I hope you don’t mind yet another “year in review” post. I can’t believe it’s that time again. On the one hand, I can’t believe it’s December 31. (Never mind that it’s December 31, 2008, for Pete’s sake.) Then on the other hand, I can’t believe I’m falling for the “year in review” trap. I mean, how cliché is that? But I don’t care. I really do love “looking back” articles.
Now… what to talk about. Hmmm…. movies? music? deaths?
Wait a minute, I got it. Let’s talk about me.
Why? Because a million other web sites, blogs, newspapers and magazines will talk about movies, music, and deaths. This is my only shot at having a Back to the Fridge Year in Review. So I took a vote amongst myself and it was unanimous.
Back to the Fridge’s Year of Firsts
This blog (as we know it) launched August 25, 2008 and attracted six visitors on its very first day. Granted, the blog technically existed before then, but I’ve now all but written off “BTTF 1.0” as an odd experiment and I more or less pretend it never happened. By the end of the year, the new and improved blog was attracting up to eight visitors per day.
It’s truly been an amazing ride: I got my first traffic spike from being mentioned on a much more popular blog. I got my first stumbleupon spikes. I got my first comment from an actress in a Sonic commercial. And even though it had nothing to do with this blog, I even met Maureen McCormick.
I re-announced my book and sold nearly five copies.
And I even added a second post to my other blog which will have lots more content Real Soon Now.
Top Ten Posts by Visits
Ah yes! The “Top Ten” lists. What year in review would be complete without listing ten random items that serve no other purpose that to get people to argue over what the real top ten items should be?
First up: the most visited posts. Granted a few of these (including the top one) got StumbledUpon, so many of these visits were just from tire-kickers. Still, the stats are what they are, and I found them interesting nonetheless:
Top Ten Most Commented Posts
Another interesting statistic! Which posts got the readers out of the woodwork the most? The top one almost doesn’t count, since that was my first (and only) giveaway.
I’m still amazed by other bloggers who get dozens, hundreds, if not thousands of comments per post: even on multiple posts per day.
My Favorite Posts
But which ones do I like? While I do like a few of the above posts, many of my favorites just don’t get a lot of hits or comments. I think they’re worth noting here, in absolutely no particular order whatsoever:
New York Trip
As an added bonus, here is the entire New York trip in a single, easy to click interface:
Whew! Well, that’s about that. It’s an amazing thing to look back on, actually. As each day creeps (or flies) by, I don’t see the mountain of writing piling up here. And that was only a little over four months worth. I can’t imagine what 2009 is about to bring!
Anyway, thank you all for reading along. I couldn’t do this at all without knowing at least someone was out there reading. I hope the friends I’ve picked up along the way stick around and I look forward to meeting many more.
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December 30th, 2008
Not every “You Know What Sounds Good Right Now?” post has to be about food. For months now, I believed it did. That is, until just this minute, when I realized it didn’t. Which is why I want to tell you about something that really sounds good right now. Ready? Here you go! It’s BBBB […]
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16 Comments »
December 29th, 2008
Despite what the demotivational poster says, I actually do have some hope today. Now that we’re officially fifty-nine days into The Season (which began on Halloween) plus the fact that there’s only one week remaining, I must say things have gone fairly well. All this in spite of the higher-than-normal caloric intake which began on […]
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10 Comments »
December 26th, 2008
While Norman Rockwell’s version of the holidays shows us all enjoying a dinner around a large, picturesque table, I have a feeling this isn’t the “norm” any longer. Perhaps it never was, and these idyllic holiday scenes are just that: scenes. We prepared a traditional turkey dinner last night. I fixed myself the minimum 3,000 […]
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17 Comments »
December 25th, 2008
I’m takin’ a day off. In case you’re not and you need a funny, here you go: All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names.
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4 Comments »
December 24th, 2008
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house Everyone was still wrapping, including my spouse. The dishes piled high in the kitchen could scare Any folks who unwitting dropped in unaware. We’d been working for days and longed for our beds: How nice it would be to lay down our sweet heads. But […]
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13 Comments »
December 23rd, 2008
My job often entails non-standard hours and non-standard hours often entail food emergencies. While I bring regular food to eat every day, I also like to keep some non-perishables close by for those times when the choice is between death and vending machine meat sticks. Once upon a time I brought in some Campbell’s “Soup […]
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9 Comments »
December 22nd, 2008
Okay, this is the week I’ve been looking forward to and dreading all season. It began Monday with the Chex Mix. It ended today with cookies. It peaked on Friday with Treats Day. And at this point, there really isn’t much point in focusing on anything but that. Behold the initial Treats Day spread, around […]
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11 Comments »
December 19th, 2008
Quiz Time: If you’re not eating out at a restaurant, and you’re not ordering in at home, then where are you eating? Answer Time: At work, of course. And while most of the time that still probably falls into the “I’m eating out” or “I’m eating food I brought from home” categories, sometimes it falls […]
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11 Comments »
December 18th, 2008
Losing weight is easy. Just burn more calories than you take in. That’s it. Problem solved. Never mind that the actual burning of more calories than you take in is the difficult part. Over the last few decades, we’ve seen thousands and thousands of so-called solutions hit the market all designed to attack this singular […]
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9 Comments »
December 17th, 2008
In early November, I mused a bit about what I’d like to be when I grow up. We dream about things as kids and precious few of us ever get the chance to play out our dreams in real life. Sometimes that’s actually a good thing. As exciting as it sounded at the time, I […]
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16 Comments »
December 16th, 2008
Over the course of this blog, I’ve talked about many weaknesses of mine: pizza, Doritos, Long John Silvers Chicken Planks. It’s a pretty long list so I find it somewhat amazing that I’ve not yet talked about The Chex Mix at length. The Chex Mix, in many ways, puts all the rest of them to […]
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27 Comments »
December 15th, 2008
It was the best of weeks. It was the worst of weeks. After last week’s three pound drop, I figured that was probably just a fluke and things would snap back to normal. Here’s what happened… Monday: 202 He kicks off the week down another half pound. Hmmm… Almost makes me wish Monday was the […]
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17 Comments »
December 12th, 2008
When I set up Back to the Fridge, the purpose of the “Pizza Night” category was to help dieters deal with the perils of eating out. The thought was simple: armed with the right information, one could enjoy a meal out from time to time without falling completely off the wagon. Originally I figured this […]
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13 Comments »
December 11th, 2008
There are about 3,400 Sonic Drive-In restaurants from “coast to coast,” as their web site declares. I’m not sure how they’re distributed between the left and right oceans—and even then I’m not sure exactly where the commercials are seen. So you may or may not recognize Molly Erdman. She stars alongside Brian Huskey as the […]
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26 Comments »
December 10th, 2008
Today’s post is sponsored by the book Why Your Last Diet Failed You and How This Book Won’t Help You on Your Next One. I have decided to plug it on the first Wednesday of each month, in honor of last month’s give-away. (Have either of the winners read it yet?) 🙂 Remember these key […]
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33 Comments »
December 9th, 2008
Back in August 2007 when I had my first serious blood sugar epiphany, I embarked on a plan which attempted to eliminate as many high glycemic foods as possible. The resulting diet looked a lot like my earlier low carb forays, except that this time I cut out the soylent green. Actually, the biggest change […]
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14 Comments »
December 8th, 2008
Diane: So we started spending all this time together, as friends. But, I could feel him getting anxious, and then I knew that there would be a confrontation over getting physical. And he started to get that look at the end of the night. Do you know that look? Diane’s Father: [nods, knowingly] Diane: And […]
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17 Comments »
December 5th, 2008
Friday With the parade finally behind us, I felt like the week (for all intents and purposes) was over. But we still had one more day ahead of us. All of us, that is, except for Sarah. Today was the day they piled a couple hundred kids, instruments, equipment, and luggage back on the buses […]
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11 Comments »
December 4th, 2008
Thanksgiving Day For Sarah, the day started at one in the morning. The kids had to be downtown at an unholy hour, with practice at four o’clock. If you want to see some of that, here you go. If you want to be surprised by the actual parade footage, you’ll find that down further down […]
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12 Comments »
December 3rd, 2008
Wednesday We woke to the sound of marching band music this morning. Just outside the window, the kids were making the most of the last day before the parade. Two schools stayed at our hotel: ours and another one from someplace I can’t remember. This isn’t ours: We had a slow start this morning, mostly […]
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9 Comments »
December 2nd, 2008
Each “Part” in this series corresponds to one day of the New York trip. However, I didn’t actually say anything yesterday about the first day, so for those of you keeping score at home, today’s Part 2 actually covers both Monday and Tuesday of last week. I’ll be back on track tomorrow. Also, this is […]
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12 Comments »
December 1st, 2008
Last spring my oldest daughter Sarah decided (partially out of free will and partially out of some motherly pushing) to sign up for marching band. Sarah played flute during middle school but was not in band freshman year, so in some ways, she was back at square one in tenth grade. I told her the […]
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13 Comments »
. . .
on December 31, 2008 at 3:58 am
I’m one of those who found you through another blog Charlie and I’m glad I did! I knew we had a connection the minute I saw “Cheez-It’s” on your fridge. Currently you’re the only male blogger I read and I look forward to seeing what you have to say each day. Looking forward to 2009 – Happy New Year!
on December 31, 2008 at 6:44 am
I really enjoy your blog and can’t wait to read what hilarious crazy things you’ll write about next year 🙂
on December 31, 2008 at 7:51 am
Happy New Year Charlie! I hope you guys have a great night!
And, of course I will be back to read more!
on December 31, 2008 at 8:02 am
Happy New Year, guy!
Thanks for all the entertaining reads over my coffee in the morning at work.
And here’s to one last pig out tonight (sorry, sorry — heh) until we reach one-derland for good in the new year!
on December 31, 2008 at 8:10 am
Charlie,
I found you through the MizFit site and have enjoyed your take on things. Because of this, I have also found your sisters sites too and their look at the world. One very talented family. I drop by for a dose of funny, so if that’s what you’ve been trying to do it’s working. Of course if you’re not trying to write humor, I apologize for laughing and you may want to reconsider doing a blog. 🙂
on December 31, 2008 at 9:15 am
Hey Charlie
I think I’ve read most of your posts and my fave has got to be all of them 😉
Don’t you need ‘tags’ to attract a wider audience? Just a thought 🙂
All the best for 2009
Tusc 😀
on December 31, 2008 at 9:20 am
Charlie, you had me at “Spaghettios” – I’ve been a devoted follower ever since!
Happy New Year!
on December 31, 2008 at 10:11 am
I also found you through another blog…
Then, I quickly won a copy of your book. 🙂
Yay!! I read it last month and loved it. Here’s to selling another 5 copies in 2009!
Happy New Year!
on December 31, 2008 at 10:33 am
Well Charlie, you’ve got me hooked as a constant reader. I even give out your blog address to friends that aren’t on the weight loss journey, ’cause they like a good giggle or two also.
Keep up the good/great work and have a great 2009!
on December 31, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Happy New Year Charlie!
Although I don’t comment every day, I do read your blog every day.
The blog I hold dearest to my heart is Perspective (http://www.backtothefridge.com/blog/perspective/). You have no idea how many times I’ve gone back and read that.
Thank you for being such an eloquent writer and being my friend.
on December 31, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Hey Charlie – Happy New Year!
I actually got off of work at noon, and my office was supposed to be open on Friday, now its closed – so I am off until Monday!
Have fun with your soup party tonight!
I love all your posts, but the picture of your high blood sugar (161!) still makes me laugh!
on December 31, 2008 at 10:55 pm
*sniff, sniff*
on January 1, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Hi Charlie. If I haven’t told you before, I love your site. You make me laugh & make difficult things both fun and funny. That’s a pretty nice thing to add to the world, and a pretty great thing you’re doing. Here’s to another good year. 🙂 shea
on January 7, 2009 at 11:54 pm
i looked for your book at borders and couldn’t find it. you need to talk to your publicist. or i looked in the wrong section. my bad.
on January 8, 2009 at 6:37 am
Laura: Unfortunately, it’s only in one real life book store, and that’s here in Austin. It’s only available online, through amazon.com or bn.com. Why isn’t it available in stores (yet)? Because I’m still an absolute nobody. Only books that have a chance of actually selling are stocked in stores. More than two hundred thousand new titles come out every year. There isn’t room for all of them. Especially since they continue to stock titles from previous years! 😉