Tuesday, May 27, 2008

100


I spent some time this weekend tidying up my “I Love To Read …” list. The sidebar was looking dusty and out of date. I’ve been meaning to do this for some time but I finally got crackin’ to mark my 100th post.

Yep, 100 and still kicking ass. At least I like to think so.

100 is such a fine number – it’s nice and round, easy to divide from, multiply to – hell I can even do percentage of without a calculator. Take that young people!

As I prepared to celebrate the one hundred-ness of my blog I had to stop and think why I was blogging.

Because I feel I have stuff to say? Yes.
And my friends and family are sick of listening to me? A little.

Because I live in a suburban environment where I have to drive miles to find the NY Times, a book store, a Democrat? Absolutely.

Because I think we all need to listen and learn, we all need to connect with the world around us; we need to keep our minds and hearts open and aware? Whoops! There it is!

I love to share – my thoughts, my feelings, my cooking, my home. I also realized in the past 100 posts that I love to receive. I love to receive praise, hugs, affirmation – well that’s human, that’s OK – see therapist, I am getting better.

And most of all I love our community. Full of wonderfully creative and talented people. People who share their dreams and their nightmares. People who share their photos – professional masterpieces or photos of the grandkids on a sled – each one a treasure because it represents people reaching out through the internet tubes to show themselves to others.

As I updated my ‘linky love’ list I smiled at each and every name. There is such diversity in the group.

There are women who have lost the loves of their lives yet they make monkeys dance and butterflies take flight.

There are moms and grandmothers – and dads too – who share their daily struggles. The price of gas, working and raising kids, getting funding for therapy, getting better education resources, help for autistic children. They share advice, accepting and acknowledging each other openly – with love and with grace.

There are comedians – naughty humor, silly jokes, and my personal favorite – rich and irreverent satire that you can absolutely keep on believing in. The kind of humor that makes you feel young again/still – where you’re one of the cool kids, cutting class and hiding your wine in a bag til you get to the boardwalk.

There are lots of hot women – some are like brushes of sunlight, some are twisted sisters with bodacious ta-tas and some are young women I would want as daughters. They share talk of their jobs, their lovers, their tattoos and their shoes.

And the guys – let’s hear it for the boys! Cynical bastards who are clever and huggable. Daily husbands who share warmth and support. Men who love their work, their dogs, their children. Madmen who are anything but.

Lord I have so many crushes I blush.

There are poets whose words travel across distance and hit me in the heart. Serious, brilliant writers who can also invent fun word games. Amazing women who can talk about menopause and plants in the same breath as politics and human rights. Equally amazing men who can talk about humanity and motherfuckers; who can make the connection between the sacred and the profane with ease.

There are photographers – their photos transport me to new places, make me smile at their pets, their gardens, the children in their lives.

So many dots that connect to create a wonderful world of thought and hilarity, a place of everyday kindness and relaxing silliness.

I hope I got everybody on the sidebar. I listed everyone the way I think of them, some by their blog name and some by their name name.

I have enjoyed every word, every photo and every comment over these past 100 posts and I thank you all. I hope you see yourself in this 100th post – you are all here.

52 comments:

maryt/theteach said...

Dianne, a most marvelous post covering your last 100 posts. Be proud of it...and you know you don't have to go that far to find the NY Times - nytimes.com - or a Democrat - here I am! I appreciate our blogging community in a very similar way! People just don't know what we have here. :D

Raven said...

Happy Bloggerversary! What a wonderful post. You are one of the people that keeps me coming back - both because I love your blog and because I love the support and outrageously generous compliments you give.

Thank you for your wit and wisdom and talent for saying deep, serious things and making me laugh at the same time. You are awesome. I'm looking forward to the next 500 (at least). Happy 100th.

Sleepypete said...

Happy 100 ! :-)

Whenever that * appears on my blogroll to say there's a new post here, I know it'll be well worth reading. Whether it's a rant (and you make rants great fun to read) and/or something that makes me think.

Long may it continue :-)

Dianne said...

thanks teach - a friend who spends hours gossiping about nothing on the phone keeps telling me she doesn't have time to read blogs. I just don't get it.

wow Raven - speaking of being outrageously generous! It's like you said - it's so much better to be FOR something.

sleepypete - that makes me happy, thank you.

Minnesotablue said...

Dianne: You know from day one we were soul sisters!We share Magnetbabe and what could be better. We are the original Obama girls! We share your son (you did say I could share him with you) Love ya girl, keep on blogging, bitching and entertaining us.

Mahala said...

*hugs* ladybug :)

jaycoles@gmail.com said...

You said it all. I am so glad you are my blogfriend and through you I have met so many more. You are such a wonderful writer. I hold you on one of my (many) columns (I could not spell pedestal) - This is a great post. I love it. j-bear (who used to be a bird)

Mary said...

Dianne,

This is a wonderful post. Congratulations on 100. Yes, this is a diverse community and I enjoy the many friends I have made here. I hope to get to know you better as you are my newest friend.

Take care and thanks so much for the birthday wishes for Brandon. He was overwhelmed that all of my friends would take time to leave wishes for him.

Blessings,
Mary

Jay said...

Happy 100th!!

I didn't know what to expect when I started blogging, but the last thing I expected was to find so many awesome people like you Diane! My only hope was maybe to find a rather diverse group of people including people around the world, but even that has gone much better than I dreamed.

The bloggerhood is the coolest place on Earth!

tt said...

**singing**
happy blogversary to you...
happy blogversary to you...
Happy blogversary to the-coolest-sweetest-hippest-wordiest-sharingest-allknowingest-lovliest-acceptingest-compassionestes-sexy-woman-blogger..........
happy blogversary tooo yoouuuuuuu!!!
Cheers Chica!! I toast you!!!!!!

My present to you.....
you are the first person I click on everyday...I may not have time to comment, but I read you first. :) I don't like to start my day w/o my 'forks'...:)
{{sniggly-squishy hugs}}

Sunshine said...

Cheers to another 100!!!

KG said...

Hmm . . . let me guess . . . I'm the kind you'd like to have for your daughter.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA *snort*

Not so much.

Jo said...

Happy 100, Sweets! You are so giving & rich in heart...sharing all that love with us on your bloggieversary. I am consistently honored & grateful & dazzled to know you...and fooling around with our friends in common is such a treat--I think we would've gotten into heaps of trouble had we gone to school together, so this is as fun without the downside :)

Fun aside, you make the world a better place & my life richer.

I am so in love with the peeps I've met blogging!

kenju said...

Happy 100 and here's to many more to come!

ETK said...

OMG! I made the list!!! I'm so honored and excited. Thank you. I love reading you and happy 100th to you!!!

Love (I have a wee crush as well),
ETK

Linda Murphy said...

Hooray for 100 posts! You bring so much spirit and honesty to the blogosphere and I enjoy your musings and sense of humor.

I am thrilled to be counted among many amazing people and thank you for appreciating and loving all of us collectively and individually. We love you!

The Quiet Rage said...

What? You have to *drive* to find another Democrat? You need to come out here to the Left Coast where you will find plenty of like-minded companionship.

Jeni said...

Hmmm. If you really get desperate in your search for another Democrat, kiddo, just pick up the phone and give me a call! I'm almost always home and for sure, ALWAYS up for a chat about that topic!
From the first time I read your blog -and yes, I know I have read every single post of yours although sometimes I have to confess to being a lurker and not always commenting, I have loved every pic, every single word you've put up here!
Congrats on the 100th post and I am so looking forward to sometime, down the road, reading your 1,000th post and laughing, (or sharing in your anger and rant too), enjoying pictures of the cats and whatever else you may have carted home and just enjoying feeling that I've known you forever as a friend.
You're the greatest, Baby!

the walking man said...

If you write shorter pieces Dianne the two hundred mark will approach faster! ha ha ha ha ha hah a


Peace


uhhhh don't write shorter pieces.

bobbie said...

Congratulations on reaching the century mark. A beautiful post! Gee - I've hit 132 and counting, and never even paused for a breath along the way. Just didn't notice when I got there. But you do notice things. That's one of your best qualities.
I am so glad to have met you, Dianne. Keep going, please. Never stop. We would miss you too much.

Diane Mandy said...

Congratulations on your 100th post! I'm so happy I found you and really enjoy your writing. And thank you for the link!

Akelamalu said...

Congratulations on 100 posts Dianne and here's to the next 100!

What a lovely post, you summed everything up so well honey. xx

CG said...

Thanks for putting into words so much that makes blogging such a pleasure and a gift. Overgearing me talk about blogging the other day; my boss commented "you need to get a life Julie!" Not to be mean, but I have three times the life he has,and I'm proud to say that blogging and the blog community is an important part of it!
Here's to the next 100+ posts!! {{HUGS}}

Ramblings of a Villas Girl said...

Hi Dianne! I have enjoyed reading your 100 posts and I hope to read many, many more. You have touched on subjects that have made me laugh, cry & really sit back and think. I enjoy your creativity, openness and your strength. I look forward to the next 100 posts and many more. Lisa

Schmoop said...

Congrats Dianne, and keep on hiding that wine in a bag. Cheers!!

Dianne said...

minnesotablue - my boy is yours! anytime!! and we are the Obama girls - can I hear an Amen!! as for "Aunt" Babe - well Si and Mi aren't the only ones who adore her.

mahala - how'd ya know I love ladybugs :)
you were the very first blog I ever read. I was googling Craig (after I googled myself) and there you were - hilarity and heart.

jay - mr. simser :)
you are a big ole bear, many of your posts feel like bear hugs. cathy was right about you and I will never forget that you were the first person to link my blog, to recommend something I wrote. made me happy then and it still does.

Dianne said...

mary - thank you. Brandon is a sweetie, your blog just shines with family and love and pride. I'm glad we're getting to know each other.

jay - I have such a crush on you! you are so funny and clever and talented. and you're really hot with or without your horny hat. as my Nana used to say - I could just hug you to death.

tt - you have a wonderful voice, thanks for the song. I can't believe you read me first!! that's an honor.

sunshine - thanks! I hope you realize what a powerful positive influence you are on everyone who reads you - you just shine with happiness - no wonder your children are so amazing.

Dianne said...

tranny head - now you know it's true. I would adopt you and Sumo in a heartbeat. you're funny and smart and brave and beautiful. I know you like to think you hide that but it can't help but come thru.

jo - I often think of you and me and jay taking a road trip together. jo and jay - sounds perfect doesn't it. I would marry both of you or adopt you both - either way works. brushed with sunlight kid.

kenju - thank you! for all the beautiful flowers and all the funny quotes.

etk - you're one of my newest delights. your blog is funny and smart and you share yourself so easily and openly. I crush on you (and Baby) as well ;)

Dianne said...

snoopmurph (another name I adore LOL) - thank you. I'm honored to always feel so included in your life. I would adopt you all but you already adopted me so it is a done deal. and tell the boys a new slideshow is coming in a day or two.

quiet rage - my little town has its merits, quiet and affordable and more space than a girl from Brooklyn thought she could ever afford. I like to think that I'm broadening their horizons - Lord knows I'm probably annoying them but they'll get over it ;)

jeni - you're another of my firsts. my first award, my first regular reader. you have always been so generous with advice and with your heart. thank you.

mark - LOL - I don't think I could write shorter even if I tried ;)
it just starts to come out and there it is.
thank you mark for always making me think and for being the brave and beautiful voice that you are.
and take the compliment you old bastard! ;)

Dianne said...

bobbie - how wonderfully amazing your comment is - my son is always looking at me and whispering - "what are you noticing now!? - it's not another notice moment is it!? - please don't share what you've noticed with the class"
he tells me all the time that I will make myself crazy and I always answer the same way - "too late!"

you're welcome diane m :)
I'm glad I found you as well - your voice is open and honest and beautifully poignant.

akelamalu - thank you! your fiction is one of my favorites and you inspire me to take chances with my own writing.

Dianne said...

cg - I get the same 'get a life' crap and it just makes me laugh. 2 jobs, rescued kitties, a big crazy family, my volunteer stuff, ... and blogging as a wonderful way and place to share it all and center myself among wonderful people. some folks just don't get it. your photos inspire me to take better photos - thank you.

lisa - I love your blog villas girl, your love of all the nature around you and your great photos.

thanks matt-man - I always put my wine in a designer bag - I am nothing if not a lady ;)
I have become addicted to your blog, can't start my day without some matt-man marvelousness - don't know or care if that's a real world.

Leighann said...

Happy 100th post my love! We're all better off having you in this crazy blogging world of ours!

Mom Knows Everything said...

Congratulations on your 100th post! Thanks for the linky love.

Dianne said...

thanks leighann - feel the same way about you! ;)

tammy - thanks and you're welcome for the linky love - your blog is such a friendly place :)

Knight said...

Happy Blogiversary! It's your 100th post celebration and somehow you manage to make it about everyone else as well. That's why we love you. You are just an amazing person. Well, that and you are hilarious. Now I have to work my way down your link list because I know you have great taste. Can't wait to see what you come up with in the next 100 posts.
Oh, and when looking for a democrat just face Manhattan and we will send Blue vibes your way.

Shelly said...

You're probably tired of me telling you how cool you are. Happy 100th! What a great post to celebrate...it was touching and sassy...exactly what I love about all of your writing.

Dianne said...

knight - I hope you know you were one of those amazing women I was referring to - you're on my adopted list :)
I usually get to Manhattan a few times a month but with work and farty car it's been awhile. I'm shaking to get back but til then I shall breathe in the blue vibes

shelly - thank you!! and stop, NO - don't stop telling me how cool I am. I love it. and you and your party barn are pretty cool too. ;)

Sparkling Red said...

Congratulations! 100 posts is a major landmark. :-)

Now I am sending 100 hugs your way, one for each post.
*hug*
*hug*
*hug*
*hug*
*hug*
etc... ;-)

Doc said...

Happy 100 my dear!

I would give you 100 hugs too but I am afraid you might feel my arousal... (did I just say that?)

;-)

Ivanhoe said...

Congrats! What a wonderful essey - straight from your heart (as always :o)
Sorry I'm not around much, I'm so busy with work on and around the house and looking for a new job...

Dianne said...

thank you sparkling red! I loved each and every hug :)

and yes doc - you DID just say that!! and I was feeling it too! thank you.

ivanhoe - don't worry - I know what the day to day can be like. thanks for stopping by today :)

Betty said...

Happy Blogiversary, Dianne! I need to work on my blogroll, too, but I'm too lazy right now.

Sandpiper (Lin) said...

Happy 100th!! I really enjoyed reading this post. You describe things so perfectly!

Thanks for stopping by my blog for a visit and for your nice comment.

Jo said...

I had a feeling I didn't fall under the bodacious ta-tas...that darn Leighann LOL!

I love-love the thought of us all taking a roadtrip together!!! And I would marry you in a heartbeat.

Anonymous said...

hey, ladyyyyyy! i'm so proud of you. words are not my medium but i am dancing an ode to your sticktoitivity. you go girl!

the walking man said...

If compliments were money I'd still be broke...ha ha ha ha ha

Thanks kid

Peace

Bobkat said...

Congratulations! A great milestone indeed.

It is freaking me out that you haev blogged about this issue of 'why we blog' and that I found it today on my visit becuase I had a kind of revelation this morning about why I blog.

For awhile now I haven't really been sure why I blogged. I could cite all of the reasons you do and they would all be true, but the true reason has eluded me. It hit me this morning that what I have been seeking is affirmation, contact, feedback and virtual hugs. Basically all the things I was missing in my real life as I was going through, what turned out to be, a very messy divorce.

I very much enjoy visiting your blog adn love your visits to mine. You always take the trouble to leave a well considered comment and I appreciate that.

Dianne said...

betty - lazy is OK, lazy can be good, lazy is necessary - means you're taking care of yourself. thanks betty :)

thanks and you are welcome sandpiper :)

jo - and just think of it, our marriage would be recognized in at least 3 places! now that's progress. and I think we should adopt Jay.
as for boudacious ta-tas - hell, they come in all sizes but yeah - Leighann does kinda corner that market.

cathy - my own personal Irish blessing - you started all this you know! I love you.

mark - LOL - but you'd be broke and appreciated. yeah I know, I'm stretching.

bobkat - revelations are good and I'm thrilled that we kinda shared one. It's OK to want praise and recognition - for our words, our photos (your work is incredible!!) and just for being. Even under the best of circumstances it is hard to get that during the dailyness of life - here we come together for a shared purpose and that makes it easier and wonderful.

Richard said...

Is this your 100th blog
It cannot be
It seems like just yesterday
You were introduced to me

And then Aunt Pat and Sunday calls
and work at the big-ass store
And finding out about your life
and then learning some more

Of course the writing made me smile
though at times it made me cry
and even made me mad at times
And asked the question why

Why can you move my heart
touch my mind and make me think
with just your pen and words
create this cosmis link

between we readers of your blog
who share you and your posts
in the words that you place here
to Dianne; a hundred toasts!

Sorry I just read this Dianne, congrats on your 100th Bloggerversary.

Rich

Dianne said...

richard - thank you! thank you! thank you! - what a beautiful comment. I printed it and put it up at my desk. made my day, made more than my day.

Odat said...

I can't remember how our paths crossed....but I'm sure glad they did. I love hearing about you and your life and your humor and your sarcasm and your excellent writings from the heart. Here's to 100 plus more of your posts!!!!! ;-)
Peace and hugs.

Dianne said...

peace and hugs to you too Odat - I think I read a comment of yours somewhere and stopped by and the rest is history. I'm glad too that our paths crossed.