Dec 24, 2013

500 !!!



Milestones always give you a nice feeling, don't they?  :)

The Beginning...
 It all started in Kabul, about 9 years ago. I signed up Blogger's 'Blogspot' to create  a portfolio for my old poems and art works. (I never intended it for the public). Having done that, I started posting snapshots , anecdotes and experiences of my Afghan days...along with my "isms"....and  'Ashokism' was born.
Clicked from my car...Spontaneous reaction of Afghan kids on seeing my Camera

I was surprised when I started receiving comments for my posts! ..soon there were regular visitors &  readers, nudging me to write and post more stuff... and today you are reading the 501st post!
The Content...
I have tried to keep my blog engaged in varied subjects. My Art, Poetry, Photography, Travel, Music, Architecture, Food, History....the list keeps growing by the day....

an Indian terrace...
 Many consider ashokism as an Art blog while  some think  it's an amateur Photography blog. "Indian blog list" classifies it as  a Culture & Travel blog  .There were occasions it was even considered as a food blog and I received requests for recipes! It even got a mention in the Hindu for its food adventures ,courtesy Vijayshree.

But the fact is , ashokism cannot be classified under any category just like its creator !
The shadow of a butterfly...

The Friends...
The best things about blogging is meeting new bloggers with diverse interests and backgrounds...who eventually become good friends down the line. Today, my blog friends outnumber my real life friends. You should read this post  "wwww" quickly and promise to come back.
Now that you are back (didn't really expect that! ) read on...
 Blogging was the in thing at the start of the century...and so many jumped into the blogging bandwagon...but many lost steam and started posting less and less and many just dropped dead after some time for mixed reasons. I greatly miss some of them like Tilotamma (Viji), IBH , Me thinks(Deepa) ,Wicked Angel (Uma), Apam napat (Rajesh) , In camera (R.balaji) , Kodumai da sami (Usha) and many others...I hope they resurrect some day...
Some bloggers whom I know from the day one and are still active are Jeevan , Boo , Arti Honrao , Mary das , Visitra,and Kaviarasu.
One of my best moments was sharing the news of Nithila's birth with my blog friends when I was stuck in Kabul. I was flooded with wishes and even suggestions for the name!
Another touching moment was the flood of concern I received from the blog world after this ghastly event in Afghanistan  Eventually I took the decision to stay back in India.

Awards...
Another sweet nothing in the blogosphere are the "blogawards"... 
They're a nice way for bloggers to motivate and appreciate fellow bloggers. Boo surprised me with my first award...the 'thinking blogger' award! How thoughtful!


But the biggest reward for a blogger is the comment one gets for the posts.
I thank you all for your continued presence in my blog and hope to give you as much as I can thro' ashokism.
The journey will continue...

Keep visiting ashokism and do keep blogging...Cheers!

and Merry Christmas...from Nithila too...

33 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas!

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  2. Hi Ashok, Wishing you a Happy Holidays and a great upcoming 2014.

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  3. Congratulations Ashok!! Here's to the next 500 :-)
    I wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas!

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  4. Hyvää ja Rauhallista Joulua...
    Eko

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  5. Will surely keep visiting Ashokism! Many more 500s to you :)

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  6. Congratulations on achieving a well deserved milestone. Keep it going ! Merry Christmas.

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  7. That is a great achievement: 500 is huge, hearty congrats! Keep doing what you are doing - I love it! Here's wishing you many many more of these!

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  8. HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS FOR 500TH POST.

    MERRY CHRISTMAS !

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  9. Congratulations, Ashok! I love reading your posts on diverse subjects. Keep writing...Merry Christmas to you and Nithila and her mother!

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  10. Thank you for creating such a wonderful place to visit:)

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  11. Congrats on the great milestone achieved. What you say is right blogging world connects us wih people all over the world. I am also happy about it.
    tc

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  12. Congrats Ashok, it has been a pleasure to enjoy what you share here. Keep them coming!

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  13. congratulations on your 501st post - that is quite an accomplishment! I'm looking forward to 502, 503, 600....you get the idea!

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  14. Congratulations on the milestone :) :) Looking forward to more!

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  15. It's wonderful that we all connect with blogging..! Wonderful photos as always, Ash! Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your lovely family!!!!

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  16. Many congratulations! A milestone is only a stone. But has many miles under it. Well run and thanks for all the posts! They have been tremendous!

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  17. Congragulations on reaching 500, Ashok. I have always enjoyed reading your blog.

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  18. awesome! have you lived in Afghanistan?? do tell us more abt ur life there :)

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    1. Thanks Ankita, Yes, I lived in Afghanistan for some time...you can read more in the "Afghanistan" category in mysidebar

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  19. What a lovely post. You express such sweet sentiments. Congrats on your 500th post. May you have many, many more.

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  20. Happy New Year.

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  21. Amilestone of achievements, Ashok! Wishing you many more happy years of blogging:)

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  22. Anonymous12:45 PM

    A wonderful milestone indeed! Wishing you many more.

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  23. Have a great new year 2014 to you all.

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  24. Great reading ...you've come a loooong way :-)))) Hope to see many more posts from you. Wish you a happy New Year.

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  25. Thank you for sharing so much of your life with us, Ashok - your blog posts are always interesting and often inspiring. I greatly enjoy your art, your photography, your poems.... I hope your Christmas was merry and I wish you and your family a joyful, peaceful New Year.

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  26. Congratulations on achieving a significant milestone.Happy New Year 2014.

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  27. keep creating! keep sharing! keep viewing the world. :)

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  28. Very best wishes for a creative New year !

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  29. Thanks to each and every one of you! I am honored by your comments!

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  30. Congrats Ashok! We both have travelled parallel :)

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  31. Congratulations!!! What an achievement! and thanks for sharing your Ashokisms :) Happy New Year and wishes for continued blogging success !

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