In between the snow post and the 7Pi7D finale post, there was an additional post by MY who lives over at For the Love of Life. Her post went live earlier today; do have a read and let her know of your comments.
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02
February
Change is relative. Change is what you are made to believe must be different. You cannot make change happen by yourself. Can change also just mean evolve? I never think that we change. I think we just simply evolve.
We are not born into the people we are today. We are who we are today because of a decision you made before, and that decision you made , was influenced by someone else’s decision, and their decision was also influenced. So you see, its all predetermined. nothing is actually yours, nothing that you think you changed was truly done by you. It is the conglomeration of many CIRCUMSTANCES that were presented before you, and yours, and theirs- before that.
Circumstances have determined everything in your life. You only feel the need to get moving if there is a force, or a purpose in your cause- TO GET UP IN THE MORNING. Free will, does not exist. If we all had free will , then we would be complete products of our nature -and our nature was not determined by us either. Nothing would propel us to move. Do we make our own decisions? Or is it someone else that did for us? Our society? Our belief system that was the rise and fall of who we are today? It is our environment that is the cause and effect of the world around us. It moves you. People move you.
Without each other, -You, Me, who are we?
And those are my random thoughts.
Bless,
MY
I am MY and I blog at For the Love of Life
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01
February
It has been quite a week on this blog! For anyone who hasn’t been up to speed with the happenings, let me tell you what 14 other bloggers and myself have been upto!
In January 2009, this blog began it’s participation in NaBloPoMo. NaBloPoMo is an innitiative as such, to get bloggers to post on a daily basis. The idea is also to try and blog on a particular theme, but it is not mandatory. The theme for January 2009 was “Change”. It was a subtle theme to begin the year with because January is normally about change, about resolutions, about improving yourself; but January 2009 will also stand out in history as the period in which this world witnessed a truly historic political change which affects almost everyone.
As part of my daily blogging routine, I wanted to gauge how “change” was going to affect the people who read this blog, and more importantly, what is their view of change as they see it in their life. To measure this (using no particular scale as such), the 7 posts in 7 Days (7Pi7D) project was born. The scale of the initial project had to be altered, but the concept remained. This blog was opened to fellow bloggers and non-bloggers to air their views, opinions, and thoughts on this subject of change.
The result of this was amazing, and far exceeded my expectations. The quality of posts which each of these 14 bloggers put together was pretty outstanding. Moreover, I think we can clearly identify that the daily battles which most of us face may be unique to each one of us, but is something that each one of us can definitely relate to. I love the fact that new blogging friendships were forged during this project, and hopefully each one of these guys will see and benefit because of the newly formed alliances.
Another aspect of the 7Pi7D project was a prize for the 500th comment; the prize would go to the 500th commenter ofcourse, and the blogger on whose post the comment appeared. The winners are AnonymouslyMe (blogger) and Digital Niqabi (commenter). An Amazon voucher, and a charity donation are on their way!
As for this blog, well, NaBloPoMo in January was very enjoyable! Saying that, I don’t think I will participate in NaBloPoMo for a while. A major part of my blogging experience is to actually read other blogs, and relate to them from my personal experiences. Unfortunately, during January, I have hardly had time to read and comment on the blogs which I love and follow. I miss this big time, and want to get back to this ASAP. My studies have also taken a fair bit of a hit because of the marathon blogging and the time which it took last month; I want to pick that up again too.
Saying that, I am not one to sit down and continue with a fixed routine! I want to definitely give the blog a facelift, and this is top of a priority list over the next two months. I am also looking at collaborative blogging, and need to further thrash some ideas out in that area. What I do know is that I am reading more blogs outside of my comfort zone, and these are helping me identify challenging areas as a blogger. A little bit of work on the ideas, and we can have something interesting going, not only here but also on other blogs.
I will begin February 2009 by going “shush” for sometime. Work is a little hectic at the moment, and I am begining my month out of London for most of the coming week. I should be alive on twitter, and hopefully back to my blogging best by the end of the week!
The last week of January 2009 was great fun! I want to thank everyone big time for participating. Each of you is in my reader already, an hopefully I will catch up with reading and commenting in the coming days.
I will leave you with 14 of the best! They are linked below in the order of their appearance:
MY *updated* – One more for good measure!
Have a good February everyone!
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30
January
Perhaps it’s narcissistic. You probably don’t give a damn about the inner dialogues of my mind. But, no matter how many times I sat down to write about the momentous change we all were privileged to witness last week, I was unsatisfied. I deleted it five times over. I gave up, shut my lap top, drank buckets of coffee, and drummed my fingers on the table. Was it spectacular? Yes. Did a tsunami of hope come over me when I watched Obama swear into office? Of course. Can I tell you anything that a million other writers haven’t already said a thousand times over, with more eloquence than I could ever hope for? Nope.
So, here is my story about change. My change.
I grew up in a five bedroom house in oil rich south Texas. No, I don’t have an accent.
When he was governor, I once saw W standing on the steps of my church. I like listening to him talk. 2004 found me living, courtesy of my father’s pocketbook, in a small college town in east Texas. A staunch conservative, a shiny black W sticker glistened on the bumper of my Ford mustang. I voted for Bush.
I still cringe a little when I say the word. Liberal. I still feel a little out of place in my own opinions, kind of like wearing a prom dress in a bowling alley. It just doesn’t fit.
But, my eyes were ripped open in 2005 when I married an immigrant, lost my health insurance, and began work as a domestic violence advocate in a shelter for women and children.
Where to begin?
I poured every dime into just keeping my husband living in this country, legally. I worked two jobs to pay for fees and forms and legal advice. I parked my car up against a tree to keep it from being repossessed. I defaulted on my student loans. I dropped out of college. I gave away my cat. I pawned my beloved diamond charm bracelet. I moved to Canada.
The US government lost our paperwork. We had to start over. No refund. No apology. Start over.
Dropping out of school, I lost my health coverage. Due to medical conditions, I could not afford more insurance. There is still a stack of red envelopes on my kitchen table, bills from emergency rooms and hospitals.
Years later, my first real job out of college in a shelter surrounded by women who cannot afford housing, health coverage, clothes for their children, psych meds. Fathers deported, leaving behind five US citizens under ten years old to live very meagerly off of social services and charity.
I have seen first hand the magnitude of the hurdles facing people just to live in this country. I have seen people shackled together in an immigration office. I once saw a starving women, in the United States of America, shit in her pants at the table because her body didn’t know how to react to a full stomach. I have seen children covered in dirt, and sores, and lice – living in cars.
Liberal? Really, you?
Yes.
I lived it. I witnessed it I became a victim to my own blind choice. I changed.
Change is in the air, and as most citizens of this country and other countries watching worldwide, I am standing with open arms ready to embrace it.
My Name is Katherine, and you can read me on Katherine Unabridged.
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30
January
Change;
(Noun), “Change is a-coming!”
(Verb), “Change the subject, please.”
Simultaneously effortless and impossible.
The path to transformation is littered with debris,
including a million lists of tasks to be done,
a few epics containing dreams to be realized,
and a lengthy playbill of the people I’ve disappointed.
A lonely trail,
one in which I seek only my own company
because I am too afraid
to see myself in the eyes of my loved ones.
An unlit road,
where I go through the motions of the day
as if under a cloud,
and I feel I really should have just spent the day in bed.
It comes like a hot flame,
shining a light on the scars within,
guiding me towards the Only One who will hold my hand,
burning to bits the debris of a former life.
Making it so
I can breathe
again.
Change is not easy,
and if I achieve it,
I’ve waged a most meaningful battle.
I can’t change the world, but I can change myself.
This was a Nomadic production from Digital Niqabi.
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29
January
Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding!
As part of the 7Pi7D project, I had announced that I will give away a little something something to the 500th commenter and the blogger on whose post the comment appeared.
Well we have our 2 winners, and I will reveal their identities on Sunday! I will contact the winners before then and let you know how we go about the prizes. Thanks very much to whoever has participated so far, and I hope it will not stop you guys from commenting on some really good posts (don’t you think?)!
Look out for a review of this week on Sunday, the names of the winners, how I go forward on this blog in February, and some new development on the status of this blog!
Look forward to the remaining posts!
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29
January
I know these special people, I’ve known them for some time now. When we get together, there are side splitting stories, with hearty laughs and truck loads of happy memories. We laugh and we cry – but we’re okay in the end.
I know these special people who’ve done a lot or me and if they had half the chance I’m sure they’ll do a lot more. Whether they realise it or not they helped me overcome my demons, reassure me when i’m down, help me after something goes wrong.
I know these special people – who over the years have helped me discover myself, help me mould myself, they look past my faults, concentrating on all the good things. They are awesome & understanding, hilarious & comforting, lovable & adorable people who’ve changed me for the better.
I really don’t know what I’d do without them. And i don’t know for how long we’ll be together but i know that i’ll remember them forever.
I am Ms Outcast, and I am THE original Organised Chaos.
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26
January
NaBloPoMo has been amazing for me and this blog in January 2009; I have come across so many new interesting bloggers and 7Pi7D is really got me and the other (I hope) going. The question now is should I participate in NaBloPoMo in February too? The theme for February is “Want”…
What’dya say people? get clicking now! Hit me with suggestions for the type of stuff you guys would WANT to read (i’m so in this already!)….
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23
January
For all those guys who haven’t yet heard of 7Pi7D…. Where have you been? 
You can read more about this small project here.
7Pi7D was conceived as part of me taking part in NaBloPoMo. The theme for January 2009 is Change, and to commemorate the last week of January, I am opening my blog to my readers to post their opinions, views, thoughts and experiences of change. What they are going to do is simple – they are going to write a post, as they would on their blog, on whatever they want…. but to the theme of change!
To manage this first time event, I have opened my blog to 14 guest posts. People can post more than once, but I would love to have 14 unique and insightful views on change from your perspective, or from your life. There are 2 cash prizes at stake as well….. this will go to the 500th commenter on my blog (we stand at 420 at the moment), and also to the blogger on whose post the comment appears. Depending on how popular this project turns out, there could be something in it for everyone – lets see.
For all those of you who have put your name down – I would love it if you guys could start sending in your posts. The first two posts will go out this Sunday morning at 0001 UK time, and 1200 UK time. Thereafter, there will be 2 posts everyday for 7 days.
As it stands, I still need 4-5 more of you to join in. I already have one non-blogger participating, so why don’t you the reader make a cameo too! Check out the link at the start of the post for how you can get involved, or drop me a line or leave a comment, and I will get back to you with answers. 
I am also on twitter, so you can ask me on there if it is more convenient.
So far, this is what my line up looks like… but it’s not necessary that the posts will appear in the same order! 
One of you is getting into the spirit of this already, check Mars‘ post out!
The Legend of G
From the stupidest corner of my mind
The Inner Workings of a Media Junkie
Digital Niqabi *new*
Go on… Join in!
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Well, it was some weekend! Not overly exciting, but I did everything and more on my to-do list!
Saturday started with cleaning my room, and pulling out the clothes which I have been wanting to give to charity. Hopefully the Islamic charity that I donated the clothes to will send it off to Gaza. Next was food shopping and cleaning the car. Then I sat to study a the chapter which I have been studying for the last 3 months; I finally finished it on Sunday! Next came the Google Reader catch-up session; I sat reading approximately 500 posts which were waiting in my reader all week, and I recon I commented on atleast 80-100 posts too! Saturday night ended quite late… well, late into Sunday morning. On Sunday, after a little more stuying, I watched He Got Game, which stars Denzel Washington. I think I can watch anything which stars Jim Carrey, Will Smith, and Denzel Washington – their acting is pretty immense.
On early Sunday morning, I officially “launched” the 7 posts in 7 days project. I started January with 10 resolutions; my aim was to get life back on track after an indifferent 3 years or so. As part of the changes, I decided to participate in NaBloPoMo; co-incidently, the theme for January 2009 is change. My post on Numbers supplemented my resolutions, and in an attempt to come out fighting in 2009, I began posting something everyday. I wonder how many people, if any have noticed, but I have attempted to accomodate the theme of change in every post that I write; it may be obvious sometimes, and subtle in others, but I want to try and write posts which makes the reader think.
Since this is my first attempt at NaBloPoMo, I decided yesterday to offer my blog to 7 (or more) bloggers for 7 days. I have 2 objectives. My first objective is part of my resolutions – to forge new friendships, and social media is an excellent medium to go about this at this moment in time. The second objective is to get people out and talk about something which they aim to see or do in 2009. I want to gauge in a “debate” on the theme of change, and I want to know how you the reader see change in 2009.
The rules of this project are simple:
- Anyone can participate; you dont have to own a blog to take part.
- You can participate as many times as you want over the 7 days, you are not limited to a single post.
- The 7 days in question are from Sunday 25th January 2009 to Saturday 31st January 2009. You can participate on one or multiple days – it all depends on how many posts you write!
- The theme of the post has to be “Change”. The title and content of the post – well that is up to you! It can be a personal post (based on the content of your blog, or experience), it can be a general post, it can be 2 lines, or the works of Shakespeare; quite what you write is up to you…. as long as it has something to do with the theme.
- In your post, it will be cool to mention your blog or website, and in return, I will direct traffic towards your site via shout outs to the posts and your blog on 3 social network sites. If you want to post anonymously, then that is fine too; I will appreciate the post regardless of the person who is posting!
Another objective which I want to reach, hopefully before the 31st of January, is the 500th commenter. Now, I originally mentioned that the commenter will get a cash prize either in the form of a gift card/voucher (or e-voucher) of their choice, OR I will donate that money to a charity of their choice. I want to extend this prize a little. If the 500th comment comes during the period of the guest posts, I will offer 2 prizes – one for commenter and one for the author of the post. Now, the added incentive is on you to market your posts, and to raise awareness of 7 posts in 7 days. As it stands, we are a 100 comments or so away from 500 commenters.
Ok, so I have highlighted my idea of the project; the next step is – how do you participate? Well your options are -
- Leave a comment with your interest to post;
- Drop me an email with your interest to post (biscuitinabasket [at] googlemail [dot] com);
- Twitter me with your interest to post.
Once I get your message, I will contact you and let you know how you can post. I am arranging for guest logins, but if you are not comfortable with using wordpress, you can always type up a post as you want it to appear (in MS word, or in an email etc), and I will ensure that it is presented well as a post.
If you have any questions or queries, just ask You don’t have to be a great writer to participate…. if you want to take part – you’re in! The earlier you throw your name into the hat, the more shout outs you get! I will be mentioning my posts on Twenty Something Bloggers, NaBloPoMo, and Twitter.
The people who are on the list to take part so far (almost certainly!) are……
Mali from Gone fishing without my GPS
Lili from Lili’s Blog
From… well, no where specific – The Legend of G
HFM from Drinking Raindrops
Antonella… or Anto… or Ace… or Thrice… (one of those four) from From the stupidest corner of my mind
I look forward to cameo posts from silent readers, and passers by… the more, the merrier and better!
Tomorrow is the start of some real change in the world…. what are your views on change? Want to talk about it? I’ll give you the platform… the stage is all yours!
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