Friday, September 07, 2007

Roll Call and Random Rewards

Okay, so I'm dying to know.

Who are the 15.57 average people who visit my blog each day? Do I know them? Do they know me? Exactly how many lurkers do I have? And are they really average or are they of the extraordinary type?

There are many reasons that I want to know this:

1. Mere Curiosity. (And now I'm really curious as to why one must drop the "u" when changing curious to curiosity. Are there any other similar words? Oh, I suppose there's viscous. It becomes viscosity. So, why must the u go away? Hmm? And now I must wonder about the viscosity of my curiosity. Is it sticky, glutinous? Or will it flow away as soon as I finish this blog entry?)

2. Vanity. Of course there's vanity. Blogging is, by nature, a somewhat vain thing. Even when I try to convince myself otherwise, I always come back to the fact that it really does matter to me that someone is reading this thing, and hopefully liking it. So, yes, I sort of wonder who thinks the things I write are interesting enough to read.

3. Content Control. Now, this is the biggest reason. I did something somewhat, um, foolish perhaps. Last year I sent out our yearly Christmas letter to many, many people. And do you know what I decided would be a really good piece of information to include? Yep, you guessed it. The address to this blog. So anyone could be reading this. Aunts, uncles, cousins, ex-boyfriends... Really, who knows?

Oh, yeah, not me.

And sometimes I'm dying to dish. Not knowing who my readers/lurkers are has especially been a hindrance where Soap Opera Sunday is concerned. Like, what if I want to tell you all stories about my clueless junior year when I managed to alienate some of my very best friends? Or my senior year when I was so out-of-my-mind depressed that I could barely function but managed to keep a smiling face so none of my friends or family realized it, but still did enough self-destructive things that it was probably more obvious than I thought.

Now, don't get me wrong. As much as I know that sometimes it can make interesting reading, it's just not in my nature to say anything unkind or untrue. I've tried sometimes, in the interest of "juicing it up a bit". It never comes out right. I am naturally candid and generally kind.

And, I probably will still write the same stuff even if I know that certain people who were involved are reading. I think I'll just feel better about making the choice to write certain things with a consciousness that those who were there to witness it are reading along.

Does that make any sense? Anyone? Anyone?

So, here goes, the reason for this post that was intended to be short and sweet but has actually grown quite lengthy:

I'd love to have a roll call. If you read my blog this week, please leave me a little note saying "Hi! I'm here." And if I know you personally, just clue me in to that. Like if you're a Jared and you read my blog and you're not just some random Jared from Poughkeepsie then say so. "Hi, it's Jared. Yeah, THE Jared. You know, the one you once (innocently and ignorantly!) poured a bottle of urine on while he was in the bathtub?" You see what I mean?

If I don't know you outside of blogland, then just leave a link to your blog or use your blogger account to comment. You know how it works.

And if you don't know how it works, just look below this post. There is something that says "0 have something good to say". Click that. Type your comment in the box and follow the instructions. Voila!

Now we've gotten that out of the way, here's the random reward part.

After about 7-15 days, I'll have one of my cute children pull three names out of a hat and then I'll send each of those three people something.

The first name will receive an iTunes gift card.

The second name will receive, um, a book. I'm not sure which book, but I promise it will be good. Maybe I'll even let you choose the genre.

The third name will receive something random from my home. Again, I'm not sure what. Maybe it will be one of the kids toys that I'm dying to send away. Maybe a mix CD. Maybe a picture of my Aunt Margie. Won't that be fun?

So, please, comment. Let me know you're here and maybe you will be one of the lucky winners.

20 comments:

Beeks by the Lake said...

I am the first to comment, yippee!
So I thought it was funny that you mentioned ex-boyfriends, isn't Chris one of those? And now he's your brother in law! Too funny.

I've been thinking about you and your whole school dilema. Some food for thought- the earlier you allow your children to work through seperation anxiety, the easier it is. So you are in fact doing them a great favor. Also, you aree right, your little ones need that time alone with you. It's important for their IQ among other things. Besides there are things children learn from other children that cannot be taught by an adult. Being in a class with 20+ children teaches them many important life lessons they wouldn't learn at home. Some crap goes on, but that is why we have family home evening and family scripture study and prayer. That is why we take the time to participate in wholesome recreational activities with them. I'm sure all this has gone through your head already, I think I just needed to write this for my own good as well. I don't read your blog daily, but I read most posts every few days.

kickenchica said...

I am 2nd!! I joined the blogger world a year ago... Randomly struck upon a good blog... Derek his page is Bad at Titles... although he doesnt write as often I found your link through his. Loved it and visit often. I hear ya about the disclosing information and stories... sometimes that gets me too... because I am sure my blog would be much more interesting to the strangers public eye if more was disclosed.
I also LOVE your idea about the "reward" believe it or not I was going to do this too... in a different sort of way. I want to put together a small gift package from the lovely state of Oregon and share some of our state wonders in a cutesy care package... I will do this, so visit my page when I actually get my self back together and organized=)

Megan said...

I'm number three. I think I'm the only Duchess you know. I may not be part of the 15.57 people though, as I usually read your blog via bloglines and I don't know if you stat counter will include that. So there may be more people reading than you thought!

Emily said...

i think you know i read. :) i don't know you in real life, but you do know my sister!

Rynell said...

Hey there,
I am here.
And I think the book should be poetry. Of the contemporary American sort.
Of course, now that I've said that, I won't win.
Boo hoo.

Mama Bear said...

Susan here... did you really pour urine on Jared or was that a different Jared??? I check your blog about once a week. And if you want to write about the old days... go ahead, no one can stop you and hopefully we have all GROWN UP that it shouldn't and won't bother us. For example: I was jealous of you back in school but I tried not to let it get in the way of our friendship. There was Matt L (sorry Duchess) and Cheech and Troy and Mike N and I am sure a few more. It's not your fault they thought you were cuter or sang better (which you do!!!) Please feel free to speak your mind.
(If it's a book, I want New Moon by Stephanie Meyers) LOL
Me

Heather said...

Susan--

It was my brother Jared. He had peed into a bottle and I didn't know it, so I got a little extra water in it and poured it over his head to wash the shampoo out. I thought he was just protesting because he was being difficult. I never dreamed that he had peed in the bottle. He's held it against me ever since, though. :)

Derrick Duncan said...

Hey, if Heather isn't counting herself, I've got a 50/50 chance of winning something. That's cool!

Melzie said...

You know me, but I don't come every day- school's back in session. LOL! But, I'm with you-- I've changed a lot of what I blog about, because so many views, for long periods, and no idea who- cause almost no one leaves comments anymore! :)

Kris said...

Hey Heather,
I love your blog. I do know you and have met you a few times through redtents or birth things. Great idea to find out who is reading.
Kristina
www.buddingblossoms.blogspot.com

Sarah Jean said...

I'm here. Don't send me your kids' toys, though, or I'll send you some of mine. <3

Liz said...

Hi Heather! I think you know who I am, but we were in THS drama together. I have no idea who most of the people are that you blog about, though. Maybe because I was older than you? But not by much. So I wish you would include more specific details for me . . . which Nate was it that kissed you in the backseat of that car? Just kidding, sort of.

Anonymous said...

Haha, I wonder the same thing every single day. I love that you have a "who the heck are you" post! Thanks for the link, by the way!

Kim

Kim said...

Hi Heather!!! I read your blog everyday...well, check it everyday :) It's in my list of blogs I check. So, yeah, I'm here. Oh, and yes you know me ;) I thought I was the only Kim who was here, but apparently not...so, if you're in doubt..um, look at my picture! heehee!

alice said...

I followed you from a comment on... Cheeky Lotus, maybe? This is my first time here, but I didn't want to add to the unknown masses! I like what I've read so far, though!

(Also, I don't know *how* people do it, but there are tools to know at least what area people are reading from, if that would be helpful to you.)

Utahdoula said...

I'm here sometimes. Can't remember how I found you initially, but it was around the first of this year.

Kristin & Brett said...

Hi Heather!
I check in on you once a week or so! I have had precious little internet time that is free from fast, chubby little hands that click on the "close" button in the corner lately. But I am here, holding the space, knowing that no matter where you are in the world, being a mama has many challenges...
Kristin in NY

Julie Wright said...

I'm a stranger and a terrible lurker in other people's lives. Don't worry. I'm not related and can't be offended. Say whatever you want :) I don't get around to blogs every day, but every few weeks I pop in to see what everyone else is up to. Brillig sent me here.

Anonymous said...

Hey Heather, i am a bit late on this, but just so you know, I check in on your blog too. I like to see what my sister bears are up to! Love, sara

Jenni said...

I read pretty often...except lately, when I've had limited computer access due to moving to middle-of-nowhere Alaska. :-) I know I'm not in on the drawing, and that's ok. I just wanted to *wave* and let you know I read here too.

jenni