The Wilberforce Society

March 15, 2007 - April 4, 2007

Oh beware the Ides of March. Birthed on that fateful March 15 day, The Wilberforce Society was a noble blog whose intentions of recognizing great achievements by fellow men for the sake of humankind never really took flight. The society was inspired by English Parliment member William Wilberforce who spent his entire life fighting to end slavery in the British Empire. Wilberforce's life work resulted in great success for civilazation, despite the blog bearing his name becoming a fast failure.

It appears the author would buy Wilberforce paraphenalia on eBay and post about those items "acquired for the collection." It seems candidates deemed worthy of providing a service to humanity were to be nominated and selected for induction into the society each year. Maybe your favorite reaper The Blog Reaper should be nominated for putting an end to dead blogs!

Franklin Matters

June 8, 2007 - November 21, 2007

Franklin Matters was a quaint blog about the author's favorite county in America - Williamson County, TN - which also happened to be where he lived. The city of Franklin was the main focus, although the spelling and grammar errors that littered the site would have benefited from some focus as well.

A Southern small town feel and love of Civil War history defined the blog. Although its claim of being "blogging and bragging-central for people who loved visiting Williamson County," no more than a handful of comments could ever be found. In the end, Franklin must not have mattered that much after all.

Smitty and Jessie

December 29, 2006 - May 19, 2007

Smitty and Jessie was a wonderful little blog of a sweet little couple that had lots of romance and adventure. It chronicled a busy and maybe even stressful 6 months; mission trips to Central America, planning a wedding, becoming first time home buyers.

But something strange happened. We're not sure what turn this story of love took. It appears to have all ended when Smitty turned 27 years of age. Readers have been left wondering about the rest of the story. Did they go to Disney World for their honeymoon? Did they even get married? Was turning 27 too much for Smitty to handle emotionally?

It's just not like these two. They both loved people and were friends to everyone. It's just so tragic.

Duds and Studs

January 24, 2006 - January 25, 2006

Duds and Studs was a fantasy sports blog that turned out to be a great idea for about 5 minutes. Before it's quick and expected death, the author's posts included advice on what hockey and basketball players were currently "studs" or "duds" in the fantasy world. I wanted to say this blog failed due to burn out, but can you really burn out after only 2 days?

A fight did break out in the comments section of the last post causing many to think the blog had potential, but all activity mysteriously disappeared thereafter. Although Duds and Studs was quite creative and even had a title that rhymed, nothing could keep this turd from the septic tank.

Jon Shearer - The Blog

May 4, 2007 - July 30, 2007

Jon Shearer - The Blog was an insightful blog that had a love for storytelling. The blog kicked off with a powerful story of truimph which led to a few posts about other random topics ranging from good friends to living deeply to getting by.

As with so many, the blog just missed its three-month birthday. Jon Shearer - The Blog will not soon be forgotten.

Millionaire In The Making

August 14, 2006 - August 18, 2006

Millionaire in the Making was youthful blog started by 17-year old Devin from Franklin, TN. Meant to keep up with the journey of a young teen into the life of big bucks, this coming-of-age drama never really unfolded.

Per usual the intentions were good and noble, but reality is all too cold. Five days and three stories was all the world got to see of this young man's voyage, but maybe that's a good thing. Adios Millionaire in the Making...here's to champagne wishes and caviar dreams.

In Honor of Valentine's Day...

With today being a day of love it just doesn't seem right reaping a blog, so I suppose I'll take the day off.

I don't think my buddy Grim is though, so stay on your toes people!

Not Wired

April 2, 2007 - April 12, 2007

Not Wired was an in-your-face blog that wasn't looking to make friends, but rather show the world how things really were and express the thoughts of its authors, Suzanne and Amy. The blog focused on sensitive hot topics such as illegal immigration, free speech and people sneezing way too much.

Not Wired feared no one and spoke its mind. It appears a name change occured later in life with the title "Hmmmm" posted as the header. Either way, 10 days was all too short for this hot blog that garnered an outstanding 14 comments on its three lifetime postings. Perhaps Not Wired could've have been more, but regrettably none of us will ever know.

Just Communicate

March 15, 2007 - September 27, 2007

Just Communicate was an insightful blog survived by its author Daniel Tardy, a self-proclaimed “student of real world communication” in his About Me. The blog focused on the art of communication and all the various ways it takes place in this world, whether it be in great advertising or Rooms To Go employees blocking parking lots for customers.

Just Communicate took a business-like approach in its writing and occasionally used a ranking system to assess the value of each item posted. Like so many other blogs though, the writing on the wall came with the doomed “I’ll be back soon” post. Sadly Just Communicate never did.

My Blogging Adventures

July 21, 2006 - May 22, 2007

My Blogging Adventures was a wonderful little blog survived by its author Tim M of Nashville, TN. The blog began, ironically enough, as a blog to chronicle its author’s adventures amongst his other four blogs living on the Internet. Sadly, many of those blogs preceded My Blogging Adventures in death.

My Blogging Adventures was quite honest and candid with its readers. It never apologized for long breaks from posting and always kept a cynical, yet realistic view of the blogging world. It will be missed.

May your way be lit by the light of the moon…and may your URL return to the public soon.

Now What Is It I Do?

How many of us as kids tried to keep a diary? As we grew up, how many of us tried to keep an adult version of a diary (called “a journal”)? And how many of us, after two short weeks had miserably – and I mean miserably failed at keeping either?

Every time we promise ourselves this is it…this is gonna be the time I write my deepest thoughts down every single night because you know what, I’ve got a lot to say. Years and years later I’ll flip back through these dog-eared pages and bask at my wittiness, my keen insight and delight in my realization of just how clever I really am.

But rarely does it works like this. Thankfully for us, the embarrassment isn’t too bad, because after all I’m the only one who knows I started this thing and it’s just me who knows that maybe I really don’t have a lot of deep thoughts…or wittiness…or even keen insight.

But now thanks to Internet technology, we have the opportunity to go through this same routine not just with ourselves, but in front of the whole world. Which brings me to my question: Why are people so eager to publicize their ability to fail in this area by creating a blog?

How many friends’ blogs have you stopped by and seen this tag in the most recent post, "Last Post: February 13, 2005". I have to chuckle every time! Some of my favorites are when bloggers admit they’re not very good at blogging and then post, “But don’t worry guys, I’ll be back here a lot posting more thoughts very soon!” This typically is followed by four weeks of total silence. Priceless in my book!

That’s where I come in. These lifeless blogs left out in the open…these barren wastelands and mere shadows of days gone by…these embarrassing attempts at self-actualization left to die in front of the blogosphere with all the world watching…these blogs fall into my world, my little home here on Internet. Welcome to the home of me - The Blog Reaper!

About Me!

The encyclopedia defines Grim Reaper as the medieval personification of death meant as a sober reminder not to waste one's life, because life is short and everyone will one day come to the same end.

As you might have guessed from the last name, Grim and I are related – we’re all apart of the fun-loving Reaper family! I know I know…I’m no where near as menacing as he, I don’t run around dressed in black and I don’t have a cool skull for a face…but I perform the same duties. Because of these reasons listed above the realm I’ve been assigned to is relatively new but just as important – the blogosphere baby! [trumpet sound here!]

Yes, I am the Blog Reaper. So what is it I do exactly? Let me explain here.