One of the things I’m privy to as the editrix and founder of this lovely little blog is that I get a report about all the links my readers click on and the search terms people use that send them to The Siren.

I admit, most of the time I am dismayed at the search terms (I get a lot of “slut barbie” and “sin city sluts” and derogatory searches with the word “fag” or “bitch”). But I take heart that even though the people who do the searches that make me cringe might not be looking for our brand of eco-feminist, progressive activism, but maybe they will learn something or even come back for another dose. You never know. (That’s the idealist in me showing, I know.)

My special delight is days when I see that someone actually intended to find The Sin City Siren. If fills me with joy when I see “sin city siren” in the search report. Someone was actually seeking us out! Horray!

On the other side of my report is the links clicked. This is obviously far less shocking since I (or Natalie) put all the links on the blogroll and in posts. But it’s still interesting to me because I’m just a curious creature. I want to know what my readers are interested in and try and give them more of it, naturally.

With this in mind, it’s been wonderful to see how many people are using the Charity Shopping List and Charity List links! So validating to me and I genuinely appreciate it! It’s like you’re giving me a little hug with each click! And I hope it’s been a help to all of you, even if it’s just given you ideas.

I started The Siren in May not knowing what might happen. Honestly, I expected it to flop. But over the past seven months, you all have given me new reasons to believe in the power of community. You’ve raised me up when I’ve been down. You’ve contributed and volunteered and helped when I needed it. I couldn’t have had any success organizing the Fag Bug activities without you! And I sincerely thank you all for it.

I look forward to bigger and better things next year! I just wanted to put that out there before we all get too strung-up on holiday obligations and busy-ness. All too often I forget to thank people and I didn’t want to get to 2008 without thanking all of you.

Sin City Siren readers rock!

— Emmily