Thursday, April 7, 2011

Flag and Follower Fiesta!

For those of you new around here, there are probably a few details about Thursday that I should impart first... But I don't want you to be uncomfortable, so I thought to break the ice, we'd have a little fiesta...

What are we CELEBRATING?

Well you may have noticed my flag counter to the left (or maybe not...) it counts flags of where everyone who stops by here is FROM. I have to admit... I have a flag fetish. It totally thrills me to have a new country appear. I've had visitors from 155 countries (or 155 flags anyway... there are odd rules as to who gets a flag... for instance, I would bet half my Great Britain visitors are from Scotland or Wales, neither of which get flags, but Guernsey, a little island off Great Britain DOES have a flag... I don't let it bother me for long though... much as I'd like a Scotish and Welsh flag, I still get off on new ones...

My most recent new flags are from Kyrgyzstan (above), Dominica(over), Guadalupe(below), and Northern Mariana Islands. I don't know how many countries get flags... Seems to me there are around 230 countries in the world, but that some of these flags are for countries that don't count. STILL, half the world has been here! (that just makes me happy).

On the other hand, much of my traffic yesterday was for the search 'hairy gay' which I'm not convinced I've ever included in a post... But never mind... I will stick to my delusion that people all over the world want to read. (in addition to being NAKED Thursday, it is also DELUSIONAL Thursday... every Thursday... Thursday is accommodating that way...)

And then FOLLOWERS!

I know, right? It hasn't been THAT long since I blogged about 400 being the new 200 because I had 200 followers and suddenly all my admired friends who I'd thought were cool with 200 had 400... But I had 330 at the start of the Blogger Crusade less than 2 months ago... my recent growth has baffled (and possibly scared) (and definitely humbled) me. I used to think there was a 'too big to notice new people'. I don't know that that's the case anymore... I mean for those of use who are networking for it. (as opposed to being universally desired agents for it).

I swear I appreciate EVERY new follower and commenter... I try my very best to reciprocate, though some follower profiles don't have blog links, so require a comment, TOO. And I know I have days I am really off my game. If you follow me and you've noticed I don't follow you... POKE ME. I mean to!

I also try to get regular followers into my blog roll, which, in any circumstance OTHER than A to Z is how I choose which blogs to read. In A to Z I am doing 2 things. I am trying to visit the blog of everyone who comments (I've missed a few, but I really am trying) and I am working my way through the list of blogs. I started at 555 (because 5 is my favorite number and that was around the middle when I started this) and am at about 680... a little slow, but not horrible.

I am NOT bothering with blogs who signed up but: have links that give me trouble, haven't actually been doing A to Z, are more than 3 days behind, or are businessy websites instead of blogs.


An Observation

Just last night I had a convo with my buddy Helena... the main point was... even with a lot of followers, when there is a sincere exchange several times, a friendship starts to form... friendships... relationships that I appreciate and KNOW I will HELP if called and HOPE the reverse is true (when it is time to pump a book). My first publication is more than a year away, so there is plenty of time to work me before I ask you to return the favor... just so you know...



And the FIESTA!!!

Cabana Boys! (dressed to code!)

Fruity Rum Drinks!

Great Music and the LIMBO! And of course some sunshine! (don't say I don't aim to please!)

So enjoy yourselves, my friends, and know you're all loved!


My F Blogs to share:

Falen Formulates Fiction: Sarah (and sometimes Yvie—her pooch) provide much entertainment and camaraderie on writing.

Fatherhood and Other Common Terrors: Will is a newer writer, but gives refreshing perspective on life and fatherhood. (and he's pregnant!... okay, so maybe it's his wife... still, he's very amusing about it)

Check them out!  Happy Naked, Delusional Thursday!

29 comments:

Trisha said...

Yay for F blogs! :D

I too don't bother commenting on blogs that haven't started the A-Z, and also blogs that are really hard to navigate - like those ones that look more like calendar squares and each square is an entry. Those freak me out!

Congrats on all your followers!! And I think I may have to steal that flag thingy.

Unknown said...

Hi you, nice post and I agree with you there are actually alot That have signed up for A-Z that do not play. It irritates me because it is a waste of time well spent somewhere else. Not only that but whats up with all these word verification places? Don't they get it? Stupid robot program is a waste of time. I need more coffee, sorry for the rant. Love coming here :)

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Congrats on all your followers!

Interesting about the non-participating blog challenge folks. I'd imagine it would take a while to wade through those, too, to get to the folks you want to visit.

Alison DeLuca said...

Oh, so that's what the cabana boys look like! Very nice, very nice.

Congrats on the flags, the followers, and - as always - your lovely, fun, chatty blog.

Hubby still has his pants on - must run and change all that -

ttfn

Barbara said...

Hello! I popped over from twitter - it's great to meet a fellow A-Z blogger :) I really like your post about your followers, so I really want to join in the fun! :) Really nice to meet, I'm sure I'll enjoy !

I also went through a few who have disappointed me, non existent links, or not participating, but it will clear out in the long run!

You gotcha-self a new follower :) haha!

Good Luck with the rest of the challenge! You know I'll come back :)

Gina Ciocca said...

I hate when people sign up for a blogfest and then don't participate. Honor your commitments, people! I'm doing a G-themed post tomorrow and I'm not signed up... just riding the coattails.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I'm just trying to keep up with comments and visit a few new blogs on the list, but it's tough!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I featured Sarah today as well! Still trying to get through the list, reply to comments, and hit my regulars. It's a losing battle, but I'm not giving up yet, damn it!

Old Kitty said...

Yay for NAKED fiesta, followers, fetish and flags!!!!!!!!

What a great F day this is! Take care
x

Creepy Query Girl said...

mmm, those cocktails look lovely. And I'm feeling you with the follower frenzy. I'm having a blast meeting new people during the a-z and I myself am suffering from follower button finger twitches.

Sarah Ahiers said...

aww, thanks for the shoutout! Also, that Cabana boy made my morning. mmmmmm

Unknown said...

I will take one Cabana boy please!!!! what a great idea.. for a F post.. I love it... I would love to be some where else..for a week..have not traveled in a while.. Where nudist roam is very funny... Have you ever heard of the place hedinism... it's some destination place.. like that.. my friends went.. sounded crazy... Not sure my style.. but to each their own.

TS Hendrik said...

Well, you can expect a surge in 'hairy gay' searches now that you've mentioned it. haha

Luanne G. Smith said...

Um, I'm following just for the cabana boy pic. :)

M.J. Fifield said...

I just reached the 200 follower mark and I'm pretty excited about that.

That cabana boy pic is kind of exciting too...

Cheeseboy said...

I know how you feel, sometimes it is difficult to get around to all your followers blogs to comment. AND some people don't link their blogs or comment and so I just don't do anything. Anyway, congrats on reaching new heights.

I wish I lived in some country that had a flag you didn't have. When I visit Iceland this summer, I will be sure to visit your blog.

Marjorie said...

When it comes to followers and commenting I comment on what I can and I can't do more than my best. don't want to wear myself out. But I do enjoy finding new blogs.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog on the A-Z Challenge!!! I love the theme you have going with your A-Z! I'll be back to see what else you'll be blogging!!!

Hart Johnson said...

Ha! And I've been so busy trying to get around to all of your blogs, I haven't managed to respond HERE... Man, it's hard to keep up! Thank you so much, everyone, for stopping by! I think I've gotten to all of you, though Wasabi Mommy-your blog won't let me comment! I will try again from home...

Margaret Hall said...

Thanks oodles for drink with the little umbrella and the fellow that brought it..(snorting laugh).
A fiesta is superb about this time during this A-Z, coz it has been kinda' rough keepin' up with the crowd~!! But, I am lovin' every moment of it~! Likin' your Naked Thursday and the "half" naked cabana boy!
I have a "flaggie thingie", too, but how do you find out the country..((Oh, I know, some people never learn))..Anyhoo, great blog post~!

See you at "G"

http://timeforabucketlist.blogspot.com/
http://imagesinthought.blogspot.com/
http://the-old-story-tree.blogspot.com/
http://bagladythoughts.blogspot.com/

Chris Phillips said...

I was so proud to have gotten halfway down and not stumbled upon a naked bro and then BLAM! There one is. Congrats on the followers and flags.

Anonymous said...

Very cool and awesomely funny F entry!

Chryifiwant2 said...

At my house Naked Day is Wednesday, and my Cabana Boy's name is Raoul. He is here to please me anytime my husband can't. We won't get into how often that is.

Ann said...

So I didn't see an Irish flag...just saying...

I hate it when a new follower doesn't have their blog linked to their profile. I feel bad I am unable to check them out and comment on their blogs. HeyHo!

Hart Johnson said...

Chryifi--Raoul totally used to work here! Did you see our name on his reference list? Xavier has been my favorite for a long time... him and Sven...

Ann--I have an Irish flag, but I've had it ages! I collect Irish boys named Neil *shifty*

Helena said...

Thank you for mentioning me, Hart! I LOVE our virtual friendship and am as ever grateful for your advice. I will be plugging your book (and of course buying it) even before it's hot off the presses. And I really am impressed with the first chapters of Kahlotus Disposal Site, which is another book on my List to Read.

Lisa Potts said...

I gotta get a cabana.

Rhonda Albom said...

I am not sure if I gave you a new flag (did you have New Zealand?), but I did give you a new follower. I am having fun finding new blogs to read with the A to Z challenge.

Arlee Bird said...

With all the comments I've been trying respond to I can't seem to keep up, but that's okay. I'm like you in my appreciation for my followers and the comments. I'll take 12,000 followers if they want to join, but I've come to the realization that over 40 or 50 comments per post puts me in the always behind category.

I like the way you and many others are recognizing other bloggers. That's the way it should be.


Lee
Tossing It Out
Twitter hashtag: #atozchallenge