Alex J. Cavanaugh has soared to new heights in 2014, by welcoming birds of a feather into the IWSG . He has invited the International Wader Study Group to merge with the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Members from both groups will meet on a trial basis before the merger becomes official.
Waders like writers have many insecurities, and the new and improved IWSG will provide them with the ideal format to share openly and honestly. While many bloggers discuss weighty issues, the waders or shorebirds could discuss their difficulty with having to consume one-third of their body weight every single day. Christopher Crane struggles with bloating, while Sally Sandpiper is constantly ridiculed for her large bill.
Most of the wading birds are no strangers to irony. With their long legs, and webbed feet many people don't realize that shorebirds are considered to be excellent migrators. Writers are also misunderstood creatures. While waders are divided into "pickers" and "probers," writers are characterised as "plotters" or "pantsers." In the wading bird community, the "pantsers" would quickly die of starvation; hence, they would provide the necessary tools to become successful "plotters."
If this merger goes through our Ninja Captain will be the leader in all things IWSG related. Oh no, another IWSG just popped up on Google. It's the International Workshop on Science Gateways. This must be part of Gary Phillip Pennick's diabolical plan to undermine Alex's group. First he started I Was Seeking Gary, and now this. He must be stopped. We'll have to wait until spring, but I know just the right pickers and probers for the job.
Haha! I love the title of the group.
ReplyDelete:) lol!
ReplyDeleteI'm laughing. You're so clever. I like how you manage to draw a comparison between writers and waders - via plotters and pantsers. It'd be fun to travel with your braincells sometime, Julie. Thanks for starting my day with a smile.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
Oh my goodness, this was wonderful! Love it. I think I can challenge any bird-brain over eating 1/3 my body weight. Make it chocolate and I'd give it a try!
ReplyDeleteDarn that Gary!
ReplyDeleteThat was hilarious, Julie.
I wonder how long the IWGS can survive considering the huge losses to the number of shore birds, especially along the Atlantic Coast. On the other hand with the reduced numbers of birds along the shore it will make beach bathing much more attractive to writers who mostly sit on their blankets and watch while they eat.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the announcement.
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ReplyDeleteI had a witty comment based on IWSG - incorrectly written as ISWG. So it made no sense. Great example of an insecure writer wading back to shore. As Gilda Radner would say, "Nevermind".
DeleteI think we should have a Gotta Love Gary Bloghop myself.
ReplyDeleteWe'll need a coalition to take on Gary. He has his sidekick Penny to contend with as well. We may be out-flanked no matter how we tackle this issue.
ReplyDeletelol Gary is really trying to undermine the poor ninja wannabe haha
ReplyDeleteI Will Support Gary.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI love birds.... well I love wildlife full stop. Hope it works.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Pickers and probers. That sounds dirty. ::I love it::
ReplyDeleteRobin - I guess it depends on the depths of the picking and probing, and who's actually doing it. Now I can't help thinking about going to the dermatologist's office.
DeleteJulie
Jenny - I also got a kick out of it when I saw it on Google!
ReplyDeleteCreepy Query Girl -ikr!
Robyn - I'm glad that you still think that I have any brain cells left. Sometimes I'm not quite sure! Thanks Robyn!
Julie - Throw in some chocolate covered blueberries, almonds, and raisins, and other "healthy" snacks, and I'll join you! Thanks Julie!
Alex - Gary just got a little carried away. I hope that you and mini-Alex don't lose any sleep over this! Thanks Alex!
Yvonne - I only glanced at the other IWSG, but I noticed that they do have membership fees. This may go toward preserving the shoreline birds. I would love to write on the beach!
Donna - I loved Gilda Radner, and your line about "the writer wading back to shore" was very witty! I almost wrote the International Writer's Support Group, so like Gilda used to say, "It's always something!"
Shelly - Alex, Mark, Robyn, Morgan , and Tina had an Anti-Blogfest Gary Fest on August 12. We all wrote fun-loving tributes to Gary, and his responses were classic!
Lee - No one said it was going to be easy. Fortunately, Alex and Gary are both working to make blogland a better place, so I'm hoping that it won't turn into some kind of Hunger Games competition!
Pat - I'm sure that Penny will reason with Gary before it goes too far!
Kathy - Now there's a brand new IWSG to contend with! Will this never end?!!!
Yvonne - There might be a lot of bill kissing involved, but it's worth a shot!
Julie
I'm so excited!!
ReplyDeleteRose, the Roseated Spoonbill
Rose - Welcome to the IWSG! I can't wait to have indepth discussions with you about our mutual rosacea! Very cute, Carol!
DeleteJulie
IWSG is good company and birds are in good company with you.
ReplyDeleteHe! He!
ReplyDeleteYou are soooooo clever, Julie!
And IWSG is definitely NOT "for the birds"
Wait till Gary sees this...
You're so right- writers can be very misunderstood people, and therefore, we have lots to be insecure about. I'm glad this group has expanded the way it has.
ReplyDeleteI actually thought you were serious for a moment. :) laughed out loud at the pickers vs. probers and pantsers vs. plotters!
ReplyDeleteMunir - I agree that the bloggers in the IWSG are very good company! Thanks Munir!
ReplyDeleteMichelle - I thought about saving this for April Fools Day, but I decided not to wait. I hope Gary smiles when he reads this! Thanks Michelle!
Cynthia - It's amazing how this group is growing leaps and bounds! Alex really has the Midas touch.
Margo - When I read that shorebirds were "pickers and probers," I immediately thought of plotters vs. panters! Thank you Margo!
Julie
Oops pantsers.
DeleteHilarious as usual. Happy new year, Julie. I think I'm identifying with Christopher Crane right now. Must cut down on the cake intake!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie,
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, wait til Gary sees this! :) "International Wader Study Group"? What the flock! Fair enough and I wont duck this issue. In fact, wade a minute, I think you might be onto something here. A merger support group. And of course, the "International Workshop on Science Gateways." Geeky boffins meets baffling birds meets Mr. Ninja dude and his band of starstruck followers. Gosh and yay.
Thank you for mentioning the actual group that's a dedication to shy and humble me. Yep, "IWSG" aka "I Want Something Gooey" um, "I Was Seeking Gary."
Have a very jolly weekend, Julie.
Gary :)
With all these snow days we have had and all this eating, I think I am suffering from the same symptoms Christopher Crane and Sandy Sandpiper!
ReplyDeleteRosalind - I find that walking in between bites helps, and it sure beats cutting down on cake! Thanks Rosalind, and a very happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteGary - I would definitely join the I Want Something Gooey club, if we received monthly baked goods in the mail. Why don't you crank up your old Easy-Bake Oven, and get to work. Of course this will be a lot easier once you move to Colorado. I wonder what your secret ingredient in the brownies will be?! We will follow you anywhere, Gary!
Leslie - The holidays wouldn't be the same if we didn't suffer from bloating at least through mid-January! I'm sure that chasing your kids around will help get you in tip-top condition!
Pickers and probers?? I think I saw one of them stopped at a traffic light. I hope he at least washed his hands.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I've missed your wit! Brilliant, as always.
ReplyDeleteI've always been a bit of a weird bird, so I'd fit right into this group. Plus, I'm quite adept at hog-jawing my body's weight in food. (Curse those "all you can eat" buffets!)
Al - I'm glad he at least waited for a stoplight. Aren't there laws about picking and pedaling? Oh wait that only applies to bike riders.
ReplyDeleteSusan - This is probably more silly than "witty," but thanks for the compliment. I'm right there with you when it comes to "hog jawing!" That would really help seal the deal on dating websites!
Julie
I can't believe Gary is at it again! Can't Penny keep him in line? Alex will top even himself if this merger goes through.
ReplyDeleteI feel so bad for Christopher and Sally. I suppose it shouldn't be a surprise that there are bullies in the wader community as well.
Oh, that Gary!! Penny needs to give him a good nip!
ReplyDeleteJulie - Waders really should be appreciated for the lovabill creatures that they are. Thanks for being so understanding, Julie!
ReplyDeleteSusan - I agree that Penny should keep Gary on a tighter leash!
Julie
LOL to Gary's diabolical plan!!! He really is SO FUNNY. And clever post, Julie. Very fun. :)
ReplyDeleteMorgan - You are absolutely right about Gary! Thanks Morgan!
DeleteJulie
This was both hilarious and awesome. And yet, I can't help but wonder what the International Wool Study Group thinks of all of this? Sweaters for everyone, maybe?
ReplyDeleteA Beer For The Shower - As long as it's not the Itchy Wool Study Group, you can count me in! Thanks B & B!
DeleteJulie
I think all you people need a vacation on an island with no warm-blooded vertebrates of the class Aves, having bodies covered with feathers, forelimbs modified into wings, scaly legs, beaks, and no teeth, and bearing young in hard-shelled eggs. Hmm. Is there an organization for that, like the International Birdless Vacation Group?
ReplyDeleteSo funny. Thanks for sharing your witty bird-isms.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Leanne ( http://read.wordpress.com )
JJ - I like everything except the part about being toothless. I'd have to give up too many crunchy snacks. Besides, I make it a point to only join groups with the I W S G initials. Very funny, JJ!
ReplyDeleteLeanne - Happy New Year to you, and I love your blog name! Thanks Leanne!
Julie