A Decade of Blogging

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It was a Monday, just over ten years ago. I sat at my computer and typed the following words.

I’m sure it’ll all work out. I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it. I’m sure I’ll be able to post stuff that’s not about trying to work out the technical side of blogging.

I’m just trying to set up the template so it has the kind of stuff I want on it. Then I’ll get down to business.

It was, as the title of the blog post suggested, the dreaded first post.

That was the 3rd of November 2003 and there have been a lot of blog posts since then. Over a decade of blogging.

The second post wasn’t a whole lot better. It was titled, Does It Look OK?

I think I’ve got things sorted out.

I guess that means I should introduce myself. My name is Rodney and I live in Perth, Western Australia.

The loves of my life are God, my gorgeous wife, my adorable kids and cycling.

I’m sure this blog will take its own shape so I won’t predict anything at this early stage.

I’m hoping you’ll agree that things have improved since then.

Back then I had only recently returned from cycling from Perth, Western Australia, to Hobart, Tasmania. It was the fifth time I’d cycled across Australia. (I really need to arrange another ride across the country.) Earlier in the year I had visited India for the first time. I’ve been back twice since then and I’m always open to offers to return.

When I started my blog I’d been married for almost 11 years. I had a 7 year old daughter. I had a 5 year old son.

It all seems so far away.

At the time I was working for the Bible Society. I left the Bible Society the following August to go back to 98five Sonshine FM where I’ve been working ever since.

Blogging was very new and exciting back then and it wasn’t long before I felt part of a community of bloggers. We would stay up to date with each other’s posts and often leave comments. I’m still connected to people around the world thanks to the early blogging years.

The posts here have been less frequent over recent months but I’m sure that things will pick up again soon. I’ve been breathing life into this blog for over ten years. I’m not going to let it die now.

If you’re new here, why not check out some of the archives and read some older posts?

If you’ve been reading my blog for years …. thanks. It’s meant a lot to me.



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A Boomer Birthday Competition

ESV.jpgOne of the blogs that you’ll find in my Blogroll, and which I regularly read, Boomer in the Pew, has just celebrated its first birthday.

The blog’s writer, David, believes that every birthday party should have presents but in this instance, he’s the one doing the giving.

One Boomer in the Pew reader is going to win a premium calfskin leather version of the new ESV Study Bible.

The Bible retails for $239.99, and is available free courtesy of his friends at Crossway.

David has all the details on how you can enter his birthday competition at his post, Win a Calfskin Version of the ESV Study Bible!

I’d really prefer to win the Bible myself but if I can’t win I’m hoping that one the readers of RodneyOlsen.net will win.

By the way, even if you don’t want to try to win the Bible, make sure you check out David’s blog and spend a bit of time following his journey.



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Retrospective Search

searching.jpgDo you ever wish you could respond to people who search your website or blog?

People find their way to this blog with a variety of searches and there are times when I know that they wouldn’t have found what they’re looking for but I could point them in the right direction if only I could have a way of replying to them. Of course there are other times where I wish I could just reach through their monitor and give them a slap.

To the person in East Blue Hill, Maine, you wouldn’t have found any “bassendean aussie day photos” here but I know where you can get some.

Sorry to the person in Stoughton, Massachusetts searching “how to become an interesting person”. I haven’t figured that one out yet but if I do, I’ll take notes along the way and share them with you.

As for the person from Palm Coast, Florida, I don’t really know what you were hoping to find when you searched “young girls who like too pump”. Flat tyre problems? Maybe if you’d listened at school you would at least know the difference between ‘to’, ‘too’ and ‘two’.

Sudbury is in Ontario, Canada, and someone there is interested in the “story behind the song, living next door to alice”. I don’t really know. I’m guessing it’s about some guy who lived next door to a girl named Alice. Either that or Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, who wrote the song, needed a few extra dollars so they decided to write a hit song.

In Singapore someone searched “naked apology”. Yes, well … I wish I was in much better shape but I’d have to say that with the extra padding I’m carrying I’d have to make a very sincere apology if I turned up anywhere even close to naked. In fact, the mirror in my bathroom is already demanding an apology.

What are some of the stranger search terms that have taken people to your blog? Can you help any of those who have made it here with some of the search terms above?



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That's My Answer

If you could create your own happy meal, what would it contain? Don’t limit yourself to fast food, and don’t forget to include a toy!

What was the last movie you saw? Was it good?

Would you ever have botox?

So, tell us, do you remember the first song you danced to with your beloved?

How many hours do you sleep at night?

These are just a few of the questions you’ll find on That’s My Answer. It’s a blog which asks you a new question each day. You get to leave your answer in the comments section.

Sometimes it’s just fun, other times the questions can get you thinking. It’s great to be able to read everyone else’s answers too.

If you’re looking for something to get your brain started each day give That’s My Answer a look.



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