It Was A Very Good Year...

Tomorrow marks one year since my first blog post. I will let you be the judge as to whether I've accomplished what I originally set out to do.

I've heard plenty of criticism of blogs and bloggers. I've been told bloggers are nothing but a bunch or narcissistic basement-dwellers who think people actually care about the mundane things that happen to them in their daily lives. I wish the people that feel this way could have the experience that I've had. They might feel differently. With that, let the sap-fest begin...

I would've never expected that this silly blog could've had such a positive impact on my life. Because of it, I have been able to reconnect with old friends as well as discover new ones. I have laughed my ass off, been educated on various issues of the day, and been exposed to lots of great new music, books, and movies (I'm watching "Touch Of Evil" tonight, Vikki). I certainly never would have thought I'd meet someone and fall in love. It's really been a great thing and I thank you guys for the part you've played. In fact, I'd like to thank each of you semi-individually:

• Thanks Erik & David (Nevada Thunder), for finding great political shit for me to read.
• Thanks Grant, for getting me into blogging in the first place.
• Thanks Frank, for being a great friend.
• Thanks Echo, for keeping Grant in his place and for all your work with GEWS.
• Thanks Flannery, for being one of my original readers and for welcoming me into your home.
• Thanks Vikki, for some of THE most incisive political analysis I think there exists on the internets.
• Thanks Anne Altman, for the whole "quantity not quality" approach to blogging.
• Thanks Marni, for the "Lost" recaps and for being one of my longest visitors.
• Thanks Beth, for almost welcoming me to Atlanta. Some day it'll happen!
• Thanks Megan, for taking a chance on a dork from Michigan. We're gonna have a blast!
• Thanks Big Orange, for some really thought-provoking material (and occasional nudie pics).
• Thanks Lulu, for hanging out in Chi-town and for entertaining us when we come to visit you wherever you may end up.
• Thanks Kristi, for putting the "ho" in hockey and for making me laugh often.
• Thanks Jen, for being my long-lost twin sister.
• Thanks Amy, for recommending that one song (Metro). I still haven't tired of it!
• Thanks Phil, for keeping things under control in Elmhurst in my absence.
• Thanks Boob Lady, for forgiving me for ruining Christmas.
• Thanks Zed, for coming back!
• Thanks Geo, for the razor-sharp pop culture critiques.
• Thanks Teri (Peach Pit), for being one of my most consistently complimentary commenters.
• Thanks Nobody, for everything (and nothing).
• Thanks Sans, for that kick-ass billboard a long time ago and for always keeping me guessing.
• Thanks CP, for some really excellent stories with a lot of humor and heart.
  
• Thanks Val, for all the York High reminiscing and your love of "The Office".
• Thanks Slinger, for being the first person to link to me out of the blue.
• Thanks Gizmorox, for knowing what it's like to live in a heavily-touristed area.
• Thanks Johnny Yen, for great insights into politics and music. "Start The Revolution..." is waiting to be watched.
• Thanks Hootch, for being hilariously vulgar.
• Thanks Melissa, for a great dinner in Manhattan. I hope Africa was fun!
• Thanks Sharon, for coming out with us in Chicago and for knowing "rock saves".
• Thanks Genn6, for recognizing the greatness of Walter Payton.
• Thanks Elizabeth, for joining the Moose Lodge so I can check it out next time I'm in town.
• Thanks Doc, for being my Tiki ambassador.
• Thanks Dale, for many poignant tales and for being Canadian.
• Thanks Bubbles, for liking your nickname and for keeping zoning boards honest.
• Thanks Dave, for some really outstanding bad art.
• Thanks Mombi, for keeping things funny and servin' up fresh bullshit.
• Thanks K.I.D., for all the hilarious relationship tales of woe. I could relate to a lot of it.
  
• Thanks Dick Small, for not permanently booting me off your blog. You crack me up.
• Thanks Scarlet, for being my only visitor in the southern hemisphere.
• Thanks Cherry, for blogging more lately and keeping things "proper".
• Thanks May-B, for being another Canadian reader and liking my humor enough to stalk me.
• Thanks Bubs, for protecting us all and for having some of the best musical tastes around.
• Thanks Hapabukbuk, for some really funny, subtle humor.
• Thanks Wonderturtle, for posting more in the future (please?)
• Thanks Clare, for being the one person who can relate to the whole Versailles experience.
• Thanks S.D., for great comments and for sharing what it's like to be the parent of a child with CP.
• Thanks Catherinette, for your funny tales and crazy cast of characters.
• Thanks Mindy, for liking my stuff and for keeping those crazy Brits in line.
• Thanks WP, for the chance to get creative on Bad Lieutenant's Wife.
• Thanks Laaw-yuhr, for lots of funny stuff and tales of the horrors of law school.
• Thanks Mixednut, for finally starting your own blog!
• Thanks Cheer34, for linking me. I look forward to reading more.

And a special thanks to Randy (who doesn't have a blog) for the great comments and for sending me a copy of "English Settlement".

See y'all Monday!