I cannot believe I've been boring you all to tears for 15 years now???
It all started out in 2010, me and Fran were having a chat at work about starting up a blog, just to catalogue our games and what we were painting at the time, Fran's blog The Angry Lurker has lain dormant since 2019, after he buggered off, back to Ireland, had mega internet problems and basically gave up, but you're in luck, I'm still going strong!
I've 869 official Followers
1187 posts
3,722,132 visits, thank you bots and spammers!
& 44725 Comments, although half of those are me answering you guys!
My top 5 posts according to Blogger stats...
1. How to build an FIW Indian Longhouse from 2011 with 71.7k views
2. Playing Favourites from 2012 with 33k
3. 15mm NYW/League of Augsberg photos from 2010 with 18.9k views
4. Beneath the Lily Banners - A Review from 2011 with 18.7k views
5. Salute 2017 - The Pics from 2017 with 13.1k views
What's your favorite post, from Don't Throw a 1?
Its pretty obvious that most of my top posts are from years ago, back to when Blogs were THE place to go for what's called "Content" nowadays. Personally, I think Blogs are still a very valid part of our wargaming world, but they certainly have been overtaken by Podcasts and Vlogs.
So I just wanted to thank everyone who visits my little corner of our great hobby, and I look forward to my next 15 years blogging......I hope!
Congrats and always entertaining
ReplyDeleteI do try Gary.......
DeleteOh my!!! Congratulation!
ReplyDeleteThere will be another 15?? :)
I hope so?
DeleteYAYYY! Happy blog birthday sir. You run a great blog, always with fantastic content. Fave post has to be 'playing favourites' . All your fave movies are all my fave movies :)
ReplyDeleteGreat minds, eh?
DeleteCongratulations Ray and here's to many more years of blogging.
ReplyDeleteI see a lot of hobby related content on facebook and utube, but I'll just stick with the good old blog.
Me too, Andrew.
DeleteCongratulations on 15 years with the blog
ReplyDeleteThanks Neil.
DeleteWell done Ray and thanks for all the support that you give other blogs.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Norm.
DeleteWell done Ray!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteCongratulations! I know I found Fran's blog first but glad that led to yours. (And tell him he's lurked offline too long.) 71.7k views? That is impressive!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alex. I'll tell him next time I speak to the old git.
DeleteWell done Ray, you were one of my earliest commenters on my blog so thank you for your blog and interest in what others do as well. Best of luck for the future.
ReplyDeleteNo problem, totally my pleasure!
DeleteCongratulations, Ray! Sticking with blogging for fifteen years is a terrific milestone to reach. Who can pick a favorite? I enjoy each post but I especially like your style of battle reporting.
ReplyDeleteI try to tell it like it is Jon, with a dash of comedy when I can.
DeleteHappy blogiversary, Ray! I feel like blogs have a sense of substantiality that podcasts and YouTube doesn't; it's much easier to find an old blog post on a subject of interest than it is an old podcast episode!
ReplyDelete100% agree Bill.
DeleteWell done Ray - an excellent achievement and always an inspirational blog!
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you, Sir!
DeleteMy favourite posts of yours (of late) are any concerning the Colours show and all the comments the one person who writes as "Anonymous" leaves, pretending to be multiple different people.
ReplyDeleteAll time favourite post was, either, the one where Fran received some duff paintbrushes (or was that from his own blog?) from Ian 'The Blog With No Name' and the accompanying photograph, or the post where the group of bloggers met up at Wargames Foundry's shop to play some games.
Favourite content you, regularly, provide would be games with the Rejects, be it 'at home' or 'on tour' at a show.
Just thought, maybe the bloggers at Foundry may have been from Dave Docherty's blog? Or Blogger's for Charity? I forget. Enjoyable post where ever it was posted.
DeleteThe dodgy paintbrush affair was very very funny. I can still see poor Fran's face.
DeleteWell done, Ray! A fine accomplishment and a quality place to visit!
ReplyDeleteCheers Ed!
DeleteMarvellous achievement Ray. You're a champion for us bloggers. I like your Ottomans best, or maybe the Haitian Rebellion. And the 1812. Heck it's all good.
ReplyDeleteHaha, thanks Andy.
DeleteCongratulations Ray. Time to follow Lee and start vlogging as well?
ReplyDeleteNo thanks! I'll stick with the blog!
DeleteNever a duff post from you Ray. It has all been good. I certainly benefitted from being introduced to BLB.
ReplyDeleteGreat set of rules, I need to game them more!
DeleteWell done sir! Congratulations on achieving such a great milestone and here's to many more!
ReplyDeleteThanks Donnie! I appreciate your kind words.
DeleteHappy Blogerversary Ray - thanks for all the great posts!
ReplyDeleteNo problem Paul!
DeleteHappy birthday Ray 👍
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt!
DeleteAlways and enjoyable read Ray, and long may it continue.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that!
DeleteA happy Blogday to you Ray…
ReplyDeleteIt’s always a pleasure to see what you have been getting up to…
All the best. Aly
Thanks Aly!
DeleteWell done, matey... :o)
ReplyDeleteCheers Steve!
DeleteTime flies when you're having fun. We'll done keeping it going all this time
ReplyDeleteFun's the word Lee.
Deletewow, 15 years is a massive number. congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stew!
DeleteRay,, happy blogsday. Fifteen is an accomplishment. For your quality to be so high ,so consistently is a triumph!
ReplyDeleteKind words Joe, thanks!
DeleteHappy blogiversary!!!
ReplyDeleteCheers Alastair!
DeleteMany happy returns to the day...? I've been thoroughly enjoying all of the retreat from moscow posts. I'm not sure I could pick ONE that's a favourite. I do also love all the big convention photo dumps! Don't get to see much like that around my parts, so I appreciate being able to enjoy the shows vicariously through your blog! THANKS!!
ReplyDeleteThey probably the hardest to post, Tim. They take a lot of time sorting through and posting. Let alone taking all the pics!
DeleteCongratulations Ray! A magnificent milestone. I remember when you and Fran started off. Always a good read but I do like your posts on shows as I can live the shows vicariously via your images.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shaun. Glad you enjoyed the show reports.
DeleteI like your thorough show reviews, as one of them inspired me to build a renaissance city but I really enjoy your AARs and the retreat from Moscow has been a splendid project to follow!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks Iain. It's great to know that my work inspires other gamers to get the brush out.
DeleteCongrats Ray on such a good milestone:)! Blogs are still the best resource for our hobby IMHO, with the podcasts and especially Vlogs taking too long to say not much, which could be easily speed read in minutes rather than wait 15 for the same inof!
ReplyDeleteVery true Steve.
DeleteBig congratulations, Ray. An incredible achievement, as so many blogs have fallen by the wayside in recent years - though a few appear to be coming back too. Like your blog, Fran's Angry Lurker was a great place to seek inspiration from, and it's a pity its not been updated since 2019. Still, at least we have your stuff to still enjoy on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteHe may come back to the blog one day....if he can remember his log in details that is!
DeleteWell done on your perseverance Ray! I came to blogging quite late and had never read one until our mate Mark started 1866 and All That about 10 years ago. I do hope they carry on for another 15 to 20 years, that should just about see me out, I think!
ReplyDeleteI was struck by the thought that it must be around about the anniversary of my first pots (I knew so little, I called it my first blog, lol) .... I have just missed it - 7 August 2016 was the inauspicious day!
DeleteWell a belated happy blog birthday to you too Keith!
Delete