Perkiomen Valley Blogger’s Society
I have had the privilege to connect with many people across the country and even around the world through the wonders of the Stretched blog. I have had many on-line conversations with many bloggers who I may never meet in person. I’m so thankful for these friendships. It’s interesting to think of what it might be like to sit down face to face with these friends I’ve made over the web. Last week, I had the chance to experience this type of meeting.
On Wednesday morning, I had the honor of being part of the inaugural meeting of the Perkiomen Valley Blogger’s Society. The meeting took place at Mal’s American Diner in Skippack, PA where the “blogger’s society” met for breakfast. The meeting was setup by local community blogger, Michael Shaw, who I met over a year ago through the blogging world. Michael’s blog, I Love Skippack, tells the story of his love for his hometown. Through his story, he has the opportunity to support local businesses and community groups in the town of Skippack. Also in attendance was Brad DeForest. This was my first opportunity to meet up with Brad He is an architect and web designer who happens to call Skippack his home. And then finally, I was invited to join this group.
Our meeting consisted of breakfast from Mal’s great breakfast menu. We small talked for a while as we got to know each other a little bit better. And then we got down to business – although I struggle to call it business. Our conversation about blogging and social media was fun and thought-provoking. All three of us are trying to figure out different aspects of our blogs, and it was fun to think out loud about the next steps in our blogging journeys. I especially enjoyed the conversation about the visions we each have for our place on the web. For a more detailed and humorous take on our inaugural meeting, you should check out Michael’s blog post about the Perkiomen Valley Blogger’s Society.
So where do we go from here? That’s a good question that we’re trying to figure out. I’m hoping we can meet on a regular (monthly) basis for more breakfast and great conversation. Perhaps, we will bring in guest speakers who can teach us some new tips and tricks to enhance our blogs. I know we have many directions and topics that we can cover, and I look forward to seeing where it goes from here.
Have you ever met face to face with other bloggers? Describe your meeting.
3 Thumbs Up! May 19, 2012
Time for another fun episode of 3 Thumbs Up! Each weekend, I present three things that deserve a thumbs up (in my opinion). This weekend provides a fun look at a blog, an iPad application, and something a little different from normal. Here goes!
Thumbs Up! Number 1: Jazz Music. What? This is way too general! I hear you, but I couldn’t help but add this to my thumbs up after a community jazz concert last night that featured my son’s jazz band from Perkiomen Valley Middle School West along with the jazz band from Perkiomen Valley High School. I spent a lot of time playing jazz music through junior high and high school. Hearing the bands and seeing the fun they have together reminded me of my days of playing the saxophone in the band. There’s something so wonderful and expressive about jazz music. If you get a chance this weekend, find some jazz music. Sit back, and enjoy!
Thumbs Up Number 2: Stitcher. Stitcher is a radio application for the iPad, iPhone, and Android. I downloaded this FREE app from the Apple AppStore, and I haven’t been disappointed so far. I’m currently listening to a jazz station from Pittsburgh. Through the Sticher application you can listen to hundreds of live radio stations, or you can listen to all kinds of on demand shows. I haven’t hooked up with any friends yet through the application, but apparently it can be used as a social media connection point as well. Check out Stitcher to see what I’m talking about.
Thumbs Up Number 3: The Scenic Route. This is a great blog by Eileen Knowles. According to Eileen, “The Scenic Route is one girl’s journey from bondage to freedom, from despair to hope, from fear to faith. It is my desire that those who come across this blog will be encouraged to take the scenic route too.” Eileen writes about everyday thoughts, pains, and struggles, and she ultimately shares the hope that carries her through life’s roller coaster. Her blog posts often remind me to stop and enjoy the journey. Consider adding The Scenic Route to your regular reading routine. Stop by, leave a comment, and tell Eileen that I sent you!
Now it’s your turn! What else deserves a thumbs up this week?
Ice Breaker – Questions For A Stretched Blogger
It’s Friday again, and that means that it is time for this week’s Stretched Ice Breaker Question. Each week on Friday, I ask a question and open it up to the Stretched Community for a response. Typically, I answer the question first; however, I’m taking a different approach this week. I totally value your response to this question.
Question: What question do you have for me, The Stretched Blogger?
I’m serious. I want to hear your questions for me. I’ll do my best to answer them in the comments, but I may also use one (or more) of the questions for a future post. I look forward to hearing what you’ve got for me!
3 Thumbs Up! May 12th, 2012
Time for this week’s 3 Thumbs Up! Stretched blog post. For the past several weeks I have used this post as an opportunity to highlight three things that get my thumbs up. This has become a highlight for me as it gives me a chance to support the work of others. So… here are three things that get my thumbs up this week.
Thumbs Up Number 1: Josh Hamilton. I’m not a Texas Rangers fan despite the fact that my parents live in Dallas, TX. However, it’s hard not to appreciate the story of Josh Hamilton. He has weathered the ups and downs of drugs, alcohol, and celebrity. As recently as this past off-season, Hamilton has dealt with the demons of his past. This week, Hamilton hit four home runs in one game. I haven’t heard the interview yet, but I hear that he gave a pretty moving interview after this achievement in which he talked about his past and about his faith. Hamilton’s story is inspiring. He’s obviously not perfect, and I’m sure he will continue to struggle with life. What inspires me about his story is that there is still hope and redemption and salvation. This is a story we all need to cling to.
Thumbs Up Number 2:. Blogging Your Passion Podcast. I just stumbled across this podcast this week as I was loading new podcasts on my iPod in preparation for a long day on the road. So far, Blogging Your Passion has released two episodes in which the speakers share valuable tips on how to improve your blogging along with suggestions on how to increase traffic. I listened to both episodes on Tuesday, and I found them very informative. I’ll be back to listen to future episodes.
Thumbs Up Number 3: Executive Pastor Online by Kevin Stone. I’m not an executive and I’m not a pastor, but I find myself resonating and thinking through many of the things that Kevin throws up on his blog on a regular basis. Kevin came out of the corporate world to take on the challenges of running the business side of a church (my church). His thoughts on leadership and team development often fit in with what I’m wrestling with in my own job as an operations manager. If you’re interested in some new leadership ideas or if you are interested in reading thoughts from a guy who wants to help other churches, I’d recommend you check out Executive Pastor Online.
And those are my three thumbs up for this week!
What have you come across this week that deserves a thumbs up?
Ice Breaker – Blog, Blog, Blog
TGIF! It’s time for this week’s Stretched Ice Breaker. Each week I ask a question designed to help us connect as a Stretched Community. I start by answering the question and then it’s your turn. I’ll answer the ice breaker here in the post, and you can answer the question by leaving a comment.
The Question:
(1) What’s the first blog that you remember reading? (2) What blog are you reading that deserves the spotlight? (3) What’s your blog? (Please be sure to share the links, so we can all enjoy.)
My Answer:
(1) Let Me Be Frank by Frank Chiapperino (frankchiapperino.com). Frank was probably the biggest influence in getting me started with this whole blogging thing.
(2) This is a tough one, because I read so many great blogs on a daily basis. One that deserves the spotlight is Deuceology by Larry “The Deuce” Carter. Larry’s blog (deuceology.wordpress.com) celebrated its first anniversary earlier this week. In each post, Larry writes a post that makes you think twice about things that matter most.
(3) I guess you already know my answer to this question. Please pass this address along to your friends. Tell them to subscribe or follow on Facebook to become part of the Stretched Community. Thanks!
How’s that. I can’t wait to read your responses. Please leave your answer in the comments.
3 Thumbs Up! May 5th, 2012 (Cinco de Mayo)
Time for this week’s 3 Thumbs Up! Stretched blog post. Each week, I feature three things that get a thumbs up. Similar to last week, this week’s post highlights an iPad application, a podcast, and a blog.
Thumbs Up Number 1: WordPress application for iPad. This may not sound very exciting, but I have totally appreciated this application. For three of this week’s Stretched posts, I have been able to write most of the posts on my iPad. This has saved me time later on. While I still go back to the PC to clean up the post, I like having the ability to draft my posts through the iPad. In fact, today’s post was initially written on the iPad using the WordPress application last night.
Thumbs Up Number 2: This Is Your Life podcast by Michael Hyatt. I featured this podcast several weeks ago when it first launched. Since then Michael Hyatt has released ten great episodes about living and leading more intentionally. Each episode which typically runs for 30 minutes is packed with ideas that can be immediately applied to life. This week’s episode was about finding ways to shave 10 hours off your work week. Check out this podcast by clicking here.
Thumbs Up Number 3: I Love Skippack blog by Michael Shaw. Michael blogs about a town just up the road from me. Each post highlights a particular business or aspect of Skippack, PA, and the posts are sprinkled with Michael’s personal stories and passion for the town he loves. Michael and I met through the Internet,and we’ve actually had the chance to meet on several occasions for lunch or over a drink. I love the conversations we have about our faiths and about our passion for blogging. Whether you live near Skippack or not, you should check out I Love Skippack and become a regular reader. Leave a comment on the blog, and tell Michael that I sent you.
So there you have it. This week’s 3 Thumbs Up! Now, it’s your turn. What’s going on in your world that deserves a thumbs up this week?
The Stretched Blog Visits Expect The Exceptional
Happy Star Wars Day (May the 4th be with you). If you’re looking for this week’s Stretched Ice Breaker, you’ll have to go back to yesterday’s post. Today, I have the honor of guest posting over at Tony Alicea‘s blog, Expect the Exceptional. Head over there to check out my post titled Dreaming Big Again. While you’re there check out the rest of Tony’s writing, and sign up to become one of his regular readers.
How are you celebrating Star Wars Day?
(I love guest posting and I love guest bloggers! If you have an idea for a “stretched” post that you’d like to share, please contact me so we can connect. Also, if you think I could help out at your blog with a guest post, let me know as well.)
April 2012 Top Posts and Top Commenters
April was a record-breaking month for the Stretched blog. I popped over the 2,000 page views per month and saw a 12.7% rise in traffic over the previous high month (February 2012). Thank you! Thank you! Thank you to each and every one of you who keeps coming back to read and comment and who passes the Stretched blog along to your friends. It has been amazing to me at times the number of people who come up to me and say, “Hey, I read your blog” or “I really enjoyed your post about…”. Thank you!
As always, I like to recap the month by pointing out the top posts from this month and the top commenters. So here goes:
April 2012 Top Posts
- Leap of Faith (March 21, 2012)
- Top 10 Things NOT To Do On An Airplane (April 12, 2012)
- Ice Breaker: The Stretched Community’s Got Talent (April 27, 2012)
- Movie Review: Blue Like Jazz (April 30, 2012)
- eBook Review: An Idiot’s Guide To The Galaxy by Kevin Haggerty (April 16, 2012)
- How Big Is Your God? (April 4, 2012)
- Guatemala – The Big Ask (April 3, 2012)
- What Is Worship? (April 29, 2012)
- eBook Review: You Are A Writer (So Start ACTING Like One) (April 26, 2012)
- My Dad’s Morning Routine (April 5, 2012)
Top 3 Commenters
- Tom Tarver (21)
- Joe Lalonde (19)
- Larry Carter (19)
Again, thanks so much for making April such a great month here on the blog. Don’t forget that you can follow along more closely by subscribing (on the right menu bar of the main screen), by signing up for the RSS feed of the blog (top bar on the blog), and by following the Jon Stolpe Stretched Facebook Page.
If you’re a blogger, how was your month? What was the top post from your blog? If you’re not a blogger, what was your favorite Stretched post this month?
eBook Review: You Are A Writer (So Start ACTING Like One) by Jeff Goins
Today, I’m excited to share about a new eBook resource for writers that will be available in the next couple of days from Jeff Goins. In You Are A Writer (So Start ACTING Like One), Jeff shares tips and encouragement for writers.
First, Jeff who blogs regularly at goinswriter.com challenges readers to change their attitude about writing. He encourages readers to take on the title of “writer.” I have always considered myself to be an engineer, a father, a husband, and a leader, but thanks to Jeff I now consider myself to be a writer.
You Are A Writer provides key advice for finding your voice as a writer. Jeff explains how to build a platform, how to establish a brand, and how to utilize channels of connection. As a blogger for the past four or five years, I came away from You are A Writer with valuable information that will help me grow in my writing.
Finally, Jeff shares his insights in how newer writers and take the next step towards publication. You Are A Writer provides step by step essentials for progressing from a closet writer to becoming published in magazines and on-line to writing your own book. This eBook is an excellent resource that I will come back to again and again in my pursuit of becoming a better writer. You Are A Writer has my recommendation.
Thanks, Jeff, for sharing your writing experience and knowledge with us!
Are you a writer? What’s your next step in your writing journey?
Update 5/2/2012 from Jeff Goins: The website http://youareawriter.
3 Thumbs Up! April 14th, 2012
I’m back in Pennsylvania, and it’s time for the third installment of 3 Thumbs Up! Without further delay, here are my three thumbs up for this week:
Thumbs Up Number 1: Caine’s Arcade. I just learned about this today thanks to the wonderful blog world and tylerstanton.com, and I think if you watch this video all the way through you’ll agree that this deserves a huge thumbs up.
Thumbs Up Number 2: Life Of A Steward Podcast. By now, you know that I’m a huge podcast fan. A new podcast that has caught my attention and deserves a thumbs up is the Life Of A Steward Podcast. In each episode, Loren Pinilis shares insights into how to make the most of our time. So far, Loren has released six episodes. I’m looking forward to the next one already!
Thumbs Up Number 3: Big B. Big B is a blog written by my friend Brandon Gilliland. Brandon is a medical student with a heart for amplifying God’s kingdom. He has a huge heart for sharing and encouraging. He has recently written a couple of blog posts about blogging and quality content that have struck a chord with me. I’m excited to see how God will use Brandon and his Big B blog in the days, weeks, and years to come.
What have you come across this week that deserves a thumbs up? Let us know in the comments.