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This past week that little counter at the bottom of the page which I added on January 1st went over ten thousand page hits, and the number of people "following" this humble little blog went over two hundred. I don't place much store in numbers like that, quality (see "Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance") means far more to me than quantity. But I recall from last September when I first started posting with great trepidation, with questions in mind like, "What if no one sees it ?" "What if no one likes it ?" It took a great deal of mental hand-wringing to keep going through those months of October, November, December, January, when the norm was no feedback, no comments . . . calling into the great void, "Is there anybody out there?" (as in Pink Floyd...)
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But over the past few months, the tide has started shifting. I am now completely in the spell of the community which has slowly but surely sprung up from out of the blog fog. The notion is perhaps expressed best in "The Little Prince" in the chapter with the fox : the French word is "s'apprivoiser", in English it translates as "to little by little get to know one another". It is clear to me now that the blogging world is full of wonderfully warm and intelligent people. (and a few squirrels too) I'm not going to wax sentimental and start naming you all, you know who you are. I just wanted to say, I'm REALLY HAPPY to have made your acquaintances. There was most definitely a space lacking in my life which your company is filling. La Framéricaine at Halfway to France did a beautiful piece several weeks ago about the meaning of friendship among blog people. I don't easily call people "friend". . . but what I see happening here in the blogosphere has all the hallmarks of real friendship ; and I thank you . . . my friends.
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Three of you this past week passed on awards to me, which I gratefully accept, although I'm beginning to understand now why some people declare their blogs "Award Free Zones", which I may also do shortly. Blog awards are a lovely idea, but seem have a bit of the taste of chain letters as they travel. The thought behind them is wonderful though. Forgive me for not forwarding, but if I followed the rules I'd have to send these on to 21 other blogs tonight, and it is already rather late. . .
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So I'd like to sincerely thank Jessie Lilac at Illustration and Other Doings, and Lille Diane at This Time Tomorrow for passing on the "Most Wonderful Favorite Award"
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These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends.
They are not interested in self aggrandizement.
Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut,even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.
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And thanks to James at Newtown Daily Photo for the Uber Amazing Blog award :
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Uber (synonym to Super) Amazing Blog Award is a blog award given to sites who:
*Inspire you
*Make you smile and laugh, or maybe give amazing information
* A great read
*Has an amazing design
*Any other reasons you can think of that makes them uber amazing!
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12 comments:
Phew! For a minute there I thought you were about to break up with us all!
Louciao, not any time soon ! Not after finally learning after all these years what can a cat man do ! Nope, you won't get rid of me that easy !!! LOL..;
I thought this was a dear John letter at first. :-)
You are very welcome and your blog is really amazing. All is well in Pennsylvania too.
Owen, the blog world has been a more entertaining and colourful place since your arrival - glad you're here!
You're very welcome Owen! I know it's a bit time consuming listing people, but I just wanted to let my new blog friends know that I appreciate their comments and enjoy reading the bloggie posts :o) You don't need to list 21 people though - that's a task too far!x
Blogging can lead to a lot, first perhaps the pleasure for yourself?
I have been doing it now for a bit more than two years and consider that I have a number of virtual friends, but I have also especially had the great pleasure to meet a large number of bloggers, for real, here in Paris, but also elsewhere! ... and I hope to meet more! :-)
En tout cas, votre production m'impressionne ! Je suis désolée de n'avoir pas toujours le temps de tout regarder et surtout, de tout lire.
Congrats on the awards and the gaining of new friends.
You have shared wonderful pieces of life with all of us, and I for one feel lucky to have come across your writings and your photos. Thanks Owen.
If I were from Texas (where I have a brother) I'd say, "Hey thanks y'all, and come back soon, y'hear? !
Owen, not only do you deserve all these commendations, but I would like to add another one:
Your intuitive ability in responding to your commentators makes for more intimacy, more richness and humor, and ultimately more sharing. Je vous remercie de tout cela et voud demande de recevoir mes felicitations les plus sinceres.
P.S. You have tamed many, many renards!
Dear Owen, same as Loucia, thought you were to "leave us".....
Relieved!
We'll keep on follow you and your magic lantern show, you can rely on us! See how many dogs and cats have showed up since your post!!! :-)
PS - not an "award" person... the comments I receive are definitely the best source of inspiration
PS2 - plan to post some... old posts on Indiaphragme this summer when I'll have a break in Europe, just like you did so that they may be adopted.... :-)
The rationale behind Indiaphragme and the idea of a blog? a virtual and worldwide space where to share my India, the one I see every day through my eye... as simple as that!
Well said, and a great way to post an award. As you know, right after I passed on the award to you, I had to request to become an award free blog. It is indeed heartwarming, and humbling to be honored, but I cannot keep up with it, my personal life, my blog and especially the comment. It is there, in the comments, that the real awards (rewards)occur.
You are well deserving of all the awards out there, Owen. Congratulations on giving birth to on one of my favorite places to spend time at. Charming, yes, you are. Talented, yes, completely!
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