That many!FIVE YEARS.
Hey, my blog is old enough to go to kindergarten now!
Jeez, if I was paid a dime per word I wrote, I’d be rich.
Starting with an incredibly dull first post on a boring Boston evening and a title that must've made sense to me back then (but right now I have no idea what I actually meant by 'the Traveller Within' - something about introspection or other), I am grateful I got to share my mostly nonsensical reflections with an often-too-kind readership. The blog - and subsequently the Facebook profile, Twitter account and Flickr album that ensued - sometimes seem to have overtaken my 'official' identity... but I’m not complaining. I’m enjoying the ride tremendously.
Besides, this blog landed me a writing job and a girlfriend. So, really...
Somehow I’ve had some unexpected readers and people who landed from all sorts of weird search queries. But through it all I am deeply grateful to all my regular readers and commentators: you make it all worthwhile. Thank you for tuning it regularly!
if anyone can suggest why the US army reads my blog, I'd be grateful!
I’ve written about many trips, a lot of politics, less economics than I'd have liked to - the blog has always lacked an overarching theme but I enjoy it too much to let go of the right to kvetch about anything that comes to mind...
I've launched the #CairoTweetup meetings here, and made innumerable friends online and offline.
I’ve also started a few series of articles - including “The Arab review of Israeli cinema/tv”, as well as the “Occupation 101” and “Israel 101” from my time in Palestine. (links are on the left sidebar). Those have infuriated a bunch of people - but I always believed that if you manage to piss off everyone, then you’re probably doing someone right!
I guess a short selection of my 'blog hits' is in order - and if you're a new reader, start with those (though I warn you, the rest of the blog is probably shit in comparison). So with no further ado and in no particular order...
Egypt-Israel gas deal: WHO is behind it? The names, the relationships, the clientelism...
Private photos of El Baradei’s family spark controversy online
(which somehow is the first Google hit when you search for “Baradei family photos”)
The Israeli army raid on my street ruined my shawarma
Name: Ossama. Occupation: Soldier in the Israeli Army
So, yeah. Five!
21 comments:
Man ... Your blog is one of the very few that managed to keep me a returning visitor. Keep it up :)
congratulations!!! Here is to 5+ more years :)
Five years is like a really long time. Always a joy to read. Best wishes for another five, and so on.
happy birthday!
Congrat Amigo: ) I'm curious to know why the US army is reading ur blog :D
Here's to five more and beyond!!!
*high five's you*
Woohoo!
Aren't you worried that your readers in the Egyptian security establishment will wonder why the US Army (and Navy and US Embassy) are reading your blog?
Congrats on the five years...I wanted figure out how to send a cereal box prize or something to my 100,000th visitor, a milestone I achieved a few months ago...
Reb Barry
Khaled
Thank you sir, you honour me!
Vertigo
Dear! Long time no speak! I think of you every time I listen to Ismael Serrano. (whom I started listening to because of you).
KL
It does feel like a long time - as a friend of mine says, Blog years are kinda like dog years..
Thank you sir. Very kind of you.
Sayed Kotb
Thank you very much! :)
Li
I wonder too! thank you dear. :)
It's probably something silly - like army photos I embedded or something. But we'll see...
Nicole
Thank you thank you! High five!!
Khadija
Woohooooooooo!! :-) Thank you!
Reb Barry
If they can find an answer I'd love it for there to share the answer with me!
I guess you can always send them a postcard? :)
wow your blog is really great , i took a little tour and i think i will be a regular here .
congratulations
Wow, five. I don't think I'll make to that ripe old age.
Keep it up, Mo. You're an inspiration for us "younger" bloggers.
I'm one of the 1643 from Australia and hope to be for the next 5 years.
على باب الله
Thanks ya Ostoghommaya! Delighted that you like it. I'll be looking forward to read your comments. And great job on your part as well!
Ami
With your readership, I'm surely the junior blogger here. Thank you sir, you honour me!
Fay
Many many thanks! Yay Australia! I do hope you'll be around for the next 5 as well. :)
Thank you for your unique and wonderful blog. It's one of the few I still read, ever since I got an Ipod Touch and spend most of my spare time listening to it instead of reading blogs.
Your perspective is intelligent and fun to read and where else would I get to know about the things you write about?
KEEP GOING PLEASE!!
Shari,
You're a charm. Thank you!
Congratulations on your anniversary! Where did you find that disturbing photo of the six-digit hand?
Thank you, Ahab!
The photo i stumbled upon online - it was a tutorial to photoshop or something, but I can't remember the URL...
mabrouk ya a7i - bas wen inta halet?
Hey Lirun,
I'm guessing you're asking where I am? Cairo. :)
recently i discovered your blog and i love it!
I guess probably many tell you that, but i would guess that only few are israelis, like me :)
Hello Eyal!
Well I think a non-negligible part of my readership if from Israel. Though few tell me they like the blog. So, thank you very much!
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