Last post

I’m wondering what went through your mind when you read the title of this post.
I know what went through mine, but I’m just curious.

Blogging has become something of an obsession of mine since I began in February of 2005. I shudder to think how much time I’ve spent posting, endlessly messing with my template and header, reading and commenting on other blogs (the list goes on, as you well know).

Several interesting things happened this year at Smoke and Mirrors:

 

1) My piece ‘14 Signs you may be suffering from a BCD’ (blogging compulsive disorder) was published in an online book and is now available in print through Amazon. Pretty cool. (thanks, Deb Woehr) I still can’t afford a house on the French Riviera but it’s still pretty cool.

2) The ‘Crap’ post fiasco where another blogger labeled me as a racist (thanks for sticking up for me Fuzz)

3) the total Fubar with the ever enigmatic Bloggy Awards, which I won’t go into here but suffice to say I learned a few valuable lessons.

 

The list goes on but those are a few of the standouts that come to mind.

The year also saw the introduction of a few new bloggers namely, Writer Chick (you can thank me for prodding her. Shit, she has more readers than me now), Spasmicallyperfect, Anonymum, MurderofRavens (visit him and say he’s still slacking) and the fiery riddle that is PureEvyl (God, let me count the ways I love this freakshow of a blogger).

I started an Alzheimer webring called Memory Lane, a collection of blogs that chronicle some aspect of the devastating disease.
Every blog residing there is worthy of a look.
I only wish I had the time to devote to visiting all the blogs there and promoting the webring.

As I always say, in a perfect world.

A few blogs caught my eye because they were so interesting.
Never Goodbye and Mercurial Scribe are wonderful weblogs that simply put many to shame because they’re so well written.
Speaking of eloquence, there’s my new friend Sarah Flanigan and In the Shadow of His Wings, both exceptional in terms of the quality of writing and creativity of thought to be found there.

There’s a downside as well with the blogosphere in terms of linking.
This year I linked to several blogs after commenting numerous times.
There’s no cardinal rule that states linking is reciprocal but I felt I had something in common with these folks and I foolishly expected a linkback.
Never expect a linkback.
Never.

I check Technorati every few days to see anyone new that’s linked to me.

I never found one of these blogs linking back, no comments on my blog as well.

So, I blew them away.

If they don’t like it, tough shit.

All I ever really wanted was to be, at the very least, acknowledged.

Sour apples?
I don’t think so.
They needed me more than I needed them.

Nothing cocky, we’re just talking common courtesy here. That’s all.

Anyway, we’ll see what happens next year.
Or not.

Tune in on January 1st to see if I’m still alive and kicking… and posting.
I may very well be.

Happy New Year, everybody.
2007 is here. Good God, already?
Stay safe…

 

~m

12 thoughts on “Last post

  1. Hi, stumbled onto your blog while perusing WordPress, as I am thinking of changing over from Blogger. If you have a moment, could you tell me if you have had a good experience with WordPress? Happy New Year!

    Already done, Susan.
    Let me know how you make out.
    ~m

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  2. I had just finished reading the news story about the execution in Iraq and seeing your post about Noose, so I first thought ‘the End’ had something to do with that. The thought of you quitting the blog hasn’t even entered my head. You’re a natural for this. I hope you continue to find reasons to keep posting. And that it stays enjoyable and rewarding for you. We ‘readers’ need ‘writers’ like you! And in case I haven’t said it, “Thank you.”

    Lolly,
    I am gobsmacked. Really nice comment.
    Thank you.
    ~m

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  3. Hi–found your blog while tagsurfing. I’ve only been blogging a couple of months and I have a question–when you say “link back”–do you mean add to their blogroll? I try to add blogs to my blogroll who have put mine on theirs…is this correct?
    Thanks!

    MJB-
    Yes, that’s a linkback.
    I link to you and if you feel we have something in common and like what I do, you ‘linkback’.
    As I said, there’s no cardinal rule that says you have to but I’m a bit fuzzy on exactly what happened with a few supposed linkbacks. I’m not losing any sleep over it, believe me.
    I’ll stop by and visit someday.
    Be well…
    ~m

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  4. M…..Enjoy reading your post always, maybe this is a way of keeping one’s sanity in a world that has gone crazy…

    You understand one of the main reasons I do this.
    It keeps me sane.
    Thanks, GM.
    HNY…
    ~m

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  5. When I saw “The End,” to me your title meant “2006 is ended.” Great title and metaphor–a perfect communication from a writer, who takes us to the last page of a book and we see ‘The End” or the more visual audience reminded of the last frame in a movie as “The End” flashes to view and credits start to roll.

    The blogging year of 2006 is over and I love the way you recap your encounters with bloggers and highlighted blog moments. Thanks for the acknowlegement for my blog too.

    I wish I had more time for blogging. If it wasn’t for Annie (WC), I never would have started a blog, but she convinced me to have a go at it. I’m always playing catch-up, trying to wrap up projects and keep up with the day-to-day demands. Right now I should be cleaning the house and updating the past three months of Quickbooks that I have let slide. Instead I’m flying around the Internet visiting blogs. Much more fun, and I wanted to thank you for your blog.

    Thank you for providing all of us with insightful, creative, wonderfully well written and moving posts, the kind of posts that engulf us in your experiences, let us share your wisdom and bring humanity to an otherwise frenzied world.
    The best to you for 2007.

    ~ PG

    Thanks for the praise, PG.
    It’s nice to know my writing positively impacts people.
    And you are totally welcome for the link.
    I missed a few people though and plan on making it up to them soon.
    The best right back atcha in ’07.
    Good luck with Dad. I’m but a shout away…
    ~m

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  6. Crap!! Where the hell was I when you posted the “CRAP” post!! That was Awesome!!

    Oh yea, I wasn’t blog addicted yet. In fact I was completely blog oblivious until Writer Chick came along got me all hooked and all. (I’ll have to thank her for that 😉 )

    I’ll be right here on January 1st waiting to applaud your arrival. (as, I’m sure, so will the rest of this amazing circle of friends/bloggers be that I’ve so enjoyed reading)

    Happy New Year to all of you!

    Oh, that Writer Chick is an evil one, eh? 😉
    Reading her blog is kind of like eating Lay’s potato chips, ya just can’t stop…
    Thanks, K2. For everything.
    ~m

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  7. Like PG I thought you meant ‘the end’ of the year. Appropriate. I don’t actually believe you are even entertaining the idea of hanging up your blogging shoes so I guess I’ll just have to wait and see if it’s a tease or you mean it. Hmmm- we’ll have to talk.

    Thanks for the acknowledgment of my blog – NO, I don’t have more readers than you – fat chance. 😉

    As you know, I am always interested in the world according to Mikey – in all its many forms – keep on keeping on my friend.

    Happy New Year to one of the nicest guys in the whole wide world.

    WC

    *blushing…
    I could stop blogging. (yeah, right)
    Thanks, Annie.
    I promise to keep on keepin’ on…
    ~m

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  8. good recap of the year…i remember the “crap” post…or more specifically, your response to the cretin that bit off more than he could chew in a forum where he was so far out of his depth i was almost embarrassed for him (please note i said almost!!!)
    it you, annie & kel that sent me on this strange, inexplicable journey called blogging..and for that i thank each of you…
    to you michael, i say thank you for letting me share your journey, thank you for the amazing way you have of making me feel like i’ve been transported to whatever time or place it is you have chosen to take me when you post…and thank you for the laughs, the tears and most of all the goosebumps…that you could even contemplate closing the doors on smoke and mirrors would never enter my head..it is a thought far too disturbing because it’s a magical place! i’ll be camped on your door step come january 1st, waiting for the next chapter in what is one of the most amazing books i have ever read….happy new year

    *personal response via email for this comment.
    Sorry folks…
    ~m

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  9. I think that I will put ‘Freakshow of a Blogger’ on my damn tombstone. Thanks friend, and I am looking forward to a new year of blogging from one of the best.

    Ditto, Evyl.
    ~m

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  10. Ah yes the bloggy award saga what fond memories that brings to mind..and of course the Gene episode was a classic too

    Gene, Gene, the lean mean “Crap” machine.
    He tucked his tail and fled. Nuff said…
    ~m

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