Episode 1: Why Tandem Blogging?

Not that anyone cares, but there are reasons why we do this.

PAIGE'S TAKE

Jen ‘N Paige Show “Why we do what we do”

Yeah, I’m sure this is either the answer to many of our reader’s prayers; or the absolute reality of all their nightmares. In any case, here’s why I think we started this blog.

I have my own personal blog which is just truly a way to get stuff out of my head. I don’t actually expect that any of you will actually read it on a regular basis – but just in case you care, I have three followers. My personal blog is a way to just get my thoughts on ‘paper’ instead of posting everything on Facebook. But I usually do that too, just not in as wordy of commentary.

This Blog is more of a way for Jen and I to voice our opinions, which are usually similar (some might say “eerily so”) in a format that allows for comments, but also allows us more space to talk about subjects of interest to us.

It’s not about judging or criticizing or gossiping; although any of the posts may seem that way to any of the readers. I love to discuss current events, and I’m pretty much a factual person. I have LOTS of opinions, but contrary to popular belief, they may not always have a religious reason. Sometimes I actually believe something because there are FACTS supporting the belief, or because I have experienced the facts or circumstances on my own.

But you’ll have to have a sense of humor sometimes too because, really, not everything is all that serious!

JEN'S TAKE

Tandem blogging? Wha? What kind of crazy idea is that?

Yeah, I'll admit, it might not be the best idea I've had in a long time. But it might be the most fun.

See, Paige and I both have (or have had) blogs. We enjoy them, we write for them when we can or have something "witty" or "deep" to "impart"; but we frequently find ourselves reading something the other wrote and thinking "Yes!"

A few months ago, over burritos, I broached the idea of having a tandem blog where we could banter about the same subject, possibly from different viewpoints. (As *if*…we disagree on very few things but darn it, I will NOT back down from my love of Sugarland--except the latest album, blech--and if I hear Kenny Chesney from her car stereo one more time I will vomit all over the big black Suburban.) Really, though, my idea went deeper went that and it took a while to formulate it. Because, you know, I *never* just spit my ideas or thoughts out without formulating them. Ever. Ever.

So what I (ok, we…sorry Paige) came up with is this. What you see here. "The Jen 'N Paige Show." I don't even know how we got that name. Somewhere along the line one of her Facebook friends started calling our daily banter that, and it stuck. What we *hope* to do is to take at least one topic (of our "random" choosing) per week. When the topic is chosen, we'll each write (separately, as in having no knowledge of what the other is writing) a blurb, essay, or however much we feel comfortable writing). One of us will combine the two entries into a post, giving credit to the appropriate author where it is due and, as my 4 year old would say, "Voila!" The Jen 'N Paige Show will be in full swing.

So maybe you know Paige, or maybe you know me, or maybe you know neither one of us. Here's my intro, if you're interested.

I'm a mom of 3 kids under 6. My oldest turns 6 in November, his brother will be 5 in May, and their sister will be 3 in January. Yes, I know what causes that. As a stay at home mom* (*or maid, depending upon who you ask) I find that as busy as my days are, I'm often lacking in, well, any sort of conversation that doesn't revolve around poop, pee, or bodily functions or appendages. So, writing is a good opportunity for me to use my brain, discuss topics that are important to me, and bounce ideas off of others. So, that’s me in a nutshell (of a very small nut). You'll learn more about me through my postings.

Paige and I have very different writing styles which will quickly become evident. Most of the time we'll likely end up saying almost the exact same thing (depending on the subject) but you'll have to read it two, three, or a thousand times, all the while going "What? They don’t agree on that? Weird." So. It shall be fun. Depending on your definition, of course.

One more thing:

How did I meet Paige? (Oh, no one asked that? My bad.) We have a mutual friend in common who, upon being subjected to each of our bazillion Facebook postings a day, decided we'd be good friends, so it was sort of a "Facebook blind date" if you will. I got the friend suggestion, "friended" her (how sad is it that my spell check does not want to correct "friended"?), she accepted, and…Facebook as you know it was never the same. (Nor was I, but I'm hoping to avoid sap and focus on the funny, for now.) That was a year or so ago (she knows the exact months and will point out that it was LESS than a year, but whatever). Now, we can't function without each other. Sad, but very true. (I went to the grocery store for 3 hours today and her text upon my return *might* have mentioned the fact that she was "pathetic" with me "gone." Maybe.) And, because we feel like the things we have to say are possibly the second-most important things anyone has *ever* had to say, we shall combine our efforts in immortal cyberspace. One middle aged chick and one completely-devoid-of-humor chick. In one place. For all the world to see and read.

Be afraid.

Be very afraid.

*Comments are always welcome on anything we write.*