Who's reading?

At Conflux I was chatting with a mate and something got brought up to which I said 'I don't know if you saw my Livejournal post on such-and-such,' and she replied, 'I read everything you write.'

It kind of surprised me, mainly because I figure people have better things to do than read my LJ. Okay, I know I have a couple of hundred readers, but still my expectation is that they'll dip in from time to time, rather than read me regularly. Sure, there are people with whom I try to make sure I read all their posts, but I don't expect others to do the same with mine.

But when I stopped to think about it, I remembered a few comments from various people. A couple of folks who, on discovering this journal, went right back to the beginning and read through the whole thing. The people who commented on how they regularly go back and check to make sure they haven't missed posts. So, even if my friend was not quite that zealous, some people would appear to be.

So, this is a question for that small group of you that go to the extra effort to read most, if not all, of what I write on here. See answering it as a way to say thanks.

Why? Why read so much of what I'm carrying on about?

I have a fair few anonymous readers, people who don't have LJ's, or at least don't use them to comment. So what draws you here? I mean for many folks, we're friends, but that doesn't require you to read every bloody thing I write! For some, we've barely or never met. So what is it that keeps you coming back? Especially for periods like the last year where, let's face it, it's been a bit of a chore at times.

I'd prefer the casual readers, the folks who only bother with it when they just happen to see a post, to not respond.

For those of you who go out of your way to keep up with my written meanderings, no matter when you end up reading this, no matter if you don't have an LJ account, I'd love know why.

All comments screened unless you clearly tell me otherwise or end the comment with a "Yes".