Ain't too proud to blog - I know there's a lot riding on it, but it's all psychological.

Personal blog entries now here. Blogger Boobie-Thon moved here.
Want a new view? You're not stuck with this design -- skin the site!

More, more, MORE for 2004!

Shutterblog has details for the upcoming third annual 2004 Blogger Boobie-Thon. The 2004 event will kick off on October 1st and run through October 10th. Stay tuned for more details...
posted at 06:03 PM | link-

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SELF help

As mentioned previously, the 2003 Boobie-Thon is mentioned in the February 2004 issue of Self Magazine which just hit the shelves. The "Body Confidence Awards" article starts on page 82 in a tri-fold section of the issue. To see the entire feature (© Self Magazine), please click here.
posted at 02:34 PM | link-

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Th....th....that's all folks!

The official donation letter from Komen arrived. Click here for more.
posted at 08:18 PM | link-

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Thank god it's Friday
Just wanted to point everyone towards this entry over at Shutterblog -- and note that Komen received our cashier's check on October 27th. (The site will be updated again when I receive the official donation letter.)
posted at 02:22 PM | link-

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SELF love
Received in yesterday's e-mail:

Hi Robyn,

SELF magazine would like to recognize you (and your Boobiethon) in the February issue for being a promoter of positive body image in women. In addition to raising money for a good cause, your charity sends the message that you don't have to have a porn star body to be proud of it.

I'd like to get a few quotes from you on body image for the story.

<snip of list of interview questions>

That should do it. If you'd prefer to discuss this over the phone, please give me at call at <snip of phone number>. Otherwise, I'll look for an email from you in the next day or two.

Thanks and congrats,

Erin Bried
Sr. Staff Writer
SELF magazine

For more info on this article due out in Feb. 2004, visit the Boobie-Thon...
posted at 04:14 PM | link-

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Show me the money
A cashier's check for $6686.45 was sent to Susan G. Komen today. Click here for more details (and scans)...
posted at 09:17 PM | link-

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Oh what a beautiful day...
The 2003 Boobie-Thon has officially wrapped -- and we raised over seven thousand dollars in just 11 days. Thanks to everyone for their help and support this year! -Robyn
posted at 12:47 PM | link-

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The time has come
Please note that I have decided to end the 2003 Boobie-Thon donations and submissions as of Saturday, October 11, 2003 (at 11:59 p.m. EDT). Click here for full explantion.

Thank you so much to everyone who's helped making it a smashing success this year! I look forward to a great final week ahead!
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Follow your dreams - you can reach your goals
I'm proud to say that the Boobie-Thon has already raised enough in sixteen hours (~~$375.00~~ $685.00) to fully fund the "bloggers helping bloggers" portion of the donations ($359.00). Everything raised from this point on will be going directly to Susan G. Komen.

Thanks to everyone who's helped with photos, linkage, and donations -- let's keep it going through the month of October!
posted at 04:14 PM | link-

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Let's get ready to ruuuuumble

I've had quite a few TrackBack pings this evening, so I thought "what the hey" and took the first round of photos submitted in the Boobie-Thon live about 45 minutes early. Don't forget...we also have a passworded pay-per-boobie site (with photos) already set up for donors of $50.00 or more! So what you see isn't all of what you (might) get.

If you've been putting off submitting your photo, now's the time to quit procrastinating. Just send them to: boobiethon@tampatantrum.com
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It's like this, and like that, and like this, and uh...
Guess someone forgot to tell them that Elvis has left the building. Whoops.

By the way, getting this blog back on topic, I've been asked just what kind of "rack shots" are acceptable for this year's Boobie-Thon... Basically, anything goes. Only covered boobies (hands, props, food items, bras, etc.) will go on the main photos page. But just like last year, there will be a separate, passworded "pay-per-boobie" page for bare-breasts -- available to donors of $50.00 or more. And yes, we already have bare-breast photos submitted. Also, guys are more than welcome to submit their racks as well. We had 'em last year, and we'll gladly take 'em this year. E-mail photos here. The first batch of pics goes live on 10/1! Don't be tardy.

UPDATE: It has been suggested that females not use "man hands" to cover up their naughty bits.

Just a suggestion...use it as you will...

UPDATE 2: Don't forget...you can get "creative" with your photo entries... Last year we had wet t-shirt style pics, creative use of food products, pretty things to unwrap, and even a little festivity. Use your imaginations!
posted at 05:33 PM | link-

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Keep rollin', rollin', rollin'...
I was reminded that the Boobie-Thon needed RSS feeds, so they have been added. More details at the main site.

Also, the site will be pinging weblogs.com and Blogrolling.com when it updates, so please feel free to Blogroll it.
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I go out walkin'...

Sphinxy and Ericalynn are both participating in the Philadelphia Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. They are accepting donations through October 9th. Please help them out if you can.

And in somewhat related news, the Boobie-Thon now has six button and mini-banner images you can use to link to this year's drive. You can find them at the official site. This year's event officially kicks off on this Wednesday, October 1st -- and will run through Saturday, October 11th. We already have quite a few photo submissions ready to debut on 10/1. If you'd like to get yours in ASAP, just e-mail them here.
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And the winner is...
This weekend, I had a panel of ten "judges" help select the blogger cause / charity for the first $359 raised (assuming, of course, we raise that much) in this year's Boobie-Thon. It should be noted that I purposely refrained from voting myself.

Many thanks to the following ~~ten~~ eleven individuals for all their help:

Michele - asmallvictory.net
Joelle - tenth-muse.com
Solonor - solonor.com
Zuly - zulyzu.com
Jenni - bloggiebroad.com
KB - buccho.com
Kristine - kadyellebee.com
Nicole - thegofish.com
Mikey - electricbugaloo.com
Lewis - orangehairedboy.com
Tie-break vote: Chris - chris.pirillo.com

We actually ended up with a tie-vote, so Chris Pirillo stepped up to the plate and broke it. And the winner is.....the "Run For Their Lives - PAWS Chicago 8K" submitted by Veronika!

Thanks again to everyone who submitted their charities, and to everyone who helped select them. The complete list of blogger causes and charities submitted is here, so make sure to check out everyone's site!

As always, if you have any questions, just e-mail me. And if you're ready to submit a photo for this year's event (we launch on 10/1), those are now being accepted as well. Stay tuned here for more updates... -Robyn
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Wouldn't you like to be a Pepper, too?
Two more blogger charities and causes to add to the blogger-pool's voting list (#4-5 respectively). Make sure to get yours in by September 20th!

If you have any questions, just e-mail me. (Boobie-Thon official site here.)
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Confirmations...cha cha cha
I've extended the blogger charity applications deadline until this Saturday, September 20th. So far Solonor and Zuly have three final confirmations vying for the $359 purse. If you would like your cause or charity officially considered -- or know of someone that would -- please contact one of us ASAP! Here are the three confirmed thus far, soon up for vote:

Just over two weeks to go until the Boobie-Thon kicks off on 10/1!
posted at 09:32 PM | link-

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The gift that keeps on giving
Attention: if you have requested that your charity be considered for the $359 purse for this year's Boobie-Thon -- you must confirm to either Solonor or Zuly by ~~June~~ (whoops!) September 20th that you still want to be considered. Only confirmed charities will be voted on. Merely leaving a comment here in the past will not suffice. You have to reply to their e-mails with official confirmation of your interest. If you have any questions please e-mail me.
posted at 10:35 AM | link-

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Movin' right along
The new home for the 2003 Boobie Thon is now online here. As always, check this updates page until October. When it's time to launch, I'll be adding linking-buttons and the like -- but there's no need to promote the page until October 1st. You're just getting the first sneak-peek!
posted at 02:33 PM | link-

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Step right up and get your ticket
You volunteered to help...and now that it's September 1st, I'm going to take you up on it. I ~~need someone~~ to help coordinate the bloggers eligible for the $359 "charity" purse in this year's Boobie-Thon. I already have eight potential causes linked here.

Your responsibility is to contact the appropriate individuals already linked to find out if they're still interested in having their cause considered -- and also wading through the comments left on this entry for others who might be interested in being considered as well.

So if you have -- or know of -- a "blogger cause" that would be eligible for the $359, please let me know about it (what it's for, who's doing it, when the $ is due) in this entry's comments. I'll be putting a panel of bloggers together mid-month to vote for the cause ultimately selected.

And if you have time to coordinate the list of potential charities this year, just ~~drop me a line~~. Please, don't be a hero -- only volunteer if you have time to do the job! Thank you! (UPDATE: Solonor and Zuly have graciously stepped up to volunteer -- thanks!) -Robyn
posted at 10:57 AM | link-

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So here's the deal
Thanks so much to everyone for all the responses. I really appreciate 'em!

Here's the decision I've made. I'm going forward because it's something I said I would do -- and it's something I want to do. I'm very proud of what we all accomplished in 2002. However, it won't be a one-woman show this year. I'm going to take on help and lots of it. And I've developed an amazing amount of control -- especially with pre-approved comments -- and the ability to just walk away if something gets to be too much -- here over the last year. I'm not above stopping donations and entries mid-swing and cutting Komen a check for the amount earned to date and saying "that's it". My health, and especially that of my child, will always come first. And believe me, I have a husband sitting right here next to me making sure of that. You might have noticed he's walked away from blogging altogether because he simply got tired of all the BS that can be associated with it... He is the main reason why I went on brief hiatus in July.

But despite all the flak, flaming, and general bitchery I took last year -- and still take for it to some extent with all of the name calling I receive -- again, 2002's event is something I'm proud of. Being able to make the final donation call to Komen, and purchase Statia's plane ticket, was truly one of the highlights of my year. I've been blessed a lot this year. I'd like to pass that karma on... I've always been a firm believer in doing that.

So there you have it. You may say I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. So...I can quit quoting lyrics for maybe five seconds? -Robyn
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Part deux
Ok, looking at the results below now -- one more pop-quiz.

Do you think hosting this event is worth my time/energy?

If you answered "no" to either of the previous questions, are you still planning on looking at (and looking forward to) the photos submitted?

UPDATE: Will you link to it on your site this year?

I put in 14-18 hour days last year with the Boobie-Thon, and that was when I actually had energy. If we're going to raise substantial funds this year, by all means I'll pull in help if need-be and find a way to do it and keep it going. I just don't want to spend unnecessary time putting together a design and maintaining the site / manning the donations if we're only going to raise a $100 or so. I'd rather spare myself the time and headache (and potential flame-storm again) and make a donation in that dollar amount myself if that's the case. Basically I need everyone's word they're going to help promote it and help me make it a success. Thanks again! -Robyn
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About that time
Ok, it's just about time to start thinking of preparations for the Boobie-Thon 2003. Things are going to be run a little differently this year, so I want to take a couple of informal polls (please don't multi-vote and skew the results) as to where we're at... For obvious reasons, I'm participating in a behind-the-scenes only manner this year now -- so I need to know if it's even going to be worth it for my time and bandwidth.

Do you plan on donating any funds this October?

Do you plan on submitting photographs* this year?

*Instead of putting the names on the images this year, all images will remain anonymous. There will be a master list of participators -- in addition to the list of donors -- but no boobie-photos (covered only, please, for the public page) will be paired with blogger names for privacy and security's sake.

My readership has changed a lot in the last year -- and I just want to make sure we can equal or better last year's event before I spend the very little, precious energy I do have right now. So please answer truthfully and thank you for your time! -Robyn
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Make this world a better place if you can
More blogger fundraisers to link -- let me know in the comments if you have one you'd like to add to the list for the $359 donation from the Blogger-Boobie-Thon '03.

Bay Area Angel Adventure for the National Brain Tumor Foundation (she needs to hit her goal by this weekend)
Walking for a Reason -- 60 miles for breast cancer
Team in Training -- Suzy Insidious is participating
AIDS Marathon -- NegroPleaseDotCom is participating

Kudos and best wishes to everyone on their fundraising events!
posted at 06:50 PM | link-

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Brother, can you spare a dime?
Two more blogger-fundraising projects to add to the $359 blogger-purse this year...

Memory Walk 2003 for Alzheimer's
American Cancer Society Relay for Life

If you know of any other projects, please pass them along! -Robyn
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No, not just for some but for everyone...
I'm filing both of these away for future reference regarding the "bloggers helping bloggers fund" portion of this year's Boobie-Thon proceeds (please don't vote now -- that will come later in September):

helpkat.com: "I am asking for help while I get the necessary treatments and possible surgery for my back. I have scoliosis and it has taken a turn (no pun intended) for the worse."
chuckpierce.com/ring/: "I am a single father who wants to give the best woman in the world a Diamond and marry her."

If you know of any others, please pass them along so I can add them to the file... The cause selected will receive $359.00 (assuming that amount is raised, of course). -Robyn
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I'm a no-good, filthy dirty whore
Just so we've got that straight... If you're going to spam my comments with the same IP but different names, at least be a little more original. Really. That one is tired. It's run its course. And just in case you're stuck, here's a thesaurus.

I've mentioned this to those close to me -- but since I've gotten so many "when's the Boobie-Thon II" queries this week -- I'll just put it all right out here in the open this very moment. In answer to the main question, this October, to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness month.

But let me sidebar for a moment... The only way. And I repeat the only way I will host and coordinate this as an annual event is if it retains the original spirit of the first Boobie-Thon. What's that mean? Not only is it bloggers for charity, it's also going to be bloggers helping their own. We're a community, and part of being in a community is looking out for one another and supporting each other when times get tough. So $359.00 of the money raised this year (the price of Statia's plane ticket last year) will be going to a blogger "charity". What "charity" you might ask? Well when the time comes I'll try to gather as many different bloggers as I can from different walks of life and form a panel. The panel will take submissions from various bloggers pointing out causes needing funds. This could be anything from charity events, medical expenses, natural disaster expenses, you name it...we'll accept applications for it... I don't even have to know the people and projects being submitted. It just has to be something from the blogging community. Because I'm not licensed or funded we obviously won't be able to launch full-scale fraud investigations -- so we'll be relying on that thing called trust, gut instinct, and the old-fashioned honor system. As the time draws nearer, I'll be relying on everyone's advice and help to work the kinks out. Every other penny raised beyond the first $359 will go to Susan G. Komen. Last year we sent the Foundation $1251.00.

Let me make it clear that I flat-out refuse to donate my time and effort unless the spirit of the original "contest" lives on. I have taken flak from here to Oklahoma and back on raising money for friends. Well I'm sorry, but when my friends are in need -- that's what I do. And I'll continue to do it again this year. That is, if you're all in... See you in October!

-Robyn
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B4 d++ t+ k+ s+ u f++ i o x+ e++ l c--
proudly sitting around the house in my underwear all day since 08.12.2001...
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