The Ultimate Blog Challenge 2025

This is not the first time I have challenged myself by participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge – but this time I hope to keep up with the daily posts.  I have a bad habit of taking on more than I can really manage, so by starting right at the beginning of the year, before all my meetings and other activities start, I have expectations of keeping up to date with the daily projects.

 My Blogging History

I started blogging way back twenty years ago, in 2005, when I was planning a trip to Ireland to do some research.  So many of my friends and family requested that I keep them up to date with my travels online. It was then I discovered “Blogging”.  I set up a site that I paid for – and did my best to keep it updated on my travels.  At the time, I had to go to places that had computers and access to the internet and update details of my travels.

After I returned to Australia, people asked me for information and advice about blogging and I ended up helping others set up their sites.  I used the free Blogger.com program initially and that is the site that I recommend for newbies.  It’s easy and free!  Eventually, I was doing training for library programs and helping people set up their own blogs.

Quite a few years later I met a young man who had taught himself WordPress. He was involved with the WordPress communities in our state.  Soon I was attending WordPress Meetups and conferences learning more and more.  I still use WordPress and also Blogger, but I don’t have a niche. I did not set out to earn money, but as a writer, I just enjoy telling stories and that is what I do.

What am I going to do in 2025?

Here I am at the start of 2025, and still “fine-tuning” my plans for the year.  Yes, I am going to work on two of my blogs, and yes, I would like to earn some money.  I am essentially “retired” – I am in my 80’s, and have plans to publish several of my writing projects.

With my blog, I am going to go back through my thousands of photos and write about them – one at a time.  My first one will be about the journey I took way back in 2005.  I flew alone from Brisbane, Queensland, to London, and Dublin, and on the return journey to Australia, I spent a few days in Hollywood. One photo that I will write about is of the time I spent there. The following photo is my “inspiration” for the post.

One of the Stars on Hollywood footpath in 2005.

I remember flying into Los Angeles airport and catching a taxi to Hollywood, where I had a booking at a back-packer place.  I recall dragging my luggage up 3 flights of stairs to reception, and I asked about the location of the dormitory I was going to stay in.  The lady told me it was a further 3 or more flights of stairs, so I cancelled my booking, and dragged my luggage back down to the street.

When I went into a strange nearby shop that one could use their computers, I made a booking at the Hollywood Hills Hotel, but before I left the shop, I was approached by two staff who were aggressive and wanted me to have a tattoo, which of course I didn’t.  In the end I had to push my way past them and run down the street to escape.  Another taxi ride later and I ended up in the amazing Hotel, which had a lot of history!!

So, I am starting the new year with the Ultimate Blog Challenge – and hoping, no, intending, to complete one post every day!  I look forward to participating and reading others’ blog posts.

I plan to have a fun and fulfilling 2025, and get some or all of the items on my 2025 To-Do List completed, and maybe more.

It’s going to be a BIG YEAR!

Comments are welcome.