1.) THE DELIVERY
Like a person having a party, there is a lot of prep work that takes place. You have to provide entertainment and/or refreshments for all your guests. From the comments I received, I think everyone had a good time last month. My theme, (retro TV and vintage commercials) sparked interesting conversations, much nostalgia and some great fun.
2.) THE HOSPITALITY
When one throws a party, you must be a gracious host. This means, making sure everyone, (to the best of your ability), are enjoying themselves and no one has any questions or comments that need addressing. In the blogging sphere, we do this by checking out the comments left by other people. If an invited guest in your house has a question, would you ignore them? If they commend you on the party or admire your Van Gogh print, would you respond? Unfortunately, not every host of a party does this. It's understandable if you have a large party, you might not be able to get to all of the guests every day. But we should make an attempt. I made it my goal to make sure everyone felt appreciated for whatever comment they left me.
3.) LEAVE THE PLUNGER OUT
There is no worse feeling in the world than using a toilet and watching the water rise UP. But when that happens, you know what you need to do. Grab the plunger and get rid of the crap ASAP. But what if you can't find the plunger? Ever visit a blogger where the comments are abusive or spammy? Fortunately, I did not have a problem with that, but I hear some did. For whatever reason, the host of the party failed to get rid of whatever crap was on the blog. No one wants to visit a party if they are going to be abused, accused or made fun of. About the only cleaning I really had to do was deleting double postings.
4.) SEND OUT THANK YOU'S
Any time a person visits my blog, I consider it a treasure, a gift. Depending on the type of party we host at home, people may bring you a gift or present. How can we in the blogging world show we appreciate a visitor? Well, if we receive a party invitation form them, wouldn't it be a nice thing to do to visit them as well? Sure, their 'entertainment' might not be to our liking, but wouldn't it be nice to at least let them know you stopped by? You would be surprised how appreciative that would be. I made it my goal before I returned any comments on my blog, to make sure I visited their blog and see what kind of party they were throwing.
5.) THE AFTERMATH
After any party, no matter how successful or not, you feel a little relieved. Party's can be stressful for the host. It's a time to clean up and catch your breath. At times, you think to yourself, "This was fun, but I am never doing this again", only to find out you are suddenly planning the next party. Which is kind of what I am doing. I was stressed out this year because I had a lot going on. A few days in New York mid-month meant I started to fall behind. By the end of the party (challenge), I was exhausted. And yet, I've got a few ideas for what I want to do next year.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Did you enjoy my party?
Did you have a favourite day?
Which of the following ideas for next year appeals to you most?
1.) Introduction to Milwaukee
2.) Board Gaming (I literally own this many board/card games.
3.) Introductions to my unpublished 'Writer's Block YA series (characters and locations)
4.) What's in my CD library? I own over 500 CD's.
5.) What am I watching? I also own a large DVD collection of TV show and films.
6.) Group Participation Flash Fiction (I write a short story flash fiction. One short paragraph a day. At the end of the paragraph, everyone votes on how the story should proceed.
I.E. Should Ray call his shy friend 'B'etty, or his wild and crazy friend 'B'randon?
7.) PS - I'm not hard wired into any of these ideas 100% So if you have a suggestion, I'd love to hear it.
What a wonderfully gracious reflection, Jeffrey! Coming from you, I'm not surprised;-)
ReplyDeleteI had a fantastic time at your party! Constant entertainment liberally sprinkled with laughter and cordial conversation - and you were a perfect host:-) Can you blame us if we all come back for more?
All of your ideas for next year are great. You could apply a couple of them throughout this year as well.
Nice suggestion about applying some of them during the course of the year. I may have to do that.
DeleteJeffrey, you're the kind of blogger I want to hang out with and many of the sentiments I intended to share are listed above in Diedre's comment already, ha ha.
ReplyDeleteWhen you blog about something you love, it's always going to come off as being genuine and enjoyable. I tried to visit a variety of new people and old and it can be overwhelming! It was always a treat to see your A-to-Z offering of the day. I suspect we would have hung out together in school; no joke. Hopefully, I'm not a disappointing guest. :-)
Though I think everyone wants to visit as many sites as possible and comment on every single one, you never know what is one a person's plate, though. I'm glad that you aren't keeping score, I'm sure I'd come up short, but not for lack of affection for your blog.
Life is just keepin' it real, buddy. Love and hugs.
Never fear, you were an awesome guest. Also, I never wanted to keep score regarding who showed up or didn't. As you say, we all have different things on our plate. When I was out of town for the weekend, I had a hard time getting to any blogs for a few days. That didn't stop people from stopping by. Your visit are always welcome, and I'm sure we would have had a great time hanging out in school. The challenge was about having fun, keeping score isn't fun for anyone. Because I know there were many blogs I wanted to get back to on a daily basis I was unable to. I even fell short of checking out new bloggers, though being a minion did help me stop at various new blogs, even if they never returned the comment or visited me.
DeleteThis is a fabulous reflection post Jeffrey. You were a superb host and I loved your party! Spot-on observations about the party manners. Any of those ideas would be interesting, although I gravitate to music the most. As Diedre mentioned, some of those would work as non A to Z posts also.
ReplyDeleteOnce I get some more of my writing done, like my third story, I may have to reward myself with my own personal A-Z month. Posting who knows what? It's always fun to do.
DeleteYour party was a lot of fun! A few short videos and a trip down memory lane. Perfect.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, being a good host and returning comments is important.
My goal for every AtoZ has been to KISS (Keep It Short & Sweet).
DeleteI loved coming to your party and love all the points you made-very inventive. I really appreciated your comments as well. I remember that 6 flags commercial because the old guy was creepy.
ReplyDeleteHey, I couldn't do a reflections post without adding one last classic commercial.
DeleteBit of trivia for you - The song is titled, "We Like To Party".
Insightful reflection! Glad our paths crossed during the A to Z.
ReplyDeleteEricka from
A Quiet Girl’s Musings…
I'm glad as well. Our blogs will have to keep in touch.
DeleteWhat irony! I just now finished writing a Wrote By Rote post for this Saturday using the same kind of a party analogy because I was thinking about A to Z (though I didn't actually mention it in my post). Now I come here and you're using a similar analogy. It's a good one though and makes total sense.
ReplyDeleteYour Reflections on the Challenge are excellent. I totally get what you're saying here.
As far as your theme for next year, I love the ones about CD's and what you are watching. Though after my "Manhattan" theme, which I loved doing, I kind of think the Milwaukee tour would be kind of interesting. I've been in Milwaukee, but I don't know that much about that city and the area around it.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Great minds think alike. Isn't that what they say?
DeleteI'm leaning towards the Milwaukee theme, though I may just do a special AtoZ month for my music or movies or something like that. Milwaukee is a great place. We've got so much more than beer, cheese and Happy Days. But we've got those too. :)
Some people don't understand that the only "thank you" we need as bloggers is a comment on our blog. I'm sure everyone else got the same weird emails that either let us know someone liked our comment on their blog or replied to it. And then there are the people who emailed a "thanks for reading!" They never read my blog, either, so it's obvious they don't quite get how this blogging thing works. Which is just weird, right?
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. Have you ever had a person reply with a quick short sentence with one key word from the title of the blog post, but you could tell they missed the entire point of the post? I have. Or the, "great post". Yes, we are all pressed for time during April, but I like to try and leave something a little more meaningful.
Deleteokay, trying this again. Comment malfunction. Big one! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat Reflections post. Love the party format. You had a great party Jeffrey and one that I looked forward to coming to everyday. It was great fun. and you were a perfect host. And I didn't even have a hangover...
Re: your theme for next year, I like the Milwaukee one, the music one and the film one. any of them are good though. I still haven't thought about what I'm doing for next year but have a few baby ideas...
Thanks for a great party! I definitely enjoyed.
Michele at Angels Bark
I'm so glad I get email updates when someone leave a comment. LOL
DeleteHope you don't mind me laughing, it gave me a chuckle when I first read them. Especially the first one. I was indeed wondering if you were going to share whatever you were drinking. ;)
As for next year, I'm curious to find out if you steal my idea again. ;) :D
Obviously, I loved your theme as well.
Lol! Crap, I was hoping you didn't get email alerts! hahaha. WTH was going on THAT day?! Oh Lord.
DeleteWe did have fun though, didn't we, this year? I think everyone liked our theme. I just hope I can come up with something equally fun for next year. And one thing for sure, I can't steal your Milwaukee idea, since I've never been there... Can't say I won't with any of the others. ;)
The funny thing is, everyone naturally tied our two blogs together. Look how many comments we got comparing the both of ours. I joke about you stealing, but I think it was a great idea. If I don't do the Milwaukee theme, I think it would be cool to collaborate on an AtoZ.
DeleteHi, Jeffrey!
ReplyDeleteI applaud you for handling the A to Z Challenge so well. You obviously did your homework. You went hunting and found many rare, obscure TV series and commercials, ones that I recognized and remembered but hadn't seen in decades. It was fun. You also did a fine job of replying to the comments of your guests, a courtesy that I agree is very important.
Great job, Jeffrey!
I appreciate that you agree with me. Because I had such a challenging theme this year. I was thinking about in the next month or so, posting a 'peak behind the curtain', a sort of 'The making behind...' to show how I was able to manage each and every day. Especially with some days being extremely hard.
DeleteI love the way you put this together. It's a great way to describing the Challenge. I, too, had the double comments issue. Interesting how that happens.
ReplyDeleteOooh, you have board games? I'm a fan, too. That might be a fun theme.
Yep, I'm a gamer. I could quite possibly find a game for every letter of the alphabet. Some of my most recent favourites include Dominion, Firefly, Fluxx or whatever Star Trek type game there is.
DeleteI enjoyed your party last month. Hey, did you know that yesterday was Twilight Zone day? I seem to recall you featuring that last month too.
ReplyDeleteTo answer the question you left on my blog post recently, I don't remember the time period that book took place. But I believe it might've been after a war.
I haven't been to Milwaukee before and would be curious to learn more about the place.
I didn't know it was twilight zone day. How cool! Yes, I did post something about Twilight Zone on my T post.
DeleteSounds like Milwaukee might be the theme for next year. I'll have to give it foremost consideration.
Brilliant analogy. Congrats on a successful challenge. Personally, I want to know what's in your CD Collection. I know they can't all be Diana Krall ;)
ReplyDeleteI didnt have to break out the plunger on my blog, but I did have to wipe the seat a few times.
Mary
Jingle Jangle Jungle
Per a few suggestion comments earlier, if I don't do CD next year for my theme, I may have a special where I do my own personal AtoZ month. CD's will likely be the theme.
DeleteWhether it's for A to Z or just another blogging day, I always visit those who visit me and leave a comment. I also always reply back to the comments on my blog. Because you're right; some people ask questions. While not everyone returns or subscribes to get notified of replies, some actually do pop back in. Like you. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd sometimes I ask additional questions. But that's me. For me, communication is part of blogging. I don't think it's very fun if we don't interact with each other.
DeleteI adore the party analogy! Great points all down the line. I like ideas 1, 2, 4 and 5 the best for next year. But who knows what may come up?
ReplyDeleteExactly. No matter what I choose, I may change my mind before then. But oddly enough, my theme for this year was decided on as soon as last years challenge was complete. I literally took a year to put it together.
DeleteLove the party/Challenge analogy, Jeffrey! And I loved your party this year. You were a gracious and engaging host, and I'm glad to hear you had a good time, too. As a regular party-thrower (actual parties, I mean :D ), I know that's not always the case... But, when it happens, it's usually the hallmark of a really really GREAT event. So—kudos to you, my friend, on an excellent job.
ReplyDeleteAs for ideas on next year, they all sound good—but I'd really love the last one, the group fiction project... Maybe because I was such a fan of Choose Your Own Adventure, hahaha. Seriously, I've never seen that done, so it strikes me as an original theme, and one with the potential of seriously engaging readers. Will look forward to what you decide to do!
Thanks for making April extra special for me, Jeffrey. Your enthusiasm on my own A2Z series was a gift I'm still cherishing :)
Guilie @ Life In Dogs
I appreciate all your visits to my party. I've thrown a few parties myself over the years. Normally, they turn out okay, but once in a while there are the knickleheads who make things annoying at times. But over all, the object is to have fun and I think we all had that. So mission accomplished. If the last option does NOT get picked for next year, I may do that on my blog at some point as a bonus feature.
DeleteJeffrey, I had a blast at your party! You entertained and delivered with your vintage commercials. Some brought back memories and others were cool to watch for the first time. You have some excellent ideas forming for the 2017 block party. I'm not sure which is my favorite, maybe board games, music, movies, or the flash fiction themes stand out as my top picks, but I can't narrow it to one. I'm sure which ever theme you go with it will be fun. Thank you, thank you, thank you, dear friend for visiting me every day last month! Now, it's back to more clean up around here. :D
ReplyDeleteYep, more clean up and more writing for me. I'll be on blog hiatus till June, but I am so glad you voiced your opinion on my 2017 theme. Like last year, I'm already looking forward to it.
DeleteIs it April yet?
Such a great post, thank you so much for sharing. I don't participate in any blog memes or parties, but I have made many good friends through my blog and I am grateful for this. Like yourself, I really appreciate comments, they are indeed treasures. Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada. :)
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you stopping over. I have already returned the favour. From what I saw, a very relaxing place. Wisconsin send greetings back.
DeleteThose are great thoughts and perspective. I don't participate, but enjoy the ideas that others showcase. Warm greetings!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. It's a pleasure to meet new bloggers.
DeleteI enjoyed your A to Z Challenge. It brought back memories, some of them I thought how did I miss them. Check out my BOTB, I thought of you with one of my contestants.
ReplyDeleteI shall be stopping over shortly.
DeleteI loved the analogy here Jeff. The A-Z is like an extended house party, lol. I did not participate in A-Z, and took a nearly 2 month blog break during its run. But I know how hard it is to visit and acknowledge all people at a party, and to keep your spirits up as a host. You seem to have been a gracious host :)
ReplyDeleteI always try to be as gracious as possible. Yes, it can be challenging to get back to everyone. Sometimes we can't, no matter how hard we try. I don't fault anyone for running out of time. But, I think it says a lot when a person will NOT have anything to do with their readers. It seems a little unappreciative.
DeleteThe A to Z is very much like a party. I love it. I hope you had tons of fun with it. I know I enjoyed stopping by for the fun and the treats:)
ReplyDeleteYes, I had lots of fun this year. Despite all the hard work, it rewarding when the month is done.
DeleteI was lame this year and only partied a little bit, but I enjoyed everything I read. I think for me the biggest part of blogging is the Thank You. Visit backs. Commenting. People should know their presence was appreciated, eh?
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%. Also, if a person partied a little or a lot, what's most important is that they partied. ;)
DeleteJEFFY ~
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your party, even though I was just popping in and out due to being "the designated driver".
But the best party I ever attended had...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lStdPgMFRn8
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
Designated driver. I will have to figure out how to incorporate that next year. LOL
DeleteI really enjoyed your party and loved going down memory lane with you. You do a great job!! I tried to comment as much as I could but I insanely busy during the A to Z and was lucky I was able to just get my posts out. I really really do need to figure out how I can schedule posts.
ReplyDeleteScheduling posts comes in very handy. I was able to schedule almost the entire month before April 1st began.
DeleteI appreciate each and every visit from you.
I was a bit late coming to your party, but I enjoyed it when I did. I'm also a bit late coming to this post - but you know what they say about 'better late than never'! I like your no.6 idea for next year incidentally. :)
ReplyDeleteSusan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
I'm still considering #6, though it seems to be a lot of interest in the others. But, it's still in the running.
Delete