And now we come to the mid point.

5 years.

The fun part of this experience, reflecting on my last 10 years of blogging, is actually looking back on what was happening in my life all those years ago. As the title of my blog suggests, I have a terrible memory, so going back and reading old posts has given me a chance to muse and contemplate and laugh…and maybe wince a little.

An interesting little tidbit I discovered – my writing voice hasn’t changed much in all these years. Huh.

So, after working for about a year in the deadbeat serving job where I utilized my great amounts of free time to write great amounts of fanfic, I got a much better job working for a country club. It was a good job. It allowed me to buy a new car, build a savings account, and get out of debt. I got into the banquet side of things and the money was even better.

Then they offered me a promotion.

And all my writing, blogging included, took a back seat.

That year my visitors fell to just below 3k. I wrote just 28 posts.

((sigh))

I hear the woman from Game of Thrones in my head. “Shame. Shame. Shame.”

The posts I shared on the writing side were limited, as I only wrote 28 in total that year. They were mostly relegated to quotes and writing prompts with the occasional flash fiction compilation from me. I think one or two other writers still were joining me then.

I just didn’t have the time. Normal business hours plus erratic banquet hours…I don’t know how I ever got anything done?

I suppose I didn’t.

On the personal side, The Sis and I got our sister tattoos. On a visit back to LA, my car was broken into and all our stuff was stolen. The people I worked with were ever so nice – they took up a collection of money and gift cards to help offset some of the cost to replace some of our things. I cried.

The Sis and I took our first official vacation in like 16 years. Aloha, Hawaii! We drank pina coladas for breakfast, mai tais for lunch, and just relaxed. We did a little sightseeing, but we were there to reset. And reset we did. That was a good time.

It’s been like six since, so maybe it’s time to plan something again…soon.

It’s amazing how the time flies – how some things change, and how some things stay the same. I look forward to remembering the last four years with you.

Thank you all for being a part of the journey!

xx, Rach

By my fourth year of blogging I was at the height of my “popularity”. I put that in quotes because compared to other bloggers, my numbers are still abysmal, but I was feeling pretty good – I was near 7k visitors and had 118 posts.

I had quit the strange content writing job and went back to waiting tables. I remember not being able to find a decent gig, and I had a ton of experience, but got in with a small local bar/restaurant that initially seemed okay. Looking back…I really didn’t like that place, but I did meet some nice people, occasionally. One of my fellow hash slingers actually got me a better job the following year, so silver linings.

I initially bounced between three locations all over town, but eventually got a permanent spot at one closer to home. It was sooo slow so often and I found myself standing around doing nothing, a lot. I found a post that mentioned I only had one table one night, sheesh, so I started writing fanfic. I remember writing a lot.

Because it was a gaming bar, there were cameras all over, but I found a blind spot that allowed me to see the door while I hid to write. It was easy to get into the story on a dime. They weren’t my characters, so I was able to come and go with the story if, by chance, I was interrupted. I remember coming to relish those quiet moments with my imaginary friends.

What a strange time.

Reading the posts I wrote back then, I’m reminded that I was on medication for my chronic pain that completely altered my personality. I went a few months without writing, reading, gaming, or watching anything. I was depressed and angry. Oh. That was rough.

I also cut off all my hair.

The two are not related. 😉

The Sis turned 30 that year and I wrote her a letter that still continues to get views – 5k+ and counting. The best friend got married and I shared a fairytale inspired writing prompt in her honor. I had the idea for the screenplay I’m currently doing research on, and later in the year I started posting what would become my most popular fanfic.

My pilot also advanced in one of the competitions I entered. When I got the news I was in an Uber on my way to the boring job and I cried happy tears. They made my driver uncomfortable, until I told him what they were for. That screenplay made it to the top 5 eventually.

That was a good day.

On the helpful side of things, I shared how to character build, a screenwriting concept checklist, and began consolidating all the best writing competitions for a one-stop shop.

An interesting year overall, to be sure.

Thank you for being along for the ride!

xx, Rach