5.9 Million - and Counting!
Much to my amazement my A4ES blog site has passed 5.9 million visits and is now hurtling towards 6 million.
The blogging business started back in late 2006 when I mentioned to Stefan, during a visit to Newcastle, that I was thinking of writing a 'blog' to help get the A4ES message across to existing and potentially new clients.
The first post was published on 19 January 2007 and the rest is history, as they say, although over the past 13 years the blog has gone from strength to strength.
I nearly gave up writing the blog after the sudden death of my younger Brother Kevin who was killed in a terrible motorbike accident while travelling through South America, but after taking some time to think and recharge my batteries things took off at a faster and more furious rate than ever before.
What the future holds is anyone's guess, but the statistics say that I've have published 15,873 posts over the past 13 years resulting in 5,968,573 page views - from a wide range of people (in Scotland and abroad) who have been interested in what I have to say.
Goodness knows how many millions of words have been written, but for the most part I can honestly say it's been a real pleasure as well as a hugely successful vehicle for spreading the word about the fight for equal pay.
Catch the Moments (18/05/12)
Ever since the sudden death of my younger brother, Kevin, I have been thinking carefully about what I am doing - and what I plan to do with the rest of my life.
In recent times I've put off or delayed all kinds of projects and plans - for one reason or another - but mostly because of my work on equal pay.
So after weighing things up over the past few weeks - I have finally decided that it's time to move on and do something different in future - time to recharge the batteries.
Because for the past seven years the fight for equal pay and my work with Action 4 Equality Scotland (A4ES) - have taken up most of my time and energy.
And although I haven't yet decided what I will actually do - I know that it's time for me to take up a new challenge.
I will continue to support all of the outstanding equal pay cases that are still underway - and I intend to keep the blog site going in one form or another.
But it's fair to say that in future I will be spending a lot less time on these issues - than has been the case in the past.
Essentially I plan to take a step or two back, so that I have the time and space to decide what I really want to do - maybe I will find a new cause which I can contribute to and help make a difference - all serious suggestions will be considered.
I'm sure regular readers know I have enjoyed the past seven years immensely.
I can honestly say that I have achieved much more with Action 4 Equality Scotland in terms of equal pay - than would ever have been possible as a trade union official.
Which is as good as it gets really - so this looks to me like the right time to consider new possibilities and a change of direction.
The best way to explain how I feel is probably through the words of Robert Burns - which I spoke at my brother Kevin's funeral service - there can't be many better maxims for people to follow in leading their lives.
A Bottle and an Honest Friend - by Robert Burns.
"Here's a bottle and an honest friend!
What wad ye wish for mair, man?
Wha kens before his life may end,
What his share may be of care, man.
Then catch the moments as they fly,
And use them as ye ought, man:
Believe me, happiness is shy,
And comes not ay when sought, man."
So I plan to catch this particular moment while I can - and though I will continue to support A4ES and the ongoing fight for equal pay in Scotland - my role in future will be different.
