I meant to do this sooner.
But, I forgot.
Once the challenge was over, I decided to rest a couple days.
And a couple more.
Then my hands didn't feel like typing.
So, I waited a couple more days.
I saw Robyn's post and thought "Shit, I need to do that!"
So, I went to bed and laid there and when I finally got up this morning, I decided I must get it done.
I have done the challenge for a few years now.
A couple of years, I did it on both of my blogs.
I took a break from it last year and just did it on this blog this time.
One day I lost a follower and gained a different one.
Interesting.
I also gained a handful more.
They are just numbers, but it feels better when they go up.
When they go down, I have this feeling like "what did I do?".
I did have fun.
I found out that many people really seem to like potatoes.
Did I bounce around to as many blogs as I probably should have?
No. I will admit that.
A couple years ago, I spent so much time trying to get to everyone and leave a comment that it was just too much.
So, I decided to take it easy and do what I could on my terms.
My main goal of this challenge has always been to see if I could do it.
Finding new blogs come secondary.
Gaining followers come a distant third.
You, know, after watching the show The Following, followers kinda takes on a new meaning.
I know the talk about how we are a big community and commenting is a big part.
And that is true.
To a point.
Most of us blog for some interaction.
But, we also do it for ourselves.
What's NOT to like about potatoes?
ReplyDeleteThey're great baked, fried, mashed, stuffed down your pan...oops, forget that last bit.
Al, believe or not, I actually know a couple people that don't like potatoes. I know. Weirdos.
DeleteThose people are "Anti-Spuddites."
DeleteIf like were like The Following the bad guy would always get away and the good guys are a tad umm slow lol maybe the need to eat more potatoes
ReplyDeletePat, If Ryan is drinking potato vodka I don't think that quite cuts it.
DeleteGood reflections from A/Z. I don't take much stock in followers, if they go up or down. I blog for interaction and for myself. I rather have a few followers and have a great relationship with them than many followers who just follow but never comment, know what I mean?
ReplyDeletebetty
Betty, I know exactly what you mean. Just posting can perk me up.
DeleteI'm the same way---if suddenly I notice a drop in page views or followers, my first thought is, "What the heck did I do wrong?"
ReplyDeleteMama, People will always continue to baffle me.
DeleteI enjoyed your challenge quite a bit. Your page is easy to read and funny with lots of witty sarcasm tossed in. I found a few new blogs to follow from this challenge and one of them was YOU!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jeff. I was lucky enough to inherit sarcasm from my father. Sadly, my mother doesn't know what to do with it.
Deletemmmm, you did a great job I felt compelled to visit... though you might think I am a nut job or a whack-a-doo... thank you for your posts. really and I forgot... mmmmm potatoes!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeremy. You seem like a fun person to me. :)
DeleteI enjoyed the A to Z for me and my ass was attached to the chair for the month of April. I would have liked to have visited more blogs but alas, only so much one can do in a day...or month. I am glad to have found you. Potatoes are a good solid food that so much can be done to them. They are great vegetable.
ReplyDeleteBirgit, it is hard to get to everyone. Thanks.
DeleteI admire your creativity in your posts and I love reading them. Seems like life is always getting in the way, so can understand needing a rest once in a while.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Yvonne. I don't have your flair for photography, but I do what I can.
DeleteApropos of nothing....I saw "Field of Dreams" yesterday. There was a line in it I think you'd like when the Kevin Costner character met the ghost of his father.
ReplyDelete"Is this Heaven?"
"No, it's Iowa."
"Seems like Heaven."
Gotta admit to getting a little misty. Nothing like when Spock died in "The Wrath of Khan," but a little weepy nonetheless.
Al, that line is used here constantly. And not because it is true. It's cause we know better.
DeleteI just watched Wrath of Khan last week and I bawled like a baby and Friday it was Search for Spock and I still got misty eyed.
Sounds like it was a pretty successful A-Z for you. Blogging on your owns terms is what it's all about. We learned that lesson the hard way too. Overextending yourself to get to blogs you don't even like, just in the hopes of a return comment is not worth it. So now if we read/comment on someone's blog, it's because we like them and their blog. Sorry, mommy blogs. It's just not worth the effort.
ReplyDeleteABFTS, there are just some blogs I can't get into and it is hard to come up with a comment that doesn't sound like I am just leaving a comment to just to leave a comment. That's also kind of why I hate themes. It makes it hard to get a sense of what the blog is normally about.
DeleteI am a huge fan of the following and it terrified me so much the first year I wouldn't watch it alone. I know what you mean about gaining followers feeling good, but I long ago gave up on worrying about followers. For one thing I just can't get over the 500 hump. I get to 497 then I drop two and go up one . It used to drive me crazy until I realzied that about 400 of them probably never even read my blog or comment . It's the comments that count for me . The interaction . I agree that we blog for the interaction , but more importantly we blog for ourselves . I didn't make it around to nearly as many as I wanted to . It was just too overwhelming. Many days, I had to choose between visitng new blogs or visiting the blogs I had grown to love because I couldn't do both . Another thing about followers that just occurred to me because I am typing this comment from my phone - when I visit a blog from my phone , I don't get the follow me option . I never really thought about that and I read a lot of blog posts from my phone . Anyway, congrats on finishing the challenge .
ReplyDeleteI am number 424 on the reflection post sign up list.
Melissa Sugar
@msugar13
Sugarlaw13@live.com
Http://fictiontoolbox.blogspot.com
Melissa, did you see they cancelled The Following?
DeleteI have too man irons in the fire so I never have the time to get to everything and everyone.
Thanks. I will check it out.
Mary, It's been busy for me too.It does take a lot of time to get to everyone. Thanks and congratulations to you too. :)
ReplyDeleteHello there.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on completing the challenge! I wouldn't worry about losing followers or take it personally...it happened to me too! I didn't get to visit your blog during the crazy month of April so I'm popping over today from the Road Trip.
Entrepreneurial Goddess
Thanks, Entrepreneurial Goddess.
DeleteKabtak Chhupa Kar Rakhen Aankhon Me Isey, Ki Aansuon Ka Samandar Ab Sanbhala Nahi Jata.
ReplyDeleteSad Shyari In English Fonts At Poetry Tadkaplay bazaarwebsites new creating ideas satta king Kabhi Ro Lene Do Apne Kandho Pe Sar Rakhkar Mujhey, K Dard Ka Bawandar Ab Sanbhala Nahin Jata.