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ARDELL's Seattle Real Estate Blog

Sep. 30, 2006 - 2006 Blog Challenge Results

Sincere apologies to those who have been looking here for the results of the Sellsius 101 Challenge Match.  I assumed everyone picked up the results on the various blogs that both started the match and were monitoring the results.  Truth is when the 24 hours was up I was back to business as usual.  I have a way of putting yesterday in its place...behind me.

See links at end of the post for the full scoop on the event as it was taking place.

Results?  Greg whooped me by a mile...except he stopped at 99 and waited for me. We both made it, but I only had 14 minutes or so to spare at midnight on Tuesday.  I was such a die hard about maintaining a good photo ratio that I almost didn't make it.  At post 93, I literally forgot how to post an entry!  Around 42 to 50 I just started cranking them out because I refused to take a brake before getting to 50!  So I pretty much went from midnight on Monday through to 50 posts, 14 hours or so, without a break.

Would I do it again?  Yes.  But I'd train ahead of time, physical training for stamina.  I'd take lots of vitamins during training.  I will not disregard photos, but Real Town promised to work on that so it is easier by next year, well before that actually.  Real Town's support was tremendous during the event.  They beefed up and modified the comment feature.  They turned my header into a "Go Home" link.  Anytime I was spotting difficulty both during and after the event, Hector and the gang over at Real Town Blogs came running to make software changes as needed. 

One of Greg's posts talked about my platform being...well I'm not going to repeat it.  Others have tried to persuade me to leave Real Town from time to time as well.  But as RCG saw when they recently had to change hosts and were being treated badly, having a great and responsive team behind you is priceless!!  And, in fact, Real Town is priceless...it's free.  But I use them because they are good friends, I've known them a very long time and I wouldn't be blogging without them. 

Would I shame myself by showing I'm disloyal to get a new little button or a fancy dancy whatever!  NO!  The grass is always greener, as they say.  Sticking by people who stick by you is just how it is.  I'm from an age and culture where loyalty is primo and this world today where everyone races to the next hot place is shameful!  Shameful, I say :-)  I also plugged Grow A Brain for the same reason. 

Real Town is not just a "blog platform".  Those guys are like family to me, and have been since 1998 when I joined their real estate form "Real Talk".  They host my email and my company email.  They are the kind of guys you want watching your back.  They host the e-Pro Program for all Realtors to get their technology designation.  They serve the real estate industry well.  And most importantly, they didn't treat me like dirt when I decided to drop the Realtor designation for awhile during the DOJ suit and in memory of Lois Hekker who died while fighting the good fight. 

Here are some links to the news that traveled before, during and after the contest. 

Jon over at Property Monger's blow by blow was hysterical  I think his workout was harder than ours because he was reading both and commenting on each and every post!  His being in a different time zone, he had to take a break after Round 3 oops, I mean after Round 4 and came back with an Ode to Ardell the next morning.  I was so in awe of Jon's work, back in the beginning when I was physically and mentally capable of watching the goings on, that I dedicated post 25, 50, 75 and 100 to John with some spicy broads.

In the beginning, I was following Greg and smiled at his griping where I think he was cursing me for talking him into doing this, and followed him up to his happy babble.  But then I started losing it before the post 50 break.  Joe over at Sellsius commented on everyone one of my and Greg's posts, so he got his workout for starting this whole thing :-)  Rudy and Joe put up this music video for me while Greg was waiting for me to either croak or finish, but I didn't see it until the dust settled.  I didn't have time to peek around at anything from 80 on.  Poor Dustin Luther was writing at home to relieve me, not knowing the rules had changed to one blogger only.  He utilized them on RCG the next day.  There were several posts like Marlow's that dubbed Greg and I the King and Queen of blogging.  There are several follow up pieces and Greg is still going back and reading his own LOL and editing them.  I'm leaving mine as is so people can see the stress building.  And OH, I didn't know I had a spell checker until post 53 or so.  Yup, all my blogging to date and on Rain City Guide is sans spellchecker for the most part.

Only one crabby dissenter in the whole bunch, and a fellow Real Town Blogger at that.  But then Maureen never seems to miss an opportunity to kick me in the shins :-)  She even titled the post "not a fan" and dragged poor Greg into the doghouse with me.  But she seems to like the Sellsius guys. Oh well, you can't please all of the people all of the time.  The Blogging Community is a great place...for the most part.

I think that's enough from me on this topic until next year.  You can see lots on the Sellsius Blog and Bloodhound blog beyond what I've linked to, and other sites as well.  It was a well covered even and I look forward to doing it again next year.

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Oct. 1, 2006 - re: 2006 Blog Challenge Results

Posted by jf.sellsius
Thank you again Ardell for grabbing our attention and holding it for a day. Our little community of real estate bloggers showed we could come together as one.  I think that shows great loyalty. Like you, I believe in the value of loyality.  Those that show they care will be there for you through thick & thin.  And real estate professionals DO CARE.  Alot.  About people. 

I was impressed with your decision not to vary your blogging style.  I for one, love images on posts.  I think it can enhance the post & your point of view.  I also appreciate the humor in them (Jon's girls) . 

Overall, I don't think the Blog Challenge would have been the success it was were it not for your and Greg's participation.  And of course, Jon's outstanding contribution which serves as the definitive record of the event.  Besides treating us to a great show, at times surrealistic,  you gave us quality posts.  I know because I read them all that day.  My comments on each of your posts was my tribute to your  effort & dedication.

Thanks to you we will run the  event  every year.

PS We are trying to find ways to commemorate the day & your accomplishment.
PPS Rudy is the video man.  He searched for just the right clip for you
PPPS Thank goodness you got that Home button on the header :)

All the best .
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Oct. 1, 2006 - re: 2006 Blog Challenge Results

Posted by ARDELL DellaLoggia
LOL,  I would make some major changes in how I would do next year's differently...hmmm, maybe I don't want to give that info away  :-) Well it wouldn't be very Ardell for me to hold my tongue, so here goes. 1) I would write my first and last post first.  I was too beat to do a bonus, juicy post at the end.  I wrote a 102, not to compete with Greg who did so, but because I was too afraid I would not make it to 101 if I stopped to  think too hard about 101. 2) I might copy Greg's trick of having five or six basic subjects to rotate throughout the day.  In a way I did that two, and as I switched topic I built on that topic for a few posts and then moved on.  But to pre-plan that, might have its advantages. 3) I would be more conscious that those 101 stay on my blog and actually slow myself down even more by having more link posts.  In other words, I would improve on quality of most posts, even if that means more filler mostly photo posts. 4) I would locate the spellchecker long before post #53 :-) and have someone reading them as I do them so that I would in fact edit them before getting to 101.  I think Cathleen was reading and maybe editing off screen during the event.  Let's clarify that someone can be proofreading, but not making edits, during the event.    
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Oct. 1, 2006 - re: 2006 Blog Challenge Results

Posted by jf.sellsius
We hope to try some other blog experiments, one of which I have already discussed with Greg.  I will email you to get your opinion as well.
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Oct. 3, 2006 - re: 2006 Blog Challenge Results

Posted by Ann Cummings
Ardell, I couldn't agree MORE with you about the guys at RT!  I think they all walk on water.  They've helped me out when needed, day or night, holidays, too!  I'm in their camp right alongside you! I'm about to try my feet on their blogs, so may turn to you for some help if need be.  Hope that's okay!   ;-) Ann Cummings
www.AnnCummings.com
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Oct. 4, 2006 - re: 2006 Blog Challenge Results

Posted by ARDELL DellaLoggia
Anytime, Ann.  Anytime.  I'll check in on you from time to time.
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ARDELL DellaLoggia On Seattle Real Estate including Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond, Green Lake and most areas around Lake Washington North of Downtown Seattle. Phone: 206-910-1000 - Mailto:Ardell@RainCityGuide.com

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