This post is part of a series of interviews highlighting Fuelmyblog bloggers and their blogs, a great way to find out who are the bloggers part of the Fuelmyblog community. If you would like to feature in this series add your name in the comment box or email sylvie(at)fuelmyblog.com
- What’s your name?
Shawn Bradford (aka: Olga, the Traveling Bra’s Blog-Mistress)
- What’s the name of your blog?
Olga, the Traveling Bra
- What’s the URL of your blog?
http://olgathetravelingbra.blogspot.com/
- How old is your blog?
16 months
- If you’re willing to share, how many visitors per day do you have to your blog?
About 100
- How much time do you spend blogging every week?
I spend about an hour or 2 per day posting/returning comments on my blog…and at least another couple of hours per day (& night) reading/commenting on other blogs…and yikes!…that really adds up doesn’t it?!? It’s fair to say that keeping up with Olga’s adventures has pretty become much a full-time job!
- Is it the creative process or the editing process which take you longest when writing a post?
The creative process – I never really know what Olga’s latest adventure will be about until I see the photos.
- What inspired you to first start writing a blog?
A lost bra! In October 2006, I inadvertently left a black Olga brand bra at a friend’s house during the weekend of my high school reunion, and another friend (who lives in another state) took it home with her by mistake. A couple of months later my friend called to say she still had my bra, but kept forgetting to mail it to me – even though she’d been carrying it around in her tote bag everywhere she went…to her job (as a nurse in a male prison,) the grocery store, her son’s basketball games, the gym, even to the seashore on vacation. To which I replied, “Wow – sounds like my bra has been having quite an adventure!” And with that, a germ of an idea, and a blog (and a website) was born. The full account of Olga’s Amazing & 100% True Story can be found on her website: http://olgathetravelingbra.com
- What do you do to get inspired to write?
My inspiration usually comes from the photos that Olga’s Chaperons send me…I never really know where the storyline is going until I get the photos in front of me and then I just sort of “channel” Olga’s spirit and tell the story from her point of view – it’s all very complicated and technical. (ha-ha!) Sometimes the Chaperon & I will collaborate on the plot, but sometimes our stories are completely different.
- Is there anything that you simply refuse to blog about?
Not yet…but Olga prefers to keep things lighthearted and uplifting.
- If you went for a job interview and were told that you’d have to close your blog in order to get the job, how would you react/feel about it?
I’d look for another job – I don’t like anyone telling me what I can or can’t do with my personal life.
- Do you talk about your blog with your relatives and friends or do you avoid mentioning it?
I talk about blogging/Olga all the time…but not sure how much anyone listens! Most of my “real life” friends don’t “get blogging”…but some have readily embraced Olga…my family has been pretty tolerant and even endured having Olga along along on several vacations. She’s just like one of the family! (Scary, isn’t it?!)
- What is the biggest mistake you made when starting your blog?
Being too “wordy”…now I try to let Olga’s photos tell her story…which can be a bit challenging because Olga always has a lot to say!
- Any tips for aspiring bloggers?
Just have fun! Interact with your readers…creating relationships with other bloggers (whom I think are some of the most interesting people around) is the best part about blogging. I have some great blogger friends whom I would love to meet someday!
- What 3 bloggers do you look up to the most?
I look up to those bloggers who can eloquently and humorously capture daily observations of life, making me think and/or laugh…which is pretty much anyone on my blogroll.
- Do you still see yourself blogging in 5 years time?
Sure! I’m totally addicted. I’ll keep on blogging until Olga is ready to hang things up and retire! Maybe even longer.
Who’d thought that being dumped by this silly ol’ bra’wd would turn out to be the best thing to ever happen to ME!
Olga has a life of her own ……. I can personally vouch for that. I wish I’d thought of the idea but “Henry the travelling Y-fronts” doesn’t have quite the same ring about it.
Olga’s success is helped by the fact that the blog mistress is barking mad – tee hee.
……. should read ‘braking mad’ …… obviously
Yes she is DaddyP…and I am glad!
Having met Olga and having her stay as a house guest .. I can say that I am glad that she got lost that time at the reunion … without that I would never have become a bra-bloggy mate of Shawn
May you blog long and prosper
this was only the best blog interview ever!
I’ve often wondered Olga, what exactly do you use to type with ……… particularly in warm weather?
DP!!!! tsk ! [lol]
I like traveling “objects”. My nephew involved us in something similar when he sent his class’s Flat Stanley to visit us. We took pictures and told of his adventures and mailed him back for nephew to share with his classmates.
Thanks 70’s – And thank you for being such a GRACIOUS hostess and Chaperon, unlike a few other people I met in whilst in the UK…who shall go unnamed at this time….
Oooops!….there’s one now! HI Daddy P! What’s the weather got to do with anything? I use my pointy little hooks & eyes…and imagine how much better I’d be if you GAVE ME BACK MY EYEBALLS!
xoxoxoxox (Actually, my blog-mistress does all my typing for me…and in the warm weather, well…she wears hardly nothing a’tall! so THERE!!!) 
Hi Annie – I’ve heard of ol’ Flat Stanley but not had the pleasure of bumping into him, yet.
~Olga
Great interview and its gives me another view of who is behind Olga
Can’t wait to meet you someday !!
Excellent interview!
Olga’s blog mistress is looking mighty fine!! (Wonder if she had the same shoes on tho).
Drowsey – Shhhh!!!…she doesn’t want everyone to know about the time she left the house wearing 2 different shoes!!! (REALLY different shoes! Like they weren’t even CLOSE!
)
But then again…what do you expect from a person who looses her BRA at a high school reunion!?!?!
Well, I am always trying to go to bed, but end up going out to the kitchen for some milk … then I sit down and see a comment (from a bra) … then I go and visit the bras’ site, follow a link and end up here.
Cool bra, for sure. She spent some time in Hollydale – so “cool” would be the best explanation for Olga.
SpeedyCat “Elron” Wienkellskinnerd
… and nice a photo of the bra mistress
Speedy taught me everything I know about donuts!…not too sure about Elron though.
That was a bodacious interview and the Blog Mistress is looking pretty.:) Being wordy was a mistake? Oh my! I need to do something about my posts! Darn!
I am so glad that DaddyP didn’t start Henry- the travelling Y-fronts; without any concepts only he writes pretty shocking posts.:-P
Scratchy – You’re not too wordy!…I meant that was MY mistake because now I realize that Olga’s story is best told with more photos/less words. That’s certainly not true for all blogs/bloggers.
Olga’s Blog-Mistress
Olga’s blogmistress has raised her well; Olga is by far, the best houseguest I’ve ever had. Not only is she pleasant and helpful (check the fracas blog to see how many things she’s done for us already) but she’s the most uplifting and supportive friend a gal could find. I’m going to be sad to see her leave.
Fabulous photo Shawn!
Why it is most gratifying to see the face behind the bra.
Of course, I am not suggesting that Shawn wears a bra on her head. That would be INSANE.
Oh yah, babe. Hook, line and sinker… that Bra had me at hello.
Thank Fracas!
Olga aims to please!
Lord Likely – INSANE…yes…but now you have given me something to think about….!
~The Blog-Mistress
Congratulations on the interview, Olga. You and your “supporting” cast are always good for a smile. It’s been fun sharing in your travels and keeping abreast with the latest goings-on.
Who said wearing a bra on ones head is insane? buffoons! Not that I would ever do that
Loved the interview and loved having Olga in my life
and the photograph of the Blog Mistress is Phwoarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Fantastic interview! Finally, all my questions are answered…
I love the origin of the blog – too funny!
I for one was happy to “readily embraced Olga”…
Well done on a lovely interview!
cheers
Bill
Diva, Lee, Claire, Rev & Bill – THANK YOU so much for your support! THIS is why I love my bloggy friends!
~Olga AND her Blog-Mistress
xoxoxoxoxo