5 Things I Have Learned In My Incredibly Short Career As A Blogger

1. I love swaps!

I discovered Swap-Bot, which is beyond fun.  I've been doing some small "digital swaps" this past week, including this super fun Photo Scavenger Hunt and a music playlist that was akin to making a mixed CD. Now I'm in the process of putting together a cute little package of things to ship off to a swap partner in Finland. FUN! I'm also going to try to get in on the next swap hosted over at Chaotic Goddess Swaps. 

2. My voice has faded. 

Back about ten years ago, I did a lot of writing. I wrote thousands of words every day on my Livejournal. I had  paper journals that I filled so quickly I bought them three at a time. I wrote stories and poetry. And I had a voice. A big beautiful flowing writer's voice.

 Look How Young, Punk, and Writerly I was in 2003!

Now as I edit my posts and read over the things that I have written, I cannot hear myself. My posts read in a very flat affect.It's something that I want to work on, and I have a feeling that just writing more often will bring that lyrical voice back. 

3. I really want to be stylish. 

My gosh, some of you amazing bloggers have style! For the longest time I blamed my  lack of style on being fat. "Fat clothes just aren't as cute!" But, man, am I eating those words now! You are all so gorgeous! As I sit here in a thermal and yoga pants, I'm feeling a little bit dowdy. I think this calls for an outfit of the day blogging series from me (and a shopping trip!) 

4. I don't own a full-length mirror.

And to follow up on that one, the few days that I have felt particularly cute and fancy, I realized that I have no way of documenting it! I guess I could use my self-timer on the camera, but it would be so so much easier if I just had a full length mirror somewhere in this house. 

5. The world is full of some amazingly kind and loving folks.

I posted recently on a blogging group that I belong to over on the ol' Facebook about feeling like the possible niches that I could fit my blog into are pretty clashing. I'm gay. I'm Christian. I'm liberal-as-F. I'm a mama, but he's 16 and not exactly toddler cute. I cook and DIY and craft, but it's all pretty mediocre. And I was a bit frustrated with that. It seems if I could find readers in one circle, they would be turned away by another aspect of my personality.

But the women on the blogging group circled the wagons and filled me up with so much love and support and enthusiasm.  So here I am, blog-world. Me,with all of my flaws and scars, me with all of my ideas and big heart. You get what you read here, and I really hope you'll find a reason to stick around.

Fundraiser #1

I have recently been given the opportunity to evaluate a new fundraising website, and what perfect timing.

Teespring.com is new type of crowdfunding that allows you to design a custom t-shirt and sell it to your supporters for a profit.

The excellent thing about Teespring is that you don't have to have a large amount of shirts printed in various sizes. You only have to sell 10 shirts of any size in order to have an order printed. It's perfect for smaller fundraisers like mine.

The design process was incredibly easy. You can upload your own art work, but I chose to use their graphic options, since I'm not much of a designer. With a very easy-to-use editor, I was able to create my t-shirt design in less than ten minutes.

So, I present to you, my Teespring Fundraiser:

Gay Christian Network Conference!

From the Gay Christian Network website: 

Founded in 2001, the Gay Christian Network (GCN) is a nonprofit Christian ministry dedicated to building bridges and offering support for those caught in the crossfire of one of today’s most divisive culture wars.

Our membership includes both those on Side A (supporting same-sex marriage and relationships) and on Side B (promoting celibacy for Christians with same-sex attractions). What began as an organization to provide support to LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) Christians has grown into a worldwide movement for compassion with many straight members as well.

GCN helps create safe spaces both online and offline for Christians of all sorts to make friends, ask questions, get support, and offer support to others.
Through conferences, speaking events, videos, message boards, and more, we’re transforming the conversation in the church and working to “share Christ’s light and love for all.”

The online community has proven to be a huge support in my life and has become particularly important to me as I have begun to think more about my path into seminary and the ministry. Having a place where I am completely and totally accepted and have no need to ever defend my beliefs or my theology has been so very helpful.

The 10th Annual Gay Christian Network Conference is being held in Chicago this year and I would really love to be able to attend. The keynote speaker is Rachel Held Evans, author of A Year of Biblical Womanhood. I am beyond excited to hear Rachel speak and, of course, attend all the other workshops and events associated. It's bound to be an amazing weekend!

Of course, to do this will require a little bit of financial wrangling on my part. I'm looking into a part-time seasonal job, planning out a very strictly budgeted for the trip, and planning a few fundraisers.

Budget Transparency 

Conference Fee-  $180 

Hotel (4 Nights at Conference Hotel)-  $554.06 

Mega Bus Roundtrip-  $25

Meals ($30/day)-  $150

Grand total:                           $909.06