My thoughts…on stuff

My thoughts on…my 1st blogoversary

November 16th 2006 -

On November 16, 2005, I published my first post on this blog. In doing so, I would embark on a journey that would, unbeknownst to me, forever change my life. Now, one year and 211 posts later, here I am. Blogging has now become my favourite and most time consuming hobby. It has given many things: a presence on the internet, new friends (and a few enemies), a few items from abroad (a journal and a postcard), an actual interest in the news, and a sense of accomplishment, as my blog has become more successful faster than I ever thought it would. I have loyal readers, a decent page rank (5), honourable mentions on other blogs, been awarded by some reputable blog reviewers, been asked to write articles, rank in the Technorati Top 50,000, among others.

I have experienced just about all the experiences a typical blogger should have. The trolls, the comment and email spam, the raging discussion about that one controversial post, the porn hits, the blogger block, the link requests, the feeling that no one really cares, etc. All that’s left now is for someone to blatantly rip-off my material. But as I celebrate my success, I realize there is still more work left to be done. My syndication and email subscriptions could use some boosting. And though my email subscription numbers are reasonable (as far as email subscriptions go), my syndication stats are woefully low. They’re in the single digits, and a low single digit at that. And it irritates me when I see dead splogs with double digit subscribers.

I would also like to win a big award like the Bloggies. That would give my blog the ultimate rep. And my dreams are to gain enough readership to use the blog exchanges less (or perhaps even completely!), to rise further in the Technorati ranks and to make some ACTUAL money from Adsense. Ok enough. This is starting to look like a Christmas wishlist, and being as broke as I am, I don’t want a reminder. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know this, I’ll keep posting as long as you keep reading.

To my loyal readers, thank you from the bottom of my heart for sticking with me thus far. I couldn’t have reached this milestone without you. Well, yeah I could have, but it wouldn’t have been as fun. To my supporters, thank you for assisting me in my blogging endeavours. To my NEW fans, sit back and enjoy the ride (and post comments occasionally of course). You know what? I’m feeling generous. So I will give away 200 Blogmad credits, roughly one for every time I’ve posted. I know what you’re thinking. “There’s a catch.” Oh, silly. Of course there is! Refer people to this blog. Tell them to leave a comment here, naming the site where they were referred from. The most referred site wins. It’s that easy.

27 Responses on “My thoughts on…my 1st blogoversary”

1. 
   Mad Bull Says:
   November 16th, 2006 at 9:26 pm

   Erm… ok, I’ll just come out with it! What are blogmad credits and why would anyone want them?

2. 
   Mad Bull Says:
   November 16th, 2006 at 9:27 pm

   Oh, and congrats! May you see many more blogiversaries!

3. 
   Kara - Jamaican Woman Says:
   November 16th, 2006 at 9:35 pm

   congrats on ur blogiversary…200 posts in a year….wow i am like 38 posts in 2 years…interesting to see a young point of view..

4. 
   Gela Says:
   November 16th, 2006 at 9:36 pm

   So how comes I didn’t get any formal invite to the blogiverary? @:

   nice going, keep writing and I’ll keep reading.

5. 
   Island Spice Says:
   November 16th, 2006 at 10:00 pm

   congrats on your blogoversary!!
   cybertini’s on me.
   and I’m with MB.. what are blogmad credits??

6. 
   Jdid Says:
   November 16th, 2006 at 10:42 pm

   congrats. one year is something to be proud of. keep up the good work

7. 
   Ricardo Says:
   November 16th, 2006 at 10:42 pm

   Happy blogoversary my friend! Everyone should come here at least once. You do a great job and let’s hope you break the Technorati top 100.

8. 
   owen Says:
   November 16th, 2006 at 11:22 pm

   congrats on ur blogiversary!

9. 
   Abeni Says:
   November 17th, 2006 at 6:43 am

   Congrats Leon! Wow, you sure wrote a lot in one year.

10. 
    Jean-Luc Picard Says:
    November 17th, 2006 at 7:08 am

    Thanks for visitinbg my Journal. It’s a great milestone to reach ones First Blagaversary.

    Congrats, Leon!

11. 
    Dr. D. Says:
    November 17th, 2006 at 8:05 am

    My third attempt at posting a comment, this word verification icon wasn’t showing yesterday on my computer, so it wouldn’t accept! Kiss teet.

    Congrats on becoming 1 year old.

12. 
    Maritza Says:
    November 17th, 2006 at 9:27 am

    Congratulations! I can’t believe it’s been a year, you’ve grown so much.

13. 
    Kingston Girl Says:
    November 17th, 2006 at 10:20 am

    I want to know why I never got an invite either?!

    But congrats and happy blogiversary all the same!!!

14. 
    Beth Says:
    November 17th, 2006 at 11:10 am

    Happy Blogiversary, Sugar! Have a great day!

15. 
    cooltopten Says:
    November 17th, 2006 at 11:18 am

    happy blogiversary.good work .
    Thanks for stopping by my blog and your comment.

16. 
    Trouble Says:
    November 17th, 2006 at 1:00 pm

    I reiterate MB’s sentiment about the BM credits… Never-the-less, Happy day kid, keep it up.

17. 
    Jamaipanese Says:
    November 17th, 2006 at 1:19 pm

    congrats yute!

    you have a very good blog that deserves all the success it has received and all it will in the future.

18. 
    Jane Lake Says:
    November 17th, 2006 at 2:25 pm

    Leon:

    You’re a good guy, and an honorable blogger. Keep up the good work!

    Jane

19. 
    Dustin Says:
    November 17th, 2006 at 3:23 pm

    Congratulations on making it so far. I managed to get the “blatant rip-off of my content” about a month is, so maybe I’m just unlucky? I’ll be sure to look forward to the rest of the things you spoke of.

20. 
    aarond Says:
    November 17th, 2006 at 4:48 pm

    Congrats on a year!

21. 
    PoEt Says:
    November 17th, 2006 at 6:24 pm

    congrats

    http://ffnstuff.blogspot.com/

22. 
    Leon Says:
    November 17th, 2006 at 6:26 pm

    COMPETITION CLOSED!

    No one up for the credits, huh? Well more for me.

23. 
    Steph Says:
    November 17th, 2006 at 8:30 pm

    Congrats Leon! It’s nice to see a fellow blogger have his/her blogging anniversary

24. 
    cooldestiny Says:
    November 18th, 2006 at 11:17 am

    Big up Leon. Your blog is one of the most interesting I’ve come across. And you’re all of 1 yr old now. Stop creeping and walking/running all over the place. I’ve been blogging for 2.5 years at 309 posts and am still amazed that I’m still at it, but it is so addictive and it is too my favourite past time. I just wish that I could post everyday and get as many comments as some other blogs but I’ll get there in time. Who knows, you might get a book deal someday.

    Anyway, all that to say … Happy Blogyversary and sorry I missed the party and the cybertinis!

25. 
    Stunner Says:
    November 18th, 2006 at 2:22 pm

    Happy 1st blogoversary !!!

26. 
    Gina R Johnson Says:
    November 18th, 2006 at 3:41 pm

    I’m sorry I’m late with the congrats, Leon. You have the most interesting blog I’ve come across since I’ve been blogging. In my short time, I’ve learned some valuable lessons from you. Keep it up, and I wish you many more!

27. 
    Lux Lisbon Says:
    November 19th, 2006 at 8:11 am

    Your blog is one I actually read after the clock stops running on blog mad. Keep it up and congrats!

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