As I sit here in my apartment on New Year’s Eve with a candlelit dinner, a glass of Moscato d’Asti and the computer on my lap, I am feeling quite optimistic about the future. An email unexpectedly arrives from the host of my blog giving me statistical updates about my year of blogging in 2011 and it says the following:
“The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 9,200 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.”
I am embarrassed to admit that my first thought regarding this information was how nice it would have been if the odometer could have rolled over to 10,000 views by midnight. Fortunately I caught myself in my moment of greed and selfishness – reminded of the fact that 9,200 people actually visited my sight, either on purpose or by accident, representing 9,199 more people than I could have ever hoped or imagined would. Some of you just stopped by one time while others are now regular email subscribers, traveling along with me on my journey. However you came to Orvieto or Bust, I am really very happy and grateful that you were here. It is about quality not quantity.
“The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul” – G. K. Chesterton
My friends Suzee and "Yogi" on our New Year's Day Hike
On New Year’s Day in particular we are in “reflection-mode” – making promises that we may or may not keep and looking backward and forward at the same time. 2011 was a year of monumental global change. If the Arab Spring and the Occupy Movement have taught us anything it is that human beings collectively are capable of creating miracles. Maybe this phenomenon works the same way in our daily lives – all of our accomplishments and victories are not achieved in a vacuum – others were there to help us along, either directly or in the spirit of solidarity. If I believe this to be true, and I do, then I can no longer hold onto the empty fear that there is a possibility I will grow old alone. If we are all residents of Planet Earth then we are in it together and for the long haul. It is all in how you look at it and I prefer to look at it just this way. Peace, love and serenity in 2012!
Orvieto or Bust: 
Lovely thoughts, Toni, and congratulations on reaching so many with your fabulous blog. Here’s to a great 2012!
Thank you Paula, and FYI. I rented an apartment in Orvieto from Feb. 15-April 9. If you are planning to come to Italy, you are invited to come and stay with me! Also, I forgot to tell you that in November I went to Susan’s villa for lunch and she asked me to give you her regards and hope that maybe we can put something together there in the new year!! Hugs and kisses. toni
Unfortunately blogging is a bit addictive, the more hits you get the more you want. I got none for ages and was shocked and delighted when somebody finally looked at the blog. We originally started it to help people staying at our place locate stuff in the area and it grew from there once other people became interested. We are now heading towards our 200,000 hit, which still amazes me.
I hope we can meet in Italy this year.
Debra. Yes, let’s meet for sure…when are you back? 200,000 hits is fantastic – I am so impressed!!!! Congratulations and keep up the good work. As you said, it IS addictive…my new drug of choice (along with playing tennis). Happiness in 2012. See you soon. Hugs. Toni
I will be in Bagni di Lucca on 9th February and I will stay in Italy until mid May.
That is great Debra. We will keep in touch and I will take the train up and visit your town and you are always welcome to visit me in Orvieto. I Rented an apartment from 15 Feb- 18 April and am hoping that things will progress and I will be back again in the Fall. The plan is 6 months here, 6 months in Italy. Ci vediamo presto!
Loved your New Year’s Eve post – and yes, we are all in it together. Have a healthy and happy 2012!
Hi Carol….You and Micheal as well…..maybe I will see you in Italy in 2012. You never know…open invitation.
hugs
t