Five Years of Blogging

November 3, 2008
by Rodney Olsen
14 Comments

birthday_candles.jpgFive years ago today I started blogging.

The first time I ever heard of blogging I thought, “What a stupid idea. Why would you want to share all your most personal thoughts with a bunch of complete strangers?”

Since that time a couple of things have happened. Firstly, I realised that I only had to share what I decided I wanted to share, and secondly, a lot of those ‘complete strangers’ have become good friends, even though I’ve never met many of them face to face.

I’ve really enjoyed the ups and downs of blogging and what you see now is rather different than the original post back on the 3rd of November 2003. I hope you enjoy what you read here and that you’ll stay with me as I enter my sixth year of blogging.

If you’re looking to help me celebrate my five year blogaversary there are a few things you might like to do.

  • I would really appreciate it if you added me to your blogroll or linked to any of my posts that you enjoy.
  • You can get free updates of RodneyOlsen.net by adding your email address to the box in the top of the right hand sidebar or by subscribing to the RSS feed.
  • If you’re a StumbleUpon user you might like to Stumble a post or two. (Of course you’re welcome to do that at anytime.)
  • You may also choose to make this blog one of yourTechnorati Favourites.

On my blogaversary over the last couple of years I’ve opened the blog up for questions. I reckon it’s time to give it another go.

Most days of the week my job involves asking a number of different people to tell me more about themselves. I normally sit behind a microphone and ask others to tell me all sorts of things. It’s very safe being the one asking the questions. It’s not always quite so easy being the one on the other end of the questions.

So, are there any questions you want to ask me? Is there something you’ve been wondering about? Is there a particular subject you’d like me to post about? It can be about blogging, radio, cycling or whatever else you choose to ask about.

What do you want to know? Just leave a question or post topic in the comments below and I’ll see what I can do to respond. No promises but I’ll give it a shot.



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Riding out an attack

November 3, 2008
by Rodney Olsen
5 Comments

magpie.jpgMost of the time I like them but I think that they need to gain a better understanding of personal boundaries.

It’s that time of the year when enemy number one for every cyclist is the humble magpie. There are a couple of spots on our regular Saturday ride where local maggies decide that they should swoop our group. In both instances the offending bird tends to attack the riders at the front of the group. It must figure that that’s the head of the huge monster it considers to be a threat.

If you’re new to the idea of swooping magpies, it’s what these birds do to supposedly protect their nests during the breeding season. They will sit high in their tree until they see you and then they’ll fly towards you at a rapid pace. They use their sharp beaks to do whatever damage they can as they swoop at you as many times as they can until you leave the area.

A six year old girl south of Perth recently lost sight in one of her eyes after a magpie attacked her.

Swooping magpies are yet another good case for head protection while riding. I’d rather not have a sharp magpie beak gouging out pieces of scalp so I’m glad I wear a helmet and sunglasses while riding..

On the positive side, magpies can be a great incentive for improved sprinting. It’s amazing how quickly you can ride when a maggie is heading your way.

I know that birds need to protect their nests and their young. I’m very protective of my family too. I just wish the magpies would understand that cycling past at 35 kilometres an hour does not mean that I’m about to stop, get of my bike, climb their tree and harm their family.



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FAST for FOOD – Day Three

November 3, 2008
by Rodney Olsen
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Fast_for_Food.jpg

FAST for FOOD is running through November and is a response to the Global Food Crisis that is threatening millions of lives.

If this is the first you’ve heard of this initiative of Compassion you can read my earlier posts. Every 7 Seconds … and FAST for FOOD Explained.

Each day throughout November I’ll be posting a short Bible passage from the FAST for FOOD Calendar.

There is a theme for each week of the month and a passage to read as a focus of prayer.

The theme of week one is – PREPARE.

As we begin to fast and pray, it is good to prepare our hearts and make sure that they are in alignment with God’s word. Meditate on these verses throughout the week.

DAY 3 – 1 John 4:19–21

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.



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