Wednesday, February 18, 2009

One by One

This past weekend, I'd intended to post a new story about working for the Census. Good intentions got waylaid by this amazing wave of you all visiting my blog, thanks to Blogger putting me on the Blogs of Note list. You came, you looked around, you decided to comment, or follow. And you're still coming! For a humble blogger who had only 8 followers when she went to work on Friday, and now has over 300, this has been an awesome experience. Thank you!

What I'm trying to do with all of this is answer each and every comment to the best of my ability. Since my comments are all moderated I have to read them, delete the duplicates, and of course get rid of the spam. Don't worry, just because you put a link in your comment doesn't mean that I delete it. Lots of you are leaving me links to your blogs and I love going there and seeing what you've done. Right now there are just SO many that I'm way behind, but I'll catch up one by one.

Many of you have just started your blogs. That's where I was 3 years ago. I'd actually created my blog by mistake. I wanted to leave a comment on a friend's blog and registered to do so. Suddenly there was this blog hanging out there with nothing on it. Couldn't let that happen, so I figured out what to write for a first post, and have been blogging ever since.

So far, comments have been left from many different countries, among them Brazil, Portugal, Myanmar, Romania, Australia, and a few that don't translate into a country I can determine. I took Spanish in school, but am not very good at it. I catch about one word in ten. That helps with Spanish and Portuguese, but doesn't get me much farther than knowing whether you left a compliment or not. Talking to friends across the work table I've learned that the characters I mistook to be Greek are actually Romanian. That gave me an interesting bit of history as I didn't know the history of the Romanian language or that they apparently got their alphabet from the Greeks. Being a lover of history and words, this is fascinating to me. And I want to thank all of you from other countries who speak the English language. You are awesome. America doesn't do it's part as a member of the global community when it fails to teach its students a second language well. We do get a couple of years of training, but, as those of you fluent in more than one know, that's no where near enough. It isn't even enough for the second language learners in our public schools. I hope someday that will be corrected, but I don't know that it will happen soon.

To any new comers, if I fail to comment immediately it's because I'm still catching up. There were over 3000 visitors this weekend. However, eventually, I'll reply and pay you a return visit if you've got a blog that I can visit. And forward we go, one by one.

44 comments:

��Radio Mihalis Thalassis - Athens Greece said...

Hello my name is Michael. I have seen your blog and it is perfect. We follow your blog from Greece and I wish you good fun and joy
A simple life, simple happiness
Greetings. Michael

Jinksy said...

Guess you know what it feel like to be a guru now! Good luck with the backlog...

Carolyn R. Parsons said...

Hi Lee;
I too am a fan of your blog. I am new to blogging and have added you to my list!

My blog can be found at www.breezedaze.blogspot.com

Please visit me. I'd love some advice from an expert if you find time.

Carolyn

Heph-zibah said...

Very wonderful to have you talk about your blogger friends in such a beautiful way...and thoug you may not have time to read my blog, it would always be my pleasure to read up any stuff you post.

CJ said...

congratulations on being the blog of note!!

love
chaitra

Jeni said...

That is absolutely awesome -over 3,000 visitors and over 300 comments. WOW!
Congratulations on getting recognized though in Blogs of Note. Well-deserved honor on your part.

Unknown said...

Congrats! You really do deserve it...

Grayson Gabriel said...

Coincidences amaze me. It's funny how your accident in creating a blog ended up in success. Enjoy the day.

San said...

Lee, I believe you might roll this census job into your blog. You have enough followers to run a census on that community.

IllNDeed said...

Hello, my name is Shawn. I am a new blogger and began following you immediately because of your blog of note. I have enjoyed reading all of your blogs and can't wait for updates to read what you have to say next.

I realize you are unable to read each and every comment or visit every person's blogs considering the amount of followers you now have. I'm sure that will only increase.

I, too, accidently became a blogger. My therapist encouraged me to share my journals because she enjoys reading them. They consist of being in a mental hospital and what entertainment I observed, to writing about my OCD. I find that blogging is fun, even though no one follows me.

Thanks for entertaining me, Lee, and I can't wait for your next blog

FaShiOnIsTa said...

Hey real nice, classy page. I don't have a page but there is one I would like you to check out : writeinmotion.blogspot.com. It's up and coming but I think it has REAL potential. Please if you get a chance, check it out. Anyways, real nice page! :)

Sunshine of Life said...

Hello, i love your blog. comment my blog if you have the time. thanks keep in touch.

puppy said...

'Ello!
I'm new around here but I was immediately hooked to your blog.
Since I noted your love of foreign languages, do try Bulgarian, we've got a fancy piece of history. Keep it up, you fill most of my boring mornings before school!
(Note, Russians took their alphabet from us :D)
If you might feel like some idiotic written-by-a-teenage-thing short stories ashesoflight.blogspot.com

Kitten Factory said...

beautiful blog

Breaking the walls in your mind

Stella Jones said...

Hi Lee and congratulations on being picked as a great blogger, which you are.
I am new to blogging and yours was the first one I read. I love it and will return frequently.
When you have time, and I know you are busy right now: would you please tell me how to make my playlist appear properly? Also, I love the way you have organised your posts and would love some help on creating an organiser for mine. I look forward to your Census post. Bye for now. Stella Jones
www.star-foreveryoung.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

hello- thought id come look around and it seems i am staying too xxx

Bagman and Butler said...

I can imagine being overwhelmed. I'm overwhelmed with 18 followers. In some ways I don't want the responsibility of so many followers...but, on the other hand, that's part of the essence of blogging. No need to respond. ButI'm following you too, for awhile anyway.

The Viewliner Limited said...

Congratulations for being a Blog of Note.

Avery -and- Bella said...

Hey Lee!
Congratulations on making the "Blogs of Note" list.
We just started out, today actually, and will most likely be posting sometime later this evening or this week.
Hope you check us out in the near future. =]

- Avery & Bella

ifitmeansalottoyou.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

beautiful

loong said...

i'm chinese,i want to make friend with you if it is ok,
please comment my blog if you have the time.

grammy said...

I saw you on Blogs of Note. I also started blogging accidentally, just like your experience. I am a computer-challenged grammy, had never even been online before, and have no idea whatsoever what I am doing, I am just venting. Journaling, sort of. Because it is fun. And I like to read what others are doing. My favorites are Chase Images and QuiltingRanny. And SunJune is a young woman in China practicing her English. It is wonderful to see that people are just people, all over the world! God is good, all the time.

Kawaii said...

hiya, I just found your blog, its a great place. I'm from England. Hope you don't mind if I follow your blog. I'm hoping to update my blog more.

Lee said...

Hi Michael, Welcome! Always glad to have new followers. I noticed you also follow another friend's blog. Isn't connectivity great? Thanks for visiting.

Cheers

Lee said...

Thanks Jinsky, I'm still catching up. Don't know that I'll ever make it completely but I do what I can. Thank you for visiting despite return visits.

Blessings!

Lee said...

Hi Breeze, Thank you! I've added you to the blogs I follow. Your writings are great! This is what I love best about blogging, making connections with other writers. My vision of this is like those writers of old who would meet in pubs, drink and discuss ideas, issues and share their writings.

Cheers!

Lee said...

Thank you, Sillysyl. Friends are the joys in our lives, the bright lights that make the days shine. I'll be by to visit soon.

Cheers!

Lee said...

Thank you, Chaitra! And thank you for visiting and leaving a comment. I'll visit your blog soon.

Cheers

Lee said...

Thank you, Jeni! It was such a surprise! I'm glad to see you back here again.

Cheers!

Lee said...

Hi Sarah! Glad you stopped by! Thanks!

Hugs!

Lee said...

Thank you, Gabriel! It is funny isn't it, how life can turn out sometimes.

Cheers!

Lee said...

LOL Thanks San! Once I gain a complete understanding of how the census works I'll consider that. In the mean time I'll try to find time to make that post in the hopes that others will find work if needed.

Hugs!

Lee said...

Thank you, Shawn. I had a friend, she now resides in heaven, who was also OCD. It makes for an interesting and difficult beyond words life. Good thing you have a therapist who is so clear sighted and helpful. Are you sure it was an accident that got you to blogging? Sounds more directed by therapist than accidental.

Peace! Hope! & Joy!

Lee said...

Thanks Fashionista, I went and looked. It was indeed a nice blog. With taste that good in blogs, it's too bad you don't have one for me to visit too.

Cheers!

Lee said...

Thanks for visiting Sunshine. When you get your story posted your blog will be very exciting.

Cheers

No said...

Hi Lee I've Looked At your Blog and I've instantly Fell in love. I'm new to blogging and i'm trying to figure out some of the kinks If you have a moment could you stop by norianlove.blogspot.com and take a look around. i love writing but art isn't my strong suit i do however admire your label cloud. I'd love to know how you did that if you don't mind sharing. Best Wishes
-No

Simon Ovidiu said...

Congratulations on making the "Blogs of Note" list.

So... Lee please leave you're opinion of my blog!
thank you!

Visit My Blog
By Arcadia

Laila said...

Hi Lee, through "Blogs of Note" I ended up here (as many before me I see) and I must say I really enjoy your blog posts. Congratulations on making "front page news" :)

I'm new at blogging myself, although I had a real fresh lesson a couple of days ago where I accidentally deleted a month's worth of posts... :)

Anyway, I just wanted to leave you a note & say congrats, I look forward to following your blog from now on :)

Lee said...

Hello Lintu,

That is interesting! It's becoming obvious to me that languages develop as people interact, be it by war, trade, or just living next to one another as friends and neighbors.

I'm glad you liked my blog and left a comment. I've been to yours and will go back again soon.

Cheers!

Dr.NV.Nath said...

thank you for the inspiration
NV Nath

Brown Blogger said...

Hi! A newbie to blogger, so I'm glad to have found your blog through the blogs of note feature! Love what you're doing and looking forward to new posts :)

Fletch said...

My BAD!

I was so 'tickled' about your ranking that I did a (mental) jig - and then FORGOT to comment.

Congrats. You deserve it.

Lee said...

Fletch my friend, you DID comment. It was on the "I Did What?" post. I'm delighted to have you here anyway. Wonder if David's going to pick up that gauntlet you threw. Shall I double dog dare him?

Cheers!

Laurie said...

I think you do America a disservice when you speak about teaching second languages. You have to realize that Europe is the equivalent of the United States and if we had to cross from Missouri to Kansas and instantly speak a new language, then money would be appropriated for that language more easily. Across the world, English is considered the language of business, so that is why it's so heavily emphasized as a second language.

While I don't dismiss the idea that we should learn another language, and I personally wish I had been able to learn one much younger and plan on teaching my daughter one, please do not make the mistake of degrading Americans educational system because they only speak one language. Each country spends money on primary needs, and each country's needs are different based on a gajillion different details.