to those in hiding

January 26, 2006 | tommy | 39 comments - add to the conversation!

Hey there. Yes you. Who are you? Who, who, who, who? I really wanna know.

Now and again, websites attempt to get some clue about the people that read their sites. Due to any number of visitor trackers, we can tell somewhat about where you are (United States!) and how you got here (TampaBLAB). But it’s pretty vague stuff, really. And there are a number of reasons why we would like to know more. I mean, we hate to just make assumptions!

Every website has its “lurkers.” Lurkers are known as readers of a website that choose to not comment. Some blogs announce a “Lurker Amnesty Day” or something to encourage readers to leave a comment – any comment, just to get a clue. Well, being that I’m just as curious as all those others, I want to know too.

Of course, it’s not enough for me to know that you are there. I want so much more. But no real identifying info. Use a fake name, leave the email stuff blank if you want.

No matter HOW you got here (RSS readers?), or why, or how often you come by – yes, even if this is your first visit, I encourage you to leave a comment. please, Please, PLEASE leave a comment. I’d like to know these things:

Where are you? If in Tampa Bay, please give a neighborhood (Seminole Heights, South Shore, etc.) or directional (Northwest Tampa).
Who are you? Gender, Age,
How often you stop by here?

That’s it. Only give as much info as you are comfortable. And feel free to use this opportunityto tell me what you think about this site – like it, hate it, what we are missing, whatever. Ok… but please hit comments, and say something. Yes – even you.

39 comments - add to the conversation! → “to those in hiding”

Mike

4 years ago

I live in Tampa, I’m a 29 male, and visit the site a few times a day. Love all the business journal stories you find, and the trib stories ain’t bad either.
Joe

4 years ago

Live in Seminole heights, work on Harbour Island. 25 years old, born in Tampa. Used to check out Bayciti.net on a daily basis…somehow I stumbled acorss this site maybe 7 months ago, I check in sevral times a day for development news, events going on around town, and local political news. Interested in everything Tampa bascially
TheMax

4 years ago

42, male live in S Tampa, work in Westshore. I usually check the site once a day (more if it is a slow day). I used to be a big fan of bayciti.net also.
wendy

4 years ago

I contribute now and then to Sticks of Fire but I thought that you might like to know that I also check it out 2 or 3 times a day. I live in South Tampa and I’m a 43 year old Mom.
wendy

4 years ago

Whoa! I’m 42. I’ll be 43 in March. See what happens when you get old?
Will

4 years ago

I’m 23, grad student at USF in archaeology. I write a blog called Nomadic Thoughts (click my name). I usually read through Bloglines and always get uncomfortable about how the post titles are always in lowercase (just call me Monk).
richard

4 years ago

Live in N. Tampa. I am 33 years old and visit the site once a day looking at interesting perspectives on local and world events. I am a massage therapist at middaughmassage.
David Jenkins

4 years ago

I check the site daily. 31, M. Live in Tampa Heights and work downtown.
Danya

4 years ago

I am 19 years old, female, and I’m a senior at USF. I live around USF but my family lives in Spring Hill (hour north of Tampa). I come about once a day or every other day.
PortTampa

4 years ago

I too respond occasionally but I lurked for a long time while living in a Virginia burb of DC-where I stumbled on to your Sticks because of your coverage of development issues. 45yo, female, Port Tampa, check the site daily-more often when you’ve scooped the papers.
Harold Aubel

4 years ago

I am a 56 y.o. Maniscalco Elementary School teacher, who saw a stwry on my earthlink local news about this blogger who beats all the major news organizations to many newsworthy items. I was curious and have been back at least once a week since.
Sonny

4 years ago

I’m 42 male, i just moved from Lutz to South St. Pete in the Maximo area. I drop in once or twice a week for local happenings.
bamaroller

4 years ago

I’m a 42yo, straight, bourbon-drinking non-hunter who lives in South Tampa. I like sports, music, politics, comedy and Spanish food. I found out about this blog after y’all broke that big condo story and the Times started fawning.
(Anybody who listens to Jim Rome will know what I mean by the “non-hunter” reference. Holla back, ladeez!)
Mike

4 years ago

Hi, Mike here, 30, work in downtown St. Pete, live in Apollo Beach

Keep you guys on my RSS feeds.

I think you guys are doing a really great job on this site. Love the historical tidbits.
Pete Nice

4 years ago

27 yo Male living in Riverview. Stop by daily. Stumbled upon sticksoffire 2 months ago from a link on outinleftfield.com. Both are excellent blogs.
Lynn

4 years ago

Hi, I’m 43 yr old female living in NY(long island) looking to move to Tampa. I drop by often to learn more about Tampa.
Courtney

4 years ago

I live in Old NE St. Pete, work in Tampa. I am a female, 28 yr old, grad student at USF. I visit for Tampa news missing from my other sources.
addison

4 years ago

Addison. I’m 30, male, heterosexually-challenged, overly Bubba caucasian, living in Forest Hills with my partner and a cat. Run my own blog (www.addisonphillips.com).
My turn-offs are cloudy days, rain, and people who frown.
My turn-ons are hairy chests, police uniforms, and cocky attitudes.
Ben

4 years ago

I’m a 28-year-old writer in Seminole Heights.
BJK aka Lee Ving Dee Cee

4 years ago

I’m 34. I’m an average balding white guy living in Washington, DC. Of course, there aren’t enough of us here.
I am a recovering political hack. I am an amateur writer, emphasis on the “amateur.”
I’m engaged, and we’ll both be moving to the area. Soon. Around March 12. SoF has generously posted on us not long ago, and it was remarkably helpful (thanks, Tommy).
If anyone has any job leads, well… let me know. I visit here probably once a day, sometimes just to get at least a flavor of the place that’ll be my home soon, usually because it’s just so interesting to see what other folks have to say in the area.
Keep up the good work, guys.

BJK/Lee Ving Dee Cee
csc

4 years ago

Female, 26, stop in daily. I don’t live in Tampa but probably should….I’m there all the time.
Maureen

4 years ago

Hey! I am 22, I live in the USF area. Quasi-senior in engineering. I stop by just about every day to see what is going on in Tampa and I love to check out the JGLB whenever I can!
Rachel*

4 years ago

Hi Tommy. You already know everything about me.
Mike

4 years ago

I’m a senior poli sci student at FSU (in Tallahassee). I check out the blog almost every day.
Kym

4 years ago

Single Kinky girl, 41 on paper… Work in Tampa and love SOF. I check in 2 times a day at least. I love the latest and greatest about the Bay area you provide.
Smitty

4 years ago

M, 28, Air Force officer. I stop by maybe twice a day, maybe once every two days, just for a dose of local news since I don’t get a paper anymore. I live in downtown with an overweight cat.
Cara

4 years ago

Female, 21 year old, 3rd year undergrad. Live (VM Ybor), work (an unnamed hospital), study (USF) and play (New World is a fav) in Tampa. Stop by every other day or so, more if I can. I like micro-blogs that focus on local areas, so keep up the good work!
L

4 years ago

female, about to be 33 years old
live in St. Petersburg (Old Northeast)
I stop by here at least once or twice a week…
Anonymous

4 years ago

Female, representing old ne st. pete, 29..enjoying the postings about development and trends… st. pete rocks. ha.
Pam

4 years ago

Live in Ybor, work in River Heights (Central Tampa), Female, 46, I check in 4-5 times a day.
JB

4 years ago

24, F, living in Miami going on 7 years. Previously lived in Tampa and likely will return in August. I visit the blog a few times a day–it’s a great resource for keeping up on what’s going on in town!
Fred

4 years ago

48 year old male which I guess makes me the “Senior” of the bunch. Live in Largo, work in St. Petersburg. Check in about 5-6 times per week.
piratechic

4 years ago

27 year old Female, living in East Lealman. I stop by here usually at least once a week.
Nicole

4 years ago

I stop in at least once a day. I am a 33 year young female. I live in the Carrollwood area. I love the site. Keep up the good work.
Boltsmag » To the Lurker

4 years ago

[...] Now and again, websites attempt to get some clue about the people that read their sites. Due to any number of visitor trackers, bloggers such as myself can tell somewhat about where you are and how you got to our sites… But itâ€™s pretty vague stuff, really. And there are a number of reasons why we would like to know more… [...]
Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog » coming out

4 years ago

[...] A few weeks ago, I asked you to give me some personal information. We ended up with a great response.Â Thirty three of you left comments that included some basic information about the beloved readers here. [...]
Delbert W Allegood

3 years ago

I visit your site occaisionaly.As a resident of Zephyrhills,it is useful to know about what goes on in Tampa.I have blogs where I show some of my song lyrics and have some political comment.Delbert W Allegood http://npublici.blogspot.com http://florida-usa.blogspot.com and AOL journals as whowhatim
Art

3 years ago

1st time here. 49 year old male in Town-n-Country.
David Dowling

3 years ago

Here’s one to remember if you can – I went to Oak Grove Jr High when it was a wooden building painted white and three off the ground on post.. This was across from Ralston Beach on Sligh west of Armenia Ave.
then the old bldg. was moved to Twin Lakes school yard.. The next year alot of students went to A.L.Cuesta school in West Tampa area while a new school was in the planning stage an building.. Guess you know by now I’m over seventy.. It’s still a great life..