Thursday, July 7, 2011

The Game/Contest

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Do you remember going to the carnival when you were a kid? You know, the one that set up in the parking lot of the shopping center, mall, or out at the fairgrounds?

I sure do.

I remember looking wide-eyed at the bright lights and twirling rides, the music that would play, the smells permeating the air, and the chance to win prizes.

I remember one game in particular; it was a game where you’d try to get your rocket/racecar/horse/or whatever object it was to the top of a track or pole before your friends by shooting water onto a target.

Do you remember this particular, little carny game?

Well, guess what? At midnight tonight we’re going to start our own little carnivicular contest where it’s you against all of your friends…and some people you probably don’t even know.

How does it work? Well, do you see on the sidebar to the left? Well, more specifically the widget that says, “The Top 10 Post Viewed Over the Last 30 Days”?

Well, starting at midnight, we’re going to wreak havoc with it.

Seriously.

We’re going to play a little game that requires just a little bit of effort on your part.

I’m not sure exactly how that widget works, but from what I understand, it ‘reads’ the hits on specific pages on this blog over a 30 day period, and figures out which pages have been viewed directly the most—meaning that have been directly clicked on—for the past 30 days. People may peruse this blog, but unless you click directly on a post’s link, it won’t be ‘counted.’

Does this make sense?

So, here’s the contest.

In the next 24 hours, in the comments section, give the URL and name of your favorite post from this blog (the post you want to “race” to the top of the widget). Whichever three posts are at the top of the widget one week from today, July 14th at 7 A.M (Mountain Time) will be the winners.

But wait, Teachinfourth, if this is a race, then what do the three winners get as a prize? After all, you said there would be prizes…

Ah, such a good question.

The three winners will get to pick any matted photo from either my photography website or this blog—any size they want (up to 8x12)—which will then be sent to them via US mail. The person in the top spot gets to pick two images (photos of people are not eligible to be selected unless I get the ‘okay’ from said individuals OR unless YOU are the said individual).

You know, shots like these, these, or these...just as a few samples.

Any hints for winning Teach?

Well, I don’t know about ‘hints’, but I do know this: the Happy TeachinFOURTH of July 2011 post rocketed straight to the top in less than 24 hours because two or three people put it on Facebook once or twice and/or on Twitter. It was also added to blogs as a link as well. I’ve never seen a post jump so quickly to the top as I saw that one do.

Also, the more people who go to your post, the more likely you’ll stay in the lead. If your friends click on the main banner they won’t be voting for anyone, just if they click on individual post names—in other words, don’t freak out if they look at anything else on this blog.

So ask a few friends to put your entry on their Facebook page, tweet about it, or whatever it is you like to do...dig it? The more individuals that hit that page, the greater your chances of staying in the lead.

Anything else we should know?

Well, you can enter the contest as late as you want, but the sooner you do, and the quicker you start, the better your chances should be. From what I understand of the widget (which isn’t a lot) it calculates the hits over 30 days, so the more hits you have over each of the 5 and-a-bit-more-days of the contest, the greater your chances are of being in the top three slots.

Oh, one last thing…all the current ‘entries’ in the widget are off limits and cannot be used as entries. So any of these that you see below cannot be used as yours. I’ll post an image of what these are below. Also, look at the comments and make sure that nobody else has picked a particular post – it’s first come, first choice in this regard. Pick a good post, not a lame one (like there are lame posts here…).

Comment moderation has been turned off until 12:00 tonight so you can make your selections and will know right off who has what. At 12:00 moderation goes on once-again.

Good luck.

P.S. Be sure to let me know your ‘racehorse’ in the comments section and please don’t start the race until midnight. Remember, you can pick a post and start the race as late as you’d like, but your chances are probably better earlier in…all posts that show up in the widget before midnight are automatically exempt from being chosen in this contest.

In a nutshell:

  1. Pick your favorite post from this blog.
  2. Let me know in the comments which post it is.
  3. Advertise that post on Facebook, Blogger, Twitter, or wherever else you want to.
  4. If your 'faved' post from this blog is in the top 3 slots on the side widget by the deadline (July 14th at 7:00 am) you win a print from this blog, or my photography website.
  5. This post doesn't count as a winner - I see it's already on the widget.

Oh, and I posted over at Four Perspectives today.


Top image garnered from: http://sanatogapost.com

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sneaky way to get me to reread your blog!

Also, your widget is to the left. ;)

Off to read!

Kalei's Best Friend said...

Gotta agree w/Joan... I have mine... so I gotta wait till 12 your time????
yep the widget is def. to the left..lol

Alyssa S. said...

Aw, The Wild Things IS my fav, but, ya gotta have rules! Second would be this:

http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2011/05/letters-from-your-twelve-year-old-self.html

I'm a writer and love the "letter to me" concept AND it reminds me of one of my writer/illustrator friends whose Mom held on to every thing she created from the time she was 10 on. She blogs some of her old material and it's a scream. She got a good laugh over what she thought she'd be like at the age she is now...and so did we all.

Teachinfourth said...

You can list the post you want right now here in the comments if you'd like to, you don't have to wait until 12. Claim it and "OWN" it as soon as you want. Just don't 'advertise' your post to others outside of this blog until midnight Mountain time on your own blog or other places.

Is that cool?

As for the placement of the widget, I'll switch it so it says to the left...I just got excited.

K - Yep, Mountain time.

AG - It's yours.

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

Oh bummer! Sometimes I read your posts in parts ('cause of being a mother and all). Earlier, I only read the top part and had the PERFECT set up for my fave. Then I came back and read the rules! Oh well, I might run with it anyway (even if it won't count for the contest). It's too good. :)

Kari Nitzel said...

I love your Moments with Joey and I have to chose the Tongue Dilemma found here:

http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2011/01/scene-1-exterior.html

mamahasspoken said...

Picking just one is like picking which child is your favorite.
This is what I'm saying and this is what I'm sticking to. Well that and it's summer, brain is on vacation ;o)

Kalei's Best Friend said...

I am so glad I came back.. U know I am such a die hard for Joey.. this is one of my favorite posts..
http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2011/05/moments-with-joey-diminishing-return.html

I WILL WAIT TILL TOMORROW TO POST THE LINK ON MY PAGE... :-)

Yancy said...

I'm picking this one:
http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2010/09/this-is-where-i-draw-line.html

Leah's picking this one:
http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-york-3.html

And Baby Z is picking...just kidding. :)

Let the race begin!

summer said...

My choice is Somebody Loves You..... http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2010/02/somebody-loves-you.html

It's always been a favorite...now we shall see if it can be a favorite for others as well!

Anonymous said...

Dang it! Somebody chose mine. I thought I had to wait until midnight, fell asleep, and then over slept.

So what I will do is support the gal who chose:

http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2010/09/this-is-where-i-draw-line.html

Love that one!

Justin said...

I absolutely loved this post:

http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2008/01/summit-memoir-4-superheros-learning-to.html


The race is on!

Justin said...

Oops. Forgot to post the name as well: "Summit Memoir 4: Superheros & learning to fly"

mamahasspoken said...

After serious thought I picked the plunger story only because I've used this story with some of my students:
http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2009/12/moments-with-joey-christmas-gift.html

Mr. Hughes said...

So, who doesn't love a good moement with Joey??? This is my favorite!

http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2011/01/moments-with-joey-scout-survival.html

I am SO going to win! Yeah...I am...at least I hope so...

And the widget IS still on the left!

Mindy said...

My pals Micah and Eli told me I should vote for "The Beating of My Heart" http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2011/06/media-of-week-beating-of-my-heart.html

I am SSsssoooooooo gonna win.

shari1172 said...

I've chosen Tuesdays with Mr. M.

Carolyn said...

Now that I somewhat understand, although not fully, can I choose this one?

http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2011/05/first-sign-of-good-year.html

I love that sweet little note and I love getting sweet little notes like that.

Teachinfourth said...

Carolyn, that one isn't eligible because it was already in the widget. Would you be willing to pick another one?

Carolyn said...

Wow, I should really look at that huh? How about this one? It's another favorite.

http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2010/02/somebody-loves-you.html

I didn't see it on there and don't think anyone has picked it yet.

Teachinfourth said...

Sorry, Summer already picked that one...it's about halfway down the comments.

Keep going, girl! You can do it!

Carolyn said...

Boo! I just can't chooooooose.

Okay, I found another one. I don't see it in the widget or in the comments. I'm crossing my fingers this time!

http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2008/08/while-making-home-visits.html

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