Monday, September 10, 2012

Day 1000

1000 days ago, I became a blogger. I didn’t really have much to say, but I was determined to say it anyway. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I was convinced that if you looked at the ordinary closely enough, it would become extraordinary.

Day after day, I recorded the trivial and the absurd in my life. Even in the beginning I knew that a blog needed pictures. Each evening I showed you a different Dalmatian. They all had spots and looked very similar, but I understood they were completely unique. I knew these dogs. I had photographed each of them and had helped to find them homes.

The watches were different. I didn’t find homes for the watches. They found a home with me. I collected them all. The reason you see a new Dalmatian and a new watch every day is quite simple. I have lots and lots of pictures of both. Since I’m a visual person, I instinctively knew that every watch and dog I showed you told a story. I wasn’t so sure about my days.

On the surface, my life is extremely boring. If you were a fly on the wall, watching my daily routine would be like watching paint dry. At least that’s what I thought at first. I wondered why anyone would even bother to read this blog. Lets face it. Not much happens.

People did begin to read however, and I began to discover that even the most uneventful existence is full of mystery and nuance. The simple act of writing things down has allowed me to see things I normally never noticed. Maybe it wasn’t such a boring life after all. I had built a little business that had survived for almost 25 years without going bankrupt. I had learned to understand what goes on inside the heads of dogs. Perhaps most surprisingly of all, I was still alive.

Without the trail of breadcrumbs the blog now provides me, I probably would have already forgotten that I’ve been interviewed twice by the local news during the past 1000 days. I’ve been featured in ads for Paypal and was even flown out to San Francisco for a big photo shoot featuring two Dalmatians and me. Honeybees built a huge hive in our roof one Summer and threatened to invade the house. Another Summer I shot a video about a goat that became friends with a Great Dane for the National Geographic Channel. You may have seen it. There have been cancer scares, tornado alerts, sick dogs and much more. Through all this, I never missed a day. I posted on the same day I had surgery. I kept posting through power outages and computer failures. Hell, I had a story to tell. It was a good story too. You could even make a good case that I’d been leading a pretty interesting life after all.

The blog has taught me that almost everything you do has implications. The Dalmatian pictures have made people more aware of Dalmatian Rescue and the importance of saving these wonderful dogs. Dot and Dash now have dozens of new friends from all around the world.

Amazingly, the pictures of watches on the blog have actually made me a little money. As a result of my daily watch pictures, I am now considered a watch expert in certain circles and have written more than 300 articles and press releases for major brands like Fortis, Eterna and Versace. Who would have thought?

Tomorrow is the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. On September 10, 2001 I had no idea of what was going to happen the next day. If the blog has taught me one thing, it is this. Even after 1000 consecutive days of posting, I still can’t tell you what is going to happen tomorrow. You’re going to have to just keep reading.

Cleo is today's Dalmatian of the Day
Watch of the Day

10 comments:

  1. Congrats on blog 1k.
    Keep on keeping on.

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  2. Best wishes on your achievement..The dogs remind me of the popular story '101 dalmatians'..

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  3. I have really enjoyed your "ramblings" for the last 1000 days. Congrats!!!!!

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  4. Congrats! This is a tremendous achievement...1000 posts without a break of even a day! Dogs and Watches the subplot!

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  5. Congratulations! That is an awesome accomplishment! This is inspiring!I have not been the best blogger thats for sure...I will have to follow your lead!

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  6. Congratulations, John. I enjoy reading your posts each day. One thousand consecutive days is truly a milestone. I've featured your accomplishment on my blog today.

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  7. John, congratulations on 1000 days. I, believe, you and I sat at the Starbucks 1000 days ago when you decided to take on this task. I have enjoyed reading about your life. And, the things that you’ve learned from this noble undertaking.
    I hope we are both around for 200!
    Best regards,
    Alan

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  8. Glad you decided to share your life with us! Even I have missed a couple of days, although I'm coming up on year 4 anniversary on Blogspot. Hope you keep on with the project.

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  9. Congratulations! 1000 days...WOW!

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  10. Congratulations on 1000 days. I can't imagine ever getting SO organized! You can be proud of this accomplishment.

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