Today U could be for so many things. I am choosing to make it about me. Ironic, huh...U for me? U is for unveiling. On many levels.
Unveiling #1
I have started the task of revamping my blog look. We had some imposing storms last night so I went outside just after sunset to take some photos of the sky. I am playing around with this one for a new header:
Click to enlarge
It's rough yet but I am working on it. I need to clean up both side bars and install a new template. I have procrastinated on this for about 8 months at least. It is time to look like I have been blogging for over a year...and somewhat know what I'm doing on the construction side.
Which reminds me...
Unveiling #2
I past my one year blogging anniversary back on January 16th of this year. I guess that is a milestone of some kind, at least is shows sticktoitivness. I imagine many people grow tired of managing and posting and commenting and then just give up. So I should feel good for having made it this far. I have virtually met some great people with some amazing talent.
**Pat Tillett shines photographically and literarily. He has been a follower for over a year now. I am sure he will put a book together that will be a fascinating read.
**Alex J Cavanaugh has an amazing blog, a loyal following, and he is a tremendous, published writer. I can't thank him enough for what he has done for me during this challenge. Thanks again Alex!
**Jesse Cohen started a whole new business style with his well-conceived Bloggerdise.com website.
**Lucy Corrander takes and posts photos of things most people would never see a picture in. And how she verbally blushes at my Jennifer Aniston sidebar pictures.
**Allie Brosh has been a pleasure to watch as her blog has evolved and grown bigger than I'm sure she ever dreamed. Her talent is beyond words. And her following is beyond the scope of Blogger!
All these people and many, many more have inspired me to continue to try and define my place in the blogging universe (another u-word). Many of them have led me to other great blogs where even more lay waiting to be explored. I took the blue pill and drank them all in. Learning and absorbing from each. And during this last year, at least 791 people found it interesting enough here to read my rather lame profile. So there's that.
Unveiling #3
I am realistic enough to realize I fall woefully short in the comments department. I am not necessarily jealous of those who garner large numbers of comments, but I rather like the feedback and opinions that come out of comments that allow me that brief interaction with my fellow man (used generically, ladies). This is why I have adopted the style of responding to each comment, but do I know whether my comment back ever is read? (The tree falling in the forest thing, I suppose)
I do not yet fully grasp what it takes to consistently write comment-worthy posts. Is it the outrageous? Is it the polarizing topics of the day? Is it humor? Is it real life events? Is it all that and more?
Today I sit here having just crested 6000 hits for this blog. Will be at 250 posts by the end of the challenge. I am temptingly close to 100 followers. Hope many of those still read even if they don't take the time to comment.
Finally for U, I feel United in a common bond with all my fellow bloggers. It is the need to express, or to divulge, or to explore new territory that brings us all to the keyboard each day to share something with the rest of the blogosphere. To make that one tiny footprint among the millions of pages scattered across the Internet and hope that someone sees it before it is washed under by the millions of footprints that come next.
Hats off to you, my friends!
Chuck
10 comments:
Congrats on your blogging accomplishments, sir. I'm sometimes tempted to take a break from the posting/commenting -- but there's such a great community of writers in the blogosphere (Alex C. is one of the kings), I don't think I'll be leaving anytime soon.
Hat off to you! you have an intresting relm here all your own (which is why I can't stay away)
I think the new header looks cool!
Thanks for the mention. I think yours was one of the first blogs I found. Don't worry about the millions of comments. You probably don't want to be online blogging as much as I am.
As to what to blog about? Heck, I don't know why people come by to read my posts! I just prattle on about movies and music, and other bloggers when I can. Guess there's just enough cool stuff happening that I can always think of something.
No stress! I think you do an awesome job with your blog.
Hey, thanks for the shout out! Nice blog look and great use of the letter U.
hey thanks so much for the shout out! Love the new look and what U did with U's. BTW...made you blog of the day.
Congratulations on your blogging success so far!
As for the quantity of comments - sometimes I read blogs and scroll down to the comments box to find there are a gazillion other comments there already; then I have two questions:
1- do I have time to read all through the comments to see if what I would say has already been said?
2 - will the blog author be bothered to wade through all the comments to find mine?
At that point, I usually exit.
When I find a blog that interests me, with just one or two comments ( or even
none at all!) I usually leave a message because I feel it's more likely to be read.
I'd rather be 'chatting' in a small group than 'shouting' in a crowd!
Well, that's just my 'take' on it, for what it's worth!
;-)
SueH
Chuck - I like your blog because you try to cut to the core of things. Sometimes you cut into fruit I have never heard of so I don't understand - but, when I do, I appreciate what I read. There are some big cultural differences between your world and mine and I truly enjoy coming across them.
As for comments. I used to tick the box to have all responses sent on. But no longer. Some bloggers never reply so there's no point. All that happens is that I get inundated with comments from other bloggers - which is sometimes interesting, often not. On those blogs, I now give the box a miss. There are other bloggers who do reply but attract so many comments I have to wade through them all to get to any response made - so I don't tick the box there either but do let the blogger know. Then there are others (like you) . . . who reply and don't get inundated with comments so its worth having everything passed on. I like this comment level best because you feel you can be part of a conversation rather than a fan club!
Congratulations on your blogging . . and continuing to blog . . . Happy Bloggaversary!
Lucy
P.S. Glad you like my pictures!
P.P.S. A few years ago an elderly relative asked if I would buy hair dye and conditioner which would make her look like the model on the television who has glossy hair. At the time, I didn't know what she was talking about or hoping for but I now think that 'model' may have been Jennifer Anniston. That I failed to transform my (then) eighty-four year old relative into an Anniston look-alike may not entirely be due to my failings as a stylist, I think. L.
Milo: Thanks for the comment. There are a lot of great writers and I agree Alex is one of the best. I won't be leaving either.
Baygirl: I apologize for not getting to your site more often and letting you know I was there. I appreciate you not being able to stay away:)
Alex: Thanks on the header. I am still fooling with it. I appreciate your continued patronage even though I have been light on the comments on your site lately. I still visit daily.
Oddly I am not looking for millions or even hundreds of comments. That would be more time consuming than the actual blogging. I am just really interested in what causes people to feel compelled to leave their mark. I mean Hyperbole and A Half getting 1300 comments boggles my mind!
I am sure I will continue my rambling ways concerning my posts. Thanks again!
Copyboy: Hey I appreciate 2 comments on one post! Thanks for blog of the day. And I just realized all my shout-outs were lame since I did not post a link for each of them.
Sue: Thank you for all your return visits. Your questions have great merit and bring up valid points.
To answer your #1: when there are more than 10 or 15 comments I scan down through the list and read the ones by people I know. I never worry about if I may repeat someones previous comment I just say what I have to say.
To answer your #2: Many of them I believe will. Several people Like Alex and Pat gather a fairly large amount of comments yet they take the time to respond to each commenter like I do. In fact that is what inspired me to do the same.
I appreciate you taking the time to make such a pointed and thought-provoking comment.
Lucy: You win for the longest comment ever on this blog...Congratulations!
I am so glad you read and ponder some of the goofy stuff I post. I am quite all over the place as I am sure you have figured out. If I was a better photographer maybe I would find some of the treasures you discover in your daily routine. I aspire though.
The commenting and re-commenting and reading re-comments are a challenge I have yet to figure out. In other words when I comment on your site and then you may or may not re-comment on my comment...I haven't figured out in a time manageable way, how to go back and check all the blogs I've commented on to see if there are any responses. Ya know what I mean?
Not like...LOVE your pictures!
That anecdote about your relative and Jennifer Aniston made me laugh outloud for quite a bit. I think I actually read it with an English accent in my head...it was even funnier! Thanks. May our cultural difference continue to shrink while they enlighten us.
Take care.
Chuck
Thanks Chuck! I appreciate the kind words. It's been my pleasure to be along with you on this journey. Now that it's almost over, I wish I had somehow found the time to participate in the A to Z. Maybe next year (if it happens).
It's gotten to the point where I have to play catchup on the blogs I follow. Have yourself a great weekend Chuck... Thanks again!
Oh yeah, I know all of the folks you mention except one. They are also among my favorites.
Any time Pat. You were the first one to come on board and I am so glad for that. A lot of my inspiration comes from reading your blog. I have to say the A-Z has been a challenge but I am glad I made it through without missing a day. Hopefully you will join in next year because I am sure your topics will all be worth reading. Thanks again!
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