Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Blogosphere Definition & GIVEAWAY WINNER



CONGRATULATIONS SARAH of ETCETERA, ETC.
for WINNING my
TIME & MONEY GIVEAWAY!
Sarah is a U.S. resident so she wins both the clock and the $50 Visa gift card! Sarah is a fabulous writer, who usually leaves me laughing out loud. If you don't know Sarah click here to check her out. You'll be glad you did. Yeah Sarah!

And so you know.... My husband, who's as trust-worthy as the Accountants carrying the winners' names to the Academy Awards, drew the winning entry. And the bowl you see in the picture-- That was my late father's bowl that he always made his famous potato salad in. It's a MAJOR heirloom for me. So my husband and my dad, two amazing men, were in on the drawing so you know it was totally on the up-and-up!

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When I started blogging, I had to Google the term "Blogosphere". I didn't know what it meant and I wasn't sure how to spell it. Here's what Wikipedia said...

Blogosphere is a collective term encompassing all blogs and their interactions. It is the perception that blogs exist together as a collective community (or as a collection of collective communities) or as a social network where everyday authors can publish their opinions.

In the past six months and more than 100 posts, I have come to understand the definition a little differently. This is what it means to me...

Blogosphere is a collective term encompassing an interactive worldwide group of interesting, dynamic, creative, caring and extremely talented authors who make me think, learn, laugh, cry and feel grateful to read their opinions and insights into their lives. This everyday author has deep appreciation for the blog community and the time others spend reading my work.

As I wrap-up my 100th Post Giveaway, I wanted to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to everyone who's spent time reading my blog. And I especially want to thank you for your support, feedback, emails and comments. Turning on my computer each morning and hearing from you is a great gift and one I do not take for granted. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I'll spend some time over the next few weeks analyzing the Giveaway and if I find any interesting trends or lessons learned I'll share them with you.

In the meantime, I'm interested in hearing what the Blogosphere means to YOU.
Welcome to The Fifty Factor - Joanna

41 comments:

  1. I agree! It's about connecting with people. When I talk to people about my blog friends, most of them call them my "fake friends." They just don't get it.

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  2. Congratulations to the winner!

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  3. 'Connection' as in reaching to the far corners as if it were just around the block. We're this enormous commune - everyone working really hard and then bringing their goods to the table to share.

    Congrats to the winner! And to you, Joanna, for reaching this milestone! Onward!

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  4. Definitely a community.

    I took a short break from the blogosphere for a week while I was on vacation and it was the only thing I looked forward to returning to on the way home.

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  5. Hey I have a bowl just like that!
    to me, the Blogosphere is kind of like...um...a way to meet people and get to know them without having to get dressed. It's a place I can put down what I'm REALLY thinking, and if someone gets their feelings hurt, I don't have to look at them across the church on Sunday. I've made several friends through it, and a couple of enemies, too, but who's counting? I've even made friends that I've met IRL and it was like meeting a cousin or something- we already knew each other's dirty secrets so meeting IRL was so amazingly comfortable.

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  6. She is a very lucky winner!!

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  7. I think Rootietoot summed it up pretty good. I feel like her. Blogging lets me be myself and if people like me and who I am or what I write about, they will come back. I love that I don´t have to "act" a certain way and that I have such support in the people that comment or write me emails directly.
    Congrats to the winner of you giveaway! Can´t wait to read your next hundred! :)

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  8. You are a woman of such integrity - you are always on the "up and up."

    It's because of people like you, that blogging means the world to me!

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  9. ok, congrats to the winner (sulking) lol, just kidding. the blogosphere is like a big conversation we each have a voice in. over time certain voices begin resonating together and beautiful music arises. its about doing life togther...and group therapy all rolled up in sushi (cause it gets a little raw at times) look forward to reading your next 100...smiles.

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  10. Congratulations to Sarah! And - thanks to you for having such an awesome giveaway! Thanks also for having a great blog, and inviting us into your life!

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  11. Congratulations Sarah!

    What does the blogosphere mean to me....have you got an hour or two for me to tell you? I've met so many wonderful people and learned so many things because of it. I've read great stories, gotten fabulous recipes, and learned a thing or two. What would I do without it?

    Here's to your next 100 posts!

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  12. Wonderful contest and congratulations to Sarah. Well done Joanna. Really enjoyed the whole experience.

    I'm an individualist, through and through. I'm also a big communicator. I'm the guy in the grocery store who likes to chat with the clerks, get to know them a little bit, connect with them in some way, know their names.

    This mythical place we like to visit is my chance to slough off all the barriers we put in place in the guise of society, religion, politics, sex, age, social standing, wealth, philosophy, education, race... and communicate on the one-to-one human level. (All of those listed are certainly part of the blogosphere, by the way. But they don't stop us from talking with one another here.)

    I often think about what it would be like to meet all of you... to break that fourth wall of the blogosphere, as it were. Would it be wonderful to meet Shadow and Braja from the other side of the world? Or have coffee in downtown Chicago with Ann? Or take a jog on the beach with you? Or, have we communicated so long without actually meeting, would it be too weird, too hard to fit the expectation into the perception?

    I don't know. But I do know that thanks to the blogosphere, my life is richer as I chat with people all over the world as if they lived next door.

    That, in any other time in the history of folks, would be a miracle.

    And even though we sort of understand how it's done... it's still a bit of sorcery.

    And I am grateful.

    Cheers,

    SLC

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  13. (OH CRAP) Congratulations Sarah. I'm so (jealous) delighted that you won!

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  14. Congrats to the winner! And what a special drawing it was!

    Thank you for joining us in this crazy blog world!

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  15. Okay, now really...you're forcing me to put on my big girl pants,do the right thing, and congratulate the lucky winner....for whom I have nothing but good feelings toward. Good for you Sarah!

    However...your husband? Your Dad's bowl? On my s**t list...permanently. Done with both things. Done I tell you.

    The Queen is NOT amused!

    However, she will be back tomorrow to read you again because she simply must.

    And so say all of us. Now, let me find a peasant to behead...we are certain that might make me feel a bit vindicated.

    Adieu.

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  16. Congrats to Sarah!

    And I think you summed up my meaning of the blogosphere very well!

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  17. congrats to Sarah, and thanks for running a great contest, it was fun. I'm plainly addicted to the blogosphere...it's like a new world out there and I'm learning so much from everyone.

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  18. Thank you my friend for doing the drawing. Yahoo... to the winner, Sarah!

    Blogging was started as I was recovering (and slightly still) from a day surgery that went almost deadly wrong. I hope to write about it next months. It was my way to get lost and think of the things that I enjoy. I wasn't sure how to get people to know I was there, but slowly they came and some I feel close and as if they are already friends. Friends I have yet to met, but we share so much of our lives. Blogging has really helped in so many ways for me. With not being able to visit and post much these next couple of weeks I truly miss it!! Many hugs and thanks.... for adding a ray of sunshine to many of our days! xoxo

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  19. Congrats to Sarah from me too. I appreciate her viewpoint alot and thanks us being able to share in your celebration. It's not the prize, it's the company and I enjoy yours.

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  20. congrats to Sarah! that must have been fun to get your hubby involved in the giveaway and to use a treasured bowl of your dad's too! I love how you defined blogosphere! you did it very well and accurately as I see this land of blogs and bloggers!

    enjoy your day!

    betty

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  21. Congrats to Sarah, the blogosphere is a way for me to keep in toudh with the world. I have had an illness that keeps me housebound alot. I can come here, read, laugh, cry and not ever feel alone.My friends think it is crazy talking to people you don't know, but I feel I know some of these bloggers better than some of my friends. Take care.

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  22. Congrats Sarah. My blogger friends are very special.

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  23. It has been fun just seeing your excitement and joy to do with your giveaway. Congrats to the winner and Joanna, keep up your great posts. For such a new blogger, you have a great blog.

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  24. I have a love-hate relationship with the Blogosphere! I love it because it connects me with people like you -- people with whom I love to connect, and whose writing I admire and enjoy fully.

    The times I "hate" the Blogosphere (and really, hate is too strong a word here) are when I am overwhelmed with how MUCH there is to keep up with out there in cyberspace, and how little time I have to devote to it without impacting my 3-D life. Example, I should have dressed 4 hours ago -- but I've been sitting here, catching up and writing comments to compelling blogs I've been reading since 10:00 this morning!

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  25. First I want to Congratulate Sarah! If I'm not the winner, I'm glad that she's the winner!

    I've lost so many important people in my life. Some have passed on and some have changed, moved away or forgotten about me and that is one reason I started blogging. I have an opinion and after cleaning up my act, it's an addiction that doesn't cost anything. I could be gambling! I have a past and not everyone wants to let me back into their lives, IRL. Plus, I've met so many wonderful and caring people. It really fills my heart with joy when I receive comments on my crazy posts and I love all of my followers.

    Hugs and love,
    GEM

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  26. I think your definition about sums it up, and I heartily agree.
    I love the way you brought your father into the drawing by sharing the potato salad bowl story. I immediately thought of my own father's potato pancakes. What is it with men and potatoes?

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  27. I want a recount!

    Well done, Sarah!

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  28. I love your definition! So true! Thank you for being part of my daily tour!

    To your next 100!!

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  29. Congratulations to Sarah--and I like how you pick your winner "old school":)

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  30. Congrats to the lucky winner!

    As for the meaning ~ simply put ~ friendships made where normally you wouldn't have the opportunity to do so.

    Without the Bloggers, I sure would miss out on a lot of wonderful friends!

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  31. Can I change my name to Sarah real quick? :) Congratulations to you, Sarah!

    I love the bowl as well. I can see how some dishes are priceless heirlooms!!

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  32. Hello everyone, my name is Sarah and I am the lucky winner. First of all...Joanna that was an awesome thing you did---it was innovative and I applaud your creativity. Second of all...I am JEALOUS of all your fans. That truly says something about your writing and nature as I a person.

    Blogging is a medium like no other that gives everyone the opportunity to be an author. Words are so powerful and for the few paragraphs that all of us write, it is an opportunity to pen our own great American novel.

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  33. Congratulations, Sarah!

    I both love and fear the Blogosphere. As a studying anthropologist, it is a very interesting phenomenon of our times and can be a tool to better understanding the public. As a blogger, I am very outspoken and worried about how much I post online that can be used against me (especially as people love to take things out of context)...

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  34. So is your next giveaway for the heirloom bowl, please?! :)

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  35. It is a pleasure to read your writing.

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  36. A fantastic post! Your definition of blogosphere is wonderful! I've discovered a world of wonderful people in a very short time and look forward to learning and experiencing more of the wonder, excitement and beauty of this communtiy in the months & years to come!

    Congratulations to Sarah!

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  37. It's a place where you can send out a little whisper and a voice or two or several acknowledge that you're heard. And behind those voices are the most interesting, caring and sharing minds. Congrats on showing that you're one of them.. 100 times over.

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  38. Congrats Sarah!!! And I love that you had your two favourite men in your life involved in the drawing too!!

    The blogosphere means to me - a community of like minded people making the world a smaller place post by post. I just wish I had more time thse days to visit it as much as I once did.

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  39. Congratulations to Sarah!

    I have never given much thought to the word 'blogosphere", but I regarded it as meaning the culture of blogging, and their connectivity to each other in a community outside of our face-to-face lives.

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Thanks for stopping by and commenting, I really appreciate it.