The Smarmy Carny

Breaktime is over!

Now that Blogathon 2006 is over and done with, I am returning the site to it's original and slightly different look. I am leaving up a couple Blogathon items for a week or two, but that's it. For more Blogathon info, just visit my Blogathon page.

It's five days later and I've long since recouperated from Blogathon, but now I'm trying to recouperate from my first visit to the gym in months. I feel sorer now than I did after sitting in front of my computer for 24 hours!

I received a late sponsorship, so I figured I would update the final total.

I believe that the sponsorship is from one of my kind co-workers who was on vacation when I e-mailed information on the Blogathon, and she sponsored me once she found out. Thanks!

Blogathon's not over yet. There are post-Blogathon nominations, voting, and awards to be given out in the following categories:

• Best Blog
• Cat's Choice
• Best Visual Arts Project
• Best Fiction Writing Project
• Best Non-Fiction Writing Project
• Best Music Project
• Best Audience Participation Project
• Best Undefinable Project
• Most Funds Raised

I don't expect to be nominated, but I do expect to help vote!

Status: Irrelevant now. "Status" is so two days ago.
Blogathon 2006 sponsorship total: 8 pledges for $141.00

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.