Sunday Compliments

Late again! I'm sorry.

Matt: When people wonder where there aren't many man-bloggers, I immediately direct them to Matt's blog. He's wickedly funny but can just as easily pull off a serious, introspective post. He can completely flip his tone without losing his readers and his life experiences and how he has managed them is inspiring.

-Ben

Renee is a woman that cares about what happens in the world and wants to have a hand in shaping it.. The level of respect I have for her is huge!

-Rachel M

Maxie: I had the pleasure of meeting Maxie this summer and she is a million times more fun than her blog. Also, my week would not be complete without Would You Rather Wednesdays!

-Jamie

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December Blog Carnival

We decided to list all participants in this December carnival!

The topics were:

- A wishlist of things you want that are free
- A wishlist of 5 items, one for each sense (that's an item for sight, one for smell, etc)
- A wishlist of things you would sneak under the tree for yourself, age 13

Here are the participants:

Five Senses

Off In My Own Little World 

Not Your Average Guy 

In Pursuit of Happily Ever After 

BBBBecky 

LFar Blog 

The Kory Story 

Off the Record 

Average 20something 

Erin 

I Hate So Much 

Caz 

Gretch A Sketch 

Perpetual Journeyer 

The Rest of My Life 

In Search Of 

Late Bloomer's Revelations 

There and Back Again 

Today's Random 

La Belle Ecrivaine 

Jamie Lovely 

Playing In the Woods 

DC is My Manhattan  

Happy As Can B 

The Rest Is Still Unwritten 

[Mis]Adventures of a Small Town Girl 

Wishlist of Things That are Free

Barefoot In San Diego 

The Bea 

It's Like I'm MMMMagic 

Perpetual Journeyer 

The Kory Story 

College Grad Lessons 

[Mis]Adventures of a Small Town Girl 

Kat Argonza 

Common Nonsense 

Throwing Frogs at the Wall 

In Pursuit of Happily Ever After 

The Rest Is Still Unwritten 

Sometimes Its Better Out Than In 

Wishlist of Things at Age 13

The Kory Story 

In Pursuit of Happily Ever After 

Perfectly Cursed Life 

The Rest Is Still Unwritten 

Read rest of these entry>>>

Sunday Compliments (one day late)

Kyla is insightful, patient and caring even for virtual strangers. I'm still one of her newer readers but just in the past six weeks, she has taught me a hell of a lot and has opened my eyes by email when I needed someone to do exactly that.
-Ben

Maxie is a level of awesome that I can't explain. She makes me laugh in so many different ways.

-Rachel M

Jamie: You're the first bloggy friend I met who made me feel comfortable enough to be me. You're a wonderful blogger and a fantastic friend.

-Jenn

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Meet Your Admin

Name:  D
Blog Url:  www.d-blogged.com


Where are you from:  Chicago
Age:  28
Blogging since:  2002

Favourite Movie:  Usual Suspects
Single best part of that movie:  The moment you figure it out.  I watched it again immediately.  Also: "Well I believe in God, and the only thing that scares me is Keyser Soze. " Great line.

Where did/do you go to school: Stanford
Studying:  Soccer :)

Top three favourite bands: The Roots, Ani DiFranco, Bob Marley

Three songs that would be on the soundtrack of the movie of your life:

Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity  Gov't Mule - Soulshine (I could only find the reggae version, but everyone should know this song) Franti & Spearhead - Sometimes

Instruments played:  Piano

When you were a kid, what movie star did you have a crush on:  Elizabeth Shoe

The last time you took an airplane:  I've been to New York twice in the last four weeks.  I hate airplanes.

Favourite book:  I think Fight Club or Fear and Lothing in Las Vegas were the most fun to read.

Favourite class in high school:  Math - NERD!

Fictional character you most resemble: He's not fictional, but mu buddies think I look just like Steve Nash.

Favourite beverage:  Coffee or Scotch.

Most delicious meal you can cook:  I make a mean pasta sauce from scratch. 

What do you wear to bed:  Pajama Pants.

Favourite scent: A Macallan Single Malt takes a DISTANT second to a woman's scent.

Favourite breakfast cereal:  Oatmeal.

When do you usually write blog posts: Usually late morning, around 10am.

Read rest of these entry>>>

20sb Bootleg award nominations

Now open! Click here to submit your nominations.

Once you start you have to finish, so here is a reminder of all the categories:

Best Title
Best Design
Best Group Blog
Most diverse subject matter
Most distinct voice
Best Up-and-Coming Blog (blog started in 2008)
Least likely to get "marked as read"

Blogger I'd most like to have a beer with
Best commenter
Funniest
Most Sincere
Most Interesting (human interest)
Most Encouraging/Inspirational
Best Guest Blogger
Most opinionated

Relationships blog
Occupation/Career blog
Traveling blog
Shopping blog
Parenting Blog
Student Life Blog

Newbie award (turned 20 in 2008)
Last chance award (turned 29 in 2008)
Best 20sb user photo
Best cross-platform experience (blog+ twitter/tumblr/last.fm/flickr, etc)

Read rest of these entry>>>

Featured Blogger Interview: RS27 (Your Beard Is Good)

Lisa: ahh, I'm late
My bad
Totally my bad
I threw up at work
It was the worst
And I went home and watched Gossip Girl until I felt better
And then remembered we had planned to meet
so sorry

Your Beard Is Good: I am chuck bass

Lisa: yeah you are!

Your: I would have been mad but that episode was awesome
I watched it at work

Lisa: nice, what's your job?

Your: I work in cable ad sales, but my boss isn't in town so I showed up at 930, ate some fruit loops out of the box and watched Gossip Girl

Lisa: That is the sweetest job I have ever heard of
at my job, I did incredibly basic calculations on like 100 different graphs

Your: If there was a job for eating cereal out of the box I would be worth millions

Lisa: so you're winning so far

Your: YES

Lisa: 1-0, but who's keeping score (answer: I am)

Your: sweet

Lisa: make that 2-0, because you're featured blogger, and I'm not
it was a long time coming
people have nominated the heck out of you

Your: I paid them all

Lisa: who was the cheapest?

Your: Alexa
I just begged

Lisa: probably. good one.

Your: haha



Lisa: I guess this can count as the interivew
what an opener: "I barfed at work"

Your: nice I like informal, now I don't have to put on pants

Lisa: exactly
For the record, I'm wearing pants, everybody
but moving on. Your blog is crazy
Your humour is super self deprecating but not in an annoying way.
You know those blogs that go for self deprecating but end up coming off as somebody you want to slap and tell them to get a grip? You're not one of them

Your: Like man you have crazy stories, or wow you might kill somebody someday

Lisa: a bit of both kinds of crazy, but in a good way

Your: Ok good I was going for pysopathic crazy

Lisa: Reach for the moon, RS. If you miss, you'll land amoung the stars
I spell amoung with a U. Do you like Canadians?

Your: I heard that once
YES
YES
YES

Lisa: Have you ever said you had a girlfriend but she lived in Canada?
that's the greatest and most effective trick in the single boy's book

Your: hold on
I'm writing this down

Lisa: because then when people are like "why is your girlfriend never around?" you're just like "I don't know, ever heard of Edmonton? Because its far away"

Your: continue
ok (scribbling Edmonton, girl, canda, girl, sexy time)

Lisa: You just have to keep the story straight so people don't catch on
or mention really obscure Canadian towns because "uh, Toronto" is too easy
say Moosejaw

Your: Yeah like mosse jaw
dammit!
we have the same brain

Lisa: that was fun and weird!
on the count of three say another canadian town
ready?
1
2
3
sarnia

Your: saskatoon
dammit

Lisa: s!

Your: close

Lisa: close enough

Your: I was going to go with newfoundland but thats not really a town
I love Toronto

Lisa: I just found out today that at 14% homosexual, it has the 3rd largest gay community in the world!

Your: What are you saying?

Lisa: I am from near Toronto, so I'm close enough say that I'm from Toronto when people ask
I'm saying its a great city
And also that the Canadian boyfriend line works just as well as Canadian girlfriend
You are from LA. Correct?

Your: Nope, I'm from New Jersey, the greatest state in history of states that were ever stated
I moved to LA in 2005 to try and be the only brown person living in LA, I was mistaken, there are many brown people here

Lisa: Aziz Ansari!
That guy is funny
when did you move back?

Your: move back where?

Lisa: to Jerz
wait
did you move back? or you are still there.

Your: I'm still in LA..did you throw up again?

Lisa: I am confused
yes, pardon me

Your: it was probably Chuck Bass' rich soothing voice that has confused you

Lisa: what's the proper response for throwing up in somebody's presence
like if you cough or sneeze you say excuse me
if you barf, like say if you barf on somebody's face. Just "whoops"
or what do you say to somebody who is barfing. Gesundheit hardly seems like enough

Your: Yeah I see yourpoint..I usualy go with, "Mom, please stop it"

Lisa: I can see how that'd be effective
When did you join 20sb?

Your: probably the 6th day I had a blog, I was on someone's blog and saw one of those badges and thought, "What is this 20 something bloggers thing, I'm 20 something, I'm a blogger..this is where I should be."
Then I waited like 5months to do anything with it
I'm lazy

Lisa: So am i
I'm too lazy to ask any more questions

Your: We are the same person
Moose Jaw
Gossip Girl
Lazy
Actually thats all I got

Lisa: Do you like... math?

Your: debatable

Lisa: that's the extent of my personality

Your: hahahaha

Lisa: are you going to the 20sb meetup?

Your: good question
Here's the thing
If I go I owe Alexa a hundred dollars

Lisa: that's a strange deal

Your: yes, long story
I'm not normal
But now I may go because I will be on the East Coast that next weekend
I am hoping to marry someone rich in the next 5 months to buy my ticket
then get divorced in july
nice and easy

Lisa: we have that in common
I am hoping to marry somebody rich who pays my tuition until I graduate then we get divorced

Your: I like it
May I suggest Weird Al Yankovic
That guy is loaded

Lisa: and for you I suggest Emma Watson
those harry potter kids make an F-load of money

Your: Is she 18?
I'm just saying that to cover myself

Lisa: yes! newly!

Your: I am finding out where she lives and hiring a PI right now

Lisa: perfect, let me know of any good tactics you pick up
so I can snag Al

Your: Tell him about your Canadian boyfriend
heard of that once

Lisa: he'll get so jealous that he'll propose on the spot! good thinking

Your: hopefully with a parody of Hey There Delilah

Lisa: god, yes please!
well, I think we should maybe wrap up here. When I post this on the 20sb blog nobody is going to read this far

Your: I will make them

Lisa: god, yes please! (intentional repeat)
use your bribery- just like how you did you win featured blogger

Your: now everyone knows the secrets
Bribery gets you everywhere

Lisa: spread the word, everybody

Read rest of these entry>>>

Sunday Compliments

RS27: If you're looking for quintessential self-deprecating humour, you'll find RS27 bogarting all of it down in LA for himself. Greedy bastard.

-Ben

Distracted Spunk: Amazing writer, super friendly and pulling herself through one *rough* time. To me, she's really freaking strong, that one. I'm incredibly proud of her.

-Deutlich

Gooseberried: I look forward to your updates and they're among the first I read even though I don't always comment. I find your blog and photos inspiring.

-Renee

Deutlich: So sweet and sincere and wears her heart on her sleeve. Need more of those kind of people in the world.

-allthewine

Gina is my cross-country internet partner in crime. Her posts make me laugh and her emails make me smile. She's a good one.

-Laurie | Your Ill-fitting Overcoat

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Featured Blogger Interviews: Jon Bishop

me: Hey Jon!

Jon: Hey Lisa

me: So you're a technical media specialist. Would you call yourself an internet expert?

Jon: id say i know more about the internet than alot of people :P

but ive spent alot of time trying to make a living out of it

me: Did blogging get you into technical media specializing or vice versa?

Jon: i used to blog on my myspace account freshman year of college and 2 years later saw that i could use it to give my self a little bit of a name in my field

that worked out great

so now im shifting away from that blog to a personal one

thats more removed from my proffesional life

me: Right, you have two main blogs, right?

Jon: ya

two are just me

and theres one for my company i help out with

Jon: http://www.magicomm.biz/blog is my companys site

its the beginning of a social media strategy we've adopted to try and spread our brand

so far its working great

ill be launching my first full social media campaign for a major brand within the month

so im pretty pumped

me: That's exciting!

Jon: It's nice to see my hard work paying off

me: You use a lot of media types on your personal blog (heavy on video, pictures, etc)

Jon: yes

well i worked at umass amherst for 3 years as an interactive media teacher

i tought kids how to make things in flash

so coming into marketing i like bringing different media to the table

that people can interact with

me: Do you think that your experience with social media influences the way you write and your content on your personal blog?

Jon: i try not to let it

the sites not listed on google so im not to worried about people associating it to me and having it effect work

so i pretty much just rant on it

but then again

from my social media marketing perspective

i believe honesty is best when doing anything on the web

me: Honesty is best ONLY for the web

thats what I believe

Jon: ha ha

me: You live in MA, correct?

Jon: yup

and i love it

me: How long have you lived there?

Jon: ummmmmm

13 years i think

me: What's the weather like there these days?

Jon: not bad the last couple of days

but i know the snows coming

and i cant wait

i feel like every season im ready for the next one to hit

in the summer i was all about fall coming in

me: How many hours per week do you spend on the internet? (And how many of those are spent "recreationally")

Jon: monday through friday im on about 12 hours a day

5 recreational

weekends i try not to touch it

me: really!

Jon: ya i love the woods

so i disppear out to my dads

its like a cabin in the middle of nowhere

me: Well who doesn't, but I couldn't spent a whole weekend without internet

Jon: lol well

me: that does sound pretty awesome

Jon: actually im a gamer from back in the day

so i sneak in some half life and stuff at my dads

me: recovering addict

how many blogs are on your rss reader?

Jon: i just added a bunch

im checking right now .....

44

im pretty picky

me: What blogger do you look up to most?

Jon: chris brogan

http://www.chrisbrogan.com/

i just think hes mastered blogging

a perfect mix of personal abd business

and he stays pretty active on other sites like brightkite and twitter

me: What's the last song you listened to?

I'm currently listening to You and I by Ingrid Michaelson

Jon: collective soul - december ... on my 90s rock mix

whos ingrid michaelson?

me: It’s such a sing-a-long song, so I keep imagining people breaking out into it spontaneously, like Benny and the Jets from 27 Dresses or I Say a Little Prayer for You from My Best Friend's Wedding

I don't even know, really. I just have this one terrific song. I should probs get her album

Jon: ha ha i so that alot

a friend will give me a song and ill love it ... and never think to check out mroe of their stuff

me: Oh totally

Jon: i did that with silversun pickups like last month

me: and then you eventually do and kick yourself for missing out on such a great artist for so long

Jon: and im doing it now with kings of leon

yup

did that with dispatch

didnt get into them until their last conert at the hatch shell but i made it to that show

me: Really, all I have is The General from Dispatch... maybe I should look into their other stuff

Jon: i think i know every song by them now

its such great beach music

lol

me: Your all time favourite band is:

Jon: ahhhhhhhhhhh

my brain just went into overload

state radio

ever since i heard camilo ive been hooked

love every single song

me: Your favourite band when you were 16:

Jon: what grade was that lol...

me: eleven?

Jon: um

wow i was into the mainstream punk rock scene

so maybe less than jake

or something corporate

me: also: something corporate= me at age 16, totally. I sang it in the halls with friends. Did I have friends? If I sang Something Corporate in the halls maybe I shouldn't have had friends

Jon: whats your favorite song by them?

9:25 PM me: Oh man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NwJWWnn-cw

Konstantine, no doubt

Jon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmKIY0VnM1U

i alrady had mine ready

lol

...originally we had talked for a while about blog swap. That’s long I procrastinated in posting this. Sorry, Jon!...

Jon: well thanks lisa

me: thank YOU Jon

and congrats on being a featured blogger!

and thanks for all that you do with 20sb!

Jon: its fun ... work would be boring without it

lol

ok take it easy

me: you too!


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Featured Blogger: rs27

The current featured blogger rs27 from Your Beard is Good.

About him:
I live in and LA and don't work in the "biz". Does this make me normal? No? Does anything make me normal? No. At the risk of making this sound like a myspace profile I like mini horses. A lot.

Previous Winners
Elysa
Joanne
Devin
Distracted Spunk
The Lisa Show
Princess Pointful
Michelle & The City
Bespectacled Brunette
Miss A
Brandy
Tiffany
James The Ink
d-blogged
Elisabeth
Ben
Deutlich
Free and Flawed
Jess (Du Wax Loolu)
J-Money
So@24
Maxie
Chris (Surviving Myself)
Angelaboration
the almost right word
Jessica (Everyday Adventures)
Jamie from Oh! How Lovely!
Jon Bishop Read rest of these entry>>>

December carnival topic

It is time for the December Blog Carnival and we want to hear from you!

So, choose your topic and submit your post for the Holiday Carnival by December 21.

You can choose any of the following three topics:

- A wishlist of things you want that are free
- A wishlist of 5 items, one for each sense (that's an item for sight, one for smell, etc)
- A wishlist of things you would sneak under the tree for yourself, age 13

To enter write a post on the topic and email tipptalk@gmail.com the URL link to your post and the URL link to your 20sb page.

Carnival results will be posted at the end of December!

Read rest of these entry>>>

Blog Carnival 9: Travel

Winning travel entries:


Amanda J from Sometimes It's Better Out Than In on Egypt

The Australian travel warning for the majority of Egypt is "High Degree of Caution". In recent years the emergence of terrorism has posed a threat to Egypt's tourism industry, and consequently, the place is riddled with Tourism Police. I often saw them on the corner of intersections, near major tourist attractions and outside hotels. Their white uniform with the words "TOURISM POLICE" printed boldly on their shirts made them pretty obvious. What was also obvious were their guns. BIG guns. The rifle shot-gun kind.

Read more here .





Lacy from Perks of Being a Jap on Israel

I spent the day in a happy oblivion, taking in the sites and marveling in the fact that I was in Israel. Much later that day, we pull up to our hotel (which was craptastic), and everyone gets off the bus, starts pulling their suitcases out and dragging them to the hotel. I get off the bus, and can't look through the pile of suitcases on that side. I don't see mine. . .

Read more here .




Distracted Spunk on Southeast Asia

I could write about the tan line on my left wrist, of the shadow of my silver and turquoise watch now imprinted on my skin.

I could write about the mosquito bites tracing a trail along the side of my right leg, verbose in its catalog of places I've traveled.

I could talk about the elephant's ear flicking off my left shoe and causing me to jump in my seat, and the boy who tore lemongrass from the ground for me to smell.

Read the rest here . Read rest of these entry>>>

Sunday Compliments

Renee: She's got similar political convictions as myself and is MUCH better at expressing her view on said politics than I ever will be. I just get hot-headed. Heh. Renee rocks my socks.

-Deutlich

Matt Fried: Matt Fried makes me laugh and laugh. If I still lived in New York, I'd ask him out on a date.

-Laurie | Your Ill Fitting Overcoat

Erin: You are one of my favorite bloggers! Thanks for all your awesome comments!

-Erin

Jessica is an intelligent and humorous writer. She is always up front and honest with who she is.

-Rachel M

Chasing Paradise: Girl, you know you are my BLOG BFF. I love that you're not afraid to write about the tough stuff, and I love your potty mouth! MWAH!

-longredcape

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Almost finalized award categories

What do you think? Give your feedback in the forums.

Most diverse subject matter
Most distinct voice
Best Up-and-Coming Blog
Least likely to get "marked as read"
Best Title
Best Design
Best Group Blog

Blogger I'd most like to have a beer with
Best commenter
Funniest
Most Sincere
Most Interesting
Most Encouraging/Inspirational
Best Guest Blogger

Relationships blog
Occupation/Career blog
Traveling blog
Shopping blog
Parenting Blog
Student Life Blog

Newbie award (turned 20 in 2008)
Last chance award (29 in 2008)
Best 20sb user photo
Best cross-platform experience (blog+ twitter/tumblr/last.fm/flickr, etc) Read rest of these entry>>>

Compliments Week Continues!

Man, there were so many compliments (with about 40 still in queue) that we've decided to turn compliment week from a one-time, one-week feature into a once-a-week, all-the-time party!

Expect to see compliments posted approximately every Sunday. And keep submitting!  

(Submit here)

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Compliment Week- Friday Part 3

Fiveblondes: I have four sisters, so immediately I liked you girls. You're so different from each other, but also so the same. It makes your blog really enjoyable. You do an exemplary job of letting us in your life but also keeping privacy boundaries. Plus, you're all beautiful. Plus plus, hooray for sisters! Plus plus plus, hooray for Ontario!

-lfar

Stealthnerd: One of my internet BFFs! She is hilarious, has dreams about Luke from Gilmore Girls and has the best/worst stories about NYC.

-Jamie

Kendall is a great writer with a lot of heart. He puts himself out there in every post and he's never afraid to say what he's thinking.
-the almost right word

Emily has become a great friend! Today she listened to me cry and stress for like 20 minutes about the stuff going on in my life. She has really helped me through a lot of crap and I'm glad that I met her through blogging!
-Single

Narm: In short, he's funny AND he's hot. I think that sums it up. ;)
-Deutlich

Jessica: You are just the coolest blogger I know! :)
-Erin

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Compliment Week- Friday Part 2

Lauren: I feel like I've known Lauren forever, though we are still kind of new bloggy buddies. Her writing continually blows me away with its vividness and honesty. She is a true gem of 20SB.
-Mermanda

Blogging Barbie: You know I *heart* the shit out of you. Your posts crack me the eff up. I think the first one of yours I read was about you getting a speeding ticket and I'm pretty sure I almost had Diet Coke coming out of my nose. Come to GA? Plzthkxbai.
-longredcape

Deutlich: I have so much respect for Deutlich, i think she's a fabulous writer and she's real. She writes from the heart on various subjects and is always one of the first blogs I read when I see she's updated.
-Ashley

Princess Pointful: Seriously one of the sweetest bloggers I've come across and I absolutely adore her writing, even if I'm a lazy git sometimes and forget to comment.
-Deutlich

Brandy: Your blog is one of the first I fell in love with when I started reading over a year ago. You're always one of the first I click to and you ALWAYS make me smile. You seem like you'd be fun to have a couple (or seven) glasses of wine with while discussing the effortless sexiness of Jim Halpert among other IMPORTANT topics of our generation.
-longredcape Read rest of these entry>>>

Compliment Week- Friday Part 1

Jamie's is one of the first blogs I ever really got into and I remember emailing her almost a full year ago about something she had written... and really ever since then I've just been beyond fond of her. Meeting her in real life only solidified this. I'm afraid I'm not doing her much justice with words, but believe me when I say that she's an astounding human being. I'm lucky to know her.

-Deutlich

Lisa: The one and only! None of us would even be doing this right now if it wasn't for her. She made our awesome community and I couldn't be more appreciative. Plus, she once explained rational and irrational numbers to me and is my math hero!

-Jamie

Jessi: is such a wonderful writer. Every post wraps me up in its own little world of deliciousness.

-Laurie

The Well-Intentioned Heartbreaker's blog just makes me smile. Her writing lets the reader peak into her every-day life and we love her for it.

-Maxie

Chris: I admire your ability to post hilarious material five days out of the week. Bravo! And you're super nice, too!

-longredcape

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Compliment Week- Thursday Part 4

Part 4? Yes! I have so many more to go! You guys sure like complimenting each other.

Jenn blogging since late last 2007 has been beter and better and better. Her writing has found its voice in a major way uncommon to a vast majority of the people self-publishing. I'm actually jealous of HOW much better she keeps getting in such short periods of time.

-D

Nuka's posts are always so thoughtful and thought-provoking.

-Laurie | Your Ill-fitting Overcoat

Ashley: Love you! You are beautiful and an amazing person! Way to be a world changer!

-Stephanie Olsen

Joanna runs one of the most original and funny blogs out there. Not only do the pictures she posts actually make me wonder "shirt or dress", but her commentary is so funny that I want to pee pants while reading!

-Maxie

Nicole's is one of the first blogs I ever really got into. I was always intrigued by her writing style and sheer openness.. and a year later? I'm still reading every single word she writes.

-Deutlich

Andy: I always enjoy your witty comments!

-Erin

Mandy: I love Mandy's complete down to earth feel of her blog. Reading her is like tubing down a lazy river with a nice glass of wine.

-Rachel M

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Compliment Week- Thursday Part 3

Brandy: THANK YOU for all your replies to my comments. And the email you sent? Brought me to tears. Your kindness is unprecedented and your snarkiness so so welcome. I wish we lived closer because I would invite you over for all of Barack's future speeches to drink wine and fawn over his changiness.

-Renee

Kat: I love Kat's outspoken nature, well thought out logic and completely candid manner in relaying her thoughts.

-Deutlich

Joanna: This blog is brilliant!! I love all the polls. Way to give your readers something fun to read but also a way to be interactive and participate. Too hilarious. Keep up the great work!

-Yeti

Deutlich: You are the sassiest blogger I know. You're also the jelly to my peanut butter at 20sb. I have endless appreciation for you. Also, your blog is top notch.

-lfar

Amy is such a genuine person. She always leaves the most thoughtful comments.

-Laurie | Your Ill-fitting Overcoat

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Compliment Week- Thursday Part 2

DMB5_Libra: D is one of my best friends in life and I've known her for 14 years. In those years, I've learned so much from her I couldn't possibly fit it all in this comment box. But she is awesome. 'Nuff said.

-Deutlich

HBee: Girl, I am so proud of you for the strength you've exhibited after everything that has happened.

-longredcape

Laurie has a great blog that has a really unique voice. Also, she's wore two skirts before at the same time, which just makes her cool in my books!

-brandy

Ben is sweet and tender lover....oh wait....I mean he is a great writer that makes me laugh very, very easily.

-Rachel

Allie: You rock for organizing our fabulous book club!

-Erin

Jamie: You're a 20SB legend. I hope one day I can be as cool as you are. Seriously. Some of us strive to be Jamie Lovely!

-Renee

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Compliment Week- Thursday Part 1

Angela, I will always admire your sheer honesty. Your introspection and open heart keeps me reading and I sincerely hope your grad school friends don't keep you from being who you are on your blog.

-Renee

Jenn's wit is beyond belief. She possesses an innate ability to make me laugh through my nose as loudly as possible, making me sound like a snorting pig. And truthfully? I'm okay with this. She's sincerely a sweet person, means the absolute best and is ONE OF A KIND.

-Deutlich

Alexa keeps her personal blog consistently interesting and hilarious! She does a great job giving her readers a peak into her life!

-Maxie

Free and Flawed: What an awesome person Jenn is. She writes about a huge variety of things, always in an interesting and informative way. A must read.

-Anonymous

Susie: Simply, she's awesome and feels like a very close friend.

-Gooseberried

Hoppster's posts always make me laugh out loud.

-Laurie | Your Ill-fitting Overcoat

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Compliment Week- Wednesday Part 3

David: His ability to stick his foot in his mouth is something I'm fiercely fond of. Moreover, I always appreciate when someone has the gall to say what he or she is really thinking and David delivers.

-Deutlich

Rachel: Your daughter is beautiful, your hair is sexy, and I'll never forget how you stood up for me in my comments section last week. Prop 8, stop the H8!

-Renee

Nicole: I love that Nicole always responds personally to my comments via email! She always has such wise and thoughtful things to say.

-Laurie | Your Ill-fitting Overcoat

Single: I really admire Single's ability to put the hard stuff out there. She's gone through a rough time recently, but has still shared those difficult things. Plus, she loves Mad Men and who can't love her for that?

-Ginger

So@24 deserves compliments for so many reasons. Here are the top 5: 1) His blog is always, always, always funny/fun/hilarious/amazing/good/honest. 2) My real-life friends that are not bloggers adore him. In fact, a lot of them only read my blog and his. 3) He was the first blogger that ever commented on my blog and it made me really, really happy and forever made his blog #1 in my heart. 4) He somehow manages to flirt via blog comments. This is very impressive. 5) On a more serious note, I admire the way he has branded his blogger. Always using the name So@24, the blue bar, using different colors for names, and always taking the time to link back to his own work/videos/pictures, etc really sets his blog apart from the rest.

-Beth

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Compliment Week- Wednesday Part 2

Jolyne: Great blog!

-Enji-K

Distracted Spunk: She's honest, she's funny, she's real, and she's a damn good writer.

-Travis

Ben: Everyone in the blogosphere loves Ben. It's not secret that's he's adorable and funny, but he also has a writing style that really lets you feel like you're his friend IRL. Wait... was that kind of creepy? I love you, Ben!

-Maxie

Cindy: You, my friend, are hilare and smart and beautiful, and you do it all while tackling law school and multiple short people. And you don't even judge me for busting my ass in a public place!

-longredcape

Deutlich: You're real and you're passionate. I wish we lived closer so we could discuss politics and race and gender and religion and all of those taboo topics nice young ladies shouldn't discuss.

-Renee

Brainy Jane: She's smart, compassionate and relays it well through her writing. I dig it. A lot.

-Deutlich

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Compliment Week- Wednesday Part 1

DMB writes one of the most "random" blogs I know, but she always makes me laugh. Maybe I'm a little partial because I know just how awesome she is IRL, but her blog is pretty dang fantastic overall.

-Maxie

Phil: When you become a speech therapist, come work in my classroom!

-Erin

Maxie: LOVE WTY Thursdays. Sorry the world is trying to ruin your life by making WV liquor laws STUPID. Stupid WV! :)

-Joanna

Kyla is one of the sweetest people ever. Always one of the first people to drop an email when things seem rough. Not to mention she is super crafty!

-Jamie

Lindz blog started off a humorous life blog and then things got real. The best part is though that she kept things funny and won even more of my respect in the process

-Rachel M

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Blog Swap 3: Tomorrow!

Don't forget to post your swapped entry tomorrow for Blog Swap 3!

For formatting and sweet html for the badge above, click here.

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Compliment Week- Tuesday Part 2

Jess: One of the most sincere blogs out there. She blogs about a whole slew of topics with honesty but also with respect. She's a gracious blogger is what I'm saying. She has the ability to pull heart strings and really make you emote. Also, I really appreciate the technical superiority of her grammar/writing. Real sentences! Consistent capitalization! Clear distinction between adjectives and adverbs! All in all this blog is one for your reader.

-lfar

Maxie: Uhm, hello?! Only my favoritest West Virginian in the whole widest world. And I don't even care that she's a Mountaineer. Maxie's quick ability to laugh, make others laugh and her completely outgoing nature is a rare find indeed. I totally less-than-three her.

-Deutlich

Duchess of Kickball: Hilarious blog! Loves it!

-Joanna

Essentially Me: Hmm, where to being. First of all, she tolerates me being a comment whore on her 20SB page. She takes all my smartass replies and childish insults for what they TRULY are – playfulness. She lives in Canada (eh) and I live in the States, if we lived closer together, I would resort to pushing her during recess the way any 5th grader would push a girl he likes. But since we aren’t in the 5th grade anymore and this is cyberspace, I have to resort to teasing and name calling via Twitter, Facebook and Blogger. Oh yeah...she also has a good little blog and she’s defiantly easy on the eyes. And did I mention she seems to have a really caring heart? Yeah, that too. Only a school teacher would spend her hard earned paycheck on the very minds she is enriching. Something tells me she probably isn’t aware of what a difference she is making in this world and in the lives of others.

-David

Alexa's hospitality and freakishly loud laugh is one in a million. She's got a great sense of humor, is AMAZING to be around and it's truly fun to read her shenanigans on her blog. She's a rockstar. Totally.

-Deutlich

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Compliment Week- Tuesday Part 1

Ben: It's my Canadian-Future-Husband-if-He-Didn't-"Bat"-for-the-Other-Team! Ok, ok. I'm sure there's going to be plenty of similar comments about Ben and he's going to turn all shades of red (again) and yada yada yada. Obviously, Ben is a rockstar in his own right. He's friendly, personable and really fun to read. Even through the interwebs there's just something that stands out about him - and that's rare.

-Deutlich

Steph-Joy: Steph's blog is one of the cheeriest out there. Whenever I am glum I know I can to there to get inspired. What a positive outlook she has!

-lfar

The Almost Right Word: She is a wonderful writer who touches on a diversity of issues. Her passion for what she writes about shines through, and she makes a point in engaging her readers in a dialogue about the topics outside the realm of her blog if they are interested! Plus she makes me learn stuff ;)

-Princess Pointful

Deutlich is real (does that make sense?) She writes exactly what she is thinking. She also has a huge heart.

-Rachel M

Kerri: When I got your package in the mail this summer, I SQUEED. You are so genuine and so kind. One day I hope to be as authentic as you are!

-Renee

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Compliment Week- Monday Part 2

Lindsay: Love reading this blog!

-Gooseberried

Long Red Cape's posts sometimes make me cry, sometimes make me cringe, and sometimes make me shake my head and sigh... but they never fail to make me laugh.

-Laurie

D: She's just extremely hot. Oh, and tells great stories.

-Anonymous

Jamie Lovely: One of the nicest bloggers ever and definitely one of the most friendly, I really appreciate how Jamie is always using her blog to showcase other blogs. Definitely an amazing girl and worthy of all her fans!

-brandy

Jack: It's my Ex-Facebook-Husband! In all honesty, Jack's a stand out guy and an all around wonderful person.

-Deutlich

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Compliment Week- Monday Part 1

Laurie has a great blog that has a really unique voice. Also, she's wore two skirts before at the same time, which just makes her cool in my books!

-brandy

Natasha: I enjoy reading Endless Randomness, not only because its real but because its writer is a genuinely awesome person. Who happens to dish out some great advice.

-Jossie Posie

Chris: "Oh...Chris..." I really just said that out loud and I really don't even know where to start. That man is funny as hell.. and while he likes to pretend that he's one big hard ass, he's got a heart under all that crazy smack talk. And I think that's fantabulous.

-Deutlich

Dan is a man of few words but those few words are HILARIOUS. He's like a Bizarro Dane Cook.

- Rachel M

EP: I wish the postcard exchange was still alive and well. Your cards always made my day. I know we would hit it off if we met... perhaps even BFF!

-Renee

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Blog Carnival 9 coming up!

Blog Carnival 9 is open! The topic is TRAVEL!

Tell us about your favorite trip, your excursions, your honeymoon, whatever! Some of us have traveled to some fantastic places and for those of us who haven't let us live vicariously through you!

How to enter to the Travel Blog Carninval??

1. Write a travel related post on your blog

2. Email Tipp at tipptalk@gmail.com the URL to your post and the URL to your 20sb page.

3. Submit the above two URLs to me by November 31.

4. Check out the 20sb Blog for the winners to be posted by December 5th!

The best and most well-written TRAVEL submissions will be showcased in a magazine type format with links to your post on the 20sb Blog.

Email with any questions!

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Meetup Details Announced!

(Also, follow the meetup information here) Read rest of these entry>>>

20sb Compliment Week

There are so many blogs you love! And there are so many bloggers who love your blog! So let's tell them.

Over the next week, you can submit compliments on other 20sb members. You can submit through your own name or anonymously.

Then, starting November 16th, I'll start posting the compliments here on this blog!

So go submit some compliments (as many as you like!) and then start checking in back here to see if anybody complimented you, or as a chance to discover new blogs that are complimented!

(Click here to be taken to the compliment submission page)

(Some have said that link is broken. If you cannot use surveymonkey, please submit here) Read rest of these entry>>>

Blog Carnival 8: Job and Career

Heather from Toughgirl 101
So When Are You Going To Finish That Book?

There's a book I want to write. It exists only in outlines and little snippets in my head. Writing it has been a dream of mine since I first learned to appreciate the English language.

Ginger from Ramble Ramble
I Guess I'm the GrownUp Now

It's sometimes a shock to my system that I'm the grownup now. I mean, seriously? But then things happen that sort of drive home the point

The Almost Right Word
I Will Wait No More

Last night was the culmination of my "career" as your friendly neighborhood server.
I will no longer dress in a white, button-down, collared shirt and tie. I will no longer polish silverware. I will no longer ask if ice water or bottled is preferred. I will no longer watch as everyone around me sips their wonderful red wine or sangria.

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Blog Carnival 7: Passions

From It Stands
Our Great Destiny

From Pipe Dreams and Professions
Where was the Passion?

A Blog of Her Own
Rosie Made Me Do It Read rest of these entry>>>

Header Contest Winner!

Congrats Jason!

This is the new 20sb header!
Thanks to all who voted and submitted entries.

To read more about the creation of this header, click here. Read rest of these entry>>>

Featured Blogger Interviews: Jamie

(A new feature! I'm going to be interviewing all the featured bloggers so you can get to know them a little bit more beyond their profile)

Lisa: hey!

Jamie: hi!

Lisa: how much time do youhave?

Jamie: until 8 when grey's anatomy starts hahah

Lisa: I didn't know that was back on. I'm so behind.

Jamie: it's only like three episodes in so you can totally catch up

Lisa: Okay. that wasn't the start.

Lisa: or should it be?

Lisa: Should this be super casual like, you're a guest on the late night show or something?

Lisa: and we end up talking about your recent break up instead of your new perfume or whatever?

Jamie: haha sure, jay leno mode or something

Jamie: but for the record, my new perfume is AMAZING

Lisa: yeah, haha. And I'll be all "why don't you ever wear underwear, COME ON" and you'll be like"Lise, I think we were going to talk about my new movie"

Lisa: Okay. So you blog at OhHowLovely.net. How long have you been blogging?

Jamie: well, started blogging on livejournal before i even knew it was "blogging" back in like 2002ish?

Jamie: and last year, i moved to wordpress

Jamie: and haven't looked back!

Lisa: Yeah, livejournal was the worst

Lisa: What got you started back in 2002?

Jamie: i'm really not sure. i knew a lot of people who had them and i figured why not? i was a freshman at DePaul and went to tons of shows and wrote about how annoying my roommated was

Jamie: i was totally convinced she was trying to be Jamie 2.0

Lisa: Did your roommate ever find the blog?

Jamie: i think she read it but once I started writing about her, it definitely became friends only!

Lisa: Who is the most awkward person that reads your blog.

Lisa: That question was poorly phrased.

Lisa: I mean like... somebody that reads your blog that you'd rather they didn't. Mothers, ex boyfriends, things like that

Jamie: well my boyfriend reads my blog and has from the start so i can't really write about our relationship much.

Jamie: well i guess i could

Jamie: but we dont really have problems or drama that i would be airing out, you know?

Jamie: other than him, nobody really. unless, people i know found it and just haven't told me!

Lisa: You pretty much blog once a day, right? Has it always been like that?

Jamie: when i started on WP, i'd blog at least once a day if not more. it was right around NaBloPoMo too so i"had" to

Jamie: and i felt like it was such a chore hahah and that i never knew what to write about

Jamie: but now, it's pretty much once a day.

Lisa: You have a few blogs, right? A shopping blog, a blog with a few other writers...

Jamie: oh god, yes. i'm all over the place right now. i'm probably totally annoying when i ask people to go read my posts elsewhere because there is too many

Jamie: but yes, i have my shopping blog, www.ohhowlovely.net/shops which is basically me being mad i'm not crafty

Jamie: so i'm forced to buy and covet cute stuff other people make that i can't

www.ummnowwhat.com is a blog with Brandy, Jess Writes, Princess Pointful, Chelsea Talks Smack and myself talking about what's it like being a 20something and things that we have dealt with

Jamie: i've sucked at updating thatone lately, i'm such a slacker

Jamie: i'm contribute to whosyourdachsund.com about my little fat wiener dog, Winston

Jamie: and lastly, I write about fashion and style for www.ronebreak.com

Lisa: That's lots of writing!

Lisa: Would you call yourself a writer?

Jamie: I KNOW!

Jamie: im a total slacker lately though

Jamie: i don't know if i'd call myself a writer. i think of it as something i aspire to be

Jamie: but right now, i just write

Lisa: You've been around 20sbfor a long time

Lisa: You even won an award back last January

Lisa: "most likeable"

Lisa: how did that feel?

Jamie: first off, i love 20SB. I'm so glad I ended up finding it. As for the award, I was really shocked!

Jamie: i was so new to 20SB

Jamie: and the others that were nominated were much more well known and just awesome. i really thought i had no chance

Jamie: it was a great feeling though. i was so excited!

Lisa: Describe your blog in 10 words

Jamie: oh gosh, that's hard! haha okay

Jamie: 10 random words? let's see

Jamie: random, silly, whiny, puppies, bad television

Jamie: that's a phrase haha

Jamie: but there is a lot of it on myblog

Jamie: fashion, shopping

Jamie: i really don't know, my blog is really random. im not a niche blog so it's just kind of everything!

Lisa: Is there anything else you want to talk about? Or anything you want to say to the 20sb community at large?

Jamie: im just really grateful i found the 20sb community. i'm amazed at how it's grown and i continue to be inspired by everyone. i've found so many great blogs and made so many friends, in real life and online friends from this community

Jamie: it's just a great bunch of people!

Jamie: im officially the most boring interview ever haha

Lisa: No, totally not!

Lisa: Okay, I guess let's wrap up, though

Lisa: Congrats on being featured blogger!

Lisa: Thanks for your time, and enjoy Grey's!

Jamie: thank you lisa!

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