Today marks a special occasion. Can you guess what it is?
Today is the first day of my second year as a blogger.
365 days, 769 posts, 24,000 hits (some of those actual people and not web 'bots), $1.63 in the tip jar, and here I am.
A lot of things have changed since I started. I've gone from writing in a vacuum to membership in the rapidly expanding RockyTop Brigade. I've seen the Blogger's Bash grow from a three person luncheon to almost twenty blogger's spouses, friends and readers. I've met people I wouldn't have met otherwise, and even enjoyed long chats with (gasp) a liberal!
I've gotten comments and emails from all over the country, and beyond. I've seen my blog linked to on some blogs that I highly respect, while others still ignore the inevitable, and fail to link me. I've debated with lawyers, scientists, architects, engineers, writers, newspapermen, students, and given the anonymity of the internet, who knows who else. I haven't gotten much hate mail yet, except for a brief bit about my hair style, but I'll keep trying.
I've seen spikes in my readership whenever Instapundit adds a link, and slumps whenever life intervenes in my blogging, but I'm pleased to see that the average continues to increase slowly, and that my direct referrals now outnumber my 'bot hits. Of course, referrals still make up the bulk of my traffic, but that's the nature of blogging.
To last in blogging takes only persistance; anybody with a little self discipline can blog for a year or so, but it takes something more to continue to grow, particularly when there's so much competition.
In the coming year, I hope I have enough time to upgrade this site, adding a few more pages, and learning enough html to really upgrade the look. Who knows, if I get feeling really flush, I may even pay somebody to do a site design for me.
Naaah, I'm too cheap for that; I'll figure it out eventually.
So, I hope y'all have enjoyed the trip as much as I have, and I hope you continue to enjoy whatever it is I'm doing here.
A buck sixty three?!!! You've been holding out this whole time. If I'd known how much you could make doing this, I'da started hours ago.
Actually, Rich, you're the most under-rated read on the web (if you don't count the big spender who blew over a dollar fifty). You've got the tech reck' of the Den Beste of um, the satirical wit to match Scrapple been loadin', and the political savoire faire of Doc "All th' Day" (Prof G.R.). Truth be known, however, I,ve enoyed the trip more because I got to read about the "angst" without the burden. Don't stop, you're gonna be a star someday and I'll be able to say "I knew him when.." By the way, is anybody else out there readin' "Shots.."? Tell your friend. Congrats and returns, Rich.
Bob in the hills
Been a year already, huh? Time flies, eh? It's been nice watching your subject matter evolve, and I like the fact that most entries contain some human element, and are not just anther chance to lambast those of different opinions and beliefs, which seems to be the status quo of too many blogs out there. I like to read about people and the manner in which they meet the little challenges that life hands them every day. You do a fine job of capturing some of that spirit in your work. Happy Anniversary.
Posted by: skycry on January 24, 2003 9:29 PMCongratulations! Keep up the good work.
Posted by: SK Bubba on January 25, 2003 9:04 AMHappy blogiversary from the northern branch of the RTB!
Posted by: Jane on January 26, 2003 11:03 AMThank you all, and Bill, you make me blush! I'll try to live up to the praise...
Posted by: rich on January 27, 2003 10:43 AM