Bloggers are so cool. We like to read others people’s stuff as much as we like to write our own stuff. I don’t follow a blog unless I really think it has something to say whether silly, every day, deep and meaningful or about topics that’s taboo or tough to discuss.

Jan Bierens over at Blogorama writes about techy stuff, observational humor and is self-effacing and charming. So, when he let me know he had nominated me to write about my favorite seven posts in his article entitled “My 7 Link Challenge ” it was flattering. I didn’t know if I should buy him flowers or chocolates….but I didn’t want to seem over eager because I’m coo’ like that. Asany good female knows, I waited a few days, because I didn’t want to seem like I had sat at my the computer just waiting or anything.

The obligatory five days has passed so I can let my horses run free, so to speak:

Blogging started out selfishly. It remained selfish at it’s core, and I think that’s true to most bloggers. It’s not a bad thing, it’s a reality thing. I have so much to say and I have no place to put it. You all are kind enough to let me textually spew it all and even sometimes take pity on me and comment. Nobody can get luckier than people who are willing to put up with your crap and maybe even teach you a thing or two. I’m blessed.

It was hard to pick out my favorite, not because I had a lot of favorites but because I rarely think about what I write about favorites or “good”. I see them as me trying to get in touch with other humans in some to chase away isolation. With some help and reminders I was able to pick ones that really touched me because I connected.

 

1. Water :  Angel Austin, one of my dear friends had nominated me to write on the topic of WHY we write…and what slid out of me was my love letter to you. I realized how much I wanted to reach people, to connect in an internal way.
2. My Key : I wrote this in July out of sheer rage and frustration about hideous cancer. It was like lancing a wound that had festered too long and you all put up with my convulsions of pure emotion.
3. Super Wuss and The Frozen Tundra : Establishing the honest assessment of my wussitude was necessary. I am all about honesty in advertising. With this post there was no going back.
4. Thank You : In the mental health field, rarely do the heroes get thanked for being in the very trenches of a controversial and volatile field. The man who had aided Lizz and been a huge part of her healing from suicide and unchecked Pediatric Bipolar was leaving and I needed to let him know how much he’s love and appreciated.
5. Gold Stars and Good Friends : This is the obligatory post written when wasted that we all have done at some time. Oversharing about at it’s finest while high on post surgery narcotics. No, I mean it, I love you man.
6. And the band played ‘Stupid Move Mambo Number Five’ :  The mother of all band sticks. The day I tried to eat like a vacuum and paid the price for it, dearly too I might add. This is my attempt to share the learned experience so other bandsters don’t have to experience it.
7. Be Not Afraid : The silence of not talking about my fear from Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria was dropped here. Discussing the terror of swelling, or hospital runs, of waking fully inflamed in hives and their ability to strike at any time, and any place was cathartic. I hope someone was able to walk away with the knowledge that they are not alone.

I want to thank Jan again for thinking of me, for sharing such an interesting topic and for his great blog and list of seven.

Picking seven bloggers was tough but I was able to narrow it down to:

1. Angel Austin of “Fight For Your Life” : One of the strongest gentlewomen  with a big story to tell, I have the pleasure of knowing her and calling her “friend”.
2. Vanita Cyril from “After Bedtime Blog” : A tough, intelligent, mother of four with a heart of gold who always makes time for others and promotes growth.
3. Waning Woman of the self-named blog “Waning Woman” : Humor, honesty and shoes, she has it all. I have never read a post she has written that didn’t educate me, make me laugh and or touched me in some way.
4. Michelle of “VSG Mom” : Direct, opinionated and honest Mom who’s humor and true life tales just keep you enthralled and wanting to know more of her and her life.
5. Mitz of “Roux En Y Mitz” : Sweet, supportive and funny Mitz has a way of making you want to celebrate with her. I wish she lived closer so we could all have coffee together and laugh.
6. Kimberly at “All Work and No Play Make Mommy Go Something-Something” : ALWAYS compelling and always bare knuckle honest, she has a way of telling about herself and you look inside and see her in you and you in her.
7. Kate Helm of “FatNoMo” : Such a sweet and down to earth woman who writes in a way that you feel as if you have been brought into her head and made privy to the thoughts and life of a strong woman.

Again, Thank you Jan! If you have never read Jans blog, do yourself a favor and go take a look from his unique perspective, it’s fun and you might learn something!