One year of blogging
This blog launched on Sept. 12, 2007, or one year ago today. How about that!
Becoming a blogger was unexpected in a way, given that I'm not computer- or tech-oriented. But not that unexpected, in that I volunteered to do it.
That summer I had slowly discovered, and been impressed by, our valley's handful of local blogs, and became captivated by the form. I liked its informality, its immediacy, its possibilities for interaction with readers. Also, its unlimited space. I felt I could do something interesting with a blog as an adjunct to my column.
Whether I have or haven't done something interesting is up to you to judge. Regardless, from my standpoint blogging has been a lot of fun, if more time-consuming than I'd expected going in. (My debut predicted that my posts might be just a few lines long. In reality, I've tended to go on at much greater length.)
I committed to posting daily, at least while building a readership, because as blog readers know, it's disappointing to click one of your bookmarked blogs and have a page pop up that you've already seen, sometimes multiple times.
Posting daily, even when time was short or nothing obvious presented itself, forced me to get creative. And, just as crucially, lower my standards. Whatever, I did it. Every single day for an entire year, I've posted at least once. (No such commitment is being made for Year Two, by the way.)
In its first year, this blog has seen 390 posts (some days I've posted twice) and 1,789 comments (and growing). That's an average of 4.5 comments per post, which isn't bad. And this blog is averaging 400 page views a day. My wild, unsupported guess is that maybe a thousand people are reading the blog semi-regularly, some checking every day, maybe multiple times a day, others coming in once a week to catch up.
I'll write more about my first year of blogging in an upcoming column -- mostly to entice more people to visit, of course -- and I'll write more here soon with some thoughts on Year Two, while probably soliciting your feedback on certain points.
In the meantime, thanks for your help in making this blog work.
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About this blog
About this blogger
A journalist for more than two decades, David Allen has been writing a column for the Daily Bulletin since 1997 and blogging since 2007.He lives in Claremont.
E-mail David here or read columns here.
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Congratulations David,
It's been a fun year. I hope that your frequency doesn't drop off too much. I like having a fresh post every morning. Starts the day off right.
Thank you!!
[You're welcome!! -- DA]
Congratulations are in order. I have enjoyed your articles so much. Great memories, great times in the Pomona-Upland area. Look forward to the upcoming year!
Fred Henderson
Everett, WA
Congrats David! As an avid reader of your thrice-weekly column, it was a no-brainer that I would bookmark this page. Now this blog is a daily stop. I think it goes something like....."email, E~Trade, The David Allen Blog." It's best that I read your musings after looking into my retirement portfolio, as it usually eases the pain of realizing that my retirement in not "right around the corner." Looking forward to year two. ~Jim
Your first anniversary already? How time flies when you're having fun!
I look forward to reading both your blog and your columns. They serve to take the drear out of the daily ho-hum.
Congratulations. I can only imagine how hard it must be to come up with inspirations to keep folks coming back and commenting.
It's great to find out about the history and happenings in the IE, not the least of which are the City Council meetings.
Keep up the good work.
Ramona
Wow, a year. Well, you are much appreciated here in the Thomas household. We always look forward to your column and your blog. Thanks, David, for leaving us laughing, and for keeping us updated on the insanity of other cities (we know Upland is just PERFECT).
Tom and Ann
P.S. This message was not approved by Tom ... just Ann. ; )
[If I can't have an approved comment from Upland Councilman Tom Thomas, I'll take one from his better half. -- DA]
You don't even look a year older.
Count this as your .5 comment.
As Mick & the boys said....CON GRAT CHU LAY SHUNS !!
It has been a gas, gas, gas reading your blog... thanx for all the great topics and providing a way for all your readers to interact with you... and each other.
Lookin' forward to more of the same in the future.
Remember...it's only rock & roll...but I like it !!
Unlike most of your readers, I happened upon your blog and columns while looking at my "old" hometown newspaper. But as a transplant to Atlanta, I look forward to both. If I don't get my daily dose of David Allen -- the day seems to turn to garbage.
[Glad you like what I do. Even if I do suddenly feel like Paxil. -- DA]
GREETINGS:
Congratulations, David, on accomplishing such a daunting undertaking. I know there are many who will laugh at that statement, but they are the ones who don't fully understand the challenge (and often times, the terror) of the blank page. Or, with a blog, is that a "blank screen"?
You have not only attained your goal, you've done it with humor and style. You're never too serious (especially about such "important" topics as city council meetings) and never dismissive of responding comments (especially those dealing with eating olives).
And you have contributed so much. You've drawn readers from throughout the area and beyond, coaxing ideas and providing a forum for shared memories. The newspaper may have designated this the "Inland Valley," but you've offered it a true existence. Looking back, you've given it a heart and put a smile on the face of this region.
Besides, where else can we discuss about former places (stores, restaurants, theaters, etc.) and things (radio stations, streets, pies, etc.) that once existed in this land before the 909?
So happy anniversary David. Here's wishing you decades more fun in the sun (and limited rainfall) and plenty of topics with which to tantalize your loyal blog readership.
David:
One year -- way to go! I very much appreciate the good you have done for the City of Pomona. It was perfect that you were asked to be the Grand Marshal of our parade! I also have a daily list of blogs I go through every day and I enjoy yours very much.
Hey Dave I was just going to sit down and read my latest issue of my Mad Magazine when I saw it is your one year. Well congratulations now back to my Mad Mag.
[Me and Mad. Doing some heavy reading today, huh? -- DA]
David, somewhere Millie Richardson is truly smiling.... Journalism and calling this a job. ERHS'ers from the early '80s are beginning to tune into you. I find myself stopping by daily. Maybe you and Mr. Avila (I really want to party with him) could co-blog in year two. You could be a duo like Burns & Allen or Shields & Yarnell. It is great to have found your writings. You are making me laugh as you did back before I had gray hair, keep it going.
[Mark, a high school classmate of mine, was referring to our journalism teacher, Mrs. Richardson. -- DA]
Congratulations, David (I don't yet feel close enough to qualify to call you 'Dave').
I have enjoyed it most of the way ... commented too few times (in view of what I might have felt at the time) ... but now I am resolved to do better than ever before.
(Perhaps as you have sometimes felt about the project from your own POV.)
Keep up what I am experiencing as good work on your part!
(And I promise that I will on my part as well!)
[Thanks, Don, and hope to see you around the blog more. -- "Dave"]
Hey, David. Congratulations on making it a year. I didn't really start tuning in until you were in the middle of reading Moby Dick. Almost tuned back out again. :) I somehow have managed to get through my life without reading that book. Yeah, yeah, I'm a lightweight. But, I've hung in there, and am enjoying your blog more everyday. Keep us in stitches, o.k.? kathyf
[Glad to hear you can't get through life without reading my blog, even if you can get through without reading Moby Dick. -- DA]
Okay, everybody sing:
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday, dear the David Allen Blog, Field Notes, Observations, and Assorted 909-sense from the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Columniiiiiist,
(insert deep breath here)
Happy birthday to you!
--and many morrrrrrrre!
[That deep breath may be a few syllables too late for readers' comfort, Judi. Seriously, thanks for the good wishes. -- DA]
We LOVE your blog and read it daily! Joel is always looking for the restaurant reviews. Thanks for keeping us informed on local events in your blog and your column. We look forward to another year of stimulating journalism!
Belated congratulations on the great work. You keep me connected to the IE as if I still lived there. Thanks!