I'VE BEEN SCHMOOZED!!!

I guess the world of blogging has it’s own little sub-culture, but because blogging is related to computers, my knowledge is limited. I do know there are things called “memes” (although I have no idea what the word itself means). Meme’s are sort of like “tag, you’re it!” for blogs. I’ve also heard them described as the blog equivalent of chain letters, but I think that’s a bit too harsh. From what I can figure out, when a “meme” is going around, someone selects a topic, such as “Your Favorite Brownie Recipe”, then has to publish the recipe on their blog and forward the challenge on to several other bloggers. Whatever.

Today I learned about another blogger game called “Schmoozing”. In this game you select five other blogs you like and publish them in a post. Tina, the person who “schmoozed” me, offered this definition of “Schmoozing” on her blog PECORINO AND MIELE ....."This award goes to bloggers “who effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogosphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don’t limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well. They are the ones who engage others in meaningful conversations, refusing to let it end at a mere hello - all the while fostering a sense of closeness and friendship.”

Now I barely have time to write my own blog…and editing my pictures is a whole other story. I subscribe to about 40+ blogs with Bloglines so that I can TRY to keep up-to-date with the blogs I like…some written by friends, others simply covering topics I’m interested in. Even with the periodic updates I receive from Bloglines I still feel as if I’m not keeping up. How everyone else does it is beyond me….I think they all must be 1) better organized than I am, 2) faster readers than I am, and 3) faster typists than I am.

But still, I’m supposed to pass along this “schmooze” so here goes, in no particular order:

CHOCOLATE & ZUCCHINI One of the first blogs I followed. Created by an amzingly talented young woman, this blog will teach you about foods and dishes you've never heard of before, as well as add some news twists to old favorites. Is it any wonder Clotilde has just published her first cookbook?


THE TRAVELING MCMAHANS Our friends Brian and Dana in Louisville share their travel adventures on this blog. Right now you can read about Istanbul, one of our favorite places in the whole world. Dana's stories and pictures will make you want to hop on the first plane for Turkey!


LIVE CHEAP MAKE ART This blog, while no longer active, is the journal of our friends Bob and Rosemary's two year adventure in Italy. They lived simply in four different areas of Italy, seeing and doing more than seems humanly possible yet still finding time to relax and savor the good life. Rosemary has documented it all on the blog, and that alone would make it worth while, but once you've seen Bob's fantastic photographs and Rosemary's incredible watercolors, you see why people are asking if there's a book in the works! (LIVE CHEAP MAKE ART USA follows Bob and Ro's move back to the U.S.)


THINK ON IT What can we say about Judith's blog? That it's funny? That it's overflowing with recipes and food ideas? That it makes sure we're always up-to-date on the latest fashions? I think we can safely say that Judith's blog is all this and more. If you're planning a visit to her part of Umbria, you might even be able to have her cook for you! If you're interested in custom made clothing, Judith's your gal for that too. Plus she can direct you to some wonderful mozzarella.


MS. ADVENTURES IN ITALY This blog is the newest addtion to my Bloglines notifier. Plenty of food talk here...in fact, the header of this blog describes it as: A Stomach’s Tour through the Bel Paese, with a Sprinkling of Cultural Insight and Irony." See why I like it ??


If you’ve been schmoozed above, here’s what to do:

1. Write a post with links to 5 blogs that have schmoozed you into submission.

2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the award.

3. Optional: Proudly display the ‘Power of Schmooze Award’ with a link to the post that you wrote.

posted by Barbara @ 8/01/2007 07:41:00 PM