#AtoZReflections 2017

Procrastination is my middle name...

This year I decided the day before the challenge started that I was going to participate...yeah, I know...not the brightest move. In the past, I've written my posts on the weekend before...this year I flew by the seat of my pants (for me at least) and wrote them a day or two in advance, some the night before. I really don't want to do that again! I burned myself out that way, as I felt too overwhelmed.

The Linky List was gone this year...

I was leery about not having a master linky list, but I did like that I could post my exact theme when I posted my daily blog link on the A to Z blog page. I didn't like having to post my link every day though, so it was a pro and a con.

Feedback and Comments

I did get some great comments this year, and I think it had to do with the fact that people were able to see what my theme was before coming to my blog. At least this is my theory. I was a bit sad that I didn't get more male visitors, but I completely understand why :) It was a priority to respond to all my comments and visit their blogs in return. Thanks to all who commented and for all your kind words!

Pet Peeves...

Anyone else get totally insulted upon seeing the “your comment will be visible after approval” thing? No? Just me then... 

Also, I HATE having to fill out a form in order to comment. I only put up with this when I am replying to someone who has commented on a post of mine. Otherwise, I leave and don't comment. Sorry!

Blogs I Enjoyed This Year

Fangirl Stitches ...I seem to always enjoy Roslyn's A to Z's, and this year was no different. She covered Buffy the Vampire Slayer for her A to Z. 

Dorky Mom Doodles ...put a smile on my face and constantly gave me a chuckle! 

Tales from the Love Shaque  ...my most favorite theme this year! An A to Z of Hair Band Songs!

Noteworthy Post:

Y is for Yoda @Doree Weller's blog  ...I loved this post!

I am still not a robot...

As always, on the blogs that have it, I find it entertaining to check that box to prove that I'm not a robot LOL

What are your thoughts about this years challenge? Did you participate? Did you finish? If you have any favorite blogs or posts, please share them in the comments!

A to Z Reflections 2016 #AtoZChallenge

Whew! We made it through the A to Z Challenge once again. Well, for me it was again. Was this your first time? Have you participated in the challenge before?

Going into this years challenge, my goal was to keep my posts short and simple. Why? Well, it's easier for me to write them. Also, it's what I prefer to read, and it allows me to maximize my time and visit more blogs. I know I didn't have the most compelling theme, but it did allow others to hop quickly.

After figuring out a theme, my biggest challenge always seems to be the actual blog hopping part of the challenge. I write most of my posts the weekend before they go live, but it seems like finding the time to visit other blogs is difficult. And when I do have time, I either stumble across blogs that have the longest posts on the planet, or find posts that I'm not super interested in reading. Sorry! This year I really wanted make the best use of my time so I could find some new blogs to follow, and add to my blogging buddies list :)

Some observations:

• I appreciate when people put their theme immediately at the top of their post. I'm still hoping for a way to categorize the challenge list, so it would be easier to find content that you connect with.
• It's annoying when I have to fill out my whole life story before I can post a comment. I'm getting so tired of this, that I started to skip commenting on pages like this (unless I was commenting back from a comment someone left on my page).
• I do, rather weirdly, enjoy checking off the “I'm not a robot” box. Gives me a chuckle every time.
• I prefer 'blogger' websites as opposed to 'wordpress'. I find it easier to comment and follow with blogger, and even navigate through older posts (assuming the blog has the proper widgets).
• I noticed that when I tag @AprilAtoZ (the A to Z Challenge twitter handle) on twitter, when I post my blog link, I get a lot more hits on that post. Thank you @AprilAtoZ!!!
• There were a handful of times that I had no way to respond back to comments that were left on my blog. Either the person didn't have any blogger profile links, or a link to their blog in their comment. :(

I am happy to say that I have found some new blogs that I look forward to visiting after the A to Z, as well as reconnecting with some old favorites.

Here are some stand out posts:

This one made me SMILE

http://pempispalace.blogspot.com/2016/04/h-is-for-hugs.html

This one made me CRY

http://stumblestandfly.blogspot.com/2016/04/s-is-for-single-mom-atozchallnge.html

These made me LAUGH

http://stumblestandfly.blogspot.com/2016/04/t-is-for-thrill-of-grill-atozchallenge.html

https://hmgardner.blogspot.com/2016/04/iwsg-atozchallenge-stormys-epic.html

This was INSPIRING

http://www.poojasharmarao.blogspot.com/2016/04/cherish-challenge-change-atozchallenges.html

The BRAVEST post I read:

http://www.thejoyousliving.com/2016/04/d-date-rape.html

These are just some of the ones that stood out for me, but I did come across many great blogs.

What do you have to share? Did you enjoy this year's A to Z Challenge? Did you find any new blogger buddies? And please share any posts or themes that stood out to you...I'd love to visit some more great blogs!

A to Z 2015 Reflections Post

Congratulations to everyone who conquered the A to Z Challenge!

Here we go! My thoughts on the 2015 A to Z Challenge...

My Own Personal Preferences

• Some themes/posts are self explanatory by their title, but when they aren't, I really appreciated when people put just a short blurb at the top, or beginning of their post, explaining what their A to Z focused on. Having it done this way made it easier for me to just dive in. 
•  I find that I definitely prefer shorter posts. Unless it's a topic that I LOVE, or a person that has commented on my blog and I'm trying to return the comment, I usually leave the page if it's more than a few paragraphs. 
• Midway through the month, I went back to my routine and replied back to comments on my blog only after visiting and commenting on the original posters blog. Initially I started the challenge by not responding to comments on my blog, thinking this would save me some time, but it just caused me confusion since this was not the way I usually handle things. I'm a creature of habit!
• I really, really, REALLY appreciate when a visitor just leaves me a direct link to their blog in the comments. When I click on a visitors name and it brings me to blogger...not too bad. But when it brings me to Google+, I pretty much want to slam my head into a wall. I fucking hate trying to navigate Google+...there's just too much clicking involved. This is a blog hop that involves over 1500 people. Please make it easy!
  

Recommendations/Improvements that I think can be made with the Challenge itself (the first two are the same thoughts that I had last year)

• A registering system where you can fill in your blog topic instead of having to pick from pre-made ones.
• All the blog topics would be sorted alphabetically. This recommendation is a direct result of my OCD.
• The A to Z team could include a tutorial on how to include a direct link to your blog when you comment (using HTML fancy language). This would eliminate the Google+ head banging feeling that many of us get.
• I love the new idea for the A-Z Challenge themed t-shirts. You know what I'd like better than a t-shirt? An A to Z bandana! I can put it on Emmie :)

Now that I'm done complaining... here are some A to Z bloggers that I enjoyed:

• Heather @Waiting is the HardestPart--Heather shared with us how much of an impact the show, The X-Files, made on her life. Her theme makes me want to do a rewatch...like Right.Now. I enjoyed her point of view on her topics as well as the funny commentary by Stormy, her sidekick, at the end of the posts. Plus, she has a blow up alien doll...and that's cool.
• Roslyn @Fangirl Stitches--She shared geek themed cross-stitch posts. Geeky mixed with art...I'm all over that!
• Tyrean @Everyday Writer, TyreanMartinson--Tyrean focused her theme on featuring other bloggers. Not only did I think that this was extremely generous of her, but it shed some light on some new bloggers that I found to be really interesting.

Overall, I'm happy that I accepted the challenge for a second year. If I do it again next year, I think I'll do something similar as this year and keep it really simple and short. Who knows...maybe Emmie will help me out again :)

Many thanks to everyone who visited my blog and left comments...it was most appreciated!

What are your thoughts? Are you glad you took the challenge?

Click Here for a full list of my 2015 A to Z Challenge Posts