100,000.
At 5:31 Eastern Time, the Site Meter logged the 100,000th visit to this place. To be sure, compared to some, that number is not all that impressive, but it dazzles hell out of me. Two years ago, when a typical day resulted in a dozen visits, I would have laughed out loud at the prospect of ever seeing 100,000 hits. I am flattered beyond description.
The 100,000th visitor came in via Charter.com from the Central Time Zone. Whoever you are, thanks!
Over the last hour or so, I have been giving a bit of thought to what the “blogging experience†has given to me. Here are some random thoughts on that score.
I am reminded every day just how many talented writers there are out there who write for fun when they are not busy making a living doing things that have nothing to do with writing. Lately, when reading newspapers, magazines or books written by “professionals,†I often find myself thinking, “I know bloggers who could have written that better.â€
Blogging has changed the way I look at everyday experiences, viewing each of them as potential blog fodder and quickly analyzing which of them would “write well†and which wouldn’t. I suspect that just about all bloggers share that experience.
I have learned that some entries, even complex ones, seem to write themselves, while others, which I had originally thought would be simple, require a good deal of mental wrestling and re-writing to get them right.
I have learned a good deal about how Life 101 presents itself in different parts of the country, and how foolish it is to think that America begins and ends with the tri-state area.
I have learned that sometimes I simply come up empty, and, on those occasions it can be difficult to avoid thinking that I will never, ever, ever again have anything to say about anything. I have learned that, at least so far, those thoughts are unwarranted.
I have learned that non-bloggers’ reactions to blogging cover the waterfront from outright derision (“It’s a stupid waste of timeâ€), to curiosity (“How can you think of so much stuff to say?â€) to genuine interest.
Probably the most valuable thing that blogging has given me is the opportunity to make lots of interesting friends. Some I know only through their blog and comments, some through e-mails, some over the phone, and some in person. Great folks all.
Thank you all for everything. A special thanks to Cousin Jack for suggesting that I might want to give this blogging thing a go.
I definitely think YOU, sir, are one of those bloggers who could make a living writing.
When are we going to see more of your fiction?
Comment by Christina — January 14, 2005 @ 8:53 pm
Congrats on the milestone…and here I was excited by my 1000th.
To another 100k…(clinks glass)
Comment by jmflynny — January 14, 2005 @ 10:02 pm
WooHoo!!! Congratulations! What a milestone. In about 10 years I may just catch up with you *grin*. I happen to agree with everything you said about blogging… but you said it better. LOL! Keep it up.
Comment by Teresa — January 14, 2005 @ 10:05 pm
Congrats on the 100,000! *raises bottle* Count me in on the toast for another 100k!
Comment by That 1Guy — January 14, 2005 @ 10:22 pm
Toast of the town
Congratulations to cousin and blogchild James. His most excellent blog Parkway Rest Stop passed the 100K visit mark just a few minutes ago. During a Friday happy hour, Jersey time, of course….
Trackback by Jack Bog's Blog — January 14, 2005 @ 11:26 pm
Congrats Jim, 100,000! WOW! And, BTW, I want to thank Cousin Jack for making that suggestion also. Can’t imagine the blosphere without ya!
Comment by Tammi — January 15, 2005 @ 8:01 am
Oh how I understand what you said about viewing everything as potential blog-fodder. Half of my family won’t speak out loud in front of me any longer, because too many times I’ve said “Can I blog that?” Closing in on just 5000 myself, but I still find that funny. If I’d gotten as many phone calls in the same amount of time, I’d have had the phone disconnected.
Comment by Shamrock — January 15, 2005 @ 8:33 am
Congratulations. I owe you a drink!
http://twisty.typepad.com/twisty/2005/01/a_salute_to_the.html
Comment by TJ — January 15, 2005 @ 8:52 am
Congratulations!
And many more 100’s of 1000’s!
Comment by Fausta — January 15, 2005 @ 9:06 am
Hundred Grand Watch
Jim just hit 100,000 and soon so will we. Yay! Naturally Site Meter is down as I write this, slowing the pace. I think I estimated yesterday that it ought to be about Thursday or just before, unless we get a burst of traffic encour…
Trackback by Accidental Verbosity — January 15, 2005 @ 10:54 am
The blogosphere would be a far saner place without you, Jim. And I mean that with all my heart.
Comment by Velociman — January 15, 2005 @ 10:59 am
a milestone
The parkway rest stop just gathered its 100,000th visitor. Jim has a few thoughts on what blogging means to him…
Trackback by Gut Rumbles — January 15, 2005 @ 11:08 am
Congrats, Jim on the milestone. Wow, 100K!
You are one of the good ones – a daily staple for sure. Thanks for the encouraging advice for us new guys. Keep up the good words, friend.
Comment by Dash — January 15, 2005 @ 12:09 pm
Congratulations, Jim…I look forward to reading more of your writing, no matter the subject. Keep up the great work!
Comment by zonker — January 15, 2005 @ 1:02 pm
congratulations sir! well done! you are an inspiration to us all
Comment by mr. helpful — January 15, 2005 @ 1:36 pm
.. rock on, Jimbo.. I just put on your CAO baseball cap and did a shot of moonshine for you.. see ya in Jekyll…
Comment by Eric — January 15, 2005 @ 4:43 pm
Holy Cow! Well done, Jim, I know that I speak for many when I say, “I love this place!”
Comment by moos — January 15, 2005 @ 7:09 pm
Jim…. With all of the kudos above there is probably little else to say other than I enjoy visiting your site. THANKS
Comment by mike erickson — January 16, 2005 @ 12:19 pm