It only took five years and ten months.
But then it happened.
Shortly after I woke up this morning (OK, 10 seconds) I checked my blog stats and at some point during the night, somebody, somewhere in the world made a questionable choice. He or she decided to follow my blog, and in so doing, became follower number 1,000 of Borden’s Blather. It may very likely have been a case of drunk following.
I’ve been keeping my eye on my followers number for a while, and to be honest, I thought it would be more exciting than it actually turned out to be.
I wasn’t sure what to expect; perhaps a bouquet of flowers or a bottle of champagne from WordPress? Seth Godin sending me a congratulatory tweet? Villanova canceling classes tomorrow?
Well, none of that happened, and I’m OK with that (at least I am after several hours).
And now my followers will be happy to know that I probably won’t be talking about my stats for quite a while. The next stat on my horizon is beating Cal Ripken’s consecutive streak of 2,632 games by having 2,633 straight days of blogging.
Right now I am at 2,132, which means that unless there is some freakish stat event, I plan to go 500 days without talking about my stats. I know many of you are silently thrilled to hear that.
In closing, let me thank everyone who has been so encouraging of my blogging over the past 70 months. It has been a pleasure getting to know many of you through your posts and comments, and I look forward to the next 70 months.
*image from Do the Bay
Congratulations Jim ππ€πΎπΎ
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Srikanth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Jim π
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Sue!
LikeLike
π
LikeLiked by 1 person
How about if I unfollow you, then follow you again? Then you can celebrate reaching 1,000 a second time.
But congrats on reaching the milestone. I wish you luck beating Ripken’s record.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Followers come and go. Numbers change, and most bloggers don’t notice, because they don’t pay enough attention. I passed the 1000 mark three times – once, one day – twice the next, until it finally took. π
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve seen my numbers go up and down as well; hopefully this sticks…
LikeLike
It’s sort of like watching the stock market. First up, then down, then up again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
as long as the trend is upward…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Over the long, long term, it always has been.
LikeLiked by 1 person
fortunately!
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of the first bloggers I came upon, devoted a whole blog-post “To The Guy Who Unfollowed Me.” I learned early that it was a common phenomenon. π¦
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m guilty of writing a similar post not that long ago! π
LikeLike
it will be like groundhog day…
and thanks…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was/is my pleasure?
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks!
LikeLike
Congratulations Jim and keep climbing! It has been a pleasure following your blog. There’s a lot of fun and wisdom in the blathering.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, John. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you and learning about the world of traveling…
LikeLike
It seems like the 1,000th Borden follower should get something out of this deal. Here are a few suggestions:
1. A set of tires from your famous tire post.
2. A copy of the book “How to Lie with Statistics.”
3. A copy of the video of you falling asleep in class.
LikeLiked by 4 people
1. Lego tires would make a nice, low cost gift…
2. is this lying with statistics: Between me and President Obama, we average 62 millions Twitter followers. I can come up with a lot more; no need for the book…
3. There’s a lot more videos of my students falling asleep…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, my friend! A great reason for celebration. I look forward to your posts every day. I never know what to expect, and that is half of the fun. You always seem to find a unique perspective or humorous slant to deliver information with. Your writing style is smooth and conversational with an organized delivery. You are just plain enjoyable to read, Jim! I will be here for your record breaking post and, by then, I am sure your followers will have grown even more. You should be proud of what you have accomplished!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well-stated, Brad. I think it is the eclectic nature of Jim’s posts that I find the most appealing. Also, his kind nature always shines through. He reminds me of my oldest brother, who is super intelligent while remaining humble.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree Pete. For a man who has every reason to be proud, he bears such great humility. It is certainly an endearing quality.
LikeLiked by 2 people
thanks, Brad. Maybe I should start trying to humblebrag… π
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Pete. I do have one thing in common with your older brother – we’re both older than you. Not so sure about the other stuff…
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you, Brad, for your kind words and for being such a loyal reader and commenter on my blathering posts. This has been an enjoyable journey because of people like you…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Congrats Jim. Well deserved.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you, David, for all of your help along the way. You were one of my first followers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Jim. Another milestone reached.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Norah!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Jim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Robbie!
LikeLike
Congratulations on your milestone achievement! I look forward to many more posts from you. I hope WordPress did at least send you the β1000 followersβ badge to display on your site.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Clive! Maybe the badge is in the mail… π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mine arrived in my notifications, then I just had to screenshot and crop it. Hopefully yours will be there for you! If not, screenshot mine – I wonβt tell anyone …
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks for letting me know, and for your kind offer, Clive…
I’m sitting here trying to think of some election-themed music for my Music Monday post. Nothing yet…
LikeLiked by 1 person
What are friends for?
Iβve just posted my #SongOfTheDay on the blogβs Facebook page: Old Crow Medicine Showβs βPray For America.β It seemed right! Hope you found your inspiration – Iβll be looking for your post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
look forward to reading your blog today (I plan to do so in a couple of hours). That does seem like an appropriate song!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Missed this one, sorry! Thanks for catching up with my post. If you donβt know the song the video is on YouTube: it makes its points well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats. On your stats! Such a genuine blog. π
LikeLike
thanks, Anne-Marie! it’s been a fun journey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you are sending out the prize post haste! Congrats and while I havenβt been a part of your following for as long as youβve been writing, Iβm happy to be one of a thousand.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Beth. You are one of my most loyal readers and commenters, and I am grateful for your support…
the prize is in the mail, can’t promise when it might be delivered… π
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a noteworthy achievement. Congratulations!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Tony and Margie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats! I think you deserve a day off work to celebrate! π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Carolyn! I don’t teach tomorrow; so I’ll just spend the day worrying about the election…
LikeLike
Oh gosh! I tbink you should take an Awe walk instead!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I might hold off on that until the day after… π
LikeLike
LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats, man! I never look at my stats (thinks about looking at his stats). π
LikeLiked by 1 person
my advice to you is to avoid looking at your stats at all costs; it’s not a good addiction π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Woo hoo! ππ»
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, SnapDragon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats on the 1,000+ followers, Jim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Jomz!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats on 1000! Woohoo! Drunk or not….don’t matter, they count! π I like that you are working towards Cal Ripken’s record. That’s an awesome goal! Maybe I could represent for 3000 consecutive posts in honor of Nolan Ryan’s 3000th strikeout. hmmmm! I gotta long way to go!!!! π
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Lisa. Nolan Ryan’s record would be a nice goal to shoot for!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I still have my t-shirt from when he hit his 3000th. π It’s holey and rough, but still legible. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
that’s quite a collector’s item!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Itβs not worth anything. Itβs torn & tattered but means a lot to me. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
it’s priceless…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay if you say so! π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Jim … here’s to the next 1000…
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Carol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations that is awesome. ππ½
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Lea!
LikeLike
Congrats on your milestone Jim! π
Thanks to you I started looking at my stats too and got pissed because I have numbers or anything to do with math π
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Jessica! I guess I’m attracted to the stats since I love math and numbers; different strokes…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations Jim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you!
LikeLike