It was a little sad the other day when I looked up my Technorati stats and saw that they have gone way down over the past year or so (and lost about $15k in “value”). I’ve been blogging for about two years now (since June 2005), and hey, it takes a lot of upkeep. Especially when I don’t particularly want my personal life displayed as freely as it once was. But, I have met some cool people, received some awesome press (DC Blogs, Washington Post Express, and Wonkette) and learned a lot about blogging, enough that now I am able to do it for a living.

I’ve noticed my posting frequency trickle from every day or every other day…to once a week…to a few times a month, to once a month. At this point I feel like I can’t really call it a “blog” but more of a random update of sorts where the few people who still link/read this are able to get a little bit. Sure, sometimes I’m inspired by a current event that I would like to comment on, or something big happens in my life…but truth be told I’m even slacking on the big things.

The reason I have kept my blog up is because it’s a hard habit to break. It’s been a long term relationship, and I like knowing that if I do need to get something out, in writing, that I can. It’s there for me to look back and see what I’ve done and how far I’ve come (or not). How often is it that we find old diaries or papers from our adolescence, and reminisce in that way? I have a great set of archives (OK, so they are not all tagged as of yet) that I can go to and see if I still feel the same way I once did about work, the world, my relationships, and myself. It’s pretty cool to have that all there at my fingertips.

I’m now working at a job where I am blogging professionally, and I like it. It’s giving me an opportunity to really get into social media and take the knowledge and interest I currently have and expand on it. I’m hoping that catching the blogging fever on the professional front, will increase my hunger to update the personal side. But, until then it’s going to be hit or miss…and I’m OK with that.

Well, here is another weekend update from yours truly. I know, boring. I have a few other things to say, but just haven’t had the energy and motivation to write coherent thoughts. So, for now you get the boring “I know you don’t give a shit what I do but I’m gonna write it anyway cause it’s my blog” weekend update. Feel free to stop while you’re ahead. I’m pretty tired though after being up until 4 am two nights in a row (I’m entirely too old for that), so this shouldn’t be too painful. And, one day I promise I’ll finish tagging all my previous posts. It’s irking me.

On Friday I headed out to the grand opening of Rain in Fairfax. One of my friends is the DJ there so I promised him I would come out. It was a nice club and the music was of course good. I’m not sure how well it will hold up in that area, but there were a lot of people there and quite a diverse crowd. Hopefully it will do well. I hear the food is good as well. It seems like it will turn into a good spot to go to if you live in the suburbs and just don’t feel like making the trip into DC or even Arlington.

Saturday I had a mini-sorority reunion in Arlington. We ended up at Mr. Days (gag) and ran into about 20 people from college that I haven’t seen in years. It’s always funny to see people from college, most of the sorority girls I saw it was cool to run into them, but I mean, I wasn’t friends with them then and I don’t hang out with them now, so I didn’t really care. There are some girls that are still really into it and hang out with the same people all the time, and while it’s well and good to keep some of those relationships…most of it I just don’t get. Maybe I just wasn’t cool enough or something. And, well, I also ran into my ex-boyfriend, which is always a joy. Luckily that encounter was short. It’s funny he asked me how I was and what I was up to, and I kind of answered him and then I didn’t even ask him what he was doing. It didn’t even occur to me. I think that’s better though.

Sunday I met up with BSG in Georgetown for a little shopping and ladies lunch. I was not so impressed with the selection of clothes out right now, everything is really big and baggy and that does nothing for anyone’s body, least of all mine. From there I headed over to Shirlington to catch Crave at Signaure Theatre with a couple of friends. It was an interesting show, definitely one that I think you need to see multiple times to get the most benefit from. Afterwards we had dinner at Luna and then I finally came home. Sadly I missed Justin on the Grammy’s, but I’m sure I can find it on YouTube later.

This week is my last week at my job, my last day is Thursday. I took Friday off just because, and I start my new gig next Monday. I have already been busy with the new company, and am looking forward to starting there, although I am a little bit nervous. My current job is keeping me busy too, they want me to finish up a lot of things that I just don’t want to or care about anymore. I’m trying to get motivated to do it, as of course I don’t want to burn any bridges…but it’s really hard when I just don’t have my heart in it and I know it. I think it’s shitty that they’re trying to squeeze the last of my energy out on things that help the company…and even worse is the fact that I just don’t care.

So bear with me here, I’ll be moving over all my links and categorizing most of my blogs over the next week or so. If anyone has any wordpress tips or tricks, please let me know!

One thing in particular…any way to edit font type style? I noticed some of my old posts have different font sizes and types.

Some of you already know, but I have recently taken a position on the side as an event manager for Moxie in the City. The events are sponosred through the woman who owns the Sex & Moxie blog which I know many of us DC-ites frequent.

The first event I will be working at will be tomorrow night - it’s a martini making and tasting class with sushi! I know it is the same night as the big Wash Post Blogger Summit, but if anybody would like to attend, please go to the website and sign up as soon as possible! I also get a limited amount of discounted and comp tickets for events, which I’m sure will go fast!

I’m looking forward to working with Moxie and attending all of the fun events. It is also a great place to meet people - guys right now the class is sold out for women…might be good for you to show up!

More details on tomorrow night (also found on the website above):

Show up by 7:30 and check in. We`ll be using a private part of the bar (on the second floor), so we`ll all be able to hang out together and socialize.

At 7:45pm, a professional bartender will give you a 15 minute mini-bartending lesson, showing you how to make some of their more popular Martinis.

Then he`ll pour out enough samples of each kind for everyone to try!

A waitress will distribute different Martini flavors from 8-9pm. Tuna & Salmon Sushi Maki also served.

Each guest will receive 4-5 3oz Martini samples. Full size Martinis will be $5 each (but don`t get too tipsy!)

Light appetizers will be served, but it might be a good idea to grab something before you join us.

Don’t stop til you get enough!

As the end of the year rapidly approaches, I find myself thinking…everyone is all about the new year being a time for new beginnings and starting over. But really, you can have a new beginning any time of the year. Just because the lunar cycle or the designated 365 days (or so) in a calendar year are set to recycle, doesn’t mean that anything changes. Monday will still be just another Monday (although a holiday), and the weekend will come and go, and we’ll all still be here. A new mayor for DC will be sworn in, the country will bury another past President, and someone somewhere will be gearing up for a lawsuit.

The past few months I’ve contemplated stopping City Sparkle…I’ve found that my ideas and postings have become fewer and farther between. Sometimes I’m lucky to post once a week, whereas for over a year, I was posting daily. But then I realized that overall, I should go for quality, not quantity. Who cares if I’m not posting on a daily basis anymore? It’s tiring to keep up with fresh snark and witty insight. And sometimes, there just isn’t anything going on or something amazing and new to discover. I considered the fact that maybe a lot of the changes and things I would like to accomplish should be done on my own, and not broadcast over a blog. But, maybe I’m not ready for that yet, and I need the option to blog whenever and whatever I want to.

The downside to saying you’re retiring the blog, or abandoning it, is the fact that there are just some days when you need to get it out there. You have something to say, and you want to say it. I don’t particularly care if someone agrees or disagrees, but I like to look back and say, hey, this is what I thought about this issue. This is how I felt. This is what I did. After all, what is a blog really but an online diary? Sure you may focus on politics, or celebrities, but the point is that you focus on your own opinions (and in some cases feed off of other people’s).

So, here I am…rapidly heading towards 2007 and another year of blogging. I can’t say that things are going to change, or become better or worse, because unfortunately I can’t predict the future. But, I can say that it’s been a good ride, and I’m grateful for the love and support I have (both through and beyond the blogging community). I’m looking forward to what choices I’ll make and what will become of my life over the next year. Because although January 1, 2007 is really going to be no different than December 31, 2006…it still in theory symbolizes a new beginning. And that’s enough for me.