Nine Years of Average Jane

NinecandlesToday is the ninth anniversary of my first post here. This
year doesn't feel particularly triumphant because I've been struggling to keep
thinking of stuff to write about, but at least I have the satisfaction of
knowing that I've kept going. 

This isn't the first time I've taken the opportunity to
direct you back to my very first blog post on one of these bloggiversaries, but
today I've actually taken the liberty of updating that post. Back when I
started blogging, I never posted photos. It was an artistic choice at the time,
but since then I've changed my mind. Therefore, my very first post now has a (not
very good) photo of me taken in conjunction with the event it describes.

And thus is history rewritten…

So how about those nine years? To keep you from having to
read through the entire archive to find out, I can point out a few key things,
in no particular order: 

  • My hair is blonde again. Until I went and dug up that first
    post photo, I didn't remember what color my hair had been back then. It was a
    fashion choice then; today it has a lot more to do with covering grey.
  • I sort of have the same job. When I started my blog, I was
    working at a small web/game design firm that was later acquired by the
    company where I currently work. I've jumped around to a half-dozen different
    departments since then, but I'm happy to say that I'm still there and getting
    things done.
  • All of my pets are different. When I started the blog, the
    cat lineup in our household was Kato, Friday, Velcro and Alexandra, all of whom
    have since died of old age. Now our cats are the relatively youthful Xena,
    Velvet, Trillian and Dr. Jones, and we have a senior dog named Toby.
  • I have a lot more friends. I cannot overstate the effect
    that blogging has had on my social life. Between meeting bloggers and social
    media folks in Kansas City and connecting with the same at conferences around
    the country (notably BlogHer, BlogPaws and BlogWorldExpo), not to mention
    meeting people online in different parts of the world, I've developed the most
    wonderful network of people I really enjoy spending time with. Thanks to this blog, there are literally hundreds of people
    that I would fly anywhere to visit without hesitation if money were no object.
  • I'm in a band again. Never believe me if I say I might stop singing in bands. It always turns out to be temporary.

Since we're celebrating my blogging anniversary, I'd like to ask you: How long have you been reading Average Jane? I know there are some long-time readers still around and I'm curious to see if I've attracted anyone more recently.

Happy Friday! Have a piece of cake if you can get one!

Photo credit: Nakeva Corothers

Comments

7 responses to “Nine Years of Average Jane”

  1. ljobab Avatar
    ljobab

    i’ve only been reading for the last 2 years, but i’ve been pretty thorough about going back and reading the archives 🙂

  2. Paula Pritchett Avatar
    Paula Pritchett

    Today is my first day reading your blog. I think it’s safe to say that I’m your newest fan 🙂 I look forward to reading more of your past entries this weekend. Happy Anniversary!

  3. East Coast Girl Avatar
    East Coast Girl

    I can’t really say how long it has been(the brain goes after a while lol), but it has been several years. Congrats on your 9 years! I had a cupcake in your honor!

  4. Melanie Avatar
    Melanie

    Several years but I can’t say for sure… maybe 3?

  5. Kathy Avatar
    Kathy

    I think I’ve been reading maybe 4 years or so. Always enjoy your posts!

  6. Laurie Avatar

    I’ve been reading since just after I met you at BlogHer 2007!

  7. A Librarian Avatar

    Since our first KC blogger meetup at a Halloween party in 2006. I have faithfully (if sometimes tardily, read your blog ever since). http://notablereading.blogspot.com/2009/11/blogging-anniversary.html

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