(Google and I are thisclose.)
I have had a bit of a love/hate relationship with the Internet.
I used to have a daily weekly blog crisis where I felt like maybe I should close up shop. I felt like the site was more of a burden than a blessing. I felt the need to hold the Internet up with my involvement. Because that was a completely rational thought.
Then I got my head on straight.
People come here if and when they want to. I can go to other sites when and if I want to. There are no expectations from either party. I said it before, and I will say it again. Blogging is about community and not about obligation.
Can I get an AMEN?
On that note, I have really come to appreciate all that the Internet has to offer. Not the crappy side, but the community side.
Case(s) in point:
1. The presents! In the mail!
I have joined a few Swaparoonis, had random gifts sent to me, won a contest, and purchased cute stuff from Blog Buddies off of Etsy. I have a Flickr set titled “Internet Love” (Hellooooo Google. Again. You just love me, I know.) which chronicles the spoiling.
2. Speaking of presents…
A few weeks ago, Whoorl did a post about the boat load box of Haribo Gummi Bears that she had purchased from Amazon. A tummy ache was her malady. Poor, sweet Whoorl! I wondered aloud (in her comments) if Amazon.ca (Canada’s version of Amazon) would deliver these special Gummi Bears to my doorstep. She emailed me pronto and offered to mail some Gummi Bears to me. Then she headed off to the Post Office, with the help of Wito.
OVER TWO WEEKS AGO.
THEY HAVE STILL NOT ARRIVED.
Harumph.
A big THANKS to the US/Canadian border. I think they should change the name from “border” to “barrier”.
(If this site explodes, blame it on the Customs dudes.)
3. The (recent) love
Hillary awarded me with an Excellence award this week. She is pretty excellent herself. Go and see.
Kim over at 180/360 created this photo which brought me all sorts of glee.
Did you see my kissy-face?
If you know any of the other bloggers featured, then you will fully appreciate the genius behind this photo.
4. Sharing the love!
That whole chocolate post the other day made me aware of the Canadian chocolates that are not are available everywhere. Some items are not even available across Canada! Like the Hedgehogs!
The comments! The Twitters! The emails!
Metalia and I were chatting on IM, and she offered a box of the fabled Thin Mints (she has a secret stash) in exchange for a package from me consisting of Smarties and Hedgehogs. It will be glorious, should our packages actually arrive before 2010.
I have promised some Canadian candy to Whoorl and Loralee, for being the stars that they are.
I headed out Wednesday morning to stock up on Smarties and Hedgehogs. At the mall. With three kids under the age of six.
Because I am awesome like that.
While perusing the candy aisle, I had a stellar idea!
I have the greatest, sweetest readers ever. I am uplifted by you all daily. I want to reward you guys for being so good to me.
Also! The traffic at this here site? Has increased. I know many people are shy to say “Hello”. I am the same when I stumble upon a new site. Not sure if I should even bother with the commenting.
So? I hear you.
But I have a bribe.
And no shame, apparently.
I will do a random draw this Sunday April 6th, based on comments received until midnight on Saturday April 5th. Your comment is an entry. If you link back to this post (not the site, the post), then you get an extra entry.
If I get over 150 comments (still a mere fraction of the daily traffic)?
I will make TWO draws.
For you linkers, this gives you FOUR chances to win.
To make it easy to comment, I have a question for you. Some people are not chocolate fans. They prefer sour/sugar candy or even a salty treat.
Which do you prefer: Chocolate, candy, or salt?
I will confess. I prefer them in this order: Salt (Doritos Sweet Chili Heat, I love thee. And popcorn. With salt.) Then candy (of the sour variety, like cherry blasters or sour keys), and then chocolate.
And you?
Comments:
WHEEE!!! Candy! haha, I’m all about the sour cola bottles or sour keys mmmmmmm
songsinblue’s last blog post..Gooders
I’m so excited!
And?
I totally would have given you Thin Mints if I wasn’t such a piggie and snarfed them all down. Sigh.
P.S. YOU MUST PUT THEM IN THE FREEZER! Best, best way on earth to eat them. (Trust me. I have an expert pallet in all things “Thin Mint”)
Loralee’s last blog post..A flash from the past and discussion of soundtracks
sour candy, then chocolate… yummmmm
Elizabeth’s last blog post..While You Were Sleeping
chocolate above all else! when i feel like it. haha
btw, do you have coke zero there? i used to drink diet coke but can never go back to it now that I’ve tasted the zero calorie nectar of coke zero!
Chocolate, chocolate, and then after that, chocolate.
But I also like chewy things that stick to your teeth like caramels and wine gums.
Salty? Take it or leave it.
Happened upon your site, I think from shuttersisters? And yes, have been visiting without commenting. But I can be bribed (as well as follow nice requests like yours). I’m a seattle girl with no kids, no husband (< 3 months) and no fun camera (yet) but I think your writing is great!
(and the hedgehogs look darling. I will have to look for them next time I’m in Vancouver)
The internet DOES rule!!
Every time we go to Canada we always buy treats up there. ALWAYS. My sister in law demands we bring her back an Aero bar. And we are happy to oblige.
I love sweets. Um, chased with Bakes Layes.
(Dude, it keeps saying my comment isn’t working. I hope I not just reposting this a million times.)
Isabel’s last blog post..In which I show you what’s inside the packages
HEY! SEND CANDY HERE! RIGHT HERE!
Great idea dude!
And also, I linked!
Um, yes, I like junk food. Love it even. And yes, I would marry it if I could.
Jen’s last blog post..Go to Dutch Blitz, get some candy
chocolate, I’m addicted, I’ll admit it. But I’m trying to stop…
Oh that is a hard question to answer, I like them all, but I think chocolate is my fav. Mmm, chocolate!
Kristin’s last blog post..One Month Old.
Anything for free chocolate!!! I am in love with chocolate! Hope I win…I always like a good chocolate bar!
My order…
Chocolate
Salty
Sweet/Sour
Amy’s last blog post..You’ve Got A Friend In Me!
You go girl!!!
I am a self proclaimed Chocoholic. I have a love/hate relationship with chocolate … I love it, but my body hates it (note the 35lbs I need to lose). I can eat chocolate ALL. DAY. LONG. So, bring on the free Canadian chocolate!!!
I crave salt mostly that horride “time of the month”. I can do without candy (thank goodness I lack at least one vice).
But, girl, you know I luv you even without the free chocolate!
ooooh- doritos and popcorn! It may only be 9am here in sunny Sydney, but I have already consumed a small(ish) packet of crisps. I love my salt! (although the crisps may have been more to do with the hangover I’m nursing!)
It’s funny- I love my salty, but nothing beats that yummy almost melted chocolate. Do Canadians keep their choc in the fridge? It’s very common here in Australia, and I hate it!
/rant
Andrea’s last blog post..The Business
I’m Salty (Flaming Hot Cheetos and Jalapeno Chips)
Sour
then, Chocolate (Dark Chocolate)
chocolate is number one for sure! then candy, then salt.
Salt, Chocolate then once and a while candy.
Now I am posting because I love getting comments too.
Personally I think you should send it to the first commentor because my figure can’t afford to eat it, that is if you happen to pick my name
D-ann’s last blog post..Fool me once shame on you…
I prefer salt, chocolate and then sweets. I’ve been a lurker for way too long.
Lindsay’s last blog post..Any takers?
SAAAAAALT. It works out well, as J is a huge candy person, so we each have our own snacks.
metalia’s last blog post..This is Only a Test
Probably candy, salt, then chocolate.
I like pretty much ALL candy, minus black licorice-y things.
I LOOOOVE white cheddar popcorn, and Old Dutch or Lays Salt and Vinegar chips (Ms Vicki’s is too crunchy!), and pretzels (sometimes with mustard) and dorito nacho cheese.
Hedgehogs are SO GOOD, but I’ve recently been introduced to Daniel’s hazelnut chocolates–OH MAN. I’d say, they’re even a little bit better than hedgehogs!
PS i linked!
I’m the same as you – salt first (salt and vinegar chips) then some sours like sour patch kids and then non sour candy like swedish berries and then a really well made chocolate – some type of chocolate caramel is always a great choice!!!
Tracy’s last blog post..Warning: Scattered Update
Candy, salt (hotter the better) and then chocolate.
I accept bribes of chocolate!
And, yes, I’ve already linked here for my extra entry
merrymishaps’s last blog post..win some chocolate!
You absolutely ROCK!!!
And I prefer candy, salt and then chocolate. Unless its foreign chocolate…then it would come before salt. Yes, I’m a snob like that.
Lisa’s last blog post..Things I’ve learned today
Linkeyroo done
I have some more chocolate junkies that might find there way over here too.
Lisa’s last blog post..Imported Chocolate? Yessireebob!
OK, I’ll bite. Chocolate is my favorite. I don’t know if you have this in Canada but Trader Joe’s Truffles are to die for. Inexpensive and delectable.
Shalet’s last blog post..Boys will be boys?
Chocolate! Looooove it! My current indulgence is a big black bag of individually wrapped morsels from Costco. 4 different shades of dark chocolate, one with coffee bits. It’s lasted quite a while and is a great price.
Salty has been a good standby. I learned to make popcorn at 3 years old and haven’t really ever stopped. Current fave on that front is homemade kettle corn, made on the stove.
And then candy. The little froggies from the corner store. The best. And Swedish Berries. Yurmmmm!
Oh good lord that’s a hard one. I’d have to say on average it’s
1.Chocolate
2.Salt
3.Candy
but really? It’s usually all three maybe all at once, or one the one minute and another the next
Victoria’s last blog post..Finish This Sentence
I do not understand why I have to choose: I like the take 5 bar, which is sweet, salty, and chocolatey. I am big on indecision.
NTE’s last blog post..I don’t think it fits
Chocolate!
I am a new reader to your site, found it from Ali. Your pictures are amazing.
I’m also having a giveaway on my site. Come and guess when my baby will come, whoever is closest wins.
Jenn
Jenn’s last blog post..A Game
It totally depends what kind of mood I’m in, but normally I’m sweets first, then chocolate and salty.
Your kids + the mall = adorable!
My choice is chocolate covered pretzels…salt AND chocolate!
Fellow Canadian here… not familiar with hedgehogs?
Anyway… my true candy addiction is the dutch treat- dropje’s (or Druppies!) Double salted… MMM!!!
And after that I’ll take chocolate… particularly chocolate orange
Tonni Geezer’s last blog post..Where it all began
I miss ketchup potato chips!
Raven’s last blog post..google reader and things most excellent
I switch up between chocolate and salt as the numero uno snack. I am not so hot on the whole sour candy stuff – my 9 year old daughter loves it though. Mind you, I could eat pickle after pickle after pickle while she looks at me as if I am from another planet.
I think that’s a pretty normal look for a 9 year old to give a parent though. Or so I hear. lol
Ooh! Chocolate!
Sour candy makes my left eyebrow twitch incessantly for hours after one little Skittle.
I’m definitely a chocolate fan. I’m not going to lie, not a single day goes by that I don’t have some form of it. It’s more important to me than any caffeine.
But I like my salt too, though my body does not. Bad, bad body.
barbetti’s last blog post..Timeline: One Through Three
I think it depends on the day for me. Some days I need salt and only the saltiest bagel chips or potato chips will satisfy. Other days I can’t get enough sugar – donuts, cookies, chocolate chips straight from the bag. For me sugar and chocolate are one and the same.
Candy. I can live without chocolate, but I love some fruity candy like Skittles and Starburst. That’s MY downfall.
Kristabella’s last blog post..Bacon. It’s What’s For Snarking.