Origins

So far most of what we've posted has been the equivalent of blowing into the microphone to see if the sound system works.  So I thought I should put down the brief history of the MAWB Squad.  This will be followed, in time, by a FAQ piece...as soon as we're sure Learned Foot won't accuse us of plagiarism.

How The MAWB Squad Came To Be (cue the curmudgeonly old man voice):

A long time ago, in a hard drive far, far away...Cathy in the Wright was having some computer problems.  She still is, but that's another story still waiting for its happy ending.  So Cathy, in despair, writes a flippant post about throwing in the towel and abandoning blogging.

DC, a fellow Outlander (Wisconsin) and blogger whom Cathy had met at a MOB gathering at Keegan's Pub, sent Cathy a gentle note saying, "No, no, don't do that.  Come share my pad.  Post away here at Brainstorming, dear girl, but don't give up."

Cathy responded with thanks and a promise to keep the offer in mind.  They both signed off agreeing that group blogs are the bees' knees because the pressure to blog daily doesn't fall on one set of shoulders.

A few days later, the blogosphere is despondent because Jordan of Jo's Attic (and MOB member) has announced she, too, has to shut up shop because of other pressing demands on her time.  Cathy, sitting at her computer, thought about what a shame it would be to lose Jo.  And she thought about DC's offer.  And she thought.  And thought.  And somewhere during this mental labor, a spark or two arced across the synapses and "Ping!"  An idea was formed.

Maybe it was time to form a blog for the women of the MOB.  There had to be more of us who felt this same pressure.  Cathy tossed out the idea on February 12, 2005, and for the first time in her blogging career, she had more than six comments.

Apparently, there was a market for this idea after all.

We searched for names.  Jordan came up with MAWB Squad.  The Minnesota Alliance of Women Bloggers.  We all felt it had a nice tie to the Northern Alliance crew; several of whom have been instrumental in getting all of us bloggers together in the first place.

We emailed a few other Minnesota women bloggers, and we've got a great core group ready to crack the Dom Perignon over the bow.  We've had graphic design help from V-Toed Bill who came up with a logo for us.  And our piece de resistance: Chris Muir, famous political cartoonist, just sent us a design to use in the header of our blog.  This baby's going to look faaaaabulous.

So who exactly in IN the MAWB?

DC from Brainstorming.  She posts here as Sandy.

Jordan from Jo's Attic.  I'm not sure if she's adopting a new nickname yet, but she'll let us know with her first post.

Peg from What If?  She will be adopting Bundy as her posting name.

Mama Ellen from Mama Ellen's.  She posts here as Headstrong Elf.

Macaroni Penguin from her blog of the same name.  She continues to use Macaroni Penguin.

Eloise from Spitbull.  You'll see her posting here still as Eloise.

Margaret from Our House.  Look for her writing under Housemouse.

And me.  My site is Cathy in the Wright.  But I'm posting here as St. Kate.  Because my daddy still thinks I am one, even though most people know better.

That's who we are.  DC has taken over the technical program for us, doing all the things that make my vision blur and my arteries burst.  The rest of us are here to write and not feel guilty when we skip a day.  Or two.

Thank you for visiting.  Come back soon.  Remember to wipe your feet at the door.

Update:  Twice Blessed joined the M.A.W.B. Squad authors on March 14.  She also writes at startribunebias.

Comments

[pinkmonkeybird]

Best of luck to MAWB.

[mg]

bravo! Great idea.I would hate to lose you gu er.gals.
Regards,mg
P.S. I think KAR nailed the name... Oh well

[Taylor Eisenman]

Hi. I am a reporter for the Minnesota Women's Press. I am doing a story about women blogging and was hoping to do an interview with either Margaret or Sandy. If either one of you would be free within the next couple of days, that would be great. If time is an issue we could do an interview over the phone. I unfortunately do not have a blog, so if either one of you could email me that would be fantastic. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Taylor Eisenman

[Judy]

So who is Jordan (Jos Attic) posting as or has she not done anything yet? Can't imagine that!

[Sandy]

Hi Judy,

Jo has adopted the moniker, "Calamity Jo". If you put Calamity in the search box on the upper right sidebar you should come up with her posts.

[Glenda]

Heard about this site on 1280 the Patriot. Glad to hear conservative women doing some blogging.

[Cheap Air Jordans]

What a great blog! It's a pity that i can't find your rrs address. If you can offer rrs subscription service, i can track your blog easier!