And still a disorganized mess…

Seven years! Where does the time go? Today marks The BradLands' seventh anniversary at this domain, and nearly 11 years on the web total. So, happy anniversary to us.

Things are still a mess around here, with gaping holes in the archives where I still haven't managed to import everything into the Movable Type database. (And by "import", I mean "cut and paste from entries composed way back when using state-of-the-art Adobe Pagemill".) I haven't done a decent, consistent and personally satisfying site design in ages (y'all read this as a news feed anyway, though, right?), although I restored some bits and bangles from the old design because I missed the typewriter-like typeface and the purple.

The purple! Gah, folks will probably think I'm trying to imitate Anil now. Heck, I already post nearly as often as he does.

(For posterity, I have managed to get a few of the early months back online. Here, for example, is day one of this weblog, June 1, 1998.)

This site—including this weblog and The Daily Brad—for all that I abuse and ignore it, has been one of the most positive additions I've ever made to my life. It is the indirect cause of too many adventures and friendships and opportunities to grow (some I took, some I did not) to count.

This spring when I made my annual pilgrimage to Austin for South by Southwest, I was extremely flattered to hear two friends talk about how I had touched their lives. Kevin Smokler mentioned that his last-night dinners were a bit inspired by my annual Break Bread with Brad shindigs. And Bryan J. Busch told the crowd at Fray Café that it was at a BBWB post-prandial karaoke party he first considered singing in a band.

Not to get all George Bailey on you, but always it surprises me just how much influence one person can have on others, usually without even knowing it.

What I do know is how much influence the folks I've had the distinct privilege of meeting—often only "virtually"—as a member of the personal publishing communities that arose from a handful of weblogs and journals back in the late 20th century have had on me. A lot, and an overwhelmingly positive influence at that.

Thank you. Truly and sincerely, thank you.

I promise I'll get this place organized somewhat better before it turns 10.

Posted by Brad on May 31, 2005 at 11:00 PM | (5) |
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