The rumors aren’t true! » « I’m so proud of my dad!

Blogathon 2010

It’s time for this blogger to go mad from sleep deprivation for charity! Again!

Those of you who have been here for a while (the “I read Blag Hag before boobquake” hipsters) may remember Blogathon from last year. Blogathon is just what it sounds like – a blogging marathon. Starting on Saturday, July 31st at 8am EST, I will make a new blog post every half hour until Sunday, August 1st at 8am EST. None of these posts will be made ahead of time or set to autopost at a certain time – I’ll be up blogging new material for the whole 24 hours.

But the purpose isn’t to spam your Google Reader; it’s to raise money for charity. You pledge on my behalf, just like you would for someone running a marathon. Except instead of showing my physical prowess, I’ll be sitting on my ass in front of a computer frantically typing away while consuming caffeine – an equally impressive display, I’m sure you’ll agree.

Like last year, my charity of choice is the Secular Student Alliance. I’ve gushed about them before, but let me reiterate what a fabulous organization the SSA is. The SSA aids secular, atheist, humanist, and freethinker student organizations across the US and the world. They help students start new groups at universities and high schools, provide information and event ideas to current groups, send great speakers to campuses, and encourage networking between the next generation of outspoken secular voices. If you’re reading my blog, I probably don’t have to explain why having these resources for young people is so important. For the sake of full disclosure, I am now a board member of the SSA. But that has just shown me how much hard work is going on behind the scenes at this organization.

Last year Blogathon was a great success. Not only did some of my readers have fun staying up with me during my increasing level of madness, but we raised $531.17 for the SSA! My readership has increased greatly since then, so I hope we can top that this year.

So what can you do to help?

1. Donate through this ChipIn widget, which goes to the SSA’s PayPal account. You can pledge a lump sum, or be more creative if you wish. Donate a sum of money based on my total word count, for every post you really liked, for every time you laugh, or for every time I say a particular word I overuse. Surprise me!

Oh, and $3,000 is kind of an arbitrary amount. I just think it’s fulfilling seeing that progress bar fill up, haha.

2. Spread the word! Post this on your blog, tweet it, tell a friend. And remind people to “tune in” on the 31st!

3. Inspire me! If I haven’t been answering your emails or questions on formspring.me, it’s because I’ve been saving up (sorry!). But I can never have too many blogging prompts. Ask me a question anonymously, or email me an idea at blaghagblog(at)gmail(dot)com.

4. Keep me company on the 31st. It helps knowing people are actually reading the posts I’m pumping out. And I try to keep them the same quality of my normal posts – I won’t throw up stupid filler just to meet my quota. It should be entertaining for everyone involved, especially since you can literally watch me get more delirious as the night goes on. And hey, it can get lonely at 5am. It’s good to know there’s another night owl out there.

So, help out a good cause and (hopefully) be entertained for a day!

The rumors aren’t true! » « I’m so proud of my dad!

Comments

  2. says

    Great! Last year’s was awesome, and though I can’t be around for as much of it this year, I definitely look forward to reading the craziness. I just have to come with a cool donating strategy…

  4. LS says

    Oh man, I can’t wait for this. I love participating in live charity events, but the ones I’m interested in are always held when I’m super busy.Next Saturday though? I’m totally free. This is gonna rock.

  5. Screamer77 says

    I’ll be on a trip with a friend, I’ll check your blog on Monday, but tons of luck, and even more fun… it sounds like a great idea!

  6. says

    And hey, it can get lonely at 5am. It’s good to know there’s another night owl out there.

    I remember when being up at 5am meant I was a night owl. Now it means I’m a morning person… Nevertheless, I’ll try and stay with you as long as I can.

  7. the_Siliconopolitan says

    Draw more!(Preferably gay sexxings, but that’s just me.)Guess the secret word and get $100?

  10. says

    Holy crap – it’s blogathon again, already??? Awesome! I hope your boobquake fame helps raise lotsa money for the Secular Student Alliance this year!

  11. says

    I’d be super happy if you did a post or two about rape culture, anti-abortion seeming to go along with anti-contraception, that sort of thing.Your post on how the pill should be OTC really riled me up. I recently read How the Pro-Choice Movement Saved America, as well. I liked it quite a bit. ANYWAY, I’d like to know more of what you have to say!

  18. says

    can’t participate this year (or donate — poverty sux), but i’ll come and comment-bomb you when i get a chance.

  20. the_Siliconopolitan says

    Ah well. I’m getting the last of my dole tomorrow, so here goes.Guess my dirty, secret love (and draw art of it?) and I’ll throw in another bit.

  21. says

    Already threw in $50, but I’ll donate another $50 if you do a post on science tattoos. Now that I have the tree of life on my arm (pics on my facebook page) it’s a subject near and dear to my heart lol.

  23. Metal_Warrior says

    Should be easy to be awake when you’re blogging at 5 am – since I’m in Germany and’ve already finished my school (Chemistry)… But I won’t be online the whole day, because Wacken is near and I should really get some sleep ;)

  25. says

    Hi — just did a quick Google search to see if anyone else is participating in the ’10 Blogathon regardless of the cancellation! I am, so it’s nice to see someone else participating! Just wanted to say hi.

  27. hippiefemme says

    Does the ChipIn widget show how much has actually been donated to SSA or just what has been pledged?

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