Now I am willing to admit, I was one of those people that dragged their feet before finally jumping into Twitter. Simply put, I didn’t “get it.” And seems to be the common thread around those that are either on or not on Twitter. If you “get it” you are probably on it, if not then you probably just don’t understand why people would want to do this. Well, with a simple video and explaination, the folks at Common Craft have made it easy, so that the next time somebody says they don’t understand why people “tweet” you can just show them this video.

Facebook – Yes, I made fun of Helen Popkin on MSNBC for her article on Facebook, but it was more for the title (OMG! YR still on MySpace? Loser!) that the fact that it was talking about the current runaway success that Facebook seems to be enjoying since it opened itself up to the world.  The fact is that Facebook is simply a much better, nicer, better thought out platform.  I hate to tag it like this, but it really is a “thinking persons” version of the non-sense that is MySpace.  I’m sure I will eventual get bored with it, but right now I have to admit I am having fun with it.  Don’t have a Facebook profile yet?  What are you waiting for?

BlogHer07 Awards – While I (like many others) patiently await something… anything from the 800+ people that attended BlogHer to post about something OTHER than who they met, or ate, or did whatever with in Chicago this past weekend, I must admit that Kristen has had the most entertaining way to expound on these events (at least so far).

Using or Abusing? – DaddyDetective has a very serious issue and question on the dilema they find themselves in as far as health insurance goes.  Go on on over, read it, and weigh in.   Me?  I’m not even sure how to answer it yet… it is a tough question.

Because really, they are truly things given by your peers, and if one of my peers believes I am worthy of an “award” it means the world to me that they believe I am worthy of it. So imagine my surprise when I get hit with not one but two such things at virtually the same time.

The first was from Crazy Life, Makes Me Tired, that says I am a Rockin’ Blogger.

I am greatly appreciative that somebody actually thinks that way. But the swelling in my head didn’t stop there as Liz at This Full House, trying to buck trends (and gender lines) , and says I am a Rockin’ Girl Blogger.

I might have been actually gotten a little upset about this, but since I wasn’t the only man that she decided was a “Rockin’ Girl Blogger” (and of course that I am an a attention whore sometimes), I just smile and say Thanks.

Now of course the real hard part is trying to decide who of all the Rockin’ Blogs I have on my blog roll that I will hit with this (and who hasn’t already had it bestowed upon them).

Just out of a sense of a more traditional value, (plus the fact that I have at present more female bloggers than male) I will break it out by gender, but only because of the name of the awards. (Otherwise, I would just like to give both to everybody).

I’m not going to try and describe the nuances of why all these people rock. Just know that they do. I am probably not breaking any new ground here with these great folks, but if by chance you aren’t reading one of them, then by all means go check ‘em out.

The Disney Blog – Disney news provided with color commentary and insight, written by people that obviously like Disney but without the standard PR being shoved down your throat. This is a great blog to get information on the World of Disney rather than just what Disney is promoting.

SaveDisneyShows.org – technically not a blog, but still worth a look for anybody that enjoys (or you know have kids that enjoy) Disney Shows. This site trys to help round up and inform people about the current “unwritten” policy that ends shows on Disney after 3 years or 65 episodes. They were key in getting Disney to reconsider and give Kim Possible a 4th season, and they are working with many other shows as well. The 65 episode “rule” was put in place under former boss, Michael Eisner, and really should be stopped allowing the viewers (by popularity of the show) decide when it is “over.”

Mickey News – very busy visually, and a bit tough to read at times because of it, but it is an excellent place to find news and information for anything Disney related.

Toontown Online – again, not a blog, but worth mentioning. Toontown Online, the multi-player online game offered by Disney has since its inception in 2003, been a pay service, with a fee of $9.95 a month (after free trial of course). However, the Toontown world it seems will be moving to an ad-based model instead starting this fall.

Intercot – They lay claim to, “more information per square megabyte“™ than any other Disney World site on the Internet. A tall order considering how much information is out there. But regardless an excellent place to find information on Disney or links to others, and worth a peek if you are trying to find information on Disney of any sort.

Mousekingdom Blog – “The Magic – seen from different points of view…”  Interesting, sometimes offbeat commentary, but sounds far more influenced by Disney PR than others.

Disney Frontier Blog – “A Disney Blog Bringing you links to unique, interesting and fun Disney related sounds, videos and pictures. “  Simply pu, more than just a rehashing of the same stories as everybody else.

Any other great Blogs or sites I should be checking out that deals with the House of Mouse?

DadCentric – the are plenty of Mommy groups around, but there are precious few good Multi-Writer Dad Blogs that I have found so far, but this is an excellent one.  A consortium of top quality Dad Bloggers, all in one place.

Clare’s Dad – I’m not sure what is a bigger draw for me to this blog, Darren’s writing, or the fact that when I am reading his posts, I feel like I am just flashing back to 2 years prior.  It is downright eeery sometimes.

Honea Express – I am not sure if I found whit through DadCentric, or I found DadCentric from his sight.  The only thing I know for sure, is that he is a staple in my must read daily.

Lightning storms are pretty intense around here tonight, so I am cutting this short.  Blogspotting should be back to normal next week.  Of course as always if you have or know a post or blog I should be checking out, please leave it in the comments.

Queen of Shake-Shake – This one was recommended in last weeks Blogspotting and exactly the reason I started doing this bit every week. Sharing and finding some of the best blogs around that may have gone overlooked otherwise. So as always please feel free to share, because I am always looking for new good reads like this.

I Hate Crocs (hat tip to Motherhood Uncensored). A blog dedicated to what may be the most insidious shoe since the days of “Dr. Scholls” back in the early 80’s? I am all for it. Of course, I hated them solely for this appearance until I checked out the Crocs Accidents Blog (no longer active, but the stories they listed are quite unnerving). Now I don’t like ‘em for safety and appearance reasons.

Now this one takes a long route here, as it was apparently first a planned post by Velveteen Mind (a recent addition to my blogroll) , but was “stolen” by Suburban Oblivion (no not really), and then I thought I would just throw in my couple of copper pennies in. Long story short (oh stop), if you get invited to participate in this so-called Blogging to Fame (I’m liking to Sara’s post, not Blogging to Fame) , either a. pass or b. Take a long serious look before you register. It won’t take long looking over the website before you will draw the same conclusion that this thing doesn’t pass the smell test. It wasn’t helped any with a reply to Suburban Oblivion where they tried to “correct” her with… well with nothing but sort of a “we are too legitimate… but won’t tell you how or why” type of response.

I’m sure I am not breaking any new ground by mentioning Woulda Coulda Shoulda. But I have to tell you, if you are even thinking of moving, selling a home, buying a home, etc. Just reading the fiascos she and her newly betrothed are dealing with, will certainly make even the most masochistic person think twice.

Playgroups are No Place for Children deserves mention just for the name alone. But as it turns out, Jennifer isn’t a bad read either. (a definite bonus if you read blogs I would say.)

Like many people, I am often (to be polite) skeptical when it comes to infomercials. I mean the claims are always so dramatic and over the top. But sometimes I think to myself that if the product is just half as good as it claims then it might be worth it. But how can I tell for sure? How can I find the gems among the troves of late night garbage being hawked? Well, thankfully The Frog Report is back from a brief hiatus, and back testing products of the “Not Found In Any Store” variety. So before dropping your money on a product hawked by some has-been or former child star (was that redundant?) stop by and see what The Frog Report has to say.

Being a NJ Devils fan (thus hating the Senators),  and having felt robbed when PaintShopPro got taken over (and ruined) by Corel, I rarely like anything in or around Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.  At one time, I might have even said, it was Hell on Earth (or something along those lines).  But unfortunately, I can no longer take this as fact.  Once I started reading Bread Crumbs in the Butter, my view of this fine city has changed.  Any area that can be called home by this this cool mom, can’t be all evil.

GenBetween a blog dedicated to those of the Sandwich Generation (having to deal with kids as well as aging parents) is celebrating its first anniversary. I guessing Elizabeth never though she would have quite so many tough situations to cover in this first year, and I certainly hope she has less in the year ahead. Go on over and wish her a Happy Blogiversary.

Wendy from Things in your Head, has a great post up, that I think many parent’s of an only child feel at one time or another, when being your child’s playmate in The Great Outdoors, becomes a frustrating grind.

The Bean Blog brings up a point near and not so dear to my heart, school uniforms, and wonders as I did around this time last year when I was fighting my school board, Whatever happened to celebrating our uniqueness?

Thrifty Mommy – as any (well not any, but any average) parent knows, trying to save money can be a real chore. It seems that those dang kids always want to need something. You know, like they just insist on having clothes that actually fit them (who told them they could grow). Fortunately places like Thrifty Mommy, help come up with money saving tips and ideas that may otherwise be overlooked.

Plain Jane Mom.  Now I know it is quite impossible to know about all of the great blogs out there, and I know I already have a fantastic blogroll of super people already, but it always amazes me when I find a blog like this, that reads so much like my own thoughts at times, and I wonder why I didn’t already know about it.  If I was woman, I could probably get away with saying I pink puffy heart Plain Jane Mom… oh… well… I guess I already did anyway.

Izzymom  has a fantasic post up about taking up action and demanding that Scholastic remove Bratz Dolls books from their school offerings.  And (unlike me), she has… you know… actual reasons beyond the fact that they are a bunch of freakish looking things.

Phat Mommy counters with argument that Corporations are only responsible to the almighty dollar, and that it is the parent’s responsibility to instill values in the child.   While I agree with her point about instilling values, when did it become that companies care about nothing but their bottom line?

In the category of giving props to another of my longtime blogroll faves… Have any of you gone over and read the Daddy Detective?  I love his “case” format, but it is his all too real and easily identifiable style of writing that keeps me coming back.

Home Ec 101 – what can I say about this? Imagine that “Hints from Heloise” was NOT so painfully boring to read, and had you know tips that were actually useful in today’s homes. And you have Home Ec 101.

Domestic Psychology – sometimes, blogs that I have been reading for so long, I take for granted that everybody reads, and Cathy certainly fits this mold. But I must say, that after reading her battle over rezoning school districts in her area, I was once again awed, as I only wish more parents were willing to stand up and try to fight for what is right for their children.

Suburban Oblivion – not sure what to say other than I wish I knew what took me so long to find it.

Yes, I know, a too late, and quite short Blogspotting this week, but I will try to make it up to you. I promise.

At Career and Kids, the question comes up, Should kids have jobs in High School?

Motherhood Uncensored warns the world what could happen in, TV Turnoff Week = Lots of Stinky Mamas.

Over at DadCentric, Mr. Big Dubya, has a great post (and somewhat nostalgic) post about kids sports today, and what they were (and probably should be now) then. He of course makes his point perfectly clear up front as he points out that T-Ball Makes pitching inside a bit tough.

For the dads out there, with still enough time to spare check out The Noodad Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide. While certainly not all encompassing, it has some cute different ideas.

Update: How I forgot this one I don’t know. Cheeky’s Hideaway has a great post about an obsession, that I know has gripped a lot of people as music has made its way from platter based to digital based, and he tells you the steps he has taken over the years of The Project.

So what am I missing? Show me the Blogs.

L.A. Daddy – laments the demise of the old “lesson free” cartoons of the past and decides that Some days… It don’t pay to get out of bed.

Busy Mom – while everybody will tell you there are certain topics like the weather that you are “never” supposed to blog about, she instead offers The 5 Most Worn Out Blog Topics

The Philosopher Dad – something that I have always assumed was well known personally (but apparently not), he gives us the lowdown (and statistics to prove) that when it comes to kids and fruits/vegetables, If you grow it, they will eat.

Mom 101 – tackles an issue that many Moms (and Dads) encounter at one time or another, whether they actually want to be a member or not, you eventually run into (your local version of) the Mommygangs of New York

So what am I missing? Awesome Blog? Awesome Posts? Go ahead, free your inner blogwhore.

BooMama – Is rallying the blogosphere to the aid of a dear and (amazingly unfortunate) blogger Heather. But before I screw this up trying to paraphrase it, just go and read it.

In the Trenches of Motherhood – is offering up some sage advise on taking good photographs. She really give some good pointers for those (like me) that tend to think the photo looks good in the viewfinder, but not often quite as happy with the result later. She tells you why.

The Blogfathers - LA Daddy brings up a real though provoking question, as he ponders whether or not it is right to force a his daughter to take piano lessons.

Adventure Dad – in case you haven’t been following his journey (and the perils that ensured) to Mexico, you have been missing out.

Here’s your chance, tell me what you have been writing (or reading) this week that you would like to share.

Not Funny – If you have looked at the prices on eBay you already know that the whole PS3 thing is completely out of hand. How Sony can be so late (a year after the Xbox 360 release), release it just before the Holidays and still have so few untils available is simply insane. But while they still have NO units to sell, the attempted (rather poorly since they have been found out already) to start a Viral Campaign with a “blogger” that promised to “spread the luv [sic] to those like j who want a psp! …consider us your own personal psp hype machine, here to help you wage a holiday assault on ur [sic] parents, girl, granny, boss—whoever—so they know what you really want.” Maybe if they spend a little more time in production they could actually have some units to sell. They full story from Next Generation is here.

Funny – I have often felt bad that apparently lawmakers in NJ are too dumb to be able to come up with a slogan for our State. First we paid an advertising agency, mind you the same brain trusts that were hired to come up with a new corporate image for the company that would be the merger of Sprint and Nextel, and came up with the incredibly duh, “Sprint-Nextel”, we paid these idiots a quarter of a million dollars to come up with a slogan that was (rightly) rejected. They then decided to turn it into a contest and allow residents to come up with a slogan. Before they announced the winner, they hadn’t bothered to check if it had been used before, and unveiled a “new” slogan that was actually old, so back to the drawingboard they go. But, I guess I should be relived that no slogan is better than THESE SLOGANS that other places have (read the comments for some additional “winners” as well).

Not Funny – Following up on the stupidity of the story from Waco, TX from yesterday, today I found this story about a teacher that rather than escort three students to the restrooms, instructed the students to urinate in a soda bottle. What almost made this story funny was that the school administration felt it necessary to explain that it was the teacher and not the students that were under investigation.

Picture Perfect Thursday will be around later (I hope).