Last year on this day, August 29, 2007, I began my blogging journey on WordPress. One year and 104 posts later, this sputtering engine is still chugging along. I’d like to think of my blogging experience as a road trip. The kind of vehicle I have in mind is the VW van in the movie Little Miss Sunshine. Almost an obsolete wreck and yet still functioning, just needs a little running push.
It has been an eventful summer for me. Having had to move twice and living out of a suitcase, sustaining the horrors of home renos, tending illness in the family, and caring for two elderly parents have put my life on hold…or maybe this is life. All this time, I didn’t have easy access to the internet, no TV, or other high tech luxuries. While my posts have been more sparse than I’d like, blogging, even though infrequent, has at least kept some kind of normalcy for me during this unsettling and chaotic period.
While I’ve missed many important events during these two months, such as Hilary’s concession speech, and the Olympics… I’ve been able to catch some summer flicks and read a few books. As I take stock of this summer’s entertainment consumption, I’m surprised to find that my list is long despite the interruptions:
The following are straight from memory, in no particular order:
Movies seen at theatres:
- Mamma Mia!
- The Dark Knight
- Swing Vote
- Brideshead Revisited
Live Musical:
- Spamalot
DVD’s watched or re-watched:
- Persuasion (1996)
- Persuasion (2008)
- Sketches of Frank Gehry (2005)
- Life As A House (2001)
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
- Vantage Point (2008)
- The Bank Job (2008)
- Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008)
- Plus about 25 titles previewed for a Film Festival
Books read or re-read:
- Persuasion by Jane Austen
- Then She Found Me by Elinor Lipman
- The Savior by Eugene Drucker
- The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
- Up Till Now by William Shatner
- Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline
So this is the summer of 2008. Will be leaving for Ontario tomorrow to take our son back to university, Arti is wrapping up another summer, and the first year of blogging.
What’s your blogging trip been like this summer? And your list of books and entertainment?
*****
Ripple Effects 
Happy anniversary! 🙂
Thanks! And for all your visits and comments in the past year!
Arti
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It has been a fruitful year reading your Blog. Thank you for all the reviews, recommendations, links to those great films, books, music & art festivals… not to mention those wonderful photos you shared with us, many taken from your far away trips. You have enriched my life and many others from around the globe; connecting like-minded people. For that and so much more, Hat Off off to you Arti.
Happy Anniversary & many more to come. Keep up the good work!
Thank you.
It’s you whom I should thank, for all your support, well wishes, and kind words… fuel for the next milestone.
Arti
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Hi Arti,
Happy Anniversary! Pls be reminded that if it wasn’t for this blog (one I can imagine in the future will be considered a book option after successful bloggers turned authors) I probably wouldn’t keep mine alive. Thanks for the inspiration and I’ve got to say, Arti, that your pages have left trails into my considerations for various arts choices (and reconsiderations for the ones I have missed, and overlooked). Please continue to write, and never fear, the numbers can only go up from here!
Foodiewil: Thanks for your kind words and great encouragement! I’m just a one-year-old blogger still trying to explore the exciting world of blogosphere. I’m glad you’ve started your own blog on Food and my congratulations to your fine writing and achievement as well! Love to hear more from you regarding your take on films, your other specialty. Thanks again for leaving your comment here.
Arti
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Congratulations Arti! What an accomplishment! I am looking forward to another year of great posts on Austen and the rest of your interests.
Cheers, Laurel Ann
Thanks Laurel Ann, for your well wishes. I must say here that it’s blogs like yours, Jane Austen Today and Austenprose that had sparked my interests in delving into Austen and the Regency world. Yours are impressive blogs to emulate and I must say thanks for the inspiration!
Arti
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Arti, my wordpress blog is one year old today, so I know how proud you must feel about this anniversary. Congratulations! I love the scope and depth of your posts – you always surprise me. Vic
Vic: Thanks and congrats to you too! Your blog at Jane Austen’s World is impressive and one of the ones I learn from the most. Thanks for your support by visiting mine and leaving your kind words.
Arti
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Have a great trip. Glad you found me so that I could find you. I’m also catherinesherman.wordpress.com, but I started blatherblog for my book club and have listed you on our blogroll. You’re a great asset.
Hi Catherine: Thanks for stopping by again. Coincidentally, I’ve just posted a review on the book by Elinor Lipman Then She Found Me, which I think would spark lively discussions in your book club, especially for those who have seen the movie as well. Again, I’m glad to be of service to your group and your members’ comments on my reviews are most welcome.
Arti
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