Reader Appreciation Day

So, how do I express how much I appreciate people taking the time to read my blather? I love this idea from The Other Mother, and I suppose if I were a better writer, I'd have better words than simply "thank you."

I love to write, I really do. I read people every day that are far more talented than I, but I still love to do it. While I may not always do it accurately or gracefully, I've never had any problem expressing myself!

I started writing back when I was in elementary school. I remember one summer, while I was in a day theatre camp (of course :), we had about a 45-minute drive over there and back. Every day, I would write, and every day, I would read aloud what I'd written to our carpoolers. Ironically enough, the other girl in the car, Kristina Harris, has become a writer! I continued to write bad adolescent fiction through high school, sharing it only with some close friends as they were part of my storylines.

I was never any good at keeping a diary. It required way too much discipline for me! I attempted to take a writer's course - one of those "from home" courses - at one point, but I got frustrated with how incompetent I was, and quit.

My mom was always telling me that I should be a writer - which, of course, is no easier than being an actor! I didn't want to subject myself to that kind of rejection.

I was thrilled that Antioch required so much writing because I loved doing it again. Since graudation, I've been writing mostly long emails to friends, who endured them :) and kept my writing alive that way. And those of you from Zoom have also endured my very long post entries - which still didn't ever say all that I wanted to say!

I love how well blogging works for me. I can say what I want when I want to say it, and then, lo and behold some people come and read it! And the best part is all these amazing people I've met and gotten to know through their own blogs. (And, btw, I know I need to update my blog roll; I just haven't had time!)

I know I have a few lurkers out there, too. Come out, don't, totally up to you. You're free to email me directly if you'd prefer, or just stay an unkown number in my Analytics. I'm just grateful that you stop by!

I could write many more paragraphs, pointing out specific bloggers/commenters that add something to my day every day I see them here on the blogosphere, but I'd inevitably leave someone out because I'm easily distracted, and I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

But there's one person I must single out. One person that has taken the time to teach me some rudimentary blogging tips, introduced me to the Buzz, gave me my first award, and has taken time on her blog more than once to introduce me to others. Not to mention, a great blogger!

So, in honor of Reader Appreciation Day, I'd like to honor Lunanik with a $20 Amazon gift certificate. Thank you - and it'll be coming in your email later today.

Thanks to all my readers. Thanks to the people who have mentioned to me on the phone or passing by me that they're reading this and enjoying it. Thanks to the people who take the time to comment. Thanks to the people who de-lurk every now and then. Thanks to the ones who don't. If you're reading this, then I thank you!!