FRIENDS ARE FRIENDS FOREVER

(with a picture of my non-blogger friend Brooke Barrettsmith, for no other reason than she's wonderful and nice to look at too.)

I don't know that I realized just what I was getting into when I started blogging. I guess I just thought at first I'd have this blog that probably nobody would read. It would be something to play around with, show my friends, and not really do much of anything else with.

Hoo boy, was I wrong...

Never in my life did I think that I would feel like something was missing if I didn't post once a day to the blog. Never did I think I would actually give a crap what the content of what I wrote was, or whether anybody wanted to read it.

And most of all, never did I think that I would be surrounding myself with a community of friends.

I just wanted to take a moment to tip my hat to those of you out there who deserve it, and to thank each of you as a group for being friends to me and helping me through some difficult times, even when you didn't know you were doing it.

I'll start with the Journal Writers Group:

Lian, Rhino, and Sojourning, you're all fairly new to this blog, but I've enjoyed your comments, and I enjoy reading your random thoughts on your blogs.

Brownsoul, I love reading your stuff, and I am sooooo glad you decided not to quit.

Hannah, ever since I met you on the CCB boards and got you into this blogging thing, you've become a great friend, almost like a little sister. You keep me young, and I enjoy chatting with ya and educating you on what the 80's were like. And I promise, Kellie and I will double date with you and Will.

Bad Kitty, you're a breath of fresh air. I always find your blogging to be fun to read. I like to check it out while I'm having my dinner (and yes, I eat at my keyboard a lot.)

Marketing Bloggers:

Ryan, Chris, Jordan, and Mack, I think we've created a "community" of our own. Mack, one of the best bloggers I know, has provided me with some of the most challenges here, as I struggle to be half the blogger he is, and I have enjoyed the synergy between us and the resulting friendship.

Ann, I still say you're my new blogger crush, but I also enjoy your stuff.

Infobloggers:

Michael C, you've been a reader here since the beginning, and your posts are always fun and informative. I've enjoyed the synergy between our blogs throughout the past months.

Curtis, what can I say about you, man? You're a man of firm, respectable beliefs. And the fact that two completely unrelated bloggers like us can lean on each other for words of wisdom in times of personal trials is just amazing to me. Thanks for being who you are, and keep your head up.

Humor Bloggers:

I've drawn so much inspiration from you guys. David, thanks for giving us blogging addicts a place to go and admit to our addictions, as well as laugh at them.

Chewy, all I can say is "I have a bad feeling about this."

Jaynie, wow, my sides hurt after reading you.

Dave, you're a constant inspiration, and I am not making that up.

Hulk SMASH!!

Bathroom Hippo, you have one of the most hilarious, original blogs out there. I invariably snort out loud when I visit. And I'm honored that your readers voted my blog into your link list!

Music Bloggers:

To Paper Bag: HASTANG RULES!

DanceWriter, I hope someday we'll get down there to one of those music parties! Sounds like a good time. I've enjoyed reading your blog, because you are occasionally off-the-wall, occasionally introspective, but always interesting!

American Idol Bloggers:

Cathy, we've agreed and disagreed this year, but wasn't it all fun?

RealityMaven, your recaps/movie comparisons are nothing short of genius.

M.J., good grief woman, you have done a much better A.I. blog than I could have ever dreamed of. How do you do it?

Kat, I've enjoyed our conversations on and off this blog. You're too awesome!

Kieran, between you and me, alt.tv.american-idol has never had two better writers. Thanks for challenging me this year.

Mike, you're weird, crazy, and all kinds of other stuff, but you have made for some interesting conversations this year, and I am glad that you and I have gotten to know each other. I can't wait to see how green you'll be if I actually go out with Kellie P!!

In a Group All of Her Own:

Julie, you held a special place in my heart LONG before there even were such things as blogs. I really love it when we bounce our writing off each other, critique each others' stuff, and challenge each other. I definitely enjoy our long chats about life, love, and the universe. Who'd have ever guessed back then that we'd ever have kept in touch and meant so much to each other. Even though our lives have taken very different paths from where we were when we first met, I am glad that we have remained friends.

And last but not least, the Mommy Bloggers:

Kristin, you are at times hilarious, at times touching, and at times vulnerable. You write so well, and even though our styles are a little different (read: more or less working blue) I can't stay away from your blog. Thanks also for the sweet notes to the side. We won't tell Hugh, k?

Stacy, we've agreed, we've disagreed, we've agreed to disagree, but you always bring on the intellectual challenge. And comparing notes on A.I. has been fun.

Tori, I didn't think it was possible for anyone to be crazier than Kristin, but you take the cake (and then throw it in someone's face.) Love your stuff!

KytiKat, you're new to this blog too, but I have definitely enjoyed reading your blog.

Lisa, I didn't know if this was the best place to put you, but I just wanted you to know that I have enjoyed your contributions to my blog, and I have enjoyed interacting with you on yours and other blogs.


If there are any of you that I've left out, I do truly apologize. Again, I thank you all so much for the energy I get from interacting with each of you. If it weren't for you, I'd never keep doing this. And I hope ALL of you will let me know if and when I can help you.

COMING UP: I leave for the Reality TV Convention early tomorrow morning. I don't know if I'll be able to post until I get back or not, but look for me to have lots of info! I can't wait!