Where the blog are you?

NEW AND IMPROVED!

2010-09-23T15:25:00.003+10:00

It's been almost 10 months since I last posted here but I'm back and SO EXCITED to tell you that so is WTBAY.

But.

We're moving - to a new community page that will enable us to be far more interactive than has been possible on this blog.

Bookmark it now and head on over - http://bloggingaussies.ning.com/

Then make sure you grab the button and write about it on your blog so we can spread the word!

If you've emailed me in the past 10 months wanting to join, I apologise that you have not had a reply. Now is the time to let me know again that you'd like your blog added to the directory - you can do this by emailing me at Louisa@everythingisedible.com or better yet but heading over to the new site:

http://bloggingaussies.ning.com/

joining up and leaving me a message.

I'm excited! I hope you are too... :)

Note: This new community is not free, I have to pay a small fee each month so the viability of it will depend on community participation...just sayin'

The Future. Part 2

2009-12-07T13:17:00.005+11:00

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Hi again,

If you haven't yet taken the poll about the future of WTBAY, I'd really appreciate you visiting this site http://bloggingaussie.blogspot.com/2009/12/whats-future-for-wtbay-i-need-your-help.html and doing so. The poll can be found on the left hand side bar and any additional comments you have about the future direction can be made in the comments or emailed to me at louisa@everythingisedible.com

From looking at the results of the poll thus far (and I will reveal them once there's a stronger pool to draw from) I have two follow up questions:

1. A bit over 50% of people have said that they think that comments should be part of membership. I'd like to unpack this a bit - can you tell me what you think this should like and mean for the blog?

2. Are you interested in collaborating with me on the future of this blog? If yes, please email me your interest and thoughts louisa@everythingisedible.com

That's aaaalllll folks. For now.

What's the future for WTBAY? I need your help to work it out...

2009-12-03T16:04:00.000+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more. Don't forget the key is in the comments so go to town, both on this site and the featured bloggers!

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Hi there, whoever is still out there.

Thanks to those who have contacted me over the past few months to register there interest in being listed on this blog. I've been in a bit of a hiatus for a while, but I'm back now...I think!

You can read more here (apologies in advance for the strong tone of that post).

So, where to from here for WTBAY? I've been travelling around the blogosphere the last couple of days and see more than one blog such as this one, that has also fallen over this year.

Is there a place for this blog? Is it valuable to you and to a community of Aussie bloggers? If yes, what should it look like and do I have the time to maintain it?? These are the questions going through my mind, and the questions I intend to consider over the Summer.

To this end, it would be of great help to me if you could take the poll I have set up on this blog which is on the left sidebar. The poll asks you to tell me which features you would like to see on WTBAY. The first answer is Blog Directory ONLY - ie you are only interested in this a blog directory, nothing else. The remainder of the questions refer to other options you might value in this blog. (you will have to actually visit the blog, not just read this in your reader/email to take the poll and I would REALLY appreciate you doing this, thanks!)

Any other thoughts you have can be made either in the comments on this post or by emailing me louisa@everythingisedible.com

For now I continue to write on my personal blog: Life as we know it

Posts from Blogland...

2009-02-11T20:40:00.006+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more. Don't forget the key is in the comments so go to town, both on this site and the featured bloggers!
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We're all fixated on these awful fires that have devastated so many people and communities. Many of us, heck, pretty much all of us, are blogging about it, unable to think and write about other matters which can seem so trivial in times like these. In case you have missed these posts, I have linked up some reflections Every. One., So many people, Can you imagine losing everything?, Now is not the time, Bushfires, Another who has lost their home, Holy Crap, Devastation utter devastation, Australian bushfire tragedy, Dig deep for the bush fire victims, Bushfires and community, Fire storms in Victoria, Devastating, Today

Some thoughts about talking to your kids about tragedy and taking to kids about disaster and how to respond.

How we interpret the fires, reflecting on them in our own lives, such as Two Kids, The Legacy of Bushfire, I still love a sunburnt country

Ways we can, and other are, helping On ya Coles Supermarkets, how very Aussie of you and Handmade help for Victorian fire victims

Love it up people. It's the least we can do...

Introducing...Hippomanic Jen

2009-02-09T12:34:00.000+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more. Don't forget the key is in the comments so go to town, both on this site and the featured bloggers!

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Thanks everyone who visited My Little Drummer Boys over the past couple of weeks. How are you finding this new system of having 2 weeks to get to know a new blogger?

For the next two weeks we are going to be getting to know Hippomanic Jen from Approximately None a bit better.

I asked her some questions to get us started. Here's what she had to say...

Jen, how long have you been blogging? Why did you start and why do you blog now?

I‘ve been blogging since August last year (just on 6 months). I’m almost at my hundred posts, which is very exciting. I was introduced to blogs by my good friend Givinya de Elba – I didn’t really know what a blog was before that. I’d been reading and commenting on her blog for a while and checking out the other sites on her blog roll. I’ve always found that amusing things in life around me are like short stories or turns of phrase and then I started thinking, “I could blog that.” I like words and story telling and amusing incidents - story telling is in my genes (my uncles and cousins would often have us in stitches at family gatherings), but I’m better with the written word. All of a sudden blogging gave me the voice to express myself.

What do you enjoy most about blogging?

Probably very self-centred, but I like the thought that I can revisit parts of my life that would otherwise be forgotten. There’s also a little on-line community that’s good fun to be a part of. Comments are great because you can see how you might have struck a chord with someone.

What blogs do you read and enjoy the most?

That’s really hard to answer, because I’ve got a few (too many) people I try to follow. My favourites are on my blog roll, which I struggle to keep down in numbers but keep on finding interesting people. I still particularly love the world of Givinya and Crazy Sister. I never know what I’m going to strike when I visit. I’ve also come to appreciate Femina, and of course Operation Skinny Cow (although that probably doesn’t count as I’m a contributor – but I love the support we each try to give to the others).

What do you love in a blog?

I love relaxed blogs that I can settle down into and be comfortable in. Generally they tell stories about life. I titled my blog roll “Blogs in Which I’d Like to Live”, and that’s pretty much the way I view them. I follow the lives of people who I would be friends with, who have a similar wacky way of viewing the world. Some were my friends to start with, and others I’ve made along the way. Not that it always has to be funny, but that there’s compassion and gentle humour in the way that person usually views the world. Sometimes there might be the odd sharp edge, but not consistently spikey towards others. On a more practical note, I love it when a blog downloads quickly, and you get to go straight to the new instalment of the story!

What's something we should know about you that we don't already?

Something you should know about me? I did some modelling once. Really, honestly, there was a time when I could call myself a model. I did a photo shoot for an advertisement. Waaayy before Skinny Cow. Okay, it was hand modelling for one photo shoot and the only reason I got the gig was that I was the only female in the room between the ages of 16-40 who happened to have half-way decent fingernails at the time. Does that make it a bit grandiose to talk about my career in modelling? Gee, I should blog about that. I wonder if I can find a copy of the advertisement?

What are some posts we should read to get to know you?

Try these:
Home life - Confleunce of Events

and Variation on an Australian Classic

Work life - Playful Professional

A bit more serious - Be still and know that I am dog

Thanks Jen, we look forward to getting to know you some more over the next couple of weeks. WTBAY readers, make sure you add Jen to your reader for the next two weeks to really get to know her and don't forget to comment, comment, comment!

See you soon,

Louisa

Infertility / IVF Blogs

2009-02-04T23:31:00.001+11:00

Crazy Lady Ramblings... Rebecca's journey with IVF and Infertility

Simply Living/Being Frugal Blogs

2009-02-04T15:30:00.002+11:00

Meet Linda Simply Living Modestly A blog about living simply!

Louisa's Cheap Tuesdays

Another poll

2009-01-29T21:17:00.001+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more. Don't forget the key is in the comments so go to town, both on this site and the featured bloggers!

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Hi all, this is just a quick post for those who read this blog via email or RSS. I've posted a new poll on the blog today and would really appreciate your feedback. You'll need to visit the site to submit your answer and I'd love it if you would do that!

Thanks

Feeling the heat!

2009-01-28T14:28:00.002+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more. Don't forget the key is in the comments so go to town, both on this site and the featured bloggers!

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From a warm Melbourne where it's currently 41 degrees, I, on behalf of Aussie Bloggers everywhere, send our best, cool wishes to those of you sweltering in 44.7 degree heat in Adelaide.

Just in case there are any Americans reading this. 41 degrees celcius = 105.8 farenheit and 44.7 degrees celcius is 112.5 fareheit. In other words, it's HOT!

On Australia Day by Aussie Bloggers everywhere.

2009-01-26T11:10:00.007+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more. Don't forget the key is in the comments so go to town, both on this site and the featured bloggers!

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I thought I'd link up all the Australia Days posts I could find by WTBAY bloggers just in case you missed them.

Have you been reading Trish's blog? She's got some very Aussie photos up there!

Givinya revisits some classic Australia Day ads while Dee, Lilly and June have been doing a series of posts on Australia that are well worth checking out!

Dina is the girl who wishes she was Australian and she and Tina and swift Jan wish us all a Happy Australia Day! Our Great Southern Land brings us some Australia Day history and lest not forget Le who is getting into the spirit of things!

Nicole has some Australia Day poetry for us and then there is my post (Louisa) on Australia Day. Jen has a Variation of Australian Classic for us and Linda has something to say too!

On a sober note, Carly and Sarah have launched a new website to support bereaved parents. They are launching today and on the second anniversary of the loss of Carly's son Christian. It'd be lovely if you headed over and gave them some support today.

Have I forgotten you? Let us know about your Australia Day post by leaving your link in the comments and I'll update this post later so you can have some linky-love.

In the spirit of Australia Day - 2 Cute for Kids

2009-01-24T20:48:00.001+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more. Don't forget the key is in the comments so go to town, both on this site and the featured bloggers!

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In the spirit of Australia Day I want to let you know about a great store who are very Aussie and very awesome! You can read about it here but I am feeling a lot of love toward 2 Cute 4 Kids today!

2 Cute 4 Kids is a must-have in your favourites in these times of baby boom!! They have some great items at great prices, including many of my favourites! If you're like me with many friends about to burst, you'll want to consider making your purchase through 2 Cute 4 Kids!

First Blogger for 2009 - Trish @ My Little Drummer Boys

2009-01-19T22:48:00.002+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more. Don't forget the key is in the comments so go to town, both on this site and the featured bloggers!

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Welcome to 2009 at Where the Blog are You! It's great to see you back here!!

For the next two weeks we are going to get to know Trish. Trish blogs at My Little Drummer Boys. We'll be checking in regularly to see what she's up to. I encourage you to subscribe to her blog for (at least) the next two weeks, to read it and to comment, often. You can get subscribed here.

To get started I asked Trish a few questions...

How long have you been blogging?

To be honest 3.5 years ago on July 1st was the very first day I started to blog. I had just started the first part of my IVF cycle and I wanted what they had ...the circle of friendship and support. I read an article called "Falling Pregnant" about Tertia and Julie and their blogs in the June 2005 Australian Readers Digest. There were other infertility blogs too and they all really inspired me to start. Though it was a false start.

I started blogging properly again, when my boys were almost 11 months old, after Tiff at Three Ring Circus inspired me.

Why did you start?

Originally to journal my grief and trying to conceive via IVF. After adopting 15yrs ago, my first natural pregnancy ended when our daughter was stillborn at 26 weeks gestation in 2004. Six months later in 2005 we went down IVF path .Women I met through online parenting forums gave me the knowledge and courage to try again and pursue IVF because of our long history of infertility. A few had blogs. I read some of the well known blogs including Tertia and Julie.
I planned to have my own 'space' (blog) in 'cyber' space to do and say my own thing ...add links and write a ton of stuff anonymously. I couldn't do this on forums.

I had intense soul searching to do.I didn't want to tell family or friends in case we failed to get pregnant or suffered another loss.I wanted to journal our IVF experience 'privately' ... along with hundreds of strangers. I wondered if anyone else lived my life ...I was glad to see others struggled with the same things and that i wasn't alone. Not that I would wish life difficulties and loss on anyone.

Why do you blog now?

To journal my life with husband & my sons. I cannot imagine life without our cheeky little treasures that fill our lives with much love, joy and laughter. I hope it will be a record for them and to share a little with others going through the same joys and struggles.

I can’t blog much about friends or family because some of them read my blog and they would get very upset LOL. That is why sometimes I don’t write about emotional things that are great blog fodder. I do love to peek in the windows of other blogs to see how the manage what I am going through but can't ask for advice on. I want to look back on the hard parts that were difficult to get through and at the same time, the good parts that were/are amazing, wonderful.

What do you enjoy most about blogging?

Blogging has been so much fun and therapeutic plus you can win cool prizes. I'm not sure I could stop. I have made so many special connections with people I may never meet and I know better than some real life friends. I cherish my bloggy friends, they make me both laugh and cry, help me out, hold me up. It is a great community. I also learn so much about cooking, planning, photography,current affairs and general history...did I mention I have won a few very cool prizes.

Lastly , for many months I was the only visitor to my blog.I almost gave up till I started to get comments...don't we all love comments.

What blogs to you read and enjoy the most?

Boy oh boy ... that is the toughest question - how long have you got ? I can't leave anyone out so better check my Links Blogroll page - though there are more I read infrequently.

What do you love in a blog?

I love to put myself in their shoes and walk a mile with them ...well quite not in their shoes.
Mostly I enjoy the personal stories of others going through similar struggles and of course sharing their joys and mine. I love humour, the acts of random kindness stories and the everyday fun with kids and spouses.I love competitions too ;).

What are some posts we should read to get to know you?

This post is verbose

Carpe Diem - Seize the Day

Alphabet - You

What are you waiting for? Let's go meet Trish!

Coming soon to a blog near you!

2009-01-18T23:39:00.002+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more. Don't forget the key is in the comments so go to town, both on this site and the featured bloggers!

OK folks, the first featured blogger for 2009 is COMING SOON!

If you're not already subscribed NOW is the time!

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The WTBAY Give

2008-12-15T13:49:00.003+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more. Don't forget the key is in the comments so go to town, both on this site and the featured bloggers!

As you know, this blog is a meeting place for Australian bloggers. It's a place for us to gather, support and encourage one another through our blogs. I know that some of you have even created off-shoot blogs as a result of meeting here. Fantastic!

We share a spirit of care, community and a little bit of narcissism (hey, we all love the comments!) As I have been reflecting on the future of this blog, and of my own, I have become convicted* that the blogs I run should offer something to those beyond our own blogging community and I feel confident that many of you would share my desire (if not be acting out of even greater desire yourselves) to care for and contribute to the communities we are part of.

As we together reignite this blog and look to 2009 I have introduced a couple of ad platforms (and will continue to experiment with this) and I would like us to donate a portion of the revenue to a charity of our choosing. The remainder of the revenue will be put back into the blog, either by enabling me to run it or through prizes and giveaways.

I hope you will agree that this is a great thing to do!

This is not my blog alone, but it is our space. Together we shall choose the charity of choice! Please leave a comment below with your suggested charity. Personally I think it should be an Australian organisation (though not necessarily doing work exclusively in Australia...though it could) but that's just my suggestion. Leave your suggestions, preferably of a specific charity anytime until January 9 then I will put up a poll with all the suggestions and we will vote. Voting will close on January 18 and a winner announced in time for the first Featured Blogger of 2009 to be revealed on January 19.

I hope that as the blog grows we will be able to add to list of charities we support.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this and together, making a positive difference in our community.

* You can read more about this and my thoughts about giving here

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2009 here we come

2008-12-12T09:42:00.003+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more. Don't forget the key is in the comments so go to town, both on this site and the featured bloggers!

I've got to say, the last few weeks away from the blog has been really good for me. I feel revived, refreshed and have lost the feeling of being constantly overwhelmed...by my computer.

It looks like a new blog each 2 weeks is going to be the 'go' for next year. So...let's start getting ready. I am going to reveal the firs new blog on Jan 19 as I figure that's when everyone will be settling back into normal life after the holidays. We'll obviously go back and revisit some of the blogs from earlier this year as we 'really get to know each other'.

If you'd like your blog to be re-featured leave a comment at this post. You'll need to be willing to commit to posting a minimum of 3 times a week for each week, that's 6 posts in total -minimum.

In the meantime I'll keep blogging occasionally about things in the blogosphere that might interest you...like the post on Nuffnang below.

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Aussies 4 Nuffnang

2008-12-12T09:35:00.003+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more. Don't forget the key is in the comments so go to town, both on this site and the featured bloggers!

Have you heard of Nuffnang? Nuffnang is Australia's first and leading blog advertising community. They link up bloggers in Asia-Pacific with relevant advertisers. They also pride themselves on being about more than advertising but at establishing a community for bloggers so they are going to be running events for bloggers to connect at. Sounds pretty good, I'm looking forward to seeing what they have in store.

Nuffnang is looking for more Australian bloggers, big and small, to join the community. So if that's you I suggest you head on over and sign up. I like Nuffnang, I like that they are working hard to make the right fit between bloggers and advertisers because it's keeps everyone happy - mostly you, my readers! I also like the idea of growing a local blog community. That's what WTBAY was (and will be again) about I am excited about connecting with other Aussie bloggers, not just the many (awesome) American ones about.

If you want to know who else is part of Nuffnang you can visit some of the other bloggers:

Rachel
Sam
Tina
Kelly

While you're waiting

2008-12-09T16:38:00.002+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more. Don't forget the key is in the comments so go to town, both on this site and the featured bloggers!

While this blog is on hiatus you can find me blogging here

A chance to win

2008-12-03T16:56:00.001+11:00

I forgot to mention...for those of you who don't read my personal blog regularly, I am hosting a series of giveaways at the moment and today there's the chance to win a $100 Gift Voucher from Toybarn.

You can find out more here : http://ediblemoments.blogspot.com/2008/12/my-favourite-things-rainforest-melodies.html

Update

2008-12-03T09:38:00.003+11:00

Hi all,

Thanks to those who left a comment on the last post. After a couple of weeks break I must admit to feeling more recharged and less stressed.

I did like the idea of doing a Chuck Westbroo k so will keep this in mind for the new year. Perhaps you can let me know what you think of the idea in the two polls above.

Hope you are all going well & getting geared up for Christmas.

Best,
Louisa

A new day...

2008-11-20T06:42:00.000+11:00

Hi everyone,

If you've been checking in regularly you'll have noticed that there have been fewer and fewer of us stopping by of late. You may or may not be surprised to know that in light of that, and of some of my own recent Soul Searching, Where the blog are you? is going to go on hiatus for an indefinite period of time in the next week or so. There are still a few lovely blogs yet to be featured so stay tuned for the next week or so as I bring them to you.

If you would like to make any suggestions about the future direction of Where the blog are you? I am very happy to hear them. You can send suggestions along with any other feedback to thebloggingaussie{at}gmail{dot}com. If you would like to be involved in breathing life back into the blog then you can also let me know at the aforementioned email address or in the comments below.

There's no featured blog today but I recommend you visit the featured blogs from this week, Psych Babbler and Tash

Thanks all for your support. I wish you all the very best for your blog & blogging and look
forward to seeing you in blogland!

Daily Featured Blogger...Psych Babbler

2008-11-19T05:49:00.000+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more. Don't forget the key is in the comments so go to town, both on this site and the featured bloggers!

Today we are visiting Psych Babbler!

Gilly Fever!

Getting Clucky Oh, what a sweet desire!!

My Sister's Keeper A great review of this book if you have and haven't read it!

Enjoy today!

Let me know if you're keen to do the round up this week. Would love to see what your favourite posts of the week are!

Daily Featured Blogger

2008-11-18T06:09:00.000+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more.

Today we are visiting Tash.

DVT Poor Tash, go commiserate with her!

Muscles Celebrating the unknown!

Under the table I must confess I am not a cricket fan but Cape Town, well it just takes my breath away!

Enjoy today's blog all!! See you tomorrow.

Also, is anyone keen for a turn at the round-up this week? The more voices the better I think, let me know at thebloggingaussie{at}gmail.com

Motivational Monday

2008-11-17T06:33:00.001+11:00

Hello fellow Aussie bloggers,

I hope you all had lovely weekends! If you are new here go here to check out what it's all about and then come back for some Motivation!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to pick one of the motivations below and write about it. Then let us all know by using Mr Linky below so we can come visit your posts.

Todays motivations...

1. When does a person become an adult?

2. Which household appliance are you most like? Explain.

3. Your house in on fire and you can only save 3 things (not including humans & pets...you can take all of them with you!) Which are you three non-living things?

Sunday's Somthing Silly

2008-11-16T07:37:00.004+11:00

Hi all,

I thought we might learn about Kangaroo's today! Did you know the following....

*A baby kangaroo at the time of its birth measures 2 centimetres.

*Kangaroos need very little water to survive and are capable of going for months without drinking at all. When they do need water, they dig 'wells' for themselves; frequently going as deep as three or four feet. These 'kangaroo pits' are a common source of water for other animals living in the kangaroo's environment.

*A kangaroo being chased by a dog may jump into a dam. If the dog gives chase, the kangaroo may turn towards the dog, then use its paws to push the dogs head underwater in order to drown it. who knew kangaroo's could be so...vicious/clever??

* Emus and kangaroos cannot walk backwards, and are on the Australian coat of arms for that reason.

there's so much to learn about our land!!

Enjoy today & see you tomorrow :)

Saturday Strolls...

2008-11-15T07:47:00.000+11:00

Hey all, very quick one from me today as the little girl has just woken and needs her breakfast!

Have you seen this site Best Post of the Week. Worth checking out!

See you tomorrow :)

Fickle Friday

2008-11-14T06:03:00.000+11:00

Welcome to another end of week blog-round up. There's lots going on in the blogosphere so let's have a little look...though I will go a bit easier than last week!

Lilly's been blogging about a very intense issue and I think you'd be interested to be part of her discussion about whether you could forgive and forget.

Femina asks to update or not to update and wait for Leslie's beatiful post...hungry anyone?? Bettina cracked me up with this post and have you seen Le's tee? Looking good!! Jen at Approximately None has a little reflection on Dancing with the Stars entitled What did they do to get the violinists to smile? Good question!

Before we go we should drop by on one of our new friends, I found Hearts and Hands' post 10 things I never thought I would say totally hilarious!!

Enjoy my friends!!

Guest blogger... Femina

2008-11-13T06:00:00.000+11:00

Hi everyone, I'm pushing in again temporarily to let you know about D. M. Cornish, an Australian illustrator and author of two books (with a third on the way) - Monster Blood Tattoo: Foundling and Lamplighter. I'm telling you about him because I think his books are great (and, I admit, because he's a friend of mine). More than that, though, I just love the story of how he was 'discovered' as a writer. It makes me believe that anything is possible.

D. M's love affair with fantastical worlds began when he saw Star Wars at age 5, and continued as he grew up and read such authors as Mervyn Peake, Kafka, Tolkien and Homer. His first expression of new worlds came through his drawings, which he did all through his childhood and teenage years. In 1993, while studying illustration at the University of Adelaide, he started a notebook in which he made drawings and incredibly detailed notes about a new world, the Half-Continent. In 2003, when he was up to notebook #23, Cornish met with a publisher to discuss some illustration work he had been doing. He reached for some gum in his backpack and notebook 23 fell out of the backpack. The publisher reached for the book, flicked through it and, in her words, "I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise up. Here was the kind of thing every publisher dreams of discovering. This was a work at once beautiful and unique. It was illustrated with such intensity and love that it had the power to move a reader with the barest of information."

I love that he became a published author because a notebook fell out of his backpack. From the official Monster Blood Tattoo website: Cornish was sent away with the task of delivering 1,000 words the following week and each week thereafter. Abandoning all other paid work, he spent the next two years propped up with one small advance after the other as his publisher tried desperately to keep him from eating his furniture.

D. M. Cornish has a website and a blog (which does give spoilers of the books, so watch out). If you like fantasy novels then check it out. If you don't like that genre... then I hope you've enjoyed a fun success story of someone being 'discovered' and having their dreams become a reality.

Product Review

2008-11-13T05:31:00.000+11:00

Hi all,

I've added a link in the sidebar on the right to a site called Product Review. It looks like this:

If you haven't come across this site before then let me give you a brief overview. It's a site with reviews from people just like you and me of basically anything you may ever want to buy! People go there to share their likes and dislikes of the things they have bought making it a great site to visit before making any big purchases of your own. I have used it quite a few times when looking to buy things for my little girl. I thought you might find it useful in the lead up to Christmas.

The other great thing about the site is that you earn points for writing reviews. So while you're there looking up potential Chrissie presents you might want to add your own thoughts about a product you own.

Sounds like a win/win to me! Perhaps you'd like to check it out?

Daily Featured Blogger...Long Dark Hair, Blue Eyes?

2008-11-12T05:56:00.000+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more.

It's Long Dark Hair, Brown Eyes' turn to be featured today! (who was paying attention when they read the post header?! Come on, be honest!)

Say a big hello to our lovely blogger of the day and enjoy these posts...

Weekday Vegan - as the title may suggest. It got me thinking and I am sure the girls from Operation Skinny Cow will enjoy this bit of inspiration!

Cry Baby a post for the girls!

The Whole Family Not what you think!

Have fun folks! See you tomorrow :)

Blogs by Americans in Australia

2008-11-11T13:17:00.000+11:00

Suzer's Expat Adventures An American in Adelaide

Daily Featured Blogger...likeable Lulu!

2008-11-11T06:00:00.001+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more.

We're off to visit Lynda today and boy are you in for a chuckle! Aside from being a funny gal Lynda is our first Aussie living in Egypt!!

If nothing else (though that's unlikely) following Lulu's train of thought and all the pseudonyms at Lulu's Bay Staff Meeting will have you in stitches!

and Sailing by Otobees is a fantastic idea and a fun insight into life in Egypt!

and Lynda's really on a roll with making us laugh! No doubt you will enjoy this postNo Spring Chicken

enjoy the posts & don't forget...it's all about the comments!

Motivational Monday

2008-11-10T06:00:00.004+11:00

Back for another week and another day...of blogging, of course! Priorities my friends. If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more.

Today we introduce our first in the new series "Motivational Monday". I am going to give you a number of ideas for a post and your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to pick one and write about it. Then let us all know by using Mr Linky below so we can come visit your posts.

Some motivation for you...

1. Share the love. Tell us about your favourite new blog discovery or friend and why you have become such a fan!

2. Go back 10 years and write a letter to yourself in the future (ie now). Make it even more reflective, write a letter to your future self - you choose how far in the future you go.

3. Imagine your perfect day. Now write.

4. Think of an embarrassing moment/experience. Now write it the way you'd do it if you could have your time over.

HAVE FUN!

Also, don't forget to leave me a comment saying hello. I do love to know that you've stopped by!

Sunday's Somthing Silly

2008-11-09T06:57:00.001+11:00

Can you believe it's Sunday again? Here are some Aussie facts for us all. Hope you're enjoying the weekend!

A fun fact: The longest fence in the world, designed to keep the dingo away from sheep, runs for over 5500 kilometers.

A sad fact: 21% of the world's gambling machines are found in Australia.

An interesting fact: In the entire world there are only two mammals which lay eggs. Both of these mammals originate in Australia.

An impressive fact: Australia has the record number of in-vitro babies born in the world. They were also responsible for the first test tube twins, triplets and quadruplets. Even the ultra sound machine was invited in Australia. Other inventions coming from Australia are the surf lifesaving reel, the anthrax vaccine, the rotary hoe, heart pacemaker, and permanent-crease trousers.

See you tomorrow :)

Strolling toward more readers

2008-11-08T06:50:00.002+11:00

I am assuming that we are all here because we enjoy blogging and want to grow the readership of our own blogs at the same time as getting to meet fellow bloggers, in our case - Aussie bloggers.

There are some great tools out there to help us with this and today I am going to share a couple of new resources with you.

BlogCoach is a blog that should be on all your blogrolls/readers. Not only is this a great blog but they are also having a Stumble-a-thon which you might enjoy taking part in and may find yourself with some more readers. You'll have to sign up for the forums but I've found some great blogs and am enjoying being part of the "stumbles".

Speaking of, are you using Stumbleupon? I've just started this week and think it's great. Takes a bit of time to get the hang of it but if you have any questions just shoot me an email or leave a comment here. If you're interested we'll do a few weeks on this to help those who want to get the hang of it.

Intro to Stumbleupon

Visit the site www.stumbleupon.com
Download (it's not a big download and will download quickly)
Once downloaded you'll have the Stumble toolbar in your browser.

First Stumble lesson:

Once you've done the above you're up and running. Now, when you visit fellow WTBAY blogs and others you love click on the speechbubble image in the Stumble browser you've just downloaded (which will be sitting just below your normal web toolbar). When you click you'll be able to 'stumble' the page, leaving a positive comment and you'll be 'stumbling' a friends blog to the world...ie giving them some BIG lovin' in the blogging community. It's a great feature to have for your own blog and also a great way to help promote other people's blog too!

Is this helpful? Do you want more on Stumbleupon next week?

Fickle Friday

2008-11-07T04:32:00.000+11:00

Many of you comment on how you are amazed that I am able to get these posts up so early. Well today is the first day that this post is actually being published at the time it was written sometime in the wee hours of the morning.

To get the ball rolling we all need a good chuckle and if you haven't read Givinya's post about the ham then get over there for a laugh! Leslie's also got a great laugh for us with a great photo!

Long dark hair, blue eyes and Femina have us thinking about friendship which reminded me of my own thoughts about What really matters. Beyond WTBAY I found another great post on a similar topic,
From envy to admiration.

As is often the case Dee will have you reminiscing about your childhood and Tiff will have you feeling allwarm and fuzzy about motherhood and we can think of Tonya whose husband is away and Carly whose baby girl is sick.

Swift Jan organised a great women's retreat which everyone's talking about!

How could we have a round-up without some discussion about the two races this week, thanks Lilly, Le and June

Meanwhile Katy is being as creative as ever and have you met Bettina?

Finally, Did you know that there are constantly great Prizes to be won?

Phew! Think I got there. Enjoy blog hopping today and as always don't forget to comment here so I know you stopped by and of course, leave lots of comment love at these wonderful blogs!

Motivational Monday...on Thursday

2008-11-06T06:49:00.000+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more.

Today I am trying out a new feature so I'd love your feedback. As the title suggests this may be a regular feature for Monday's...just 'cause it rhymes. All suggestions & feedback is welcome.

The way it works...I'll give you some motivation for a post. You choose the topic you want to write about and let know using Mister Linky (below). Then you can all go and read each other's posts for the day!

So here's some motivation for you...
1. (for something nostalgic) Can you remember the first time you did something new - your first day of school, of a new job, as a parent, sending your child to school, or something else entirely. How did you feel?

2. (for something obvious) How are you feeling about the new President of the United States of America!

3. (for something deep) How are you feeling about the current global economic situation and how it may affect you or your family?

4. (for something fun) Think back to your teenage/university years. Share a tale of youthful folly and fallout(?) :)

Hope you find this fun! I look forward to reading your posts...

Daily Featured Blogger...Queensland Kerrie

2008-11-05T06:39:00.001+11:00

If this is your first visit to Where the Blog are you go here to find out more.

Today we are visiting Queensland Kerrie. Go Queenslanders!!!

Needed my big girls knickers today has us jumping in the deep end getting to know Kerrie. Beauracracy!?!??!

Three years ago. This is such a lovely tale of finding love in the 21st century!

and I thought I had seen it all I did too! You won't believe me if I tell you....go check it out for yourself and have a great big chuckle!!

Enjoying visiting Kerrie. today. Give her some great comment love & I'll see you all tomorrow...

Pop-ups?

2008-11-04T14:42:00.004+11:00

Don't forget to visit Braja's blog, see below.

BUT I have a quick question. Can you please leave a comment below telling me if you are still getting a pop-up when you visit this blog. If you do, could you also please tell me who the pop-us if from/what they are advertising.

Thanks!
Louisa

Update: Thanks for being so quick off the mark those who have answered! Next question, do you just get pop-up's here or elsewhere. I've done a bit of googling and come up with these results.

http://www.getridofthings.com/get-rid-of-popups.htm

http://websearch.about.com/od/firefox/ss/firefoxoptions_7.htm

Do they help? Is it me? If it's me do you know how I could get rid of them? (Note: I don't get them at home or at my parent's place)

Daily Featured Blogger...Interesting in India

2008-11-04T06:17:00.001+11:00

Hello Fellow Aussie Bloggers!! Welcome! if you are new to Where the Blog we are very pleased to have you here. You can go here to find out how this works. I hope you will stick around and join in the fun!

I'd love to get your feedback on the blog and on some new features. Please fill out the survey and feel free to leave me a comment or send an email to thebloggingaussie{at}gmail{dot}com with any other suggestions/feedback! Cheers. If you've already completed the survey I've added a couple of questions which I'd love to get your feedback on too. Thanks!

Today we are visiting Braja who is an Australian living in India. Sound interesting? She is! I think you'll have a new blog for your blogroll after today :)

I've not (yet) been to India but it's not hard to appreciate this post! Don't ask why

God of all Shopping is a post for the girls to appreciate! Seeing as that's most of us we should enjoy it :)

Cooking and Muppets got me laughing at the thought processes going on here!

Go and enjoy Braja today and don't forget to comment, comment, comment!

What do you like and what would you like to see?

2008-11-03T06:47:00.002+11:00

Hi everyone,

You may have seen that there's a survey on the Facebook Blog Page about WTBAY. Now that the blog has been up and running for more than a month I'd like to get your feedback on what you like and what you'd like to see on the blog. Click on the link above or go to the following page:

http://apps.facebook.com/questionnaires/answer.php?survey_id=742337115

I'd really appreciate you taking this survey before going on to check out today's featured blogger!! Please let me know if you've taken the survey by leaving a comment. If you can't complete the survey on Facebook please let me know and I'll email you a copy to complete.

Thanks,
Louisa

UPDATE: If you've already answered the survey, I've added the following questions which I'd like your feedback on:

1. How often do you visit the WTBAY blog?
2. How often do you visit the featured blogger?
3. How often do you leave a comment at the featured blogger's blog?
4. What would make you leave more comments?

Daily Featured Blogger...ummm it's me.

2008-11-03T06:46:00.002+11:00

Hello Fellow Aussie Bloggers!! Welcome! if you are new to Where the Blog we are very pleased to have you here. You can go here to find out how this works. I hope you will stick around and join in the fun!

I'd love to get your feedback on the blog and on some new features. Please fill out the survey and feel free to leave me a comment or send an email to thebloggingaussie{at}gmail{dot}com with any other suggestions/feedback! Cheers.

Well I feel a little weird about this but a couple of you have asked so today I am featuring my blog, Life as we know it

I take my hat off to you previously featured bloggers! It's really hard to choose 3 posts! I've done my best and hopefully have chosen posts you'll enjoy. Aside from the first one I've gone back in time a bit so you can read some you may not have previously seen. I hope you enjoy!

I wrote this recently while enjoying a rare quiet A moment with my girl

This goes back a few months to when I was first learning about motherguilt!

Hmmm...not one of my finest parenting moments. My personal guide on how to send your child to therapy in three simple steps. I had almost erased this from my memory until today!

I hope you enjoy learning about me today! See you again tomorrow.

New Facebook Group

2008-11-02T17:10:00.002+11:00

Hi everyone, We've got a new facebook group! You can go here to join or check it out in the sidebar.