One of the nice things about blogging on WordPress is that they (WordPress) prepare an annual report on Classical Life.
Some of the data this annual report provides I already know from my dashboard, a nifty device behind the scenes in which I can track things such as number of visitors per post and per day. But the annual report also provided a few tidbits I didn’t know. For instance:
1. The number of visitors to this blog in 2011 would fill 21 sold-out performances in the Sydney Opera House, though I doubt anyone would buy a ticket to watch me type.
2. The top searches that brought visitors to this blog were “classical life,” “yuja wang dress,” “yuja wang,” “yuja wang red dress,” and “jameson commercial music.” Now, if I could just get a video of Yuja Wang wearing that little red dress and drinking a glass of Jameson’s, I could retire.
3. Most visitors came from the United States, but the report says that Canada and the United Kingdon “were not far behind.” I guess I should be writing more about London and Toronto. I did have visitors from all continents except Antarctica. Five percent of my African visitors were from Cameroon. I’m huge in Cameroon.
4. My most commented on post for 2011 was Musicians Don’t Comment.
5. The top commenters (numerically speaking) were MarK, CK Dexter Haven, Deborah and MM. The annual report suggests that I send them a thank you note. Thank you, MarK, CK, Deborah and MM.
6. You already know the 2011 posts that had the most views. If not, you can click here.
7. Finally, the annual report tells me: “Some of your most popular posts were written before 2011. Your writing has staying power! Consider writing about those topics again.”
My earlier, funny posts were always more popular.
Classical Life 
1. You may be surprised – some people do buy tickets to watch Olympic curling competitions, don’t they?
2. Next time i see Yuja, i am going to try to talk her into that.
3. Looks like you need to work on your penguin appeal some more – for example, wearing tails while typing, which could by the way sell more tickets too (see 1).
4. Interesting – it might be worth it to start writing regularly and often about not getting paid enough.
5. You are very welcome – the pleasure is mostly mine.
6. No comment – after all, i am a musician (see 4).
7. Perhaps; but, in order to deal with it better (since your wife does not have any adopted daughters for you to marry), you may try playing some jazz trombone every Monday and maybe even taking that show on the road.
2. MarK, When you talk to Yuja, make sure that I get the video exclusive on Classical Life.
3. I actually wrote two posts on Classical Life in 2011 about Antarctica. Really. Chris will back me up.
4. I can do that. Piece of cake. It’s what I know.
7. I’d like to. Used to be in a Dixieland Band. Loved it.
Re #3: Absolutely… so that should count in your continent total!
Re #5: 2012 New Year’s resolution: make the top 5 this year.
#2: 2012 Bowl Season just announced, and on Thurs, Aug 9, Yuja will be here in all of her splendor. Circle the date on your calendar, and make sure your camera/iPhone/Droid is all charged up.
#5: You’re welcome. Thank you, too, for making your way over to my side of the interwebs from time to time.
#7: Dixieland reminds me of Disneyland (I’d be shocked if there wasn’t a connection for you there too), makes me happy. Still, I vote for ska . . . or perhaps you can join them into some kind of hybrid DixieSka.
7. I was in a Dixieland Band called the Saskatchewan Six in high school and a little beyond. We even got some gigs. I worked at Disneyland (before going to EPCOT) on the safari float in the Christmas parade for a couple of years in college. I wore a safari outfit and played “The Bare Necessities.” I have also been the champion of ska in our band at work. One of our popular numbers has been “A Message to Rudy” by The Specials, with yours truly on lead vocals and trombone.
As someone once said … I have unexpected depth.
Happy New Year, Tim. Keep up the good work!
Joe and Susan
Thanks, Joe and Susan. Happy New Year to you as well.
Tim, you’re a funny guy! I laughed out loud at the “I’m huge in Cameroon” line. It’s great to see that Classical Life is a success. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Pat. Lunch soon, I promise.
You’re Orange County’s own Dave Barry! Keep ’em coming. It’s always nice to know there is an after-life for ex-trombone players. My personal favorite was the violin purchasing saga for your son. Hope his practice routine is worthy of the investment! We TRULY do appreciate all you bring to the performing arts in Orange County, Tim. You’re a cultural treasure all by yourself!
Tell my boss.
I think you give “The Most Interesting Man in the World” some competition.
Drinking?
Hardly. I was thinking of “His words carry weight that would break a less interesting man’s jaw”. Or, “He is the life of parties he has never attended”.
Or, “He bowls … overhand.”