On a year of blogging

Given that tomorrow’s the end of 2013 I’m not going to do a Song Title Challenge today.  Anyway, last week’s story was number 30, which is a nice round number on which to end.  You don’t agree?  Tough.  My blog, my rules, as I’m sure I’ve said before 😉

Instead, I’m going to look back a bit over my year on if all else fails…use a hammer, as is apparently traditional for those few still blogging at this time of the year.

Barring today and tomorrow, I’ve had 6 262 views this year, averaging seventeen per day.  Given that I only started posting with any regularity around May, I reckon this is pretty good (and if I only count from May onwards that average changes to twenty-five).  I’ve had visitors from 88 different countries, including the only country on Earth with a non-rectangular flag (Nepal), and with the top ten countries in terms of visitors (in descending order) being the USA, the UK, my own South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Tanzania (I’d appreciate it if the reader from Tanzania could leave a comment – I’d like to know who you are), the Netherlands, Germany and India.

if all else fails reader map 2013

I’m currently standing on 188 followers, most of them gained in this year (though your guess is as good as mine as to how many of them are real and/or actually reads this blog…based on regular commenters the actual number is more likely in the low teens).  I’ve also made a few good blog-buddies, some of whom I interact with both on WordPress and off, while a few others disappeared from the blogosphere so quietly I almost didn’t notice.  Such is the nature of all long-distance relationships, is it not?

And along with this one I’ve published 192 posts (including a few reblogs).  I’ve already recapped some of the highlights with my Blogaversary post a couple of months ago, but I’d also like to point out the top ten posts of 2013 by views according to the stats page.

10.  On my job interview – a twitterventure

Sadly I didn’t get the job.  In fact, they never even had the decency to let me know, rather choosing to announce the name of the successful candidate on their Facebook page, apparently leaving the other four candidates hanging (or maybe it was only me – after flying me to a different part of the country they probably felt a phone call or e-mail to let me know was too much of an expense).  Scratch that “sadly” from earlier.  I’m well shot of them.

9.  On South Africa – land of many tongues

My post on South Africa’s Heritage Day, celebrating one small aspect of our many diverse cultures.

8.  KokkieH Reviews Les Misérables

The musical movie, not the musical or the movie.  (Did that make sense?)

7.  On a different type of spam

This was hands-down my favourite post of the year, largely due to the reaction it generated.  It’s the single post that received the most comments and views per day and lead, to date, to the one and only spoof-post based on one of my own.  It was fun.

6.  On building a puppet

I’m a little surprised this post has been so popular.  On the other hand, I still think she’s the prettiest puppet I’ve ever made.

Girl Puppet

5.  KokkieH Reviews Secrets of Inferno – In the Footsteps of Dante and Dan Brown by Dan Burstein and Arne de Keijzer

My first read-for-review book.

4.  Rest in Peace, Tata Madiba

Things in SA are pretty much back to normal after Nelson Mandela’s death, which is somewhat sadder than his death itself.  If you lived here you’d understand.

3.  Song Title Challenge #18: Swing Life Away – Rise Against

My most popular Song Title Challenge to date.  If I can figure out an actual method of death to fit this story I might just try to turn it into a novel.

2.  KokkieH Reviews Inferno by Dan Brown

Can’t say I enjoyed the book very much, but I did get it for free, it lead to me receiving another book for free, and this was my second most popular post ever.

1.  Some pictures of puppets

You people really seem to like puppets.  Well, not to fear.  There will be more coming in 2014.  So far I’ve only introduced you to the puppets I’ve made on order, but there are also those the wife and I made for personal use.  Keep an eye out for them.

Thanks for sticking with me this year.  As much as I enjoy writing this blog, it is after all the people reading it who makes it worthwhile.

Only one day left of 2013.  How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?

23 thoughts on “On a year of blogging”

    1. All the best for you also. I love Germany, having spent December ten years ago in Dachau and Christmas in a small village outside Köln. Glad to have a reader from over there.

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    1. Greetings 😀 The wife and I have a particular fondness for India even though we’ve never had the opportunity to visit there. Thanks for helping put India in my top 10.

      Sorry about beating you guys with the cricket, by the way. By rights you should have won the first test.

      Happy New Year over there as well and feel free to comment more often in 2014 😉

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      1. Greetings 😀 You both should definitely visit India. The fondness you have will increase! 🙂

        Oh that’s totally alright with me. Maybe because I’m not a huge enthusiast of cricket. My dad was upset though. But I did hear him say, “Because its South Africa, it’s fine” slowly. So I think all’s well.

        Thank you, and I surely will 😉

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    1. Ooh! I did New Year’s at the beach once. That was fun. With the nearest ocean six hundred kilometres away I’ll be relaxing in my favourite chair instead. At least I’ll have a good view of the illegal fireworks being set off in the holiday resort across the river 😉 Enjoy it.

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  7. It sounds like you’ve had quite the year on your blog. It’s exiting to see how it’s grown, isn’t it? And so neat to see all the readers you have in so many different countries. I’m looking forward to reading more posts in 2014, and seeing how we both grow. 🙂 Happy New Year to you, and best wishes!

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    1. It is. Asia and Africa are also very under-represented (which is understandable as they are the poorest regions on the planet). I don’t have any hopes for China, but I’d like to colour in the rest of the map 😉

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