The Smarmy Carny

Blogathon spike!

Finally, the Blogathon ended and I was able to crash hard for a few hours. That was refreshing!

As you can see from the picture, there was plenty of traffic during the Blogathon. The other bloggers were quite supportive and fun, particularly in the IRC chat room, where we kept each other awake and entertained.

Also, there's proof that the Blogathon crowd is a smart crowd: Instead of the usual 65/25 ratio between IE/Firefox, the ratio during the Blogathon was 30/65! Cool beans.

Status: I'm finally rested. I obviously missed church this morning, but I'll be headed out to an evening service at our family camp tonight.
Verified sponsorship total: 7 pledges for $129.00
(All sponsorships are now verified.)

Just as I posted precisely at 09:00 EST on Saturday morning, I end the Blogathon by posting precisely at 09:00 EST on Sunday morning.

Total blog posts: 53. (This is an odd coincidence, considering this blog was originally named "53 Things To Do in Zero Gravity.")

But what has the Blogathon taught me?

1. You can make popsicles out of pickle juice.
2. People don't comment on your blog when you break your blog's commenting feature.
3. For some unknown reason, Grape Nuts continue to enjoy a mysterious level of popularity.
4. Children with terminal illnesses have a special, unique attitude toward life.
5. I am Superman.
6. Some celebrities and companies give a lot more of their time and money that we ever hear about.
7. People don't realize the value of Fruity Pebbles these days.
8. I love spending time with my family.
9. In the long haul, my eyes are my weakest link.
10. I am one of the first inhabited planets in the universe.
11. A half hour really isn't that long if you want to put together a valuable post, chat with people, and surf all the Blogathon blogs!
12. Scrabble is trying to tell us something.
13. I end up listening to the Reading Rainbow theme instead of actual music.
14. I get hungry when I forget to eat.
15. My wife likes to blog — she just doesn't know it yet.

Here's my status at the close of Blogathon:

Status: I'm finally tired. The last 1.5 hours did me in. My eyes are very tired. My back and neck are tired. It's time for rest.
Verified sponsorship total: 6 pledges for $117.00
Unverified sponsorship total: 7 pledges for $129.00

To those kind souls who sponsored my endeavor this year: My mother thanks you. My father thanks you. My sister thanks you. And I thank you.

Blogathon is finished.

Fin

Thanks to those who pledged to donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America.

Even if you don't have money, that doesn't mean you can't do anything. Head over to Make-A-Wish®'s volunteering page, type in your 5-digit zip code, and contact your local Make-A-Wish® chapter. Often, our time is more valuable to charities than our money. And if you don't have money, your time may be the only thing you have to donate.

Just because the Blogathon is ending soon, doesn't mean you have to stop giving!

Q: Will you do Blogathon again next year?

A: At this very moment, I would have to say that I will not do Blogathon next year. If I were a single college guy, it'd be great and I'd love to do it every year. Physically, I am up for the task. Sure, my neck and back hurt from sitting in this chair for 23 hours so far, but I didn't start to get tired until about 22.5 hours in. I do this to myself all the time, and it's no big deal.

As things are, however, my time with my family is just too important. It pains me to be home all day and only able to spend 10 minutes playing outside with my son, having to pass on helping him ride his bike, and unable to pick up my toddler because I've got to get the next post finished in time. I was reading Hooked on Phonics with my son during the evening hours, and I had to stop to write up a quick post. By the time I returned, he had fallen asleep. It's just upsetting when that happens. Luckily, he woke up in the early morning and wanted to finish the book with me (and did).

So, it's not you — it's me. My family is important. You understand, don't you?

Still, one positive thing about not blogging next year is that I'd get to participate more with all the fun blogs out there — you guys are fun! I just wouldn't be hanging out all 24 hours.

Ryan meets Joe

4-year-old Ryan wished to meet Joe from Blue's Clues and have a Blue's Clues party. Donovan Patton ("Joe") was more than willing to help out the cause.

Ryan and his family got a limo ride to the Hilton Garden Inn, where 79 friends and family were waiting to celebrate Ryan's 5th birthday. During the party, Joe appeared to meet Ryan. They were both wearing identical orange shirts. The two spent some time together and had a great day.

Read more about Ryan's encounter with Joe at Make-A-Wish®'s website, wish.org.

Click to watch

Here's a video I stumbled across. It's all about letters and the word "craziest."

If you are or know a Scrabble fanatic, be sure to watch this little movie!

Nice quotable quotes are scattered throughout, such as "Scrabble is the oracle." and "What was the board trying to say?"

Willie's hammock

10-year-old Willie wished to take a nap on a hammock between two palm trees on the beach in Hawaii.

Willie was flown to Hawaii, where he and his family were met by lei greeters. They spent seven days in Hawaii, enjoying the sights. As part of their activities, they took a snorkeling cruise.

Make-A-Wish® got reservations at the Hyatt Regency in Maui, since they had hammocks readily available. If that weren't enough, the hotel picked the best hammock and designated it "Willie's hammock" for Willie to enjoy whenever he wanted.

When Willie returned home, a local store had donated a hammock for his backyard so that Willie can relax and remember his Hawaii trip whenever he wishes!

Read more about Willie's Hawaii trip at Make-A-Wish®'s website, wish.org.