Life In The Past Lane

I first discovered Google Blogspot 5 years ago, while visiting other blogs that interested me.  I grew up with the early years of television and first thought it would be a great instrument for mass education.  That theory has been proven false.  It's not even a good instrument for news and facts.

On the other hand, with the widespread use of the computer and the birth of the world web, my belief that this could be the instrument for education transmission is restored.  Of course, the web is full of junk and false information, since it reflects the bulk of the world's population, which is also full of crazy people.  For good or bad, there is no real filter (yet) on the internet.

That said, when I first decided to create a blog my goal was not to promote myself but to put down in posts what I thought was valuable information.  I thought that some of my experience would be important for others to use, and in some way, push forward the craft that I love so much.

This is one reason I have not clicked on the "monetize your site" button and included advertisement on my site.  I don't like the web sites that include advertisements and I don't want to promote that concept.  Using the system to make money is exactly why television failed.  This is what gave us "lard ass" reality shows.

One great feature of blogspot is that it provides stats and analysis for me to use.  It is exciting and rewarding to realize that I have had over 300,000 page hits on 240 posts.  It is also surprising that, in addition to readers in the US, I have had significant numbers of readers in other countries.  I descending order: Canada, Russia, United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Ukraine and Poland.  Wow!  I have followers in Poland!

This site has averaged 6,000 page views per month for several years.  I guess that, in the grand scheme of things on the internet, this is not a historic number.  However, it makes me feel wanted and encourages me to continue posting as the urge presents itself.

The one feature which I cannot find on blogspot is some kind of index of the posts.  As a traditional book reader, I have always found using the index in the back of the book useful.  It allows me to look up exactly the word or term I am looking for and go to that page.  Of course this site has a "search" button, but, without knowing what the past posts contain exactly it is not easy to find what you are looking for.

Now that it has been 5 years I thought I would take some time and create my own user index.  I have compiled the most popular posts, starting in July, 2010 and up to this year.  Here is a list for you to use, if you are interested.  Each post has the date, title and number of views.  If you find what you want, then use the "search" button to read that post.  I am not going to take the time to link each post. You can do some of the work yourself.  After all, it is my blog and I can do what I want with it.

2010

7/10/10 (First post) I Love Marquetry (240 views)
7/26/10 Sawn Veneer vrs Sliced Veneer (1709)
9/7/10 Hand Tool Workshop (945)
9/28/10 When Is A Veneer Hammer Not A Veneer Hammer? (1543)
9/29/10 Marquetry For All Ages (2787)
9/30/10 ASFM Graduate Student Work (1361)
10/06/10 Working Large Marquetry Pictures (950)
10/10/10 The Assembly Board (1611)
10/17/10 Patrick George Sawing Veneer Video (1326)
11/15/10 La Multiplication Des Chevalets De Marqueterie (946)
11/18/10 What Is A Chevalet Kit? (821)

2011

4/27/11 Toothing Planes And Glue Pots (705)
5/2/11 More Toothing Plane Info (1060)
5/28/11 Veneer Tools: Saw (1722)
5/29/11 Veneer Tools: Hammer (1735)
8/28/11 Restoring Boulle (3611)
10/8/11 Typical Upholstery Project (1907)

2012

1/7/12 Why Use Reversible Glue? (1550)
2/21/12 American School of French Marquetry (1031)
10/18/12 Chevalet Anatomy Lesson (1343)
11/4/12 Typical Marquetry Restoration (2051)
11/18/12 Tambour Glue (3065)

2013

1/4/13  Why Cuban Mahogany? (3511)
2/25/13 Are Institute of Chicago Project (3512)
2/27/13 The History of The Chevalet De Marqueterie (3409)
3/19/13 Simple Things: Glue Blocks (1569)
3/30/13 Simple Things: Dovetails (1279)
4/15/13 LeCount Project (1133)
5/5/13 Paris 11th Arrondissement (1168)
6/3/13 Is It Real? (938)
7/20/13 LeCount Clock Door (1012)
8/9/13 Assembly Board Videos (1332)
8/12/13 Chicago Kitchen Job (1261)
10/1/13 We've Got Nails! (1254)
10/2/13 LeCount Ready For Adoption (1002)
10/23/13 Roubo Redux (1229)
11/23/13 The Future Of American Trades (1008)
11/25/13 The Future Of American Trades (991)
12/14/13 Got Antiques? (1881)
12/21/13 Got Ivory? Got Tortoise Shell? Got Cuban Mahogany? Dalbergia Negra? (1343)
12/27/13 Why Not Period Glue? (982)
12/31/13 Respect The Screw (943)

2014

Although I posted continuously during the year, none of the posts reached the 1000 view level.

2015

The drought continues, as I focus on my work and not the blog.  Not to say that nothing was posted that was important, just that only two posts reached earlier levels:

7/28/15 Chevalet In A Box Delivered! (1606)
9/12/15 WPE at WIA Soon (1214)

The most rewarding feedback I get from doing this blog is reading the comments.  I have always responded to the comments and this information provides me with inspiration for future posts.  I hope this effort to provide a short index of the most viewed topics will create some feedback.

I want to post information which is interesting and informative.  Let me know what you want.