March 9, 2009

If A Steelers Blogger Writes 1000 Posts...


...and no one's around to read them, do they really count?

From where I'm standing, the answer is yes.

And today's headline of the day was the lucky 1000th for this two-bit, no good, waste of perfectly good html code, blog.

In the past, I've written a few "look at how philosophical I can be about blogging" posts, but I can never remember what I've said in each. So if I repeat myself here, well, you'll just have to read it a second time.

And sure, this post may come off as somewhat overly congratulatory, but if you can show me the 1000 posts you've written on your blog, I'll be happy to congratulate you too.

As anyone who blogs knows - this business isn't easy. Over the last two plus years, I've done my best to post at least once a day, with things picking up gusto over the last six or seven months. Make no mistake, what I do here on a daily basis may be juvenile and at times moderately offensive, but telling jokes and photoshopping people's heads on other people's bodies isn't as easy as it looks.

I started this site many moons ago on November 8, 2006, a day that will live in infamy for me. As I know I've said before, I wanted a place where I could stay connected to other Steelers fans, while I was disconnected from my own Steelers loving network of friends. To that end, I've put every ounce of myself that I possibly could into making this a fun, entertaining and community-esque place for fans like me who maybe weren't weened on how to read a Cover 2, but who nevertheless have an opinion on the personnel comprising it.

I can't tell you how humbled I am by the fact that at least several of you come here every day to read whatever idiotic assertions I make. I'm not going to pretend like I'm the friggin' New York Times here, but as far as blogs go, not everyone is so blessed as to have such an interactive and frankly, humorous readership. This is where, if I was a total douche, I'd quote you traffic numbers. But you and I both know that would be totally lame. And actually, now that I've used the word "readership," I'm going to go stick my finger in a live socket. I've gone on record in the past as saying how self-serving it is to throw that one around. So for me to do it just now, well, remember what I said earlier about hypocrisy? Yep, here you go.

Not that it makes much of a difference, but from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate all your support. The fact that every week I find myself complaining that I've got several hours of photoshopping to do for Meeting People Is Easy is a testament to how supportive y'all are. For my money, as a blogger, there is no better experience than watching people actually enjoy something you've created. Even if that something is a picture of Steely McBeam photoshopped to look like Satan.

I hate to single people out over others, because I know there are at least five other people that read this blog besides those of you who comment regularly, but I'd be remiss if I didn't recognize certain individuals for their individual contributions.

Some might say that Domski is obligated to be part of this blog as my hetero-lifemate. No. He is not. And yet, he's been here every day for the last two years, and four months or so, helping to keep the conversation going. In the past, he's even filled in for me while I studied for finals. I probably wouldn't have kept writing on here if he wasn't reading all this time. I can't tell you how important it's been that he's supported me on this from day one.

This is for you man...

Sorry, I had to. Things were getting too serious there for a minute.

Equally as important is Tecmo. It's real easy for us (and probably you) to make jokes about how gay we are with our blogs, but this guy knows more about sports blogging than 99% of all sports bloggers out there right now. He's brought to my attention a number of realities about this sports blogosphere that I never recognized. He's been a great friend in the relatively short time I've known him, and I can't wait to see what kind of other shenanigans the two of us will get into in the future.

Marc. I'll be honest, I don't know how Marc stumbled onto this blog. But since he has, he's been one of the most consistently supportive guys around. Both about the blog and about life. As I said this morning about Bryant McFadden - Marc too, is a good man, and thorough.

For the last month or two, tiny350z has emailed me almost every morning with either links or just some plain old Steelers banter. That is simply awesome. Like Marc, I don't know where she came from either. But I'm very glad she's a part of this blog.

I'm pretty sure Ladi Izz showed up for every gameday liveblog this past season. If you've ever liveblogged before, you know how much of a pain it is and how much it helps to have someone else there to fill the gaps. Izz had my back every time and I very much appreciate that.

Beyond that, there are many others including (but not limited to) - Sheena Beaston (of, well, Sheena Beaston), Matt, Sean (of Sean's Ramblings), Blitzburgh (of BTSC), Joey Porter's Pit Bulls (whose blog predates OFTOT by literally five days), The Chief (who's probably been around here the longest besides Domski), Random Asshole (still can't figure if he actually likes this blog or not), Notgomu (who, let the record show, got me a solid Mean Joe shirt for my bday!), Don (who, a while back, gave me some of the best advice I've ever received), Doug, Noah, Nate (whose U2 obsession is unmatched), Vern, L-Niz (you know who you are), John Woods, the Jim (of Sportsocracy), big TC, Shawn K, Sean P, Christy (wherever she's been), Ben, Brett, Jup, and I'm sure I've missed a few.

Thanks for everything, kids. I hope you enjoy hanging around here as much as I do.

Now, can I get a group hug?

PS - Check it out, no curse words. Somewhere out there, my Mom is finally proud of me right now...probably Leo Tolstoy too, judging by the length of this thing.

Obligatory Footer - If you haven't already, become a fan of OFTOT on Facebook, join the blog network and follow me on Twitter. Or don't. Your choice, really.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

1000 posts is infuckingcredible. OFTOT was one of the blogs I was reading when my stary-eyed little girl self thought "Ooohhhh, I hope I can be that cool one day." and then started my own. And really... there's something pretty damn awesome to be said for photoshopping Steely McBeam and Satan.

Anonymous said...

but if you can show me the 1000 posts you've written on your blog, I'll be happy to congratulate you too.

You know how to get to my site, asshole.

Seriously though, Congrats. In my opinion, OFTOT stands out from the increasingly blah Steelers blogosphere. There are so many new blogs and startups recycling the same marketing scheme that its nice to sit down and read a long-running, individually-voiced site.

Keep on keepin' on.

Anonymous said...

I hope I didn't ruin your epic post by double commenting by accident and then deleting one of them...

tiny350Z said...

Congrats on the 1,000 mark and finding your vagina! Seriously though, I'm glad to have stumbled upon this here blog... it helps me through my work day... and it feels just as good to help contribute when I can!

And your photoshopping skills are stellar - they have to be if I suffer memory burns from Steely McDevil and Benjaya.

Cotter said...

lori ~ It takes a lot more than double comments to ruin a 1000th blog post. I appreciate the kind words. I don't know if writing a solid blog will ever be "cool," but if it is, you're already Miles Davis in my mind!

tec ~ I pay homage to PSAMP every day of my internet life. Thanks for the support. Also, there's a post script here you might be interested in...

tecmo said...

A few more notes:

Thanks for the shoutout in the post. Kinda forgot to say that in my last comment.

Also, killer Billy Madison reference in your response to Lori.

Finally, you need any squeef, or you got enough?

Also, you got Munsoned.

Anonymous said...

Great blog, thanks for the shoutout. I don't recall how I stumbled across this blog, but it was a while ago. I'm guessing it's from Pat's blog (WHYGAVS)

Reading this started as a way to help me get through my day of work, but now I find myself reading it on the weekends and other times. Great blog, keep it up.

getfreshdesigns said...

Wow, 1,000 posts. I started my Get Fresh Designs blog a month before you. I have 146 posts on that thing.

thanks for the great blog. I eventually made my way to here by jumping over a mini pony.

Steve Braband said...

Congrats dude! Your steelers knowledge is bigger than Joe Flacco's unibrow.

Keep on rockin' in the free world. I'll be reading.

The Immortal Silky Johnson said...

Cotter ~ There is no room for sentimentals in the blogosphere! It's all used up by the arrogance, and egomania. I kid man, congratulations on pissing, I mean using what little free time you have in life to complete 1000 posts. Always entertained, and never satisfied.

Inside an Eagles fan is crying.

joy said...

Hey, hey, hey! Happy 1k, Cotter!

Cotter said...

marc ~ Thanks, duder! I do what I can!

doug ~ Those mini ponies. They'll get ya every time. Thanks for all your support! I someday hope to understand photoshop the way you do. Not likely, though.

steve ~ The dude abides.

silky ~ Oh man, sorry I missed you! Like with most other things, I blame this on the Eagles. No, joking, of course. I appreciate your support too!! Go Blue Hens!

Cotter said...

joy ~ Sorry, your comment wasn't up when I went to post before! Thanks so much for the well wishes!

Are you proud of me for the lack of profanity?

Grumpy said...

Having recently found OFTOT, it is now my first read every morning. 1,000 posts takes time, effort and discipline. You are to be congratulated. Keep up the great work.

shawnk said...

congrats on 1000 posts......looking forward to the next 1000

Anonymous said...

Munson..where'd I get Munson?

Congrats man, if it weren't for this blog we'd never get to quote movies and drink beer together! Most importantly, talk about our Stillers...

"The name is Munson, wht I'm doin is flossin'"

domski43 said...

cotter - thanks for the shoutout, shitbag (1st cuss). I know how much effort you put into this blog, and how many headaches it has given you, but keep it up because this shit keeps getting better.

Congrats on 1,000 brother.

love,
drugz

tecmo said...

matt - one of my favorite lines from that movie

Noah said...

Ah, Cotter, I participate in this group hug with much excitement.... wow that was gay.

I remember maybe a year ago, I was interested in what the Steelers forums were saying, I came across a couple forums, then BABOOOOM. OFTOT rose from the ashes of Google. I now have this here site bookmarked, I try to read it everyday. I don't always comment, but I always read it. Remember that.

PS - OFTOT has opened me up to great blogospheres, such as PSAMP (which I also have bookmarked).

HAPPY 1K!!!!111oneoneoneone.

AND MANY MORE!!!

Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls said...

Congratulations! OFTOT is a must-read and routinely one of my first stops on the Interwebs. Keep up the great work, and thanks for the continuing friendship and support.

Unknown said...

I have never commented on your blog, but I check it every day (usually several times). Actually, my dad is good friends with your old roomy's (Megan) dad. Keep up the good work and tell her I said hello.

Anonymous said...

A belated congrats from me! I don't think I could do 1000 anything.

I remember reading Mondesi's House at the beginning of the season and he had a post about how he was updating his blog roll. I clicked on just about every Steelers blog he linked, and OFTOT was the one I stuck with (which lead me to PSAMP).

Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Cotter, of course I like the blog. It's only you I don't like.

1000 posts is the first big milestone. The next big milestone is when you hit the point of "I can't believe I've wasted X years of my life blogging." It'll come some day...