Is There a Trick to This?

Well, the first thing I need to do this morning is tell everyone about the awesome contest going on over on Maria Zannini's blog.  You have a chance to win, not a free book (although we all love those) or other goodies (okay, we love those, too) but a free critique of your manuscript!

I probably shouldn't even mention this because I'm entering, too, but it was too good not to share.

Aren't blogs great?  But...  I'm having a lot of trouble figuring out how to keep "Following" from turning into a full time job.  I've got a growing list of blogs I Follow, partly because of the great information and discussions to be found and partly because I want people to Follow mine (quid pro quo?).  But there doesn't seem to be much point in Following a blog if I don't actually follow it. 

So I open Blogger in the morning and I start through my Reading List.  Whoa.  Sure are a lot of posts to read.  I've tried just scanning them and only reading the ones that really interest me, but since I only follow people I find interesting, that doesn't trim the list much.  I've also tried adding ones that are longer or that I want to mull over (i.e. good writing tips) to my bookmarks to come back to later.  But the bookmarked list is becoming unmanagable as well.  And then there's commenting...

There must be a better way.  I know many of you follow a lot more blogs than I do.  How do you do it?  Is there some trick to all this that I haven't picked up on yet.  Seriously, I need some advice here.

Special guest alert! Next Wednesday I'll be hosting my first guest, Mary Kennedy, author of the Talk Radio mysteries, and my first contest.  Don't miss it.

I'm currently enjoying: The Fate of Katherine Carr by Thomas H. Cook (been doing a lot of writing so not much reading)

Groaner of the Day: (Trust me.  You'll laugh.)
 Mary Poppins was traveling home, but due to worsening weather, she decided to stop at a hotel for the night. She approached the receptionist and asked for a room for the night.

"Certainly madam," he replied courteously.

"Is the restaurant open still?" inquired Mary.

"Sorry, no," came the reply, "but room service is available all night. Would you care to select something from this menu?"

Mary smiled and took the menu and perused it. "Hmm, I would like the cauliflower cheese please," said Mary.

"Certainly, madam," he replied.

"And can I have breakfast in bed?" asked Mary politely.

The receptionist nodded, "Of course."

"In that case, I would like two poached eggs, please," Mary mused.

After confirming the order, Mary signed in and went up to her room for the night.

The night passed uneventfully and the next morning Mary came down early to check out. The same man was still on the desk.

"Morning madam...sleep well?"

"Yes, thank you," Mary replied.

"Was our food to your liking?"

"Well, I have to say the cauliflower cheese was exceptional, I don't think I have had better. Shame about the eggs, though....they really weren't that nice at all," replied Mary truthfully.

"Oh...well, perhaps you could contribute these thoughts to our Guest Comments Book. We are always looking to improve our service and would value your opinion," said the receptionist.

"I will...thank you." replied Mary....who checked out, then wrote a short comment into the book. Waving, she left to continue her journey.

Curious, the receptionist picked up the book to see the comment Mary had written...

"Super cauliflower cheese, but eggs were quite atrocious!"

(Admit it, you laughed.)