The other day when a bunch of bloggers had this "Oh, How I Miss You Blogfest" I started going through the entries and got really depressed because I saw hardly a mention of poor me. I got so depressed I decided to cry in my beer. Then I got really depressed when I discovered I didn't have any beer to cry into. So instead I had to settle for crying in my chocolate milk.Actually that's not true. I did feel a little left out, but there was no way I was going ruin a good glass of chocolate milk by diluting it with salty tears. I wasn't all that sad because I did get a couple mentions. However I did get kind of misty eyed the other night at the end of this soppy old romantic movie with a sweet happy ending. Those old movies get me every time. They just don't make them like that anymore.
Anyway, I missed out on doing my own "Miss You" post because I kind of missed that blogfest. I've been very distracted lately as some of you may be aware. But as I was reading through the "Miss You" posts it brought to mind the special Thanksgiving post I had in the works. As is customary for many of us, I have decided to present a list of things I am thankful for.
There are many things for which I am thankful. Blogging has become one of the things for which I am most thankful. Most of my attitude of gratitude about blogging is because of you--each and every one of you reading this now and those who have read one or more of my posts in the past.
And you readers who have commented at some time or other deserve my biggest thanks. Like a performer cheered on by an unseen audience, I am heartened by your acknowledgement of what I have presented to you. Your comments tell me that someone stopped by to pay attention to me if only for a moment.
There is always the fear that singling out special bloggers might make others who are not mentioned feel unappreciated. Please understand that this is not the case. I appreciate each of you and love all of you dearly--even when you disagree with me. And I don't want this to be a monster post that goes on far too long nor a list of names without specific reasons for being named. This post is my list of a few of the most faithful and some of the bloggers who leave me the most exemplary kinds of comments.
Tossing It Out Commenter Hall of Fame
I begin with the young man who almost always comments without fail and is often the first commenter of the day. With the unique tag of YeamieWaffles, Matthew of Matthew's Blog consistently leaves encouraging comments of substance. Matthew, I have to offer my deepest apologies for not having been by your blog in so long to leave a comment, but I think you understand some of the things I've been dealing with since you read nearly all of my posts. If you readers don't know Matthew, he's a bright young guy who is worth knowing--his posts might remind you of some of your own college days. I hope one day I can shake your hand in person, Matthew, but for now please accept this virtual pat on the back as a commenter I can always count on.
Andrew Leon from Strange Pegs is a blogging pro who understands not only the essence of good commenting, but also how to use a comment as a springboard for dialog. This can be a time consuming process that might mean not being able to visit as many blogs as one would like, but to leave these types of comments is to be a notable presence on the blogs that are visited. Andrew obviously subscribes to the follow-up comments since he often will respond to the replies he receives to the comments he leaves. Some of the conversations we have at my blog and that he has at his blog and other blogs where he leaves comments is a good argument for staying on top of the commenting process. His example epitomizes the term "Social Networking". Bloggers like Andrew are why I try to leave comment replies that are more than just brief acknowledgements.
Since I've given Stephen T. McCarthy a lot of time in past blog posts I'll just add him to the list of bloggers who actually have a discussion in the comment section. To see what I mean just check out some of the comment sections on his posts at his blog Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends. Sure, you might not agree with Stephen and you might even be offended, but you have to admit that this guy knows how to carry on a conversation in his comments. That's my blogging dream. Thank you, Stephen, for showing the way to establishing good blog dialog.
Through Stephen I came into contact with Larry at Disconnected and Back in the USSR. He doesn't comment on my blog as much as I'd like, but when he does, it's worth the wait. Larry has a sly sense of humor while also having good sense. He also is not for everybody, but he'll give everybody a chance to join in the conversation. Thanks Larry.
Then there are two very fine ladies, Em-musing and Faraway Eyes, who not only seem to show up with regularity on this blog, but also on my other blogs. Thank you for supporting my more neglected blogs--and with gusto. Great comments both of you! Also, I must include Eve Prokop as another fine lady who visits more than just this blog and leaves some notable comments. She's a bit wacky too as you will see when you visit her blog. Thanks Eve!
Honorable mention goes to Nicole Ayers at Madlab Post. She comments sporadically at my sites, but when she does her comment is like a blog post. And my blog is not an exception. When she comments on your blog, she leaves you with something to read and think about. This is why Nicole has been one of my favorite guest posters. When you leave comments like that you only have so many blogs that you have time to comment on. When I get a comment from Nicole I really appreciate it.
A big thanks to Hilary at Positive Letters...Inspirational Stories for epic comments that are almost like mini-versions of her epic blog posts. And (blush) she has always been so supportive of me--thank you dear for your recent blog post that mentioned me. I guess I'd even have to say that was a bit more than just a mention. I don't feel so forgotten after that post. All the fine words from the commenters gave me such a lift. Thank you, Hilary. In our blogging community, you are a shining star who is always more than willing to share the love and give a boost to others. The thanks I give you is almost as big as one of your blog posts, though nowhere near as interesting and filled with detail.
Then finally there's Alex Cavanaugh who sometimes seems to be competing with YeamieWaffles to be the first comment on my blog. In fact, his comment seems to be at the top of most blog comment sections. I don't know how he does it, but I guess that's why he'd be the most missed blogger for most of us. And not only did Alex get the most mentions in the "Miss You" blogfest, now he's got his own personal blogfest coming. Hey, this is getting ridiculous!If you want to join in on all the ridiculous fun you can go to the host sites at Mark Koopman, Morgan Shamy, Stephen Tremp, and David Powers King for the details and the sign-up list. I'm doing this. How about you?
Now while we're at it, why don't we just give Alex his own TV show. That'll be different, eh? A show where we never get to see the star.
In closing I want to thank all of you out there. Even if I didn't mention you here today I was thinking of you. I could list so many, but then again I could create a blog post that would go on and on and on. And I think I've already exceeded the recommended blog post length. If you feel left out, you can always cry into your beer, your chocolate milk, or even your egg nog. Or you can let me know in the comment section so I can include you in a future post. You know I love you. Yes, I'm talking to you.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
