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Thursday 6 December 2018

Three million page views!

This blog recently reached a major milestone ... three million page views!

When I started writing this blog back in 2008, I had no idea how much it would become part of my life, nor that ten years on I would have written more than three thousand eight hundred blog entries. (This is actually the three thousand eight hundred and thirty third blog entry I have written!)

My first blog entry was written on 18th September 2008, and was entitled SMALL BEGINNINGS. In it I wrote the following:
After much prompting ... and not a little reluctance on my part ... I have decided to take the plunge.

I have now joined the world of the self-publicising, self-centred, self-indulgent blogger.

I intend to share my thoughts on wargaming (and other related matters that crop up) with a wider audience ... probably much to the relief of my wife and wargaming colleagues. So watch this space ... and come prepared to be bored!
In truth, blogging has completely changed my enjoyment of wargaming. Through it I have made a whole new bunch of wargaming friends, and it has helped to keep me motivated, even when things were less than optimum (i.e. when I was suffering from a visitation by the 'Black Dog').

The self-imposed discipline of 'I ought to write that on my blog' has helped me to finish projects that I otherwise might have let drift, and it has motivated me to turn some of those projects into books. Blogging helped me to become a writer ... something I'd always wanted to be, but had never quite got around to.

28 comments:

  1. Hi Bob,

    May I be the first to congratulate you on reaching this epic milestone! The only issue I take with your post on the subject refers to: "So watch this space...and come prepared to be bored!"

    I have never been bored by reading any of your posts although I am sure we will be having the same conversation when you hit 6 million!

    Very well done!

    DC

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David Crook,

      Many thanks for your congratulations.

      When I started out, I had no idea how blogging would change my enjoyment of wargaming and that I would engage with so many other wargamers, hence the comment about preparing to be bored!

      Six million? It's something to aim for!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  2. Bob, your popularity is no more than you deserve. This is one of my favourite 'go to' places to visit every time I look at my reading list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Archduke Piccolo,

      Many thanks for your very kind words. You should be aware that I have your blog listed on Feedly so I never miss any of your inspiring blog entries.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  3. Congratulations and very well done! Quite an impressive milestone reached.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jonathan Freitag,

      Cheers old chap!

      I thought that I'd done well when I hit 1,000 page views ... but I never imagined that I'd ever reach 3,000,000!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  4. Well done Bob!

    Especially so since those readers have come without needing Loyalty Points or rewards or gimmicks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ross Mac,

      Many thanks for your kind comment.

      I was recently approached by a company who wanted to place adverts on my blog ... for which they would pay me for every page view. They seemed surprised when I refused, and could not understand that I blog for fun, not to make money.

      What an odd world we live in!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  5. Bob,
    Well done on reaching this number of hits...that is certainly due to your prolific postings - all of which are most enjoyable and informative. You have really set the standard. Yes, I agree that Blogging is certainly a great motivator to extend and consolidate your Hobby interests...and keep The Black Dog at bay! Well Done. Cheers. KEV.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kev Robertson,

      Cheers!

      One reason why I think that I have so many regular readers is that I always try to reply to comments, thus making my blog interact with its readers and hopefully making them realised how much I value their support and comments.

      I try to blog every day because it helps me to have a structure to my daily life, which - in turn - helps me to keep that bl**dy Black Dog in his place!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  6. Yes, congratulations! Some things are hard to figure out but readers returning to view your blog is not one of them.

    Here's to 3 million more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. William Stewart,

      Many thanks for your kind words ... and here's to me still being around if and when I hit 6,000,000!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Jim Dubcan,

      Cheers ... and I hope that your health continues to be good and you are able to enjoy time with your family, pursuing your hobby, and Christmas and Hogmanay!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  8. What a milestone! Many congratulations Bob!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alastair,

      Many thanks for your congratulations.

      I wonder how long it will be before my blog achieves 4,000,000 page views?

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  9. Congratulations Bob - never boring - and onwards to 4 million views. Keep that black dog banished. He cropped up in my Advent Calendar blog post yesterday:
    https://manoftinblog.wordpress.com/2018/12/05/man-of-tin-advent-calendar-day-5-dancing-with-the-black-dog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MAN ManofTin,

      Cheers old chap! Thanks for your kind comments, both for this blog entry and on your blog yesterday ... which I read with considerable interest.

      When I first began to suffer from depression, it wasn't talked about and I was told not to mention it as it would blight my career opportunities. I decided that not to admit to my illness was actually giving in to it ... so I began to talk to other people about it. As a result, I was able to help other people who were suffering from the early signs of depression and enable them to get the support and treatment they needed before the illness took a strong hold.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  10. Hi Bob, your habit of always replying to posts on your blog marks you out as a real gentleman. And I for one am very glad that blogging motivated you to write! All the very best, Anthony.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anthony Morton,

      Thanks for your kind words.

      I have always thought that if readers have taken the time to make a comment, I should be courteous enough to reply to them if it is at all possible.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  11. Very well done Bob, but not surprising. Beside the wargaming posts I enjoy your travel posts and local history/visits. Having lived very near to you for 13 years and suffered from depression (now thankfully much improved) I can empathise with much of what you write. I have a quick question for you Bob, did you ever attend the 'Old Guard' wargame club based at the church in Eltham? I'm thinking back in the 1980's?
    Keep it up, regards, Lee.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 'Lee,

      Cheers! I just try to publish blog entries that people might find interesting ... and it seems to have worked out quite well. There will be another travel post before Christmas ... I hope!

      Blogging about my depression does seem to help me cope with it. I also hope that it encourages others to talk and/or write about their own struggles with this illness. I was told that once you admit that you aren't well and begin to open up about it, you are on the road to recovery.

      I did go to a meeting of the 'Old Guard' many years ago, but it met on evenings when I had other commitments, and I never went back. From what I can remember, the members were very welcoming and the facilities were more than adequate.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  12. Replies
    1. Gonsalvo (Peter),

      Many thanks for your kind words!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete

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