I Struggle to Shine…
It’s time for me to be nostalgic… and cheesy…
Tomorrow is like an empty canvas that extends endlessly; what should I write on it?
I was literally going with an uninspiring title like “tl;dr”, as I’ve been just sitting in front my laptop, blankly staring at my screen, mulling what to write for some time. The recent events in Japan sure have rattled me and when you have lots of work on your plate, you don’t really have time to mull, for that matter even think. Though, it has been a lazy weekend (thank god, no work!), so I’ve managed to clear up some backlog (KnT roundup, hells yes!) and populated my drafts at Metanorn. However, if you have caught onto the drift, the above lines are inspired by Durarara!!’s OP “Complications” lyrics:
Kagirinaku hirogaru mashiro na ashita ni nani wo egaku?
Tomorrow is like an empty canvas that extends endlessly; what should I sketch on it?
Genjitsu ga someyuku makkura na ashita ni nani wo egaku?
Reality begins to stain the canvas black; what should I draw?
Mogaki kagayaku.
I struggle to shine.
And with that my full year at METANORN is COMPLETE. Yes, it was exactly last year that I did my first Drrr! post and I’ve gone over that one-year milestone that every aniblogger dreads. According to popular belief, one year is the burnout time for an anibloggers (for some even sooner), but I would like to think the opposite of me, taking inspiration from the many seasoned anibloggers around me. After all, I’ve done more than 200 posts already and whatever the situation is, I always take out time for my home away from home. It feels like yesterday that I went on a search rampage to find sites where I can actually talk about the animu I’ve so become obsessed with. One of them was Metanorn and within a month, I saw a Writers Wanted Shoutout. I did apply after a lot of trepidation and Kanzie accepted me wholeheartedly. I couldn’t even believe it but there I was, ready to review Durarara!! and Kimi ni Todoke in the beginning. I haven’t ever looked back since and been lucky to meet many brilliant anibloggers and likeminded friends, who have become my online family (much love to the buddy and blogroll sites).
Izaya, you just cursed this post didn’t you? Because I featured you in pink… Of all days, Metanorn faces named server issues while I’m posting, which is still being fixed so it’s inaccessible in most of the countries… =.=;;
You would ask, what do I get out of it? Why do I even do this? Interesting questions and I would just say, I took it as a challenge after Kanzie told me she couldn’t continue with Metanorn anymore. I remember thinking how it would feel if Metanorn went down and what would all the regular followers say about it? I guess my digital marketing background and obsession with the fandom helped in deciding to take the full reigns of Metanorn, while I followed up with migration to a new URL after a few months. I have always tried my best to improve our content and offer something innovative now and then. You will soon see just how but let me rant on to my heart’s content.
I was pretty new to the concept of aniblogosphere when I joined last year, not new to blogging or even writing but writing about anime? Hells yes, as it’s tricky business after all. I took time in adapting to the site’s format first and then later worked on improvements wherever I saw them. I chose the Team Blog way because in no hell I could have continued to dish out four episodics per week along with the usual music releases forever. Having a fulltime job is tough and there are days, when I can only clear the spam and keep contact with my team mates. Though, it’s in my nature to do everything at 120% because that is the only way I know. I don’t believe in kaam-chalao (Urdu word to describe work at less than optimal level), work so I struggle to do better and shine like ginga bishounen?! You wish…
Puns aside, my aniblogging strategy for Metanorn is a three-step process (sounds very corporate but hey, I can’t deviate from my profession):
- Planning: What type of content we should write about (episodics, music, editorials, tl;dr, recommendations, news/views, etc.), what are the hot cakes of the season (series wise), Contests, Competitions and Surveys (Polls, preference surveys, new spin on an old topic, etc.), seasonal offerings for the readers and surprise projects. Teehee.
- Organizing: The most important element in a Team Blog is communication. Together we stand, divided we part; sounds cheesy but that is exactly how it is. We try to stay connected on almost daily basis and chat up whenever we are on MSN. Emails threads are our primary contact, while we have an internal communication dashboard that is used for announcements. Different members are made responsible for different posts so rather than burdening a single person, we do a lot of shared work. This not only builds the team but helps in making all those hilarious tag-team reviews.
- Delivering: Ideas can curl up and die if they are left alone for too long or are expected to mature overnight. Our Ideas Bank (yes, we do have one xD), currently has at least five matured ideas that we are working on. There is no ETA as yet but we will not take a year to make it a reality. Planning and organizing is a BIG part of a team blog and if you don’t preplan and always end up on adhoc-content, reader amusement would remain at a low level. Surprise your readers, that is how things remain fresh off the press~
Obligatory Shiki pic~
Anyway, enough with Metanorn Leaks and onto at least trying to finish this post. This one year has been one hell of a trip—in a very good way. After ten series successfully blogged, 1,000 words on average written per 200+ posts and amazing response, I am just not bored of aniblogging and see nothing but to continue. You can say, my enthusiasm injection comes from managing Metanorn. This completion just reminds me of one fact: Metanorn is going to be three-years-old this May. Yep, a big milestone to be reached and I can only wish and hope we are around many more years to come.
Of course, I couldn’t have done it without my team, every one of whom has helped me keep the site alive, especially Will, who has been a big contributor in running different modules of the site. Metanorn Team, thank you for listening to me most of the times, even when I do bug some of you more than others. Thank you for keeping with ultra ambitious projects and putting more time than I could have imagined from each of you, which has made Metanorn what it is today. To all the old and new members, thank you so very much. Also, how can I forget our AWESOME readers/lurkers? THANK YOU for hanging out with us and such interesting comments. They make our day, they are that awesome! Also, chatlog amuses me to no end and I might be posting some of the excerpts one day.
Before ending this post, I have an announcement to make: I have three special posts lined up, one of which is something we’ve been hinting around the site for some time. Yes, we are definitely working on something, but the magnitude of that project was so big that we couldn’t keep the Valentine’s Day deadline. Would you hear about it soon? Depend on it! Work is still being done as I write this but you’ll hear more about it soon enough.
So, yes, THANK YOU for all the cheese! Even if I’ve switched to extremely healthy food these days, I will munch on some cottage kind and eat Strawberry Häagen-Dazs in hopes of entertaining you all for many years to come.
Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu~
PS: If anyone’s curious about the main image, that’s Reiko Natsume; I can’t wait for the third season of Natsume Yuujinchou!
About Kyokai
The Boss lady of Metanorn, who makes it all happen. An animanga enthusiast, who watches/reads almost anything that strikes her fancy. Just beware of her Death Perception and always keep her happy. Regularly found at @KyokaiTM & #[email protected].
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 93 comments
Congradulation Kyokai for one year! LOL love the cheesy lines x) anyway I’m looking forward to more posts from you guys!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I have this special affinity towards everything Durarara!! but yeah, thank you for the wishes and definitely 400+ more by next more. ^^
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 339 comments
Alllright so when I tried to type a big fat congrats comment my computer decided it was going to return to the front page instead of posting, so here we go again!
Omedetou gozaimasu, Kyo!
One year is one hell of a ride. Hell, I’ve only given that kind of dedication to Katanagatari XD I belive I began really following Metanorn after you took over, and you’ve done one hell of a job! Heck, I remember back when I came across Meta by accident and for a while, me and Hato had problems just trying to remember the name. I finally bookmarked it and since then it’s been part of my dailies and before we knew it, Hato was writing and I, well, I’ve done my part >D
Also, omfg Natsume Yuujinchou S3 I’m so damn excite!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
DAWWWWWWWWWW~ <333
Thanks, Junko-chan. You sure have been an awesome regular right here. And I guess the reason for me to be so dedicated to Metanorn is for all the love that readers show. I have to add, you did an amazing job indeed. ^^
POWUH: iLurker with 1 comments
[…] Kyaaaaaaaa~ You think Kyokai just went crazy? Well… I’m sorry, Kara no Kyoukai just makes me fangirl like that… repeatedly…. Don’t expect to open my heart about Kara no Kyoukai right now because there would be a time for that. *knowing smile* This is my first special post of the three I promised on my anniversary post. […]
POWUH: 1100-1199 and Meta's Evil rice-flour Product with 1137 comments
ily so much kyokai, metanorn forever and nevermore!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Loads of love, Dan~ <333
POWUH: 400-499 with 406 comments
Congrats! A year huh? It’s probably been a year since I started following Metanorn as well.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
DAWWW~ Thanks for being a regular. :3
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 88 comments
KYLEEEEEEEE
Congrats on one year sis! you are ze best
brb taking notes on your blogging strategyPOWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Hahaaaa! How did your hand slip on your keyboard? But hells yes, girl power with aniblogging, YEAHHH! <333 xD
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 126 comments
Yay congrats Kyo!~ every time I come here, it’s just so lively! It’s all thanks to you+the team that Metanorn is such an interesting place with all these creative post and discussions, you guys are awesome!~ :3 keep up with the good leadership kyo 😀
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Awwww, thank you, Ruby~ <333
It's the combined effect of writers and readers that actually works wonders. ^^
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 322 comments
i will always follow Metanorn to the end of the earth!, until it shuts which in NEVER of course 😀
and…THERE’S GONNA BE A THIRD SEASON OF NATSUME YUUJINCHOU?!?! O_O ooh, can’t wait!! XD XD
and keep writing with your pro skills otherwise my only salvation at the end of the day will be….nothing. SO GO META!! XD
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Much appreciate it, Yvoon-chan! I will be definitely around to get more creative content out. ^^
POWUH: Novice (36-50) with 36 comments
Congratulations! It’s amazing to think that this site is only one year when it is so huge. Keep up the great posts!!
POWUH: Meta Resident and Yōko Fanboy with 1246 comments
I believe that Metanorn is 3 years old Yi ^^ But of course, it’s always good to see such lively atmosphere and such a huge variety of bloggers and readers alike xD This is one of the reasons why I hang around Metanorn ;3
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Thanks, Yi! <333
Also, good Tofu, you replied, I have been late to the party. xD
POWUH: iLurker with 9 comments
[…] Kyo’s first year Anniversary at Metanorn […]
POWUH: iLurker with 17 comments
[…] and Level E to writing about Wincest, Best of 2010, Aniblogging Habitat, Met’Amour, I kept on struggling to shine and will continue doing […]