Two years ago today, I started this blog.
I remember it well. I had been debating starting it for a long time. I pondered. I wondered. I checked out Blogger. I sat at my desk that morning, that open plan desk on the 6th floor overlooking the internal guts of Company X's building and wondered how much granite a place could be made of. I signed up for an account and wondered what to call my blog. It didn't take long to think up the name Everyday Stranger. Then I wondered what to call myself, and that took even less time.
Then I didn't wonder anymore. I just wrote.
I didn't know what to do with my blog or what it was I wanted to achieve.
I still don't.
I do know that I was in therapy. I was depressed and unhappy with work, my marriage, my situation. I was so curious about what was in my head and heart that I wondered...if I had a little web page that I couldn't cast in the fire, would it all come out of me?
Much of it has. Not all of it, but much of it.
My blog has made me very happy. To put some statistics on it, it ranks in the top 90,000 most visited web sites in the world, which in the grand scheme of how many web sites there are in the world, is not a bad thing at all (I'm above Aberdeen News but below the BBC. Justice has been served).
I have had over 400,000 visitors since I started counting them. Over 9,000 comments. I used to get more daily comments a year ago than I do now-whether that's because I suck more this year than last year, I don't know.
Statistics aren't my bag-I don't know whether those numbers mean anything or not. Those are just numbers, and numbers don't change my life. What has changed my life are some of the people that I have met through my blog so far. I have met some incredible creatures that spread their hearts in my email box, and I love them for that. I have met wonderful, happy people and people like me-people that have weekends when only Aaron Spelling jokes will do. People that have lost their minds, their hearts, their jobs.
But the biggest thing that has impacted me is this: my blog continues to force me to pay attention, and I can't express how much I've learnt just by paying more attention.
So here's to my second anniversary of blogging.
I'll meet you this time next year, and I'll bring the gin.
-H.
PS- wish me luck. Am wearing my bestest knickers. I'm scared and exhilliarated at the same time.
1
Helen, i know that i don't 'know' you but i have been an avid reader a long time now and i cant thank you enough for sharing your thoughts with all of us. Through reading your blog you force me to think about things too and i appreciate that. You are a fantastic writer.
Besides, living vicariously through your life has been fun
Here's to the next year, and i will bring the limes!
Abs x
Posted by: abs at June 15, 2005 10:10 AM (+gJH8)
2
My very best congratulations, Helen! With you out there writing, those other 90,000 ought to be nervous about their place in the world.
Best of luck! You know I'm pulling for you and have all available resources crossed!
Posted by: RP at June 15, 2005 10:30 AM (X3Lfs)
3
Many congratulations. It warms my heart when I see others getting as much out of their blogs as I do out of my own.
Posted by: MrDan at June 15, 2005 10:42 AM (KF1fi)
4
Big congrats and best of British luck.
Posted by: Simon at June 15, 2005 11:25 AM (FUPxT)
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CONGRATULATIONS on every and all fronts!
Your bestest knickers deserve an newer bester pair to replace them- you are news!
Oh, and I owe you
Posted by: stinkerbell at June 15, 2005 11:58 AM (ZznPv)
6
Congrats! Ill bring the nice glasses so we can pretend we're posh and the salsa and chips because they make you drink more.
Posted by: That Girl at June 15, 2005 12:32 PM (gu1Ur)
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Happy Anniversary! I'm glad you've stuck around and I hope you continue to! I look forward to reading your blog every morning when I get to work.
Best of Luck!
Posted by: Erin at June 15, 2005 01:15 PM (BuifH)
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Happy 2nd blog birthday...again!! Your writing has gotten better not worse, but your life is in much better shape than it was early on. When things are going badly, everyone wants to help by giving you their two cents' worth or offering sympathy. When things are going well, we often sit back and simply enjoy the post.
I hope you find the time and energy to continue posting. This is usually one of the high points of my morning. God bless.
Posted by: Solomon at June 15, 2005 01:24 PM (k1sTy)
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Happy anniversary. Visits to blogs ebb and flow. But the amount of people commenting could be related to the amount of comments you leave. Give and take you know.
But regardless your blog is about you and your thoughts and expressions. As long as your happy with what your doing then comments dont matter....quality or quanity.
Posted by: Drew at June 15, 2005 01:37 PM (CBlhQ)
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Happy Anniversary!
Regarding the difference in the number of comments from last year, I know that I've been a bad blogger and I haven't been commenting as much as I'd like to, especially in the last few months.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Posted by: amber at June 15, 2005 01:39 PM (VZEhb)
11
Words can't even being to express what your blog has done for me. How you've crawled into my brain and moved right in. I talk to people and I'm like, "You won't believe what happened to Helen! Oh, you don't know Helen? Hmm."
Sometimes when I'm listening to my ipod, I'll hear a song and I'll just know that it belongs on your soundtrack. (Currently, it's The Damnwells - I Will Keep the Bad Things from you. Trust me, you'll love this song.)
Like Abs said, I don't technically "know" you but I still feel a connection. Maybe it's because my grandmother's name was Adelaide Helen and this makes me feel closer to her. Maybe I just like that someone seems as fucked up as I am.
I don't even know how long I've been reading about your life. It seems like I've been here since the beginning but that could just be because I've read the archives. : )
However long it's been, it's not enough. I'm glad you're planning on sticking around and I thank you for it. As a matter of fact, I want to thank every single person in your life that's had any sort of impact on you because it's made you who you are.
Posted by: Lindsay at June 15, 2005 01:50 PM (9AP/4)
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Happy blogiversary, Helen.
And knock 'em dead!
(not literally, unless there are no other options)
Posted by: Jim at June 15, 2005 01:58 PM (tyQ8y)
13
Happy Blogiversary!
No worries about the comments. Sometimes you write so well to where there's not much left to say. I read every new post and am happy that you're in a better place.
I love the feeling of great knickers. It's like my own little secret.
Posted by: PJ at June 15, 2005 02:07 PM (PulSE)
14
Happy Blogiversary, Helen. And many more to come, I hope. Your writing inspires me and I learn things from you everyday.
Posted by: kenju at June 15, 2005 02:17 PM (5U8GF)
15
Here's to good friends made, lessons learned, hearts felt, and many, many more posts from our not-so-Everyday hardly-a-Stranger.
Happy Bloggyday, Helen.
Posted by: Jennifer at June 15, 2005 02:39 PM (jl9h0)
16
Happy Blogiversary to you...
Happy Blogiversary to you.......
HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY DEAREST HELEN!!!
Happy Blogiversary to you.
Posted by: Elizabeth at June 15, 2005 02:39 PM (qmWCO)
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Congratulations and welcome to the terrible two's *lol*
Posted by: ~Easy at June 15, 2005 03:27 PM (/Lhqp)
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Happy Blogday Helen...
Reading what you write is one of the good things in my life.
Posted by: LarryConley at June 15, 2005 03:45 PM (Rd72B)
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Congrats my dear! I agree with previous mentioned sentiments - your writing
has gotten better. Most days, you awe me into silence. Leaving me in a state where I want to comment but know that there is nothing I can say that will match the beauty of what you've written.
I've been reading for almost the whole two years, and even though we've never met, I've enjoyed watching you grow every single day. Your perspective often has the power to change the way I look at everyday things.
So thank you. I'm glad you get as much out of writing your blog as we get out of reading it.
Posted by: amy t. at June 15, 2005 03:54 PM (zPssd)
20
happy blogiversary to you and Everyday Stranger!
It's amazing what we find of ourselves when we sit and let the words flow, isn't it?
Keep on keepin' on, Helen.
Posted by: scorpy at June 15, 2005 04:00 PM (4tuVe)
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Well everyone has already said what I could say - but I wanted to leave you a post!
Typical morning for me is getting my coffee, turning my computer on here at work & going directly to your site. You are the first thing I read every morning.
You are an inspiring writer who has the ability to put into context the things that happen in our everyday lives. awesome.
You have grown. You cheer me up when you are happy. You make me sad when you are upset. That is true writing ability.
love ya, keep it up & happy #2 to ya!
C
Posted by: Christina at June 15, 2005 04:13 PM (axrWz)
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Awe Love - Happy Anniversary. I don't know what I'd do with out you. And Amy T is right. Most times I want to comment but, what you've written... there's just simply nothing more to add. I feel very fortunate that I found your site and have gotten to know you.
Posted by: Tiffani at June 15, 2005 04:20 PM (KE4Gu)
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Happy anniversary! I've left only a few comments over the past year or so that I've been reading your blog (it's the first thing I do when I log on to my computer at work!) but thoroughly enjoy your writing and miss it desperately when I am away from computer access. You are living sort of my "dream" life. I am an American who loves England. I would love more than anything to leave my life here and live in the English countryside (Somerset would be my choice) but I accept that it will most likely never happen unless I win the lottery. I leave my husband home and visit England every year, sometimes twice and love every minute of it. It's like I've lived there in a previous life.
Thank you, Helen, for sharing your life with all of us. I feel like we're friends who have never met.
Hugs,
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy at June 15, 2005 05:05 PM (LY2gu)
24
Happy Blogiversary! (That is the strangest word...)
Here's to another year of paying attention. *toasts you with my coconut breve*
Posted by: Tami at June 15, 2005 06:06 PM (akE+H)
25
I rememeber reading this blog in its early days and it was wonderful. It has only gotten better with time.
Happy blogiversary, babe.
Posted by: kitty at June 15, 2005 06:17 PM (cyfSY)
26
Congrats, and to another great couple of years!I really enjoy reading you everyday!
Posted by: justme at June 15, 2005 06:30 PM (yTMmo)
27
Amazing how many of us visit this blog as soon as we get to work each day. You are an inspiration to many. I learn from you each day as your inner thoughts often echo mine and I learn a new way to think about old habits, thoughts, lessons and so much more.
Here's to two years and wishing you many, many more.
Posted by: Ice Queen at June 15, 2005 07:13 PM (Ct/0E)
28
Happy Blogiversary , Helen!
I can't believe it has been two years. That means my own anniversary is coming up in a couple of months. Of course, I've erased most of the evidence that I've been around that long... You're a much braver sould than I. Congratulations.
Posted by: Sue at June 15, 2005 08:10 PM (w0joj)
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That should of course read: Much braver soul... I still can't type, damn.
Posted by: Sue at June 15, 2005 08:11 PM (w0joj)
30
Hey, congratulations on the anniversary. Keep on going, I can assure you that you're not only helping yourself but others as well.
Take care.
Posted by: Paolo at June 15, 2005 10:59 PM (XBRVY)
31
Happy Blogiversary my friend. Whatever the reasons for starting it and continuing, I'm so glad you did. You have taught me a great deal in the past two years and my life is richer because of you and your writing.
Posted by: Serenity at June 15, 2005 11:41 PM (KjnKF)
32
Happy Blog Birthday, Helen. You amaze me daily with your humanity and vulnerability. Thanks for keeping this up. Even if I don't comment often, I do read often!
Posted by: Ms. Q at June 16, 2005 12:27 AM (WUM14)
33
I'd say "happy blogiversary" too, but like the words "baby dust" and shit like that, it probably creases you and you also look like you could kick my ass so... happy anniversary.
)
Posted by: sporty at June 16, 2005 12:46 AM (56gUM)
34
happy blogiversary!
goes fast...doesn't it?
as far as the comments - i can only speak for myself and say - i have been reading almost a year.
but i tend to be a bit on the quiet side here.
so - always add one to the comment number if i am not there.....ok?
i think that counts. and isn't really cheating....
Posted by: sn at June 16, 2005 03:15 AM (6FCAy)
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I rarely comment, but I've read all your posts for nearly a year now. You have a vivid writing style and honesty which keeps me hooked. I also like all the references to Sweden because I was living there for a while. So I thought it was time to pop my head up and say hello and congratulations!
Posted by: Mike at June 16, 2005 04:09 PM (fX+A1)
36
Congrats on the milestone. It's amazing to look back and reflect on all you've done, or how life has changed.
I look forward to keeping up with a blogger from a country I long to visit!
Posted by: Rebecca at June 16, 2005 04:11 PM (ZHfdF)
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happy anniversary helen! i haven't commented for a very long time, probably since my own blog had to be taken down after i was 'discovered' by my family (ek!), but i still read you everyday. i've gotten my best friend hooked too! here's to many more blog birthdays!
~L
Posted by: Laura at June 16, 2005 05:15 PM (Cwgaj)
38
MY turn to be late in wishing you a belated happy bloggin' birthday! But I know that you'll forgive me, because my excuse is that I was travelling (for a welcome change) and I know that you endorse that kind of thing.
This time next year, I'll be here. You can bet on it.
xxx R.
Posted by: redsaid at June 17, 2005 08:00 AM (Zagdc)
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