This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2025 the theme is a random assemblage of things that are on my mind--or that just pop into my mind. Whatever! Let's just say I'll be "Tossing It Out" for your entertainment or however it is you perceive these things.
Showing posts with label Mark Koopmans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark Koopmans. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

50 States of Pray



      The Linky List can be found at Mark Koopman's Blog if you'd like to visit the other participants and share in their prayers, thoughts, memories, hopes, regrets about the past and/or wishes for the future.

My Christmas Prayer for New Jersey

        I don't live in New Jersey nor have I ever.  But my three daughters live there with their families.  This includes my three wonderful granddaughters whom I rarely get to see, but look forward to seeing during these holidays.  

       In the past I always pictured New Jersey as a dingy urban blighted place.  Now that I have loved ones there I've become more familiar with this fine little state.  There is actually some pretty countryside, ocean coasts, and small towns.   I wouldn't even mind living there one day if that's where my daughters choose to stay.

      New Jersey has had it's share of tragedy over the past couple years and I pray for the redevelopment of the areas that were affected by the hurricane in 2012.   I also pray for the economy so that many will find prosperity in their lives.   My prayers go out to the health and safety for all of the state's citizens.

       The United States despite whatever shortcomings it may have remains a great and mighty nation and this is due to wonderful states like New Jersey.   May God's abundant blessings fill New Jersey in the coming year.

      New Jersey, I will see you soon.  Take care of my kids and grandkids.


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Monday, December 9, 2013

BlogMan Is Here!


Logo designed by Jeremy Hawkins
 at Being Retro
and other places

       As if you haven't heard enough about me already.  You've seen my photo so there's nothing to hide there.  I've even made some public appearances and have met some of you in person.   And I've certainly rambled on about myself plenty on my blogs.

       Yes, that's blogs plural.  My name shows up on eight blogs, but I don't post regularly on all of them.  In fact I only have regularly scheduled posts on three of them besides Tossing It Out.   My other active blogs are Wrote By Rote, A Faraway View, and A Few Words.  If you don't know about these blogs and are curious about them you can click on the links.  Those are my neglected children and they love having visitors.  

       Why so many blogs?  It came as a result of my wanting to cut back on the seven day posting I was doing here on Tossing It Out.  But I had so many things I wanted to write about that I instead started more blogs.  A totally self-defeating move by some estimations I suppose.  Others may consider it a good marketing move or SEO strategy.  Personally, I think it's kind of wacko, but here I am.

       And that's how I became BlogMan.   The nickname came from the post My Brain Is A Blog. You can go back and read it if you're interested.  Just more silliness from me.

       And to think I could have named myself anything at that time.  I could have proclaimed myself "King of the Blogs".   A bit pretentious I guess.  BlogMan is more generic.  More of an "Everyman" title.  After all, you too can be a BlogMan, BlogWoman, BlogBoy, BlogGirl, BlogDog, or BlogWhatever.   I am Blogman!  We are all BlogPeople!

        So I'll keep it simple and end there.  After all we need to see what you have to say on this special Cheersfest Day.

        Enough about me already--from me at least.  I'm ready for a roastin'.   Now excuse me while I go hide under my desk.

Visit CheersFest Sites:

        For the Linky List of participants and a few words from our sponsors, be sure to visit the blogs of  Mark KoopmansMorgan ShamyDavid Powers KingStephen Tremp and The Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.  The fun has already started!




 
      Oh, and not to forget the next Battle of the Bands post coming Sunday December 15th, there are some clues in today's post as to which Christmas song I'll be using in the next match-up.  Can you guess the song?



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Wednesday, November 20, 2013

You've Been Given The Bird!

Hey!   Wake up dodo bird!



C'mon Arlee wake up and face the music!  And I'm not referring to any Battle of the Bands.
        While I was sleeping I was chosen as the honoree of a special event.  Maybe you've heard about it.  If not, I'm going to tell you about it.  Cheersfest was started by Mark Koopmans last year when we roasted Alex J. Cavanaugh. Yeah, we all had a fine time with that.

        Now I'm in a fix and you all are in the driver's seat.  Time to dish it out to the Bird and I ain't talkin' turkey.   It's time for the second annual Cheersfest blogger roast and I am this years roastee.   Come on and give me the business.  Have fun while you make me squirm.


"They like me!  They really like me!  Or wait maybe they don't like me.  I don't know whether to laugh or cry.  Maybe I'll cry.  Everything's a blur."

 What's a Cheersfest? 

        Here's the way originator Mark Koopmans puts it:


“Ever attended a Christmas party where you bump into the one person who was always there for you during the past year. You’d thank them for being such a RockStar, right?”
So began the inaugural CheersFest (aka AlexFest) when our Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh, was roasted and toasted in December 2012.
Everyone, including A-Cav had such a great time that we’ve decided to do it again.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the 2013 recipient of CheersFest is none other than Arlee “Lee” Bird.”
On his main blog, “Tossing It Out,” Lee describes himself, in part, “as a writer, speaker, entertainer, music lover, collector, husband, father, grandfather, friend, traveler, seeker of truth and wisdom.” He majored in English while at the University of Tennessee, has blogged since 2008, and currently has six blogs that delve into his diverse mind.
The original brains behind the annual A to Z Challenge, Lee can be counted on to pay it forward and is a well-respected member of the blogging community.
Hosted again by Mark Koopmans, Morgan Shamy, David Powers King, Stephen Tremp and The Ninja Captain himself, CheersFest 2.0 will go LIVE! Dec. 9, 2013.

What Do You Do?

In order to proper cheer (or roast) the Bird, here are four questions for you to answer on CheersFest Day, but please keep the retorts short – (no longer than 20 words each):

· Why did Lee come up with the A-Z Challenge?
· If someone dreams about being a juggler, what does it mean?
· Is a post by Mr. Bird worth two in the bush?
· Who could play Lee in a documentary? (Living or dead.)

In +/- 100 words, (excluding the title) write flash fiction using all these prompts:

· Bird

· Juggler

· Challenge

· Brown Jacket

· Tossing



For Bonus Points:

· In +/- 40 words, can you come up with a caption for Lee’s Facebook picture?





As usual, the Very Demanding Rules of CheersFest include:

· Join the Linky List *below*

· Have fun

· Post your 200 (total) word contribution ON Monday, Dec. 9, 2013.

· No, seriously. Have Fun!


There Will Be Big Prizes!

After all entries have been carefully scrutinized for entertainment value (or if it makes me cry because it's so beautiful), I'll be picking two winners who will be winning extraordinary prizes:

· An autographed color photo of Arlee Bird appearing as the Court Wizard in the World of Fantasy Players production of The Magic of Cinderella.   Also included in the first prize pack is an assortment of promotional materials from Lee’s show biz days with a personal letter and a brief history of his entertainment career.

· A personalized graphics design from Jeremy at Being Retro for the winner’s blog. (Jeremy will design a header, badge, button, banner, or whatever might appeal to the winner.)

Okay so I don't have a book to autograph and I'm not going to be baking cookies.  But the prizes will still be fun!

So are you ready to face the Blogman?



If so, the Linky is now open. Sign up below and we’ll see you on Dec. 9th

...
       C'mon now--no excuses.   It'll be fun!  Not going to be around?  You can always preschedule your post.   And it doesn't have to be some literary masterpiece.   Just hack it out if you need to.   The more entries we get, the more work I have to do.  You want me to work don't you?



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