6/08/2007

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!

30 comments:

Teri said...

GOD, where are my tissues?

I always laugh when I visit you, Chris. Keep up the good work and have a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

... I don't know, narcissistic seems like such a HARSH word..

Zed said...

That was so sweet, Chris. Teri, please pass the tissues.

I'm so glad to be back!!

Doc said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jenny Jenny Flannery said...

To quote another song...

You're the top!
You're Mahatma Gandhi.
You're the top!
You're Napoleon Brandy.
You're the purple light
Of a summer night in Spain,
You're the National Gallery
You're Garbo's salary,
You're cellophane.
You're sublime,
You're turkey dinner,
You're the time, the time of a Derby winner
I'm a toy balloon that is fated soon to pop
But if, baby, I'm the bottom,
You're the top!

Moderator said...

I tend to agree bloggers are navel gazers. But thanks for being a friend! Congratulations on your blogiversary.

RandyLuvsPaiste said...

awwwwww, Chris, U da best!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad I found you, Chris, and that you continue to blog and make me laugh and think. I hope you'll keep on blogging, and I wish you and Megan the best!

Gosh... it sounds like I'm signing your yearbook or something. And, you're welcome for the song.

The Boob Lady said...

You're the best Chris! Of course I forgive you. This has been awesome! All the best to you.

Jen said...

I loved this post bro

you rock chris!

Anonymous said...

I'll keep the thoughts and the nudie pix comin' in the comin' year, toots!! (and how it I've been on the net for nigh on 2 years and I've not gone over 666 posts yet??)

Cheer34 said...

thanks for the thanks.

SkylersDad said...

One year and so many great posts, how do you do it Chris? You must secretly write for a sitcom or something!

mixednut said...

Great post Chris.
You're the best!

Phil said...

Is it "narcissistic" to have gone straight to my name, skipping everyone else's?

Thank you, Some Guy!

Doc said...

Thank You Chris. I have never been the Ambassador to anything before. Perhaps I'll add that to my resume.

Doc

don'tneedtoknow said...

Congratulations Chris! So much can happen in a year.

Dale said...

We all owe you a lot too Chris. Just about all the great things you've said about everyone else apply to you as well.

Although you're not Canadian, you've never sent anyone a copy of English Settlement and probably a dozen other things, we revel in your joy, you big sap.

Congratulations.

Writeprocrastinator said...

You're welcome and most importantly, thank you for:

A) Tolerating and reporting on such things as the Republican Presidential Debates. If I had to, I would've ripped what's left of my hair.

B) Being a great alternative to "The Daily Show." Your blog is always on and always on the spot...not to mention, overall, I like your guests more.

C) Making the B.L.W. fun to edit and read.

D) Your fine singing voice and for making the roads of Michigan, that much safer. We need drivers like you out here.

Here's to your blog and keep it up!

bubbles said...

Thanks for the nickname! I really love it, honestly!

I can't post about my solution to the County nightmare... suffice to say in the long run.... I WIN!! They think they did, but not so....

Keep the blog going and thanks for helping me when I got started!

Joe said...

And that was STILL considerably shorter than an Oscars acceptance speech!

Thank YOU for all those great cartoons and captions.

If we can all stay on here thanking and congratulating and flattering each other long enough it'll start to resemble the old Jerry Lewis telethon

Frank Sirmarco said...

Chris:

If they threw a party and invited everyone you knew - you would see the biggest gift would be from me, and the card attached would say, "Thank you for being a friend!"

I LOVE YOU, CHRIS!

Johnny Yen said...

And thank you, Chris, for making even the rough days something to look forward to.

Cup said...

What a lovely post. Glad I've had the chance to visit and peek into your world for the last year. And get down South sometime soon!

Sans Pantaloons said...

Congratulations Chris! Thank you for being talented and generous.

Some Guy's Blog Non ducor, duco

Valerie said...

HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY!

It's been very cool to get to know you through your blog...I thoroughly enjoy it and am glad it has had such a positive impact on your life. I look forward to reading what will happen over the next year for you (and Megan).

K.I.D. said...

Congrats, yo!

I hope to have more relationship tales in the future.

GETkristiLOVE said...

Congrats on the year mark, Chris!

I hope I can make you laugh some more in the next year, and I'm extremely happy you found Megan.

The [Cherry] Ride said...

Thanks to you, buddy, for the awesome nickname a few weeks back.

vikkitikkitavi said...

Wow, I was really busy for a few days, so I just now saw this. Thanks, buddy, that's pretty fucking cool.