I have been meaning to write this for ages.
No politics, no drama, no rants today. Just a genuine, from-the-heart thank you.
When I started this blog, it was never meant to be about local government. I was not trying to be a political commentator or a watchdog. I simply had questions. How does council actually work? What are we paying for? Who decides what gets done?
Somewhere between those late-night questions, the messy learning curves, and the slightly unfiltered commentary, you showed up.
From the beginning of July to October 11, this blog has had over 12,500 views from 7,688 visitors across 11 countries, including New Zealand, the United States, Australia, Indonesia, Ireland, the United Kingdom and a few surprising corners of the world I never expected to reach. There are now 20 subscribers. Not bots, not random clicks, but real people who have chosen to stick around. That is pretty special to me.
Most of that traffic has come through Facebook, but it has also come through search engines, WordPress Reader, Gmail, Duncan Does Taupo, and even the Good Oil blog. Yes, somehow I ended up getting a mention in Cam Slater’s Good Oil. That was unexpected, but definitely one of those “well, would you look at that” moments.
Some of you read quietly.
Some of you share posts and send encouragement.
Some of you question, think, and sometimes yell at me.
Yes, Roger, I am talking to you.
To everyone who has donated, shared, challenged, or simply listened, thank you. You help keep the lights on, the courage up, and the conversations real.
As the election comes to a close today, I want to be clear about something. I will not stop writing. Elections come and go, but the questions, the accountability, and the conversations do not end here.
I do not always get it right. I am not pretending to be perfect. But I will keep asking questions out loud, because silence is too expensive. I am grateful that you have chosen to walk this strange, scrappy little journey with me.
Here is to more learning, more conversations, and maybe the occasional friendly yell.
Sophie (Epitome of coolness, Author.)
2 responses to “A Proper Thank You (Finally)
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Nice of you to mention me Sophie! Actually I seldom shout but at 84 I am very sad to see my country which has in general such a proud history (yes I realize we have made mistakes… but we have also got so many things correct) that I am sad to see the country begin to repeat the errors that have made other countries absolute hell-holes. Chief of those is the looming spectre of racial division and all of the ghastly things that can likely flow from that. Happy to debate in person and I promise never to shout. At least we have 64% of those that in Taupo voted reject racial voting privilege.
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While I somewhat agree with parts of what you’re saying, I guess I’m just of the next generation that likes to look at how things could be different without narrowing it down to just one lens.
And if I see you coming with a debate ready to go, I’ll just duck and roll 😄 It’s not that I don’t want to talk, I just have to be in the right headspace for that sort of thing, and lately I’ve been running on tired.
P.S. How could I not mention you? You’re kind of hard to miss 😂
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