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.)
Happy Blogiversary! I just started blogging this past January, and I can TOTALLY understand how it just sort of takes over. It’s like therapy without the big bill. I hope you have an amazing trip; the idea of BlogHer intrigues me. Thanks for keeping it real.
Oh, and I’d spend my $30 at Target, fo’ shizzle.
Eileen’s last blog post..Kicking the habit
[Reply]
Happy Blogaversary, Ange! And have a GREAT time at BlogHer!!!!!
Hannah’s last blog post..Poxy Baby
[Reply]
Have fun!!! Can’t wait to see your pictures and read about your take on it!
and $30.00 would indulge me in a few icy cold coffee drinks at Starbucks (with a side of some sweet dessert)!
joyce’s last blog post..Our cozy little abode
[Reply]
happy three years, love!
i cannot wait to meet you tomorrow
(starbucks. starbucks. starbucks.)
[Reply]
Happy 3rd year anniversary!
I just started blogging last WEEK!! Still debating how much or what I want to put on there other than my dogs. What do I want people to read. What do I want people NOT to read
I stumbled on your site last year because of Foto Friday …. your explanation of aperture made the light bulb go off in my head. That combined with means I have a Canon 30D plus various lenses.
Plus I used to be a CA
dognutmom’s last blog post..Coffee
[Reply]
yikes, apparently I didn’t figure out the html code for comments above.
And no way to edit …. okay … your blog plus Pioneer Woman. I had DSLR envey anyway, but this stepped it up.
[Reply]
Hey there. I’ve been craving a Starbucks gift card. Yum.
Also, I love what a strange place the internet has become, and how incredibly easy it is to meet some insanely wonderful people with just a few clicks.
wwcutie’s last blog post..Books are fun!
[Reply]
I am leaving today too (yes, I should be repacking my suitcase!) and am very excited. What fun lies ahead!
I could easily throw down $30 (ok $300) on Etsy. That place is like my crack.
P.S. I will still hug you even though you didn’t link me. HA!
sizzle’s last blog post..Later, Tater
[Reply]
I would love a gift card to Lane Bryant — I need some “big girl” dress up clothes and that would be a nice start!
[Reply]
Happy Blogging Anniversary! You’ve come a far way!
I’d spend mine at iTunes.
[Reply]
I love that my blog is the “stalked” link. heh
Can’t wait to see you tomorrow!
whoorl’s last blog post..Want to hear about my weekend?
[Reply]
Woo! I think that is a little ironic.
I got to meet two blog friends this week. It is SO not creepy! It’s GREAT fun!
I wish you safe travels and an amazing time at BlogHer. I’m only a little envious that you get to go. Learn lots! Have fun!
Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..I’m leaving on a jet plane in a van
[Reply]
I hope you have an awesome time. And Happy Blogging Anniversary!
A $30.00 gift card….Amazon would be my choice I guess. I can get more camera equipment there! Can anyone say money for a new lens?
Have a safe flight.
dana’s last blog post..June 19 pictures – Mountains and Waterfalls
[Reply]
sooo jealous! wish I could go but I have a very handsome little boy hanging off the “front” of me! have a great time!!!! $30 in starbucks or target would be just swell
Filtering Life’s last blog post..The Chloster
[Reply]
Happy Anniversary, girl!
The pregnant lady says STARBUCKS. *twitch*
Marcie’s last blog post..Seven Months
[Reply]
Happy blogiversary, pretty lady. I’m so glad we “found” each other online! Have a safe trip and amazing time!!
metalia’s last blog post..Sticky Fingers
[Reply]
Happy 3 years! We are all so glad you started typing 3 years ago ….
Have fun at Blogher – and safe travels!
$30= amazon most likely, with a little Caribou (Starbucks rival in MN) too!
[Reply]
Itunes….my new IPhone is lacking!
Best of luck and time in SF. I wish I was whitty enough to have followers!!!!
Amanda’s last blog post..Summer Days….
[Reply]
Have an amazing time! I look forward to reading about your adventures in SF.
Also, Starbucks
Samantha’s last blog post..Little Bits of Awesomeness
[Reply]
Now THAT is cool that you get to go to BlogHer on your Bloggiversary! Have a fabulously awesome and safe time!
I can’t decide between Starbucks and iTunes. Decisions, decisions…
Elaine’s last blog post..It’s My Man’s Birthday!
[Reply]
What a perfectly timed blogoversary! I just had my oh 4! in June, and now your 3! today. Congrats, babe. I don’t even have to tell you how excited I am to see you (finally!) this week, probably because I think I’ve told you eight hundred times already. One more sleep!
Loves.
Kerri Anne’s last blog post..Weekend Update, Pre-Vacation Edition
[Reply]
Be safe and see you soon!!!
Kristie’s last blog post..I suck at a lot of things, but I suck the most at packing.
[Reply]
Happy blogoversary, and have a great trip!
(I’m sorry I won’t get to meet you since I’m not going. Maybe next year…)
Sephora is currently my favorite place for giftcards, but if they don’t have those in Canada, Target works!
merrymishaps’s last blog post..weekly winners
[Reply]
Happy blogiversary!
I’d chose iTunes or Old Navy – I need some new tunes and new capris for my upcoming adventure.
Safe travels, and hope you have a wonderful time in SF!
Sharon’s last blog post..Stress
[Reply]
Have fun! Be safe! (sorry – I’m not a mom but my mom says that all the time and *sigh* I’m turning into her.)
I would loooove to spend $30 at Chapters.
hills’s last blog post..A Breath Of Zen That’s Nice
[Reply]
Have a great trip! If I should win, I would like the $30 at Target… but I never win these things
[Reply]
I’ve enjoyed getting to know you – and I wish I had known you a little better before the one time I did meet you!
Have a great time at the conference. Blogging rocks.
I have been craving some new music and I am down to five bucks on my iTunes account, so iTunes if it’s me!
Thanks, and God bless!
[Reply]
That is CRAZY it is three years today!
I can’t wait to meet you and all the other fabulous people tomorrow!
Oh, and iTunes.
SEE you soon!
Kristabella’s last blog post..Sharing Is Caring
[Reply]
Congrats on your three year blogiversary! I just came upon your blog a few days ago and had to add it to my reader. I have a Canon camera and I don’t know how to do anything but automatic settings, so I have been reading up on Foto Friday to learn some new things to try.
Where would I love to have a $30 gift card from? Somewhere to get clothes… Old Navy, Gap, Macy’s, JC Penney…
Laura Williams’s last blog post..The Very Hungry Caterpillar
[Reply]
Happy anniversary! Safe travels! I’m sorry I won’t get to meet you this weekend, but we’ll meet another time.
(Starbucks!)
bethany actually’s last blog post..Not hard to cheer up when you can hit the beach
[Reply]
Pingback: Reunion « Sharon’s Space
Amazon sounds great! you’re really nice. have lots of fun!!!
[Reply]
Happy Blogversary. Now give me money!
LVGurl’s last blog post..Two years
[Reply]
Happy blogiversary! Can I get a mini cooper for $30?
Moose’s last blog post..I Really Hope I Paid PG&E
[Reply]
Hello!
How about FOOD?!?!
ashley’s last blog post..A Conversation with Chef David
[Reply]
Happy Anniversary!
Have save travels, have fun!
Oh, and I love Amazon
ENJOY YOUR VISITS!!!!
Victoria’s last blog post..Recent Video Watching Escapades Volume 1
[Reply]
Alright, I’ll admit I’m a blog lurker! Your blog is great, and I completely understand the “this isn’t creepy, really!” bit. Have a great time at the conference, I know you’ll find some great blog fodder there too, I’ll stay tuned.
Candice’s last blog post..You learn something new everyday
[Reply]
Oops, Starbucks!
Candice’s last blog post..You learn something new everyday
[Reply]
Where is my head today? Not on my head apparently. Not only did I mess up my first comment, I then didn’t include important information in my second …
Starbucks!!!!!
Have a great trip
dognutmom’s last blog post..Hostas
[Reply]
Have a safe and happy trip!
I didn’t notice my year anniversary until a week after it had past last February. Bummer.
Georgia’s last blog post..Daydreaming
[Reply]
Happy Blogversary to you!!! So glad I found you not that long ago.
Wow, I would so spend my $30 at Starbucks…YUM! I will send others to you when I post today!!
Heather’s last blog post..Who reads the blog?
[Reply]
books are best. i’d go for Chapters. Have a safe trip with those strangers!! kidding. Kind of.
kelly’s last blog post..Watoto
[Reply]
Still here, still reading, I like your blog. Happy anniversary, wishing you safe travels and tons of fun!
[Reply]
Happy Anniversary!
I hope that you have a great weekend. I know that I don’t comment much but I love reading your blog. It entertains me, it’s lso nice to know that someone else may lead as crazy a life as I do.
A $30 gift certificate hey? Well I hate to be the practical one, but my husband is in school full time and my daughter does need a Cabbage Patch kid for Christmas. Am I allowed to spend it on that?
Have a great weekend.
Faith’s last blog post..Our Annual Edmonton Trip
[Reply]
Happy Anniversary!
I hope that you have a great weekend. I know that I don’t comment much but I love reading your blog. It entertains me, it’s also nice to know that someone else may lead as crazy a life as I do.
A $30 gift certificate hey? Well I hate to be the practical one, but my husband is in school full time and my daughter does need a Cabbage Patch kid for Christmas. Am I allowed to spend it on that?
Have a great weekend.
Faith’s last blog post..Our Annual Edmonton Trip
[Reply]
Hi.
Also, safe travels. Oh, and… have TONS of fun. Take lots of pictures. Make lots of great memories. I know you will do all of the above!
Elizabeth’s last blog post..Guided
[Reply]
I am so proud of you. I don’t have time to read blogs every day, but I do try to keep up with what is happening with you. What wonderful things are being thrown your way and I know you will sail through with flying colors. I think it’s wonderful that we as humans can find community anywhere. Best of Luck this weekend – have the time of your life! (I am an Amazon girl for the GC)
[Reply]
Almost time until BlogHer! Woo Hoo!!! Can’t wait!
If I won, I’d just want the money to go into my fundraising for my marathon!
Jill – GlossyVeneer’s last blog post..Overthinking: BlogHer
[Reply]
Your blog was one of the first that I began reading on a regular basis! Happy blogversary! Have a great time in SF…
Oh and Chapters!
Louise’s last blog post..Protected: I Can’t Resist
[Reply]
I hope you have a wonderful time! I can’t wait to hear all about it since those of us not going are living vicariously through all of you.
Oh, I pretty much can always find something I LOVE at Target.
Happy blogiversary!
Jennie’s last blog post..Couch Potato Update
[Reply]