Week 10 Voting Starts NOW! Who will make it to the finale?

Wow, it's been an amazing ride so far with this contest!  And now we are down to the final three contestants.  This week, they had to write about their experiences with Blogger Idol, and why they want to win.

Also, we have a new voting system.  Instead of the previous one where you could vote once per day, you can now only vote once, and it allows me to see more details about where the votes are coming from.  And... it's prettier.... don't you think?

When casting your votes, remember that you are choosing who will move on to the finale next week.  Please read all of the posts, and then come back here and scroll down to vote in the poll!  And comment below to wish the contestants good luck!


Mama Spaghetti

Chris

Justin

Voting for this week has closed!

Farewell from Chess

Ah, well isn't this a bummer? I really thought I was gonna win. But I think we all did coming into this. It's a nice thought isn't it? I'm just glad I got a second chance to be in this competition. It's been a lot of fun. "Met" a lot of nice people and found several new blogs to enjoy reading. I'm glad for that at the very least! Although, I don't know how I'm supposed to keep up with all of them. I already spend too much time reading blogs. :)

Thanks to friends, family, bloggies, and mah Chester the Best-er groupies for all the votes, comments, emails, and the encouragement. It makes a body feel special and important. But now that my turn is over, be sure to make Lisa, Justin, and Chris feel special and important too! The best of luck to you three! I think one of you will definitely win! ;-)

So, I guess I'm gonna go have fun being my normal twenty-three-year-old, single self. I've moved back home for the inevitable uncertain period between graduating college and actual life. Now that I'm not worrying about a competition, I'ma go cuddle my niece, spend time with my family, sketch out my plan of attack on the world, train for a half marathon (hopefully!), and finally hit the elusive size 4 I've been chasing down for the last few years. Rock my job interview for a really prestigious waitressing position. Buy a car. Go back for more school.

So no worries! I've got plenty to do and blog about. Hope you'll join me and follow the adventure at http://chezprez.blogspot.com

Loves.
Chess

Week 9 Elimination

It was a week full of turning boys into men by dumpster diving for seven fish for Christmas dinner while singing happy birthday in three languages..... or something like that.  We all have traditions and values that surround us.  This week we got to learn about some of the traditions that surround the final four contestants.  And... keeping with tradition, someone has to be eliminated.  Here is the prize that is going to the contestant that is eliminated this week:

An autographed copy of It Girls Guide to Blogging with Moxie by dynamic duo Joelle Reeder and Katherine Scoler.  Learn everything there is to great blogging, from the girls who own Moxie Design Studios.  

Want to break into blogging but don’t know where to start? Dynamic duo Joelle Reeder and Katherine Scoleri of The Moxie Girls^TM show you how to start your first blog, polish your prose, get involved in blogging communities, make sense of RSS feeds, podcasts, photos and more — all with fun, humor and attitude!
Inside you will find the need-to-know info to get your blog noticed: How to choose the right blogging platform or content management tool, select a web host, dress up your blog, manage blog content and keep your privates private! When you are ready for more, The Moxie Girls will treat you to insider dish on blog etiquette, analyzing blog traffic, blogging for business, creating podcasts and adding bling to your blog with plugins, add-ons and more. Throw in the refreshing cocktails, beauty tips and gossip with the Girls at the end of each chapter and you’ll be Blogging with Moxie in no time. So, what are you waiting for?
The IT Girl’s Guide to Blogging With Moxie is packed with the content you need wrapped in casual, engaging dialog and a cheeky, bite-sized format.

• Bargain-blogging with tools such as WordPress®, TypePad®, and Vox
• Choosing a content management system like Expression Engine or Movable Type
• Managing blog content, using tags and moderating comments
• Selecting a professional designer and choosing from off-the-rack templates
• An introduction to podcasting and videocasting
• Finding, joining and managing blog communities
• Protecting your online identity
• Using a blog to better your business

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Week 9 Voting starts NOW!

This week's assignment is about family.  More specifically, family traditions and values.  Within every family, there is something that glues it together.  Whether it be a cause or value that you all stand behind, or a tradition that you do, or take part in.  The contestants were told to write about something that has been passed down in their family. 

Here are your final four contestants, each with a different take on what traditions and values mean to them (Click on the names to read the posts, and scroll down to vote!):

Justin

Chris

Mama Spaghetti

Chess

Farewell from Roni

Did you know I found out about this competition just a couple of hours before the auditions closed? I randomly came across the link and thought "wow, this looks like fun!" And it was. Believe it or not, I wasn't in it for the coffee cup cozy! I loved the challenge of being told what to write and coming up with something that I hoped would speak to people. I loved all the great feedback from everyone. But, the best part was making all these new blogging buddies! 

Do I think I should have won the whole thing?  Hell yeah!!  But, we can't win 'em all. So, don't be sad for me guys. I'll be just great because I've got them:

and I've got him:

and most importantly, I've still got my day job!

Finally, to Lisa (aka Mama Spaghetti), Justin (aka Daddy Knows Less), Chris (aka From the Bungalow) and Baby Chess (aka Chester the Bester): you're all amazing writers and deserve to be where you are. Keep up the good work because I'll be reading (and voting)!

Rock on Rock Stars!!

 xoxo,

Roni (aka Mommy in Law)

Week 8 Elimination

My internet was out last night, and so I couldn't shut the poll down at midnight last night.  But I don't think that accounted for the record number of votes we had this week.  I think it was due to people sharing the posts, and supporting the causes that they felt passionate about.  Which says a lot about sharing, and spreading the word, and the attention it can bring to certain things.

The person being eliminated this week will win this prize from Tufa Tots:

1dozen space Invaders un-paper towels (7x10.5) with snaps and paper towel roll attachment and 2 Pac Man grocery bags with a unique folding capability for storage. From Tufa Tots.

Tufa Tots also has tons of other awesome, unique reusable items, so make sure you checkout their website and facebook page!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Week 8 voting starts NOW!

Wow. Just wow.  I think I've been saying this every week lately..... but this week has DEFINITELY been my favorite week so far.

The contestants were told to step up onto their soapboxes, and get passionate.  And boy, did they ever.  The posts made my heart race, and ache, and made me angry, and made me cry.


Even if you came here to vote for someone specific, even if you've pledged your loyalty to a specific contestant, you must read all the posts.  Every single one of them is worthy of being viral.  Share the ones that hit home with you, or support a cause you believe in. 

They are all powerful posts, written from the heart.  Each, on a different topic.

Click the names to read the posts, and then scroll down to the bottom to place your vote.  Remember: You can vote once a day!

Chris
Mama Spaghetti
Chess
Justin
Roni

Week 8 Voting is now over!

Farewell from Derrick

From Derrick:

Dad V. Bidding Adieu

Don't you go crying for me...

To say that it came as a bit of a shock to find out I'd been eliminated is kind of an understatement.  I really had an ego big enough to think I had a pretty darn good shot at winning the whole kit and kaboodle.

I blame myself afterall....I didn't spam enough...or I didn't have a big enough following or something.

Obviously there is something I didn't do enough of or well enough at...It's OK that I lost to this group of writers, they really are top notch and I'll be glad to keep reading and voting and stuff.

I'd really like to thank Heather for starting the contest, it must have been a boat load of work and it keeps being so every week.

Things aren't all doom and gloom for me...Dadv. is still growing a lot and some of that has to do with this contest, so that's good.

And I also got my first paid blogging gig over at SportsBlog.com.  So check me out there too.

I'll be around and I'll keep writing...stop on by...a lot and tell your friends and...uh...click those double underlined words...(Sorry, I have to say that stuff...)

Thanks.

Derrick

Week 7 Elimination

This week the contestants all had to write fiction posts.  The theme?  A day in the life of your family... if you were all vampires.  By far, I think that this week had some of the best posts yet.  They were all so fun to read!

This week the contestant that gets eliminated will be winning a Reusable Coffee Cup Cozy from Vintage Charm Boutique.  You can check it out on the prizes page.  They can be ordered in custom colors, and Vintage Charm Boutique also has tons of other great custom, one of a kind merchandise.  They also do custom orders, if you have something in mind that you can't find anywhere else!  So stop by their facebook page, and give them a 'like'!

From Vintage Charm Boutique: A replica of the hat the Bella (Twilight) wore in La Push.

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Week 7 Voting Starts NOW!

This week, the contestants seemed like they had quite a bit of fun, for how far most of them got pulled out of their comfort zone.  They worked on something that many of them probably hadn't touched since they were in school.

The assignment this week was to write a fiction post.  The theme was "A day in the life of your family"... but there was a twist.  Their family members all had to be vampires. 

Click on the names below to read the posts, and then scroll down to the bottom of the post to vote!

Justin Mannato

Derrick

Roni

Mama Spaghetti

Chess

Chris

Voting for week 7 is CLOSED!

Week 7 Play-at-Home (a day late)

Sorry, I totally thought I had this post pre-written to publish, but I guess I didn't!  Here is your week 7 play-at-home:

This week, we are going to work on something that a lot of you may not have dabbled in.  It may be simply because you haven't had a reason, or because you just didn't know where to start.

Well, here is your reason:  This week, all the posts are going to be fiction.

I want you to write a blog post about a day in the life of your family.  Except, not just any ordinary day.  This day, every single member of your family is a vampire.

Specifications:
*At no point in the story should any of your family member turn into a vampire. They should all be vampires from the beginning of the story.
*You can not change your last name to Cullen.
*Buffy can not take any part in your story.
*All posts must be at least 400 words.

Things to spark your imagination:
*Think about your daily life. What would be different if you were vampires?
*How would you interact with your neighbors, and the general public?
*What steps would you have to take so that you weren't 'found out' by the people close to you?
*How would vampire children behave differently?
*How would going to work be different?

Farewell from Mama Mash and John

From John:

Wait.

Did something just happen?

You are telling me that I am not going to be 2011's Blogger Idol?

Man I always had visions in my head that I would be singing "A Moment Like This" as confetti rained down on me after I was announced as the winner.  I never enter into anything that I don't think I can win, it's partially why I will never enter a marathon.  I mean I could run my ass of and still lose by a mile or 24 for that matter.  I was undefeated as a cub scout in the Pinewood Derby until my last race.  For three years my little 5 ounce car was faster than everyone else, but I will be haunted by my last race.  My car flew off the track and I lost.  I was devastated to say the least.  I want to remember the wins but what sticks with me is the LOSS.  Stupid Pinewood Derby.

Anyway this is different, what I will remember most about this loss is the fine group of people I was associated with.  These guys are some talented writers, and while I never thought of myself as such, it was GREAT to be included.  I was able to discover blogs that I never would have otherwise, and have developed relationships with people I have never actually met.  That's pretty cool.

From the get go I thought that the cards were stacked against me.  I never thought that I would actually make it into this competition, but as the weeks went by Daddy's in Charge turned into a locomotive that was picking up steam.  Positive feedback, votes for me, banners hanging up at supermarkets, and front page stories in the local newspaper… everything was rolling along.  Then all of a sudden, my train derailed, and my dream of being Blogger Idol was ruined.

I think what finally did me in was my lack of wanting to talk about myself.  I like to write about OTHER people, mainly my kids.  I am sure that I am not alone in this thinking.  It's just not easy to write about yourself all the time.  I will say this though, I have learned something about myself in this competition, maybe I CAN write.  It's not something I would ever think I can do for a living, but I got some talent there.  Some people are so good at it though they could probably rewrite the phonebook and make it sound interesting.  I won't go that far with myself, but I could probably write some sort of manual about how to win the Pinewood Derby.

Just stay on the track.

That's what I will do, I'll keep blogging trying to entertain as many people as I can.

John Willey
daddysincharge.com



From Mama Mash:

Hey, this was fun, and I learned a lot.

I learned that no way, never ever, do I want to organize a blogging contest. Heather deserves a big hand for dealing with a bunch of narcissistic prima donna bloggers, a buggy blogging platform, (I’m talking to YOU, Blogspot!) and rogue commenters who like to start virtual slap fights. Great job on your inaugural year with Blogger Idol. I hope you’ve learned a lot as well, and I look forward to seeing your second shot at this.

I learned that people on Facebook and Twitter who I thought were just acquaintances are actually really good friends. Some I’ve met in real life, some I will stalk next year at BlogHer, and some I just hope to run into one day when fate is feeling generous. I’m talking to you, @chicktuition, and you, Colorado Cake Mom! And you, John Willey, you obnoxious bastard. And you, bloggers I mentioned during Pay it Forward week. You fill my days with laughter, snark, and unbelievable amounts of bullshit.

I learned that I absolutely despise being told what to write. While I enjoy getting inspiration from prompts from time to time, being judged on how well I stick to an assignment is exasperating. I blog because it’s fun. I’m not in seventh grade trying to pass a state-mandated test, I’m not writing a college entrance essay, and I’m sure as hell not trying out for Miss America.

 World peace, bitches. :D

I learned that I’mnot for everyone, and that’s cool. The saddest thing I’ve seen in my time in the blogosphere is bloggers who change who they are in order to get more readers, hoard more comments, and attract sponsors. The second saddest thing I’ve seen is insecure twat waffles who feel that it’s ok to put other people down for what they want to talk about in their own cyberspace cubicles. If you’ve got something against mommybloggers, or daddybloggers, or I’vegotsixcatsandachinchillabloggers, don’t feel it’s necessary to go piss allover their parade. Start your own parade. You’ll be much happier.

In closing, I wish the remaining contestants the best of luck. I firmly believe that in the end, hard work will be rewarded, and it seems like you guys are busting your butts to win this thing.

Also, whoever wins that cool bag for fifth place? Call me.We’ll bargain.
www.mamamash.com

Week 6 DOUBLE Elimination

If there is one night of my week that I hate the most, it's the night I have to tally the scores. I think last night was the worst yet, because as I was figuring things out, I realized that with today's double elimination, I am eliminating 25% of the contestants. 

All of the contestants thus far should be very proud of themselves.  They are the top 8 contestants out of 52 that auditioned, and have worked tremendously hard to get to where they are now.  However.... two people must be eliminated this week...

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Week 6 Voting Starts NOW!

This week's assignment was for the contestants to write about what they want to be 'when they grow up'.

I realize, that physically, we are all 'grown-ups', but we all still have aspirations, and dreams for our lives. So this week, the contestants discussed those aspirations and dreams.... no matter how far fetched they were.

Due to not having an elimination last week, we will be having a double elimination this week.  Which means, as of Friday, we will be down to the final six contestants, and everyone from then on out will be winning a prize!

Click the names to read the posts, and then scroll down to the bottom of the list to vote!

John Willey

Derrick

Mama Mash

Justin Mannato

Roni

Chess

Mama Spaghetti

Chris

Week 6 voting has ended!

Week 6 Play-at-Home

I realize, that physically, we are all 'grown-ups', but we all still have aspirations, and dreams for our lives. 

This week's assignment is 'What do you want to be when you grow up?'  I don't mean as a person, I mean career-wise.  For example, when I grow up, I want to be a rock star. I want to sing on a stage in front of thousands millions of people, and hear them singing my songs back to me. Clearly, it will never happen, but still... it's what I want to be when I grow up...lol.

It isn't a post about what you wanted to be when you were a kid... it's more about what your DREAM career is now.

So, write it up and link it!