Five Years on at Mik's Minis

As I write this it is the first half of June and a couple of blogs have just celebrated their blog-birthdays; Lead Addict and Brummie's Wargaming. I've always tracked stuff like pageviews and posts and readers, but never thought about anniversaries. Being the savvy reader you are you have surmised from the title and the pic that Mik's Minis has hit the five year mark, no small feat! I also think it's funny that I just hyperlinked my own blog, since you're already here reading it.

So what do we have? 1100+ posts, hopefully 300+ readers by the time this airs, a quarter of a million plus pageviews, all kinds of good stuff. I wish I had been keeping track of minis painted and games played and all of that goodness along the way so I could report those numbers too, but alas that information escapes me.

Sci-fi leads the way with 437 posts and fantasy behind it with 233 posts, clearly my love lies with the leader. For specific subjects, 40K is in there with 183 posts and LEGO not too far behind with 108 posts. Fitting since my first post was LEGO related with a build I'm still proud of. Below is my "official" intro, of which I will add some director's commentary:

"Well, I've already got one post under my belt and I forgot to introduce myself! [as it seems lack of organization has been a hallmark since the beginning!] I'm going to try my hand at a journal here, [at the time I thought the word "blog" was too trendy so I opted for "journal", this is a blog, I'm a blogger, I blog, I admit it now] mainly reporting on all things 'geeky' in nature. My main interests are miniature gaming, roleplaying, and the like, so the bulk of articles on here will reflect that. [if this is a mission statement I can safely say I have faithfully clung to this] I'll also review books, movies, gaming supplements, and such, as I come across them.

I'm fortunate to have some great friends who share my interests, and no doubt it's because of them that I get to keep dabbling in these hobbies well into my adult years. [still true, still just as fortunate] Obviously, having a supportive wife who tolerates gaming sessions at the house, as well as counting her losses to some significant square footage downstairs goes a long way too! [even more true, even more fortunate!] So, pop in, check things out, leave some comments, peruse all those links, and enjoy! [I know I've said this numerous times, but without your input and comments, ongoing discussion and the like this thing would've never made five months let alone five years] Rock on..."

So much has happened these five years I don't even know where to start, both hobby-wise, personal, and everywhere else. It's kind of neat since I've basically shared all of that with you along the way, not as weird as one might think really, and only with just a hint of narcissism. We had a new baby, the old baby has grown up, I got a couple of college degrees, suffered through ER trips and injuries, planted a bunch of gardens, lost a bunch of tennis matches, on and on. Along the way I played a few hundred games too.

All in all not too shabby, if the blog ended today I would feel very good about it. For some reason I feel a particular quote from the end of Burn After Reading sums it up best, it loses some of its emphasis with the F-bombs edited out, but being a school teacher I pride myself on never having uttered a curse word here just in case a student or parent found their way to the place, though my real life vocabulary is a tad more...colorful.

CIA Superior: What did we learn, Palmer?
CIA Officer: I don't know, sir.
CIA Superior: I don't [beepin'] know either. I guess we learned not to do it again.
CIA Officer: Yes, sir.
CIA Superior: I'm [beeped] if I know what we did.
CIA Officer: Yes, sir, it's, uh, hard to say
CIA Superior: Jesus [beepin'] Christ.

Thanks again for a great five years, here to the what's on the horizon!