One Year Of This

This morning—on my way to work actually—I thought how it must be coming up on my one-year blogoversary. I thought, Hmm, that should be next week or maybe the week after. I should post something about ... something ... when it rolls around. But come to find out my blogoversary is, well, today.  TODAY! I HAVE NOTHING PLANNED! And, I know, a year is really nothing in this world of baring one's crazy on The Internet. It's years shy of how long you've been blogging, I'm sure. But would you mind if I reminisced a bit, since I have nothing else worked up to celebrate this occasion?

I blogged for years at MySpace and the main reason I jumped ship from over there was this: I wanted my mom to read, but I didn't want to send her off into the world of half-naked fourteen-year-olds and scare her silly with all the flashing graphics and misspelled words and scream-y music. So, I switched over to Blogspot for about a week. And I hated it. From there I tentatively signed up for Typepad on April 7, 2007 while watching a Sopranos marathon with Mike and reading archived posts at amalah.com. And here I've been ever since. I didn't have a blog name for a couple of months or a design or, quite honestly, readers, but it was the first step I took to get me here—one year later—and, wow, I'm pretty proud of myself in hindsight.

Sometime last summer I bought my domain name, and I also begged Mike to whip up some sort of suitable banner for me. Then, in December, I sort of "applied" for Secret Agent Josephine's banner contest and I found out ON MY BIRTHDAY that she had chosen me as her January winner. (I may have cried. It's possible.)

And somewhere along the way, a few people started reading. A few people started commenting. A few people started e-mailing. I went from THREE page views the first week I climbed out on this blogging limb to a few more than three page views now.

But, most importantly, I've made friends. I've met people who have changed my day, who have sent me gifts, who have inspired me and reached out to me. I have a better grasp on Sephora's inventory than I did a year ago. And I love my husband and family deeper because of your beautiful stories of loss and strength. I have shared with you my desire to have a child, and you check in on me from time-to-time, to see how I'm doing, to tell me you're thinking of me. And so many of you have told me you think Molly is adorable, which—I suppose it's fair to tell you now since we're a year into this—is ALL it takes for me to like you.

I met you somewhere along the way in the last year, and it has made me a happier woman.

Wait, have I met you? I sure hope I have. But, if not, do me a favor—think of it as a blogoversary gift, unless you're sending wine and then no favors needed—Introduce yourself! Delurk! Make my day!

I'll even make it easy for you: Tell me your favorite song right now. Or artist. Or band. Or American Idol hopeful. (Your choice!)

Blogging is an integral part of me. It keeps me humble and it keeps me checked in and it keeps me honest and it reminds me—refreshingly, amazingly—that my stories matter. So I'll keep telling them. And, please, keep telling yours too.

Comments

[Raven]

Right now I am digging The Gutter Twins. It's very Twin Peaks/Q. Tarantino sounding to me.

[Rachel]

Kings of Leon "On Call". The beginning gives me chills. Also "Weighty Ghost" by Wintersleep - a Canadian band that I am loving.

[Sarah Marie]

Conrats on one year of blogging! Very exciting stuff! I'm glad I found your blog!!!

and good job on trying out that paella... yeah, I would be scared of using clam juice too. it just sounds nasty pants for some reason! Haha, I like that "in the rotation" means "good." And carbs are always good!

[Trigger]

Hi! Happy Blogoversary! I am a BRAND NEW READER as of today, but I very much like what I've read so far. I'll definitely be back.

Asking me to pick a favorite song is like asking me to pick a favorite child (hypothetically, right now I'm at 0 on the kid count, hoping to stay that way for a few more years)...but one song that I always come back to is "Once in a Lifetime" by the Talking Heads. It's a perennial fave. My other more mood specific favorites right now...for happy, upbeat: "The Underdog" by Spoon, and "I don't feel like dancin" by The Scissor Sisters. For more somber moods: "Two" by Ryan Adams and "See the World" by Gomez.

Hope you enjoy! Cheers to another year!

[Someone Being Me]

Happy Blog-o-versary. I haven't been reading a full year but I do feel like I know you better than some of my irl friends. My favorite American Idol contestant is Brooke White. Although I voted for Brook, David (the older one), Carly, and Michael last week. Oh and of course, Jason Castro cause he is a cutie and he's an Aggie.

[Sharon]

Happy anniversary!

My favourite songs right now are a toss-up between "Tears Dry on My Own" by Amy Winehouse, "Falling Slowly" from the Once soundtrack, and "You're All I Have" by Snow Patrol. I play all of these daily.

[stephanie]

you know i've been with you since day one! and i think you've made me laugh - or get a little misty - each and every day. i also know that i feel like you're one of my best friends - and then i realize i totally SUCK at keeping in touch, so i'm probably still just that friend of your sister's you met once while in toronto all those many moons ago...

so happy blogoversary! and to celebrate.. i have a couple of current faves:

guilty pleasure boy (justin) + guilty pleasure girl (madonna) = what the hell took them so long to make music together??? (also, "4 minutes" - addictive fun)

and i'm on a renewed feist kick. current faves are "i feel it all" and "sea lion."

[jonniker]

Grah! I can't think of a favorite song now. I do love Kate Nash at the moment, but that's nothing incredibly new.

I can't believe it's only been a year! It feels like several, and I mean that in a good way.

[Elizabeth]

Well, you know I'm not really delurking, but my favorite song of ALL TIME is "Brown Eyes Blue" by Crystal Gayle. I never tire of that song.
I am so glad that you started blogging and that I found your blog. You just never know when you might stumble on a kindred spirit, right around the corner of the internet.

[chirky]

You know, I've never celebrated a blogiversary. I keep thinking I'll do it when I hit five, but then when that rolls around I'll probably have forgotten. It's weird, considering how obsessive I am about numbers and dates, that I would consistently forget about my own blogiversary every year.

Anyway. Right now, I'm loving anything by the Dodos (http://www.dodosmusic.net/audio.html). Their voices are so smooth and I just kind of want to melt away everytime I hear them. Swoon.

[Suzanne]

All time favorite band, artist? So easy, Crowded House/Neil Finn. I am hopeless, ever since I was in high school (Split Enz).
Thanks for your blog, and your twitter. You keep me company and make me laugh.
Meet you, like really meet you, in SF in July.

[Diana]

Hi from The Netherlands! Love your blog. It is almost everyday the first thing I read at work (after checking my work mail of course)..
Congratulations and keep on making us laugh and think about our lives.
About my favourite music... I don't really know... I really like Amy Winehouse and Madonna. So mark me for that.
Diana

[K]

Hi. I don't have a fav song/artist right now but I have been enjoying listening to Buckcherry these days. Funny how I used to be so up on new music and now I am lacking in that department.

[dreamgrrl]

Have I ever commented before? I think so, but if not, I read you all the time and you are definitely inspiring and I tend to always relate to you!
Right now, my #1 idol hopeful is a toss-up between Carly and Brooke. I may or may not vote numerous times for them each week, like I will most likely do tonight.
Happy anniversary! :)

[Estrella]

Delurking to wish you a happy blog-o-versary! :) I think I followed a link from SAJ at one point, and I found your blog so fun and witty that I visit every once in a while. :) Hope you have a great day!

[Jen]

I can't believe you've only been blogging a year either! You're clearly a professional in my eyes :) I look forward to reading your blog every day. You just seem like such a kind and genuine person.

I also have to embarrassingly admit that I really like Mariah Carey's new song. And I'm rocking out to old school Michael Jackson ("The Way You Make Me Feel", "Smooth Criminal") at the gym lately.

[jodifur]

Congrats on your blogiversary! You know you are one of my faves.

[AmyD]

Happy blogoversary!! I'm delurking to tell you I LOVE your blog, and have been reading it everyday for a few weeks now. I believe I found it through 'eb's world' and am so glad I did. We have a few things in common, along with being children of divorce and having C-U-T-E dogs named Molly. Oh, and also an undying love for all things Target and Sephora (*SIGH*).

I have particularly enjoyed your Timeline chronicles...you're an amazingly talented writer! Good luck with your continued baby quest. I'm getting married in less than 5 weeks - which is why my blog is PATHETIC right now - and my largest fear is that someday, I might not be able to easily have children. I'm praying for you and wish you all best in the world...you certainly deserve it! :)

[Jess]

Happy blogiversary! I am impressed that you subconsciously KNEW it was today. I love how minds work.

[Janssen]

Are you going to ban me if I admit that I totally am loving the Hairspray soundtrack right now? I know. I'm embarrassed too.

[Erin]

Happy Blogiversary! I'm glad you joined the blogging world - your writing is beautiful and witty and I'm excited every time you post:)

As for the favorite musicy item currently, well...don't judge, but my friend is a huge Brittany Spears fan and she gave me the Blackout album...and I tend to adore anything that makes me shake my groove thing in the car on the way home...so um, yeah. That's what I'm listening to these days...

Let me redeem myself by stating that Molly? I would nuzzle her head and feed her cheese if ever we met because she's adorable! You will now forget that I shake my booty to Brittany!

[Katie]

Happy 1st blogoversary! I'm just a few weeks behind you! I, too, chose Typepad because that's what Amalah uses :) Here's to another fabulous year, dear!

[Nicole]

Happy blogoversary! Here is me de-lurking after many months of visiting. I love your writing and always look forward to your updates in my google reader. Thank you for continuing to share yourself with us.

Favorite band: Muse
Favorite American Idol Contestant: David Cook. Most definitely David Cook.

xo

[Mandee]

Sadly, I rarely listen to music any more. My commute to work takes approximately 2 minutes so I don't have time during my commute. And after making fun of my entire family for years for listening to talk radio, I have now become an NPR fanatic.

Happy Blogiversary!

[Cass]

Congratulations on one whole year! I'm coming up on my blogaversary too and was thinking of a way to commemorate it....I've come up with nothing.

[bethany actually]

Lately, mostly at Annalie's request, we've been listening to the Hairspray soundtrack from the recent movie musical. You have not lived until you've heard a 4-year-old singing absentmindedly to herself as she puts a puzzle together, "What gives a girl power and punch/is it charm is it poise/no it's haaaairspraaaay..."

Happy one-year-of-blogging, dear friend!

[Pickles & Dimes]

Happy Blogiversary!

My favorite band right name is Cake. I always keep coming back to them for some reason.

[moo]

Happy Blogaversary!

Here's to many more years of sharing with virtual strangers! ;)

[merrymishaps]

Happy blogoversity!

I've been meaning to ask you if you've heard about this yet: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23903854/

You're a bit younger than me so you may not have watched the original the first time around. It's one of my guilty pleasures :)

[Sarah]

Happy Blogoversary to you!!! I am really glad you are here telling your story, it is a highlight to my day and I feel incredibly lucky to have met a "blog friend" like you!

[Kate]

Happy Anniversary Jennie! I can't remember how I found you, but I've been here ever since I did. Keep up the good work!

[Swistle]

OH HAI. Happy bloggiversary!

[Shelly]

Happy Blogiversary! I have been creepin your page for a little while now and just haven't got around to saying hello.....well thats my excuse at least! I think you are hilarious and I keep my work days sane with a few (cough) blog reads. I will make sure I make a better effort at commenting! I started reading your blog through Angella; who I started reading through a friend I went to high school with.
Thanks for making me laugh!

Favourite Band: The White Stripes

[Michelle]

Happy Blog-o-versary! I totally missed mine, about two weeks ago. I noted in my head about a week before that it was coming, and then, when my brain remembered again, it was like three days after. At that point, there is no point. I am deathly ill and can not choose a favorite song or band or even American Idol contestant (because my dreams are really screwing with me), but I will say that my dad loves the Beatles and that's why I have my name.

[ie]

Good morning and happy blogoversary!
I know I have commented here before.
Even though I just recently started reading (started with your guest post to Dutch Blitz), I enjoy every time I get the opportunity to read your blog.

Music? I am gnashing my teetch right now because it seems like all of the "popular" stuff that is being played is all crap. Grrr. Must.find.good.music.

Have a great day!

[Jeanelle]

I'm torn between "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis or "Touch My Body" by Mariah but the "Dan in Real Life" soundtrack is very appealing right now too. Love your blog!

[EmilyPIe]

Congratulations on your year! (though, I'm not a lurker...)

[Kitty]

Wow, you're quite the popular gal, my darling! I just wanted to wish you a happy blogoversary, and apologize for not commenting more often. I know, I suck as a friend. I still think of you every time Wideawake pops up on my ipod, if that's any consolation.

In answer to your question, I've been on a musical "Peeping Tom" by Placebo kick lately. And I might be getting two new kitties this week. YAY! We need to chat one of these eons when we're both online at the same time. It's been too darn long.

XOXO,
E

[britt]

happy blogiversary!! i think 1 year is a great accomplishment.

and leona lewis. definitely loving her right now. her song "bleeding love" is beautiful.

[Drew]

Dave Matthews Band: "Satelite". It's been with me more than 10 years. On good days as well bad days - and we're still going strong.

[Bug's mama]

alrighty then, Happy Blogversary!!! ( i don't even know when mine is!!!) Just started reading a month ago or so, but I love to and maybe you'll come visit me too (cause I have almost NO traffic on my site!!!!) My AI hopeful is Brooke White or David Cook, either would make me happy!

[Sabrina]

Happy Blogoversary!!!

[AshleyD]

So, I've been reading your blog for a while now, and I'm following you on Twitter, so maybe you know who I am? I'm not sure. Either way, Happy blogiversary! And my favorite American Idol signer this season is Brooke. Even though she is kind of annoying when she speaks, I love her singing voice.

[Sierra]

Hi, I'll go ahead and delurk to wish you a happy blogoversary! I found your blog through a friend and love it. Your writing is amazing and some of your posts actually give me chills. Chills!

I love too much music to pick a favorite, so I'll go with AI. I never watch, but this season, I'm strangely hooked and I think Brooke is my favorite. Not sure why.

[MissyE]

Congrats on a year!! I am such a fan and I am amazed what you write about and how you and I have so much in common. It's like I dont need to ever blog cause you do it for me and in such a better way! So glad to have come across your blog!!

[Kristen]

Happy blogiversary

[Leah]

I'm so glad you're here. :)

[Maggie]

Happy Blogiversary! I am a guilty lurker...but hi! My current favorite song is the new one by John Mayer, that I just heard this morning. Why yes, my new favorite song is one that I have only heard one time, which wsa this morning. My favorite things tend to change almost as often as my socks....

[rebecca]

Congrats, darling! I adore reading all about you. you make my day a lot. you make me smile.

[Kristen Cantrell]

Hi Jennie! Congratulations on your blogoversary! We went to high school together. (My last name was 'Boring', then)

I love reading your blog. It's insightful and funny all at the same time. I'm totally borrowing the timeline idea from your blog for my blog.

Well, have a great day!