I knew my second anniversary with WordPress was imminent, but couldn’t remember the exact date. Thank goodness one of us was keeping tabs.
Two years ago today I was sitting in the exact same spot in which I find myself now. I was bored and lonely and addicted to more than one computer game: Bejeweled Blitz, Plants vs. Zombies, and a couple with names I don’t recall, but one had to do with building castles and the other with raising dragons. It was a sad life.
Oh, I had Facebook, but my tendency to say exactly what I thought had alienated a good many of my friends. My liberal political leanings aren’t shared by many of my family members or childhood friends.
To compensate for my loneliness I’d begun reading a couple of friends’ blogs. One had just started hers and it was so charming and comforting that I began thinking perhaps I could do something similar. In the weeks prior I’d had some interesting and mildly humorous incidents in my life and thought, “I can do this! All I have to do is record all the goofy things in my life.”
Now, as awkward as I am, I couldn’t write a daily blog based solely on personal mishaps, and soon I was just writing filler until something good came along. Sometimes I did something wacky on purpose just so I could write about it. If you look back through my early archives I’m sure those posts are easy to spot.
Then I had an epiphany of sorts and just began writing for myself. That’s when the poetry started, along with a few short pieces of fiction. Occasionally I’m asked why I’ve never published anything and my answers vary. Honestly, I’m not sure anything I’ve written is worthy of being published outside of WordPress, and I’m clueless in the business of publishing, to boot.
I still compose and publish everything on my iPhone, and I still publish at least one post per day.
My favorite part of blogging is the connection I’ve made with other bloggers from all across the world. I read posts from writers in Great Britain and India, Germany and Italy, Australia and South Africa, among many others. We comment on each others’ lives and offer our own insights. We learn from one another.
I’m fascinated to read of the differences in our cultures and comforted to note how very much alike we are. We all just want the best possible lives for ourselves and our loved ones.
Every now and again I decide it’s time to stop blogging. I mean, it’s a good deal of work and there are likely much more profitable ways to spend my days. But then some random thought pops into my head demanding I write about it, and I begin frantically punching letters into words and words into sentences on my iPhone keyboard before the idea fades into oblivion.
After two years of blogging I’m still somewhat of a pariah on Facebook; although, I’ve found a couple of groups of like minded friends with whom to share congenial conversations–some I’ve met through WordPress. I’ve weaned myself from every computer game except Words With Friends. I’m less lonely and better informed. Blogging has, corny as it might sound, saved my life, or at least my sanity.
Now, what should I write about tomorrow?
Peace, people.
Praying for Eyebrowz 
Congratulations on 2 years. I for one am so glad you put your boredom to good use. I am glad our paths connected. Can’t wait to see what you write tomorrow.
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In that case, I guess I’d better think again of something.
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Those are very admirable statistics! I’m always impressed by bloggers who compose on their phones. I cannot for the life of me do that — Luddite that I am, I need a conventional keyboard and monitor. 🙂
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But right now I’d love to submit a poem for publication in a poetry magazine and there’s no way (that I can see) to upload the file from WordPress on my phone.
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Most publications ask for (demand!) word or docx documents. You might add that to your calculation. Quite a few ask for specific formatting, as well. Email me if you have questions.
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Thanks! That makes sense.
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And you’d most likely want to submit 3 to 5 poems to publications. Some state how many they’ll take, and that’s a fairly average standard. The editors often want to see your range, and one poem likely isn’t enough. But there are a few pubs that specifically state “send only one poem.” These are outside the norm.
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Happy wp birthday!
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Thank you!
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Happy 2nd!
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Many thanks!
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congrats and happy 2nd anniversary.I for one am glad your started too!
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Oh! Thank you.
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Congratulations, Leslie. I’m glad you came on board
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Thank you!
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Well, congrats on year two are in order, but what I really want to know; is your entire posting and reading of your own and others’ blogs only via smartphone…If so, then I’m dumb as a turnip to care about text presentation and theme details. Seems fetishizing whitespace, analogous to the Medium Blogging Platform, featureless but mobile friendly, is the way to go. The Gum Store of the former CCCP wins the current bit and byte day. There’s The Soviet Of Silicon and silly ass me. Maybe it’s time to move all to Evernote, cloud drop boxes, PDF’s and compile once a week/ month to e-book.
Happy Happy
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I’ve told you I’m clueless! The iPhone works for me and I’m pretty happy!
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I understand, and I’m glad it works for you, and you produce wonderful content with it; why I visit and comment so often. My piss and moaning is about me, and the why and cost of effort if I’m only fighting a losing battle against the current tends of content delivery. I’m always looking for a better way. I hope you understand.
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Oh I do! I am in awe of those who pioneer while I stay close to the fire wearing my homespun dress and raising babies.
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Well, you can smart-ass on that eye-phone too right…I so witness.
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Ay ay ay!
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Hey, Big thanks on your comment my Beltway site but a back and forth may be eye-phone better at https://1xpad.com. I post the politics there first. But whichever, thanks for the time and comment and keep the faith.
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Gotcha. I think.
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I’m impressed! you’re very much part of my daily uplift (most posts anyway 🙂 ) and you do it all on an iPhone? Wow. Best wishes for the third year!
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Thank you!
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Happy Anniversary! Your blog is a great place – fantastic poems and lots of fun. Circle of friends is growing 🙂 Way to go!
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Thank you!
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Hey, happy bloggiversary! 🙂 I am glad to have stumbled by your blog, it sounds like my cup of tea! I am going to have a cup of tea now, and explore further 🙂
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I’m so glad you’ve come to call.
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