I’ve just celebrated ten years on Twitter. Well, I say I celebrated, I didn’t actually realise until yesterday when it prompted me to share a tweet to mark the occasion.
I love Twitter. It’s definitely my favourite social media platform and is the one that has served me best as a blogger.
I’ve made some great friends through blogging and most of them specifically on that particular social network.
Apparently, I’ve tweeted nearly 30,000 updates in that time. Curious to see what kind of things I used to go on about, I downloaded my Twitter archive.
And, yes, in case you were wondering, I’m great fun at parties.
Obviously, it has been handy for sharing blog posts about a range of things. From serious topics:
Inspired by a bungled attempt to celebrate father figures, I’m calling time on dad bashing. Here’s why it’s such a problem and must be stopped. https://t.co/InzXov54un #ukdadbloggers #dads pic.twitter.com/iSNksuy1NE
— Diary of the Dad (@DiaryOfTheDad) June 6, 2018
To downright daft ones.
#ICYMI I don’t use my English Literature degree as much as I ought to. So here’s a literary criticism of Dear Zoo. https://t.co/KwC2BVsWVs pic.twitter.com/cGEAk7w4Zc
— Diary of the Dad (@DiaryOfTheDad) October 8, 2017
But it brought back loads of proud parenting moments too:
Shit. Just knocked the pancake mixture over. And the toddler now knows the phrase “Oh bollocks” Great work, Tom! #AddUselessTosserJokeHere
— Diary of the Dad (@DiaryOfTheDad) February 12, 2013
Plus it has always been my first port of call for breaking good news:
Cor Blimey! I won my category in the #MADBlogAwards. ‘Stunned’ is the word. Thanks to everyone who voted for me!
— Diary of the Dad (@DiaryOfTheDad) September 30, 2011
As well as being a fine showcase for my rare acts of genius:
When the shop doesn’t have your kid’s name in stock and you like anagrams. pic.twitter.com/M6NXerwAlb
— Diary of the Dad (@DiaryOfTheDad) July 4, 2018
It was interesting seeing how Twitter has evolved over the years too. For example, there used to be a lot more in the way of silly trends like this one.
Unemployed science teachers zap giant marshmallow. #6wordfilmplots
— Diary of the Dad (@DiaryOfTheDad) March 8, 2012
And, speaking of silly stuff, Twitter is a wonderful place for daft whimsy:
Important question here. Do you think Ringo Starr (total legend, obvs) says “peace and love” after everything to stop himself saying “said Thomas” ?
— Diary of the Dad (@DiaryOfTheDad) August 17, 2018
It’s also handy for making people feel more optimistic about Friday 13th.
Remember, today is only unlucky if you’re one of the Knights Templar. If you’re not in a medieval military order, you’ll probably be fine.
— Diary of the Dad (@DiaryOfTheDad) July 13, 2012
And it’s great for sharing moments when technology trolls you:
Way to make me feel inadequate about what I did last weekend, YouGov! pic.twitter.com/e3kH8HmMim
— Diary of the Dad (@DiaryOfTheDad) January 28, 2019
With ten years on Twitter behind me, I’m looking forward to another decade of reading other people’s updates – and, of course, trying to better my Ringo Starr tweet.
Do you use Twitter? What do you like most about it?
