I always say this blog if you guys', not mine, but I don't think ya'll really feel me. The lifeblood of any blog is comments. Yes, hits are important for your ego, and your pocket assuming you're appropriately monetized (all these new ads aren't an accident). But I seriously doubt that any person writes in a vacuum. You write because you want others to absorb some of what you put out there and respond. And honestly, even though Google Analytics tells me how many folks visit here everyday (usually in the high 100's, 1,500 on the rare really good day) the best gauge of how many folks are really paying attention is the comments.
Seeing a big fat ZERO comments after bangin' out a well-written post is like Kryptonite for a blogger. I vividly remember those meager early days when it was basically just me and AverageSisterInLaw talking to each other all day.[1] I Hope I Don't Go Back.[2]
Whether ya'll agree with me or not, I love your comments. I get each and every one delivered to my Inbox the moment they're posted. I check my email every morning when I wake up (Blackberry 8300 is that crack), the minute I leave the gym at lunchtime, and often while weaving through traffic on my way home. When I'm in the middle of a long assed-boring client meeting they crack me up and break the monotony. When my day's not going to well, they pick me up. They are the reason why I keep stealing 15-20 mins from my Day Job each day. They're the legitimacy that opened doors at NPR, The Black Weblog Awards, and The Washington Post.
In short, they're the reason I do this. And for that, I thank ya'll.
Oddly, although I love comments, and read literally dozens of other blogs daily (thank God for RSS readers), I seldom if ever leave comments. I don't know why, but I just don't. So, to the hundreds of lurkers who float in each day to watch me an a couple dozen of my closest friends shoot the breeze, I say thank you, and I ain't mad at ya'. But your two cents are always welcome, and the door's Anonymously open. Join the convo. The more the merrier.
But for my die hard AverageCommenters, this case of Cyber Capri Suns is for you. Thanks for the making this site what it is, I couldn't do it without ya'll.
AB.com sends crazy stupid ridonculous shout-outs to:
ebonygentlemanThanks, and keep ridin' with ya' boy! If I missed you, blame the head, not the heart.
levois
cube
Zack
DJ Black Adam
educated black woman
Mwanga
WriteOnBro
Chris N
Thembaland
Trey
Afro-Am Writer
Plez
The Dad from Black and Married
anonymiss
Cinco
Ms Kimba
daedalus
gypsyeyes
urbanthought
hawa
Uppity Negro
Zeezy
Vindy
I.l.l.
Poopyman
TalentedTenth
Kesi
Tiff In Houston
Ciara
Symphony
DeeDee
StillAPanther
spool32
[1] Not that I mind talking to my sister in law all day, she's good peoples. She really helped get the word out about this blog when nobody else wanted to help. I'm eternally grateful.
[2] Name that song.
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15 AverageComments™:
Glad to have found your blog. I catch you on the RSS and am unable to comment at times but find it quiet informative. I know what you mean when you see zero comments. I sometimes think "is no one feeling what I'm saying?" But then I keep blogging and doing the thing.
Happy to be apart of the blogging community.
Did E-40 do the tune?
Yeah but you take points off for spelling and you don't have a spell checker.
Jusus
A simple google search back in January led me to this site. The content was thoughtful and entertaining. I kept coming back.
Thank YOU, AB for finding one of your life's niches and making it work. I'm grateful to contribute.
*puts the Sun on ice*
EG
Thanks AB!
I often view your blog. I don't always have a comment. And I stay away from all blogs on the weekends...that being said I put my two cents in from time to time.
My only negative- sometimes I think you use too much 'ebonics', 'street lingo' or 'hip hop' language to describe your views. As an old timer I have to decipher the paragraph before I can respond to it.But it's your blog do what you want and what you feel works.
Thanks for the shout! I loves Capri Suns!!!
Thanks for the Shout-Out AB! Granted, I don't comment all the time - I'm a quick reader because of time constraints with trying to have a life as well as writing for my blog.
Ok, not that I have much to say, but "congratulations" and "glad you're appreciating your buzz". Bot who could resist commenting after such an affectionate post? Anyway, I check here regularly but have learned not to comment unless I have something to useful to add. Keep up the good work!
AB - Thanks for the shoutout! I'm doing manual labor today - a sista was gettin' kinda thirsty:-O
Aww...AB *sheds tear*. Even though I get at you about your Wizards (lol), I love your blog.
You've actually encouraged me to keep blogging and I am definitely going to take the AB Challenge :)
I love how you've taken liberties with my name in the way that only a white coworker or classmate ever could ;)
I have to say that when I first started commenting I was all in fisticuffs with conservatives like daedelus but now...I kind of like dude...it feels ok.
Gee thanks AB! Of course I'm all late to the party, as usual. Off to sip my Capri Sun...
Seriously thanks for all the hard work on your blog. It's one of very few I check for errday.
Tasty!
Thanks for the mention, and for the blog... I love it and share it with others.
AB, one love. I have no complaints. Keep doing you.
Wow. Thanks for the shot out. I read this blog d-a-i-l-y. I just can't get enough.
In fact, it's time to change my "spotlight" section and feature your blog as a must-visit.
Much love...
Hawa
Hmm.. I don't have comments on my main blog. I find it much easier to write without trying to entertain people. I also never set out for my blog to become a social community so I'm happy the way things are right now.
Bless you!
Ms. Tee
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