During the travelogue series about our adventures in Washington, D.C., I posted the 500th entry of this blog. When I saw that milestone click by, it was something that I knew I wanted to write about. I have seen other people commemorate such events with celebratory posts and have done it myself.
Immediately, it came to mind to do something with the number 500. That could include information about the Daytona 500, the $500 bill or the song “500 Miles.” Of course, there is also this “500 Miles” and this “500 Miles.” However, the 500th post made me realize that I have been writing on this blog for quite a while, and the situation has evolved through that time.
This blog began as a therapeutic endeavor and, as you can tell by the title, was meant to be scathing report of the crazy stuff that goes on in the world. Those first posts were rough in their content and their writing style. However, there was one post of which I was proud. It was about men who wore both belts and suspenders. It was great, but it also brought my first negative comment. It went on and on about how cruel I was being. That is when I discovered that these posts were not only being read by strangers. People I knew were reading them, too.
Eventually, I deleted the post, along with some others, but I rewrote the belt/suspenders post in a nicer way. In my mind, it was too good to let go.
Having people in my sphere read the blog was a strange feeling because I never thought it would happen. A few weeks ago, I ran into one of the first people in this area to pick up on this blog. She asked how I publicize it. I never thought about publicizing it. I just wanted somewhere to put my thoughts. A long time ago, I got on Twitter and connected it to that account, but I do not do Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or anything else.
In fact, I am amazed by blogs that have thousands of readers and get advertising dollars. Do people actually make a living by writing a blog? I guess they focus on one theme that people want to read about. There is no telling what you are liable to read on here.
Yep, the blog has changed a lot since those early days. Readers and commenters have come and gone and come again. Earlier, I tracked back and looked at the first people who signed on to follow. Some of them are still part of the blogging community. However, many of theme have abandoned their blogs or deleted them. It is strange how you communicate with people for a while and watch them disappear. Then, other people step in and take up the mantle. Blogging is like real life in that way.
I also looked back at some of the earlier posts. As I wrote, many of them were terribly written, but there are a few that hold up. These are 10 that I thought were pretty good.
The Problem With Gas Pumps – This was the one idea that I knew I had to write about. Turns out, that, for a long time, it was the only one anybody wanted to read.
John Wayne and Edgar Allan Poe – If you know John Wayne movies, then you will know what this one is about.
A Requiem for Josey Wales – I did not realize it until I read it again, but this one was a warmup for the post that was Freshly Pressed.
Boarding Mr. Peabody’s WABAC Machine – Honestly, I thought this one was clever.
For the Love of Post Apocalyptic Movies – It is the end of the world as we know it.
Dirty Deeds and Thunder Chief – I have collected many more examples of this phenomenon since this post was written.
Brains, Brawn and Beauty – An ode to women who can bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan.
Putting the Amp Back into Vampire – This one was inspired by Ozzy Osbourne.
Terror on the Plateau – A true life event that could have very well been the end of me.
Cheeseburgers, Clocks and Albert Einstein’s Wife – This is just one example of a day in the life.
You are welcome to read any and all of these posts. I promise that it is not an attempt to bump up the statistics. I would only do that if I was getting advertising dollars.
Tags: Blogging, Writing
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