My Banjo Life is 100. Doesn’t feel a day over 99

My Banjo Life is celebrating a milestone of sorts today: you are officially reading the 100th blog post since I began blogging. *cue trumpet fanfare and confetti*. You are a huge part of that…in fact, you are the reason for this milestone, and I thank you!

This is a ton of fun

I never would have thought that I would enjoy the task of blogging as much as I do. I used to view such endeavors as the ultimate ego-centrism…who thinks so much of themselves as to believe that they are the center of the universe and that anyone cares what they have to say? I’ve since come to realize that that sentiment doesn’t really apply to an activity like blogging. With blogging, I can share humor, share pointers, share personal conversation, etc., with people that are seeking out my thoughts and commentary. I love it. I do however take issue with performers who believe that just by virtue of their existence, the world is going to be changed. To hear the Dixie Chicks rail against the president or to find out that Meryl Streep testified in front of a senate sub committee on the plight of the American farmer because she played a role in a movie about farming (OMG! Really?!) or to hear any performer open their mouth from the stage and shove their fringe opinions about things down the throats of the audience…SHUT UP! You are there to pick or sing or act or perform…we don’t care about how upset you are because the blue whales have diarrhea!! That’s not why we are paying you. We’re paying you for your art. And here’s a news brief for you: just because you say you support the troops or just because you put some colored ribbon on your lapel to signify that you “care” about this or that social issue, doesn’t mean you did anything for any cause whatsoever. Empty gestures. So, at any rate, I began this blog lamenting the fact that I don’t think I have much to say, and who cares to hear what I want to blather on about anyway? As it turns out…many of you do! What a great thing.

Click me! Click me!

It’s going to be a great year at Banjos Rule and My Banjo Life

This blog and my banjo website at www.banjosrule.com have been slowly gaining traction and attracting an ever-growing audience, and it’s this attention that fuels me on to want to do more and more in and for the banjo community. I think it might just be a fun year for sure. There are some things that I want to do with my “empire” that will have to wait for more substantial growth and income, but the sky is the limit and I’m well on the way.

I recently ran a contest for my site subscribers, inviting them to submit ideas for my 100th blog post. In return, the person whose idea that I choose wins the ever-popular Banjo Diploma. Well, my goodness did I get some wonderful suggestions! I received many more suggestions than I thought I would, which was wonderful!! It was hard to choose a winner until I got a last-minute email from a site subscriber who suggested a great idea for the 100th article. But it goes so much farther than the 100th blog post. I chose this entry as the winner, and it’s going to turn into quite a series.

But wait, Banjo Paul…isn’t this the 100th blog post?

Shucks! You caught me. You are right indeed. As I gave this 100th blog post some thought, I realized that the occasion was momentous enough to warrant a little bit of conversation and explanation from me. A little bit of reminiscing, a little bit of reflecting, and a chance to tell you about the blog post idea contest. And of course to announce the winner! (Hey, it’s my blog gosh-darn-it! I can make up the rules as I go.) So, without further ado, the Banjo Diploma goes to:

George Preiss

I’ll share the topic of the upcoming series next week when I launch it, so stay tuned for that! It’s going to be a great learning experience for you and me both, and I’m excited about it.

Looking forward to reaching blog post number 200!

Thanks for hanging out with me and celebrating this momentous occasion! I’m eager to write lots of good material in the upcoming months and I’m eager to hear your thoughts on each blog post. There is a spot to leave comments at the bottom of each blog post, and you can even subscribe to be emailed when someone else leaves a follow up to your comment. Ain’t technology a wonderful thing? For now I’ll say Adios and pick ‘em if ya got ‘em! Banjo Paul out!

Banjo Paul
“Wunse, I coodn’t even spel bango pikker…now I are one!”
www.banjosrule.com (main site)
www.mybanjolife.com (blog)
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