It’s now been six weeks since I started on my quest and it appears that I’m going to come up considerably short. I’ve only picked up a couple new states since my last update and it appears this mission will end up dying on the branch. I knew that obtaining linkage with fellow bloggers in other countries was an extreme long-shot, but I thought for sure I could wrangle representation from within the US. It looks like I’m close to receiving my very first rejection, without even sending a query letter. I’m not giving up yet though, there’s one more push left in me, but I need your help.
I have comments from people representing fourty-three US states and sixteen countries. Overall I amassed 101 responses. Lots of you offered to be counted twice (or more than that) based on where you called home compared to where you lived now, but I was determined to play fair and only use locations where people are currently located. Here’s the final list of states I DO NOT HAVE represented:
Hawaii, Maryland, Mississippi, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
If a follower of yours resides in one of these states, could you give them a shout-out for me?
As far as the countries go, it’s still easier to just list the ones I DO HAVE:
Australia, Canada, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, New Zeland, Norway, Serbia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States.
I’m sure that if I turned to Google Analytics to analyze my site hits, I would see traffic from each of the 50 states. That’s not what I’m after. What can you learn from a site hit? Nothing. Somebody could have been searching for a cheap cruise, or researching the average cruising altitude for jet airplanes and stumbled across my blog accidentally. I desire interaction, active participation, feedback about the words I’m tacking up on this electronic bulletin board. I get that in spades from a significant portion of the ‘Like Minded’ that follow me regularly, but I’m greedy, I want more. A nudge in my direction is all I’m after, I’ll do the rest.
I’ve decided to give this effort another two weeks and then let the sun set. If it doesn’t work out, oh well. Live and learn. I’m won’t be deterred by this setback.
You’ll never be an astronaut unless you look to the stars.
You'll get em' all! Just takes time!
ReplyDelete~JD
It'll happen. Patience is key but I lost that key a LONG time ago. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll meet your goal. Just keep going at it! :D
ReplyDeleteDon't give up!
ReplyDeleteAnd one of my blogger buddies is from NM, as state I used to live in as well - Karen at http://karenfollowingthewhispers.blogspot.com/
Paul Greci http://paulgreci.wordpress.com/2010/06/14/wrestling-a-gorilla is from Alaska. He's super cool too-- definitely worth getting to know. I'll mention your blog to him next time I go.
ReplyDeletelove the background... The sky's the limit!!! Ha-ha! I wish I could help, my sister lives in Hawaii but she doesn't blog. I'll keep my eyes open and if I see someone for the states listed I'll send them your way!
ReplyDeleteI can try talking my wife into moving to Hawaii... you know, just to help the cause and all. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it will happen, but like others have said, it might take some patience. I'll tell you this, you've already lasted a lot longer than I could have. Patience and I do not have a good working relationship ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's not an Epic Fail! It's pretty impressive how many you have.
ReplyDeleteI like the new look. I don't want to be an astronaut but looking at the stars does remind me of who I am and want to be too! Nice last line!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're not quitting!
Good luck! I'm VA, so close to WV, but not quite.
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure to keep an eye out! Love the new bloglook btw!:)
ReplyDeleteLOL You're like a kid collecting trading cards.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your quest. :D
Don't give up! You might as well keep at it for as long as you have your blog!
ReplyDeleteCollecting us like coins, I like it. You'll get there. Or when you shut down the search all of your missing states will start to follow and you'll be like, "Oh well POO I should have waited." It's kind of like when you have to go to the bathroom before you get your meal at a resteraunt and as soon as you stand up they serve the food after an hour of waiting...yeah it's like that. Um, my point? Patience, yes patience (and go to the bathroom as soon as your order to avoid said situation)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I know someone from your list of missing states and countries. I keep a lookout for you.
ReplyDeleteDon't give up. This sounds like such a neat project. I have a bloggie friend from Scotland: http://literaryjamandtoast.blogspot.com. Her name is Mia. Maybe that will help you a little bit. :o)
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty awesome. You will get them all soon. good luck!
ReplyDeleteGo go go! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteHere's Alaska, checking in. Hello!!
ReplyDeleteI believe it'll happen, don't give up! And head on over to my blog to pick up your Versatile Blogger Award.
ReplyDeleteHey, DL! I know you already have one under your belt, but I just gave you another Versatile Blog award! Congrats, man!
ReplyDeleteI hopped over to Hatshepsut, so hopefully Stephanie will pop over and add Alaska to your list. :-)
ReplyDeleteHang in there. It's an awesome goal! :-)
j.m. ~ Good luck with that. Maybe just an extended vacation?? :)
ReplyDeleteKaren ~ YAY New Mexico!!!! Welcome aboard. Now I have to work at keeping you here. :)
Julie ~ Thanks for saying that.
Erica ~ Yes...really valuable coins!! :) And the bathroom tip is duly noted. BTW...has anyone ever made mention about the way your mind works? *grin*
Melissa ~ All this optimism and encouragement must be working...I have two more states already!! Whoo hoo!!
Paul ~ YAY Alaska!!! My favorite state to visit. I think Arkansas would be at the bottom of most peoples list.
Kelly ~ Did you and Amparo conspire together?
Amparo ~ See above. :)
I'm going to try and get you one from West-by-God-Virginia.
ReplyDeleteI don't like you're half empty/epic fail talk...we'll have no defeatist 'tude up in here.
ReplyDeleteYou just keep at it, and have fun with it.
See even sweet Paul came to help you out from Alaska.
Your next post better be about the epic fun of your journey to reach the world. K?
I wish I knew more bloggers to send your way. I hope you reach your goal.
ReplyDeleteHmmm - I'll have to search my brain - I'm not sure where most of my followers are from! I'll check :)
ReplyDeleteSierra ~ LOL! West Virginia better look out!!!
ReplyDeleteHi! I love your new blog look. The clouds play in perfectly with your title and the story behind it. Cool!
ReplyDeleteHope all's well!
~Nicole~
Wainuiomata, New Zealand here!
ReplyDeleteJust came over from Jemi's blog to see how it was going. Since I'm already following you and you already have MA, sorry I can't help. Good luck reaching your goal!
ReplyDeleteI'm from Bombay, India, and am a dedicated follower of Jemi's blog. I am posting this comment before going through your blog, but you will know whether I am going to come back or not depending on whether or not I show up as a follower.
ReplyDeleteBut even if I choose not to follow you, this is a well intended hit :-)
I had someone from New Mexico, but Karen beat me to the punch. Hang in there, DL, it'll happen.
ReplyDeleteMy bud Stephanie Thornton's from Alaska! Here's her blog: http://hatshepsutnovel.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteKeep on truckin'!
And then I saw you've got Alaska. Check her's out, though. It's a great blog!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi DL,
ReplyDeleteI joined your blog a while back and guess what? I'm from Alaska. You can mark the most wonderful state off your list! :)
What are the odds - here I come to save the day being from a small and insignificant country and all - and you've already got Norway?!? If it helps, though, I have lived both in Japan and Maryland (though I'll leave it to you to decide if that counts).
ReplyDeleteI like your quest. Don't think of it as an epic fail, think of it as the start of an epic journey!
Nom de blog: Disgruntled Bear.
ReplyDeleteI live in the great state of NEW HAMPSHIRE: home of the fighting...um, pine trees or something.
Vicki at Rambles $ Randomness mentioned you were looking for blogging buddies from around the country and the world.
Please come on over and say hi at The Disgruntled Bear. Today's the last day of my book launch party for my debut novel, Minder, so saying hi might even win you a prize! Take care!
Alright DL I put a link on my blog so lets see if I can get you a few more states!!! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the new backdrop. Don't worry, you'll get all those followers - because you're Awesome :D And you keep asking. I think that a lot of people forget that sometimes the simple key is just Asking :D
ReplyDeleteYou can mark SOUTH CAROLINA (the whoopie cushion of politics) off your list! And thank Jemi Frasier for sending me to you. :) Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI see that Mary watches the Daily Show, too!
ReplyDeleteI've never listed where all my followers are from...good idea and good luck!
ReplyDeleteNicole ~ Wainuiomata...wow, that's a mouthful! :) I'm so happy you've decided to board our flight and I hope to get to know you better soon!
ReplyDeleteRayna ~ Well-intended hit. LOL Perfect! Hey guys...lookee...I have someone from India now. Thanks so much Rayna!!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and following! What a great idea you have going here! Stuck here in Kansas so I'm not much help! If I find a blogger from any of the states you don't have I'll let you know.
ReplyDeleteDon't give up. Hang in there, it's a fun and worthy goal.
ReplyDeleteMy mind works! Awesome. ;) I have TWO yes TWO awards for you on my blog (even if you already have em they still count) Have a great Fathers Day Weekend!
ReplyDeleteCheck out http://caledonialass.blogspot.com/ for your Alaska blog friend! Hope you get 'em all! :)
ReplyDeleteFollowing from Kentucky - Jen from Unedited mentioned your request. Nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend,
Karen
Oops, forgot to mention my blog address:
ReplyDeletekarenelange.blogspot.com.
:) Karen
I'll definitely be checking my followers for you. After all, we don't want you to be rejected.
ReplyDeleteI knew you'd already have California! Good luck on your quest. And, I love the new blog look!
ReplyDeleteHolly ~ All of this support and encouragement (along with Lola kicking my butt) has convinced me to push on. Thanks for giving me a nudge!
ReplyDeleteErica ~ TWO?! Now I do know your mind is suspect!! :)
B. ~ First I couldn't find an Alaskan, now I have three!! Thanks for the referral. :)
Catherine ~ I think I used up my quota of virtual hugs today...but here's one for you anyway! (((HUG))).
Julie ~ Gotta love you Californians! Thank you.
I'm sure you'll get them all.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I'm not in any of the states you listed as missing, so I can't help you there, and I'm living in the US. But good luck. :)
You got another visit from Italy.
ReplyDeleteI come from Jemi's blog and just wanted to say hi.
Good luck on your cruise! :)
You'll make your goal.
ReplyDeleteI know you have a billion of them, but I have an award waiting for you at my blog.
I can do a shout out to your blog tomorrow about your goal..Maybe some good will come of it.
ReplyDeleteHang in there - you'll get 'em all! I put out the word at my blog and I've seen it on lots of others I've been visiting. Good luck!
ReplyDeletei haven't read all the comments (there were a whole lot of them).... so i'm not sure if you've linked up with other states yet or not, but here i go anyway....
ReplyDeletei don't know if you and TS Hendrik are fellow blog buddies, but he's on my list and he's in Tennessee. i have a friend from Hawaii who reads and comments on my blog, but she hasn't officially started blogging yet.... i'll really push her too.... =)
best of luck to you, friend! =)
If ham radio operators can "work all states" in their contests, surely blogger can too. Maybe you need to open the whole idea up as a blog challenge one of these days with a little logo and everything (like Arlee Bird did with his A to Z Challenge in April -- his blog is http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteP.S. -- I'm from Colorado. No help here.
Yaaaaaaay! You now have a follower from South Dakota. What's my prize? LOL
ReplyDeleteI just found you through Susan Fields' blog. Good luck with finding the rest of the states. You can do it. Don't give up.
~ Yaya
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