I am NOT taking a leave of absence – just a vacation
I’ll be off the rest of the year. Such a declaration would be more dramatic if made on Labor Day, but guess who waits until the calendar is about to turn before trying to use up all his vacation days? Moron = me.
Leave of absences being all the rage, I did want to say this. I don’t understand how the health issues Urban Meyer faces were serious enough to make him fear for his life Saturday but not so serious as to prevent him from deciding Sunday he’ll be OK to coach in 2010. His about-face won’t have much impact on Florida; I hope it doesn’t have a deleterious effect on Meyer.
Before I sign off, I need to re-tell a story: I spent last New Year’s Eve in a hotel room in Orlando wondering why more folks weren’t sitting home reading this dumb little blog. It was a major deal to me because I was hoping to reach two million page views on the year. We ended up at 1.976 million, this despite the best efforts of various daughters and nieces who paused during their own New Year’s Eve celebration in Northern Kentucky to chip in with some clicks.
My goal for this year was, I believed, even more daring — three million page views. I’m proud and stunned to report that, as of this moment, we’re at 6,770,819. That’s more than a 300 percent increase. That is, at least to me, incredible.
We did 1.1 million clicks in November alone, and when I say “we” I’m not being disingenuous. Y’all have turned this little blog into a BIG blog, and for that I can offer only heartfelt gratitude. I’d love to say we’ll get only bigger in 2010, but frankly we’ve gotten so huge it’s scaring me. So I’ll just shut up and say thanks for a year beyond my imagination, and I’ll see you again in Twenty Ten.
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155 comments Add your comment
Algonquin J. Calhoun
December 29th, 2009
4:38 am
So, Mark, am I to understand that you’ve been blogging all year? Just kidding. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Algonquin J. Calhoun
December 29th, 2009
4:44 am
I don’t know if I’d be bragging about blogging with a bunch of losers who don’t even subscribe to the newspaper and can’t afford to buy anything advertisers are trying to sell. Selah.
We appreciate your confidence in us and our abilities William Randolph Hearse. We can’t afford it but you can, there’s a body cleanse that’s supposed to really make you a hollow shell. I realize you’re already a hollow shell but would you give it a try and report back to us? We await the first squirts of information from you Mr. Hearse.
Bob
December 29th, 2009
8:15 am
For what it’s worth and I mean this as a compliment… I enjoy your blog 10x more than I enjoyed your columns. Nice job remaking yourself into a blogger.
JB
December 29th, 2009
8:45 am
Special columnist during your absence: Terrence Moore!
Reid Adair
December 29th, 2009
8:45 am
Mark, hope you have a great leave … no, wait … vacation.
And congratulations on the page views.
messin with sasquatch
December 29th, 2009
8:58 am
have you left the building yet?
jawga boy
December 29th, 2009
9:01 am
Mark, I’m a relative new comer to the blawg….and now I’m hooked! Great stuff this year. I realize filling Bish’s shoes a big job , you are doing great. Thank you.
Does the AJC grant leaves?
messin with sasquatch
December 29th, 2009
9:03 am
any truth to a report on tim tebow, urbans new assistant coach……….
april glaspie
December 29th, 2009
9:11 am
Please take a break from vacation when Tech gets exposed in their bowl excursion. Only thing any coaches need to do is watch the UGA-Tech game tape. Actually, Coach Johnson’s revolutionary offense is being run by about half the high schools in America. Disabuse yourself over the break.
BROKE-BACK GATOR
December 29th, 2009
9:20 am
Is there any truth to the rumor that Meyer was caught making plans to run away with Tebow ?
messin with sasquatch
December 29th, 2009
10:08 am
lsu already exposed the tech offense last year, april.
that game meant everything to Tech
December 29th, 2009
10:31 am
have a good time back at sesame street…as for me i will watch with interest in 2010 to see if you still resemble the closet F(l)agboy Tech fan you truly are…course next year you’ll predict a dawg victory over TEch which normally you could put a hex on the dawgs..’cept it is Tech so probably not!!!! have a good new year Mark , hope Sesame Street doesn’t fire you..then you would be left as just a part time writer…30 to 24…331 more days till next year’s game “tween the hedges…thank God it isn’t between the slums at Bobby Dodd field
Tiger Woods' Wing Man
December 29th, 2009
11:51 am
This is going to be a great new year when NERDS lose. Bwhaaaa. They suck at life.
Dawg Tired
December 29th, 2009
11:54 am
Exactly what is the difference between a vacation and a leave of absence? For that matter, what is the difference between quitting and taking an indefinite leave of absence? In addition, if the job is too stressfulto handle why pretend you’re returning? Talk about confusion (or is it simple deception?)! CUM sounds like an 18 year old recruit trying to make up his mind after making a so-called commitment. Of course, the main difference is that he’s actually 45 years old! Why not just call time-out?
Mark – Have a good vacation while pondering these deep questions!
Gator Growl
December 29th, 2009
12:48 pm
Maybe you just need to retire.
AlphaDog
December 29th, 2009
12:50 pm
And we should care because…. ??
SLP
December 29th, 2009
1:16 pm
Furman, stop clicking on Mark’s blog page! JK…LOL! Congrats, Mark, job well done. See ya next year.
Tiger Woods' Wing Man
December 29th, 2009
1:47 pm
DAWGS scored again. St. Simons are you still getting bent over by your step dad?
juvenal
December 29th, 2009
2:38 pm
Happy New Year, & thanks for great job-work a little less each year, work a few more years ‘cuz you got better health/less stress-burnout, enjoy it more, the longevity increase evens out the $, look at Norm(tell him we still miss him)…your ‘cats played good, what does that do to the uga=acc champ theory? best wishes to all, maybe some year again uga will face distraction of playing conf. champ’ship following week..
Mr. Wren to all you non believers
December 29th, 2009
3:30 pm
Opening Day Lineup vs. Cubbies. 1. McClouth 2. Escobar 3. Chipper 4. Glaus 5. McCann 6. Nady/Uggla 7. Diaz/ Melky 8. Prado What do you Bravo fans think???
IhateUGAdogs
December 29th, 2009
3:51 pm
why doesn’t UGA play Bama more? Why do they play Vandy every year?Why not MSU. Will they wear the black hats again? They are going to be 7-6 for along time with their 5 star players (thugs).UGA fans will still trash their on campus and date their sisters.
3 DAWG KNIGHT
December 29th, 2009
4:54 pm
Why take a vacation when you retired a long time ago???????????
Stupid Blog
December 29th, 2009
4:56 pm
Vacation from what?This stupid blog?
J Dog
December 29th, 2009
6:15 pm
willie martinez, don’t ask, your not getting a leave of absence.
HamptonDawg
December 29th, 2009
6:17 pm
Thanks Mark, and Happy New Year. I don’t always agree with your blogs but if I did it wouldn’t be near as much fun as it is bashing you when you write something, uh, (be nice) wrongheaded. Anyway, the blog is entertaining and hands down better than listening to those moronic ESPN analysts…Enjoy the vacation and tell Urban hello if you see him on the golf course…
MitchC
December 29th, 2009
10:56 pm
Have a great vacation, Mark. I always enjoy partcipating in your blog. We always have such lively discussions.
Happy New Year, my friend.
Heather
December 30th, 2009
8:34 am
If Rennie Curran signs an NFL contract, will the babydaddy goon start paying child support to the mother of his illegitimate child? Or will he continue to ignore the kid?
Inquiring minds would like to know.
Also, has anyone added up the number of UGA thugs arrested this year?
DiamondJim
December 30th, 2009
9:04 am
Bark Madley
He have had a good year. Your man crush C. Paul Johnson has given moe clicks from me. I am sure the DAWG fans hate you now, maybe more clicks from them.
I know you only write about football to pay the bills.
Your first love is Basketball. but in Georgia that going to help you much.
Here to more clicks in 2010!!
I Hope You Have A Happy New Year
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
December 30th, 2009
9:52 am
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl:
YOU STILL TOTING THAT A$$ WHIPPING FROM NOVEMBER 28…GOT TO LET THAT A$$ WHIPPING GO SOMETIMES, SIR…TECH NEEDS THE MONEY, OVER AT UGA WE GOT PLENTY…WE COULD GIVE A DAMN IF YOUR BOWL PAYS 50 MILLION…BECAUSE WE ARE PULLING FOR YOU TO WIN IT, THEN DAWGS CLAIM NOT ONLY ACC CHAMPIONSHIP BUT ALSO ORANGE BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP TOO…PUGNACIOUS PAUL STARTED CHUNKING IT AT THE END, GOT COMPLETELY AWAY FROM THE TRIPLE OPTION GAME PLAN, AND THE UPSET OF THE YEAR TOOK PLACE…DOCTOR IS PRESCRIBING THAT LUKE WARM ENEMA TWICE A DAY FOR A WEEK TO TECH GUYS LIKE YOURSELF WHO JUST CAN’T GET OVER THE NOVEMBER 28 LOSS TO THE STATE CHAMPION YET AGAIN (8 OF 9) GEORGIA BULLDOGS…AND MORE A$$ WHIPPINGS YET TO COME…
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
December 30th, 2009
9:59 am
Heather:
DAWG ARREST A DISTANT 7TH OR 8TH TO THE MUGGINGS, CARJACKS, AND ROBBERIES IN THE HOODS NEAR THE “JOKE BY COKE”…DRIVING A MOPED THE WRONG WAY ON A ONE WAY STREET HAS GOT ALL OF THE DAWG FANS JUST WRINGING OUR HANDS…YOU GOT FOLKS THAT GET IN TEENAGE TROUBLES TOO, BUT YOU DON’T HAVE THE ATHENS COPS TO MAKE FRONT PAGE COPY OUT OF EVERY LITTLE “RIDING A SCOOTER WITHOUT A LICENSE DEAL”…THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOME DISCORD BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ATHENS AND GEORGIA FOOTBALL, AND WE HOPE COACH RICHT WILL SIT DOWN WITH THEM TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEMS ARE…WHEN RIDING THE WRONG WAY ON A MOPED ON A ONE WAY STREET BECOMES REGIONAL NEWS, SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG….AND RENNIE CURRAN WILL GET HIS MATTERS TAKEN CARE OF, SO THAT WILL BE ONE THING YOU CAN CROSS OFF YOUR WORRY LIST FOR 2010…
BeeLover
December 30th, 2009
10:06 am
Ah, go ahead……take a leave of absence!!!!!
that game meant everything to tech
December 30th, 2009
10:23 am
morning bug fans ..30 to 24…330 more days till revinge of the nerds III in athens starring former Army general Paul’s little Johnson and his flagboy baton twirlers!!!!
11-2 GEORGIA TECH in ORANGE BOWL
December 30th, 2009
10:41 am
Thanks for a great season,
………………………………….ACC CHAMPS
CJ
December 30th, 2009
11:56 am
Congratulations Mark. Aren’t you glad you don’t live in Cleveland right now?
Ross
December 30th, 2009
12:28 pm
Try not to fret Mark. I haven’t worked since February (white middle aged male computer experts are basically extinct and non-viable these days). We like you. Get’em next year Birds! The season has been interesting if not satisfying. It’s a game, it’s supposed to be fun.
cdog
December 30th, 2009
1:35 pm
have a great holiday, happy new year. hope this year for you is prosperous. enjoy your columns
JabboRockefeller
December 30th, 2009
4:36 pm
I’ve read Bradley for many moons. For those of you giving him hell, I can tell ya, the guy sucks less with each passing year.
Kudos Mark, on a job less-poorly done!
Just kidding… Enjoy your work; great job as always…
JabboRockefeller
December 30th, 2009
7:02 pm
Anybody else find anything curious about the pose of Dick Clark’s right hand?
Matt Jones like Coke
December 30th, 2009
7:42 pm
Have a good time but not too good of a time.
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 31st, 2009
10:21 am
ACC (Academic Colleges Conference)
SEC (Special Education Conference)
MJ
December 31st, 2009
12:36 pm
Mark maybe w/ this vacation you can get a better attitude on life and come back w/ some insightful comments rather than crying and complaining about all the moves and decisions the Atlanta sports teams make. Its amazing the AJC pays you b*tch all the time. Take a page from DOB and instead of complaining all the time, provide some insightful comments that actually provide the fans w/ colorful research and news. That should be your news resolution.
that game meant everything to tech
December 31st, 2009
12:59 pm
good afternoon baton twirlers…ACC…Athletically Challenged Conference…SEC…speed eliminates competition…Asheshe champs lose to a much maligned Georgia team with a terrible defensive coordinator at Grant Stadium..Bobby Dodd field..tween the slums…lmfao…30 to 24…330 more days till revenge of the nerds..starring ole alligator jowls the former Georgia Southwestern coach..the head baton twirler …Paul’s little Johnson and the his f(l)agboy football team…happy new year bug nation..don’t forget your batons next wednesday…amazing the Asheshe playing on wednesday instead of thursday for a change….roflmao
dawg 4 u
December 31st, 2009
7:21 pm
Mark have a good vacation and just want to say that I enjoy reading both the blogs and columns. I have always been a big sports fan and was telling my brother in Denver the other day that Furman Bisher finally retired. We had both been reading his columns since we were kids. I think that you and Schultz really do a good job on the Atlanta sports scene even though you both seem to be “Techies”. As a UGA man I know the rivalry with Tech is renewed because I can never remember seeing so many references to the score (30-24) as this year. We are 1-1 against Paul Johnson and hope we have a storied rivalry with UGA being on top but it is good to see the “old rivalry” back in the state of Georgia!
Optomist
January 1st, 2010
5:51 pm
First?
Slitty Licker
January 2nd, 2010
1:08 pm
FIRST
11-2 GEORGIA TECH in ORANGE BOWL
January 2nd, 2010
1:53 pm
Did you notice the ACC is 2-0 against the SEC in bowl games this year.
……………GO JACKETS !
lawrence buckley
January 2nd, 2010
8:01 pm
We wish it was actually a permanent leave of absence, Terance Moore Jr.
Ole Yeller Dawg
January 2nd, 2010
10:47 pm
Mark: Who actually counted all those hits? Are you sure you counted right? Should you go back and recount again in case you might have missed some???
HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody!!! (*_~)
Maretta
January 3rd, 2010
9:56 am
Chipper Jones continues to pull the wool over Braves’ managements’ eyes, but not the fans. Chipper doesn’t deserve 1/10 of what he makes — he hasn’t earned it.
DawgVoiceofReason
January 3rd, 2010
10:39 am
Mark,
I do enjoy your blog and your writing in the AJC. Since your blog has been so successful, I personally would really like you (and the other AJC bloggers) to invest in improving the blogging experience. What I mean by that is primarily improving the software for the blogs and management of the blogs. As others have suggested, a capability to rank posts and then search on the top-ranked posts would be nice. The ability to filter out (or hide) the posts of certain people would be great. I know I spend a lot of unnecessary time scrolling through the same junk. You also need to remove posts of people using inappropriate language (however disguised). Apparently there is some filtering in place but you all need to disclose what is being filtered and why, and more importantly, to provide a message to the end user letting them know why something they posted was filtered out.
Thank you and Happy New Year!