I find it interesting that as our kids have gotten older that the element of surprise during the holidays seems to become less of a factor. They make us a list of a few items they would like. We ask for this list every year to give to family members. It helps to make shopping easier for us, too. Now even though we have this list we still manage to get items not on the list as a way to keep the surprise alive. Although it is getting to be more of a challenge each year. As your children grow older I’m interested to know what you do to keep the sense of surprise in Christmas strong.

NaBloPoMo Day 23 – Missing

The holidays are a time to be thankful for all the blessings in our lives both tangible and intangible. What holidays can also be is a reminder of those who are no longer with us to participate in the holiday merriment. If you’ve lost a loved one, the holidays can be a bittersweet experience. The memory of family and friends that you are unable to celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas with can make the holidays a challenging time.

What makes the holiday easier to bear is the knowledge that there will be the Ultimate Celebration to share with loved ones passed in the future. So while we may be missing them in this life, what a blessing it will be to rejoice in the merriment and festivities in  the next everlasting life.

NaBloPoMo Day 22 – Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

We, like many, are enjoying family and food. Lots and lots of food and lots and lots of pies. So very yummy. Today is the day that not only do we enjoy uninterrupted time with family, but we also get to enjoy guilt-free eating.

We ate the tried and true favorites: Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli casserole, green bean casserole, two kinds of yam casserole, cranberries. The highlight was wine that our friends Scott and Christina made for their wedding. That and the flower arrangement sent by our friend Patty helped to make our meal special.

I’m thankful for all the folks both near and far, online and offline who I am privileged to count as my friends. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.