Get It Down

Here's what I am thinking in regards to the 30(er...31)-Day Blog Challenge.

Get It Down!

Yankee reminded me that October is DS Awareness month and I have heard some (ok 3 or so comments, but that's like 3 or so dates to the prom) positive feedback in regards to the idea. I find this a lovely coincidence. Here's what I have in mind:

No rules & anybody can do it. (In other words, it's not restricted to the so-called DS community. Heck, aren't we ALL the DS community? Georgia has many aunties, uncles and friends with blogs and we hope they will participate too.)

So here's what I propose*:

Who can do it?
Anyone who is interested, whether they just want to have a little fun, or maybe they need proverbial kick in the blog tuchas...whatever...whomever. You are all welcome. Get It Down!

When do I do it?
Well, I like when people blog all the time, but let's face it, life gets in the way. And sometimes we just get plain ol' lazy. For a lot of reasons we opt out. But darn it, I like when people blog! So let's do it, one month. 31 days. October. Get It Down!

What do I write about?
Anything your heart desires. I don't like to put restrictions on ya'll. I just like to know what you have to say. Maybe (if I am feeling adventurous) I will post some OPTIONAL topics and/or challenges, but you can choose whether or not to do them. And if anyone has ideas about topics or challenges, send me a comment we can try them out! Personally, I am going to take it as a challenge upon myself to write at least one "meaningful" "thoughtful" post a day. And pictures are good too. Get It Down!

Why should I do it?
This is the one question I can be unambiguous about. I propose you do it in honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month. One thing I can say certainly, is that writing--blogging specifically--has helped me in numerous ways as the new mother of a child with Down syndrome. I value the people I have met, the friends I have made, and the information I have gathered on blogs. Wouldn't it be wonderful if new parents googled Down syndrome and our blogs came up? What a welcome wagon that would be!

I propose whether you know someone affected by DS that you do it in honor of those living with DS as a part of their lives; to raise awareness of Down syndrome. (And, well, it WOULD be nice if you mentioned that's why you're doing it in at least ONE of your blog entries.) Get it down! (Are you sick of me yet?)

What's in it for me**?
Fame. Fortune. And the knowledge that not only did you write for a WHOLE month, you are raising Down Syndrome Awareness! (Disclaimer: By fame and fortune, I mean, you know...fame as compared to a sneaker, and fortune in your heart.) Get it down!

How do I know who else is doing it?
If you ARE going to take part in Get It Down then let me know. And spread the word! If you help get the word out, please tell people to let me know they are going to do it so I can keep a running tally of links which I will post in my sidebar. That way we can all visit one another's blogs. Get it down!

So why not? What's to lose? There's no winning. No losing. Just getting it down.

Do you want to Get It Down? If so, join us.

*If you have any ideas in regards to anything I have written, please let me know. I am open to suggestions.

**If anyone DOES have any ideas in regards to what CAN be in it for someone. Let me know a.) Who gets something/why? b.) what do they get? Although I am all for just doing it to do it.

(Note: This is all off the cuff, so really, any ideas, let me know. And start spreading the word, we only have a few days before we begin! Monday is go time!)

Comments

[Yankee]

OK I need motivation to pay more attention to my blog. I don't know if I can commit to every day. Is that OK? Can I be a semi-slacker? (You can make fun of me if you want.)

[Elizabeth]

Yes, sign me up!
Monday, yikes! Where did September go? My sister's bday is October 25th so I will do my 30 days in honor of her during her birthday month AND DS Awareness Month. And I will combine it with a goal to talk to her and call her more often. Let's say twice a week. Whew! October is going to be busy. But fun.
Also, I just realized, I will be at my inlaws for a few days in October for the detroit half marathon and will have to secretly blog. The intrigue! Maybe I can just have Mr. E convince them I am addicted to internet porn.

We should have a blog button. However it's kind of useless for me to suggest that since I have no idea how to make one. Anyone?

[RK]

Well I don't know how "quality" the posts will be, but I like the idea for sure. I'll at least get something up each day... count me in at Just RK. I don't think I can pretend that I can do both blogs every day...

[Christina]

I am in with Prince Vince's blog. So I just write something everyday? I never did something like this?

Is it OK if the grammar sucks, after all I am a freaking foreigner :-)

[Melissa]

I think I'll try and go for this. I'm not great at coming up with content, but I'll give it a whirl :)

[margaret]

Sounds like a great idea, I'm in. Do you have a button?

[Jen]

I said it once, and I'll say it again...sign me up. 'Cause it's not like I don't have enough stuff to do already!

I have been bad about neglecting the blog lately, and need a swift kick in the pants. So thanks!

[Shannon]

You are so funny!

Count me in! I want to Get it Down!

Can't promise meaningful or thoughtful, and at this point it will probably be all about the ladybug...but I will join you!

[Amy]

Tricia,
This is a great idea! To coin a phrase, I'M DOWN! I am going to be out of town and away from my computer for a week towards the end of the month, but I'll do my best.

It would be great if we could make a button for this. I just tried a couple of button makers (found them thanks to google), but I'm a little html challenged...

I also found a bunch of T-shirts at Cafe press (just google "Down Syndrome Awareness" and it will come up at the top, so maybe we could offer one of those as a prize? How would we judge it?

P.S. Thanks for your comment, and for putting a link here!

[Mindy]

I'm in as well. I can't believe October begins next week. I can't believe Liam will be 10 months old next week!

I was also going to suggest a blog button. I have no skills in that area so that has to be up to someone else.

[Christine]

Hi, I'm new to blogging so this "blog challenge" sounds like a great way to get me writing. My son has DS and after years of wanting to write and doing nothing about it, that extra chromosome seems to have moved me into action. I guess my little guy is my Muse. Count me in.

[jennifergg]

Okay, I'm in. Heaven help me, I'm in! Add me to the list!

[Leah]

Yep, I'm there! I've been trying to blog everyday for awhile, so I'll keep it up! Oh, and I'm mom to 11 year old Angela who has DS.

[Ecki]

I'm definitely in! Sounds awesome! (right now I'm trying to blog about the Binghamton, NY Buddy Walk, but my kids keep interrupting me!!)

http://oppositekids.blogspot.com/

[Tom]

OK, so count me in, too.

[Solveig]

I'm in Norway, so as of now this is international :-D
Our local forum is down today, but I'll post a link as soon as it's up & running. BTW, I am mother to Benedikte, 7 years old, with DS.

[Ibby]

Count me in!! I have totally neglected my pathetic start to a blog. This will be good incentive to get going again! Oh, and BTW, I am mom to sweet AJ, age 1, with Ds!

[Amy DeRogatis]

Great idea! I wish I could commit to this, but this month will be tough with my mom's memorial service. I did write an essay titled, "Sometimes the Opposite is Also True" that was posted a couple of days ago for NPR's "This I Believe." I'll leave it up on my blog as my small part of this great project.

[apostrophesuz]

I'm late, but I'm in, too. Mom to many...including Aaron, age 4, with Ds.

I'm all for raising awareness about Down syndrome...and I usually blather on every day in my blog, anyhow!

[Deborah Minner]

I have a blog that I never have used, so this is a good reason to start. Please count me in!

PS I heard about your challange from downsyn.com

[Stephanie]

Put me down for 31 days! GREAT idea!

[Kristin]

I'm in! I need to stop slacking on my blog, and what better reason than for DS awareness! Very cool!

[Nicole]

I'm in! Betsy sent me and I have to join. Come visit us at:
http://all4gals.blogspot.com/

[Jan]

I have all intentions of following through too! Put me down....

[Killlashandra]

I'm in. Although I don't have internet access on the weekends so it'll be more like a five days a week blog. LOL

Great idea.