We’re most happy to introduce a brand spankin’ new APWBWGTTD (Atlanta People With Blogs Who Get Together To Drink) site. We’re still working on some new features and some minor glitches, but we’ve gotten a bunch of people on board already. This new site will not just be an aggregator, but will also focus on the main catalyst of the group: the meetups. So go ahead and mark atlblogs.net in your bookmarks and sign up.

Also, the Mr. and I decided to do something about all the weird shit we find in our yard – start a blog about it (duh). So we’d like to introduce Stuff In My Yard. If you find weird stuff in your yard, please check out the site and feel free to submit photos to stuffinmyyard [at] gmail [dot] com. The more, the better!

And today, yours truly is the Fab 5 Friday feature. Talking about stuff I buy? Yep, sign me up.

Let’s hope I don’t get all Mama Rose and enter her in a talent competition.

Andy, I think most of your “disappointment” (as profound as you profess it to be) with personal blogs is that they are just that – personal. The different genres of blogging are not all strictly intended to be an alternative to the “traditional news-media platform.” Blogging gained most its notoriety through the medium of personal diaries, going back to 1998 with Open Diary, followed by Live Journal and Blogger soon after. Personal blogs are what have spawned tools such as MySpace, Twitter, and other successful social networks. Atlanta has it’s fair share of diverse, personal blogs, reaching the gay community, the art and design community, a hugely successful podcasting community site, even mothers with “mommy blogs,” as well as local views with our own branch of the Metroblogging* network.

While mundane details of one’s everyday life doesn’t inspire everyone, they reach an audience just as valid as those who read political, news, and technical blogs. There are so many bloggers in Atlanta, and to not address the different flavors (instead of condemning them) really does not legitimize the purpose of your article.

I’m not even sure what my point exactly is that I’m trying to get across, except that there is an undeniable “thing” that the blogging community would be missing if those blogs were discounted. For disclosure, I did sign it as a founding member of atlbloggers.net, as well as disclosed that I’m a (sucky) contributer to Metroblogging.

Personal rambling over.

* title lifted and slightly adjusted from a hilarious series found on ATL Malcontent.

So, an interview, yes, because maybe she thinks I’m smart and funny, too? Ha, have I got her FOOLED! But her questions are pretty interesting and it’s a little different from the standard meme since they’re specifically related to me. And as the blogosphere is a lovely, caring and sharing space, YOU can participate and have me interview you. Plus, you get a post idea out of it. And I’m all for that, right? Right.

1. What is something that can really get on your nerves?
People who contradict themselves. I know so many people who complain about others doing the same. exact. things. that they do, and it drives me nuts and makes me want to shove a mirror into their faces. Phew! That was cathartic. Next…

2. If money and logistics were no object, where would you want to live and why?
Maui. Hands down. I went there for my honeymoon with the exhusband and it is the most lush, beautiful place I’ve ever been. The weather is perfect year-round. The people are so warm and inviting, the culture is rich in history, and the ocean… my god the ocean. I literally still have dreams about snorkeling off the beaches in the deep, clear blue water. Sigh.

3. What was your most awkward phase?
I only get to pick one?! I guess the very-typical-answer of my teens. I was pretty introverted and didn’t really find my “voice” until years and years later. It’s just such a horrible time in your life when you’re extremely insecure, struggling to find your identity, and are (way too) heavily influenced by peers. I was always frustrated and emotional, running around the house screaming OH MY GOD WHY DON’T YOU PEOPLE UNDERSTAND?! Ugh, I would never want to re-live those years again. Did I mention the bad hair? Yeah.

4. Which movie genre would best fit as the format for a movie about your life?
Comedy. Not the “ha-ha” Robbin Williams kind of comedy, but the clumsy, awkward “The Office” kind of comedy. My life has had its ups and downs, but thankfully I’m used to making an ass out of myself and it’s always funny enough to laugh about it.

5. How do you care for your gorgeous hair?
The easy one! My hair is totally no fuss. I shampoo and condition and blowdry (sometimes straightening with my Chi). I try not to use any products, but come summer the humidity necessitates some sort of goop to prevent a ‘fro from beginning. A tried and true remedy is Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon. This stuff stood the test of many Florida summers!

Okay, so do you want to play? You can leave a comment saying, “Interview me.” I will email you 5 questions (and yes, I get to pick the questions. Ha ha, sucker!). You will update your blog with the answers to the questions, as well as include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. Wash, rinse, repeat. Voila!

from nataliedee.com

But there’s another side of lurking… let’s call it blogstalking, shall we? It’s obviously people who know me irl and have somehow decided to keep tabs on me through this blog. Of course these aren’t bloggers, because if that were the case it would probably have occurred to them that site visits are tracked.

For instance, a certain friend/ former coworker has been logging on quite often from her newish job at UNCC. Hello there, G! How are things? And family members of a certain ex who also log in regularly from Home Depot, Wake Forest, and Marietta – Hi! It’s been a while! Bet you’re pretty relieved about the way things worked out? Believe me, I am too.

I guess all I can say is that there must be something so overtly fascinating about me in order for these people to check in on my life. Or maybe it’s because they are bored and have nothing better to do? Isn’t that what the internet was invented for? Shit, I’m probably the most guilty at photostalking or googlestalking people. Either way, I’m glad to know I can provide some entertainment for you guys. And I bet you learned a thing or two about pooping, right?

ps. I can also be found on Flickr, MySpace, and Dodgeball. See you there!