Monday, April 9, 2012

Humbled

I passed a milestone on my blog yesterday that I can't ignore.

This makes me SO GLAD I only had two children
One third of a million blog hits since my counter went up in October 2009 (so it's missing about 5 months of data). Now when I search my stats, I realize a lot of people come looking for strange things. The top search term at the moment is possum. (erm... must be the possum in our garage incident... Not THIS possum, thankfully, or we'd STILL be getting them out of there.). I'm a little disappointed my top term is no longer cabana boy, but whatever. I still am humbled by the number of people who have come through. I'm honored to be considered, and sometimes even read. In fact it makes me feel a little small to think how many people are out there. Still VERY excited.

*pops champagne *


My flag counter (due left) is another huge favorite. I've had visitors from 194 countries. My most recent new FLAG is Papua New Guinea, but I LOVE that I have more than a thousand visitors each from 16 countries. It says 58% of my visitors are from the US, which means 42% aren't. I love the international feel of that.

While the plain old hit counter climbs steadily and gives me a feel for traffic, this has always been my favorite one. I knew when I started that I had friends from all over, but I didn't know if I'd GROW from all over. And in fact I've done better than that—I really get a thrill to see a flag from a place I've never even heard of--that I have to search for on a map--and realize somehow somebody from THERE made it to my blog.


And finally, I've gotten a few new followers since starting the A to Z and it is WONDERFUL! Thank you so much to those of you who've joined. I try to follow back. I try to comment back. And if an exchange goes well for not that long, I try to make someone a part of my regular routine. I've had some trouble with my blog roll of late—when I try to add people, it freaks out and won't save. I think I may have too many blogs and it needs some cleaning... or maybe I need to add a second—If I classify them—writing blogs and others, maybe—then I can cheat and get all those I want up there. But if you've been HERE and I haven't been to see YOU, PLEASE poke me. I want to return the favor. I just sometimes get tangled in the wiring and people get lost in the intentions of it. I'm not nearly as organized as some of my friends around here, so I might need a shove.

18 comments:

Kyra Lennon said...

Congrats on all the hits! The flag counter is very cool!

Old Kitty said...

I'm starting a NAKED "bring back cabana boy" petition!

Aww but possums are so cute too!!

Poking?!!? On a Monday?!?! Good grief! LOL!

Take care
x

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations, Hart! Naked world dominance isn't the top phrase?
And I had to redo my blog roll because yes, it got so long I couldn't make changes anymore. Broke it into three smaller ones and that seemed to help.

Creepy Query Girl said...

Congrats on all the hits! (only in blogland does that sound normal)

Tina said...

Congrats, Hart. Glad to have contributed to that total. Great use of "H". I wrote about hopping, and nudity (briefly, but still, no clothes) over at my blog, Life is Good. I'm really enjoying this challenge, but wow, lots of folks to visit!
Tina @ Life is Good
Co-Host of the April A to Z Challenge
Twitter: @AprilA2Z #atozchallenge

Anonymous said...

My last concert was aerosmith in the early 90s. i always have good luck in getting tickets that’s why I'd still want go see them, and probably enjoy them just as much as I did in 1980.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Congrats on the blog hits. I don't think I've ever even looked at mine. Maybe I should.

Sarah Ahiers said...

Woo Hoo! You are rocking it!!

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

My top search result is The Walking Dead Michonne which generated 15000 page views in one day. That was kind of interesting. It happened right after the season finale. I need to write more posts on Michonne.

vic caswell said...

holy mammajammas that's a lotta hits!
congrats, sweetie!

Theresa Milstein said...

Hart, congratulations on your milestone. May your blog continue to grow!

Johanna Garth said...

That's a whole lot of hits!!

And I love, love, love to look at the search terms that lead to my blog. Always good for a good laugh.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Congrats on the hits. I love my flag counter, too. I have the background of a mountain eagle, the icy wind ruffling its feathers as it stares first at me, then at the sky. I sometimes just admire the beauty of it. Only 147 countries, mind you. Nothing to comapare with you.

My blog is gather cyber-dust. But I am happy with my friends who do drop in and chat and laugh. Sometimes simple visits are the best, right? Roland

Laura said...

Wow Hart, congrats on an insane number of possum-searchers! My top term is 'crinoline' - strange but true :)

And if anyone shoves you, I'll shove them right back!
Lx

Tracy said...

Congrats...what a great accomplishment!

Helena said...

I am so jealous of your flag counter! And of course you've passed a world domination milestone because you and your blog and your books are so very fab.

Anonymous said...

That is a ton of great achievements! I can't believe you have kept blogging since 09 (I started last year). Keep up the good work!

xoxo Lloralye @ Adorning Schemes A to Z

I Must Be Off said...

Congratulations! You deserve it of course.