Friday, March 7, 2014

It's a Blogiversary!

And it's Mine!

Today begins the 8th year of this little one bedroom corner of the blogosphere and I must say, it's been quite a ride.

It was the prodding of Ron (the dear gossip) over at Retired in Delaware that finally got me going.  He insisted that others would be interested in what I had to say; that I am a good writer, and blah blah blah.

I've never considered myself a writer.  I write pretty much the way I speak in conversation, so that's really what I do. Some people are driven to distraction by my use of the "comma" since I use it to pause just as I do in natural speech. 

When I published the very first post, my old life was crumbling around me, my house was up for sale, the Ex was in the process of building his new house with his new flame, and within the next 4 months I would go from homeowner to homeless.

The Ex took everything (even gifts given to me) and I had nothing. Boxes of books, clothes, CDs, and the PC - that was it. Life was bleak and I was lost and alone for the first time in 30 years. 

First move was disaster. Thought by renting a bedroom from a (then) friend, I would be helping him out of financial stress, but it was an ugly setup by the Ex and his (whatever) and I was kicked out without due notice, explanation, or monetary compensation. He kept my money, period.  His karma. 

While physically healthy, mentally was another story. I was falling to pieces. I wrote sparingly about those personal trials, mainly because I couldn't believe people treated others so badly and had little regard for their feelings. Anyway, hindsight isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Second move was to a beautiful apartment in the back waters on the marshes near Delaware Bay. Peaceful and healing environment. That place, the jewelry store and then the part-time gig at Dos Locos helped me dig out of some heavy debt, and get through.

The job at the jewelry store and a few early readers kept me closer to sanity and away from the edge of the cliff of the mentally disturbed. Slowly I began to put a new life together and bit by bit, I stepped out of the shadows of the past, let it go and embraced the new places life was taking me. It was time to move on, again.

The third move (2010) into this tiny place in the center of this tiny beach town was the best of the lot, of course. 

Fortunately, when the jewelry store closed in 2009, I became employed full time at Dos Locos and, as they say, when one door closes, another one opens. Usually a better one. That was certainly true in my case. 

I love living in town, love(d) my job, (miss it terribly) love sharing adventures, silly stories of the quirks of the place and people, and wouldn't change a thing. 

The current health situation being the exception.  But, I'm not going there today.  

Today is a celebration, of sorts. Over the years bloggers and readers have come and gone and I like to think some who've have hung around and commented through the years, have become like friends.  I've even met some personally (hope to meet more down the road) and they've taught me a lot.  Probably not intentionally, but from these total strangers I've learned a good bit about kindness and generosity, and all through this here web thingy…….

So today I indulge in two units of fresh blood (the blood of an 18-year-old, as they say at the Center) in the hope that I may still be around come the next blogiversary in 2015. It may not be much, but it is something positive to focus on, if you get my drift. 

So mote it be.


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7 comments:

  1. Well achieved, Sir! I had no idea of the horrors of your life going on at the time you started. If I was as assiduous in reading your blogs as I ought to have been maybe I would have been wiser. But pleased to know that at least in some respects it's not as bad now as it was at that time - your fragile health situation being, of course, the obvious exception.
    I've only just completed five years here. When I read blogs like yours (as well as a handful of others) I think it might be a mixed blessing that my own life is relatively uneventful, so it's not worth telling anyone about it.
    Anyway, I shall continue to dip into your blogs and, hopefully, will contribute at those times when it's appropriate. Go well my friend.

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  2. I look forward to your 10th anniversary post and need to go back and read some from the early days. I look forward to your medical updates and struggles and can relate on a similar level as I navigate my health issues. I do know every morning at the Trinity Center in Pine Knowl Shores you are on the prayer list. :-)

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  3. happy blogiversary, dear! I am proud to know you; I DO hope I get to see you next week! :)

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  4. You are an EXCELLENT writer. Everything you say is of interest and well written which is more than I can say for many so called professional writers. I've always believed that writing a blog is like writing a journal, it's just good therapy for whatever ails you. And God knows we all have issues. Although you're going through difficult times right now, sharing your experiences through your blog is and will help others. You might also consider the website Inspire.com. That is an open forum for those of us with medical issues which we don't fully understand, we can communicate with others who have the same or similar issues. I know for myself it has been very helpful for me in dealing with the side effects of my prostate cancer. I hope you can make it to the Bloggerpalooza next week. We have a seat reserved for you just in case. If you can't make it, Anne Marie will deliver your "prizes" in person. Don't forget, Saturday, March 15th at 5 pm until ? Hope you can make it! P.S. We have some new bloggers (Randy from Nebraska, Jack R. and David) who will be attending the first time. Unfortunately Sassy Bear and Jeffrey will not be attending because…..you guessed it….medical issues! Also, Someone will not be attending, sad to say. But the rest of the Usual Suspects will be in attendance this year. And lest I forget, Pat from Toronto will also be attending. Want to go on a boat ride….again?
    Good health!
    Ron

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  5. OOXX
    Many happy returns!
    I hope there are eight years more and then some!
    I hope to see you this weekend too.

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  6. OMG! I'm late to congratulate you on 8 years of pleasant reading. As Ur-spo would say "Let's join the conga line!"

    Hope you can make the Bloggerpalooza at Ron's place this weekend, hugs to all the people I know.

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Your comments are welcome if they are positive and/or helpful.
If they are simply a tirade or opinionated bullshit, they will be removed, so don't waste your time, or mine.

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