Given that today is the first anniversary since I commenced blogging, I would like to look back at the year that was.
Inane Beginnings
As I suspect was the case with most, I began blogging with no clear objective. In fact, I found blogging by accident, quickly signing up with Blogger and promptly typing whatever was on my mind. And this is what was on my mind on March 3rd, 2003:
My First Ever Blog Entry (I Am Just Warming Up)
Monday morning here in Israel and I must say I am in a very good mood today. Australia once again won a game of cricket, and here I am, without a care in the world. It is amazing how sports can help a person transcend the reality of life and can really affect one’s mood or frame of mind. Or perhaps that is only how sports affect ME.
I remember when I was in Perth, I would get extremely nervous when my beloved West Coast Eagles were playing. I could not bear for them to lose. Most of the time I would only watch a replay of the game if I knew they had won. Sad but true…..
But back to the cricket. Another fine performance from the Aussies. They have way too much depth for any other team. Now that Jonty Rhodes has retired, I think the gap between Australia and the next best team, South Africa, has widened. Does this dominance make cricket more boring? Probably if you are not an Aussie. But I love it. There is nothing better than watching a well oiled machine. Or if you are Shane Warne, that is not oil but some illegal diuretics.
Today I look forward to watching the South Africa vs Sri Lanka match. We have a TV here at work and implicit permission to watch when we feel the urge.
As I said – inane.
Discovering a Purpose
I soon learned that blogging was a great way to deal with the frustrations of life in Israel. Having heard about Iraqi blogger Salam Pax, I decided that I could use the blog to rant and rave about the situation in Israel. Heck, if I could do it in real life, then why not online?
Did You Say Readers?
At this stage, I suspect I was one of the only people reading my blog. But this all changed after a blogger by the name of Yobbo linked to a piece I wrote on Israel’s botched Rantisi assassination attempt. After this exposure, I realized that my blog could actual make a difference if people read it – and now people were reading it. Ok, only 14 people a day. Including myself. And my wife. This triggered me into action, as I sent requests to the other Israeli and Jewish blogs to include me on their blogroll. Many of the bloggers were kind enough to do so. The ones who did not…well, I know where you live.
Gathering Momentum
Since then, I have slowly gathered readers, assisted by the occasional link here and there. No Instalanche to speak of, despite my repeated e-mails to the “puppy blender” himself.
The Move to Moveable Type
Anyone who has ever used Blogger will understand the yearning to move to greener pastures. And thanks to a kind offer by an anti-idiotarian called Gary Gravett, I was able to make the transition to the blog you are currently reading. I am still tinkering around with the style. If any of you want to volunteer to help me out with this, I won’t stop you.
Goals for this Year
I am now averaging around 150 visits a day. Not bad, but I would like to at least double that this year. I would also like to increase the balance in my Paypal tipjar from the $0.00 I have received from my readers to date..at least I did receive around $7 for a blogad, and a book!
If I can earn enough money, I plan to find a hosting service and URL to call home. In the meantime, I will resist all urges to flog t-shirts and mugs.
But on a serious note, my aim is to increase the readership of this blog so more people hear the truth about Israel. If you enjoy reading this, please spread the word. And always feel free to send me your comments and links to articles of interest.
