My blog has a bunch of readers who are mysterious to me.
I know that I’ve got visitors beyond those who leave comments or send emails — I can tell from my referral stats. I’m not talking about the visits that come from search engines; I get a bunch of hits from people who come to my site via Google and don’t find what they’re looking for. I’m talking about the visits that come without any URL attached. Presumably these are people who come to my site by clicking on a browser bookmark or typing in the URL directly. I know nothing about them but their IP addresses.
I love it when readers, new or old, leave comments. And I love finding out who my readers are.
So, mysterious readers, this is your chance to tell me: who are you?
long time lurker, first time commenter, from Ottawa, Canada. I read you in my RSS feed regularly, but haven’t had anything to say so far. :)
I’m not sure whether I want to be known or not, as I value my privacy above almost anything else in this information-laden world. However, since you are kind enough to share your world with me through your blog, I feel I should do you the courtesy of telling you a little about myself when asked so directly.
I am a 28-year old woman (and lover of language) from the Netherlands who has been reading your blog (and others – don’t worry, I’m not a stalker) for at least three years, if not more (hm, I do sound like a stalker, but really I’m not!). I love reading personal takes on things happening in other countries such as the American gay marriage issue or the upcoming elections. But I also love the insights into other people’s lives and opinions, as they often differ so much from my own (well, the lives anyway) (and yes, I still say I’m not a stalker – you could argue that I have some voyeuristic tendencies I suppose, but don’t all blog readers have those?).
I think I read in a book or saw in a movie sometime someone saying something like (and my oh my, that were a lot of “some’s”): when you’re driving round in your car, and see all those other people in their little bubbles, don’t you wonder who they are, where they are going, what they do?
To me, reading blogs gives one the opportunity to know the answer to those questions.
I hope you won’t mind me not giving many personal details; my life is just one of the many ordinary lives lived (I do dearly love a nice alliteration once in a while) in this world and I am more of the listen/read-persuasion (it’s that whole privacy thing again) than an active “sharer”.
Please continue your blog and be my window to American society for years to come, you’re doing such a wonderful job!
I’m a librarian, native to the most gorgeous city in the South (much loved by both Poe and Lovecraft, hint, hint) who’s in an 8-year relationship with a Republican/Accountant/DJ (figure *that* out).
Carnivorous plants are a hobby, as are the novels of Rex Stout, and I can claim two degrees of separation from François Sagat (which gap I’d love to narrow).
I collect Ford V-8 engines (pre-1962).
I’ve left a few comments in the past, and you’ve responded, for which I’m thankful!
*waves* Long time lurker, rarely a commenter …
Well, at least 3 of us have you on a Livejournal RSS feed for easy viewing :D
http://syndicated.livejournal.com/tinmanic/profile
“the most gorgeous city in the South (much loved by both Poe and Lovecraft, hint, hint)”
Hmmm.. I’m going to guess Richmond, VA, as it’s the only southern city I can think of that has a Poe connection (unless you count his one year at UVA). I’m not sure either can make a really strong case for “The most gorgeous city in the South,” though.
I don’t know much about Lovecraft, but I’m curious about his gorgeous-city-in-the-South connections now. Hmmm.
(Jeff, I’ve occasionally commented, so I don’t think I count as a lurker, but any excuse to say hi, right? Here goes: “Hi! Thanks for the great blog”)
Hi…I’ll bite…I’m Bob…
I am a 47 year old gay man in Denver, Colorado, who came across your blog a few years ago from it being mentioned in something I read somewhere….who knows. I may have commented here before, I think..
back to me…I am an architect, I am in a (currently) 11 year relationship, and have two dogs, Zachary and Alex…well, they let us live here with them
hmmm re-reading this makes me sound kinda flighty…but I’m not. I enjoy your take on things, your sense of humor and your insight…it’s enjoyable to read…your topics are diverse. Thanks for your blog…
Long time reader…way back to early 2001 (pre-9/11, at least). I blogged for a while and we even corresponded a bit. I lived in Richmond, VA at the time and suggested meeting for coffee or something when you were in town to attend the funeral of one of your friends who died in the towers.
I’m actually in Charlottesville now, working as a faculty member at your twice alma mater!
Thanks for giving us a reason to shout out, and thanks for keeping with the blog all these years. Yours is the first blog I turn to when there is a gubernatorial scandal or major court decision. :-)
happy shiny tim- nope, further south!
This is awesome! I love hearing from all of you.
You must know I read your blog but don’t comment! :)
Hi, my name is Melanie, and I’m a blog stalker. Native Texan, current Coloradian.
:)
I went to high school with Matt, and a friend turned me on to his blog back when he was in the Midwest. I followed it regularly, and then started reading yours when you guys met and started dating. When my husband and I recently saw you guys on Cash Cab, I said, “There’s Matt and Jeff!!” He thought I knew you from my couple of years in Manhattan after college, so I filled him in on my regular reading of your blog. I love reading your take on current events.
31 yo gay grad student in Seattle, soon to move to Thailand (just for future reference). You’re one of the first bunch of blogs I read many years ago (Pre-9/11) when I was looking for smart gay blogs to read (You and Andrew Sullivan’s are among my very first- glad to know that you’re also a reader of the Daily Dish).
I enjoy your perspectives on things… even random stuff. Always thoughtful and well-written.
P.S. bonibaru, now there’s 4 of us!!
Hi! Randy, 27, living in Toronto with a partner of two years.
I came across your blog five years ago through Slayage.com, which linked to your Buffy reviews. I was interested by the rest of the blog and stayed.
“P.S. bonibaru, now there’s 4 of us!!”
Five now!
Sherrie here- I’m 39 (today!)and a librarian in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I’ve been reading Matt’s blog since he had a webcam back at IU, I found it while searching for blogs by library science students in my birth state of Indiana. When he moved to NYC and you started making “appearances” in his blog, I regularly started reading yours as well. I used to keep up with it more often when I could read it at work, but now your blog is blocked at work due to “gay interest” but Matt’s isn’t- you must be gayer than Matt apparently. :) Still, I stop by here about once every couple weeks and keep up with you guys. I don’t know why I enjoy following your lives when I don’t really “know” either of you, but I really do. Nice to drop in and say hi, rather than simply lurking!
Hi,
I saw this post on your blog a while back and have been meaning to comment just to let you know who I am. I am a 21 year old gay male in California. I don’t consider myself out- I’m not out to my mom, who will perhaps be the hardest person to come out to. I found your blog years back and I don’t recall how. I just like to come in daily and see what is going on and get your thoughts on things like gay marriage, Democrats and Republicans, or just life in NYC. It is very different than So Cal.