June 14, 2013
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Remembering Xanga: Part 6: In Which I Thank my Readers
I would not like to "leave" Xanga, my blogging home for nearly a decade, without thanking the many "constant readers" I've enjoyed corresponding with during that time. My heart bursts with joy, and tears stream down my face (as they're doing right this moment, I'm a sensitive, over emotional individual) when I think about the many connections I've made on Xanga. I've read comments, received messages, and carried on "conversations" in these pages which have helped me overcome extreme bouts of depression, which have calmed me down in times of stress, which have consoled me during those times when my friends all seem to have perished to the great hereafter, and which have made me laugh, cry, and marvel at the complexity and wonder of humankind.
I joined Xanga in the days when "Featured Content" was a list of five bloggers, usually the same ones. A typical comment was "props. comment me back." It seemed like there were millions of people here, and maneuvering around this "place" could be a bit of a chore. I wasn't a novice internetter, by any means. I was "invited" to join this blogging service by @Ladyblue, a member of my ElectricPoetry Group on Yahoo. I already wrote nearly half a dozen blogs, and maintained an already pretty large personal website. I always wanted to have some kind of social experience on the internet, and Xanga had what other blogging sites didn't at the time: Comments.
I soon developed a core group of readers. My posts looked pretty much the same then as they do now. (It's frightening, really). They were long. They had self made graphics. Essentially they were more webpages for my personal site, with full HTML coding. In those days, we made our own connections. There weren't pages and pages of "top blogs." That came a lot later. There were "movements" among certain Xangans to create "communities" to counter the meager offerings on the "front page." The most famous "back in the day" would probably be NFC, or "non featured content." I joined a "blogring" called "Featured Content for Grownups" (usually called Featured Grownups.) It was a group of "older" folks, like me, designed to promote writing, creativity, and camaraderie. Soon I created my own blogring/group called "Internet Island" which I ran from my site, and then spun off into it's own site. Other blogring/groups in which I was active in the mid aughts were "Socrates Cafe" and "Kween of the Queens."
It's amazing to think that there are still a lot of my readers whom I "met" through those groups, six to eight years ago! I consider myself a "content provider" and although I've made friends here, I am most inspired and thrilled when "my readers" comment on my work. A lot of folks have done that, and are still doing that. Sometimes I tend to forget for just how long.
The following list shows the usernames of 203 Xangans whom I have considered my "readers" over the past nearly nine years. When one makes a list, one is putting oneself in the crosshairs of possibly disappointing someone else who isn't included in the list. I knew I would eventually compile a list of my "favorite readers." I figured I'd just post 20 or 30 usernames, perhaps with some kind of personal thanks attached. Short, sweet, to the point.
But, hey, I'm me! When have I ever posted ANYTHING on Xanga, (or the internet in general, for that matter) of which I haven't made a big production. It isn't that I'm verbose (although I am). It isn't that I try to be complete (and this I always do). I'm just a consummate researcher and chronicler of the human condition, and sometimes I think there is much too much to say, and I might not have the time to present what I believe to be a "finished" project.
Last night I went over my "ubox" list, marking down a few usernames. Then I began to go back through the actual entries themselves. There is no "order" here perhaps, with a nod that the list is somewhat chronological going back to the beginning, in 2004. I knew @Ladyblue would be the first (at the bottom) name on the list because she introduced me to the service. @Zeal4living would be the very first name, because we've possibly had the longest most continual connection. Special mention singles people out, and I'm a believer in "The Universality" of mankind, so I don't like to play favorites. However, I do want to single out Liz (@The_Queen_Of_Swords) because our Xanga connection blossomed into friendship, and romance, and she's still one of my dearest friends in the "real world".
Where possible, I narrowed down multiple accounts by the same person to the last known username. In a break from "tradition" I'm just listing the usernames, and not the given names, mainly cause that would cause me to go on another long research mission to find the names of those I've forgotten.
I've connected with far more than 203 people. These are folks I've considered "readers." In other words, they'd drop by to read and comment on a post when I wrote it. And they did it repeatedly, whether or not I visited them or not. I KNOW I left some people out. I tried to be as thorough as possible. I'll use a graphic from "back in the day" when I used to give out the "bucket of eprops" award. So a big "bucket of eprops" goes out to my dedicated readership.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
@Zeal4living
@LadyofWaters
@hesacontradiction
@tychecat
@DonnaLou
@leaflesstree
@an_OM_aly
@PPhilip
@jerjonji
@suzyQ_darnit
@QweenCat
@Betrayed1959
@BoureeMusique
@dw817
@WhataWonderfulNewWorld
@gottobereal64
@tongfengdemao
@whyzat
@momofjenmatt
@vexations
@slmret
@MrTrololo
@RushmoreJ
@peacenow
@twoberry
@mourning2dancing
@buddly47
@reckless_eagle
@ElusiveWords
@nidan
@angys_coco
@Roadlesstaken
@Shining_Garnet
@WildWomanOfTheWest
@summereque
@endlesssummer128
@thegirlwiththecamera
@flatpick46
@my_final_username
@Ro_ad808
@TheTheologiansCafe
@adamswomanback
@ShimmerBodyCream
@locomotiv
@FlrtyLdyBug
@seedsower
@SisterMae
@radicalramblings
@Qipao_Queen
@Kellsbella
@jillcarmel
@mommachatter
@tribong_upos
@oceanstarr
@BlindSight22
@Ampbreia
@opticalnoise
@Jaz
@vexations
@Amoralis
@comet555
@soulstar76
@Oz_girl
@webofsimplicity
@FalconBridge
@Godfather56
@Diva_Jyoti_3
@livexlovexlaughter
@mammaquiet
@christao408
@SuperLuc
@Hinase
@SerenaDante
@renaissancelady
@knightingale
@hilaw
@sarahflorida1085
@maniacsicko
@ItIsAllGravy
@vanedave
@x_Butterflies_and_Hurricanes_x
@pray14me
@Fireflywishes
@imTHEmeowMIXcat
@New_dog
@Chemalexandru
@Muzwah
@jassmine
@pearlbamboo
@biggirlpanties
@TheCheshireGrins
@MsCatbert2You
@Trotta109
@History_Nut
@Rouxlette_Wheel
@GunStarHero1988
@closethippie
@Desert_Eagle_AE
@LadyofAvalonLand
@CdllcEnthus
@loopdeloup
@tialoca_talks
@RSBlain
@Sannya
@Sojourner_here
@Emjay1
@Swirling_Spiral
@Botolf
@mimiwi
@AvenueToTheReal
@curtainsopen
@mommers
@angel_vow
@juneblue
@EminemsRevenge
@Bronco_Bear
@soccershades7
@Drakonskyr
@thejourneyhomeward
@goddessladyj
@Mia
@kirby1960
@NanaLana
@Baroness_Fritinanci
@lionne
@m_elmer_48
@devilishang3lic
@pogueatl
@azcason
@NutterGreen
@petronski
@rrrteeessst
@WordFaery
@SunnyCalifornia
@VaporousVenom
@p8indme
@DaBombMom615
@GracieBC
@a___wing
@jtqueenbee30
@Nance1
@climenhaga
@ItalianGrotto
@BelinaRising
@soonaquitter
@StormyMuse
@maureenrose
@GrumpyBear54
@abbyndc
@queenoscots
@Old_Man_Mike
@anth0nyc
@zimbo_redux
@thereluctantsinger
@NickyJett
@neuroticfitchmom
@Leonidas
@MeezerGirl
@Dosmangoes
@Simone_De_Beauvoir
@Primitive_1
@krylon26
@Periculosus_Z
@IsabellaDiaz
@LordPineapple
@italian_culture
@brendaclews
@ladywolf_aq
@The_Palantiri
@princesskittypoo
@DenmarkGuy
@TyneeGrannyB
@Am0
@anniemomz
@traveler
@californiagal
@davesshelterfromthestorm
@percival
@IamDonnaC
@TheWaterJar
@xshondax
@boogley
@mybobbers
@Ed_Kaz
@priorities
@Foxy_Roxie
@SitaStrangling
@Dragonwithinme
@lisazaran
@airglow
@SuSu
@tbird36
@pyramidtermite
@TheExWifeIAlwaysKnewIdBe
@wordwarrior39
@SilverNightblood
@greeneyes31
@choukitty
@scratchinpost
@Vengeance
@The_Queen_Of_Swords
@wegotrhythm
@Ladybluehttps://www.facebook.com/michael.f.nyiri
Please feel free to friend me. I'm getting more active on Facebook. If you do, please let me know who you are on Xanga!
My thoughts concerning the possible shutdown of Xanga and having to pay for future service can be found in my entry called "Dead Websites" HERE.
EDIT: 6/15/13 12noon pdt: We're Number 1. (Whoops, should have put a few hash marks around that "We're Number 1." I thought adding the @symbol would bring some of you back here for a final look around as it were. I want to acknowledge that I know I got top of top blogs again, and it's STILL the grandest experience I know on Xanga. Thank you for your comments and your recommends. Putting my "list" together was a trip through my (overflowing but completely indexed) archives and I relived some internet moments I'd forgotten through the sudden dips and turns of my life over the past five or six years, (all detailed on my Xanga.) I'll attempt to at least complete my response to your comments personally. If Xanga 2.0 does come to pass, I want to see the interface before I pay any more money. However, as I understand it from The Xanga Team article announcing the possible shutdown, my blog will be completely ported over to the new servers because I'm a Lifetime Subscriber. Everything will stay online, so I'll still have the archives from which to cull the links I make on the internet. 7/29/13 5:48am pdt. Thought I'd put this at the top of the queue. A nice thank you to my readers entry should be the "last" entry on my blog when the "xangapocalypse" happens, don't you think?
7/30/13 3:25pm pdt: Besides Facebook, I've created an "interim website" at wix. http://michaelfnyiri.wix.com/allthingsmike I'll add updates to that site as I figure out what I'm going to do "post Xanga" in the blogging world.
9:16pm pdt. I know. I'm updating the timestamp. So sue me. I find myself unable to go to bed right now. (It's, well, I just timestamped it. Xangduh!) I'm wandering around the dusty "halls" of my old alma mater, Xanga High School, leaving possibly more comments than I have in a given night since 2008 or so. I have experienced the shutdown of numerous website hosts in the past decade. (I lost 8000 photos when Webshots closed down, plus my status as #6 most popular photographer for California photos.) I didn't "network" there, however. Xanga has been home. I tried wordpress. THEY want me to pay to be able to create the kind of blog I want to create. So no blog for now. If by chance Xanga doesn't turn the carriage back into a pumpkin, perhaps I'll subscribe. Xanga has been a hotbed of controversy, and an offshoot of "reality TV" and tmz.com for a few years. But for me, I still remember the thrill of getting my first "featured" post, and garnering dozens of subscribers (lots listed above) from the late great blogrings. Sayonara, Ciao Baby, and Goodbye, my Xanga.
I will, shall, and always will remain,
Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
Comments (52)
Thank you, Mike. We're already connected on Facebook. I read your posts there. I haven't posted anymore since the post with the Xanga link on possible changes. I'm waiting to see what they finally decide to do, then I'll know what I'll do. If it means I have to leave Xanga totally because I will not pay for subscription, so be it. It's getting so I really don't have time to blog anyway. ~~Blessings 'n Cheers
What a list! I recognize a lot of the names, but some not at all. I guess I don't wander around the Xanga halls much. Now, there doesn't seem like much point in subscribing to someone new.I've enjoyed reading your long posts and watching your videos. I hope we meet in the Xanga Afterlife, wherever that might be!
Mmmm delicious eProps! You're a great blogger, and hey who knows maybe things will work out come July 15th that will allow you to keep blogging here.
Just had these lying around....
I am honored to be included in your list, my friend. I won't ever forget those days in Electric Poetry (still the best poetry group I've ever encountered) and all those Xanga years. I am so glad you accepted the invitation and came here to bless us all with your wit, wisdom, and amazing way with words and graphics. We are all better for it. I love you, Mike.
I was so shocked today when I came and realized that Xanga is possibly shutting down, and at the very least will become a premium site. Thank you so much for all the content you've shared (I know I haven't been around much lately!) but you always put so much work into everything you do, and it shows. I'm just so thankful for all the people I've been able to make connections with, whether just short, brief connections or long, lifetime lasting ones. My life would not be the same without Xanga, and I'm grateful for that. Thanks so much for including me in your list, I'm so honored!
Yay ! You mentioned me, yay I'm famous - ahhm - hey, wait just a minuette ! Where's the cashier's check I was promised, huh ? Seriously Mike, GONNA TOTALLY MISS YOU, MAN !!! Well, *snif* you know where to find me ... ⌂ ≈
A wonderful list of so many Xangans, over the years we have all interacted a lot, it is am amazing place and you helped to make it so! Thank you.
There are so many great people in your tag list there.
I see a few who did not make the list but that makes me happy. I am thinking that @Jasmine has passed a way, she was a pretty spiritual woman.Well I got to give you credit for listing that many names. I suppose I should do my list too because I am a copycat.
That is a HUGE list, Mike, I suppose I'm not surprised. I have thought many times about doing an appreciation post to all those who have read, commented, and otherwise interacted with me, but I'm afraid of leaving someone out or insulting someone about whom I had less to say than others. I have always enjoyed your blogs and your comments. Your verbosity makes me feel better about my own long-winded nature.
Thank you, Mike for the mention. It has been a grand journey here on Xanga. I 'm not here on Xanga like the 'old days'. I spend time on You Tube watching videos and on Face Book per request of my son so that I can keep up with him. By the way he is in grad school now. He and and his girlfriend moved up to Oregon where he attends school. I moved up to Oregon also and so far love it here! However I do miss Southern California weather but enjoy the ever changing seasons in Oregon. So many people have come and gone on Xanga. So hope to see you around in new venues. ~~~~~~My thoughts through the looking-glass~~~~ Karolyn~ knightingale AKA my Xanga name
That's quite a list, Mike! I'll miss reading your posts if Xanga doesn't survive.
Thank you Mike. I've always enjoyed reading your posts and comments.
I am honored to be in your list, Mike! I always enjoyed reading your poems, your writing, seeing your photos of your travels, and your dancing! You always brought a smile to my face. Thank you! And thank you for reading my drivel-y posts when you did. You always left THE BEST comments! I appreciated them and you!HUGS!!!
Always appreciated you're wit, soul and dancing Mike and am grateful to have made your most awesome list!!! Will miss you if Xanga goes down but will never forget you; connections change a person for the better when they are with positive folk like you. All the best!!! And I'm teary eyed too, a great time spent out here during depression ridden days turned into summer smiles due to connections and comments. Xanga got me through the most abusive relationships and harrowing heartaches and I shall miss you!!! Much love Mike; never stop dancing!!!Zxx
Honored to be on your list, Mike. If Xanga doesn't survive this mess they're in, at least we're friends on FB!
Thanks for the add on the list.
Thank you, Mike. It does seem like we have been friends forever and I'm glad we have carried this over to Facebook. You are one in a million.
I'll always be grateful for your friendship, and by the way you're one of the "Hall of Fame" members I posted a week or so ago. This post is just one more reminder of the immense loss to all of us that Xanga is folding. (Well, I assume it's folding. Xanga 2.0 won't be the same. It just won't be.)I expect I'll be findable on FB, LiveJournal, and WordPress. And on Xanga 2.0..
If you see on footprints, I was lurking here it is because I left for awhile, not reading your post over and over for an hour ( although it was fascinating) Meds, have me feeling under the weather today, so I am going to give your real "props" later
Dear Mike, Thank you for the mention. I appreciate it. I always valued your writing and diversity as one of the most eminent writers on Xanga. Your philosophy stood tops of my list of favourites. Remember the Internet Island? I read many name that are true Xangans and each made a unique contribution to a great Xanga experience.Thank you once again. I will revive my Facebook connection
Michael,What a trip! I continue to appreciate who you are and what you do. On more than a lot of occasions, you have brought large-ish smiles to my face, and for that I am truly grateful!
My blogging has dwindled further and further, as I have fully embraced Twitter, and keep connected through Facebook. I love seeing you around there, and hope to continue to.Thanks for being a friend!BE blessed,Steve (Steve0, cRaZyCaT, and whatever other "handle" I used to use lol)
Hey, Mike! You are número UNO in top blogs right now!
Mike I'm staying with Xanga 2.0
I made the list! I made the list!
Hi Mike, Thanks so much for all you've said here! You are an inspiration, and if Xanga does finish, you are one person I'll be very sad not to see. All the very best to you!!
I love & enjoy reading your blog
Thank you so much for your insight and help...especially during a real trying time in my life...and yes I remember Featured Content and Featured Grownups (tho I think I have more growing to do...lol) and Kween of Queens...I am...let's see which one shall I give ya...I know Ama Elmer on Facebook...yeah we'll use that one...lol...I'll be seeing you around...Smile
We love you too.
AWWW thank you the honorable mention was awesome
I am more active on Facebook and haven't updated Xanga much at all...I tried to revive my automotive writeups on Facebook but it has only seen limited success...
Please know I have indeed been reading, but commenting has been a challenge for me here of late. (crohn's is out of remission) Keep them coming!
That's a long list! I'm lucky to have made it. HUGS. I've moved to WordPress meanwhile. I have an account on Facebook too but don't use it much. Mostly game playing there; no blogs. Me, I must blog. Hope you'll continue to do so as well but you realize, I hope, that Facebook isn't up to the task.
Thank you for remembering me!
Dear Mike, I am truly honored to be on your list, and it's been an honor to know you all these years.
I wanted to write something while I could now to let you know how much you are appreciated! Thank you for being the wonderful friend you are to so many! I'm so sorry I haven't been able to be in touch as often, but please know that I always wish you the very best in life no matter how much time passes! Love Ya! ((((Hugs)))))
This is an amazing entry! I'm saddened to think we have both been on Xanga so long, yet I didn't discover your blog until we began nearing "the end." Better late than never, right? If we don't see each other on Xanga again, maybe you can at least check me out on WordPress: http://marywimbley.wordpress.com/ I'm just getting started there, so not much material yet. I'm waiting to see what happens. I'm sure that wherever we see you again, you will have an enormous following. Maybe I'll be on your next list.
You are truly a blessing.I look forward to future discussions on FB and other social media outlets with you.Blessings.
Thank you, Mike, for making Xanga such a great place! I always enjoyed reading your blogs...I really enjoyed when you posted yourself dancing! And I always looked forward to your amazing fun comments on my posts! HUGS!!!
You've inspired me, Mike. I'm glad I took time to read your blogs and watch your videos! Good luck in all of your future endeavors!
Thank you Mike!You are such a nice person...I'm glad I meet you!I shall see you on Facebook!Isabel
Thanks for putting me on your list Mike. I've enjoyed reading your posts over the years.
See you on the other side!
It has been a quirky ride, traveling this trail with you. If this trail should end, I will continue the journey here.
It is so nice to see so many of the old names in one place. Thank you for this. I miss those days.....
Goodbye my friend
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