Hey, that was amazing. To all the bloggers and readers who participated in Love Our Lurkers day, you have my sincere gratitude. You made this event a success.
Here are a dozen random thoughts in the wake of LOL Tuesday.
- I'm tired! LOL is always more work than I think it's going to be. It's definitely worthwhile, but whew! In a 24-hour period, I think I spent eighteen of them in front of the computer. And I'm still not done!
- I'm sorry that some people felt snubbed because I didn't invite them to participate. I tried to invite everyone I could. I didn't have e-mail addresses for some bloggers and others had their invitations eaten by a hungry spam filter. All I can say is that I regret this happened and I certainly didn't mean any offense. Next time, I might just break down and pre-announce LOL on the blog.
- There were so many happy surprises yesterday. It was almost like a class reunion. I talked with some friends with whom I hadn't had contact in ages. I also learned that at least two spanko blogs I had given up for dead are very much alive.
- I promise that I will answer every single comment, even if it takes the rest of the week. If people invest the time to delurk (or just say hello), then I will find the time to give them a proper acknowledgment. There are lots of great comments and I am eager to dig into them.
- It might be fun one year to let someone else coordinate LOL day. I felt as though I was rushing through some experiences that might be better savored.
- I'd like to offer a special thank you to all of the people who made a point of visiting all or most of the participants. I would feel bad if anyone didn't get comments. Fortunately, that did not happen.
- I'm more amazed than ever at the sheer diversity of our community. We are different in every way but one. Yet this bond makes us brothers and sisters.
- Yes, I admit I changed the date. It really was in October last year. October 2008 filled up so fast around here that I was worried about fitting in LOL at all. I didn't want to choose Veteran's Day/Armistice Day/Remembrance Day. Unfortunately, it was the only viable full day I could take off from work. The other options were Thanksgiving and the following Friday. Those definitely wouldn't have worked.
- I love this community. There are so many kind, gentle, generous souls.
- I forget sometimes that there are many readers who come here for validation. They wonder whether spanking your lover is really OK. If you get nothing else from this blog, please let me assure you that consensual adult spanking is a perfectly splendid way to add spice to your relationship. But don't just believe me... Take a whack at it yourself!
- I like the one swat per comment idea (See Spanky and Kallisto, Todd and Suzy, Publikk and Kat). But it's probably a good thing I didn't sign up for that plan. I'm already a bit sit-inhibited as it stands.
- I'm not going to tally the numbers just yet because there's still some LOL activity. Perhaps I'll bring the final totals to brunch on Sunday.
26 comments :
I'm glad I got to meet a few new people who came to my blog. While I didn't get as many comments as many of you did, it was still nice to know that there are people out there reading it. =]
I'm over 500 visitors as it is, maybe I can pass the 1,000 mark in a few months..who knows?
Great idea, Bon. It was a lot of fun to meet and great fellow spankos.
~Jai~
Thank you, Bonnie, for all the hard work you did in getting this organized. It was a lot of fun. The neat thing was seeing comments from people I never knew visited my blog--in many cases, they were fellow bloggers whose work I've always enjoyed and admired. To have them drop by and let me know they come in and lurk every now and then--well, it felt kind of good, in all honesty. :-)
Good idea to hold off on the final tally. I've been going down the list you have posted and visiting each one, and I still have about 20 to go. There may be some I just don't get to for one reason or another, but I'm going to try....
Dr. Ken
LOL day must have been so much work for you but it was a great success, thank you for all the effort that you put into. Perhaps next year it might be a good idea to put together a small team of bloggers to help with the organization and the emailing, take some of the burden, you know.
Prefectdt
If I haven't already, I'm posting the links to blogs of all the people who visited my blog. I have my list set up so those who've blogged most recently appear at the top of the list -- it makes it easy to keep up.
It's motivated me to read more stuff and write more, and I was introduced to some new writers and spankos.
You needn't feel uncomfortable about holding LOL day on Veteran's Day, since I'm sure thousands of veterans are/were spankos. Especially those Brits! LOL
During WW2 Norman Rockwell did four beautiful illustrations of the Four freedoms we were fighting for: Freedom from fear, want, speech, and religion.
Contradicting FDR would never do, but I would add a 5th freedom,- freedom to spank and be spanked! Fortunately Rockwell did an illustration for that, too, and I'm sure we've all seen it. Ha. ;)
~ MissyH
Bonnie,
I left a post on your blog on LOL but it does not show. In case you did not, know that I (along with numerous others) REALLY appreciate everything you do. You are still the reigning Queen! Long live the Queen!
S. in Dallas
LOL Day is awesome, but it's also because you host it! Pre-announcing it on your blog next year is a good idea. I imagine that would relieve some of the stress of the work load. We appreciate your part in this little blogging community. I think I can safely say I wouldn't be here without your blog. Yours was the first spanking blog I stumbled upon after all.
(October was insanely busy with midterms by the way.)
My suggestion: announce it two weeks in advance next year, no emails, and make it last 3 days instead of one.
Bonnie -
I have to say your blog is the first one I came across and have been lurking for many months have read everything...archive, tips etc. and through your blog have found many others that I lurk on and have read through their archives as well. As for me this was my first Lurkers day and made me feel appreciated and not alone. Thanks for all you do and the links are a great help. Liza
Bonnie, thanks for hosting a wonderful event. I was happily surprised at how many commenters I had. I am curious about something, though. What is the proper way to acknowledge comments? In my vanilla blog community, comments are often responded to in email. The nature of the spanking community contains much more anonymity. Email addresses aren't always attached to comments. On some spanking blogs, the comments resemble more of a back and forth conversation with multiple comments from the same people. Is it common for readers to return to a post for the conversation? If I respond to comments on my blog with a comment, will the commenters even know about it? Is it enough to give a general 'thanks for the comments' in another blog post? Thanks for any insight you may have.
Wow, I didn't realize how much work you put into this event and how many people actually lurk out there. Somehow I thought that there weren't very many lurkers.
Thanks.
Bonny, I certainly can imagine how much work it is to host this event and I for one am really grateful for your efforts.
I think you did a fine job of including everyone. You made it very clear that everyone was welcome and would be included if they let you know they are out there. And I saw lots of bloggers not on the list jump in to the fun, so no worries I would think. You are always very welcoming to all. I really appreciate that about you.
I had a grand time and was one of those who went around to all the known participants. I felt the same way about wanting to make sure that there was a comment for everyone. And I was indeed the first to comment on one or two blogs. I was very glad that I did it when I saw that. Blessings!! I'm looking forward to next year and perhaps in a month or so on a week you haven't a burning question, we can discuss ways to make running LOL easier and ways that we can get more participation all around. I'm sure there are some good ideas to be had out there. YOu've started something lovely with this. Its a joy to me and I would love to see you continue doing it and having more fun while you do. Blessings!!
Ooh! I just have to laugh. The word verification says subbi today. LOL!
Thanks for putting this together! It was so much fun. I got more comments on LOL Day than on any other day and it was nice to hear from people I hadn't heard from before. I look forward to this next year!
Mary
Bonnie I admit that I wondered at your choice of day, however your explanation makes perfect sense.
As usual, very well done, thank you once again.
You live up to your title.
Warm hugs,
Paul.
Hi Bonnie,
I just wanted to let you know that it shows i commented twice on Lol day . The second one was actually David. He didn't change over to his profile.
Bonnie, thanks for everything you do. It's always such a surprise for me to see that there are lurkers out there reading my blog. I tend to forget that sometimes.
Advanced notice on your blog would eliminate some people getting left out and I like the idea of possibly going more than one day. That could possibly help with the work load.
Thanks again!
HUGS!
grace
Lovely Blog. This is the first I've visited,but not the last.
Marie Haynes
Bonnie, I too thank you for all that you do for the blogging community! It IS appreciated. I would certainly be willing to help out next year. I think assembling a team is a great idea. Just let me know what I can do!
Please don't feel you have to answer my comment. You have too much on your plate already, and have proven over and over again how much you care. Do not add me to your to do list - have a cup of tea, and put your feet up instead! :-)
Having a ton of fun with LOL. We're over 70 comments right now... including a good number of delurkers. Really has been a success. Thank you so much!
Do hope you'll do the spank for a comment thing one day too. Give your fans a chance to give you a spanking. Betting that would be VERY popular! (which is a reason NOT to do it, lol)
:)
Todd & Suzy
Bonnie,
My first LOL was great fun! Thanks for doing this for us all.
Hugs,
Hermione
Thanks a ton for all you do for the community, Bonnie. I'm sure that all bloggers, readers, and lurkers have a better experience for your efforts.
:)
Mitch
Jai - I'm glad you had a good time and met some new people. That's what LOL is all about.
As for your traffic, it will come. All it takes is quality content and a bit of patience.
Dr. Ken - You're welcome! It was a lot of fun talking with everyone. I plan to tally the results either today or tomorrow.
Prefectdt - You made quite an effort as well on a day when you were already committed elsewhere. That contribution was very significant. Thank you!
As for creating a band of organizers, I'm open to that possibility.
Sandy - That's a great idea. I still need to get my blogroll under control.
Missy - Some people were clearly uncomfortable with the timing and I regret that. Next year, we'll be going back to October.
Yes, spanking is as patriotic as old Norm himself!
S - Aw, thank you! I'm sorry that your comment didn't appear. That seems to happen occasionally. My answer is to always look at the bottom of the window to ensure my comment is there before closing it.
Ofia - I've gone back and forth on the question of pre-announcing. If we don't pre-announce, some people feel as though they've been snubbed. If we did pre-announce, we would lose that wonderful surprise where almost every spanko blog is suddenly synchronized. I am also concerned that some readers might delurk in response to the pre-announcement.
Another change I am considering is listing the participating blogs in reverse order of posting so that every gets a fair share of visitors.
We probably won't promote a three day celebration, though I certainly have no issue with anyone who wants to extend it. Each blog has a formal or informal publishing schedule and even a one day commitment can throw that off. Some blogs have posted three or four articles since LOL on Tuesday. I am really fond of the idea of all of us doing the same thing for one day each year.
Liza - You read everything? Wow, that makes me tired just to think about it.
Welcome! I'm glad you posted your comment. You are definitely appreciated and, as you can see, you're hardly alone!
K - Hi! I'm delighted you could join in the fun.
The way I respond to comments is precisely what you see here. I answer a comment with another comment. The only time I would respond in e-mail would be when the subject is sensitive and I preferred not to share my response with the world.
With that said, each blog has its own unique character and culture. What is routine one place might be extraordinary another. On your blog, you can set the tone.
Bonnie...you are wonderful.
We need a special medal for you....suggestions, anyone?
Not an oscar, there is no acting in spanking, its all too real...lol
Hmmm...will have to have a think....
Hugs, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Angel - Yes, we have lots of spanking enthusiasts, and plenty of them lurk, at least at first. I knew that if we got enough bloggers involved, we'd have an excellent turn-out.
Greenwoman - I think in order to succeed, this event has to be as inclusive as possible. That's why it stings a bit (and not in a good way) when people say they felt left out.
I am grateful for your efforts to share the love. Not only does this introduce you and your blog to new audiences, it helps new and less active bloggers feel they are an important part of our community.
I am definitely open to other formulations for LOL day and I have a number of ideas for next year.
Thanks again for all of your assistance and support!
Mary - You're very welcome. I'm pleased you were a part of our event.
Paul - Thank you. No one is likely to call me the queen of planning. That's for sure. Next year, though, I am going to try to move LOL back to October.
MTHC - Aha! Thank you, David, or whoever you really are. :D
Grace - I go back and forth on the issue of pre-announcing. It's more inclusive, but it ruins the element of surprise.
I've had a number of offers to help. I intent to pursue that avenue for next year.
Marie - Hi ! It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm delighted you stopped by.
Sara - Thank you! You're welcome on my team any time.
Imp - If I'm answering everyone else's comments, it wouldn't feel right to neglect yours. My feeling is that if people are generous enough to share a bit of themselves, then I will find the time to give each a proper acknowledgement.
Todd and Suzy - I'm sure Randy would be all in favor of your comment-and-spank suggestion. He loves the idea of an open-ended spanking,
Hermione - Thank you too for your many contributions around our community.
Mitch - Thank you. It a pleasure to be able to help.
Daisy - I haven't seen a medal, but this is cute. Thanks!
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