I have a little web meter thingy attached to this blog, and also to my regular web site and my online SF writing guide, which counts visitors. It can do other things, as well. One of the coolest things it does is show me a world map with little dots on it, telling me where people have come to visit from. I absolutely love this feature, and I check it nearly every night. (Don’t worry—it doesn’t identify you, or lead me back to your computer, or anything like that. But it does show me the city and country that someone connected from.)
Of course, the largest proportion of visitors are from the U.S. and Canada—no surprise. But outside America, I see I’m having conversations (okay, mostly one-sided conversations) with people from Singapore, Iran, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, Slovenia, Italy, Bulgaria, Germany, England, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, France, Poland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Lithuania, and Mauritius. Probably some others I missed. I can even click to see a map of the country, and read a little about it.
I love this connection with people from around the world. I know that some of you are from countries that are not on particularly good terms with my own—and that almost makes it more gratifying, to be able to reach across boundaries in a small way like that.
You know what would be cool? If more of you left messages to say hello. Then we could a multi-sided conversation. What do you think?
llama
hello 🙂
I think it’s fantasic seeing the range of countries accessing this blog and it is a pitty more don’t comment…that said I dont promise much in the way of replies myself, comming up with snappy or interesting comments is quite a challenge when you are constantly aware of the people looking through them (not to mention an author).
linda
Jeffrey A. Carver
Hi Linda — See, it’s not so hard! Nobody says you have to be snappy or clever. It’s nice when people just say hello!
Jeff
Anonymous
Hi, Linda,
If you’re Scottish and a student in Singapore, do you by chance attend the United World College of S.E. Asia? (Once known as the Singapore International School. My old high school…) I’m not an exciting international now, as I’m tamely writing from the dining room where Jeff is currently working (I’m his wife, Allysen). When I saw your entry I had to ask! I attended that school for a couple of years, ages ago. Took A levels, went to college in the United States (where people smiled at my vaguely brit accent, long gone now), and happily met Jeff.
llama
Yep, I’m an exciting expat… I’ve been here for a year but am sadly moving in June. It’s a shame to leave the school but I’ll be glad to see the back of Singapore. A few to many rules for my liking.
Good news- they lifted the ban on chewing gum…now you just need a licence to buy it 🙂 or be like everyone else and smuggle it in illegaly.
Did you enjoy your time here in Singapore?
linda
Anonymous
I enjoyed it. It was beautiful & I remember my school friends fondly. There were lots of rules, most of which didn’t affect me. They had rules about long hair on men & if you didn’t pass, you got a fast haircut at the airport before you were let into the country. Funniest thing I’d ever seen. The gum rule sounds entirely silly.
Shelly
Found a link here on Paperback Writer. I’ll be adding you to my ever growing blogroll. 🙂
I’m in NYC and I love checking the dots on my map thingie, too, even though I know many come from people clicking the Next button.
Anonymous
Hello from Oxford, England!
(Because you said it was OK to say hello without being funny or clever…!)
Jeffrey A. Carver
Hi, New York and Oxford! Great to hear from you! (See, I wasn’t funny or clever, either.)
Who else have we got out there?
Kitty
Well, you know I hang around here. I visit your website right after I check Mugglenet! 🙂 Y’all know where I live already anyhow….
Jeffrey A. Carver
Hi, Kitty! (Wave.)
Random Walk Writer
Also followed a link from Paperback Writer. Hi. I’ll read. I may comment occasionally.
Anonymous
Hello from St. Paul, Minnesota! -Jo
Jeffrey A. Carver
Hi Jo! How is it out there?
Jeff