Three years ago today I sat down at my computer and created a free Blogspot site.
(I went self-hosted nearly a year later and then obliterated my original site (SO SMART AM I). At least I have the original posts in Word and on paper. I re-posted that original entry on both my first and second blogiversaries, should you be curious.)
If you had told me at the time I created my site that people other than my family and close friends would read my site?
I would have been flattered. And maybe a little creeped out.
If you had told me that I would consider women that I had only met online to be tried and true friends?
I would think that maybe you had a little bit of the CRAZY going on.
If you had told me that I would traipse to another country to attend a “blogging conference” in order to hang out with women I had never met in real life?
I would be all, “HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”. Then I would ask you what you had been smoking. Because it was apparently some good stuff.
If you told me that I would stay in the home of people I had only met via “the Blog”, and would then share a hotel with someone else I knew only via “the Blog”?
I might have just thrown my laptop in the lake and walked away from it all.
Yet that is what is happening.
I am flying to San Francisco today. TODAY! On the exact anniversary that I started blogging. I am not sure if it is irony, or coincidence, or what. It is just kind of COOL.
I am spending tonight at the home of the very first non-real-life-friends that I met via the Internet. I will then be sharing a room for three nights with someone else I only know through the Internet.
Weird, right? But also kind of awesome.
I will get to meet so many writers whom I have read and stalked appreciated over the years. My head might just explode.
(I am missing so many in the linkage. Please forgive me. I LOVE YOU ALL. I am just too lazy to add one hundred or so links.)
It has been awhile since I have asked y’all to come out of your corners to say HI. We are all busy; I get that. The anniversary itself might be enough of an incentive, but I have a bribe reward for those of you who take the time to type a few characters.
I want to give away a $30 gift certificate ($10 for each year!). All I need to know from you is where I should give it from.
(There is also the standard deelio. If you link to THIS POST, you get an extra entry in the giveaway. GO YOU. The contest will close when I get home.)
I am only asking that you say “Hi”. Or “Hello”, if you are of the formal variety. Then tell me where you would like to spend THIRTY DOLLARS. Amazon? Starbucks? iTunes? Chapters?
YOUR FATE IS IN YOUR HANDS.
(Thanks for being so good to me. Please also wish me safe travels. The end.)
Starbucks for sure – that way I wouldn’t feel guilting spending it on ME!! ALL ME!!! Instead of buying the baby a new pair of shoes or something.
And – I’m new to reading this here bolg and now that I know you’ve been writing for 3 years I will need to dig into the archives.
ikate’s last blog post..A New Recipe
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Ok, ok, you’ve convinced me to de-lurk! I’d love a $30 gift card to Lane Bryant because Momma needs some new clothes!! Hope you have a fun time in S.F. and a safe trip!
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Have fun!!! I have so many great “online friends” who I have met in real life and I can’t imagine how I ever lived without them now. : )
Smilf’s last blog post..BOTB: Dear Bossman
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Hello. Happy Blogiversary. Have a splendiferous time in SF. Can’t wait to read about it when you return. Safe travels.
And…I love Starbucks and Music ~ so iTunes works for me as well.
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Happy Anniversary!
I would like some of your pictures. That’s really what I would want if I won.
Have fun in San Fransisco!
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hey Angela, Happy 3rd Anniversary of Blogging!! I hope you have safe travels. I think I would want to spend $30 at Chapters. Have fun in San Fransico
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Hi. Me again. I’ve finally caught up on your posts since I’ve been away. Safe travels! Cute shoes! Be bold, be strong! Have fun!
(And my blog is now of the public variety again. Bring on the bloglines. Just so’s you know.
Rachel Joy’s last blog post..Jack-in-the-box!
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um…gap?
right on regarding the three years.
its pretty remarkable.
cheers!
julie
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I, too, am de-lurking ;o)
Starbucks. All. The. Way.
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Started reading your blog last fall and started my own this spring. Still don’t know what de-lurking is
Just thought I’d throw that out there.
I’d spend my moola at Chapters. I really want that cook book by Jerry Seinfeld’s wife.
Safe travels.
Laurie’s last blog post..Needles
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Happy blogiversary, and enjoy BlogHer… can’t wait to read about your adventures. Safe, safe, safe travels.
Kaza’s last blog post..Toon Tuesday: WHAT?!
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I just started following you a couple weeks ago. I really love Photo Friday!
I’m torn between really wanting to go to BlogHer, and being terrified because I don’t even have an internet relationship with any other bloggers that would be there. Maybe next year…
And I’m also a Target girl
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Happy Blogiversary! I was coming here to wish you a fun BlogHer! It sounds pretty exciting.
Anyway, I’ve only been reading your blog for about a month or less but I really enjoy it, and love your photography. Thanks for sticking to it for 3 years so I got a chance to say Hi.
I love love love Target.
Ciao!
charlotte
monstergirlee’s last blog post..Jumping on the Bed – Day 3
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Hi, your kids are cute. have fun on your trip.
Blonde Belle’s last blog post..Gold Digger?
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Safe travels!!! I am sort of thinking of going to BlogHer next year, not cuz I think I’m any sort of “good” blogger, but because I think it would be HILARIOUS!
Chapters/Indigo baby!!!
Meg’s last blog post..Exhausted
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I say Starbucks! Did you know they have delicius breakfast sandwiches now? hee hee, have a great time, good for you for being so brave, expand your mind man!
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Hooray for 3 years of blogging. That is SO neat that your blogiversary is the day you fly to blogher!
I hope you have a safe and wonderful trip, enjoy!
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Happy 3 year anniversary! I “met” you back when you weren’t quite so popular and have watched you grow into this little Angellaempire!
Have FUN!!
And I would spend $30 at Superstore. Ha! We have nothin here…I don’t know.
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happy blogiversary!
sending wishes for safe travels and lots of fun.
$30? the practical side of me says superstore or london drugs. and then i’d buy all kinds of fun things-burt bees products, and licorice, nailpolish, a magazine…
steph h’s last blog post..walking on a spider web.
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I want to hear about what you’ve been up to in the past 24 hours! I’m dyin’ for an update here!
Amanda Brown’s last blog post..Week In Review
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Hi!
Starbucks or iTunes would rock!
Have fun in SAN FRAN! I am so jealous! So awesome! Can’t wait for an update!
kaili’s last blog post..It’s in.
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Happy 3rd Anniversary! I’m so glad I found your blog, nearly two years ago and I have loved it ever since! Hope you have an awesome time in San Fransisco, may it be everything you want it to be and more!!!
Oh ya, my fav…Amazon!
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oh hai we’re at dinner right now. I’m looking at you. Creepy.
jenny’s last blog post..The Moronathon has begun?
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Hey!
I just got home and you are away. Sounds like you are having a blast, can’t wait to hear all about your escapades:-)
And Starbucks would be my first choice! But you might have already known that.
Kami’s last blog post..Sum-sum-summer Time
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I have to say… you, Angella, have enriched my blogging life and I am always thrilled to see a new post in my bloglines.
Three cheers for Angella and three years of blogging excellence!
Live it up in San Fran girl!
-Andrea
Andrea’s last blog post..Let’s Talk Army Wives, Military Life, and Fraternization…
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Hope you have a blast at Blogher while I ….dont….am I jealous..NO I’m not jealous, why would I be?
Cracking up at jenny’s comment above….
I would have to say Cato’s for me…
Jakki’s last blog post..Lazy Days of Summer
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I love your blog. I’m glad to be one of the strangers reading it.
I would totally buy some curtains for my bedroom.
Janssen’s last blog post..Whip It Up
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