What a friend told me.

I mentioned to a friend recently that I didn't think I would have time to do the Challenge this year.

This is [an edited version of] what she thought about my lack of community spirit -

"What do you mean you don't know if you'll have time for the Pet Blogger Challenge this year? If you're spending time on the potty, you probably have time to whip out a few answers to the Challenge questions."

So here I am, duly chastised, and back for Round #2!

I will, for the next few minutes hours, disregard the scummy toilet bowl that needs to be scrubbed, the dinner that needs to be cooked for hungry husband, and the laundry that's piled up on the bed waiting to be folded away.

It's your fault, Pamela, if I get a scold tonight.

*

Once again, I'll be taking the easy way out and following The Jarolim-Burkert Guideline.


1. Here's my post from last year.


2. What do you consider the most important goals you set out in last year’s post?
I've read last year's post twice over and I can't seem to find any goals! Should I worry?


3. Have you made progress toward those goals, or have your goals changed over the past year?
Please read answer above.


4. Has your opinion of blogging on a schedule or as the spirit moves you changed?
No, as you might have guessed from my very erratic blogging over the last few weeks. 3 posts in one night? Come on! No wonder no one's reading them.

Do you still worry about lost traffic, momentum, etc?
I lost about 5 months worth of traffic during my break last year [not to mention a few friends]. So I suspect it's not much use worrying about it. I've stopped looking at stats and followers. The figures are too humbling for my liking.

As for momentum, it goes up and down with me. Maybe it has to do with being post-menopausal, I don't know.

5. Are you generating income from your blog?
No.

Has this changed since last year?
No.

If you are generating income, how (e.g. sponsor ads, affiliate relationships, spokesperson opportunities)?
Can we talk about something other than money please? The Other Half might be reading this.

If not currently, do you hope to in the future — and how?
Dear God! Thank you so much for making me feel like a complete under-achiever.

 "So if The Typist were to work harder and make money from my blog, does that mean I'll get more meat?"

6. Have your likes and dislikes about blogging changed since last year?
Yes.

What I like best about blogging now are the people I've met through it and, dare I say?  - the friends I've made. Virtual relationships are surprisingly real. 

As for the dislikes - I don't really find it so tribal anymore, mainly because I stopped visiting blogs that were unresponsive or didn't visit me back. Does that sound awful? Now I just have a few friends, and I love them to bits for taking the time to chat with me. In short, I blog as I live.

As for the free template that I disliked so much last year - I've found something even worse to dislike this year! The NEW dynamic view templates. Good grief. I worked so hard to put something together [however unprofessional it might be], why would I want a cookie-cutter look? Or let a reader mess with the way I want to present my blog? Duh.


7. Overall, are you pleased with the progress you made in 2011?
I'm not sure I made any progress, but I'm still here.

My proudest achievement of last year HAS to be getting my taciturn [Oops. Did I really say that?] reclusive brother to read this blog. Love ya bro! x

8. How do you see your blog changing/growing in 2012?
I think that it'll happen in some organic way. Go ahead, you're allowed to laugh.

The blog will go wherever my heart takes it. And of course, it'll depend on What Georgia Does. Some days, the stories will be about her. Some days, it'll be about eggs.

Have you heard the story about the 4-egg omelette I made last weekend?

Or a gummy dark paste that we like to spread on our toast here in Stryliah.

Now called...

...WHAT!?

Full story here for concerned Australians. Thanks Mr Prab :)

Occasionally [because it's MY blog, damn it!], it'll be a whinge. [Heads up - A BIG one will be coming later this week that will require your insight.]

Here's why I'm woffling.

I can't really plan anything because Georgia has become Such A Good Girl [you may interpret this as Boring if you like]. If I only wrote about what she's up to these days, it would likely put you to sleep.

See what I mean?

I now understand why so many dogbloggers retire after the first year.

***

Well, that was a bit of a sudden ending. That's what comes from writing a post at the last minute when the spirit moves you.

I look forward to reading all as many as I can of YOUR Petblogger Challenge posts later today. I hope The Other Half realises this means I probably really won't have time to cook dinner or clean the bathrooms.

Anyone out there has any statistics on disgruntled blogger partners?

Thank you Amy and Edie

for putting this Challenge together again!

I'd also like to do something hokey here and thank Pamela for reminding me that there might be some responsibilities attached to being a member of the dogblog park. I hope she'll give me a B for effort :)

And of course, thank you to ALL of you who're reading this. Despite what I say about stats and numbers [and I know you know I lied about that], I'm grateful for your friendship and conversation.

With love and respect always, The Typist x