As I was jogging earlier today, it dawned on me that I might have been blogging for a full decade. So I checked when I got home. Well, I was wrong. I've been blogging for over a full decade, 10.5 years! Hot damn!
In honor of entry into the double-digits, I dug up this Censlus Post from 2010. Coincidentally, I mailed my Censlus report yesterday. (By the time they sent the fourth one, I caved.)
Here's a flashback from 10 years ago. None of you had commented. I hadn't even yet met Alex. But I already thought this was a special place. I simply had no idea just how special it would grow to be, and for how long you'd continue to bring cheer and inspiration.
Thank you for joining this wacky journey at Life by Chocolate, for whatever leg of the journey you've ridden.
I appreciate you! More than that, I love you. You've kept me going, by giving me a guaranteed dose of sweetness. ALL THE TIME. You are pure heart, soul, spunk, silliness and friendship.
Be good to yourselves, and have some chocolate in honor of Life by Chocolate's 10+th Birthday!
from April, 2010, with 2020 updates highlighted:
Imagine having a job once every 10 years. That’s quite a hefty vacation plan. I can't let you slack too much, so I sent my US Censlus report in. I was quite disappointed that it only took me 10 seconds to complete. THIS YEAR (2020), IT TOOK 6 SECONDS. I GOT FASTER. All the practice exams and coaching, yet I didn’t even need to cheat. The Censlus Bureau informs that if you don’t mail it back, they will send a representative to your home. I thus devised a hand printed note on “Hello Kitty” stationery:
On second thought, I decided they might not prioritize my requests. So I’ve stored the letter safely for the next 10 years. Maybe by 2020, I’ll have more faith that the government will care about my personal needs. HAHAHA, DID I WRITE THAT? OH, OUCH! IT'S A GOOD THING I WAS SO NAIVE! IGNORANCE WAS BLISS. WELL, TO BE TRUE TO MY WORD, I'M GOING TO MAIL MY REQUEST DIRECTLY TO CAPITAL HILL BEFORE THE USPS GOES UNDER BECAUSE, YEAH, GLOBAL PANDEMIC THING. BUT A GAL CAN STILL PINE FOR A HANDSOME MASKED MAN TO COME TO HER DOOR TO COLLECT HER...DATA.
Imagine having a job once every 10 years. That’s quite a hefty vacation plan. I can't let you slack too much, so I sent my US Censlus report in. I was quite disappointed that it only took me 10 seconds to complete. THIS YEAR (2020), IT TOOK 6 SECONDS. I GOT FASTER. All the practice exams and coaching, yet I didn’t even need to cheat. The Censlus Bureau informs that if you don’t mail it back, they will send a representative to your home. I thus devised a hand printed note on “Hello Kitty” stationery:
Dear Censlus Person, Since you’ve got the time and my tax
payer’s money to send workers to the doors of all the lazy ones, I’d like him – I mean,
this person to be: Gender – Male; Age - 30’s; TEN YEARS OLDER NOW, OKAY, I'LL GO FOR MEN IN THEIR...30s. I THINK MY ORIGINAL WRITING IS MORE AUTHENTIC. NO NEED TO CHANGE THAT. NOTE: BERNIE IS THE EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE. Marital Status - Single, OR WITH A PROGRESSIVE SPOUSE ; Ethnicity-Other, because we are all mutts (you
idiots!).
On second thought, I decided they might not prioritize my requests. So I’ve stored the letter safely for the next 10 years. Maybe by 2020, I’ll have more faith that the government will care about my personal needs. HAHAHA, DID I WRITE THAT? OH, OUCH! IT'S A GOOD THING I WAS SO NAIVE! IGNORANCE WAS BLISS. WELL, TO BE TRUE TO MY WORD, I'M GOING TO MAIL MY REQUEST DIRECTLY TO CAPITAL HILL BEFORE THE USPS GOES UNDER BECAUSE, YEAH, GLOBAL PANDEMIC THING. BUT A GAL CAN STILL PINE FOR A HANDSOME MASKED MAN TO COME TO HER DOOR TO COLLECT HER...DATA.
Smiling at your old (but timeless) post.
ReplyDeleteAnd huge thanks for the sweetness and the laughter you spread so generously across the blogosphere.
Much appreciated, EC. I can't give YOU huge enough thanks for your inspiring, relentless heart. I wish you knew how meaningful you are too me and the world.
DeleteLove.
Well, we really are all mutts!
ReplyDeleteWe started blogging at about the same time although it took a while before we found each other's blog. But very glad we did! You are a great friend, Robyn.
I remember when I first found your blog. I was impressed with your excellent writing skills, Alex. Little did I know what a phenomenal person you are, and what a close friend you'd become. I really appreciate you.
DeleteCongratulations! I just realized this month marks 15 years for me.
ReplyDeleteWow! You're one of our most long-standing - and yet as beautifully Spunky as ever! We must celebrate your 15th! =) Thanks, Diane.
Deletecongrats on ten years. I haven't known you that long, but it's been a true treat - even more than chocolate itself. You're a keeper, my friend!
ReplyDeleteMy insides just got all mushy. You're a treasure to me, Joanne. I know - we really haven't known each other very long. Something about this space, though, is conducive to quick, quality relationships. Who'd have thought? Someday, may we meet in CA or Texas or elsewhere. <3
DeleteIn the first decade of this century, I didn't think our faith in the government could get much lower--boy, I was wrong! Congratulations and happy birthday and good for you for finding another reason for chocolate. From another mutt!
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
It still seems unreal in the worst of ways. But we still got each other, so there ain't no stopping us yet. Thank you, Sage.
DeleteCongrats.
ReplyDeleteThanks, RR.
DeleteHappy Blogoversary, Robyn, and may you have many more! It's always a delight to read what you have written!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that, Debra, and feel the same for your words and spirit.
DeleteCheers.
Thank you. I find that hard to believe, but thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt is unbelievable, in a good way.
DeleteYou're welcome. Thank you, EC.
<3
Congratulations on 10 1/2 years! That's fantastic. Your original post and your updates both made me smile.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad and honored to make you smile, Connie.
DeleteThank you.
You mail yours with a stamp and everything? What is this the 50's? You can do that online now. Who can afford stamps nowadays?!?!
ReplyDeleteThe exciting thing is that if you actually do the censlus report and put it in the envelope provided, PTM, postage is taken care of! I know! I think our government might truly careful.
DeleteI would, but I don't see a way to follow your blog. Join my crew easily, along right sidebar.
ReplyDeleteCuidate.