WordPress tells me I’ve been blogging for 10 years now. It’s been a life-changing decade. From a film lover writing reviews just for personal journalling, I’ve developed into writing to share. Hundreds of movies later, I’m now an Arts and Film Writer for Asian American Press. In recent years, I started covering Film Festivals; my appreciation for cinema art and independent films from all over the world had grown deeper.
Books, I’ve read a few, but then again, too few to mention. My TBR piles is expanding much faster than I can tackle. To manage them, I use the simplest method: deleting them from my memory. Many I’ve bought from the annual Book Sale (several posts), but I’ve since donated them back. There’s one on my Goodreads ‘currently reading’ shelf for years now which I don’t want to give up just yet, and that’s Proust’s In Search of Lost Time Vol. 3, The Guermantes Way. Some day.
Other than books, movies, and my special interest in the transposition of one into the other, I’ve also become an avid birder. Arti of Ripple Effects has turned into a nature paparazzo. I’d thought of starting another blog just for nature photography but thought, hey, everyone needs a respite even from books and films. The Pond is open to all to throw in their two pebbles, make some ripples while enjoying a piece of natural beauty.
WordPress tells me in the side bar that I have 6,843 followers. Simply amazing, considering the number of comments I receive in each post. No matter, commenting isn’t a requirement when you visit the Pond. I’m just glad to know you’ve enjoyed your stay, even if it’s a short minute or two. And to all visitors and followers, a hearty thank-you. You’ve made my presence in the blogosphere meaningful.
To celebrate 10 years, to say goodbye to Spring (already) and welcome Summer, I’ll leave you with a few photos I’ve taken in the past few days.
The forest by the Pond:
They may be the most common bird, but every Robin is a welcome sight against the blue sky:
The well-groomed and handsome Cedar Waxwing, always camera ready:
True to their name, the Yellow-headed Blackbird on a cattail:
The female Red-Winged Blackbird. Nature endows with different features:
Up in the sky, an Osprey is busy transporting his building materials:
And a touring group of Pelicans, looking for my Air BnB?
More to come.
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Ripple Effects 
I love your photos!
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Congratulations, Arti! I’ve been coming by the pond for years though I very seldom throw any pebbles in. Nonetheless I’m an admirer of your very thoughtful reviews on films. Keep up the good work, you’re a gift!
Fondly,
Yinling
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Yinling,
Thanks for your support all these years! Don’t feel obligated to throw pebbles into the Pond. 😉
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Happy tenth year of blogging!
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Thanks Letizia for visiting all these years!
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Congrats on 10
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ksbeth,
Thanks! 🙂
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It’s been quite a journey, hasn’t it? Personally, I think you and I are evidence of the wisdom of slow blogging. There isn’t a race to win, but slow and steady certainly allows for more and deeper development through time.
Even though you’ve headed more into film, which isn’t a priority for me, I still enjoy your reviews, and have learned much about film from you — not to mention actually landing in the theater for some movies. And of course I love your book reviews, and your bird photos.
Beyond that, your sly humor never fails to delight. I loved this: “Books, I’ve read a few, but then again, too few to mention.” That’s just funny, and I’ll have the song — and its implied meaning here! — in my mind all day.
Happy tenth, Arti! Here’s to many more!
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Linda,
You’ve brought out a truth of course, and that’s the friendship and camaraderie blogging had brought me all these years. Indeed, we’re journeying together, and mutual support in our blogging community is what fuel us to press on. Another good reminder is, yes, slow blogging. I’ve put that term to rest already, for I’ve been doing it all these years. So your comment just reminded me… sure, that’s exactly what we have been doing: slow blogging. No pressure to meet any deadline, to reach a certain number, or do anything sensational to draw attention.
And hey, I’m so glad somebody noticed it: Glad you heard that song in there. Yes, we did it our way. 🙂
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Very impressive, Arti, and many congratulations. Like Linda, I’ve learned a lot from your film reviews and insightful commentary. Even if I never see those in a theatre, I will at least have had a glimpse of what’s going on in that sphere.
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nikkipolani,
Can’t believe ten years have slipped by just like that, and you’re one of the earliest visitors to the Pond. Thanks for your support all this time and I must say, your marvellous photography had been inspiring for me… even to this day. 😉
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Congratulations on ten years of blogging! I wish I’d found your blog earlier. Thank you too for your books into film posts for Shiny New Books. Here’s to the next ten. 🙂
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Annabel,
Glad you’ve finally arrived. My pleasure to have you visit the Pond and create some ripples. Hope you can become a regular now. 😉
Thanks for the opportunity for me to contribute to SNB. All the best for many more years to come.
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Wow! Congratulations! I’m coming up on ten myself this December and I know what you mean by it being a journey and an evolution. I love coming here — partly because I love books and movies, though not with the complete passion and dedication you have for really going beyond. But that makes them all the richer for me. And you know that I’m a wild and crazy fan of your nature shots.
Most of all I am grateful you blog because I feel in you I have a friend. Not just a blogger who puts out beautiful photos or interesting thoughts, but a real friend and that’s something so special. I am grateful for that, your posts, your visits, our correspondence! Much happiness!
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Jeanie,
You’re absolutely right! Without the friendship I’ve developed in the blogosphere, it wouldn’t have been half the fun. I’ve cherished that and blogging is only the beginning. I look forward to some day, we can actually meet as friends in the real world.
Again, thanks for all your support all these years. Your always positiver comments are the fuel that energizes, your beautiful blog a source of inspiration. Well, I’ll definitely look forward to your December celebrations! 🙂
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Congratulations on 10 years!
I have enjoyed your posts and found both literary and film gems because of them. It is no surprise with your thorough reviews and excellent style that you are writing professionally.
I echo marmeladegypsy’s comment that blogging creates a bond because it reveals over time something more than the snapshots of social media. And I cannot get enough of the birds. How I’d love to walk down that path in your first photo today!
November marks my 10th year blogging as well. I have a huge mile marker for it, one I never thought I’d achieve. So, congrats again and I look forward to the next 10 years!
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Michelle,
Thanks for your support all these years, ever since you were in Ontario. I still remember when you first stopped by the Pond, and that was when I wrote about Margaret Laurence’s The Stone Angel. You were painting those small towns in Ontario. Am I placing my memory correctly? Anyway, it has been a long while and I’ve much appreciated your encouraging comments. Your Artscapes website is a source of inspiration for me. 🙂
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Here’s to another ten years Arti!, Nicola x
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Thanks Nicola! 🙂
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Congratulations, Arti! I loved the above discussion about slow blogging, a good way to describe the kinds of blogs I prefer. I enjoy your film reviews very much and have used them as my primary source for choosing what to add to my Netflix queue. Looking forward to all your future posts!
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Thanks, Barbara, for your visits and throwing in your two pebbles. I’m much gratified to know you’ve enjoyed my reviews and have used them as ‘film guides’. Yes, slow blogging, it can give much more pleasure. 🙂
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Congratulations Arti. I love reading your blog (hearing about movies) and sharing in your glimpses of nature. You voice in the world is special!
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Heather,
Thanks for the encouraging words! 🙂
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Congrats on 10 years! How wonderful how blogging opened up opportunities for you. Love your photos, always. The birds you captured here are great. Happy day to you!
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Ellen,
You’re one of the earliest visitors to the Pond. Glad we’re still doing our blogs after all these years! 🙂
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Is that ten years already? My gosh. Congrats!
Whenever my daughter asked if I heard of a book or a movie, I’d say, hm I did. Then I sent her your link to read. Thank you for being here to enlighten us.
Here’s to many more years to come.
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cancancl,
Thanks so much for your confirming words! 🙂
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Congratulations on 10 years, Arti… and here’s to the next decade!
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JoAnn,
As some have already expressed, it’s the friendship that makes this meaningful. Thank you so much for contributing to the blogosphere of readers. 🙂
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Congratulations on 10 years! I’ve seen some good movies because of you! It’s been fun following along as your interests have grown. Thanks for sharing these pieces of yourself!
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Thanks for being a regular visitor to the Pond. Yes, it’s been a long while, and you’re one of the earliest arrivals. Interesting to note too that as years pass by, we’ve changed somewhat, and you have added new occupants to your abode: The Dashwoods! 🙂
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Here’s to ten more!
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Congrats on 10 years! I just started my site here for my poetry book, but am really enjoying the site as a whole. Lots of creative people excited to share. Good Luck with everything! 😀
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Congratulations Arti on your tenth, and apologies for my belated greetings. Life has been busy and it seems these days that I catch up with blogs in fits and starts. As I’m about to head off on holidays in a couple of days, it will be more fits and starts, but I’ll just say that I’m glad you added the photos to this blog. Much more sensible than two blogs, I’d say.
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Congratulations on ten years that is such a big achievement. I’ve loved your film and book reviews and have watched several films and recommended some also.
I agree with keeping just the one blog, I love seeing your photos too. I put a right mish mash of topics on mine, although I do try to stick to the life of a trainee musician :).
Keep on with the great blog xox
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Thanks Charlotte. I’ll continue with my nature photos here then. 🙂
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