Monday, November 5, 2007

Blog Birthday

Blogging in TravelinOma's Library

"Find something to do that you think about all the time, that you enjoy so much that when you don't have to think about it, that's what you think about."
Henry Eyring

A year ago I became a blogger. After one year, 223 posts, 24,530 readers (OK, I know lots of you are the same ten people signing in over and over again) I'm reflecting on how much I've learned.

Some Reasons to Blog. Blogging:
  1. Develops writing skills.
  2. Provides an incredible way to keep in touch with extended family and friends.
  3. Relaxes me to know I don't have to remember who I've told.
  4. Becomes a journal, an autobiography, a letter and a phone call all in one.
  5. Lets me communicate with all 34 members of my immediate family almost daily.
  6. Gives me instant access to many of them (McKay, Chase, Katy, Gabi, Stie, Miggs, Amy, Anna, Marta, and all their friends!)
Personal Insights about Blogging:
  1. I deem my blog successful because I love it.
  2. When I write about things I'm interested in, it's worth my time even if I'm my only reader.
  3. I like learning new techniques as I go.
  4. When I have to check my stats before I brush my teeth, I've lost my focus.
  5. Readers drift away when I don't post regularly.
  6. I am motivated by other blogs.
  7. I feel validated by comments.
  8. Commenting on my comments and on other blogs has sometimes become burdensome.
  9. I have to remember this is a hobby, not a requirement.
  10. Every day events are more fun when I'm collecting them for my blog.
New Computer Skills. Blogging has taught me to:
  1. Cut and paste
  2. Crop and edit
  3. File photos
  4. Work with a template
  5. Create folders
  6. Reduce and enlarge
  7. Use HTML
  8. Collect clip art
  9. Scan
  10. Speak blog
Great people who weren't part of my life before:
  1. Judy
  2. Kris
  3. Ronni
  4. Joy
  5. Kay
  6. Gretchen
  7. Celia Fae
  8. Bev
  9. Matty
  10. Suzz
  11. And all their links
Dear People I Know Much Better Now:
  1. Kelly
  2. Kerry
  3. Sarah
  4. Whit
  5. Polly
  6. Jo
  7. Sher
  8. And the people they care about
Old and New Interests Kindled by Random Blogs:
  1. Creative Writing
  2. Poetry
  3. Children's Books
  4. Everyday life in the 20th Century
  5. American History
  6. Illustrations and Illustrators
  7. The Art of the Book
  8. Quotations
  9. Words
  10. Cultures
  11. Politics
  12. Current Events
  13. Crafts
  14. Entertaining
  15. Decorating
How has blogging made a difference to you? What have you learned? What new interests have you discovered? And who should we visit? (All the people I mentioned are listed in my sidebar.)

It's been a great year. Here's wishing TravelinOma's Library many more!




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11 comments:

  1. kellyNovember 4, 2007 at 1:53 AM

    wow! a year... that's crazy. to think a year ago i didn't even know what blogging was (i was sooo behind the times). but thanks to you & mom i am now much more "with it". i love the lessons you've learned. it's amazing what blogging can do for you, and to think some people call it silly?!

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  2. ChristieNovember 4, 2007 at 7:02 AM

    I second all your learnings! I love how some of my worlds have collided through the blog. I still wish it was called something else though. I hate the word blog.

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  3. kenjuNovember 4, 2007 at 7:04 AM

    There is not one thing I can think of to add to your lists. I feel the same way about all of it. It is funny about commenting not being a requirement - because sometimes it feels that way to me...LOL

    Congratulations on your one year and I hope you will stick around for many more. I like to think that I am the Judy on the first list, and if so, I thank you!

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  4. MissKrisNovember 4, 2007 at 9:59 AM

    I've been blogging since spring 2005. It began as a place to come to when I needed to 'vent' emotions...my Dad had just suffered a major stroke and I'd been taught since babyhood to keep emotions under cover. Writing, tho, has always...ALWAYS...been my way to put things in to perspective. I like to think most people don't dig too far back in to my archives because I REALLY vented a lot back then, getting rid of a lot of ancient baggage that's dogged me every step of my life. Like my daughter said the other day, I've really 'purged' a lot of the old ghosts and demons. My blog has helped me grow and mature. It's taught me to face MY responsibility in some of my past history, too, and to not judge my parents so harshly. Oh Marty...I could go on and on but it'd end up being a blog entry in itself, lol! Anyway...I'm so glad you began blogging, too...I would've never 'met' you in life otherwise, I'm sure. ((((((HUG)))))))

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  5. BettyNovember 4, 2007 at 3:36 PM

    Happy Blogiversary! I especially enjoyed your stories about living in England.

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  6. AnonymousNovember 4, 2007 at 4:33 PM

    Congrats on our first year! I remember my first year. It was an exciting time. I think I may have lost the passion by now, though.

    I enjoy reading you although I have gotten good at not treating commenting as a requirement. LOL.

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  7. mama joNovember 4, 2007 at 4:42 PM

    congrats...you have become an expert blogger!! i've learned alot also...my favorite thing is that i've gotten to know so many people...friends, family and new friends...it's been so much fun..

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  8. JakeNovember 4, 2007 at 6:51 PM

    Yay, Mom! You started it all. Thanks to your great example, I am now also completely swept up in the blogolution!! You are touching lives all over the world now. Wow!!

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  9. Celia FaeNovember 4, 2007 at 9:54 PM

    First of all, I feel honored to be on your list.

    Second, thank you for helping me justify my hobby.

    Third, this list is going to be useful for the RS workshop we are going to have about blogging soon. I hope it is okay if I use it. It is a great compilation.

    Fourth, what's wrong with checking stats before teethbrushing?

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  10. melissa walkerNovember 5, 2007 at 7:36 AM

    Also, blogging helps you find long-lost friends!

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  11. *Tanyetta*November 6, 2007 at 12:30 AM

    Congrats on your first year of blogging! ;)

    I'm here by way of celia fae!

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