I can't believe it, but today marks the one-year anniversary since I started my blog. Here I am 60 posts and almost 18,000 hits later, in complete awe how this project has exceeded my wildest expectations.
When I initially started this blog, it gave me a creative outlet for my writing. My goal in a story has always been to entertain, and hopefully make people laugh. It also gave my family and friends a place to read my work whenever they wanted to.
I have to thank my better half, The Rockette, for encouraging me to start the blog and share my attempts at humor. She is incredibly supportive of everything I do, and every story I write is a little bit better thanks to her encouragement, suggestion(s), and/or editing.What I didn't expect from the blog was to attract many other regular readers. By that I don't mean readers with a high-fiber intake, I mean readers who enjoy my stuff and come back for more. I simply can not convey what a truly rewarding yet humbling experience that has been for me, seeing familiar names reading my stories and many times even commenting.
I'm trying not to make this sound like an Oscar-winning speech, but I just can't help it. I've "won" an audience, a far better award than a golden trophy of some anatomically incorrect dude. However, I am very close to blubbering "You like me, you really like me!"I really want to thank each and every reader for inspiring me to write better: JudiBootie, Spammy, FuzzBox, Ella, JohnB, Watcher, David Amulet, Stringman, WarCryGirl, T, Nicole, DanjerusKurves, Crazy Dan, Phoenix, Alekx, CT, Marti, Amy, Meg, Lingo Slinger, Ranea, Burfica, Anelize, Curare_Z, DebbieCakes, Janey, Kimberly, Rev. Billy Bob, PhlegmFatale, TJoint, Shaken Not Stirred, LadyBug, Haddock, Helen, Kip, AKA Fatty, Kevin, Empress, PDX Biker, Metal Mark, Polly & Deiter, Andria, Gary, Samantha Burns, Sudiegirl, Rainstorms, Phred, Ann, and Tina. If I inadvertently left you off of the list, it was purely unintentional (give me a swift kick in the butt and I will revise it).
Also, a special hats off to these gentlemen at MNspeak: Rex for listing my blog and exposing it to Minnesota and other area bloggers, and Matt for selecting my polar bear story for a local news link March 9. That was too cool.
My hope is that this blog will help me launch a writing career someday. It has been my dream since I was a kid to write books that make people laugh. In my 20s, I worked as a reporter for newspapers. It was fun, but it didn't fill the bill creatively that this blog has. Rocky Road Scholar has literally given me free reign to write about whatever I want, however I want with no censorship. It is about as free as a writer can be.
I've selected 10 posts which I got the biggest kick out of writing. I would ask for a favor: Input from readers. Which post is your favorite? Give them a read and let me know by voting via comment (or email me if you wish to vote anonymously) which was my best work.
Which post would be the runner-up? (The runner-up post would assume the crown if the favorite post was somehow lost in a freak Blogger mishap or home computer crash, etc.) If I left a story off the list that you think belongs there, by all means vote for it anyway.Here's the list...
You're Excommunicated! - from March 25, 2005
Scent of a One-Armed Woman - from April 3, 2005
Feeding Frenzy - From August 14, 2005
Who's The Cheesiest of Them All? - From August 30, 2005
Just Plain Nuts - From September 21, 2005
Viking Ship Turns Into Love Boat - From October 16, 2005
Bizarre Bazaar - From November 11, 2005
Brokeback Burrito Line - From January 6, 2006
The Fat Is In The Fire - From January 11, 2006
Buckle It Or White-Knuckle It - From February 12, 2006
UPDATE - Thanks to everyone who voted and commented. Brokeback Burrito Line was the clear favorite with 13 first-place votes. Just Plain Nuts and Buckle It Or White-Knuckle It were the top runner-up choices.
On Thursday, I will post a historical look at my first attempts at writing my own newspaper at the age of 11. I suppose you could call those efforts the "grandfather" of this blog.
35 comments:
I didn't read all of them. Of the three I read, Brokeback wins first prize, followed by Cheesiest, with Excommunicated taking the rear.
I'm here via David Amulet's blogroll.
Happy one year blogiversary!!
I sat here and read them all, even the ones I had previously read, and I just laughed my ass off! You have a way of saying things that just kill me.
I'm going with Brokeback Burrito Line, with You're Excommunicated coming in as a close second. I will say honorable mention goes to Bizarre Bazaar because I love the fact the you got DJ to play those songs, them rubbed it in her face.
Happy one year...keep 'em coming!
happy anniversary! [i've been blogging a month] You're a great writer, spontaneous and funny. I think you should launch into writing books - let your words run free =]
now i must go off to read all these posts ~
Brokeback Burrito Line definitely the best laugh i think.
Just Plain Nuts and Bizarre Bazaar tie for second because theres nothing better than a dirty joke and some blasphemy.
Congrats on reaching the 1 year mark!!!
My vote:
#1: Buckle It or White Knuckle It. I read this one like 5 times.
#2: Just Plain Nuts. this one slayed me.
#3: Bizarre Bazaar. I wish I could've seen DJs face when you revealed her folly!
Although all are amusing, if I had to choose, my #1 pick would be Buckle It or White knuckle It...With Scent of a One-Armed Woman coming in 2nd.
Brokeback Burrito Line is the first post I ever read. I think I stumbled onto your site through Dear Jane.
Great stuff...happy happy anniversary, and here's to another year of great writing!
Rocky: I'll push the thanks right back. You are one of the few consistently funny, solid writers I've come across in the blogosphere, and it's a pleasure to read your posts. The "best of" is a good idea; it worked well for me a couple of months ago to find out what readers found the most entertaining.
I will say that your essays tend toward the long side, making reading more than one at a time a real event, but the quality always makes them worth the time. My favorite of the ones you have listed would probably be the burrito line story. Classic.
Happy Blogoversary (no, that's not a Serbian board game), and we wish you many more years of happy writing.
-- david
Bad Girl - I got your back....I won't tell. But, I DO NOT have your Brokeback Burrito. :-)
I'm fairly new to all this myself, so I'm also relatively new to your blog. That said, my "sentimental" favorite is Buckle It or White Knuckle It, one of your more recent thrillers. I thought it was not only howlingly funny, with great comic descriptions, but I also really appreciated your taking your 'big man' status and making it the, shall we say, center of gravity in the story. It was brilliant.
Yeah, the stories are longer than most, but the ride is always exciting and the pot of gold at the end always keeps me coming back for more. It's one of my favorite stops in blogsville.
Hey Rocky - I'm not votin' yet - I haven't read all of them - and I'll have a little more time tomorrow so I'll be back...
Just wanted to say congratulations on a whole YEAR worth of blogging - seriously dude - you're hilarious and always brighten my day when you unleash a new post on the bloggy world...
And seriously - I should be thanking you - I copy the hell out of some of your source code when I can't figure MINE out... (tee hee) please don't sue me.
congrats on a whole year of making people laugh - I vote for Brokeback Burrito
Happy Anniversary Rocky. Got you on my mii-iind. Figured you deserved a little song and dance. I enjoy every post you have ever posted. The first post that I read was Just Plain Nuts so it is like my first and special. Bizare Bazaar was really funny. But I will have to dig through your archives and find the title of your college reunion post. It is one that made me laugh the hardest. And thanks for making me try harder with my writing also. I better stop now as I am sounding like I am giving a damned eulogy.
you already have a career, and you are already a great writer. here's hoping your churn keeps pumping it out.
Congratulations on the anniversary. I would pick Brokback burrito line. Keep up the great work.
Aw, that made me tear up a little! (Okay, not really, but that's because I'm heartless, not because it wasn't touching.)
I couldn't possibly pick a favorite post...all I can say is that you had me at "Dark Side of the Moon."
Can't wait to see what the next year brings...
Happy Bloggeversary! I'd offer you a celebretory cake but I don't want to derail your weight loss goals. :)
I'm voting "Brokeback burrito" because it not only made me laugh, it contained a Prince reference. (Yes I'm not ashamed to admit to my extremely dorky level of Prince fandom)
Congratulations Rocky!
You are indeed a fine writer!
You should do a "blook" (a book composed of blog entries) I am! Write me, I'll send you details.
maartilawrence@gmail.com
(This is not spam or an informercial - LOL)
I loved Brokeback Burrito (loved the Prince reference too - LOL)!
Happy Blogiversary, or whatever applies in this case.
As for a favorite, I'd have to go with Brokeback Burrito. It was the first piece of yours that I read and I just about laughed up a lung.
Brokeback Burrito-yeah, that was classic, although I really liked the last one you wrote about the big "Whammy".
A whole year! Like you say, "keep on truck'n"! Thanks for the mention.
Haven't I been looking at the water skiing monkey for months now? Maybe that should say "Picture of the Year" LOL
I like Brokeback Burrito.
JAMIE DAWN - Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I appreciate you reading a trio of my tales and for voting.
MEG - Aw, shucks. So happy to make you laugh. Brokeback gets another nod. The Bizarre Bazaar is one of those historical sentimental favorites of mine.
AKA FATTY - Thanks for the wonderful compliments :-) Hopefully the books will soon follow. Thank you for reading and for voting.
CURARE Z - I appreciate the votes and comments. That is so cool that you read one 5 times. It's trhe ultimate flattery. :-)
WATCHER - I appreciate your loyal readership. Another vote for the Buckle It. And thanks for the "Scent" vote. Sometimes my sense of humor could be viewed as a tad insensitive, but it really is all in good fun.
RANEA - Aw, that was sweet to say. Thanks for the vote for Just Plain Nuts.
BAD GIRL - Aha, I was hoping someone would mention the Love Boat story. It combined my love of extremely cheesy TV and my beloved Vikings.
PHOENIX - I'm glad you stumbled onto my site. I appreciate your vote, and I look forward to writing blog this year, as well as reading yours.
AMULET - Thanks again for the support and fantastic compliments. I'm glad my content makes it worthwhile to stick it out to the end of the stories - again, a huge compliment.
CURARE and BAD GIRL - Haha! I love the banter!
STRINGMAN - Thank you for the kind words. I'm thrilled you stick it out and read my posts despite their length. To say I am one of your favorite stops to read is truly humbling, thank you.
AMY - Take your time with the vote. Thank you for the well wishes. I'm happy to be able to brighten your day.
KIP - Thanks for the vote! It is my mission to make you laugh. Brokeback could be the landslide winner!
FUZZ - Thank you as always for reading and commenting. It really inspires me. Ah, yes. The college reunion post is "Thank You Sir May I Have Another" from October 24, 2005. It is a recap of a bunch of 40- and 30-something guys trying to act half our age. Keep the great stuff coming on your blog, too.
REV BB - I appreciate your blessing, Rev. Likewise, I look forward to seeing what your churn turns out in the coming year.
METAL MARK - Thank you for reading and for the vote. Also, for your postings of Metal music, which I grew up listening to.
HELEN - Interesting! Another vote for "Thank You Sir May I Have Another" from October. Maybe I should have listed that one. Thank you again for reading and voting.
ELLA - I appreciate the thought on the cake. :-) Thank you for your continued support, and for voting.
I know you are a comic book fan, too, so you might want to check out my post from April 26, 2005, called "Judging Comic Books By Their Covers." I think you would be amused.
MARTI - Hey, thanks for the vote and for the info on "blook" possibilities. I may have to look into that.
KEVIN - I appreciate the kind words and the vote. It is great to hear I made you laugh that hard, but glad you did not lose any internal organs.
JOHNB - Thanks for the nod to The Whammy. I appreciate the comments you leave. I will keep on truckin'!
T - Haha! LOL, The Rockette has been giving me a hard time about that picture for months. I told her I was going to leave it up until someone gave me a hard time. Picture of the Year, yes. At my rate, maybe the decade?
Thanks for reading and voting!
I haven't had a chance to go re-read yet the list of nominiees, I have to go to work damnit.
But wanted to say that we don't really come to read your stories we just want you to remember us small folks when you hit it big and will pay us all off for our drooling adoration of you. :-)
I thought Brokeback Burrito Line would be my favorite. That was until I read Just Plain Nuts. I almost had to take my contacts out and clean all the tears off of them from laughing so hard! It's definitely my favorite, with B.B.L. as my runner-up choice.
I am so busy right now that I don't have time to catch up on all of my favorite blogs. I only take the time now to read my sister's and yours. Keep on blogging!
And I think Rocky deserves a big mushy thank you from all of us for upping our readership levels on our blogs.
Not that I check or anything.
Hell, the least we can do is send him some low fat Rocky Road Ice Cream.
ALEKX - Aw, shucks. You're too sweet. I will never forget my fans, especially the drooling ones! ;-D
TON - I appreciate the votes and comment. I am also totally flattered that despite your hectic schedule, my blog is still on your reading list. That is so complimentary. Thank you :-)
JUDIBOOTIE - Aw, you are so nice. Actually last night, I was at the grocery store and had to walk my version of the "green mile." Those bastards in the grocery store put the ice cream on one side and the pizza on the other.
That is like walking over hot coals, so I'd probably use that lowfat ice cream to chill and soothe my burned hooves. I will vent more about this soon.
OOOOOOKAY then.
Rocky, I've been stopping back all week to catch up on my reading. Could you just get published already? I mean reading all these posts on paper would be a lot easier on the eyes than this blinding laptop screen.
Anywho.
Seriously, I enjoyed each and every post thouroughly. Laughed my butters off through everyone...although the "nut job" kind of made me have some mini-throw-up reactions. That's just wrong.
This was a tough decision. One of the hardest I've ever had to make. I'm going to go with............................................................................."You're Excommunicated!"
What's sort of annoying is that it was the first one I read. I could of stopped there. But then again each one was hilarious (one was sick). It was like going to the animal shelter and having to pick just one little kitty.
Rocky, you are one of the best writers I've ever come across. You could rank right up there with Sedaris- I know we're both big fans. Get an agent...NOW.
deb :)
Kudos to the Rockette who supports your dreams. Keep on kickin' girl!
Happy Blogiversary! And thanks for the shout out. :)
The love boat post...man they gave a lot of people a lot of material with that cruise...
WARCRY - Thank you!
TJOINT - Ah, yes, the Vikings make up for their shortcomings on the field with their shenanigans off of it, especially on Lake Minnetonka.
PAUL - Ahhh, that's scary! I've never encountered a ghost on a blog before. Go to the light, Paul. Go to the light!
ANELIZE - Thank you for reading and for your vote. I'm glad you keep coming back for more. Brokeback Burrito is definitely the hands-down winner on many lists.
Congratulations...my blog will reach a year in July. :-)
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