Over the weekend I saw that my total blogs were at 499 and decided I should do something special for my 500th. Before I could do that, I saw 499 in one place and 502 in another, so put the idea aside. Then Tony Marriott e-mailed me, wondering what I was going to do for the Big 500. Something profound, no doubt. So, despite some totals showing me a few blogs above, taking a bit of literary license, I'm calling this #500.
There really isn't anything new to say, or anything more profound than the 1,000,000 postings (my guess - check out some stats on the Featured Agents in the 50 states that Brad Andersohn compiled) that have already been posted (not true, even today there was something new when Jeff Turner posted about Jott) so I'll just talk about what ActiveRain has meant to me since last August when I joined Active Rain.
Most important has been the community: the people I've virtually met and come to think of as friends, whose conversations I eagerly look for every morning - or sometimes during the day or evening. Many e-mail me - some, like Margaret Rome, call with encouragement and bringing smiles.
There's been a lot of learning, at all levels - but that without the community wouldn't have been enough to keep me coming back. Look at iSucceed, for example, with great learning and many of the friends that are here: I don't visit that every day, despite the great educational resources.
What would Active Rain be without Kristal Kraft and her photography and observations on the world around her? Without Craig Schiller and his examples of staging? Without all the doctored photos and travelling hats? Without watching the growth and development of Colleen Kulikowski as she's gone from Marco to Celebration? Without Broker Bryant and TLW and their down-to-earth reality? Without Brian Brady and Jeff Turner and Gerhard Ade and so many others? Without old friends like Linda Davis and Angus (Moo) Woodbury ?
Was there life before Matt Heaton and Caleb Mardini and Jonathan Washburn? Before contests and carnivals? Before points?
My alarm clock wakes me when it's still dark, and sometimes at night I strain to keep my eyes open long enough for one more blog. I can't just take from Active Rain, I have to give back to it.
Does 500 blogs make you an addict? Absolutely, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Thank you All!
This is a momentous occasion, so I thought I'd write the first comment myself, and see what effect, if any, that has. I've noticed a lot of people writing their own firt comment, and don't really know why. since the blog itself could be edited. Good morning, all!
Congratulations Sharon. You are a blogging machine! Keep up the good work!
Sharon,
I see that you`re not in the GOLD STAR club as well.
I can`t believe this isn`t featured.. Maybe you should write about something like Toxic cleanning agents.. wow amazing!
Sharon ~ You are a classy lady and a true leader. I noticed last week you were going over the 100k mark in blogging points alone! I know what hard work that is and how much time it takes to stay focused and on track. Congratulations and please keep it up!
kk
Sharon, 500 posts is truly an awesome achievement. My goodness!! That's a whole heck of a lot of writing. Keep at it. I look for your smiling face every morning. Did you know I have cofffee with you every day?
Congrats!!!!!!!
Sharon...
OMG...I can't even imagine writing 500 blog posts in such a short period of time. Lord. You really are something. Congratulations on that. That takes some serious determination, a quality I admire in other lovely ladies.
Now...How about that life before AR. Do you remember yours? Mine is kind of hazy. I think I used to shop more :)
TLW...ROAR!
OK so I'm back and really wondering why this post was not featured. You have written more posts than anyone else on AR and that IS a great acheivement. I flagged it earlier but I think I read somewhere awhile back that the moderators don't even see them, sooooooooooo here's a STAR from me. You deserve it.
Your contribution to AR has been greatly appreciated by TLW and I and I'm sure many many more members. Keep it up oh skinny one:)
BB,
It`s sad whats transpired here today! Overlooking Sharon`s contributions to A/R and not featuring this accomplishment is a crime! I know Sharon well enough to know she won`t complain or make an issue out of this,but quite frankly the forum has lost it`s way with what`s been featured lately. It truly has become a social club and no longer a Real Estate forum...
Sharon, Congrats! on this achievement - I unknowingly referenced YOU & your success in my post today. I realize that your "status" is achieved though "hard work! I look forward to learning from you and hopefully working together in the future.
Inspired by YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow , Sharon, what an accomplishment to have posted 500 blogs in such a short time. You are to be admired. You are batting not 500 but a 1000 in my book!
Thanks for always sharing and giving us all so much information. Oh, forget it, I am going to call you!!
Sharon,
Congratulations on your 500th post, Wow, that is a lot of writing! I don't know how you slipped under the radar, please accept our apologies along with our congratulations.
Rich -- Thanks for catching this!
Yay.......
It's featured. :)
TLW...ROAR!
Congratulation...500...WOW!!!!
when I see that I realize just how long a road I have to travel! I can't imagine the time you've invested but what a great job!!!!500 Big Ones!!!
Sharon..... holy moo ... sorry, I was trying to call ANgus to come out and play. HOLY COW>..... that's awesome. So, you have the 30 hrs a day & 8 days a week plan to accomplish all of this? Great job and what an accomplish of what you have done. You have written some great stuff.
Great Accomplishment- So proud of you and enjoy what you have to share every time!
Congrats! Heres my star to you as well!
Sharon,
Your posts have been professional and friendly throughout. I would like to congratulate you on all your hard, non controversial blogging! I believe you have set the standard for what Active Rain was meant to be. Congratulations and looking forward to 1000!
Sharon you are one determined and elegant lady, I love how you write and I can't believe how prolific you are. Congratulations!
I am so glad you are addicted!! Congratulations on your 500th post! I'm proud to be called a friend!
Thank you all for your comments and encouragement. I know from the e-mails and calls that several of you have been rooting for the Feature Star.
Moderators - don't flog yourselves - as I told Colleen when she called, there's no way you can catch everything or read everything. You put in a lot of time and have a very thankless job.
Margaret - I'm waiting for my stars to come out tonight.
Bryant - guess I'll have to try to spread out my writing so you have something to read every morning with your coffee.
Jeff Belonger (now you're sure which Jeff I mean) - it's like exercise or any habit - you set out to do it every day and just do it - it's easier if you set aside the same time every day to do it. And as you know - if you want something done, give it to a busy person.
I don't have anywhere near the number of featured posts that Bryant does, so I'm glad that some of you enjoy the content of my blogs. Quantity without quality is pretty empty.
Also - while I didn't "need" the featured star, it's nice to have, especially for a benchmark number. Thanks for rooting for me.
Sharon ! Congrats!!!!!!! # 500 Now that's a big deal... Keep it up and I'll keep reading and learning.
U R Appreciated.
Congratulations! That's a LOT of blogging. I've enjoyed your input/feedback.
I hope it's all been worth it.
Congratulations, Sharon. I am impressed - 500! WOW. Glad to see this was featured - and I love the photo (I am sunset fan as we have discussed before). Here's to the next 500.
Jeff
Sharon,
Thanks for the post and congrats on your 500th post.
Congratulations Sharon!
What a Terrific 500th post! Quite an Inspiration!
Best,
Sean
Sharon - WOW!!! FIVE HUNDRED POSTS!! That's ALOT of writing - time - effort.
Congratulations, and I've enjoyed reading your posts. Here's to the next 500!!
Ann
Sharon,
I can't believe you actually did 500 blogs. What a huge accomplishment.......don't even know how you did it. Congratulations!
Hi Sharon - Sorry for the late comment - been a really hectic day - but thanks for the mention and congratulations on the #500! Tony
Holy Cow! 500 posts! That is an amazing achievement Sharon. Thanks for the mention, it sure is great to have old (and new) friends around!
moo
Sharon... 500 blogs.. don't know how you did it.. but we are glad that you did..
Sharon - 500 post since last August? That is amazing production. Thank you for sharing your ideas and personality with all of us.
Well done! Now get back to posting!!
James
Sharon.... yes, setting aside some time is definitely a must. A habit? So true, but dang.... it's fun and therapeutic at times..... but it can take so much of your time in a day. And about my name this time.... lol cute... thanks
Congrats... Nick M told me in his first email to me "Welcome to your new addiction"... welcome to a great achievement!
I guess we Floridians have a lot to say, eh?!
Congratulations Sharon. I'll be there someday soon hopefully. Keep it up!
500? Now I have something to show my wife and prove that I can do more - lol
Todd
Sharon... as all above have extended to you... so do I. CONGRATS.
But oh my God... 500. I don't know how you do it. While I have blogs bouncing between my ears, taking the time to develop them... takes A LOT more than I thought.
BUT keep on blogging on.... see you on the path to 1000.
Me
Sharon,
A belated congrats on your 500th post!
Have you heard from Angus? This is the last place he commented on 3-22. No posts or comments since.
We miss the moo-man!
Lucky :)
Lucky - thanks for the comment. I saw Angus in May at CyberProfessionals in Albuquerque - he's been busy.
Yes, but you're recognized enough to get Party calls waking you up!
Are you going to the resort conference in Vail in June?
LOL!
What conference is that, not familiar with that one. I am going to Inman in SF, Roberta Murphy and I are heading up there, trying to get Kaye Thomas interested, Gena Riede is heading that way as is Brian Brady. I thought you had mentioned an interest in attending. Still interested?
Laurie,
My daughter Tami and I are both going to be there for the blogging day. We're staying at The Palace Hotel on July 31 and August 1, then flying back on the 2nd. Would love to get together with "you all". We'll be flying in earlier and spending the weekend with my son and daughter-in-law who live in the SF Bay area.
The Resorts and Second Homes section of NAR, which now has the RSPS designation (Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist) has a conference every 18 months. The one I mentioned is scheduled for June 24-26 in Vail. Last year I attended the one on The Big Island of Hawaii, but I didn't know about the first one, which was on Cape Cod. There were about 200 people attending which made it a very nice size for getting to know people. Right after that Tami and I will be teaching a CLHMS class at the same resort in Vail (two events for the travel of one). I think Roberta's trying to put together a CLHMS class for the San Diego area.