3 Years of Blogging & 318 Posts Later...

I was over at my buddy (and fellow NYC daddy blogger) Mr. Nice Guy's site today and was happy to see that he was celebrating his 500th post.  Naturally, I wondered how many posts I had written over here and was shocked to see that this one right here is #318.  I also discovered that, lo and behold, my 3rd blog anniversary just passed in July.

It's hard to believe that, for the past three years, I've been sitting down 1-2 nights a week with a glass of scotch and banging out late-night musings on my love of fatherhood, marriage, the NY Mets, being Korean, beef jerky, and the luxuriant black hair on my head that gives me my Spidey powers.

Of course, during those same three years, I've also spent a lot of time perfecting this sense of detached bemusement that seems to be hardwired into my personality. 

You know what else I've really noticed in perusing my writing of the past three years?  A lot of "fucks."  Honestly, I say the word "fuck" more often than Rudy Guiliani changes his politics.

But in all seriousness, aside from the fact that writing is a lot cheaper than therapy, this blog has turned into my own personal soapbox where I can discuss the truly important issues of our day.  Like when I was changing my daughter's diaper yesterday, I jotted down an observation that I wrote on this napkin. Here it is: SAY SOMETHING STUPID ABOUT BABY POOP!

You see, that's the real joy of writing this blog. Taking on the big guys. 

In all honesty, I truly have enjoyed writing this blog.  I don't know when I'll stop doing it.  So much of what I write here focuses on being a parent for the first time.  However, I think there will come a time when my source material will eventually dry up.  What happens when the Peanut leaves for college?  Will I follow her to school so I can still mine some good material?  I doubt it. By then, I'll be too busy working the night shift at Wal-Mart to help pay for her tuition. 

Besides, I never meant for this blog to last forever.  Originally, I just wanted a little corner of the internet where I could be a little self-introspective about my journey into fatherhood and find a community of like-minded parents.  Unlike others, I never started this blog to make money. I never started it to get a book deal.  And I certainly never started it to try and become popular.

See, for me, being popular means being liked, and there's a certain responsibility that goes along with being liked, because you are no longer in a position to let people down.  See, if people think you're an asshole, you can't disappoint them.  And that's how much I love people.  To prevent them from being disappointed in me, I act like an asshole.  Now, I know what you're thinking.  Are people disappointed if I'm not as big an asshole as they expect? 

All I can say is, so far, it has not been a problem.

I will admit, however, that this blog has unintentionally developed a certain amount of popularity that I'm rather conflicted about. I like to be the outsider, the rabble rouser, the iconoclast, but I also dig the fact that people seem to respond to what I'm writing about.  See the problem?  On the one hand, I don't care what other people think of me; but on the other hand, I want to be remembered as the guy who didn't care what other people thought of him.

You know, when this blog first started, I didn't care who was reading.  But when I started getting a little traffic, I'll admit that I would check my stat counter more often than I would my stock portfolio.  Thankfully, for both me and my retirement fund, I stopped doing that about a year or two ago.

But anyway...on this auspicious anniversary, as I think about where I want to go with this blog, I keep coming back to the sage advice offered by my crazy-ass friend BMC who, in discussing the rising popularity of personal blogging as a means to an end, proffered these words of wisdom, "git back to your roots, bitches!"

To that end, I think I'm going to take her advice.

While I'll still continue to spout the verbal diarrhea that seems to clog the plumbing of my brain on a near-daily basis, I think I also want to get back to writing for myself, my wife and my daughter.  This site originally started as a way for me to not only work out my issues of becoming a father for the first time but also to reach out to a bunch of really cool men and women who not only relished being parents but also didn't want to subsume their individuality to their new roles as parents.  I cherish the friendships I've made from this blog and, in the end, this means more to me than I ever could have imagined. 

So, going forward, whether you're a like-minded parent or a single person reading this as some sort of cautionary tale, I hope you'll stick around.  I'm not really sure where we're going from here but shit, then again...who does? 

Three years indeed.  Happy anniversary to me. 

Comments

[Anne Glamore]

My blog is ruling my life so much that I'm contemplating signing up to be a room mother for the FIRST TIME EVER just for the blog fodder.

See, the material doesn't have to dry up!

[Roger]

Hey Pierre, just wondering but do you ever think about Peanut one day reading all your blog entries? Do you ever wonder if typepad all of a sudden shut down? You know somesort of fatal error where all your information and blogging would vanish, you'd be sad right? I was thinking about that the other day. I blog mostly for family and friends who aren't able to see my son, but one day I do hope that the blog would still exist in some capacity where he could one day read and appreciate it. Just wondering your thoughts? Oh btw happy anni.

[Roger]

Oh, maybe you back everything up. Just curious.

[KC]

I'm looking foward to seeing where your blog will go, MD. You are one of my favorite writers out there, no matter what the topic (except perhaps sports and whichever of those NY basketball teams you root for.)

Just kidding. I know you're talking about hockey.

[landismom]

Dude, if you even consider quitting blogging before the Peanut turns four and causes you to question your sanity on a daily basis, I will march up there to NYC and personally kick your ass, hole and all.

Seriously, you think that girl has you by the short and curlies now? Just wait till she's four. You'll need all the support you can get.

Keep the blog alive, whether you're posting or not. We don't want to miss your downfall--Peanut 4.0.

[landismom]

Dude, if you even consider quitting blogging before the Peanut turns four and causes you to question your sanity on a daily basis, I will march up there to NYC and personally kick your ass, hole and all.

Seriously, you think that girl has you by the short and curlies now? Just wait till she's four. You'll need all the support you can get.

Keep the blog alive, whether you're posting or not. We don't want to miss your downfall--Peanut 4.0.

[landismom]

Argh, sorry for double comment.

[L.]

MD, happy anniversary, and in the future, do whatever the hell you want, whatever feels right -- I will always love you (sniff...).

[Mocha]

IF, after the recent disclosure of full-on blog crush, you decided to stop I would totally break up with you. First, I'd stalk you like a wild-eyed crazy ass bitch and issue the smackdown while taking off my press on nails and removing my hair extensions because I'm not havin' it. You hear me? You smell what I'm steppin' in?

Alright then.

Happy 3rd!

[Mocha]

IF, after the recent disclosure of full-on blog crush, you decided to stop I would totally break up with you. First I'd stalk you like a wild-eyed crazy ass bitch and issue the smackdown while taking off my press on nails and removing my hair extensions because I'm not havin' it. You hear me? You smell what I'm steppin' in?

Alright then.

Happy 3rd!

See there? I posted my shit TWICE to show you how crazy I can be.

[WorkingDad]

Keep rocking and blogging MD. You are one of the best and most foul mouthed parenting bloggers out there.

[Deanna]

Happy Blogaversary, smartass. If you quit blogging I swear I will find a cheap bottle of merlot in my pantry, lie in wait at the Wild Ginger and then smash it over your head. I don't care how long I'd have to wait... ;)

Besides, if you really do plan on having L'Enfant part deux, you will have more blog fodder than you know what to do with once you get into sibling rivalry! That's a whole 'nother universe just waiting for you!

[Mitchell]

Delurking to say that it can't be easy maintaining a blog for three years. I've always been amazed watching you crank out awesome post after awesome post. Even your throwaway posts are great. Please don't stop writing. I'd have no blog to read!

Happy third anniversary!

[IFLYG]

Mate, you were my hero when I first started my little blog.

Me - a first time daddy, not knowing what the fuck I was doing...nappies....crying....mood swings...and that was just me...

I was trying to still be the guy I'd always been while all these strange scary forces took centre stage in my life...I felt that all these responsibilities were suddenly coming down on me...

And your blog made me realise I could still just be me, but with a kid.

I know now that it's just the best thing ever, but you, personally, sort of walked me through it.

I thought, at the time, that you were some sort of expert in the field. It took me a while to realise you were just a happy idiot like me...

The first time you responded to one of my posts - I called my lovely wife over to read it; I was so excited to have been acknowledged by such a good writer...I felt like part of a community...I still feel that way.

Rock on, MD. You help people

2

7

[BOSSY]

They like you. They really like you.

[Dan D.]

Has it been 3 years already? Wow, that's quite impressive. Congrats, MD. You're my favorite writer out there and I always enjoy your every post.

[halfmama]

Happy A-hole! (SO not fooling anyone with that act.)

For a moment, I thought this was heading towards a goodbye-forever post. And that was just cruel and rude. Is there such a thing as emotional blog abuse? Because I think I was just scarred.

I'm with Mocha. Don't make us get all Jerry Springer on your ass.

[Fiona]

I sure as hell will be sticking around. Happy Anniversary, dude. Keep on keeping on...

[virginia]

Johnny Rotten. Why not really go for it?

[samantha jo campen]

Happy Three Years! I'm *so* glad you're finally past the terrible twos. Whew!

[Nina]

I haven't been around much lately, but I still check in almost everyday. Your blog is still my most sure-fire way of getting a good laugh.

Happy blogiversary MD. You're awesome, but so very much not an asshole. Keep trying though. =P

[Jacko]

Happy anniversary, asshole!

[Beth]

You know, MD, I've been around your place for a while, first as Queen of Ass, and now as Snark City. I've never read anything I couldn't appreciate, and in most cases, identify with. I hope you have a wonderful anniversary, and that there are many MANY more to come.

you rock!

[ann adams]

Strange. I've never thought of you as an asshole.

Should I have?

Happy 3rd anniversary.

[cryitout]

I find it hard to believe that ANYBODY can sit around and write about their love affair with the Mets -- but if anyone's gonna do it, I'm glad it's you. Congrats. MD. Here's to three more great years!

Mike

[madmad]

Congrats on the blogiversary! Glad you're sticking around!

[Sal]

did anybody notice bosslady's comment?

[donkeysmouth]

Love the remote. Hmmm...one can only dream, can't they?

[tpon]

I have been lurking whilst not posting and have enjoyed everything you have going on... although my keyboard and montior could us a good cleaning from all the snarfing. can't wait to see what else you have up that sleeve of yours. Congrats and here is to many, many more!

[rebecca]

"but also to reach out to a bunch of really cool men and women who not only relished being parents but also didn't want to subsume their individuality to their new roles as parents."

I'm not nearly as cool as you, but I TOTALLY feel this comment.

How to explain to my own little peanut that Mommy really needs to go to the studio RIGHT NOW. And that by the time she's a teen she will thank me for having enough of a life of my own to not need to live hers for her.

[Henri]

You suck. Write something for us non-parents.

[Henri]

...And fix your damn anonymous button.

[KG]

Happy anniversary, MD! I'm so glad you're writing in Blogville. Your posts always lead me to some episode of ROFL, and I appreciate that.

Blogging is such a process, with ups and downs, just like life, it's a journey (...alright, I'll stop, don't grab the Kleenex just yet...)

But what I'm really trying to say is, I think a whole bunch of us will still be here for the long haul, reading your unique, entertaining stories. Just keep being yourself, and don't worry too much about the rest.

Cheers to you, BossLady and the Peanut (oh, and to MetroDog/the Peanut's Urban Pony, too)!

[mr nice guy]

hey, happy blogiversary back at you. sorry this is so late, but i have been out of town having a life.

more drinks soon please.

[joanh]

haven't visited in awhile, but your blog is still hilarious and heartfelt. congrats on 3 years!

ps. sad to hear that the terrible twos dont' magically fade away at 3 years old... our just turned 2 and it's amazing how they can be ADORABLE one moment and exasperating the next..

[DjGerdu]

I can't believe you got away with that I guess life baelncas out: Scott effs up your TV but you get a date with a cute girl who should be pissed at you.

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