Wednesday, December 02, 2015

Happy 10 Year Blog Anniversary

Ten years ago tonight I sat down at my computer and wrote my first blog entry.  I started doing a website for my high school alumni in 2001 and I wrote stories and profiles several times a week for that site.

I'd been reading about blogging and thought I'd give it a try. The destination wasn't clear, but it
seemed to be an outlet.

I posted one update, and the next night I did another one...and I didn't stop.

At first the only readers were a few people who when to my old high school, but then somehow out there in the ether, the words found their footing and people from places other than Dora, Alabama began reading my updates.

Ms.. Soup from Australia was one of the first, and then Grandpappy from Arizona. And it grew from there.

There were fewer than 10 nights I did not post and update. Several years ago when tornados damaged the infrastructure so badly that we didn't have power for over a week. I missed a few nights then, but as soon as the roads cleared, I drove to a local McDonalds and did my updates from there.

As of tonight, I've posted 3836 posts, thousands of photographs, and I now have 555 followers who've left almost 18,000 comments.

The blog helped me land a weekly column in a local paper and now five other papers are running the column too.

To be honest, there were times I asked myself why I bothered to write every night. The only thing I can say is that I've felt compelled to continue and the routine has helped me find my voice...and to become a better writer. But even now, the more I write, the more I realize how little I know about the craft.

The best part is the friendships I've made through the years. I feel like many of you are old friends even though we've never actually met and to me that's the biggest benefit of blogging.

Thank you all.


19 comments:

  1. Congratulations Rick... I'm happy you commented on my blog a few years ago... it led me to yours and then Jilda's blog. I've enjoyed getting to know you through this genre :-)

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  2. 10 years?! ...Congratulations!
    Your last paragraph resonates wonderfully.

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  3. Coffeepot's always on (well, not literally, though). Looking forward to more down-to-earth wisdom.

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  4. I share many of those sentiments, and know that this blog posting thing is clearly an addiction, a harmless addiction, but an addiction nevertheless.

    Congrats on ten years...dang, that is a long time!!

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    1. Anonymous5:26 PM

      I agree that blogging is an addiction, but it brings me (&, I hope others) great joy both by writing & commenting. Happy anniversary, Rick!!

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  5. Happy Anniversary. Writing a blog is not an easy task and you write every day. You have my admiration.

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  6. You have done well. I started following late, but I cam see why one is addicted to Life 101. I always enjoy my visit here. You have the ability to say a lot with fewer words, a very admiral trait. A trait I keep trying to attain, it just eludes me.
    Thanks again for the fun, info and education as we go along.

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  7. Your welcome Rick.
    I can scarcely believe I've been reading your blog for so long; for me it was, and still is, an insight into the life and times of some-one who lived in another country. And who wrote in the English language, which is always useful :=)

    Ms Soup

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  8. Hearty congratulations on your 1st blog-decade. I may not always comment but always read your excellent posts. My compliments and admiration.

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  9. Well - happy anniversary! Though my blog is very different to your excellent thought and gentle humour vehicle, I do agree that blogging is a compelling hobby. Shame the day job gets in the way sometimes! All the best from across the Pond.

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  10. Congrats on sticking with it for 10 years now!

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  11. Happy blog anniversary! I found your blog from your comments on Jack69's blog.

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  12. Congratulations on ten years! Wow, and it got you a gig as a columnist. That is really cool. I can't believe you've only missed a couple days though. I can barely post daily for the one month of the A to Z Challenge.

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  13. Congratulations Rick! That is lovely to hear how you started and your dedication is immense! I am enormously glad to hear of another blogger who has been doing it for a decade! I've been blogging 10 and a half years now and it's a bit scary when I realise that is almost a 3rd of my life!x

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  14. Congratulations on ten years of blogging. That's quite an accomplishment.

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  15. Congratulations Rick!

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  16. Wow Rick...I had no idea it was 10 years. I've been 5 years so you've really been around!! Nothing to do with age or anything...LOL. Congratulations. That's quite a success.

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  17. What dedication Rick. Congratulations on 10 years of blogging. You got serious at what you're doing and it paid off. There are many benefit to blogging that takes a person to another level.

    JB

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  18. Congratulations, old man. I don't know what we'd do without you.

    Love,
    Janie, a mere slip of a girl

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