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Thursday, March 31, 2011

The Challenge Has Officially Begun!


        Yes, the posting from A to Z has already started.  Remember that it is already April 1st in places like Australia and New Zealand.   Keep your eyes on your Google Reader or however else you keep track of blogs to see the posts as they go up.  I've already gotten a headstart on some of the A entries.

       This morning I was briefly on the Dennis and Judi talk radio show on New Jersey 101.5 FM and was able to give a plug to the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.  Within minutes afterward I received comments on my previous post and there was a surge of sign ups from New Jersey.  I thank my daughter Ada, who lives in New Jersey, for letting me know that blogging was the topic on the show so I was able to call in and let listeners know about the Challenge.  And I want to welcome our new A to Z-ers from the Garden State.

         Now back to visiting blogs.  I'll be back when April 1st arrives here in California. 


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66 comments:

  1. MercyMarch 31, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    Thanks to being in Australia and scheduled posting, my posts are up :) I am looking forward to reading everyone elses.

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  2. WhitneyMarch 31, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    Very cool! I didn't even think about the time difference.

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  3. Sandi JohnsonMarch 31, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    I just found your blog today, thanks to a fellow writer on one of my favorite forums.

    Your A-Z Challenge sounds like a lot of fun...and perfect timing. I'm participating in another blog challenge for April...so adding the A-Z Challenge doubles the fun (AND gives me a great place to start for topic/title ideas.)

    Wonderful! I'm looking forward to meeting some really cool fellow bloggers.

    You can find me at http://theblueinkwell.com or http://hexemausfarms.com - where commenting should be easy. :) (You can even leave your Twitter ID, if you tweet - I'm always looking for cool new folks to follow on Twitter.)

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  4. Adam KingMarch 31, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    Wow, I am glad to see how this has grown since I signed up, hopefully there will be so many great things to read

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  5. UnknownMarch 31, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    I am doing the challenge but for some reason can't access the link at work I will have to do it tonight my blog is http:icecoldpenguin.blogspot.com and catch me on twitter @icecoldpenguin hooray for the letter A.

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  6. Lynda R Young as Elle CardyMarch 31, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    Oh wow! That's fantastic! (The radio thing...well, AND the challenge start, which I knew already since I'm an Aussie lol)

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  7. Summaiyah HyderMarch 31, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    Participating for the first time. My blog URL is http://www.summaiyahhyder.com/

    A question - do you have a link to past participants?

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  8. TracyMarch 31, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    WEll, I guess you are right; it IS Apr. 1 somewhere, isn't it?
    Have a great time...I can't wait to get started :)-

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  9. SwimmerMarch 31, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    haha thats a hard thing to wrap my mind around!

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  10. RHYTHM AND RHYMEMarch 31, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    Saw the news about the radio on Face book.
    There was an entry this morning ,
    also there is also one gone through for "B".

    Yvonne.

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  11. BarbaraMarch 31, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    That's fantastic!! I'm happy for the radio story! Welcome to all the new participants :) yeeeey to all!! I also forgot about the time difference - says so much about me - the world revolves around its OWN axis :D back to blog-trotting!

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  12. AnonymousMarch 31, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    Hello from a new follower. I am SO excited about the Challenge. Mine is scheduled to post at 5:15 in the morning, Arizona time (also known as California time during DST). When I get home, I can start reading the other posts. :-)

    http://pawnyspen.blogspot.com/

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  13. AnonymousMarch 31, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    we're underway....Hurray!!


    http://mybabyjohn.blogspot.com/

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  14. Alex J. CavanaughMarch 31, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    Cool you got to do a radio spot! And I read my first A post three hours ago.

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  15. LiMarch 31, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Thanks for the tip-off! had totally forgotten there was that much of a time diff. Which is nice, since I can start reading now without stressing over mine quite yet!

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  16. Emily RoseMarch 31, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Yay! Not April yet for me, but I am counting the hours!

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  17. Al PenwasserMarch 31, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    A radio station in New Jersey? Wow, I wish I had heard that. But, it's probably better that I didn't because I would've been so shocked I would have plowed into a tree. So, it's already the 1st somewhere in the world? That sneaky International Date Line. I can never get that straight. Several posts are already "on hold" just waiting to be released (including tomorrow's).
    Should be a fun 26 days (the alphabet DOES have 26 letters, right?).

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  18. AnonymousMarch 31, 2011 at 3:14 PM

    For a moment, you had me scared that I was a day late!!

    Thankfully, I am not! My first few posts are all set up and ready to go! I am about 1/2 done with my alphabet!

    Sig

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  19. DEZMONDMarch 31, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    April is already here in Central Europe too :)
    It's amazing and great that you got a bit of radio marketing for AZ too!

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  20. Michael Di GesuMarch 31, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    Wow, Lee,

    You are really getting the word out... SO many of us! WEEEEEE!

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  21. GrandpaMarch 31, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    Malaysia too Lee! Mine is up and running. Actually I'm into a very busy season but I'm encouraged by your help - strategy and all - perfect hosts you all are. Thank you.

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  22. RHYTHM AND RHYMEMarch 31, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    Thanks Lee for your comment, I am totally amazed at the number of entries,

    Yvonne.

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  23. RhondaMarch 31, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    I am in New Zealand, so I have started. A bit of humor from me: Do you speak Austrian?

    http://www.laugh-quotes.com/2011/04/speak-austrian/

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  24. Liz PMarch 31, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    Wow, this morning it was 800-something, now over 900. I can't see this not hitting the 1000-mark.

    That is really amazing. Great that you were able to promote it on the radio, too!

    Really looking forward to seeing what everyone has done for the challenge. :)

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  25. JL DodgeMarch 31, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    Looking forward to the challenge This is our first time !

    JL&B

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  26. AnnaMarch 31, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    Hullo!
    I just decided to join this morning... And it's too early for me to be typing.
    I just spammed your linky list cos I didn't realize it autocorrected tabulas to tables! Sorry! Hope you can fix that.

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  27. DianaMarch 31, 2011 at 5:02 PM

    That is so neat Arlee. I wish I could have heard you! Love Di ♥

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  28. bendedspoonMarch 31, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    So excited with this challenge! Happy A to Z Blogging to everyone! It's April 1 in here already -- no fooling :)

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  29. Morph WaffleMarch 31, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    Hi, I found your blog through a bloggy friend just in time! What a cool challenege I'm excited. I just started following you also (I still have to fugure out how to make a signature with a html tag) so here is my blog just in case ya wanna look
    http://www.melissalibanillustrations.blogspot.com/

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  30. GrandpaMarch 31, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Lee just to let you know I tried putting the link to my blog below my comment on Stephen's like you taught, and it worked!! Look:

    Grandpa
    Life on The Farm

    Thanks!

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  31. PatriciaMarch 31, 2011 at 5:39 PM

    I'm in! Just scheduled my April 1 post. Looking forward to reading letter bt letter...

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  32. Jemi FraserMarch 31, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    Very cool!! :)

    I've already visited a couple of A posts - it's going to be a fun month!

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  33. AnonymousMarch 31, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    yay i think I have this link thing working :)

    Wool'n'Nuts

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  34. DafeenahMarch 31, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    I think that is the good thing about being 10-12 hrs ahead of most others. I can get my posts up and then spend the rest of the day visiting without having to worry about my posts. Now I am off to see who has theirs up already.

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  35. Pam WilliamsMarch 31, 2011 at 6:18 PM

    Hi Arlee,
    Just wanted to let you know that blog 510 is now defunct. Thanks!

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  36. The Words CrafterMarch 31, 2011 at 6:18 PM

    How cool!!!!

    I'm already seeing posts come up. I may go back and switch from 8am est, to 10pm est to make it easier for the Aussie and NZ bloggers....

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  37. Gail WilsonMarch 31, 2011 at 6:21 PM

    Arlee, I am unable to join in the blog challenge. Would you please remove my 2 blogs. I do hope your challenge is a huge sucess! I am sorry.

    Please remove these 2 blogs...

    http://seasonsadventures.blogspot.com
    and
    http://lifeofapoundpuppy.blogspot.com

    Again, I apologize for this late withdrawl. Gail

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  38. SaugraamzindagiMarch 31, 2011 at 6:44 PM

    Hi Lee,

    I need to edit the link which I posted here while signing up for the challenge (#898). How to do that?

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  39. Karen LangeMarch 31, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    Hooray for the Garden State! (Lived there for 40 years before moving to KY. :) Looking forward to the Challenge!

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  40. PetraMarch 31, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    I'm ready for the challenge! Posting every day is going to be a biggie!!

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  41. Arlee BirdMarch 31, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    Gail -- what numbers are the blogs you want removed? It'll save me time rather than scanning through that immense list.

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  42. Jeff BeeslerMarch 31, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Congratulations on all of your hard work and getting the challenge up so high! We thought 300 was doable. Now we're more than triple that! Awesomeness, Arlee!

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  43. LizzyFordMarch 31, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    Awesome challenge. I needed some motivation to blog more - this will definitely get me in the practice of posting more often!! Thanks!

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  44. Arlee BirdMarch 31, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    I thank all of you for your comments on this post.

    Lee

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  45. Gail WilsonMarch 31, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    Arlee, my blog numbers are 349 and 348. Thank you so much! Gail

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  46. EllaMarch 31, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    Yes, this would be true! I'm looking forward to it Lee! Gosh, a year went so fast, seems like yesterday I was playing catch up, as I joined the game a bit late! So happy I found you;I'm looking forward to another great round, this year~

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  47. AnonymousMarch 31, 2011 at 8:53 PM

    Very cool ... no wonder we had such a jump in numbers today! Way to help spread the good word.

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  48. Lana DMarch 31, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    I can't believe it's April already. It seems like just yesterday I was thinking I still have a couple weeks.

    Cheers!

    LanaD http://soberchronicfabulous.blogspot.com

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  49. CathyMarch 31, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    Hello Arlee
    Just arrived home and see I'm having visitors from your place - please remove my link as I advised a while ago (twice as in x2).
    As much as I'd like to do so I just can't participate - good luck to all who are doing so. Hopefully as the month progresses I will be able to read some posts here and there
    Take care
    Cathy
    ps Still Waters is 73 on the list

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  50. Lisa Ricard ClaroMarch 31, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    This is my first go at this. I'm so excited participate. :)

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  51. Tara TylerMarch 31, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    AAAAhhh! It's AlreAdy stArted! I better get At it!

    www.TaraTylerTalks.blogspot.com

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  52. UnknownMarch 31, 2011 at 10:07 PM

    This is my very first blogging challenge and I am super excited! Can't wait to get started. Yay!!!

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  53. Stuart LloydMarch 31, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    I have also started. I am writing about gamebook villains.

    I look forward to reading other blog posts.

    http://virtualfantasies.blogspot.com/

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  54. Soooz BurkeMarch 31, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    Greetings from the land down under I commented elsewhere...I think..good grief I have hopped around so much I'm not sure If I have or not.

    Just in case I haven't, I'll say Hi !And Bravo for this amazing idea.

    My day 1 post is up here;
    http://sooozsaysstuff.blogspot.com/2011/04/az-challengeday-1april-1st-2011-for.html

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  55. Bethe77April 1, 2011 at 12:16 AM

    Got my letter A up. Not with some diffculty though. Im thinking what did I get myself into. Im sure I will have fun. Thanks for working on this and putting it all together Im sure I will have a great time and totally will enjoy reading others A-Z work.
    Blessings

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  56. MarjorieApril 1, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    This year is going to be fun. Like last year I'm still flying by the seat of my pants.

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  57. Duncan D. Horne - the Kuantan bloggerApril 1, 2011 at 1:12 AM

    Great stuff. It'll certainly be an exciting April! And here's my new signature that I made after reading one of your recent posts about making comments more convenient:

    Duncan In Kuantan

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  58. Ellie GarrattApril 1, 2011 at 1:31 AM

    Wow. The radio plug sounded awesome.

    Happy April Fools, it's now 9.30am in the UK.

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  59. Sarah KetleyApril 1, 2011 at 2:54 AM

    Has anyone thought that if there are nearly 1000 participants and they are 'supposed to do about 26 posts then that is 26,000 posts we are supposed to read in a month.

    lol...

    that makes it 866 posts a day to read

    and 36 posts per hour :-)

    NOT that everyone will post them all, but it is rather exciting to see all the posting going on.

    sarah

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  60. Adam KingApril 1, 2011 at 6:06 AM

    Wow, read so many great posts already, everyone is so talented I have met.

    I have started and A is Anecdote

    http://themakingofamoaner.blogspot.com/2011/04/z-blogging-challenge-day-1-is-for.html

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  61. Timothy S. BrannanApril 1, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    Awesome.

    I got my first post in and will be following all month!

    Tim
    The Other Side

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  62. semaApril 1, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    Interesting challenge.participating for the first time.
    My blog is
    Expressive Impressive
    and my first post is about anything is possible!

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  63. KirbsApril 1, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    First time participating in the challenge,and we've got the first post up. Here is myblog:
    http://so-calconnection.blogspot.com/

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  64. Rob-bearApril 2, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    I'm not sure, exactly, what I'm doing here. I'm just an ol' Bear who's trundled in from the range.

    I'm not entirely sure what you're doing here. But then I've just come out of hibernation, and I'm a bit slow. As in slower than usual. But up here in Canada, things are more relaxed (slower) than elsewhere. It may take us until April 4th to discover what should have happened on April 1st.

    I'm sure you understand.

    www. chrome-on-the-range.blogspot.com

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  65. JamieApril 3, 2011 at 6:17 AM

    I am new to blogging, but have accepted the A to Z challenge! I got my first 2 posts up and can't wait to do the rest! Thanks for hosting this challenge!
    Jamie
    frommyclassroomwindow@blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. Sam373April 3, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    A-Z April Challenge

    I hope I'm not cheating:

    http://wp.me/pBKhv-ce

    ReplyDelete

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