Nine Year Blogiversary
Craziness – today marks 9 years that I’ve been writing at ilaxSTUDIO.com!
I’ve said it many times before, but I never expected my blog to become what it has for me. I started it in 2005 to get used to writing (and hand coding) before I moved to Rome in January 2006 – my main intent was to use the blog to share stories while I lived overseas. But right away, it became a platform for connecting with other people and reading their stories. And it still amazes me that many of the people I love and consider to be family, are people I’ve met through blogging.
Awww.
I am really happy with what my blog is – my stories/experiences/highlight reel, my training and a discussion board. And I am pleased with the reception and readership too. Like I said above, its main purpose started as documentation, so any connection beyond that is always exciting. I am honored that you stop by to read/participate!
I do sometimes wonder if blogging will die out, or if I will get sick of it… but I really don’t see that happening. It’s just such a useful tool for me – I use it to document my life, store photos, connect with people, keep myself entertained (and sometimes procrastinate), and to feel creative and engaged. Onward we go, in to year 10!
Which blog(s) have you been reading the longest? What makes you “stick” with reading a certain blog?
Themocracy
I was reading this but only the 9 was visible (I’d scrolled past Data) when John came in and started reading over my shoulder. He asked, “Whose blog is that?” and I scrolled back up so Data was in view and said, “Does that answer your question?” 🙂 <3 It totally did, haha.
I started reading blogs before they were even called that. Mostly parenting stuff at the time. There aren't very many that I read regularly from back then, but still a couple! I need to connect with the "voice" of the person writing…it's the stories that make me stick around…
Ha ha ha! Love it! Data is part of my blog “brand” (barf, lol).
That’s cool that you still have a few from back in the day. I agree about voice! That can really make you connect with someone!
Congrats! You are a pioneer! LOL! Seriously tho, I read a lot of running blogs, for inspiration and sharing. I like blogs that aren’t too technical, that are funny, and relatable. Like yours…
Aww, thanks!
And when I started blogging there were people who had been doing it A LOT longer. Crazy how long people have been spilling it online. Ha ha.
Happy blogaversary!!!! I started blogging about 2 1/2 years ago, but didn’t keep consistent with it until recently. I thought it would be neat way to document my first marathon training with Bobbi in 2012, and it’s just sort of evolved from there! You and Bobbi’s blog are the ones I have been following the longest!! 🙂
It is a fantastic way to document training! What’s sad though, is when someone stops training and stops writing. ARE THEY STILL ALIVE? Hee hee. I have seen that happen a few times 😉
I admit, I was one of those people for a while! My goal this year was to post at least 2 times per week which I’ve almost always done!!!
Wow! Happy blogivarsary!! 9 years is amazing!! I blog for mainly personal reasons, like you. And am really happy for the connections I’ve made a long the way. I didn’t read blogs before I started blogging. I created my blog after reading a book called “Crush it” by Gary V. Then I realized there were a plethora of blogs out there. 🙂
I stick with blogs that “keep it real” hehe. No but seriously, people that are genuine, have some interesting things to say and have cute pets to name a few qualities. (All found in your blog!!) xoxo
I think you have told me a bit about this book! I need to look it up!
Yeah, that is HUGE for me too – being genuine. You can really read through the fake-ness on some blogs… especially if you have met the person IRL!
Ha ha ha! Cute pets always help!
Wow, nine years! That’s incredible! I don’t think I even knew blogs existed nine years ago haha. I think I spent most of my Internet time lurking around forums back then. Congrats on nine years!
I can’t even remember how I got hooked on blogs. Does that age me?? lol. Probably. 🙂
Congrats on 9 years! That’s pretty amazing!
Nine years on one blog must be some kind of record!! At least nine years of keeping it real on your blog, anyway. There are probably a few out there who have been around that long who made it their full-time job and became less genuine. And I know how you feel about that 🙂
Aww, thank you!
Ha ha ha. And you don’t even have to make it your full-time to become less genuine. I almost started writing about how much blogs have changed in this post but decided to keep it positive. LOL.
Congrats on 9 years. That’s awesome. I think the oldest blog I started reading was Dave’s Blogography back in 2007.
I started blogging at chillywilly.org in 2002, but it wasn’t until April 2008 that I started blogging more with Banal Leakage. So you’ve got 3 years on me.
That is who I started with too! And what encouraged me to start mine!
Happy blogiversary! And thanks for writing humorous, easy to read content. And for the Data photos… 🙂
Thanks! And you are welcome 🙂 And I am not sure I knew you were back to blogging! Yay!
YAY! Happy Blogiversary! So happy that I met you through it!
It’s the awesome people I’ve met through blogging that makes it worth wading through all of the other crap online. 🙂
Ha ha ha! Well said! And I am happy I met you through it, too 🙂
Glad that you’re still around 🙂
You’re up in Chicago, right? I have a tri there at the end of August!
Yeah! I live in Chicagoland, about 50 miles from the city! Are you doing the big Chicago tri?
Woo hoo! 9 years is awesome. I imagine it’s such a part of your routine (like working out) that it would be hard to cut something off like that completely.
It really is! I get a satisfaction from being able to speak my mind that I don’t always get irl 🙂
I’ve been reading your blog for a long time! I think at least 8 years because we met about 7 years ago I think in Chicago? My ability to tell what year things occurred is very bad. 😉
That sounds right! That was when you were here for that blogger thing… I can’t even remember what it’s called. Man, time flies!
Most of the people I first blogged with, don’t blog anymore. I started reading blogs in 2008 and writing in 2009. You were one of the first and one of the few left. I am glad you are still at it!!!!
Isn’t that crazy that people just disappear? When I look at old posts and see the commenters I am like “oh yeah, what happened to them?!”
Thanks 🙂
Congrats! You have one of the best blogs out there!! I love how you write about anything and keep it interesting and funny.
Thank you 🙂
Happy Blog (Vegan) Cake Day! (Sorry, but “blogiversary” makes me a little barfy).
I love that I’ve met amazing people like you through the internet. Thanks for being my partner in keeping it real and not selling out. 🙂
Ha ha ha. I feel that way about “blend” and “runch.”
YOU ARE WELCOME! I am always saying how I like that about your blog. 🙂
Happy blogiversary!
Nine years, wow! I hope you are planning something big for your 10 year anniversary in a year. I GUESS we can let you get buy with just this simple post for this year since it’s only 9. Haha! Happy blogiversary. Love your blog!
Ha ha. Funny you say that! Last year I had 8 prizes for eight years and this year I just didn’t have the … interest to do that. I gotta do something better for 10!
No problem. I was just giving you a hard time! Plus how can you take someone seriously when they use “buy” instead of “by”? Especially when they are an English teacher? LOL!
Wow, 9 years!!! You are the first blogger I met IRL and I’m glad that you were! I like reading blogs that I can relate to and/or inspire me. I change my must read list constantly as I move through phases, which is something I love about blogging!
Happy nine years! That’s incredible. I always enjoy reading your blog!
I hit none back in June. What is wrong with us? 😉
Happy blogiversary!
Nine, not none. D’oh!
Wow, that’s so impressive that you’ve been blogging for so long! Congrats 🙂 And I love that photo of your cat. She looks so focused on something.
Hee hee. I think Data was hoping that if he put up with the picture I would feed him ALREADY. ha ha
Congrats on nine years, that is a huge accomplishment and very inspiring for amateur bloggers like myself lol. My longest follow is Kristina at Blog About Running. I like blogs that post each day, honest about the good and bad runs, and simply write as if they were having a conversation with you.
Congrats! Nine years is a long time! I can’t even remember how I got into reading blogs. I think the first one I started reading was Healthy Tipping Point.
I think what keeps me coming back is really getting to know the blogger and interacting with them.