Monday, October 18, 2010

The 500th Post!

If you would have told me in 2008 when I started this blog that I would be sitting here in October 2010 writing my 500th post, I would have laughed. And not just a modest little chuckle, or a token chortle...but a belly-shaking, earth-shattering, "you-are-out-of-your-mind" kind of laugh. When I started this blog, neither longevity nor a strong readership were goals that I had in mind, either from the standpoint of intention or achievability (is that even a word?).

Yet here I sit writing my 500th post, and looking on the sidebar at 47 followers and just over 54,000 hits. Are you kidding me? When I think back to averaging 5 or 6 hits a day, then billowing to the unbelievable numbers I saw during the final season of Lost, and now settling in at a healthy 1000 hits per week, it makes me pretty happy to think how far everything has come. As of today, there have been hits from 118 countries, over 400 cities in Canada, and all 50 U.S. States.

Sean's Random Thoughts certainly has changed since 2008. It started as a bullet-point 'Random Thoughts' theme, then expanded into topical posts in the Spring of 2009. Regular readers will remember the music selection of the week, regular mashup videos, stories from my regular Tim Hortons, and more poker stories than you probably care to remember.

Much of what I talked about was pop-culture related, and some of the major topics of discussion were my favourite TV shows. So instead of just constantly grouping my thoughts into the "Random Thoughts" format, I switched to full-on recaps of my favourite shows. And as regular readers will know, my version of a recap has never been (nor will it ever be) an in-depth analysis of what I watched. Instead, it's a running commentary, often filled with intended comedy and sarcasm, that fans of the show can read immediately following the episode.

I know that a lot of readers over the past year have found this site through my Lost Recaps, and more recently from my Reality TV recaps (Survivor, Amazing Race, Big Brother...and no, I am not paid by CBS!). I couldn't be happier that you are here, especially those of you that stuck around and became regular readers, but for this, my 500th post, I wanted to try and do something for all readers, old and new:

First, I want to hear from as many of you as possible in the Comments section. Introduce yourself, tell me how you found the blog, and any thoughts you have. Ideally, I'd like to set a record for Comments in a single post, and hopefully it will be good for all of you to hear from each other as well. So please, head to the Comments section and leave a note for the 500th post. It would mean a lot to me. (You don't have to sign in to leave a comment, just select the 'Name/URL' option.)

Second, and this one is partially for me, and partially for the newer readers who may not have read much of the non-TV related posts on here. I'm going to list my personal favourites of the 499 previous posts, and provide direct links to each. For those of you new readers, I hope you'll go and read them, and get a bit more insight into Sean's Random Thoughts, other than just the TV Recap portion of the site.

Here's the list (in no particular order):

The Trouble With Condiments - A look at the evils of condiments.
Spoiler Alert - The danger of spoiling something for someone else, and how to avoid it.
Crossing Paths With An Iron Chef - My encounter with Bobby Flay in Las Vegas, and a surprising turn of events.
A post about the perils of boiling meat, and a couple of horrifying personal stories on the subject.
A post detailing my life-long love of the band Queen.
The story of a fireworks show gone wrong in my neighbourhood.
The Roaming Wolverine of St. Agatha - a story of my encounter with a wolverine on a golf course. (Make sure to read the follow-up post as well.)
My whirlwind trip to NYC for one day to see David Letterman with my friend Norm: Part 1, Part 2
My struggles to cope with my one addiction: Coca-Cola.
An Ode To Lost - my love letter to the show on the final weekend before the Series Finale.
Duke Basketball and meeting Christian Laettner - a lifelong dream come true. (UNC fans should avoid this one.)
My Five-Part Report on playing in the 2009 World Series of Poker - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.

I started writing when I was 9 years old...the first thing I ever wrote was parodies of the Star Wars films for my grade 5 class. That love of writing continued through high school and university, writing for student newspapers and branching out into writing plays and screenplays. But as life goes on, and work and parental responsibilities become the priority in your life, the time (and desire) to write sometimes wanes.

I can't tell you how happy I am to have found a reason to write again.

I'm not going to go through a laundry list of thank yous, but I'd like to specifically mention Andy Page (aka DarkUFO), who gave an aspiring writer a shot on his site, and the exposure turned into something amazing. I can't thank you enough, my friend.

Most importantly though, I want to thank you...the readers. Whether you were here from Day One, or just got here last week...whether you've read one post, or all 500...you guys are why I keep writing. So thank you a hundred times over for the motivation.

And let's see if we can make it through another 500...

Sean

37 comments:

Snoman! said...

First!

Unknown said...

Congrats on 500 bud. Started reading you lost blogs and never stopped. Keep up the great work.

-Bobby Woods

Erin {pughs' news} said...

Happy 500th post, Sean!
I'm Erin. I live in Victoria, BC. I love LOST, and I found you via Nik at Nite.
Cheers to you, and to blogging! I love it...

Choirchick22 said...

Hey! I'm relatively new. I found your blogg because I wanted to read some good commentary on the new season of survivor. I love reading all your posts though and I'm excited to see everything in the future! :)

neicee said...

Congrats on #500, from Seymour, Tennessee. I found your LOST recaps last year and now enjoy the ones for The Amazing Race and Survivor as well. I'm going through your tops list and can only balance out my long time hatred for Duke(and Laettner)with my life long love of Queen. Nice post on that one! I'm off to catch up on the rest. Here's to 500 more!
~deneicee

Jacqui said...

Hey! Congrats on the 500th! I can't say I've had the chance to read them all, but those I have read, I enjoyed.
Keep it up! Here's to 500 more!!

Jacqui Tedesco said...

You know, from Guelph, Ontario! LOL
That's me above!

J.Czikk said...

Dude, 1000 hits per week? I just hit 1000 after about 4 months. But it's nice seeing somebody else reach success. The exposure is a natural product of your effort and people's curiosity and I cant wait till I can get these kinds of numbers. Keep up the good work dude.

Mary said...

I love your blog...I read it all the time and try to post as much as I can. My name is Mary and I live in Southern California -- Riverside. I found you from LOST and have continued reading you since because we really watch a lot of the same stuff. Congrats on #500...here is to the next 500+.

Anonymous said...

I found you off a post on Big Brother website. And love your unbiased post as you told it like it was!!! My name is Tommy I am a female LOL and I am from Austin tExas.....and CONGRATSSSSS

Josh Wolk said...

Congrats, Sean! Your dedication and productivity is inspiring. You put me and my one half-assed recap a week to shame. Keep up the good work,
Josh

nicki said...

well..here i am...leaving you a comment...WAAAY to go dude!! i will have to say, that my favourite part about your blog..is definitely the tv related posts, and the poker ones :P...and i remember the one time..you had a contest..which i won..and that was pretty darn cool as well...*cough* *cough*..hows ur trunk? but seriously..congrats on #500, keep it up, and cheers to 500 more!!!! (oh, and give avi buffalo a listen) ;) *hugs*

BrettB said...

I just recently came across your stuff, pretty sure I saw someone post a link to your Survivor blog on facebook. So, I'm a newbie to your blogs, but I like the way you write. Keep it up. :)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your 500th post! And I said, "Ding dong! The witch is dead!"
~Spoiler Girl~

Anonymous said...

Sean this is fantastic, yet not a surprise. When I orignally met you as a stranger at the poker table, I had no idea that your blog website URL that I asked you for, would be such a great source of entertainment. There's really something for everyone here. I've shared your blog several times with friends who don't even know you, and I can't tell you how many times I've read the blog while smiling and nodding my head up and down in total agreement. I'd have to say that my favourite posts would have to be "The Narwhal", "Crossing Paths with the Iron Chef", and any Amazing Race or Brantford Poker posts. Thanks for the entertainment. Keep doing what you do so well - writing.

Erika (aka "e") said...

Hey there Sean -

This is quite a milestone!

Congrats, and keep on writing!

- e

TresBelleKnits said...

Congratulations on 500, Sean!

Like many others, I found you because of your Lost recaps...and I've been a regular visitor ever since!

Here's to another 500!

Anonymous said...

Hi.I'm Perla from Mexico. I'm a big Lost fan, so I found you via Dark Ufo. I loved all your recaps.

Felicidades por tu mensaje 500!!!!!!

Jason said...

Congrats Sean...I originally came to your blog in the mistaken belief that it was an Almost Steve fansite.

I don't know why I'm still reading it.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Sean! We always knew you were a great writer.
Love Mom and Faye

Andrew said...

Hey Sean!

Just saying and knowing that you are re-watching for the 5th full time the greatest show to ever hit TV "Sportsnight" there might need to be a recap session in there to bring all these readers up to speed on what they've been missing!

Congrats on 500! and here's to another 500 more!!

Andrew

Anonymous said...

I actually met you in 09 on your Vegas trip. I was the big guy in the Cali crew. You remember SCURRRRRRR :)

Dawn said...

Wow Sean, Congrats! I always knew you liked to tell a good story or share a good sarcastic shake with people...but I really did not realize that your blogs had been going for such a period as this. I miss sitting at the table with you but get a good fix from an occasional blog posted. I am going to go back and check out some that I have not read prior, but have to tell you...what I have read, truly keeps me up. You know I like a good sarcastic shake or a quick wit...and you deliver IN FINE STYLE. Thanks for being "that guy" in my life, LOL. I look forward to reading many more posts from you!

500 is just small potatoes, when you're stacked! ;)

Derek said...

Congrats on the milestone Sean! You've always had a lot to say since our days at UW, but who knew people were actually listening?? Keep up the good work bud.

DarkUFO said...

Hey Sean,

Great achievement making it to 500 posts, that's a lot of time and effort.

And thanks for the shout-out, it's much appreciated and very kind of you.

It was a pleasure to have your writings showcased on our site.

Cheers
Andy

Jen said...

Love your blog. Glad I found you. You always make me laugh. Keep up the great work.

Devena said...

You are creative, ambitious and genuine, you are not just a 'writer'. Your take on 'Random Thoughts' has changed how I look at things and I thank you for sharing who you are not only with me but with everyone.

Your biggest fan ...

Unknown said...

Sean, I found you on UFO and enjoyed reading your LOST Blogs!

Anonymous said...

Wow, 500! Good work Sean...I read the comments on this and people really seem to dig your TV updates, your, uh...whaddaya callem...bloggisodes? God, I hope not, that's a terrible word.

Anyway! Good on you, for publishing material that people look forward to reading and who actually go out and search for your opinion because it means something to them. I've tried for years to get people to listen to my magnificent opinion, but something about standing on top of a bush shelter in a stained bathrobe and yelling obscenities just doesn't seem to be jiving with the common man. Go figure.

Congrats again!


caesar

Margaret said...

Always a good read. Congrats! I always thought you were a talented writer..glad that you have this medium to share it.

Jeff W. said...

Congrats on post# 500! I first read your recaps of Lost (how I still miss that show) and moved into the" reality" tv. Being a big Duke fan, I thought the Laettner post was awesome. More awesome? A meeting Grant Hill post.

Sue said...

Congratulations Sean. I love your wit, sense of humour and style of writing. It leaps across the screen and has us all smiling and shaking our heads in agreement. Keep up the great work!!
PS - I'm happy to see many of my top picks as your top picks considering I haven't been a regular reader (yes, believe it or not, I didn't watch Lost!). Will have to read the rest. Long live the condiment debate :)

Robz888 said...

Great job, Sean!

Sean said...

Thank you so much, everyone. This all means more than you know.

Lori said...

Congrats Sean! Still love the Trouble with Condiments:) I also love the condiment free burger! Great writing...here's to 500 more.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Sean!
From about 1/2 kilometer away in Waterloo.

Very impressive indeed. Loved "The Narwhal" and most everything I've read.

Keep doing what you enjoy! It's a bonus that others enjoy it too!

Lee

Turd Ferguson said...

Congrats! Reading your blog reminds me of the intellectual debates we had counting cabs, cops and pizza delivery cars on the porch in Waterloo in the early 90's!