Blogging about quality in life

 I have been blogging since May 2005, at the start of my one-year Asia trip. Since then I have posted 1075 entries and got 154 comments. On average I got 214 page visits a day (mostly search engines). The numbers indicate that some people might actually like what I am doing. But every now and then I like to double check with my readers what they like to read about. A quick and informal survey has generated the following statistics: The Kiton shop in Zurich got four new clients through me, so did the shoe-shop Brogues & More. The not-so-pleasant Balint bespoke shoe experience got one client and I deterred two potential clients. I have friends who stayed at recommended hotels in Cambodia and Thailand and also my articles about Argentina got warm comments. Upon my recommendations some of my readers bought books like “Outlier” from Malcom Gladwell, watched videos of Randy Pausch while others visited Swiss Raclette restaurants. So I guess I hit upon something with my blog. It is about quality of life. It is about the good things in life away from marketing hype and luxury-brands. But my blog also has a downside: it can give friends a head-ache as to what to give me as a present. The reason being that there is an unwarranted perception that I have such discerning tastes that they would not be able to please me with simple gifts. However, a simple gift given from the heart means more than anything extravagant. So do not despair, just give it a try!