Volleyblog
Posted on September 18, 2007 - Filed Under Games, Got Me Thinking, Volley Blog, Writing/Blogging
Anyone can play. You don’t have to be physically fit. You don’t have to be fast or thin, you don’t have to have good aim and you don’t even have to have arms or legs. Surprisingly, you don’t even need a ball to play volleyblog. You just need a blog of your own and a little brain power.
A Little Background
Reading other people’s blogs can really get your creative juices flowing, inspire you and spark an idea for a post. That is why I like to read many different types of blogs. I’ve already posted about how I use other people’s blogs for mini virtual vacations. Another reason I like to visit blogs of people who have different interests or talents than me is that I can always learn from them and that is why I visit Thomas - Technical Blogger. I can’t say I understand every thing he writes about because I’m no longer that technical myself, but I can say that he writes in an easy-to-understand manner so I find it not too taxing to read and I’m always learning new things.
How Volleyblog Started
I had been noticing other people’s posts were inspiring little ideas that turned into posts of my own. I never thought mine might inspire someone else’s. Not that I am that bad of a blogger - it just never occurred to me! So I was really surprised when Thomas of Thomas-Technical Blogger commented on my post, “More Flowers for Friends Again.” He said it inspired him to post something for one of his friends. That sparked an idea inside my little skull (doesn’t take much, I know - I think I ate too many Fruit Loops as a kid). I started wondering how many “volleys” of this type could happen between blogs and how it would be challenging if the blogs were very different in nature. I love inventing little games to amuse myself this way, so volleyblog was born. Thomas was very obliging in taking me up on the challenge of a game between our two blogs. 
But first we needed some ground rules. I was trying to go easy on Thomas with my first attempt at ground rules. Knowing our blogs are very different in nature, I didn’t want to pressure him or make it too difficult (basically I didn’t want to scare away someone I could “play” with, LOL). I guess I really was too nice as his response was that I was too liberal with the rules. So maybe I really DO deserve those two “Nice Matters” awards that I have proudly displayed on my Awards page? LOL. Anyway, below are the rules Thomas and I agreed on (if you’re really interested in details you can check out the comments section of his “What’s in Your Bag?” post).
The Rules
For volleyblog, any post can spark an idea to start a game. But after the initial post, you have to base your next post off of the post that responds to yours. You might have to be creative and use the old noggin but it is interesting to challenge yourself as a writer this way. The post you write has to be at least 3 paragraphs. It doesn’t have to be huge, but there needs to be enough content to generate an idea. You should comment on your opponent’s blog to alert him when the ball is in his court. It is not necessary to mention within the post you write that it is part of a game of volleyblog unless you so desire. As long as you and your opponent know which posts are relevant, that is what counts. There should be a two-week time limit to create a post if the “ball” is in your court. If two weeks go by and you have not written a volleying post, then you forfeit the “serve,” basically losing the game. You can have more than one game going on at once but I wouldn’t recommend having two games going on with the same blogger at the same time…too confusing. This is supposed to be fun!
The “score” between Thomas and I so far is as follows (read from left to right, top to bottom):
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Teeni |
Thomas |
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The serve - More Flowers for Friends Again |
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So, now the ball is in my court and I’ve got to come up with a post inspired by Thomas’ For Your Amusement on the Weekend post. Hmmm. I better get to work. Oh wait, doesn’t THIS post qualify? Why yes it does! My work here is done! 
If you challenge someone to a game, or refine volleyblog in any way, please let me know. I’d love to hear what other people think and since it is in its infancy, I’m sure it can be tweaked to make it even better.
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5 Responses to “Volleyblog”
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[…] I’m always thinking of creative, silly, fun things to do (take a look at the previous post on Volleyblog for […]
That sounds like fun,
I would not be good at that game early on in blogging I did fairly well with those types of things but the last year I really stink at it. I guess that is why it takes so long for me to be “it” when I’m tagged with a meme or award. Quite a few awards or memes I’ve received I’ve never even posted that I had received them.
It’s interesting to see things like that though…
Maybe you just need a longer volley time? LOL. Well, it’s not like you aren’t busy enough already with all you do! So I can certainly understand you taking a while to get to these kinds of things. Maybe someday we’ll play a game like this together. But who knows? My crazy brain is always coming up with new things so I’m sure I’ll rope you into something yet, Opal!
i’m so glad you posted the rulz… i think i’m going to have to try it out.
Awesome! I’d love to see how it goes for you! Keep me posted.
Ok - I posted I am a Suckie Ninja Playing Tenchu Z that discusses playing games.
I set up a trackback, and I see the ping on my end, but I don’t see it here in your comments so I thought I had better comment.
Current turn:
Volleyblog > I am a Suckie Ninja Playing Tenchu Z
The ‘ball’ is back in your court . . . Boo Yah!
I am a Suckie Ninja Playing Tenchu Z
Besides Kicking Ass with Chow Yun Fat in Stranglehold, I have also been playing Tenchu Z. The game play for Tenchu Z is excellent, but reminds me of the fact, that I am a SUCKIE ninja.
I would as the website taunts:
Master the Ancient art of Stealth …