You've Arrived....Blogger Recognition

So recently, actually a while ago I am late on this post-so very late, I received an award from another blogger. Getting the award felt a lot like winning the blue ribbon at a spelling bee. Ok, I was never part of a spelling bee, I was on the debate team but that analogy just didn't seem to work here. In any case I was touched and very flattered by the gesture. I tell clients that if you are going to jump on the blog/social networking train you better be real, there is no faking it here. So to have someone that visits my blog regularly say hey I'm not bored yet I like your style is a real honor.

Heidi over at the Health Nut Wannabee Mom blog is the blogger that bestowed the special award, known as the Arte y Pico Award, on me. What you haven't heard of it before? Well let me tell you, that is because it is a very rare, prestigious, and selective award that not many people get. Come on it's my first award so of course I think it's the best award out there!! Seriously I am touched and very thankful for the recognition, it is a lot of pressure an honor. I hope I can continue to provide award worthy content and support those other blogger's that are doing the same.

Ladies and Gents:

The Arte y Pico Award

The "Arte y Pico" Award was created and to be given to blogger's who inspire others with their creative energy and their talents, whether it be writing, artwork in all media's.

It was so meant for me...look at the hot smart chick on it!

Part of receiving this award is sharing it with at least 5 other blogger's. So now I get to bestow this wonderful award to you people....drum roll please!

This Brazen Teacher

About Site - I am an Art Teacher.This site is a revenge against my career. Against my paycheck. Against Politics. Against the standardization of everything. And I mean everything. We have a couple of teachers in the family and let me tell you these ladies are wild! As a kid I knew but could never prove it this blog does that for me. I am giving her this award even though she has gotten a few others, because I want to. She has Calvin & Hobbes on her page, Paulo Coelho in her roll, Crotchety's seal of approval, and I am never bored when I stop by.

Crotchety Old Man Yells At Cars

His Bio - I'm a crotchety old guy who enjoys ranting and raving about the injustices of the world. While many of my rants are political in nature, I can complain about almost anything. If I were a cartoon character, I'd be Grandpa Simpson or an elderly Eric Cartman. I personally love his rants they are intellectual, informative, and incredibly amusing. which is difficult to accomplish, but so wonderful when done well.

Secrets of a Black Heart

Lunanik is a wonderful blogger, she's been doing it for quite a while and it shows. Her writing style is wonderfully engaging. she is witty, funny, and most importantly real. She writes about every day things which could get boring, but the way her personality comes through I cant wait to see what she is going to write about next. Lately Miss Lunanik feels a little drained, a bit uninspired, and has been thinking about pulling back. I sincerely hope that she doesn't, she is a great blogger.

A Little Piece of Me

Blog Description-"Just a general blog about me and my life. You will find anything from my counseling homework, photography, hiking, traveling, doodles and more on this blog." I personally do not visit this blog enough, when I do happen by I am always happy I did. She is one of those people that you would want to know in person, if you like that full package perfect chick thing (just kidding). Seriously great blog, great commenter-if you see her comments you know they are going to be interesting, with envy inducing doodles. Check her out.

Regretful Morning

The tag line "We Laugh At Your Misfortune. Initially I thought this blog would be one of those blogs that I would check out once, hate, and never return. I was wrong! Though it is not a blog for the faint of heart (good humor never is), it is hysterical. This blog could have been one of those uninspired, nonsense, shock effect, fall short blogs but surprisingly it is not. Jason takes alcohol induced regretful stories (we all have them), mixes in his own humor, and throws it out there for the wolves to devour. All of this makes for a fun blog.

So there you have it, those are the chaps I think deserve an award whether they like it or not!

Sogeshirt.com.....I Love You Man!

Today I have decided to do my first blog & website review, I have held off thus far because though I feel I know everything about everything, I am still in research mode when it comes to the blogsphere. I also just enjoy blogging and the interaction within the blog community and I don't want to lose that with my tactless reviews. Yes it's self preservation that motivates me-I am not afraid to admit it!

Lucky for me I am picking a blog & website that I like, so this will be a good review. Drum roll please....who is the lucky duck getting the Smart Gals today? Anticipation, are you ready for it, you'll never guess....ok it's Tim Fox over there at Sogeshirts.

Tim has a t-shirt company and a hysterical blog to accompany his t-shirt website. From a business standpoint, Tim is bit luckier than most because his shirts and his blog work well together. What I mean by that is, if your business has more of a corporate platform your blog in most cases must mimic or target that profile, which equates to an informational rather than a super personal-say what ever you want blog.

Let's start with Tim's blog (by the way if a word is underlined it is linked to a website in most cases) it's hysterical! I absolutely know that when I check it out it's going to make me laugh. Now that is a bit of a double edged sword, to be funny all of the time is not easy. In most cases you will find that the humor comes and goes or must be supplemented by someone or something external. Tim is unique in that his humor is all inside, he takes external stimuli and pulls it into what I would call Soge's world. (If you use that Tim, I want some kind of royalty payout!)

There are blogs out there that share funny pictures, videos, stories, jokes, etc. add in a bit of their own commentary and it's some great stuff. I am one of those people that can spot something funny add a "witty" little comment and share-that is perfectly acceptable. But then there are those people that take something that maybe didn't start off funny and make it hysterical-that's Tim.

Here are a few posts I really like, in no particular order and I could fill this blog post up with a lot more:

M. Night Shyamalan effect

Founding fathers: a present day conversation

Dr. Phil on Sesame Street

The Second most interesting man in the world

Mr. Potatohead vs. Plastic Surgery

Now let's discuss the t-shirt website Sogeshirts.com (This is where Tim may regret letting me do this review) first I am going to say he doesn't promote it enough. Now I know for the hardcore bloggers your blog is about being real, sharing your opinions and/or life experiences, and keeping annoying advertising out if possible-but for Tim I think the shirts and the blog posts would compliment each other.

It took me a month to check out his shirts and really they are as funny as his blog posts. The ones I like, again in no particular order, and there are more:

• Still Interested
• Phone sex
• Spelling Bee
• He sells beer to kids
• Karmic Bliss

Second and my last recommendation-thank heavens right, is you may want to think about splitting Sogeshirts.com into two websites, the funny, obnoxious, over the top site and the kid, cutesy, teacher, artwork site. The demographics are really different and you will find that the second target market (wholesome funny) will never get past the the first (not easily offended funny). That's just my opinion though.

The tag line for the t-shirt company is "Soge Shirts You'll Get Noticed!", that is a great tag line and absolutely true, their shirts are as funny as their blog. So go check out Tim's blog and don't be afraid to delve into the archive, there is some good stuff in there! Then go buy a t-shirt because if you are honest with yourself you couldn't think up this stuff on your own, and you know that being noticed is at the top of your list!!

Now the rating...5 out 5 Smart Gals: