The Blogless Blogger
Posted on: Apr 6, 2009
Overused cliches, “when it rains-it pours,” “between a rock and a hard place,” and “every cloud has a silver lining,” were born from seeds of truth that grew into expressions people pick and use as needed.
But I always thought, “if it rains-it pours … .” Who cares?
In the end, you still get wet!
How wrong I was.
The last ten days have been the most emotional days I’ve had since my dad died in February-possibly because the protective shock barrier is wearing thin or maybe because of the upcoming holiday I’m dreading so much or maybe just because … .
Then smack dab in the middle of the rain, it started pouring and I became a blogless blogger.
photo credit: smellyknee
My old domain name was stripped and I found myself figuratively between a rock and a hard place. I could either pay Siteground-the company I had bought my domain name from-$199 or I would lose the site.
Although my domain name account at Siteground was listed as expiring in February, 2010-they pulled it, altered “my account section” information and blocked me from their site.
photo credit: russelljsmith
Pay $199 and let them get away with it=Rock
Move to a new domain, lose all of my incoming links, subscribers and loyal readers=Hard Place
The next day Siteground sent me an email that said, “It doesn’t say 2010 (in your account section) and it never did.”
I have little experience dealing with companies who outright lie to their customers but I didn’t feel like giving into their ransom was a choice I could live with …
Since I couldn’t imagine the universe conspiring against me at a time like this I searched for the silver lining.
photo credit: Aaron Escobar™
- Should I let go of My Bella Vita?
- Should I start a new site focusing exclusively on living and traveling in Calabria?
- Should I try to merge the old My Bella Vita with a new Calabrian-focused site?
What should I do?
Twelve hours of Internet searching, a half dozen espressos and just a few temper tantrums later here I am at my-bellavita.com.
In the end I just couldn’t let go of My Bella Vita and merging my personal anecdotes of Calabrese in-laws, hysterical neighbors and old Calabrian-wives’ tales with a professional Calabria travel website just didn’t seem to fit.
The silver lining I did discover, however, was the inspiration to create a new Calabria travel site that I’ll share with you in the future.
So thank you, loyal readers, for sticking with me through all of this. Please update your bookmarks and feeds to reflect the new domain name – http://my-bellavita.com.
In the end, I think I’ll come out ok. But if I don’t, I’m sure there is another overused, ineffective expression out there that will fit the bill.
Grazie mille!
What a horrid nightmare, but I’m glad you made it through and are back to blogging. I’ll be following you on your new site to be sure. Good luck with the new enterprise.
Thanks, Linda. I appreciate it. I am glad it is “over.”
Ciaochowlinda’s last blog post..Stuffed shells
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Welcome back! I’m sorry you had such a rough time but I am glad that you got back on your feet.
I’ll do a little advertising for you over at my place!
Thank you *SO* much, Joanne. That will definitely help get the word out.
joanne at frutto della passione’s last blog post..BBC Documentary from 1957
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Phew! Thank goodness you’re back:) We were all worried here in blogland. I’ll be sending some extra nasty vibes towards those Siteground folks.
We’ll hit em up with a double dose!!
milanese masala’s last blog post..Here come the sons!
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Welcome back amica
Thanks, cara.
My Melange’s last blog post..Roman Eats – Then and Now
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Cherrye -
That was sucky. I’m glad in the end you were able to work it out. I really enjoy your posts about Italy and travel. Keep up the great job you do.
I agree, Nadine. Thank you for the compliments. I’m glad someone likes it.
Nadine’s last blog post..Observations
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Woohoo! Glad to see you back! I’ve edited my post for today and also tweeted (and FB’ed) with the good word
Thank you, Michelle. I appreciate it!
Michelle | Bleeding Espresso’s last blog post..Celebrating Easter in Southern Italy
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I had no idea what happened to your blog. I am so glad you have reemerged
ciao bella!!
Thanks, Katie!
Katie’s last blog post..I am a British Citizen
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Hey Cherrye, so glad to see you back. I feel for you in every way. Theres loads I’d love to say to you but maybe this is not the place. I hope we get a chance to chat when you southern ladies finally make it to visit. Until then sending you a hug.
I hope we get up there soon!
amanda x
Thank you, Amanda. That is sweet (I’m guessing what you would say would be nice?!?
amanda@A Tuscan view..’s last blog post..Quite a blow
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Glad you’re back Cherrye! all updated on my end:)
Thanks, Joe Joe!
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Phew glad you are back online. Che casino.
Tell me about it. Whew … long weekend!
nyc/caribbean ragazza’s last blog post..Last night I had a Los Angeles flashback.
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Yay!
Absolutely!
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glad to see you back. Also, take a screen shot of your account information and expiration date put it in safe place, that way if this ever happens again, you’ll have proof. What a bunch of scammers.
Great idea, AO! Thanks.
andrea’s last blog post..Austin – Foodie Post Part 1
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Obviously this company has never heard of customer service. I’m glad you’re back!
Customer service? What’s that?
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I am SO glad you are back. Hugs. I posted on twitter and changed my google reader and my blogroll.
Perfect. Thanks a ton!
City Girl’s last blog post..Antidote to the Monday Morning Blues – Beautiful Monday Instead of Beauty Monday
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Welcome back…so pleased you have managed to come back
Excellent.
I’m glad to be back!
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What a pain! Mi dispiace molto! I am very happy you decided to continue My Bella Vita, and I look forward to seeing your upcoming project. Welcome back! Is it Easter that you dread so much?
Yes, it is. It is our first major holiday without Dad.
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I had e-mailed Michelle at Bleeding Espresso because your page had disappeared and another web page had appeared at your previous web address. Welcome back!!!!! Also, please offer my heartfelt concern to Italians regarding the earthquake in Abruzzo.
Thanks for checking in with Michelle. I had no warning there… definitely sad about the earthquake…
Marie’s last blog post..Change
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Got it
And good for you!!!
Yea! I’ll show them.
South of Rome’s last blog post..Fresh Eggs = Warm Welcome
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Cherrye, I am so glad you didn’t give in to their strong-arm tactics! I am going to announce your new address over at my place immediately.
I appreciate that, grazie.
Amber’s last blog post..How To Make Pesto
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Yeah! So glad you are back on. I have missed reading your blog.
Thanks, Leslie!
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Also glad to see you back. Luckily I checked on Twitter to see what was going on.
Don’t you just love Twitter?
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Welcome back. You were missed.
Grazie mille!
running42k’s last blog post..Not a bad weekend
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I’m so glad you have kept blogging Cherrye (and kept your main website’s content), and didn’t give in to the demands of that horrible website provider. With companies like that, it’s no wonder that the dot com industry has struggled through the years. I have definitely updated your link. Your website is one of my favorites … always has been.
Thanks for updating your link and the compliments… I think my head is getting bigger!!
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Poor thing! I am glad to see you back. Don’t you hate those forced decisions life throws in our faces? one good thing is they usually set us on a different and better path =) Siteground has just lost a great and well traveled blog. serves them right!
Welcome back
Thanks, Stacy. It *was* a stressful week.
stacy’s last blog post..EUREKA!
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We’re all here!!! And that stinkin’ Siteground can “kiss our grits” as the lovely Flo would say. Good for you for not bending to their duplicitous ways!!!
Am glad you are keeping this blog and excited about your new one too!!!
Sorry to hear you’ve been having a rough time. I can’t imagine how tough it must be missing your dad and being far from TX home (thank god for Peppe and Calabria home). Big big hug.
Grazie, Kim. Love your Flo reference, btw.
Kim B.’s last blog post..A Good Week – Part I. By Way of Explanation, My "Normal" "Routine"
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[...] make note of the new url. The new home page for My Bella Vita is http://my-bellavita.com. You can get the scoop on the changes, update your feed or subscribe by email. Grazie mille. ** [...]