Happy blogday, BW - five years is an achievement. :)
I started reading your blog shortly before I started my own, which must be, er, four years ago or so; I seem to recall that you were missing ex-bloggers at the time, and that you questioned the sense of community that existed in the blogosphere. I too miss the regular postings of certain bloggers (who, as you say, know who they are), but I do feel that there is still a community spirit about in various corners of the blogging world; my own readership has changed quite a bit over the time I've been blogging, and there are certain commenters who I genuinely miss, but whose place has been to some extent taken over by others. It's a shifting world, innit?
Posted by Kitchen Witch on 4 January, 2008 at 8:50 AM
Happy Blogday. Excellent news!
Five years! $£%*!
I miss the old Blog community too, Shame.
Could the lyric possibly be a slightly misheard one Witchy? What comes to mind is Squeeze's "There at the Top" which includes the lyric:
"Turn of 21,
She's looking at the map,
Looking at her watch,
Bags on the rack,
It seems like she's there at the top,"
If that is it, my sincere apologies for correcting your mishearing (I hate it when people point out a lyric I've known for years has not just a different meaning but different words!
I like to unleash a "spell" on the world occasionally. It's the only influence I have over all the weird things that go on in the world.
Not suitable for this site though.
Posted by Dave Richards on 4 January, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Many happy returns from this one-time regular but now just occasional commenter. It's now two and a half years since I won the battle and overcame the urge to carry on with CBS and I've rarely regretted it. I would, however, be sorry if you did the same; I was never a great blogger but I think you are, so long may Blue Witch continue.
Posted by Dave on 4 January, 2008 at 10:10 AM
As an occasional delurker I want to add my wishes for a happy blogday too , long may it continue!
In a constantly changing world coming here to read has been a stable thing for me for a little while now, I would miss you and your words whether they are "whinge, moan or lecture", (it does what it says on the tin), or other words of wisdom. Sometimes I am moved to comment if I feel I can add to the discussion or want to pass on good wishes or support, but often I am left with something to ponder... keep unleashing, we need you!
Posted by witch of oz on 4 January, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Yay for happy blogdays!
Posted by Debster on 4 January, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Congratulations. As only an occasional commenter but frequent reader:
Even sleepers are workers and collaborators on what goes on in the universe.
Heraclitus.
Posted by Phillip on 4 January, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Congratulations on a great site. A damn site more interesting than the Holy Bible. kkma.
And on the lurking front, one of the few near year's resolutions that I made was to start commenting more on the blogs that I read. Consider yourselves warned...I can talk a lot of rubbish sometimes ;)
Difficult year for us here but have never regretted following your example and kicking the toad, work, out of at least part of my life. Keep blogging -oh! and a happy New Year.
Oddny
Posted by oddny on 4 January, 2008 at 1:51 PM
happy blogday nana bw! (my daddies are at b&q pretending to be butch around the power tools. they're fooling no-one).
We newcomers (2nd anniversary fast approaching) hardly knew anything of the early days, and so don't know what we missed. I am still rather enchanted at the strength of the community spirit. I had no idea that I would find people that I think of as real friends, whether I've met them or not. I certainly never expected to meet anyone by way of blogging, and to start with would have rather resisted the idea, but I've absolutely enjoyed meeting the people (including you, of course) that I have.
I do hate it when someone just stops blogging and you don't know why. I wish they'd leave a valedictory message, at least.
Happy Blogday! As someone who has only recently stopped lurking and started blogging & commenting I can't comment on what it used to be like, but like z, I have been amazed at the friendliness of people.
I am delighted that Blue Witchiness continues to be unleashed.
Wait-if you have been blogging for five years now then so have I. As you know you are one of the first bloggers I connected with in the blogosphere and I consider myself very lucky to have found you.
Now you've got me thinking about the bloggers who are now gone. People like Dave of CBS (Hi Dave, how is the little one doing?) and Elsie.
Blogworld is definitely like the real world in that, as someone once said, change is inevitable and change is constant. Even so, it's been nice having one constant that remains some what stable in my life for so long.
So I say again, a very happy 5th blogday to you, BW.
Posted by la peregrina on 4 January, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Happy Blogday!
Well, done on making the big 5...oh? It's not the big 50 :^)
Posted by blue hat on 4 January, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Happy 5th Blogday BW
Chris xxx :)
Posted by Chris on 4 January, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Chris - you're still around! Thought of you when I was looking at the 3rd blogday post yesterday - did you ever get round to making the CMG you waited so long for?
oddny - ditto, haven't seen you for a while either! So plesaed you've found anew direction.
Edward - your Daddies haven't brutally murdered you after all! (although please tell them I require photographic evidence to be sure...)
Everyone else who is around more often - thank you, sincerely.
Posted by Blue Witch on 4 January, 2008 at 7:37 PM
Well Happy New Year, Happy Blogday and thank you for your generosity of spirit in 07.
Posted by agaless etc on 4 January, 2008 at 9:28 PM
Happy Blogday from a lurker and (very) occasional commentor.
So glad you're not giving up - I enjoy your rants and unique perspective.
Posted by Joe on 4 January, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Hey BW, yup, still around and still very much loving the site and visiting almost every day. Sorry that I have become a lurker, I will make the effort to change that as long as you can cope with me still being a bit of a gushing ol’ so and so (as you probably remember I am a huge BW fan. You’re a special lady, Mrs!). The CMG? Oh boy, I now know why they say that the best things in life are worth waiting for. Thanks for helping me have many successful dinner parties, what with that and the BW Jaffa Cake Trifle recipe, yummm.
Happy 5th Blogday once again and my very best wishes always, to you and Mr BW, and all the familiars.
Chris xxx
Posted by Chris on 4 January, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Ooh BW Jaffa Cake Trifle.
I'm unreasonably excited at the thought of that. Pleeese, pleeese, pleeese BW, share the recipe/spell for that. (Or is it hiding in those archives...)
Wow!! 5 years! I'm sooo still playing catch up, I've only been a blogger (or website hoster depending on the presence or lack of comments) for about 2 and a half years....my goodness?! That makes me like half you age =P
Still I'm no where near to reaching your fine wisdom my dear. I do pop back from time to time, but must admit I lurk more often than I ought, instead of barging through the door, wiping my feet and asking for a nice Cuppa BW tea!
Hope 2008 is a great year for you and all your kin :)
In that case, happy new blogyear, BW - glad to see you'll keep going. I was blogging for a long time (albeit much more frequently - that's the difference between working somewhere where webspace is a perk of the job and, er, not working there!) before I found this corner of the blogosphere, and even longer before I de-lurked, and I do feel I missed a lot.
I've just set my original domain name to expire on its 6th birthday next month, which feels like a bit of a milestone in itself, really.
I have just started blogging and wondered this way via the Status Anxiety blog. I have quite enjoyed reading you posts (makes mine look a little bit bland). I will put you onto my 'Blogroll' if you don't mind.
Will drop by again.
Kind Regards
This 'N' That
(Not a very original title I'm afraid)
Posted by This 'N' That on 5 January, 2008 at 7:07 PM
Media only controls us if we let them.I know you write about social and political issues in the UK some times,and while thats interesting,I like the stuff about your art and mildred and all the things about you all and life at the coven.It's a window into somebody else's life that the media can never control or bastardize.
I write of politics sometimes as well,on issues that I find interesting.
The huffington post and their ilk can go fuck themselves as far as I'm concerned.Those aren't blogs,there news/gossip/spin sites.
More power to you BW and to the rest of us as well!
Many Happy Returns, BW! Don't forget that what you are describing is how you rode one part of the wave. Your description is right in every respect, but the blogging phenomenon you allude to is just a small part of a much larger environment. Something will turn up.
Any activity that isn't directly connected with putting food into mouths is, ultimately, optional and dependent on the amount of spare time available in each person's case. I'd almost ask for a "more time" spell, but I have a horrible suspicion that I would much rather have things the way they are now.
I'e just finished Ben Elton's latest, "Blind Faith". As ever, great literature it ain't so falls short of a universal recommendation, but I found it interesting, amusing and stimulating. In Elton's dysfunctional future, daily blogging is everyone's legal and moral duty.
Unleash away.
We love it!
Posted by Mr.D. on 4 January, 2008 at 8:39 AMHappy blogday, BW - five years is an achievement. :)
I started reading your blog shortly before I started my own, which must be, er, four years ago or so; I seem to recall that you were missing ex-bloggers at the time, and that you questioned the sense of community that existed in the blogosphere. I too miss the regular postings of certain bloggers (who, as you say, know who they are), but I do feel that there is still a community spirit about in various corners of the blogging world; my own readership has changed quite a bit over the time I've been blogging, and there are certain commenters who I genuinely miss, but whose place has been to some extent taken over by others. It's a shifting world, innit?
Posted by Kitchen Witch on 4 January, 2008 at 8:50 AMHappy Blogday. Excellent news!
Five years! $£%*!
I miss the old Blog community too, Shame.
Could the lyric possibly be a slightly misheard one Witchy? What comes to mind is Squeeze's "There at the Top" which includes the lyric:
"Turn of 21,
She's looking at the map,
Looking at her watch,
Bags on the rack,
It seems like she's there at the top,"
If that is it, my sincere apologies for correcting your mishearing (I hate it when people point out a lyric I've known for years has not just a different meaning but different words!
Posted by NiC on 4 January, 2008 at 8:51 AMThanks, Nic, but, It's still forever 10:21 to me :)
Posted by Blue Witch on 4 January, 2008 at 9:01 AMAt least I got the artist right!!!
Happy Blogday!
Posted by QE on 4 January, 2008 at 9:10 AM(more sensible comment may follow when such is available)
I like to unleash a "spell" on the world occasionally. It's the only influence I have over all the weird things that go on in the world.
Not suitable for this site though.
Posted by Dave Richards on 4 January, 2008 at 10:02 AMMany happy returns from this one-time regular but now just occasional commenter. It's now two and a half years since I won the battle and overcame the urge to carry on with CBS and I've rarely regretted it. I would, however, be sorry if you did the same; I was never a great blogger but I think you are, so long may Blue Witch continue.
Posted by Dave on 4 January, 2008 at 10:10 AMAs an occasional delurker I want to add my wishes for a happy blogday too , long may it continue!
In a constantly changing world coming here to read has been a stable thing for me for a little while now, I would miss you and your words whether they are "whinge, moan or lecture", (it does what it says on the tin), or other words of wisdom. Sometimes I am moved to comment if I feel I can add to the discussion or want to pass on good wishes or support, but often I am left with something to ponder... keep unleashing, we need you!
Posted by witch of oz on 4 January, 2008 at 10:28 AMYay for happy blogdays!
Posted by Debster on 4 January, 2008 at 10:35 AMCongratulations. As only an occasional commenter but frequent reader:
Even sleepers are workers and collaborators on what goes on in the universe.
Posted by Phillip on 4 January, 2008 at 10:49 AMHeraclitus.
Congratulations on a great site. A damn site more interesting than the Holy Bible. kkma.
Posted by buddy1 on 4 January, 2008 at 11:00 AM(he means "sight", Witchy)
Posted by Mr.D. on 4 January, 2008 at 12:13 PMHappy Blogday!
And on the lurking front, one of the few near year's resolutions that I made was to start commenting more on the blogs that I read. Consider yourselves warned...I can talk a lot of rubbish sometimes ;)
Posted by Clair on 4 January, 2008 at 1:03 PMMost certainly. kkma.
Posted by buddy1 on 4 January, 2008 at 1:06 PMGood....lyrics like all art should be in the brain of the receiver. 10:21 it will be for me from now on too!
Posted by NiC on 4 January, 2008 at 1:40 PMDifficult year for us here but have never regretted following your example and kicking the toad, work, out of at least part of my life. Keep blogging -oh! and a happy New Year.
Posted by oddny on 4 January, 2008 at 1:51 PMOddny
happy blogday nana bw! (my daddies are at b&q pretending to be butch around the power tools. they're fooling no-one).
Posted by edward on 4 January, 2008 at 2:05 PMHappy blogday. I've been tuned in since I turned on in 2004 and I hope to stay here reading for many more.
Posted by jo on 4 January, 2008 at 2:15 PMHappy Blogday, BW.
We newcomers (2nd anniversary fast approaching) hardly knew anything of the early days, and so don't know what we missed. I am still rather enchanted at the strength of the community spirit. I had no idea that I would find people that I think of as real friends, whether I've met them or not. I certainly never expected to meet anyone by way of blogging, and to start with would have rather resisted the idea, but I've absolutely enjoyed meeting the people (including you, of course) that I have.
I do hate it when someone just stops blogging and you don't know why. I wish they'd leave a valedictory message, at least.
Posted by z on 4 January, 2008 at 2:27 PMHappy Blogday! As someone who has only recently stopped lurking and started blogging & commenting I can't comment on what it used to be like, but like z, I have been amazed at the friendliness of people.
Posted by Three-Legged-Cat on 4 January, 2008 at 3:03 PMI am delighted that Blue Witchiness continues to be unleashed.
Happy Blogday BW. I can't imagine a blogworld without you :)
Posted by Elle on 4 January, 2008 at 3:27 PMHappy 5th year, BW.
Wait-if you have been blogging for five years now then so have I. As you know you are one of the first bloggers I connected with in the blogosphere and I consider myself very lucky to have found you.
Now you've got me thinking about the bloggers who are now gone. People like Dave of CBS (Hi Dave, how is the little one doing?) and Elsie.
Blogworld is definitely like the real world in that, as someone once said, change is inevitable and change is constant. Even so, it's been nice having one constant that remains some what stable in my life for so long.
So I say again, a very happy 5th blogday to you, BW.
Posted by la peregrina on 4 January, 2008 at 4:10 PMHappy Blogday!
Well, done on making the big 5...oh? It's not the big 50 :^)
Posted by blue hat on 4 January, 2008 at 6:48 PMHappy 5th Blogday BW
Posted by Chris on 4 January, 2008 at 7:26 PMChris xxx :)
Chris - you're still around! Thought of you when I was looking at the 3rd blogday post yesterday - did you ever get round to making the CMG you waited so long for?
oddny - ditto, haven't seen you for a while either! So plesaed you've found anew direction.
Edward - your Daddies haven't brutally murdered you after all! (although please tell them I require photographic evidence to be sure...)
Everyone else who is around more often - thank you, sincerely.
Posted by Blue Witch on 4 January, 2008 at 7:37 PMWell Happy New Year, Happy Blogday and thank you for your generosity of spirit in 07.
Posted by agaless etc on 4 January, 2008 at 9:28 PMHappy Blogday from a lurker and (very) occasional commentor.
So glad you're not giving up - I enjoy your rants and unique perspective.
Posted by Joe on 4 January, 2008 at 10:03 PMHey BW, yup, still around and still very much loving the site and visiting almost every day. Sorry that I have become a lurker, I will make the effort to change that as long as you can cope with me still being a bit of a gushing ol’ so and so (as you probably remember I am a huge BW fan. You’re a special lady, Mrs!). The CMG? Oh boy, I now know why they say that the best things in life are worth waiting for. Thanks for helping me have many successful dinner parties, what with that and the BW Jaffa Cake Trifle recipe, yummm.
Posted by Chris on 4 January, 2008 at 11:05 PMHappy 5th Blogday once again and my very best wishes always, to you and Mr BW, and all the familiars.
Chris xxx
Ooh BW Jaffa Cake Trifle.
Posted by Three-Legged-Cat on 4 January, 2008 at 11:50 PMI'm unreasonably excited at the thought of that. Pleeese, pleeese, pleeese BW, share the recipe/spell for that. (Or is it hiding in those archives...)
Wow!! 5 years! I'm sooo still playing catch up, I've only been a blogger (or website hoster depending on the presence or lack of comments) for about 2 and a half years....my goodness?! That makes me like half you age =P
Still I'm no where near to reaching your fine wisdom my dear. I do pop back from time to time, but must admit I lurk more often than I ought, instead of barging through the door, wiping my feet and asking for a nice Cuppa BW tea!
Hope 2008 is a great year for you and all your kin :)
Posted by Cyberevolution on 5 January, 2008 at 8:21 AMIn that case, happy new blogyear, BW - glad to see you'll keep going. I was blogging for a long time (albeit much more frequently - that's the difference between working somewhere where webspace is a perk of the job and, er, not working there!) before I found this corner of the blogosphere, and even longer before I de-lurked, and I do feel I missed a lot.
I've just set my original domain name to expire on its 6th birthday next month, which feels like a bit of a milestone in itself, really.
Posted by Cat on 5 January, 2008 at 8:33 AMGoodness, that sounded sad didn't it? Blame it on the fact that I'm still drinking my first cuppa and have yet to engage brain properly!
Posted by Cat on 5 January, 2008 at 8:35 AMHello Blue Witch.
I have just started blogging and wondered this way via the Status Anxiety blog. I have quite enjoyed reading you posts (makes mine look a little bit bland). I will put you onto my 'Blogroll' if you don't mind.
Will drop by again.
Kind Regards
This 'N' That
Posted by This 'N' That on 5 January, 2008 at 7:07 PM(Not a very original title I'm afraid)
Media only controls us if we let them.I know you write about social and political issues in the UK some times,and while thats interesting,I like the stuff about your art and mildred and all the things about you all and life at the coven.It's a window into somebody else's life that the media can never control or bastardize.
Posted by th'rev on 5 January, 2008 at 11:51 PMI write of politics sometimes as well,on issues that I find interesting.
The huffington post and their ilk can go fuck themselves as far as I'm concerned.Those aren't blogs,there news/gossip/spin sites.
More power to you BW and to the rest of us as well!
Oh...and happy blog day :)
Posted by th'rev on 6 January, 2008 at 2:11 AMMany Happy Returns, BW! Don't forget that what you are describing is how you rode one part of the wave. Your description is right in every respect, but the blogging phenomenon you allude to is just a small part of a much larger environment. Something will turn up.
Any activity that isn't directly connected with putting food into mouths is, ultimately, optional and dependent on the amount of spare time available in each person's case. I'd almost ask for a "more time" spell, but I have a horrible suspicion that I would much rather have things the way they are now.
I'e just finished Ben Elton's latest, "Blind Faith". As ever, great literature it ain't so falls short of a universal recommendation, but I found it interesting, amusing and stimulating. In Elton's dysfunctional future, daily blogging is everyone's legal and moral duty.
Posted by Ham on 6 January, 2008 at 8:54 AMYou am 5? Awsome!
Posted by drD on 6 January, 2008 at 2:16 PMHow time flys' when your having fun eh?
Juicee congrats from the pleasure zone innit ;)
P.S: Going forward, same time next year?
Posted by drD on 6 January, 2008 at 2:17 PMHappy blogday, BW
I'm about 9 months behind you (although not on the current blog) and you were among the first who went on my blogroll.
I've learnt a lot from this site (at the moment, I'm enjoying "saying no to 0870) and enjoy your straightforward approach and green tips!
I agree that it's not the same any more, but I think you have a loyal following who will keep coming back for more.
Keep on keeping on!
Posted by anxious on 7 January, 2008 at 8:28 PMBelated blogday greetings to a true original (and I'm pleased that you enjoyed that particular post).
Posted by mike on 8 January, 2008 at 7:45 PM