In honor of the 2nd anniversary of the blog that I never thought I’d bother with after the first few entries, I’m going to post a few links to some earlier entries, so that you all can see how I’ve grown as a blogsteress. How I’ve blossomed.
This is a personal favorite, about how I tried to help Moby with his musical career.
Notice how I, a) shamelessly name-dropped, and b) provided links with all the celebrities’ names. Somebody had told me that when you link to a famous person or thing, anybody who searches for that person will be instantly brought to your site. Oh those were innocent, glorious, heady times.
And who can forget the spine-chilling terror of the day of the attack sheep?:
Finally, my chance encounter with a sort-of fan.
Happy Anniversary Ann!!! My favourite is always of the fan and you stalking the fans…. Love that blog and Laughed out loud !!!
Happy Anniversary (and thank you, Ann!!!!). Read and enjoyed them all this morning! (And your Dad’s punny comment re: the sheep was so funny and endearing).
All it took was two years? That’s very impressive.
I’m glad you blog, because if you didn’t, we would never have electrically met.
Happy second blogaversary! I’ve been here almost from the start, I think I came in in May of 2008.
And your family didn’t believe you’d do it, well ha ha on them, here you are two years later and going strong with thousands of followers.
Congratulations to you, well done, and I do enjoy reading every morning.
Annie
: )
Happy Anniversary, Ann! To many more years of misadventures and funny tales.
Cheers!
Ann HAPPY ANNIVERSARY…Iam gathering the little animals 2 by 2, to put in my neighbors canoe Ineed the sun Hope all is well with everyone.Next is the basement.
love the ‘flashbacks’- so many great ones to choose from! my favorite is the bat saga (the old one), and the toad/lulu foaming at the mouth story…. and the one with the horse having a digestive attack by the entrance of your house…. and the touching entry by DL when you were in the hospital. too many to name!!
Happy Blogaversary Ann!
I love these entries. I actually read them all before, even though I’m a relatively new member of the Anntourage, but they still crack me up. It’s a good thing my last day at my NYC job is tomorrow, because they now officially think I’m nuts, guffawing and snorting at my desk like the lady I am.
Here’s to another two years of horses, dogs, sunflowers, books, movies, friendships, culture and…Alan.
Happy Anniversary, Ann! I’m a fairly late addition to the regular readers, but I must say, I’ve felt right at home from the beginning. This is a lovely community, and I’ve made some wonderful new friends. Laughter seems to be the common theme, but of course, there are some serious topics that all are willing to share.
I read the fan stalking story this morning, and I, like Bev, absolutely laughed out loud. Your self-deprecating humor is priceless.
Here’s to at least twenty more years of blogging!
Happy Anniversary. I have been around since the very first week. Can honestly say I have read every single one and am glad you didn’t quit on us.
I’d love to hear if you or any one enjoys Lonely are the Brave. If you enjoy Dalton Trumbo’s style he also wrote Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn, Exodus and A Mon called Joe with Spencer Tracy. Years later he wrote the remake of that in the 90s and it was called Always and starred Richard Dreyfuss and Holly Hunter.
Since Mary Lynn enjoyed the old movie trivia Trumbo is the only person to receive and Oscar many years after winning one he could not accept since he won under a fake name so no one originally could take the statue for The Brave One. After Kirk Douglas and Otto Preminger (Exodus) allowed him to write under his real name again it was found out he wrote The Brave One and the academy give it to him.
Finally he wrote Johnny Get Your Gun an anti war movie in the 30s but it was not made into a movie until the 60s (so any writers out there take heart) It stars Timothy Bottoms in his 1st role as a soldier who ends up as a parapelegic in a hospital and is unable to speak. It is real disturbing yet interesting but I never can make it through to the end. I assume there is no happy ending… Has anyone watched it?
Well that is my movie trivia update. Thanks again Ann for all the joy and laughter you bring us by sharing your life through the blog!
Kathy Close
wait! is it too late to add another favorite? i loved the whole scarf/cathedral blog in italy. hilarious! okay, i’ll stop now… i think.
Oh, Lisa, I forgot about that one. I recall that a few were slightly offended but I think I’ll add it to the post.
The cathedral blog is my favorite too. It is so priceless how could any one truly be offended? Please post it again.
Happy Anniversary Ann!! Thank you for keeping us entertained and amused, and please don’t lose the charm of surprise and awe when meeting your fans! That was one of my favorite blogs, along with the one from Italy last year when you were going into the cathedral (I just re-read that one the other day). That was hilarious! Congratulations and we look forward to many more missives on life with the Learys!
Ann, Happy Anniversary! Your blog posts are timeless. I love re-reading them. I am always touched in some way…laughter and tears. I think you’re fAnntastic!
KC, love the term Anntourage! Brilliant!
Kathy, I love the movie “Always”! I didn’t know Trumbo wrote it. Thanks for the info.
My other fav is the sexy secret service men spying on you in your bedroom……CLASSIC!
Happy Anniversary! I love this blog — it really is the only one I read on a regular basis. I have to say that my favorite post and one that I sent along to many (hope that’s okay?) was the one about you searching for a dress for an event and almost falling into the retail hype black hole. You walked out of the store, snapped out of it and donated the money spent on would-be dress to charity. I think you showed your true nature with that act. And of course the goings-on and adventures of Holly, Coco, Lulu and Daphne (who’s nose looks especially squishable in the above picture) — I can’t get enough of the dog stories.
Thanks Ann!
Happy Anniversary and thanks for the “Best of the Blog ” review!
Happy Ann-iversary. My favorites were the war of the mouses. Still free and clear of any scouting parties?
Very funny Catherine, love those words.
Dear Ann and all the blog buddies, happy #2 and hopefully many more. I so depend on this blog for my daily smile, info on books (over 100 now), movies and literary goings on. I just love it when you take us to the Red Carpet and “in the business” stuff, and even included your infamous fall for all to see. One of my favorite all time pics was the one with the beautiful Robin eggs in your front bush, glorious. That just may have been 2 years ago. But with that said… love the stone fences, barn, farm, and of course the CRITTERS. It is an additional treat to get a MP picture posted on the blog for us to share. My all time favorite memory of you Ann, was when you donated the money instead of buying an event dress, thats when I knew I was with good people. You are good people, with love and sincerity, xoxox. keep on bloggin’
Happy Second Anniversary, Ann! I found you when you were on Oprah via Skype, with Daphne, who insisted on posing rather indelicately, as I recall. So, I have not been here since the beginning, but I have gone back through the archives and read (and sometimes reread) all your past essays. Each is delightful, smart and funny. Thanks for the good reads, Ann, and here’s to YOU!
Happy Anniversary Ann and fellow bloggers! I love this blog. I’ve been here since the beginning, but I started out as a shy lurker, until you and Catherine gently coaxed me out of Lurkerville into the bright beauty of Active Participantville. Thank you so much for all the wonderful things you share with us.
Happy Anniversary !!!! I have also been here from about the first week or so—I was such a lurker, so afraid to comment. Suppose I said the wrong thing, or I’m not one of those really funny, creative people….but I’m so happy I’ve stayed and joined the conversation; not to mention the “blogapalooza” and the reading field trip!! Thank you Ann for inviting us to share in your adventures, both foreign and domestic, big and small, human and pet!! Here’s to many, many more !
Congratulations on your “second”, Ann. The year 2010 has been awful for my family – my and my sister’s cancer diagnosis, and my brother-in-law’s death from same, but it has also brought into my life your delightful blog. You’ll never know how much it has meant to me and I can’t thank you enough. May all our days continue to see a blog by our beloved friend, Ann.
WOW how time flies when you are having fun. I have to say this is the most interesting and educational as well as diverse blog out there. I so enjoy reading the blog and posts from the bloggettes. Here’s to year three!
OH HOW I LOVE THAT FACE!!!I’m convinced there is a person in there somewhere.
Congratulations, Ann, on your 2nd Anniversary! These 3 “best ofs” are great. The Moby and the Fan are priceless – your self-depracating humor is always hilarious. I realize I need to go back through the archives to see what I’ve missed.
I discovered your wonderful blog in October of 2009 (via NYT article) and have enjoyed every post and comment since. Thanks again, and here’s to many more great posts and lots more dog and horse videos!
Cheers,
Linda S.
Happy Anniversary!!! There are so many entries to pick from and so many that are funny. It must have been difficult to select just three. The Sheep Attack is a favorite.
Thank you for all that you do Ann. You make us smile, laugh, connect with one another and share. I don’t know how you do it Ann! Enjoy your anniversary!!!!
How in the world did I miss reading the sheep attack post? So funny. I love the other entries you mentioned as well but there is another one that stands out for me, the post about Tim the stuffed…thing, maybe a bear. (? I think it was named Tim) and the interview with your husband. Oh geesh, now I wanna go back and read it!
Congrats on 2 years!
Okay, I found the blog entry about the cathedral in Amalfi but at the end, there is a photo that DOES NOT BELONG! Oh, how I wish I never switched blog formats. Lots of photos were jumbled around in process. Later I’ll fix. But here’s the link:
http://annleary.com/blog/2009/06/10/bathing-ever-my-white-feet/
After reading everyone’s comments, I’ve got to go back and read some of the older entries. Sheep attacks, secret service men. I can’t wait to read those stories.
KC, I hope your last day in the white collar world is a good one!
Here’s another one about me making an ass of myself:
http://annleary.com/blog/2009/05/26/why-i-suck/
So, I just spent an extra few minutes at the office, reading the cathedral story. It is so damn funny.
Now, I will get into my car and drive home.
Happy 2nd Blogaversary ! Got a great laugh from the old blogs .I bet Moby went home telling stories about that night as well! How this well intentioned lady was going to break his music in the USA .Heres to many more years of keeping a smile on our faces!
Ann -
Quelle scandale at the cathedral in Amalfi! That man may have mistaken you for a “putana!”
“Why I Suck” could be my favorite self-depracating Ann story (so far). It’s absolutely hilarious! I’m laughing out loud here in my office!
Keep the “best ofs” coming!
Linda S.
The story about the fans in the elevator is a hoot. Ann, I don’t know if you realize how funny you are, but the best part is – you don’t even try.
I could read these stories forever.
Happy Anniversary Ann! I’ve read most of these wonderful, funny stories but I missed the sheep episode – Lordy – to be a fly on a – horse? I would have totally lost it in laughter. Very very funny moment as only you can tell it. I believe you have quite a few more under your belt – wasn’t there one with a bat on your pajamas?
This is a magical place that every day turns the ordinary into the extraordinary, and strangers into friends.
Ann, this blog of yours has changed my life. Seriously.
(And KC…thanks! [blushes profusely])
Happy Anniversary – what a wonderful, funny blog. It is a treat to read every day! The bat stories make me laugh and laugh. Thank you, Ann!
Happy Anniversary from a F-ANN.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0qD0ejB79k
I’m late in getting to your blog today but I couldn’t NOT wish you a happy anniversary. I love your blog and the tails and tales of your darlings! Thanks for coming into our lives and making us think and laugh. Here’s to many many more years!
Well Ann, I’d just like to say :
CONGRATULATIONS ON A JOB WELL DONE!
I don’t think that even you believed you would pull this off for 2 full years. And I feel certain that you could not have anticipated the depth of care and concern that we, your Anntourage feel for you. I’m not a crazed stalker person, and yet I feel I know you, a bit. I think we all do. And when we don’t hear from you for a few days, we become uncomfortable. Almost as though we are responsible for your safety, and if you are missing, well…how long do we wait before Alan calls out to the posse to saddle up and search for you. I think you know that if you needed us, there is a core group here that would drop anything to come help…and how amazing is that? Really…are you not adored here? Yes, you are adored here.
Mary Lynn:
I never heard of Eva Cassidy. How tragic to pass that young. She was lovely with such a beautiful voice.
Happy Anniversary! I’ve been reading for almost a year and a half. I discovered the blog while I was finding places to promote an autograph signing I was running for DL’s book. I fell in love with the animal stories and have stayed. I don’t comment often but I come here daily. My favorite story is still the one with Snoopy letting himself out of the barn and staring at the house. It makes me chuckle every time. Here’s to more years in the blog world. You really do put a smile on my face!
Here’s my last post until May 1st
Ann, congrats on your 2nd anniversary, though I find your blog at the high end of the mainstream, an area I usually avoid, it has been such a wonderful experience, full of curious people and so rich in animal-love feelings, poetry and books, I quickly became a fan. My problem is I’m an extreme research guy, and this means I take most subjects and go back a long way to explain my understanding about anything I end up writing about. For instance, in your last post about the beauty of dance, I immediately went back to the origin of dance and music, to when we were primitives and danced around a fire and how dance and the drum-beat created a deep social bonding, and how music and dance have for eons created a powerful motivation for humans to be more romantic, at least to where we would hold one another on a dance floor, and how this would start to come to a halt (after many centuries) over the last few decades, mainly because of RAP music, a musical philosophy about the poor and about the street hustlers of inner-city America, and how this (music and lyrics) started to create a separation of the sexes, to where this young generation would rarely hold each other in a slow dance, and the lyrics would usually express an anger or bitterness about the times. In effect, two art forms that had caused us to be more inclined to be romantic, had suddenly, after many centuries, had become a wedge that prevented many young people from coming together as close partners, enraptured by the music and dance. (Yes, the AIDS epidemic that began in the 80s also triggered this sexual separation.)But just look at the low number of dance clubs today compared to the high number of clubs back in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Ask any 18-to-30-year-old, how often they’ve slow-danced with someone, and you’ll have the answer to my question, RARELY! I could go on for quite a while about what these observations might mean, but again, this blog isn’t meant for the longwinded like me.
Mary Lynn, as I’ve been constructing my new Internet magazine, a thought kept popping into my mind, a screenplay about four women who communicate with each other on a BLOG for a year, and decide to meet each other at a retreat: the youngest is 25, a savvy LA lawyer in a powerful firm her granddad founded, and she is about to be married, for the first time, at the end of the month. The other three gals are seasoned middle-age women, ivy-educated; very successful in three different fields, and have done well in negotiating the minefields and rose gardens of the modern feminist movement, but all three have come to realize that the celebrity culture is starting to threaten 70 years of female progress. One of them says, “We now have a powerful woman stating she has a grasp of foreign policy because she can see Russia in the distance from her Alaskan home! So much for our dream of being taking seriously any time soon!” All four women come to understand that they share a secret (nothing sexual) and this secret drives the film. The secret is a subject that I believe hasn’t been addressed by any film or book. And I think the financing of this film, I’ve temporarily titled, WOMEN!?$+-=, shouldn’t be a problem. Women producers might even get hostile to get this property! If you’re interested to know more, please e-mail me at [email protected] If not, I’ll send you a shooting script to peruse in about a month when I return to this blog. By then I hope to get Carey Mulligan’s agent to read my script, the role of the LA lawyer I think would be a meaty one for Ms Mulligan. Bye all, and KEEP THE BEAUTY FLOWING…Brent
Happy anniversary!
I remember reading your first blog entry and being so impressed with you. I had heard of blogs before but had never actually figured out how to penetrate one. Like some others here, I visit often, even if I rarely post. You are such a good writer. And now look at you! So techno-savvy (except for learning how to back up your files). Congratulations on sticking with it! We love you!
Louise – I love that you are in Active Participantville now.
I don’t know if anyone mentioned this earlier, but on top of all the wonderful things Ann has brought to our lives, Alan taught us all how to bold and italicize!
YAY congrats!