Today marks my fourth anniversary of blogging. That's a little mind-boggling to me, since it just doesn't feel that long. My archives are right there on the sidebar, though, so I can't deny it.
It's been four fun years for me. When I started doing this, it was as an exercise to force me to write on a regular basis. It's become a bit more than that, but at its heart I still see this as a means of self-improvement, and I'm still ultimately doing it for myself. The day that I stop enjoying it is the day I announce my retirement.
It helps greatly, of course, that I have an audience that regularly provides me with insightful feedback and the more-than-occasional hot tip. I say I'm doing this for myself, but having such a great readership is both a reward and an incentive to keep pushing myself. You folks rock.
I got to branch out a bit this year by doing a little radio, both locally and earlier this week in San Antonio. That's been fun, and I hope to have more such opportunities in the future. I'm more comfortable with that than I thought I'd be, which is partly a tribute to the skill of the hosts who've had me on board, and partly a realization on my part that it's like blogging, just without a backspace key.
I can't let the old year pass by without noting with sadness that Ginger Stampley, the person who inspired me to start a blog in the first place, has hung up her spikes. She's still got a LiveJournal, but I know I'll miss her take on political happenings. Thank you, Ginger, for getting me into this gig. I hope to do you proud as a carrier of your blog legacy.
Happy New Year, everybody. Many thanks to all of you for reading and responding. Here's to Year #5.
Posted by Charles Kuffner on January 01, 2006 to Blog stuff | TrackBackCongratulations Charles on 4 years you always have good info eventhough i do not always agree with the commentary you are well prepared and extremely knowledgeable about the facts
keep up the good work!
Happy anniversary, Blogfather. I started reading you even before I knew Kos existed. Happier New Year!
Posted by: dksbook on January 1, 2006 11:16 AMOf all my blogkids, you're the one I expect great things from, Chuck. You're welcome.
Posted by: Ginger Stampley on January 1, 2006 11:40 AMYou'll outlive us all, Kuff. May the next four be doubly pleasurable.
Posted by: Greg Wythe on January 1, 2006 11:48 AMwell, not to get all mushy...but thank you too!
and, for a great thank you song...
Natalie Merchant's song lyrics to
Kind and Generous
from:
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Kind-and-Generous-lyrics-Natalie-Merchant/10320CD5F0777BA348256926002A4C96
Na Na na na na na na na na na
na na na na na na na na na na
You've been so kind and generous, I don't know how you keep on giving
For your kindness I'm in debt to you
For your selflessness, my admiration
For everything you've done, you know I'm bound, I'm bound to
thank you for it....
Na Na na na na na na na na na
na na na na na na na na na na
You've been so kind and generous, I don't know how you keep on giving
For your kindness I'm in debt to you
And I never could have come this far without you
For everything you've done, you know I'm bound, I'm bound to
thank you for it....
Na Na na na na na na na na na
na na na na na na na na na na
Oh, I want to thank you for so many gifts you gave with love and tenderness,
I wanna thank you
I want to thank you for your generosity, the love and the honesty that you gave me
I want to thank you, show my gratitude, my love and my respect for you,
I wanna thank you
Oh I want to thank you, thank you, thank you,
thank you, thank you, thank you...
Again, not to get too mushy...Thanks!
Happy Anniversary Charles, may the New Year, in all ways, be a great one for you and for your indispensable blog!
Posted by: Sean-Paul Kelley on January 1, 2006 1:18 PMApologies to Three Dog Night:
"Four is a wonderful number"
and I should know, since I just passed that anniversary in November!
You're always my "goto" place for Texas politics, Charles. Thanks.
Posted by: Linkmeister on January 1, 2006 4:24 PMDude, your blog is older than mine is by two whole months (and Ginger's is even older than that).
After a year of working in advertising, I was getting so used to everyone else being a spring chicken...
Happy fourth!
Posted by: julia on January 1, 2006 11:12 PM