Happy Blogiversary To Me
Today is the one year anniversary of Water Cooler Wisdom. With the milestone, I had a natural inclination to reflect on my rookie season.
As I stated in my introductory post, I was hesistant to get into blogging because I don't like doing things halfway. I knew my work and personal schedule would make it extremely difficult to post daily or even every couple of days at times. That has held true, but still I'm satisfied with occasional posting. Had I tried to keep daily posting a high priority, I surely would have crashed and burned by now.
I started Water Cooler Wisdom with a 2 part post on Thaddeus Kosciuszko (see links at end of paragraph), a less well known yet extremely important hero of the American Revolution. I selected Kosciuszko as my first topic not only because my first post was on Independence Day Weekend and that he was someone I felt people should know about, but because he truly captured the spirit of freedom and liberty and values that I wanted to make a central theme to Water Cooler Wisdom. If you haven't read the posts, this is a good weekend to do so (Part I, Part2).
Here are a few realizations and observations from my first year:
On the hotter, more interesting topics, it's hard to find an angle or say something that isn't just regurgitation of what's been said on 15 other blogs more popular than mine. If I can't find a fresh angle or insight, I usually don't post on the topic at all.
I mostly read blogs to get information on politics, economic and foriegn policy. I tend to post more on those topics as well, but most of my favorite posts have been in the area of science and human interest. Maybe because it's a niche not as well covered in the M.O.B.
At least half of what I post is crap, but I do have a handful select posts of which I'm proud. Actually, in reviewing them, I was pleasantly surprised to find more than a handful. They way I look at it, if I can come up with one decent post per week, I'm doing alright. It's better than Barry Casselman does for the Washington Times.
Half the time when I put up a "too busy to post" or am blocked on what to write about, I end up leaving substantial comments on other blogs. Then I think, "Why the heck didn't I just post that on my site?" I rarely left comments on blogs until I started blogging. In the past year I probably write as much on other people's blogs as I do my own.
The M.O.B. really is a unique thing. Between on-line interaction, political involvement (what were there like 15 state delegates from the M.O.B.?) and Keegan get-togethers I have meet quite a few people that I can call friend.
I'd like to thank all of you who have read and commented on Water Cooler Wisdom and to give a special thanks to Surfergrrl for all of her comments.
I'm no longer a rookie, but you can still expect a lot of rookie-like errors.
As I stated in my introductory post, I was hesistant to get into blogging because I don't like doing things halfway. I knew my work and personal schedule would make it extremely difficult to post daily or even every couple of days at times. That has held true, but still I'm satisfied with occasional posting. Had I tried to keep daily posting a high priority, I surely would have crashed and burned by now.
I started Water Cooler Wisdom with a 2 part post on Thaddeus Kosciuszko (see links at end of paragraph), a less well known yet extremely important hero of the American Revolution. I selected Kosciuszko as my first topic not only because my first post was on Independence Day Weekend and that he was someone I felt people should know about, but because he truly captured the spirit of freedom and liberty and values that I wanted to make a central theme to Water Cooler Wisdom. If you haven't read the posts, this is a good weekend to do so (Part I, Part2).
Here are a few realizations and observations from my first year:
On the hotter, more interesting topics, it's hard to find an angle or say something that isn't just regurgitation of what's been said on 15 other blogs more popular than mine. If I can't find a fresh angle or insight, I usually don't post on the topic at all.
I mostly read blogs to get information on politics, economic and foriegn policy. I tend to post more on those topics as well, but most of my favorite posts have been in the area of science and human interest. Maybe because it's a niche not as well covered in the M.O.B.
At least half of what I post is crap, but I do have a handful select posts of which I'm proud. Actually, in reviewing them, I was pleasantly surprised to find more than a handful. They way I look at it, if I can come up with one decent post per week, I'm doing alright. It's better than Barry Casselman does for the Washington Times.
Half the time when I put up a "too busy to post" or am blocked on what to write about, I end up leaving substantial comments on other blogs. Then I think, "Why the heck didn't I just post that on my site?" I rarely left comments on blogs until I started blogging. In the past year I probably write as much on other people's blogs as I do my own.
The M.O.B. really is a unique thing. Between on-line interaction, political involvement (what were there like 15 state delegates from the M.O.B.?) and Keegan get-togethers I have meet quite a few people that I can call friend.
I'd like to thank all of you who have read and commented on Water Cooler Wisdom and to give a special thanks to Surfergrrl for all of her comments.
I'm no longer a rookie, but you can still expect a lot of rookie-like errors.
posted by Nordeaster | 11:03 AM
4 Comments:
Happy Blogiversary! WOW! You have made the leap from virgin to Jedi! My guess is that many bloggers start out posting fast and furious. After a month or so, the mainstays of life creep in and blogging takes a back seat. It's like that kick-ass CD you buy and listen to over and over and finally your bored with it. Kudos for your stick-to-itiveness. I enjoy checking in a few times a week to correct you! ;)
A quick blub about today: July 4th is independence day. Traditionally we move into party mode. Beer, brats, potato chips, potato salad - Yea! Red white and blue isnt as sickening a combo as red and green - Yea! (albeit it makes for a pukey lavenderish color only those under 2 and perhaps a token fairy would appreciate). I dont have to work and can jetski my drunk ass around a lake 3 hours north of here - Yea! I'll get the meanest farmer's tan and loudest fireworks just to prove I celebrated the 4th - Yea! Ish. That's celebrating someone's birthday (FYI, mine is July 6th), not Independence Day. Do you even know what Independence Day represents? To me this is our primary Thanksgiving. Take a moment to think of all the freedoms you have and where you would be without them. That is what Independence day is.
If everyone gained an ounce more appreciation for where we are and what we have, material and abstract, only then can we begin to realize what we have to offer others who are not as fortunate. Creating socialist programs and jacking up taxes is not the way to help. As a nurse, one of the biggest things we teach patients is how to care for themselves. The success of occupational therapy would not be anywhere if we did not want patients to help themselves. Devices as simplistic as the wheelchair allow people to keep their mobility (read independence). Even electronics and appliances have adaptive devices to allow even the most disabled to continue with activities of daily living, that is, live independently.
My rhetoric ends here. Trevor and I are going to the Pillsbury manse for a play day (yes, those Pillsury's of doughboy fame) but we certainly will take time to pay homage to our freedoms. I hope you will too.
Have a happy and safe 4th - I'll talk to ya soon.
:)
t.
Happy Blogiversary! You probably already know this, but there is a Kosciusko County in Indiana, named in honor of the subject of your inaugural post.
Congrats from me too. Sorry I haven't been around as much in the past few months, but Fall promises to be more active.
It was so good to have such attainment. I'm hoping for you to have more and more anniversary for your blog.
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