Block Party – 4th edition

Can you believe it is this time of year again? Today is Labor Day here in the US, which marks the end of summer. The weather starts to cool off (well, in some states, anyway), and kids go back to school. Party is over and people begin preparations for the winter.

That is what normally happens. This year, though, all bets are off. Your kids might be back to school or they might not be if you decide to let them e-learn from the comfort of your own home. Also, if it was not for the hot weather these past few months, I would not even know it was summer.

Yes, I blame the pandemic for stealing my summer. How about you? Whenever the end of the year approaches, people write posts about their New Year’s resolutions from the previous year, their accomplishments and their excuses. It makes me chuckle to think how these posts will look like this time around. There will probably be two camps of people. One will share a million things they were supposed to do but where unable due to the pandemic (directly and indirectly), while the other will still share their unaccomplished resolutions as well as skills they never thought they would accomplish like baking bread and knitting.

Those of you who have been following me for a while know that I host an annual Block Party around Labor Day weekend. Those of you who are fairly new to my site – well, now you know, TOO!

If you would like to see how it all began, check out A block party and Block Party – Conclusion. That is a two-parter from 2017.

As much as I like Blog Parties, I get upset when they become a soulless event. Therefore, every year, I work hard to minimize that potential on my site.

Block party – 2nd edition – 2018

2019 – Blog “Block” Party – 3rd edition

In 2020, we are going back to the roots (2017) and mixing it up with a pinch of essence from 2018 and 2019. So read (or at least scan) through the entire post. There is something here for everyone.

Two weeks ago, I posted a pre-Block Party Party post, Pre – Block Party – Party!, and asked for people to RSVP is they wanted to be featured in the BLOCK PARTY OF 2020! I received a few brave replies! Woohoo!

What did that entail? Well, if you wanted to know, you should have RSVP’ed before now 😉 Those that volunteered were tortured mercilessly. No, I am kidding; they were given a set of questions they could answer. What for? So that I, as well as everyone else can get to know them a little bit better. Sometimes we read blogs without knowing the person behind it. I wanted to take a look behind that curtain and let you know what I found.

Without further ado, please check out these awesome bloggers. I hope you find something fascinating among those pages. I know I do!

Make some noise for:
Andrea from The Hummingbird’s Journal!

My question #1: What are the main 3 (or 2 or 1) things you are focusing on in your life right now and why?

Andrea’s answer: “One of the things I’m focusing on right now in my life is my wellbeing. I’ve shared with you before how sometimes I struggle with taking work home. With the pandemic going on, I want to be in a good place, so that I don’t get to the point where I start feeling so stressed. I think focusing on my wellbeing will help me have more patience and positivity in regards to how I relate to people and approach problems, especially at work! So far, I think I’m doing good with this life goal/focus. 

I think you are spot on, Andrea! I, too, find that if I control my stress, and focus on my wellbeing, I am a lot more patient towards others.

My question #2: What are some of your favorite topics to talk about?

Andrea’s answer: “Some of my favorite topics to talk about are writing and language. That’s probably not much of a surprise, but I seriously take note and pay attention to writing and language related topics. I think it’s because I find it fascinating! For example, I’m interested in how writers use a limited amount of space and are still effective with their messages like on billboards. Or in the revision process, why one version works better than the previous ones. My sibling has recently been giving me feedback on my writing, and so I’ll talk with them about why one version works better than the other. It’s interesting to listen to their perspective on how the writing sounds different with each change.”

That is awesome to hear that you get feedback on your writing. It is so important to get different views to learn and get better.

“Positive vibes & rays of hope.” Who would not want THAT? That is how Andrea described her blog. If you are in need of some inspiration and maybe a bit of a lift, head over to The Hummingbird’s Journal.

Now, please give a warm welcome to Saumya from Randomness Inked!

My question #1: If you could learn one new skill, what would it be?

Saumya’s answer: “Right now, there are two. Not completely new though. Coding. I learned the basics of it back in school. Want to learn it properly. Speaking French. I learned the basics but don’t get the time to attend proper face to face classes.”

I learned how to build my own website from scratch back at uni. I would not even know where to start. So, good luck with the coding. And I can definitely relate to the language part of your answer – I wish I could dust off those cobwebs.

My bonus question: You know how sometimes you meet people and it takes forever for them to get to know you better? What would you like to tell them straight out of the gate?

Saumya’s answer: “I am a low maintenance friend. It’s okay for me if we don’t msg for months or even meet for years. You need not hesitate to drop me a message after ages. But make the conversation worthwhile, please.”

Since I know some people on different continents and do not get to see them all too often, I appreciate it when we go out when I do visit. We all have lives and live in different time zones but it is always nice to receive a message from an old friend.

Check out Randomness Inked for blogging related posts, but mostly for poetry and musings illustrating Saumya’s journey through life. Maybe you can exchange experiences?

Our third VIP is
Heather from Hopelessly Heather!

My question #1: Would you like to know the exact time and date of your death and why?

Heather’s answer: “I would like to know the exact date and time of my death.  I’m a chronic planner.  Knowing that info would make me shift the focus in my to the most important things (friends, family, pets, doing things that bring me the most joy), rather than on completing the endless to-do lists I create that are filled with tasks I deem necessary or obligatory.“

I can definitely understand that. However, I think knowing the time and date might make things scary. It is cliché, but I have to say it: Maybe you should rethink your priorities every now and again and focus on the things worth doing. (Yes, I know it’s not really practical, but I had to.)

My bonus question: You know how sometimes you meet people and it takes forever for them to get to know you better? What would you like to tell them straight out of the gate?

Heather’s answer: “I’m an intense, polarizing personality–people either love me or despise me…I’ve not yet heard of anyone who has said, “She’s okay.”  I recognize this and refuse to apologize for it, or try to change anyone’s opinion of me, which only reinforces their opinion.  While I understand how I’m viewed by others, those closest to me know I’m fiercely loyal, deeply caring, a huge cheerleader of others’ wins (big and small), and take myself a whole lot less seriously than I come across.  I love when people decide to invest their time and energy in getting to know me–and I will almost always hear them utter, “Wow, what a surprise!” at some point.  I love surprising people simply by being who I am!“

Ditto. It is not that I am not myself when I first meet you, but I am a lot layered than one might think. (Yes, just like an onion, I can make you cry!)

Have you started Christmas shopping? Visit Hopelessly Heather for gifts from Avon. She will not lie and she will give it to you straight – what is good and what is not. On Mondays stop by for some motivation.

A round of applause for
Darnell from Fictionista!

My question #1: If you could learn one new skill, what would it be and why?

Darnell’s answer: “The skill would be everything needed to become a school teacher. Its a job that seldom gets acknowledgement and is so important to the lives of young people. This year of Covid-19, we depend on these tireless educators to come up with a curriculum for online students and those in physical schools. That takes Communication, Patience, Creativity, Enthusiasm, and be ability to resolve conflicts. Some of these skills I’ve learned through creative writing. The others I’d love to develop training young minds for the future. My blog is about writing and writing encouragement, with an original story every so often.”

So selfless. I have considered becoming a teacher in the past, too. It is a job that is definitely undergoing many changes right now. It is a challenge and an opportunity. It will be interesting to see where it leads.

Do you enjoy reading? Check out the short stories Darnell writes on Fictionista. If you are into writing, you might also want to check out his site to see how he tackles all sorts of writing issues.

And last but not least, we have
Dr. Bob from TheHoloDock’s Blog!

My question #1: If social media did not exist, how would your life be different?

Dr. Bob’s answer: “If social media did not exist, I probably would not even known it. None of my contemporaries use it. I am on Facebook and I have used it to good effect one exactly one project. Otherwise I don’t like it. I have a smart phone, I use as a cell phone. I use the flashlight app. Otherwise not much. So probably much to yours, and your contemporaries, consternation, I could do without it…“

I use my phone as a phone, too! It drives me crazy that I need an app for everything now (cannot check into a gym without one…). While I have a Twitter account, it is mainly for sharing my blog. Other than that, I couldn’t care less.

My question #2: If you could take a year-long sabbatical, how would you spend it?

Dr. Bob’s answer: “I took a year-long sabbatical in 1974. I spent it in an professional acting school, in which I wrote and produced a children’s play. As I am now retired from psychiatry, and living on my banked resources, a sabbatical now might mean a year-long silent meditation. (this is impossible as my commitment to my wife and family could not allow it.) But that has always been a fantasy. I am and was a people person with a very high S.Q.” [Author’s note: S.Q. stands for Spiritual Quotient and you can learn more about it –> HERE <–]

Yes, finances can really simplify our wildest ideas. A year-long silent meditation sounds like something I could definitely enjoy right about now.

If you are interested in psychology and would like to learn more about tulpamancy (or even to see what it is), head over to TheHoloDoc’s Blog.

Now that I introduced out featured guests and you have visited their sites (riiiight?), we can all mingle.

Feel free to answer one of the above questions in the comment section, maybe share what your blog is about, and insert a link to either one of your posts or your Home page.

Please do not just leave a comment without checking other blogs. I understand that you might not have enough time to visit all of the ones posted in the comments, but make sure to check out at least the comment before yours. If you see fit, leave a comment and/or like on the blog you visited and let me know on here that you did visit by writing “Commented” or something like that under their comment.

I have been blessed with a great community and there were no issues in the past but I will call the cops if you misbehave so play nice. Do not spam. Do visit other blogs. Do have a great time!

Stay golden,

***

Did you enjoy reading this post?
Hit LIKE.
Have some thoughts on the topic?
Share in the COMMENTS.
Do you regularly enjoy my blog?
Be sure to FOLLOW.
Are my posts getting lost in your busy Reader?
Try SUBSCRIBING.
Want to get to know me better?
Check me out on TWITTER @SamGoldieKirk.