n the weekend, I very quietly celebrated my 9 year blogging anniversary. That’s 9 full years of writing every single week (often every day) on the internet. I’ve never taken a full week off, not in that entire time. Writing here is like breathing for me now. I just do it. I don’t even really think that hard about it. I check my stats every so often just to see what kind of stuff you guys are liking so I can give you more of it but generally I just do my thing. I like it. I think I’ll probably do it in some form forever.
Occasionally, I get asked very lovely (and sometimes not so lovely) questions about things in my life that have changed so I thought I’d take a few moments to address those. Here’s what’s up with me…
What ever happened to the jewellery course you did?
I finished it (like 6 years ago!) and it was awesome. I’m a proper qualified jeweller who doesn’t make jewellery. My blog kind of took off just after I graduated and writing has demanded more of my time. I’ll come back to it. I’ll be an old lady with whispy grey hair, living in the mountains with a silver smithing studio. Also the memory of some readers astounds me. I barely remember what I ate for breakfast yesterday. You kids and your crazy random fact retention.
Are you Italian?
No but that would be ace. I’m straight up, off the boat, English/Irish convict combo. On both sides of my family.
Do you still do theatre?
Yep! I did a show last year. And I’m possibly doing another one but I will definitely let you know.
Aren’t you married?
This one is a bit confusing because back when I started blogging it was popular to call your significant other Mr Insert Blog Title Here. Hence why I call my partner Mr Smaggle – I tried switching to ‘Ben’ but everyone freaked out so I went back to Mr Smaggle, which quite rightly makes people assume we’re married but we’re not and don’t intend to be. We just couldn’t be bothered and also I really don’t want to get married while gay people can’t. It’s just a thing I have. We’ve been together for 10 years and he’s very excellent. I’m going to keep him forever. He knows just how I like my tea and I’m not really interested in training someone new how to do that.
You said you use an Olympus camera but I can see you’re carry a Fuji. What’s that about?
Mr Smaggle is a photographer so we have lots of cameras floating around and I own two, both of which I paid for and I’m not ambassadors of. Sometimes I use my Olympus and sometimes I use my Fuji. Cameras are like handbags for me – I use whichever one feels appropriate for that day or whichever one I remembered to charge.
Are you bringing Little Blog Big to my city?
You never know! Little Blog Big is the blogging school I run with Christina from Hair Romance. We had such a ball doing it last year but it’s really hard work and we’re both working on other projects at the moment. We have a 2017 plan which you’ll totally love so stay tuned. In the mean time, we have a training group called The Blog Squad and you can join here. It’s so ace. It’s basically six full time bloggers coaching our group on how we do it.
What happened to #sleeptalkingboyfriend?
I’m really sorry to be the bearer of bad news but those days are kind of over. Mr Smaggle used to talk and say weird things in his sleep, which I then posted to Facebook because they were bloody hilarious. He used to do it most mornings for years. He has some ear/nose/throat/cluster headache issues so he’s been on some different and weird medications and an unfortunate side effect is that he’s lost his sleep talking. It still happens about once a month but not very often and not as funny. I’m sorry, I loved his sleep talking too. He’s well rested now but I remain unamused through out the night. #sacrifices. Note: The night I wrote this, he sleep talked twice the next morning. He’s toying with my emotions.
Are you still working a 9 to 5? Or do you blog full time now?
I’ve been blogging full time for two years now and by that I mean I freelance, I work with brands, I do advertising, run events, teach blogging, work with Secret Bloggers Business and consult. I’m also just about to launch Crochet Coach (which I’m beyond excited about) so make sure you sign up if you’re keen to learn to crochet. Which I know you are.
Can you write more opinion pieces please?
Sure, when I have an opinion about something! I love writing opinion pieces but I need to be extremely sure of what I’m writing and they take a lot of time to research. Plus every time I write an opinion piece it brings out the internet douche bags and I don’t like them. I’d rather just talk to my crew here or have interesting conversations in the comments where the internet D-bags are less likely to find us.
Are you on Snapchat?
Yes. And I’m pretty sure my name is carly.jacobs but don’t quote me on that. Snapchat is hard.
Are you pregnant?
Nope and I’m throwing away the tulip dress that makes people ask me this every time I wear it.
While I’ve got you, I’d love to say a huge thank you to each and every one of you who visits my little corner of the world. I’ve been doing this for a very long time and I know plenty of you have been around since the beginning. Thank you so much for sticking with me and know that when I picture you clicking through to my blog on your lunch break or when you’re lying in bed procrastinating about starting the day, it makes my heart soar. You are all very awesome.
I’d also love you to de-lurk! I haven’t asked this for a while
My name is…………
I live…………
I When I go to a bar I order………..
I’m currently listening to…………
The one thing I will never order at restaurant is……….
If I was down to my last $5 I would buy……….
I have been reading Smaggle for ……….. days/months/years
Just copy and paste into the comments and introduce yourself!
Also if you have any burning questions, fire away. I’m in a questions answering kind of mood.
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What have you always wanted to ask me?
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Are we mates on Facebook yet?