In 200 Words Or Less: Web Traffic

As of today, the five "most viewed" posts on this blog are Exhaling, Exiled into Egypt, Mormon Sex, Adieu, and Beware of false prophets, in that order.

Exhaling (Jun. 19, 2014), with over 3000 "views", inspired the first "peak" of interest among readers of this blog, generating 11,138 "hits" that month. Before that (and my excommunication from the LDS Church two months prior), total "views" of any single post on this blog barely reached tens. (Not "tens of thousands", just tens!)

Confused regarding my status with God, the LDS Church, and what blogging had done for me (and to me), I wrote Adieu (July 23, 2014) and ceased writing for several months. (Note the sharp drop in web traffic!) I didn't want to become a "distraction" for others. However, I observed as I stopped writing that I also stopped receiving. Despite posting no new entries, readers kept stopping by! So I took up blogging again, not wishing to pass up this new opportunity to share community and camaraderie with those I "met" online. (You are my only "church" now, after all.)

With my literary libido restored and taking a peek at Mormon Sex (October 2, 2014), web traffic shot up to new heights and my blog reached its second-highest total of 13,211 views in a given month.

The LDS Church subsequently banished me from all of its properties worldwide, so I published Exiled into Egypt (November 30, 2014). In response this blog received 15,947 "hits", the highest ever. (There's a trend and an explanation to be found here somewhere!)

I posted Beware of false prophets (April 9, 2014) on the morning of the day I was excommunicated. My (former) stake president referred to it specifically as "evidence" justifying my expulsion. (He read from a printed, highlighted copy in his possession. Perhaps in reading it, you will find the offending, "apostate" material I couldn't find.)

Each of these essays was written and posted in 2014, but they by no means represent all of my favorites from that year. I particularly enjoyed writing A pasta, see? (May 2, 2014) and Apples and Oranges (November 6, 2014). Dumb ways to "die" (May 15, 2014) was quite revealing. I would think that, under the circumstances, my "eulogy" to Elder Paul H. Dunn (June 5, 2014) was unexpected. Trusting in the arm of flesh (June 8, 2014) conveyed vital understanding, as did Telestial Church (October 20, 2014). More rope for the hanging (December 7, 2014) and Love Letters (December 11, 2014) provided needed context for understanding my particular situation. These posts are among my favorites.

While I appreciate visitors here, I especially welcome those who leave comments. My focus, obviously, has turned almost exclusively to spiritual things now. The first five posts above reflect that general trend. However, economic, educational, political, domestic and other concerns captured my attention in years past. While the Savior did not concern Himself with such things in His day -- He having a greater mission to perform -- we would be foolish to ignore those influences and forces now threatening to capture and captivate our souls.

I've listed below many of my favorite posts from years past. I invite you, dear reader, to peruse these links and comment as you feel inclined.

[Note: Many of the links in the posts below are "broken" or have "expired". You will have to do your own research!]

Economy
Our Economic Train Wreck (December 3, 2008)
Socialism's Fatal Flaw (October 4, 2009)
I'm indebted to... (October 8, 2010)
The Greatest Heist (June 10, 2011)
Wealth Inequality (March 6, 2013)

Education
Why Johnny's teacher can't read (June 21, 2009)
School Monopolies are the Problem (February 15, 2010)
Just Say "No!" to school (May 5, 2010)
Homeschooling (December 24, 2010)
The Student Loan Scam (January 22, 2011)
People are dying for an education (May 23, 2011)
If school hurts, why do it? (January 6, 2012)
The Foe I Face (January 23, 2013)
If only schools were sports teams... (March 9, 2013)

Environment