The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 41,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 9 Film Festivals
I never thought when I sat down to write the very first article that posted on August 9th, 2011, that the response would be so overwhelming! It has been a true labor of love doing what I enjoy so much while being able to draw the attention of so many of you out there.
Congratulations to all of us at Fantasy Furnace on our One Year Anniversary!
I have been able to pursue my passion for writing about sports and in particular, fantasy sports and have so many people to thank for their encouragement and support for most of our journey. Our IT guy and co-creator Antonio who made this venture a reality, our editor and biggest supporter Giuliana, Jon over at WordPress, WordAds, fellow bloggers Cayman, decollins, Maurice B., Steven, Sam, Jerry, Justin, CVolk, Gregg, Gary, GB, Josh, Matt, Giant fan Goldie, J double U, Sean, Joe M., Naeem C., Bobby C., Anthony, Drew E., the Polar Bear, Shannon, Wrands, Chris Ross, youjivinmeturkey, jeftaylor, Alicia B., and jamcracker. (Feels like I’m at the Academy Awards and I’m thanking everyone I’ve known who ever had a pulse…)
For those of you who I might have left out inadvertently, I apologize. To those who have been there throughout, thank you for the 25,000 visits and for leaving close to 1,000 comments in the past 12 months. Many, many thanks for letting me do what I love! We will all look forward to hearing from you as we enter year two.
We hope we’ve informed, entertained, and of course, helped all of those with their fantasy leagues through our almost 300 posts, for these were our goals from the very beginning.
And lastly, a special thanks to the Most Interesting Man In The World for his very kind words and support. “Stay informed with the Furnace my friends…”
-Hank
The Heat are the Champions. The Thunder lost. We’re not going to write about who scored what, who should have played better, who didn’t guard who or how good or bad the coaching was. We’re not going to ramble on about LeBron James and how this finally is his first championship or how some of us are still angered by some of the choices he’s made.
We’re not going to discuss the way experience overcame youth or how the Thunder was completely overmatched in this series. Instead we will reflect on the fact that the Finals are over. The Heat took it to the Thunder and, as Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said in part of his post-game speech to his team, ..”they won fair and square.”
For those of you who haven’t seen the video below, it’s a great opportunity to witness part of one of the classiest post-game speeches we’ve ever heard. Brooks urges his team to keep their heads up, refers to them as ‘family’ and then tells them all something at the end that just exudes class and professionalism.
Thunder coach Scott Brooks gave a moving and rousing speech to his team after their Finals loss to the Heat. Photo: E.Hingle U.S. Presswire
You will also hear a humbled LeBron James give his take on the Thunder and their future in a very special and compassionate way with words that were sincere and uplifting. Words not about how great the Heat played or how much of a super-star he is, but instead he offered the Thunder encouragement.
And then there were the few moments that Kevin Durant spoke and whether you’re a fan of the Thunder or not, you had to feel for the guy. His best asset, as well as many on his team, especially Harden at 22, and Westbrook at 23, is youth. Youth, along with talent when handled properly and finessed by a good coach can develop into experienced winners. We’ll just have to have to wait and see what next season brings to find out what effect this series had on Oklahoma City.
For now however, for the Thunder, all they have left to take out of these Finals is hope. For the Heat, they can revel in the fact that, (as the group Queen once sang), they are the “champions of the world!” Enjoy the video…
FANTASY FURNACE 