2024 In Review: Status of the Blog

So, I've already discussed some of the highlights in social media areas enjoyed by Section 36 in 2024.

But, what about just generally? How did the blog perform in 2024 at just being a blog? How did I do as a blogger? As a collector? I'm not going to pretend you actually care...but what else am I supposed to post about on New Year's Eve?

I'll just say it right now. Not good. Not good AT ALL. In 2024 this will be my 40th post, down from a disappointing 128 last year. At less than once a week, that's nowhere close to where I need to be. Nowhere close to where I want to be.

I'll admit that I wasn't even entirely proud of all of them. The blaster breaks were a bulk of those, getting a bit repetitive, and seemed like "filler" at times. But it was still fun to be able to write about cards. Towards the end, the Section 36 Sportscards blog took those posts over, so they disappeared from here.

On the bright side, those posts included several Friday interviews! Hopefully you've been enjoying all the visits from celebrity Red Sox fans (or, at least baseball fans). I think they're a lot of fun, and enjoy hearing input from those types of fans. Hope I can keep that up.

The Section 36 store also had a great year. More people keep buying shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops, and whatever else. I'm always humbled whenever a sale goes through. Hopefully you've enjoyed all the pictures people have sent in wearing their gear. With any luck, both sales and picture submittals will increase in 2025!

2024 was also a continuation of my blogging perspective to help me find my voice or my place in this wide world. I still didn't write about the team itself as much as I would have liked. Honestly, it got tiring shouting into the storm. The 2024 Red Sox were a good team, plagued by injuries. If any one of Story, Giolito, Casas, Whitlock, or Grissom doesn't miss significant time, the team is likely in the playoffs. If they're all healthy all year, it was a playoff team. But writing "They just need to get healthy! They weren't poorly built" was just exhausting. Hopefully I'll be able to find my groove in 2025.

Hope that's OK with you.

2024 Year in Review: Social Media

Goodness knows nothing can just be a thing anymore. Nothing can just be what it is. Sports can't be a competitive sporting event. It has to be an entertainment venture. Just like a blog just can’t be a blog. I mean, it can...but it’s not as easy or nearly as much fun. How am I supposed to make sure that the blog is on your mind every waking second of every day? How can I make sure you see some sort of new content as often as possible?

Of course. Social media.

Which is why Section 36 needs to have a presence. OK. More accurately, it's why I want Section 36 to have a social media presence. Even on the sites where I have no idea what’s going on. So, I hope you know about all the other ways you can follow along with Section 36! And, how have those social media sites gotten even better in 2024?

I’m glad you asked.

Once again, Instagram is probably the place I’ve seen the most movement in the past year.

It’s been so much fun connecting with fans and visitors through that site. For Section 36, in the past I have posted exclusively pictures I have taken. It’s a way to enjoy different views from a Red Sox fan. I've continued adding pictures people have submitted of themselves holding a “I’d Rather be in Section 36” sign, or pictures of themselves with Section 36 gear. (So, if you were wondering how you could appear on the Section 36 account, that’s how.) It’s been a great way to add variety to the feed, and publicize some great pictures people have submitted. And the best part? The account keeps adding followers and seeing more interaction, and I couldn't be more thrilled! Here's hoping that number keeps growing. If you’re one of the followers, thanks! If you’re not, what’s keeping you?

While Twitter was once a mainstay, that is no longer the case. Sure, blogs are sometimnes automatically shared to X (bleh) because it's so easy to do. But, I don't remember the last time I posted there.

I have made the switch, like many others to BlueSky. While I haven't built up my following there, It's a work in progress. One thing that makes it different, is that there's only one account for all of the Section 36 Suite. So, sports, sportscards, lifestyle, music, etc all in one place. Something for everyone, if you will.

Facebook provides fun opportunities.

I find it’s a combination between BlueSky and Instagram. It can post links and pictures with ease, and has the ability to allow sharing with friends. The Section 36 page will post links to every post here on Section 36. Facebook is also great for pictures, so it posts pictures that I’ve taken. It’s also a prime spot to post pictures submitted by others. So almost every picture someone submits of themselves with Section 36 behind them, or in Section 36, or holding a “I’d rather be in Section 36” sign, or with Section 36 gear gets posted there. Section 36 has more than 500 likes and adds more all the time, which is great!

Section 36 also has a presence TikTok, Snapchat, and Pinterest. Although TikTok is the only one I've used with any frequency lately. Much like BlueSky, those are all one account for the entire Suite. So, you're bound to find something you like there. Hopefully in 2025 I’ll figure something out. Feel free to follow/add to see the progress! In fact, follow all of Section 36 on all social media accounts.

It’ll be a lot of fun.  

Where can I find you?

Happy Festivus!

That’s right, today’s the day! As you can see, I’ve set out my aluminum pole and am ready for the festivities to begin!

While it’s kinda hard to do feats of strength on a blog, we can certainly air some grievances! I’ve even started with the first one. I would definitely rather be in Section 36 right now!

Now it’s your turn. I’m taking this opportunity to allow you to air your blog-related grievances! That’s right. Leave a comment telling me things you don’t like about the blog and its content!

Is the font too small? Too big? Are the sidebars too plain? Too cluttered? Do I write about a topic too much? Do you wish I wrote about a topic more? At all? All with no hard feelings on my part. This is your chance!

I know. Allowing the internet to complain about you can be scary. But, maybe I’ll be able to respond to the grievances and make the blog better for everyone!

One thing by way of rules, this is Section 36 asking for grievances. So, keep them to things about the blog and its content...not blog post subjects. So if you want to complain and say I write about Triston Casas too much, or too little, that’s fine. If you complain and tell me Triston Casas sucks, that’s not fine and I may delete your comment. In this particular post, that’s not really what I’m going for.

Sound reasonable? Ok then. Let’s hear it.

What are your Section 36 related grievances?

Jazmine Johnson Visits Section 36!

I am so excited that Section 36 had another visitor! Jazmine Johnson is passionate about Helping First-Generation Low Income (FGLI) College Students, loves to cook, and is the current Miss Denton. I was thrilled that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. 

So, let's see what happens when Jazmine Johnson visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Denton crown? 

After winning the Miss Denton crown I celebrated by going to Halcyon here in Dallas, got a hot chocolate, played in their weekly trivia night, and then proceeded to write the essay I had due for school that night. 

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Denton competition that will help you at Miss Texas? 

Deon Casey

Something I learned about myself that will help me with Miss Texas is that I truly am doing this for fun and personal growth. I absolutely want to be Miss Texas in the future and am putting in the work to do so, but if my journey means that I’m only meant to make connections and fulfill my duty to service through these connections then I am 100% content with that as well. Competing and winning at the Miss North Texas / Denton competition revealed that to me.

 

What is your go-to coffee order? 

Old reliable is just a great mellow plain cold brew. Right now though, I’ve been obsessed with the “Spicy Santa” (Mocha and Cayenne) at White Rock Coffee. Gotta love a good seasonal drink. 

How did you select your Community Service Initiative, “We Are First”? 

My CSI came from being a First-Generation Low Income (FGLI) College student myself. I was the first in my family to go and complete school and that journey was very hard for me. Very seldom were there others that I could talk to about my experiences and they either understood or were empathetic. Both professors and fellow students were very unkind when it came to the hardships I would face. The university itself also really only promoted First-Gen Assistance to Incoming Freshman, which is wonderful, but a FGLI student will still be just that throughout their time in school. That led me to want to create We Are First: Helping First-Generation Low-Income College Students from Application to Graduation. A program in which we help students not just to get into college, but to make sure they can finish as well. 

What is your personal fitness routine? 

Deon Casey

As a woman with PCOS I have to prioritize not just my physical health by working out, but also my hormonal and emotional health as well. So in addition to working out with @Transformationfit I also do a lot of research on what meals I can make that will be beneficial to me with my current condition. So I take time to work out, stretch every day, eat PCOS Friendly meals, and have time to relax and journal. 

You are currently pursuing your M.Ed in Educational Leadership at Texas Tech University. Where do you see those studies taking you? 

My M.Ed that I am pursuing right now has an emphasis in Education Policy. In the future, I would love to go to Law School and get my J.D., then use that to work in the field of Education Policy and Education Reform both in Government and Non-Profit Sectors. 

If you could be a Disney character for a week, who would you choose? Why?

Princess Tiana! I can’t emphasize how special it was to see a Disney Princess that not just looked and sounded like me but also loved to cook. 

If you had an extra ticket to see the Red Sox play the Rangers, who would you take with you? Why? 

Deon Casey

Oooh, probably my mom or my little sister. There are a lot of
experiences my family and I have never had, and as I open these doors to new places I want to have them right beside me. I believe they deserve to have these experiences too. 

Is there a feature or activity at a baseball game that you’d especially like to experience? 

I would love to go to one of the Hello Kitty theme nights and collect the little plushies you can grab! The idea of collecting all of them sounds really cute and cool.

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I've always wanted to get to one of those giveaways myself. maybe someday!

As always, I want to thank Jazmine for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to go with the interview.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with her during her journey. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account, as well as her organization's Instagram. They're both great ways to keep track of everything she has going on. 

Thanks again Jazmine, and good luck at the Miss Texas competition!