Me? In 9Rules? How can that be?

I’m shocked. I just found out that I was accepted into 9Rules! For those who don’t know what 9Rules is, here’s a bit from their About page:

9rules is a community of the best weblogs in the world on a variety of topics. We started 9rules to give passionate writers more exposure and to help readers find great blogs on their favorite subjects. It’s difficult to find sites worth returning to, so 9rules brings together the very best of the independent web all under one roof.

The 9 rules that the community is built on:

1. Love what you do.
2. Never stop learning.
3. Form works with function.
4. Simple is beautiful.
5. Work hard, play hard.
6. You get what you pay for.
7. When you talk, we listen.
8. Must constantly improve.
9. Respect your inspiration.

I submitted System 13 to the Round 5 submission, which was in October. I’ll admit: I honestly didn’t think I’d ever get in, but I wanted to try anyway. Since I’ve been blogging, 9 Rules has kind of been that lofty white peak that you hope to reach, but think you will. When I started this blog, I really wanted to try and make it worth something – unlike my past attempts at blogging. (My previous blogs just sucked, quite honestly! Too angsty, whiney, and generally unpleasant!)

When the 9Rules folks started announcing the new members about a week ago, and I started looking at the people who got in, my hopes dropped even further. Me and little site, on par with these people? No way. I’ll have to keep working on my site, my writing, and then I’ll try again in the next round they have. Then I log in to my blog dashboard and see a referral link coming from… the 9Rules blog? What’s this about? Lo and behold, I’ve been accepted!

Like Steve was, I’m excited and honored, but also humbled. I simply did not expect to get in, and I’m grateful to Tyme, Scrivs and Mike for telling me otherwise. I’m eager to meet the community, and I hope I end up being worthy of that little 9Rules badge. Lastly, I’d like to apologize if this entry is rambling in nature – I’m truthfully just on a major happiness high right now!

Check out the archives, feel free to subscribe, and hope you come back! You’ll have to excuse me now. I’m off to dance a little jig.

Update: Tyme is killing me with this anticipation. Still no email!