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2nd Blogiversary: Going National

    For my first blogiversary I wrote what would become one of my most popular posts ever—What to Expect: Your First Blogiversary. BlogHer nominated it as a 2010 Voice of The Year. If you read it in the past six months, you probably came via the blogging phenom Scary Mommy, who is solely responsible for my entire blog traffic now. Happy Blogiversary Scary Mommy! I feel as close to you as the day our eyes met— catatonic on a BlogHer conference hotel lobby chaise in 2009.

    After blogging for two years I am far too exhausted and tapped out to come up with another pithy anniversary post that only bloggers could possibly appreciate ala “What to expect: Your blog is a punk-ass toddler” or “Earn your Masters in Blogging, FREE ON LINE!” And what better way to thank your readers than another post filled with esoteric blog speak.

    I learned the word “esoteric” after posting last year’s blogiversary post by the way. See I’m still growing! And learning.

    But in all seriousness, I feel awestruck at the gifts that blogging has brought me after two years. What began as a creative outlet for my trapped-at-home-in-the-tundra-with-tiny-people-and-a-traveling-husband desperation, has changed the course of my life profoundly. Blogging brought me an audience that I didn’t realize how much I missed from my theater days, and has provided such opportunities—to connect with people who inspire me with their work, and who challenge me to make mine better.

    When people remark about the abundance of bad blogs on the internet, I like to answer “If you aren’t completely humbled by the blogs you are reading, you aren’t finding the right blogs”

    I believe that blogging holds tremendous opportunity for networking, mentoring, and upping anyone’s game. Even if you don’t have a game. Not even ping pong. Because maybe your hand-eye coordination sucks so bad that you spend the entire match on your hands and knees with a yardstick trying to retrieve balls from underneath the “The Divan” in your friend’s basement. Because her mom wears high-heeled slippers and calls the couch “The Divahhn.”

    Blogging has helped me reconcile the fact that choosing a creative life is yes, self-absorbed, but also holds great potential to build community and can make the world a better place. I modeled LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER on that very premise.

    I am so grateful to you, my bloggy friends, and idols—turned mentors—turned colleagues. And especially to the readers. Thank you. AND NOW…I’m beyond thrilled to introduce you to LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER 2011: GOING NATIONAL.

    xo

    Ann

    0 thoughts on “2nd Blogiversary: Going National”

    3. Cheryl

      Now that I’ve been properly humbled, I’m going to attack those links with gusto. Maybe after I read your first post about these anniversary things I’ll actually be able to write blogiversary without wanting to gag.

      Happy you’re still blogging and yo, LTYM going national is the cat’s ass.

    4. Erin I'm Gonna Kill Him

      I think my punk ass toddler hit ‘post’ before I wrote anything? Happy birthday and the blog world is better for having the stay at home humorist. I am thrilled your humor and wit are getting out of the house on to the stage though!

    5. Margo

      Yay! Congrats! So glad I somehow managed to find you oh so many years ago – 2! And please make Wendi’s date in Austin be during the time I’m there at SXSW.

    6. Heather of the EO

      I’m so glad Jack said Mazal Tov because I was doing a crossword and I knew that was the answer but I was spelling it all wrong. No. I’m not kidding.

      And I’m SO glad you’re here, Ann. Happy 2 years!

      I LOVE your response when people talk about bad blogs. (you know, the bold sentence)

      love this post.

      Also. I’m SO excited for you and LTYM National. I really really am so excited it’s probably not normal.

    10. One Crafty Mother

      I hadn’t seen your one year blogiversary post before – LOVED it. As someone who just passed one year in this crazy space, it hit home in every possible way.

      And congrats on 2 years. I’m so happy to be getting to know you, and grateful for the belly laughs you give me on days when nothing else in the world seems funny.

      And LTYM NATIONAL! YESSSSS! I love how you thought you’d just quietly settle back into a regular rhythm (sp?) after the smash success of the first one. AS IF. 🙂

      -Ellie

    11. txmomof3

      Love this. I hadn’t read the first one and now I’m here at the coffee shop laughing aloud (it’s fine; they already think I’m a few beats off). All the best wishes in the world as you start Year Three of your blog. We are all, every single one of us, the better for reading your words. Much bloggy love and xoxoxo,
      Jennifer

    13. The Empress

      Congrats!

      And I’m going to tell you–cuz you won’t know this–but your blogoversary post was the first post of yours I ever read…and it made me think about starting a blog.

      You had so much fun, and I loved your commenters, and I thought, “hey…I always want to be hosting a party with awesome people like this.

      Thank you for being on the internet.

      You have always been so kind and supportive. So busy, and still you find the time to visit.

      You make the world nice, funnier, and less lonely.

      Thank you.

      I’ve loved and been inspired by watching you put together a new life with children. It’s made me think how I have to put in some time in this area, too.

      Thank you, for the inspiration, and for the warm smiles.

      You are very wonderful.

    15. Yuliya

      Mazel tov on your second anniversary!
      And how exciting that LTYM is going national.

      You make me smile each and every time I am here and for that I thank you.

    19. Anna Lefler

      So proud to be a part of the LA production, and not just because we can use that ZZ Top song, “I’m bad…I’m nationwide.”

      (But that part *is* pretty cool.)

      Congrats, Ann!

      XOXO

      Anna

    21. Rene/ Not The Rockefellers

      I am giving you a big hug while singing my “I AM SO PROOOOOOOOOOUUUD OF YOUUUUUUUU” song..if you aren’t completely humbled by my sheer vocal talent well then you need a new set of ears 🙂

      Happy Anniversary, Love…

      Peace ~ Rene

    22. dusty earth mother

      Happy blogversary, dearest Ann! You know how crazy about you I am; congrats on all your accomplishments.

      Please stop by my blog tomorrow; it’s my official relaunch and I think there might be a little Ann’s Rants mention 🙂

    24. PeaceLoveGuac

      Every time I comment here I have to restrain myself from saying, “omigod that’s so exactly right and hilarious and perfect and you are so awesome and you are so funny and did I mention you are so awesome. And funny. And awesome.”

      But instead I’ll tell you that the Divan part made me laugh out loud. My high-heel-wearing, chain-smoking grandma-in-law always used that word, but I always thought she had made it up.

    26. Amy@Bitchin'WivesClub

      How did I miss this yesterday!? Congratulations, Ann, I agree with everything you said… it is a wonderful thing this blogging world and I LOVE your quote “If you aren’t completely humbled by the blogs you are reading, you aren’t finding the right blogs”. It is so true. I am awed by the talent that so many people have on display and am dismayed that they aren’t all getting paid for being so consistently brilliant.

      Best of luck with LTYM, I am so proud of what you have accomplished with the show and will always be your #1 Fan. And, of course, when I am back State-side, I will be coordinating a show in my new neck of the woods.

      xxoo

    29. The Flying Chalupa

      Ah, the things that can be accomplished in only 2 years! Amazing. Congrats on the blog and on Listen to Your Mother! Just read Wendi’s post about Austin. Are you coming to SF? Must check out the link.

      And can I also just say that I owe you such a debt of gratitude for helping to get my bloggy wheels rolling? Really. You were (and are) my original mentor – whether you knew it or not. So, thanks Ann.

    32. Joanna Jenkins

      Wow, that’s a lot of really great news! Congratulations Ann– It’s awesome.

      Happy 2nd anniversary– That’s big.

      And producing your show in multiple cities is HUGE!!!!!! I don’t have any kids but I will DEFINITELY be at your show in Los Angeles cheering you on.

      Mazel Tov!!! jj

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