Yes, Something Is Different

Dear Friends,

At first glance, it might appear that there is nothing different or unusual about my blog. Well, except of course that  my blog is considered by many to be frustratingly different and unappealingly unusual. However, this note is not for those people. No, it  is for you, my regular and loyal visitor. Please, let me assure you that some things about my blog have and shall continue to  remain the same. The layout has not changed. The leg picture and the wonderfully long blog-roll remain.   There is still an offering of interactive comment games, questions from my blog friends, and much silliness from me.  Yet,  if you look carefully you will notice a subtle yet significant change.  There are more  posts than usual and  the  daily posts  have now become weekly ones.

More posts today is the subtle change.
The fact that this blog has now become a weekly rather than a daily offering, is the significant change.

What might, perhaps, be deemed by some as my way of doing less blogging, is in truth, a way for me to continue to blog. My choice was quite simple: cut  back on daily posting or close my blog. I chose, for  now, to simply cut back. This choice will however allow me time to  visit some  of the blogs that I enjoy, and more importantly to connect or reconnect with some of the bloggers I am so very fond of. Yes, I will still be around to read and  monitor comments that are left here. Yes, more visits and comments, from me, will be left elsewhere. You have been warned.

Please, let me share with you a bit about some of the changes you will see.

The Site of the Day has now become  The Site of the  Week. However, there will also be a special post titled A  Familiar Favourite, which will highlight one of my favourite bloggers. Yes, two  blogs to visit each week,  each will remain a featured site until the following  week. 

There will be at least one book question a week and other book-related talk. Also, please watch for special book related surprises in  the near future. Yes, as a matter of fact, I am quite fond  of books. 

There will be a weekly post titled Sharing the Good Stuff.  Please do  offer suggestions or  recommendations there.  It is one of my favourite features.

The Meet n' Greet will now be offered very early Thursday morning - Midnight or shortly after (EST), and comments will be closed on Sunday evening. Yes, four days. New rules, and a warning about bad Meet n' Greet play will be posted next week.

Finally, you will begin to see more interaction from me. Yes, I know this will not please those who prefer my silence.  Sorry to disappoint.

Welcome to my New Weekly Format. Please, have a glorious  week!

Comments

[Miz UV]

That sounds like a wonderful new plan, Michele, and I hope it works out for you. I'm glad you decided on this rather than shutting down.

[Sara]

I like what you are doing!

[Catheroo]

I'm glad you're changing formats if it means you won't shut down! And personally, I prefer your uhm...opposite of silence? Loudness? Anyway, I like the interaction.
Have a good week!

[Carmi]

You've chosen to address an issue - how to effectively balance blogging and life - in a way that sets an example for anyone struggling to keep the online lights on without slicing too deeply into the everyday things.

It's a challenge that vexes me every day, and I've long wondered how you've been able to keep all of your multitalented balls in the air. It's inspiring to watch.

I'm so glad you've chosen to make this change. I have no doubt it'll allow you to invest your precious little free time in the things that matter most to you.

[OldOldLady Of The Hills]

Ahhhh, Dear Michele. I am so glad you decided to make this change, and for those of us so very addicted, KEEP your blog here for all of us to enjoy and to intereact, especially the MEET & GREET!!!

I LOVE that you might be visiting people more..(And I hope I might be one of those people you choose to visit, cause it is always a thrill to know you have been by my humble little place....!)

They say "chamge is good", they also say, "Change Is Hard"....but, yur decision to NOT close down your blog, dear dear Michele is a reason to say BRAVO to this change....! I couldn't be happier to know your fabulous blog will still be here, just waiting for all of us to take part in, like a Fine Wine! BRAVO, BRAVA!

[Deputy's Wife]

I am so very happy you are not closing your blog. I look forward to seeing the new changes coming this week!

Take care Michele!

[annie]

I think that all sounds AWESOME, Michele! Do what you like, as long as you stick around, I am happy. You are one of my favorite bloggers.

[Omykiss]

Your site's a great place to meet other bloggers. i'm glad you're keeping it going and I hope you enjoy your time visiting others.

[aka_monty]

Although I fear change, I readily admit that sometimes it IS actually a good thing.

I'm looking forward to seeing how it will evolve. :)

[kenju]

I am so glad you decided not to close shop, Michele. I shall weather the changes in spite of myself.

[panthergirl]

Love the new format, and thanks for picking me as the first "old favorite"!

[Jennie]

I agree with Miz UV. :)

[Thumper]

Hey, as long as you're not shutting down... I can live with weekly Michele instead of daily. It's purely selfish, I know, but I =sniff= love this place...

[Melody]

Good for you and good for us. *yay*

[Usedtobeme]

I think this is a fine idea. Anymore, I cannot get here daily and I find myself playing catch up. I am glad you'll be sticking around.

How long have you been blogging?

[Marisa]

Oh goody more facts about Michele - about time.lol...I knew you would not disappoint your friends and what better way could you have gone. We still see/hear you and it also gives YOU much needed time to do things just for yourself.
xxxxx

[caspar]

Let's stop this....this taking a good spin on your announcement thing. It sucks. The manner is which it sucks varies from the manner in which your readers fall into your little blog community. The reactions seem to fall this way:

1. The M&Gers - These are those who ONLY play the Meet and Greet. They couldn't care less what the heck happens, as long as they get to promote their blogs. Some of these folks are relentless, in fact relentless is waaaaay understated to describe them. These are the folks on-line at 3am, sometimes two of them, and they are perfectly content to visit each other....over and over again.

2. The "OMG" Don't Leave Us - These are those who are willing to accept anything other than Michele Agnew's (the blog)demise. They applaud your decision and they have convinced themselves that less is more. Well, it isn't. 8 entries once a week is no match for a minimum of 16 entries and a max of 24.

3. The Male Readers - As long as the legs remain on the screen they're satisfied, at least as long as their Windex and tissues hold out.

4. Connie and caspar - Maybe we'll get to talk to you about something else from time to time.

5. Robert - The BIG (great) winner here. As the designated "Luckiest Man on Earth" Award winner (Sr. Division) he gets more of you, more of the time.

6. Michele - The BIGGEST (greatest) winner here. Life is out there, not only on this screen. You have given so much of yourself for so long to make this blog everything that it is. For that, you have paid a price. You have so much to give, so much to take. Enjoy.

[Michele]

Thank you everyone, your kindness and understanding is appreciated.

usedtobeme: I have had this blog for three years. However, I did have a book blog for six months before that.

caspar: I know, that you KNOW, that there is indeed someone special in my life. You also know that his real name is NOT Robert, but thank you for playing along...

[mckay]

whatever you need to do, i support, girlie. simple as that.

(as long as it's not robbing a bank or piercing something other than an ear)

mck.

[Becky68]

I can understand your needs & wants on this & don't blame you a bit.

[Pat]

Anything rather than give up Michele. It will be lovely to see more of you too. And I don't necessarily mean your photo:)

[Susan Helene Gottfried]

I'm looking forward to all of this, Michele! I don't play every game every day, but I look forward to seeing you in my reader and I'd miss you if you left us.

[Keith]

:( : )

[L]

I pop by every now and again, and have to admit I often gorge on the weekend meet and greet after not visiting for a while...

I am sooo glad you have decided not to close though I know I am one of many who would of missed you so.

I look forward to your less frequent posts in the same manner I enjoyed the daily posts I may participate more in reality as I may have more chance to visit before you repost...

Thanks for everything so far

L

[kimbofo]

Good for you, Michele. This sounds like a great plan! ;)

[WendyWings]

I think you have made some wise and I would say timely decisions. Rather more wise then my hit the delete button in a fit of pique decision a month or so ago lol.
I am only just getting back into the swing of visiting and commenting so once a week updates here are great by me.

[AOC]

Change frightens me. I still not sure I like this whole "internet" thing. And don't get me started on those horseless carriages.

;)

[Denise]

A little Michele is better than none at all. Of course, a lot is better than a little, but we mustn't be greedy, must we? :-)

[Just a trumpet player]

Change is always good !!
I'll drink some more Cremant to that... ;)

[Long Day With Short People]

As a newish visitor to your site I have enjoyed it as an on/off again forum for meeting new bloggers. Somtimes (entirely my own doing)I have felt like an 3rd wheel visiting on other times since you have so damn many loyal followers, but I will do less stalking, and more visiting, I promise! Glad you are hanging in there.

[burntofferings]

Well...!!!

Go away overseas for two weeks and look what happens!!! ;)

I have all of around 10 days to play these posts, as I am going to the UN conference in Bali on Climate Change...

I will have to pay more attention for these few days, and be more observant when I return!!!

Hoo roo for now!

[Kimmy]

Well, it sounds great to me.

I'm finally coming back after an almost year absence. And it feels great. The break was great, though I missed blogging and my blogging pals. But it was needed for me.

I'm glad to see you're going to keep blogging. A cut back is way better than saying goodbye!

Hope to see you around... you'll be seeing more of me. And you've been warned :)

[Dawn-Enigma Artist]

whatever works for you, Michele, works for me!

[gautami]

We all have to move on at one point or other. Do whatever you think is best for you.

[Novy]

someone once said nothing last forever especially if it's a good thing

we all get burnt out or need to take more time for ourselves

we will miss you but we will understand because most of us have been there

[Marie]

Good for you, Michele!!

[barbie2be]

this is exciting! i can't wait for the first full week of changes!

[meeta]

Wow! Good for you Michele. I make shoddy appearances here, but I totally understand the need to cut back.

[Courtney]

Good luck with the new changes, and thanks for letting us be the inaugural Site of the Week.

[oleblue]

Do what you wish. That is what life is all about

[flleenie]

Understood...cool!

[caspar]

If you are having some trouble understanding just what dear Michele is saying.....visit Happyland.

Oh, Happyland will be closing (12/24/07) for the season quite soon. All passes and amusement tickets will be honored.

[Bob-kat]

I think your changes sound great, especially if it means you don't have to close your blog. I am facing the same sort of decision at the moment as I just haven't got much spare time to blog so I know where you are coming from. Totally.

I like the sound of the changes, not matter hwo significant, and I quite like it when you join in on your own blog :)

[mrc1471]

this sounds great and I am very excited to be hearing more from you.

[Smiler]

Sounds like a very reasonable compromise to me. I for one really enjoyed your visit and comments on my blog and that's one of the things that I enjoy about blogging - interacting with the blog author. Glad you decided to keep it going. I've met wonderful bloggers through the Meet N' Greet. I'd hate to see that go.

[colleen]

Thanks for keeping us posted. Maybe with this new schedule I will be able to keep up better. When you visit us will you bring you fairy godmother wand?

[MissMeliss]

Wow, I'm off the net for the bulk of a week, and everything changes :) Seriously, I think this is of the good. We get to keep our Michele, you get to not be a slave to your blog.

I wish you luck and joy.

[leslie]

As long as you don't close down shop, I'm game for anything you do. :)

[utenzi]

Change is constant. It's not easy to keep to a constant schedule with ones blog so I'm not surprised to find that you need to switch to a weekly schedule, Michele. It's great that you're not packing it in.

[Shephard]

Sounds fab and hunky-dory.
Change is inevitable. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Where there's a will, there's a way.

If you can't find a way, make one. I admire your ingenuity in morphing your blog into something that grows with you.

Happy Festivus!!
~S