It might seem apparent to readers of Blog Fabulous, that I am new to this form of communication, known as blogging.

I’ve learned quite a lot since I joined b5media.com, but I am such a neophyte compared to so many of my colleagues here.

To start and maintain a successful blog takes a ton of work. And also, some people seem to have a knack for it and some, well…not so much.

I can tell you that if you write about movie stars your traffic rates and Page Per Views will explode off the charts. (See don’t I know what I’m talking about?)

The title of Margaret Mason’s book annoyingly reminds me that I have such a loooong way to go.

No One Cares What You Had For Lunch offers imaginative ideas and tips about how to make one’s post more interesting and useful to readers. And I mean beyond your immediate family or your dog.

A couple of how-tos from the book:

• Write a serial novel
• Conduct unnecessary experiments
• Creating your autobiography
• Public eavesdropping

Public eavesdropping? You know you do it too.

If you write a blog or are thinking of starting one…I would check out Ms. Mason’s book. And who knows? You could end up being the next Perez Hilton.

As for me, I am NOT going to tell you about my Turkey On Triscuits (TOTs) that I had for lunch today.

Post from: Blisstree

Easy Ways To Improve Your Blogging Techniques

Throughout the month of November, our colleague Hsien of A Hearty Life fame has been graciously collecting and publishing the thoughts of some of her beloved colleagues, based on a specific medical theme: What Would You Tell Your Doctor?

Our assignment was to write a ficticious letter to our doctor, expressing anything we wanted. While mine was “light-hearted” (get it? A Hearty Life — light-hearted). I crack myself up sometimes…

What I really want to know is what is it with men and doctors?

My better half recently had this excruciatingly painful foot problem (something along the lines of ingrown something or other).

He’d made an appointment, but the doctor could not fit him in for a few days…so what do you think the next logical step would be?

To soak his foot in Epsom Salts! That, my friends, is the definition of adding insult to serious injury.

Quickly I took it upon myself to phone the Dr.’s office to see if there was an emergency number; there was.

I explained to the doctor’s answering machine what the problem was, how bad the pain was and that treatment was needed asap.

Later that day, (a Sunday, no less) the doctor was kind enough to offer to treat hubby.

When I told him (hubby) of this miraculous news…that he could possibly get his foot treated and cured that very afternoon — his response was, I’ll keep the original appointment — I can handle the pain!

This “behavior” is either an attempt to demonstrate to me what a manly man he is, or it’s a bona fide (albeit camouflaged) fear of doctors.

Or, like most men who are ill…they are just big babies.

It’s now 3 days later and the appointment is tonight…I just hope this doctor has lollipops.

Here’s the trick though…if you want your doctor-phobic companion/juvenile to get professional help…you have to make the appointment yourself!

Post from: Blisstree

What’s Up With Men and Doctors?

Within the large b5.media house are many rooms, in which reside many family members.

Blog Fabulous has recently been added with open blogs, to the Famliy and Relationships room.

The topics covered there shed light on many of life’s difficult, intriguing and sensitive issues, and I’m glad to now be among these fabulous writing architects:

• Kate at Baby Lune.
• Mike at Career and Kids.
• Gayla at Dating Dames.
• Elizabeth at Gen Between
• Steve at Inside Fatherhood.
• Robyn at Inside Motherhood.
• Christine at Our One Heart.
• Jay at Parents Behaving Badly.
• Hsien at Play Library.
• Christina at Solo Mother.
• Karen and Kelley at Thrifty Mommy.
• SP Bragg at Weary Parent.
• Anna at Widows Quest.

I hope my new family will appreciate my decorating, and I thank all at b5.media.com for this new space.

Image: flicker.com

Post from: Blisstree

Blog Fabulous Gets Red Carpet Treatment.

Yes, it’s true, we’ve covered meaty topics such as employee/employer relationships, adversity during a presentation, the benefits and drawbacks of owning a small business — but most of the time, I wish I were on a perpetual coffee break.

Today is one of those days…join me for a little break?

Looking for THE perfect chocolate cupcake? Once again, Ina Garten to the rescue.

Even the name of it is perfect: Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes. How sexy is that?!

• 1/4 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
  1 cup sugar
  4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
  1 (16-ounce) can chocolate syrup (recommended: Hershey’s)
  1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  1 cup all-purpose flourFor the ganache:
  1/2 cup heavy cream
  8 ounces good semisweet chocolate chips
  1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
  Candied violets, for decoration, optional
• Line muffin pans with 12 paper liners. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time. Mix in the chocolate syrup and vanilla. Add the flour and mix until just combined. Don’t overbeat, or the cupcakes will be tough.
• Scoop the batter into the muffin cups and bake for 30 minutes, or until just set in the middle. Don’t overbake! Let the cupcakes cool thoroughly in the pan.
• For the ganache, cook the heavy cream, chocolate chips, and instant coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until smooth and warm, stirring occasionally.
• Dip the top of each cupcake in the ganache. Decorate with candied violets, if desired. Do not refrigerate.

Go. Bake. Bring to the office and be loved. And if you find the freaking candied violets, you are not allowed back here…(I jest.) (No, I don’t.)

Image: flickr.com

Post from: Blisstree

Serious Blogging or Chocolate?!

In order to reach these folks, I had to get my hands on a one complete list of names. A complete list did not exist because many of the sales people did not work in one locale.

I did everything you would think to do: made phone calls, sent e-mails, visited colleagues in various locations in the city, had endless meetings. No one could either get me a list or give me the name of the person in charge of The List.

When I asked my manager for help, she remarked “…you’re a vp, you should know how to get this done…” So, I was on my own…and guess what? It turned out to be a mess.

This week, here at b5.media, where I’m lucky enough to contribute, I was experiencing mind-boggling technical difficulties with this site.

I would say that the b5 community is made up of a group of very talented and, compassionate professionals. Within a very short time, Christina and Aaron, two extremely busy b5 bloggers, came to my rescue.

After several hours of research, testing and more testing, we were able to solve the problem. The fascinating aspect of this story is that I’ve never met Christina or Aaron in person. They really don’t even know me, except through occasional e-mail correspondence.

Yet, they were willing to take time out of their schedules to help, along with a few others at b5. I find this to be an amazing position to be in — considering I saw the folks at my previous job everyday and yet, no valuable help — mostly I was considered to be a pain.

So, to Christina and Aaron and everyone else at b5 media…thank you, and if I can return the favor in any way, please let me know.

image: allposters.com

Post from: Blisstree

A Virtual Helping Hand.