Speaking of diaries, is it just me or does the word "diary" seem so feminine?  When I think of the word "diary," what immediately springs to mind is an adolescent girl writing about boys in her pink, frilly room lying on her canopy bed with a hardbound diary with one of those cheapie locks that wouldn't keep *anybody out*.  Who her current beau happens to be.  Who is going out with whom.  Who dumped who when.  

The word "journal" sounds so much more masculine.  Hah!  *flex*  Yes, in a field completely dominated by women, I need to stand out and put some masculine touches on what is mine.  I guess it's too late to change the feminine looking pastel yellow border.  Oops.

Anyway, taking stock of what I have accomplished in the last month:

I have made a strong effort to write an Entry every night.
Out of the let's say...30 days from April 12 until May 12th, I have written exactly 23.5 Entries.  The half of an Entry is one I started but never finished, and thus never was published.  That makes a success ratio of 78.3% - not a bad start in my book.  And considering two of those days I was out of town for business - that actually brings the writing percentage up to 83.9%.  What can I say, I'm a self-professed geek (and an engineer by trade) when it comes to pointless statistics.  :D
 

I have tried not to focus completely on myself and have written about other people.
Ok, so that's not exactly true as I think I write about myself in just about every entry.  But hey, this is my journal, and I'll cry if I want to.  Waah.  At least I've written nice things about other people.  (Author's note:  that's my way of pacifying my Inner Conscience).  I suppose I could have stomped around, ranted, and complained about so-and-so, but...I'll save those for a rainy day.  Ha.  I bet you thought I was going to say because that's not the person I am.  Wrong-O. 

I complain about everyone else's imperfections, while acting all self-righteous and holier-than-thou as much as the next person - I just have yet to let those Colors shine forth.  Be forewarned, dear Traveler.
 

I have written some Entries that I am genuinely proud of.
Not many, but there are a few that I really like and think could be up for the next Pulitzer (ha ha - who am I kidding?).  But I'll just settle for a Diarist.net award equally as much.  Just when you thought it was safe to go biking... tops the list, with C. Li, H.P.I., and Go Ahead, Make My Day close behind. 

Someday, when I'm signing copies of my best seller - How You Too Can Write a Bestseller Autobiographical Journal, I'll be sure to remember this is where I started.
 

I have written an Entry that even made my daughter laugh.
In Go Ahead, Make My Day, Ariel got a kick out of my reference to the "whack a mole game."  -  She couldn't stop giggling for a whole minute.  See, even my poor humor is sometimes appreciated by my kids.  Which just goes to show how poor it really is.  Hehe.  Poor Braden doesn't know what he's missing out.
 

I've managed to write interesting enough Entries that some of you keep coming back for more.
Nonononono....that doesn't mean that you have to leave *now*.  After all we've been through together?  I'll do anything.  I'll change.  I promise.  Please don't make me beg.  You don't want to see me beg.  It's not a pretty sight.  Ok, I'm on my knees here.  *grovel* *grovel* *grovel*  Please come back?  I promise I won't make any more references to Ed McMahon.  I swear.  Unless of course I actually do win the Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes.  Then I'll have to mention his name.  But I'll keep it short!  I'll even just call him Ed!  Just one sentence, no more.  Come backkkkkkkk!!! See?  I told you it wouldn't be pretty.
 

So recapping the 23.5 Entries I've written in 28 days of possible writing:

0.0 - the number of journals I've read that are worst than mine.
1.0 - the number of times I've mentioned Ed McMahon.
1.0 - the number of times I've started an Entry and never bothered to finish it.
2.0 - the number of celebrity diaries I've linked to.
3.7 - the number of Entries I think are creative, funny, interesting, deserve awards, and that I take 100% credit for.
5.0 - the number of times I've written the same people asking them their thoughts on my journal (I'm sorry, I promise I won't pester you anymore.  At least until I write the next Entry, I swear!)
19.8 - the number of Entries I think are dull, uninspired, and I swear I didn't write any of them.
25 - the number of journals I've read that I think are better than mine.
1,364.7 - the number of times I've changed what I was going to write this particular Entry about.

All in all I've been very pleased with what I've accomplished.  I'm especially glad that a few others have told me they enjoy reading what I've written (lavish praises are always welcomed!)  I'd love to hear from more of you if you care to write me!

And most of all, I'm proud to be one of the relatively few male journalers (not diarist, mind you) among women, even if I do use a pastel yellow border.