2012 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 3,000 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 5 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.

 

Thanks, everyone who looked at my posts: and an even bigger ‘Thanks’ to those who ‘liked’ or left comments! Much appreciated!

Here’s to an exciting year of blogging!

Roll on, 2013!

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What I Love about Blogging

Backtrack two years, and I’d never even heard about blogging. At that point. I’d started writing my first book: a collection of Short Stories and vignettes, which ultimately became ’25 Stories of Life and Love in Australia’.   

Writing a book was one thing: blogging, quite another. And I had no idea that authors were expected to share their life with the rest of the world, by way of writing a blog.

But, once I’d tasted it, I began to relish blogging. It has so much going for it.

Blogging allows for immediate publication. There’s no need to wait: and many posts are so much better for being relevant to current circumstances. Flowers, seasons, new literary releases, current affairs: the list is endless.

More: results can be almost immediate. Within minutes, I’ve had positive feedback: thoughtful comments, or even a simple ‘like’ bring their reward.

Linked to this is the associations: even friendships: that can be engendered between bloggers and their readers. Meaningful conversations can be had,  and information transferred between blogger and commentator. What other medium allows for such easy and potentially valuable communication?

Sure, social networking sites also have this application, yet blogging seems to me to have greater potential. Don’t the other sites tend to have much scantier development of ideas?

Lastly, there’s the ever-present potential to be nominated out of the blue for  Blogging Awards. I’ve been nominated twice: The Versatile Blogger and The Sunshine Award. Fun!

If you’re thinking about starting your own blog: well, think no more.  Just do it!

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The Sunshine Award!

You never know what a day brings forth! My late mother used to say that, and she was on the money!

Little did I know that, a few days ago, I was on the cusp of nomination for another blogging award!

Yes, indeed! Emily Wheeler has generously nominated yours truly!

But : there are conditions.

Firstly, I have to reveal some previously secret information.

Here goes.

1. What is your favourite Christmas/festive movie?

Stumped already! I simply don’t have one.:) Christmas is a special time, and films or even tv shows that touch on it offer a unique chance of empathy.

2. What is your favourite flower?

Well, Camellias are very beautiful, and lack the thorns of roses. Although rampant by nature, Wistaria scores plenty of points in my book through its glorious colours and equally glorious perfume!

3. What is your favourite non-alcoholic beverage?

That’s a hard one. I like fruit juice, tea, and chocolate milk: not all at once! I prefer my tea to have a little sugar, and lots of milk.

4. What is my favourite passion?

Another tricky one. I have a passion for many things: dancing, swimming, animals, writing, art and music. Asking me to chose one is a bit like asking a parent to choose their favourite child.

5. What is your favourite time of year?

Another tricky question! Spring is lovely for the flowers, but not for the allergies that often accompany them. Summer is great for swimming, but not for the heat that goes with it. Autumn shines though its glorious leaves, and milder weather. Winter: well, virtue is the energy is can bring, but its downside: colds and flu: is unthinkable.

Winner: Autumn!

6. What is your favourite time of day?

Mornings! When the day is fresh, and you can look at the world through revitalized eyes!

7. What is your favourite physical activity?

I have several that I can’t separate.

Dancing, for its music, motivation, and social interaction.

Swimming: What better way to exercise in the heat? And so refreshing!

Walking: a wonderful way to enjoy a pleasant environment.

8. What is your favourite vacation?

I like the water, so somewhere pet-friendly and by the sea. So relaxing!

Now for the next bit.

First, an apology. I don’t know how to link your blogs, dear nominees, so feel free to add your links in the comments section!

1. jtelusma

2. Jenny Schwartz

3. Kate Loveday

4. Jennifer Avventura

5. Helene Young

6. Nicole Alexander

7. Rachael Johns

8. Lorelei Orion

9. Wendy Orr

10. The Wanderlust Gene

They’re all wonderful!