Two days off

~ beetleypete

Regular readers of this blog will notice that I had two days off from posting this week. That’s unusual for me, I know, and I send my thanks to those who contacted me to make sure I was OK. (And not dead!)

I had the first day off by way of an experiment. For someone who posts every day, usually without fail, and often two to three times, it becomes a habit. Some followers are looking forward to those posts, at least I like to think so, whilst others must think it is too much, all the time. I admire the way that many bloggers post once a week, or even once a month. I had thought about that, but as blogging is my main hobby, it was always going to be more frequent.

I decided to see if any of my posts get read when I don’t post anything. Otherwise, I might never know. So I missed a day, and still got half as many views, and around one third of the visitors to my blog. That was encouraging, but it was also interesting to see lots of likes, and a few comments, from newcomers who had seemingly never visited my blog before.

Then yesterday, I woke up feeling a bit grumpy and fed up. Perhaps I was missing the blogging interaction, or it could have been personal stuff bringing me down. Either way, I didn’t post, and lacked the enthusiasm and inspiration to do so. That brought on a second day of missing my blogging hobby, cured by taking Ollie out for a three-hour walk from 1-4 pm. I only came home when the sun had almost set, and it was getting dark.

Just two days, and I am back, with a post about being away for two days. 🙂
It seems that blogging has become something I would find hard to stop, and would not want to live without.

I’m still not sure if that’s a bad thing, or a great thing.

But I enjoyed the three-hour walk.

58 thoughts on “Two days off”

  5. I’m trying to cut down on posts, but blogging is for me like it is for you, almost a job. At the moment I am still trying to fix my laptop (I have bought a new one, but it doesn’t have the nice screen quality that the old one has). It’s a lot harder now than it was 20 years ago when I was an IT technician! Next step will be to buy a new hard disk and then have the joy of configuring it as it appears I have bad sectors right where the operating system is stored. But when that sun finally comes out to stay I shall be out for a walk as I am becoming a bit crazy!

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    1. Rather you than me with that IT stuff, Jude. I was bought a new monitor for my birthday in March, and I still haven’t connected it! From the weather forecast, I doubt you will see much sun this weekend. It is pouring here at the moment, but that’s no consolation for you, I know. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete. x

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  8. An interesting experiment, Pete…I also try to post every day, and when I don’t I try to re-share some stuff to keep interaction going…does it work? Who knows, but at least I feel plugged in!

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  9. Nice to hear that you are OK. Otherwise i would have contacted the MPS, to ask them.British police is very kind. In the past i needed their help with a fake cheque. The time of reaction of the MPS was one hour. The time of reaction of our German BKA one day. Nothing to say! 😉 Michael

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  10. Always look forward to your posts, Pete. Here’s my usual routine: Get up, prepare coffee, turn on the news (TV), talk with my husband, check my emails, see what Pete has posted and respond. Sometimes the routine varies, but your definitely part of it. Ha!

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  11. I’ve had a couple rough days myself, but I promised myself 30 posts this month in an attempt to build over 1000 page views. So I asked my girlfriend to type the post out while I spoke it to her lol I had a horrible headache and couldn’t think of anything worse than sitting at a screen. And bless her, she did it! Side note, I’m already half way to a thousand, so I’ve adjusted that number to be higher now. 🤷‍♂️

    Glad you’re doing okay and, as you said, not dead 🙂

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  12. I noticed Pete and it’s good to see you back! 🙂 I figured you were on a break or holiday. If a week or more had gone by it would have been time to worry, especially as you have mentioned worrying about other bloggers when they drop off the radar! I don’t think I will ever be able to post daily and don’t know you do it. I continue to try to eek out a few posts per week and had to resort to a reblog today.

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    1. Thanks, chuq. I have my biggest readership at weekends. Those people relaxing after a long week at work, I presume. Although I retired from work, I suppose blogging has become my substitute for a job! 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  16. I keep forgetting to take pictures and then think folk won’t want to read a blog that is just text. I’m waiting for inspiration for another verse. When I read the one about Brexit to my writing group they just moaned “Not again!” I seem to be extra tired and they said, take Vitamin D!

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    1. I know that feeling, Julie. I do take vitamins and minerals, but this time of year does tend to magnify any darker moods and lack of inspiration. But I am back with two posts today, so perhaps it was just a ‘blip’. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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    1. Thanks, Marina. I get what your son is saying. It’s more of a hobby for me, but one that has gone from being a hobby to a way of life, in many respects. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  18. Pete — It’s like the old “Printers’ Ink In The Veins” saying …. once you get into the habit of publishing, it is difficult to stop … even for a little while …. and also like publishing, people tend to expect to get their subscriptions delivered to them on time ….Many readers look forward to seeing what is on your mind even if you think it might be completely boring … what is boring to one individual is exciting to another and it is difficult to sort out who received your writings and with what enthusiasm they receive them. But my point is, (I think), once we have started publishing and have gained an audience, then we more or less have a duty to serve their interests and to keep them informed and entertained on a regular basis. So do not worry about taking the two days off — I am sure those who like your blog are waiting with great anticipation to see your re-appearance … and they will welcome it with a sigh of relief and with appreciation. I know I am among that group.

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    1. Probably not this time, as it was local, in places I have written about so many times before. I just stayed out for an hour longer as the weather was so good, and I managed to bump into quite a few other dog-walkers, so Ollie was happy. 🙂
      Thanks, BF.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  21. I saw you leaving a comment the other day and a like of one of my comments yesterday, so that’s how I knew you were alive 😀 But…if you had not posted today, I definitely would have sent you an email to ask you if everything was alright.
    I’m glad to see you a new post from you again, as I definitely look forward to them for sure 😊 I wish I had the power to post more each week, but usually I am lucky to be able to get to one or two posts each week. Next week I will be away for three days after work so in all likelyhood I won’t be around a lot in the upcoming week. Still I will try to check in from time to time 😊
    As mentioned: glad to hear nothing serious has been going on, and very cool to see that you still got some pretty good views while away! Have a great day Pete! 😊

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      1. Oh, it’s not a real break Pete 😊 Just because I will be home pretty late at three days after work next week, I just have a little bit less time on my hands so probably won’t be able to write/post much. I will still be around though 😊

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    1. I appreciate that breaks are important, but when I missed out on taking a short holiday this year, I suppose I got too used to not being away from the blog. Other breaks will come, undoubtedly. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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