A million hits, a million thanks!

Reader Miquel, and Sigmund were both nice enough to advise me of what I had missed: The Anchoress has just passed the 1 million mark in hits since I started tracking in December of 2004 – so, in just a little over a year! This is far, far beyond any expectation I ever had when I started up.

What were my expectations? Really, I had none. I still have no ambitions for the blog beyond maintaining my status as a “playful primate” in the Truth Laid Bear ecosystem. If along the way I manage to supplement the meagre income I derive from freelance writing, well, I consider that a bonus for which I find myself exceedingly grateful, but it was never part of the plan. I am a writer. Basically, all I ever wanted to do was write, write and write and read, read and read about my three passions, religion, politics and baseball. The advent of the blogosphere has allowed me to blend my passions and my proclivities. A perfect synergy, so to speak.

I recall when the Eason Jordan resignation story broke having a real sense of what the blogs could do and being both excited by the potential of this powerful new medium, but also a little frightened in a “what hath God wrought” sort of way. Almost a year later, I’m still in awe of it, as I am in awe of bloggers who are working on such an elevated level – they move unstoppably onward and forward, like battle ships cutting through the tide, never missing a beat and staying on top of every story – that I cannot even begin to approach them. Michelle Malkin comes to mind, as does Ed Morrissey, the gent who inspired me to start the blog and who, along with Roger Simon, gave me my very first “link.” They, along with Hugh Hewitt, <a href="http://www.instapundit.com Glenn Reynolds, Ann Althouse, Betsy Newmark and LaShawn Barber gave me my “legs,” so to speak, and I only hope that I have been able to extend the same generosity to new and emerging blogs and bloggers when I’ve had the chance. And it is good to be affiliated with the good folks at Pajamas Media! Thanks, all!

And thanks, too, to the folks who stop by here every day or every few days, as the mood strikes and keep me on my toes. There are over 350 people registered to comment here, folks from the left and the right, (more register every day) and while it’s always nice when folks agree with me, there is something to be said for getting a good smack upside the head from a reader who feels I’m slagging off, or over-indulging myself, or not looking at a fuller picture. I may not always respond to the comments, but I often mull ’em over in my mind, and a few times, if you’ve been paying attention, I’ve gone back and clarified or corrected myself due to the promptings of a commenter and, when it has been warranted, I’ve even girded up my loins and apologized for something I’ve written (usually under a full head of Irish steam) and come to see as unfair. It’s been a much more humbling and instructive experience than I ever imagined, and I’m grateful!

Thanks all. Thanks a million!