Happy Birthday To Me

Yeah, well I know I am going to hear it from the “What About Your Post on the Round Numbers?” crowd, but today marks the one year birthday for Lazlo’s Lament. Without giving this moment any extra due, I thought it would be useful to offer up some facts and statistics about this Blog and what has become (dare I admit) something of a joy for me to write.

Most people may not be aware of why this Blog was started, or why it’s called Lazlo’s Lament. On my first post, I credited the idea to the husband of a long-time friend who suggested the Blogosphere would become the modern-day equivalent of the old town square and be a place to air new ideas and challenges. That reason is only partially true. I began the Blog while in New Zealand and was moved to begin writing by a young Blogger named Anna who we worked with while the Boy and I were there. I think she was only 19 at the time, but had a few years of posts. I was impressed at not only how she was able to express herself, but how many people cared enough to visit her site and post comments. Sadly, she no longer has her Blog as the whims and callousness of politics forced her to discontinue her insightful Blog.

As for why it’s called Lazlo’s Lament, you will have to go back to my August ’05 original post to find out. And, yes, it is a trick to get the reader to look at some of the older posts.

I went back to my archives to be able to provide you with these completely useless stats: I have written 107 entries this past year and there have been 417 comments to my various posts. Of course if you take out the comments by Mr. Sladed and my returned remarks, the number of comments may drop to just a trickle (note: One good thing about this Blog is it started Mr. Sladed on his Blogging experience and I think he has far outdone me in number of posts, comments and better content). Even with the heavily weighted Mr. Sladed comments, many of you have responded to my posts and your thoughts have been at times humorous and other times thoughtful and moving. It’s been such a fun ride that I wish I could do this as a fulltime occupation. And I can. If all of you pay me $500 for each comment you leave, this would be a pretty good paying gig. It would even be better if you commented more. Please think about it. It will keep me off the street.

More useless stats: The month with the most posts was 81 this past April. Don’t ask me why, because I have no idea. Perhaps I begged more for comments that month. Speaking of shameless begging, the most comments for a single post was the famous free IPOD giveaway scam that drew 21 comments from people looking for a free handout. Well, I suppose it was shameless on all sides, what with me begging to be recognized and all. The fewest number of posts was this past July when I wrote only three as I was in a surly mood and didn’t feel like writing. The most posts was the month before with 13 when I suppose I was feeling less surly.

The way I look at it, Lazlo’s Lament has been something of a fragile agreement between my ego and my vulnerable side. I will write something I think is noteworthy only to have no comments, and then write something silly and get comments from far and wide. I fall into long bouts of melancholy when there are no responses and scratch my head when I get 21 comments to unabashed pandering on the fake IPOD post. The fact is, I hear from many of you about a particular post so I know you’re reading, but, have a heart, leave a comment – it doesn’t cost $500 yet. Is that more shameless pandering?

So, I have one request of my dear readers and, OK, I have buried the lead a bit. If it is not too much trouble, please comment on what your favorite posts have been. I have always been curious at not only what you want to read about, but what posts have made any difference at all in your life. If I don’t get any answers then I will know the difference is, well, zero. And this will mean I will have to back off on the $500-per-comment plan. Plus my delicate ego will take a mighty bruising.