Blogiversary Number Four

Four years ago today I opened my computer and began this blog! Happy Blogiversary to me! Goodness, it's such an exciting thing that I might actually go out and buy myself a soy chai with a shot of sugar free vanilla as a present.

Chances are that you weren't reading this blog back in what I refer to as the Los Angelista Dark Ages. Count yourself lucky that you weren't because I can barely stand to read the first year of this blog! The writing is rusty and unsure of itself. And that's okay because despite the rough beginnings, it got me writing again, both in the fiction and non-fiction sense.

This blogiversary got me thinking about the most common questions I get asked about this blog:

1) Where'd the name "Los Angelista" come from? It's a mash-up of Evangelista and Angeleno. People who live in LA are called Angelenos but via my non-existent Spanish, I decided that a female version would be 'Angelina'. However, Los Angelina didn't really sound right to me. It was too Angelina Jolie for me, not that Angelina's not great and all, but you know what I mean.

However, I've always liked the model Linda Evangelista, especially because that's an ultra-cool last name. And the rest is history.

2) What niche is your blog in? Nowadays if you look up any article about blogging, nine times out of ten it's going to suggest that you become a niche blogger. As in, only talk about parenting or politics but never both. Only talk about racism or Depeche Mode, but the two topics should never co-exist in the same blog. Even the various blog awards are set up for niche blogs. Best beauty blog, best gossip blog... and on and on.

Well, that's a little boring to me. My niche is writing about whatever I want. I'm interested in a lot of stuff and I didn't want to limit myself to talking just about racism, world issues, parenting, hair, exercise, identity or Depeche Mode.

3) Why did you even start a blog? It seems like folks only begin blogs these days because they want to somehow make money off of it. Making money off a blog is great if it happens, but I didn't even know that was possible when I began. First and foremost, I really just needed a creative outlet. I hadn't been writing much at all when I began blogging and I missed it. Blogging was a low-stakes way to feel the magic of putting words together without worrying too much about whether it was "good" or not.

Second, I was at a lonely place in my life. I had a ten month old, a three year old, I was working 60+ hours a week and I pretty much had no friends and no social life. My life was a revolving door of me beginning my days by waking up at 5 in the morning, hooking myself up like a cow to a breast pump, running crazy all day and collapsing late at night, feeling like I'd done stuff for everyone else but nothing for myself.

Plus, I saw so much on a daily basis but didn't really have anyone to talk to about it. I needed somewhere to put all my thoughts, opinions and observations about the world around me. The people around you on a daily basis can't always be the ones to hear all that. Sometimes they don't want to hear it and sometimes they are too busy to be able to listen, even if they wanted to.

4) What's the best thing about blogging? Beyond a doubt it's getting to "meet" and interact with so many wonderful people around the globe. My life is better because of y'all and, quite frankly, with so much negative news out there every day it makes me feel better to know that there are so many folks like you with such good hearts out there around the world.

5) How long will you have a blog? I don't know. I wouldn't have predicted that it would last this long. But when it's time to stop, I'll say goodbye. I won't just drop off the face of the earth, leaving folks wondering if I'm either dead or else locked up in a mental institution.

Above all, thank you to each of you for reading my blog! Thanks for laughing and thinking with me, enduring my agonizing over whether to chop off my hair and enjoying all the displays of Depeche Mode obsessive compulsive disorder. I especially thank you for engaging me by sharing your thoughts in the comment box. By the way, if you are just a lurker here, there's no time like the present for introducing yourself and saying hello. I don't bite, or so I've heard!

Now, on to the start of year five!

Comments

Brianna said…
Happy Blogiversary!
Anonymous said…
Congrats Liz! I started a blog as well so feel free to visit when you get a chance. http://actsofaithinloveandlife.blogspot.com
Florinda said…
Happy Blogiversary! Four years in blog time is like...what, a decade in real life? Congratulations!

Your blog is fairly new to me - via the LA Moms Blog - but I'm looking forward to seeing where you take us readers over the next year.
Jen said…
Happy Blogiversary! You have been blogging a LONG time!

BTW... I've had DePeche Mode songs in my head all day after your last post throwing your hat in the ring, so to speak. ;-)
Liz Dwyer said…
Brianna,
Thank you! Glad you come over and visit me sometimes!

Heartsandflowers,
I am so excited that you started a blog too! I've been thinking that you need one so I'll be over to visit asap!

Florinda,
So glad you came over to visit me! Some days it feels like a year of blogging is like a year of dog life! Fortunately though, other days it feels like it's been no time at all!

Jen,
It has been a while, hasn't it? And so glad you've got the DM songs in your head. There are a lot worse tunes that could be on your mental playlist!
Congratulations, Liz! My blog is two years old but it took me six months to write anything because I thought it had to have a theme. Finally, the urge to write overcame my ability to figure out my "niche," and I simply discuss whatever captivates my attention.

I love the fact that I never know what I'll find on your site but it's always interesting, entertaining, heartwarming or something else that enriches me. (And I also find you far more delightful than Angelina Jolie, who could benefit from Liz lessons.)
Ian Lidster said…
No-no-no-no, thank you for being there. I am so glad you started blogging and it has been such a privilege getting to know you, even in this blogsphere manner. I remember discovering you via Heart in SF and have never looked back.

Anyway, lovely come-a-long-way blog friend, congratulations on your four and I hope you never go away.
David Sullivan said…
To celebrate your 4th I'm putting you on my roll. You are good people and and keep on keeping on!!
thailandchani said…
I'm very glad you continue this blog! You bring up interesting topics to discuss. An additional benefit is that you have some great commenters with great blogs that I've been able to visit as well. :)

~*
Call Family said…
Well, how convenient :)I'm waiting for your first novel.
Liz Dwyer said…
Heart,
Thank you! I'm so glad we got connected through the internet! I'm glad you write about everything as well. I love coming over and seeing what you experience and think about all sorts of things. As far as Angelina, I always joke that she's lucky she has full lips like mine! ;)

Ian,
I'm glad we got connected by Heart and now get to hang on Facebook as well! As long as I have great blog-friends like y'all I might never stop blogging!

David,
I'm trying to be good! Not always successful but we'll see! Glad to be on your roll. You're already on mine but I need to come visit you more often.

Chani,
Oftentimes when I write a post as I'm writing I'm thinking about what some of the folks that comment will think about it. It's nice to get so many great perspectives.

Carmen,
Gosh, I need to get my azz in gear on that front! I have a good amount done but I need to write more! AAGH! Hope today went well for you!
Shiona said…
Happy Blogiversary! You always make the subjects interesting and I can't stop reading. I'm glad you are so creative. Here's to another great year.
Lisa Johnson said…
Happy 4 years! I'm so glad that I found your blog! I'm looking forward to year number 5! ; )
Anonymous said…
Congratulations!!! :)
Anonymous said…
Congratulations, Liz. I love reading your blog and I'm very glad you range far and wide and don't stick to some obsessive niche. Here's hoping for at least another four years!
Liz Dwyer said…
Shiona,
Thank you! Glad you can't stop reading! :) So sweet of you to say so.

Anali,
Thanks for the happy wishes! Gosh, I can't even imagine what's going to be going on in four years but I'm sure there'll be some exciting stuff to write about!

Ingrid,
Thank you so much!

Nick,
Thank you for the congratulations. I'm glad you're not in any one particular niche either! It makes it so interesting to come over and get a slice of your life!
Miz JJ said…
I could barely keep a blog going for a year and half. Congrats on your blogiversary.
Unknown said…
Congratulations! I wasn't there in the beginning but loving it since I tuned!
Jameil said…
congrats and thanks for writing your blog! i'm so glad i found you! yay! go liz!!
Liz Dwyer said…
Miz JJ,
Oh thank you! I miss your blogging! You should start back up.

Moody Gemini,
Thank you for the congrats! Count your lucky stars you weren't there at the beginning but I'm glad you're around now!

Jameil,
Thanks for reading and being so fab! I'm glad we found each other!
Unknown said…
WOW, When I grow up I wanna be just like you!

Happy Blogiversary!!
Anonymous said…
Congrats on your longevity! Does that mean I'll actually start liking what I write in my blog's 2nd year? You are really one of my favorite bloggers, I take notes.
Liz Dwyer said…
Houseonahill,
Thank you! You don't want to be like me though. That would mean you'd suffer from insomnia!

Pisces,
So nice of you to say. I'm glad to be your favorite blogger.

As far as liking what you write in year two, go for it. Keep writing what you want to write and it'll be less cringe-worthy when you read it years later. I definitely cringe at times, but it is what it is! ;)
jillybean said…
Congratulations! I love reading your blog. You make me laugh, think, and reflect. All things that make me want more every day.

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