#1000
This is my thousandth post. When I started this blog back in 2003, I wanted to brush up my writing skills so I could start writing "seriously" again - short stories and novels. But I got hooked on the medium, and it's been a heck of a ride.
I've met people I probably wouldn't have otherwise met. I've gotten more involved in politics than a guy without much bank otherwise might have. I've tasted beer more intently, and helped spread the word about some cool restaurants. On a good day I'll get a couple thousand hits, but I really enjoy the comments more than the traffic. I've received some recognition, and I'd be lying if I claimed I didn't pay attention to the blogger influence ratings.
And this blog has more than served its original purpose. Tomorrow, I'm starting a novel. (Maybe even tonight, depending on how late I stay at the party across the street.) It may cut down on my commenting, but I'll still try to post once a day.
A thousand posts is nothing compared to a lot of blogs, but it's been a large part of my life. Thanks for visiting.
Labels: blogging
posted by Dan at 10/31/2007 06:54:00 AM
17 Comments:
Congrats! What's the novel about?
Yeah, congrats; anything spicy coming, or just another lawyerly tome?
Congrats, Dan. I may not agree with you even half the time, yet I keep coming back for more. You must be doing something right. Keep it up.
Kudos! It takes time to express your opinions, and courage to have them openly attacked. We may not agree on many issues; nevertheless, I'll drink a cold craft-brew this evening in support of your efforts.
Dan--Just so you know that wasn't me that left that last comment. I only noticed your blog on my site meter and clicked over here to see what you were talking about.
I don't usually go by Little Miss Chatterbox anymore and I think you know I don't normally use that kind of language either.
Dee...
Thanks for clearing that up. I was in the middle of preparing a pretty nasty comment in response.
The link on the name is to your blog. I may have left some real dingers at other blogs to comments from this poser.
congrats!
I'm joining the fun for NaNoWriMo... of course they had to pick the busiest season of the year to do it, but it should be a good time nonetheless.
Congrats Dan, I always enjoy reading your stuff.
The Great American novel by Dan...well, I'm going to look forward to reading it.
Congrats on your blog. It sure generates a lot of controversy and I have to admit, I love it.
Shame on whoever is hijacking Dee's site. I guess there's no end to what destructive things people can do using a computer.
Good Luck. If you get it done soon enough I will read it for my award committee:)
Dee - I thought about deleting the bogus LMC post, since fraudulently misappropriating your name is truly beyond the bounds of decent behavior. But, really, nobody who knows your work or cares about it at all would believe for a second that you would express yourself that way. As it stands, we have a prime example of the lack of dependability of pseudonymous commenters.
Thanks for the good wishes, people!
I love your stuff. You make me feel still connected, in some strange way, to KC. Please don't ever stop blogging, but good luck on your novel.
"...the lack of dependability of pseudonymous commenters".
Dan, please recognize the importance of anon commenters. I think you do, but like many of us -- including me - it's hard to put up with the jerks.
I'm going to quote McIntyre vs. Ohio in a second here. But first I would urge the more evangelical-oriented readers to also consider this:
the reason why we do not know who really wrote the Gospels, and many other books of the New Testament is because of their fear of Christian persecution. The authors of the Bible are, in effect, anony commenters.
So, moving on to a more modern context we have, in 1995, Mcintyre vs. Ohio Board of Elections.
Justice Steves is quite eloquent:
"Under our Constitution, anonymous pamphleteering is not a pernicious, fraudulent practice, but an honorable tradition of advocacy and of dissent. Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority. It thus exemplifies the purpose behind the Bill of Rights, and of the First Amendment in particular: to protect unpopular individuals from retaliation--and their ideas from suppression--at the hand of an intolerant society. The right to remain anonymous may be abused when it shields fraudulent conduct. But political speech by its nature will sometimes have unpalatable consequences, and, in general, our society accords greater weight to the value of free speech than to the dangers of its misuse."
This opinion is actually quite entertaining and very informative, I recommend Googling it and giving it a read.
Nice work Dan. Though I hope the novel does not impede the homebrewing.
It was a dark and stormy night in Kansas City, Missouri...
Great comment, Mainstream, and I love the quotation.
If I wanted to ban anonymous commenters, like some more thin-skinned, controlling sorts, it would simply be a matter of a few clicks for me. I don't and won't because I agree with you that anonymous commentary is often informative and desirable. So, yes, I recognize the importance of anonymous and pseudonymous commenters.
BUT - that same anonymity and pseudonymity can cloak lies - and I just want readers to pay attention to that. Over at the Blue Blog yesterday, they actually indicated that the Mayor's wife had endorsed a slam on Terry Riley because someone posted a comment under the name "Gloria S". Here, some readers wrongly thought that Dee had engaged in a nasty and vulgar slam, when she clearly didn't. I just want readers to be aware that it's terribly easy to post a comment under anyone's name, and you should be hesitant to believe that people are who they claim to be.
"When the Church Man wanted to stop in Constantinople, Missouri, for a cup of coffee, I saw my chance to escape."
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