Friday, September 29, 2006

Hello Rancho Cucamonga!

Along with blogstalking and blogwriting, I am addicted to my blog stats. Being sort of an analyst type person at work, I am constantly reviewing data, cutting it different ways and trying to glean some sense from the raw numbers. Yesterday I got 122 hits. Not sure why. I didn't post yesterday, and it doesn't seem that anyone linked to me, or any one person spent the day on my site. I had visits from 43 different cities in 7 countries. Here are my favorites:

  • Rancho Cucamonga, California
  • Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
  • Apopka, Florida
  • Colombia, South America (Hi John! Bring beautiful Gabriela home soon!)
  • Columbia, Maryland (Wonder if I could adopt any frat boys from there?)
  • Bronx, New York (Shout out to my neighbors in the Boogie Down)
  • Brooklyn, New York (you guys too)


But the weird thing is I only got like one comment yesterday! What's up with that? Don't they speak english in Rancho Cucamonga? Drop a girl a note, won'tcha? I have often heard people say that they feel stupid leaving comments because they don't have anything witty to say. Really it's just an acknowledgement that you stopped by. Not leaving a comment is kind of like, walking up to a group of your friends, standing there listening but not saying anything, then walking away when you've heard enough! Wouldn't that be weird? Not that I am not guilty of it myself...but I try to say something if I've spent the time reading the entire post.

So let me ask you something...how do you manage your blog reading? Do you use bloglines or something similar? Do you keep a list in your "favorites" and then visit every site each day (or however often you sit down to read them). Do you use your own website (or someone else's) to link to your favorite blogs? I started to use bloglines, but I don't love it. You lose the "personality" of the author. So take this opportunity to delurk and introduce yourself. It's okay if your not a blogger, not adopting or whatever. It's nice to know who's out there!

And speaking of who's out there...I finally met Jen! We met for dinner and a drink here in NYC and it was really fun. My husband asked me how the food was, and I honestly don't even remember because we were gabbing so much. We have SO much in common, and it was so amusing to keep saying, Holy Crap, we're going to be parents! It's so great to talk to someone who "gets it". Okay, so she did harass me about my lack of preparation but I won't hold it against her ;) Thanks Jen for a great time, and I hope we can do that again sometime soon.

Well hope everyone has a great weekend. It seems like there is a big flurry of activity out there in adoption blogland...so happy for those who have recieved referrals, are close or have brought their children home! Makes me so anxious for my own referral!!

Thanks to all of you on your kind words about my crappy work week and the compliments on the crib. Work has been slightly better. Off to Birmingham Alabama for a few days next week for a conference. That wasn't one of the cities on my stats, so I dont think I'll be seeing any more bloggers, but I am looking forward to some serious BBQ!

29 comments:

Jenni said...

I also have become addicted to checking out my blog stats. I had someone from South Africa check it the other day! It's fun to see where poeple are visiting from.

I hope you have a great trip to Alabama!

A Room to Grow said...

I also like the stats! As for keeping track of everyone, I have a folder with my favorites on my computer at home. I try to click through the list at least every other day. Once I'm addicted to a blog (and they update regularly) they move to my blogroll. That's who I check on during the day at work (lunch).

great office last night (as usual)!

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say Hi! I found your sight via "SearchingKatja". My husband and I adopted our son through Bogota, Colombia back in 2001. While there, we met a couple of couples who were also adopting through FANA! When I have more time, I will stop back and read your previous posts! Take care -

Jenny and Matt said...

Ok. Forced to admit I was here.
My husband and I are adopting from Guatemala! I have no idea how I found your site. You know, you click and click and click your way around other people you don't know's lives until it's hard to remember where you started.
Good luck with everything! I check in every couple of days - see ya later!

Anonymous said...

I love meeting fellow bloggers in person! I find myself able to relax and be myself on an entirely different level than with most people I just meet.

Stats are so much fun! It boggled my mind that even after my farewell post, I was still seeing a fair bit of traffic on the non-pw part of my site each day. And from the same people! BTW although I'm probably one of your only readers who has actually been to Rancho Cucamonga, that isn't me ;)

Oh, and I use Bloglines b/c I like to know when someone updates.

Have a great weekend!!

Maggie said...

I use Bloglines. I have 62 blogs I watch now. If I clicked through each every day I'd never have time to do anything else. But I have my Bloglines set so I don't read it on their site -- I open up the actual blogs. I don't like it otherwise.

Jill said...

i also am obsessed with checking my hits - so hit me! meanwhile, i am probably your nj girl! i have a big canadian following - and i love to say that "big canadian following."

but 122... wow - i also love to see how people find me... what they googled etc..

i definately need a life - or at least a referral!

Anonymous said...

Okay, I'm up to 85 hits today...and only 8 comments. I just don't get it! And Rancho Cucamonga, I MUST KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!

Jill, I apparently have a "big californian following"...must be an east side west side thing...

Anonymous said...

You have shamed me out of hiding- I love your analogy of just standing and listening and then leaving. I have been a lurker for awhile and I can't even tell you where I linked to you. I am not an adoptive parent but am wowed and full of admiration for those who are or aspire to be. I love reading about your process and sincerely send tons of good thoughts your way that very soon you will have your baby. Oh, and I check my favorite blogs through my favorites.

Ani said...

how do you check your stats? hi from PR - not sure if i've commented here before, but i've been following your story for a while - hoping and praying for your referral right along with you guys! i don't regularly read that many blogs, so i have them on my favorites list - yours is at the very top!

Melissa said...

Hey, you know I always comment. I am from Jersey also. I have the ones I check daily or every other day in my favorites and I spend about 2 hours going down the list and checking/commenting on each one.

Chelsi said...

I have my favorite blogs added under a link in my toolbar which shows me when the RSS feed has been updated. I can't tell you how it works b/c my computer savvy husband set it up :)) I also am obsessed with looking at hits and visits to my website :) There are a lot of "standers" that come to mine too!! BTW, love your crib - so modern and classy!!

Elle said...

Yeah, I'm here. I'm here everyday. Actually more than once a day. The boy likes to read blogs with me.

Love the crib!!

I just go down my list on the blogroll and read. I have my favorites and I know who updates regularly. I thought about bloglines, but honestly... I like to look at my designs.

mama k said...

HI Stephanie! I keep a list of like 20 blogs in my favorites. I'll run through the whole list every couple days. I only have a handful that I comment on regularly though.

chanceofbooks said...

I use bloglines. I have like well over a 100 blogs that I read--but you know that because I just wrote a rant about how blogs are taking over my life. Even with bloglines, it takes a very very long time. I didn't read any yesterday, and it felt very freeing. I try not to look at my stats too often---I get too competive and end up depressing myself.
If work ever sends you to Oregon, I'd love to do a blogger meet, maybe show you some LYS. You're certainly racking up the miles lately. Any chance that your frequent flyer status will help you get to Colombia?

Sig said...

I did not visit yesterday, but I do alot, but then again, I leave comments.
I am always amazed where my "viewers" come from. A few days ago I had France, Spain, Sweden and Portugal. And noone left a comment!!!
Oh well, at least I knw they come and read, I must be somewhat entertaining (or they are just laughing AT me).
We NY/NJ should make a date in the city. Bet we would have a blast.

Andrea said...

Well now I have to leave a comment, just to represent AZ! :) I tend to click from site to site, and then sometimes save them in my folder. Or I use another blog since she (there are two of them) has listed all of the blogs I check anyway. So, I am just lazy, I guess. Now I wanna know- how do you check your stats?

Rhonda said...

I use bloglines half the time, but I really prefer just clicking on each site to find an update. Hope you enjoy the BBQ!

Anonymous said...

Too funny!

I also use bloglines, probably too much.

I find myself reading and keeping up but not clicking and saying "hello!"...

so, "HELLO!!!! LOVE YA!!!!!"

NeedleTart said...

HI! I just clicked over from Yarning to Write. Good luck with the adoption. I have my favorite blogs listed in favorites and check them once a day. I will usually give the writer about a month to update then I will check less often. If they haven't updated since last season (or year!) I drop them.

roxie said...

Howdy, I just, for the first time, clicked over from Yarning to Write. It's Sunday, and I have some time to wander in blogland. Nice to meet you. I, too, have my favorites list and try to get around to them every day because they give me such pleasure. And, being a mouthy broad, I tend to comment. You'll be hearing more from me in the future.

My twin brother and I were adopted as a set in 1950. I released my baby for adoption in 1980. If you want any input on the other side of the equation, just let me know.
flyingfish3@comcast.net. Put adoption in the header so I'll know you aren't spam.

Denise :o) said...

Just wanted to say hello!! I'll be keeping an eye on your blog!!

Barely Sane said...

Just saying "HI"

And thank you for talking me off the ledge last week. I'm much calmer now but still, talk about a blunder. Ick.

Have fun in Alabama - my mouth is watering at the thought of some BBQ!

K

Anonymous said...

Greetings from Chula Vista, CA. I'm a lurker of Colombia adoption blogs! We have one beautiful four year old Colombian princess and are waiting for our second referral. Best wishes to you in during the wait. In enjoy reading your blog and check often to see if you've received THE call.

Amy Lane said...

I'm not much of a lurker, darling--and I appreciate your comments on my site not to give you a big hullo! Enjoy Birmington, and I'm always rooting for you...

Carrie said...

I read much more often than I comment. I'm Carrie and our family is in the process of adopting a baby from Ethiopia. I love learning more about the adoption process in other countries and have enjoyed learning about Colombian adoption from your blog!

Angelle said...

I read many blogs randomly, not consistently. I only read my friends' blogs daily and comment. I often link to adoption blogs and am fascinated by the process. As a kid, I always thought I adopt at least one child. Now I have one of my own and I don't know how realistic adoption is anymore. We shall see with time...

CA Momma said...

Yosemite, CA here. Just ran across your blog but Oh!- I sure do love the food you were talking about. Time to get on a plane.

John said...

Stephanie,
With 30 something comments it looks like you've solved the high clicks no comments issue! I actually do website analysis for a living so you know I'm addicted to our stats too!
I hope you will be receiving your referral soon and be on your way to Colombia. We could be back in Virginia before the end of the month or several weeks from now, who knows?

John, Monica & Gabriela