Thursday 11 December 2008

MY STALWARTS - INTRODUCING THE "SPECIAL GANG OF EIGHT"

It is now over six months since I started blogging and it has become a way of life. What has kept me going has been the kind feedback I've received through your comments. Although I look enviously upon those bloggers with their regular 30+ comments against their postings I am proud to have a "gang" of small but loyal commenters. It somehow seems more exclusive. I'm using this posting to say a BIG THANK-YOU to my "Special Gang Of Eight".

Having time on my hands I compiled a little chart a couple of weeks ago with names down the side and ticks across the columns for each comment I've received. How sad is that? (Or perhaps not!). Now as I regularly update this list, my loyal band shine clearly through and I find myself thinking "oh, so-and-so hasn't commented yet"...but then a few hours later - there you are!

So the "SPECIAL GANG OF EIGHT" roll of honour, in order of first arrival on my blog is:

Crystal Jigsaw - you encouraged me from the very start - thank you! - I'm looking forward to meeting you next Summer in your beautiful part of the world

Hadriana - also a stalwart from virtually Day One. If its not the full B&B when you've set yourself up, then hopefully we'll have a nice cream tea together one day.

Denyse Kirkby - my Wednesdays wouldn't be the same without the challenge of your WW caption competition. What I lack in quality I make up for in quantity and I'm proud of my winner badges. I'm looking forward to meeting you and Chopper at your book launch - not long now.

Debs - I've never been to Jersey (although have visited both Guernsey and the lovely Alderney) but one day I'll get my family over to "Bergerac Island" and then hopefully will get the chance to talk in Real Life.

Trixie - I've very much enjoyed our "virtual acquaintance" and hope we meet up at DJ's book launch.

Carol & Chris - I was well chuffed when I saw that someone in Thailand was reading my blog. I felt I'd gone truly "global". I've just seen on DJ's blog that you too will be at the book launch. Great news!

Brit Gal Sarah - you've become a recent stalwart - and all the way from remote Okieland! I can't see me ever getting so far "up country" but I appreciate our virtual acquaintance - and long may it continue.

Ladybird World Mum - last but certainly not least in this roll of honour. I love your blog and our mutual feedbacks. Again I hope that at some stage the virtual will change to reality.

Gosh, all ladies too! If only I was that popular with the ladies in real life. No I'm only joking, I've got Mrs Troy in Real Life and I couldn't wish for better. But I do appreciate my "Special Gang Of Eight" out there in blogland.

Here's a special badge I've made exclusively for you all:-

After this weekend I'm away for nine days doing my Hong Kong trip with my father. After quitting work, I no longer have a laptop and, after much consideration, I've decided not to buy one now. So I will be out of virtual contact from the 14th to the 23rd....and then it will be Christmas! So let me take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Finally to my other readers who may feel excluded by not being in the Special Gang Of Eight. You too are truly much appreciated - all comments are welcomed here. There are lots of other blogs, besides those linked above, I call by on a regular basis. Next year you know what to do to become a member of my gang - let me know each time you call by.

I may get one more post in before I fly out - most likely another in the "7 things" series - if I can find the time with all my packing etc.

31 comments:

Carol said...

Awwww that's a lovely post E.A.T!! I know what you mean about comment envy but, like you, I have decided that less is more :-)

Can't wait to meet you at the book launch (Am very excited - still can't quite believe I'm going to make it!!)

C x

Troy said...

Carol - I was still editing and adding links when you left your comment. Will see you soon!

Anonymous said...

Dearest Mr Troy. What a lovely blog to read and one that has cheered me up no end. Thank YOU for your kind words and YOUR support throughout the last six months, on my blog. And I very much look forward to meeting you next year. You can have lunch with me in my new dining room.

Best wishes and have a wonderful time in Hong Kong. Stay safe and return in the New Year with many a tale to tell.

Love Crystal xx

Ladybird World Mother said...

Oh Troy, that is just so bloomin' nice. Comment envy!!! My next post is about that... have it on draft as I write... (on draught?)
I must say, its such a good feeling to write a post, see those familiar names...
Have the best time in Hong Kong. Will look forward to hearing all about it.

Troy said...

Carol - I meant to say, call me Troy. EATing just adds calories or gives indigestion!

CJ - thank you for your kind comment.

LWM - yes, comments make it all worthwhile don't they. Look forward to your take on "comment envy" and I will certainly be posting in due course about Hong Kong.

I've added a Special Badge for you all since you visited this posting. Hope you like it!

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

What a wonderful post, I'm so thrilled to be included in your Special Gang of Eight. I love the badge too, and strangely enough (and you're not going to believe this, but it is true) my maiden name is...yes, it's Troy!!! So it's rather funny reading about Mr and Mrs Troy on your blog, when I have my own Mr & Mrs T down the road from me.

Any time you come to Jersey, do get in contact, it would be fun to meet more "Troys" (there are plenty over here).

Unknown said...

Well thank you so much, I will display with pride. The reason I comment is I love your blog, and will miss you.

You do know you could do a few auto posts right? If you wanted to

Unknown said...

Oh and have a fab time with your dad in HK

Trixie said...

Awwwww....shucks. Glad to be in this special 'gang' and we'll DEFINITELY meet up soon.

I know what you mean about the comment envy, I too was like that, and at my 'peak' of blogging I received 30+ (most was over 100, but that was a blog war on my old blog, lol!)

But when you get so many people commenting, some of the old 'faves' that have been following from the beginning stop commenting so much, or not at all but still read as they feel they have been pushed out or have nothing to say because it's been said. And that's what hurts me the most...I want my old blogger pals back!

Have fun with your dad (sorry I forgot it was him you were going with in our last contact..my memory is like a sieve...too much alcohol abuse over the years!)

Trixie said...

Oh and 5th one on your list...and 5th one to leave a comment! Can't say I'm not consistant!

Troy said...

Debs - am gobsmacked that you were previously Miss Troy - great name!
Glad you like the badge. And Jersey is definitely on our "one day" list to visit. If I was richer I'd come over as a tax exile.

Sarah - you say the nicest things!
Auto-posting is fine but I still have to find the time to write them first.

Trixie - I understand exactly what you mean regarding the comments overload. As Carol says "less is more". Especially from an interaction point of view.
I thought alcohol abuse was when you knocked the bottle over.
Oh and by the way....you were the
6th one to comment on this posting!

DJ Kirkby said...

Oh thank you so much. I am genuinely pleased to be given this award. I love that it is 'handmade'. I will post it this Sunday so you'll have to read it when you get back. I hope you have a wonderful trip with your father, a great Christmas and I look forward to meeting you (and my other dear readers) at the book launch.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Oh, I forgot to say, have a wonderful time with your father. I'm sure it will be a fabulous trip.

Carol said...

Thank you so much for the award...I feel like I'm a member of an exclusive club now!!

Have a wonderful time with your Father...I look forward to hearing all about it when you get back :-)

C x

Troy said...

DJ - I not leaving here until Sunday afternoon so I'll call by and see it before I leave. It is handmade but a little mouse helped me make it. Thanks for yoiur comment.

Debs - thanks, I'm really looking forward to it.

Carol - you ARE a member of an exclusive club now. If you ever get into "Who's Who" don't forget to list it.

Ladybird World Mother said...

Oh and we get a badge too!! Just copped onto that one. Brain and eyes just too far away from each other. Excuse me while I spend the next week working out how to get it onto blog.
Thank you!!!

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Dave said...

How odd. I know someone called Debbie who lives in Jersey. I had to go and read Debs' blog to see if she is the same person (after all, how many can there be on a small island?).

She isn't.

*Makes note to self: must comment here more frequently*

Arthur Clewley said...

gang of eight sounds like the SDP troy, and you know what happened to them, but still, my frequent commenter awards have all been won by a spammer from bulgaria, and I will miss him when he gets's arrested

Lane Mathias said...

I recognise that bridge!:-)

I'm rather fond of it:-)

Troy said...

LWM - touchee!

Dave - it may only be a small island but there were a lot of murders when Bergerac was in charge.
Look forward to your comments in 2009 - no slacking.

Arthur - it may only be 8 now, but that's how viruses start. (No disrespect intended to "my" ladies).

Lane - it certainly beats driving through the centre of Ipswich to get to the coast.

One of my gang hasn't commented yet - irony if she's chosen now to go all coy on me.

misterwoppit said...

I'm afraid that you seem to be suffering from a nasty case of blogitis. This condition affects us all. And after 6 months in the petri dish that is known as the Blogsphere, I'm afraid it is incurable.

Troy said...

You are so right Mister Woppit - my doctor diagnosed blogitis last week. That's why I'm off to Hong Kong and away from my computer and the internet for over a week. I was keeping it quiet - blogitis is contagious and also the NHS are funding my 5* hotel and business class fare. They are even paying for my Dad to look after me whilst I recover. But lets keep all that between the two of us, eh?

Hadriana's Treasures said...

Troy...sorry I haven't commented before...I've had to go slow on the blog front as other half is still away. I'd never get anything done and I'd be arrested for child neglect! Thank you so much for the hand made badge which I will display on my blog with pride.

Thank you too for the comment about not doing the ironing until hubbie gets back because that had a drumroll of sense to it...to which I've paid special attention!! I always make the fatal mistake of thinking that I can clean and tidy the whole house whilst he's away then struggle to feed myself and the kids!!!

Hope you see this before you fly...have a great time and come back with loads of stories and pictures. Have a super Christmas and you are welcome to even a glass of wine/tea...whatever is your tipple up at chez Hadriana with the Roman Cohort (otherwise known as my lot)....!

Troy said...

Hadriana - welcome, I knew you wouldn't desert me. By the way, I wasn't being presumptive, I meant cream tea in your village unless I'm a fully paid up B&B guest.

Trixie said...

Ahem...I was 5th, but Brit gal was writing at the same time and beat me too it. I'm just adding this comment so you become a 30+ comment blogger!

Hadriana's Treasures said...

Well Troy, they are doing up the local tea rooms as I write so don't know whether they will offer cream teas or not. They make fabulous cakes though because they (the people taking over the tea rooms) have been making them for several farmers markets around here. Mind you, my competitive spirit comes out as I make equally fabulous chocolate cakes....you are welcome here any time! Just give us prior warning so I can tidy up the house!! :)

There...31st comment....just in time for Christmas....!