When I first started this blog, I never really believed that anyone would be interested in hearing a guy blather on about fatherhood.
After all, let's face it. We still live in a world where men are not really encouraged to discuss their inner feelings. Most of us just don't want to hear about it.
If society has taught us anything, it's that there's a fine line between being a strong, confident man who is in touch with his feelings and being a giant wuss who cries at every father-daughter dance, likes to bake banana bread, and loves Jane Campion movies. Iron Man meet Iron John.
So yeah, really, who the fuck would want to listen to some random NYC Asian-American dude talk about being a dad?
But four years, ten pounds, and two colonoscopies later here I am. Still standing.
In fact, this is my 337th post. It's hard to believe. 337 times I've released my mental diarrhea out into the public arena. Who knew I even had that much to say?
Since its inception, this blog has been my own personal soapbox. It not only serves as a place for me to transcribe my personal journey into fatherhood but also lets me vent about the truly important issues of the day that seriously affect all of us.
Like sitting at the pediatrician's office yesterday, I jotted down an observation. Look, I wrote it on this napkin. It says: DO SOMETHING FUNNY ABOUT BABY DROOL. You see, that's the joy in writing this blog. Taking on the big guys.
Anyway, four years ago when I started this site, there weren't really any dad bloggers around. In fact, as far as I knew, it was just me, Greg, LOD and a small handful of others.
Then, along came Dutch, Danny, and Matthew. Pretty soon, more and more dads started entering the blogosphere. It's almost as if they started springing up in waves. I loved it. I've always enjoyed reading new dad blogs and wanted to give all of them as much attention as I possibly could. In fact, whenever I had free time, I'd do various write-ups introducing all the new dad blogs as they came online.
As I've said many times before, mommy blogs are like the giant 800-lb gorilla of the parenting blogosphere. They are an amazing revolutionary force of sheer will, spirit, and determination. They're fantastic and I love all of them. (Don't forget I was always on your side, ladies, 'cause I don't want to get hurt in the coming revolution. And by the way, don't you all look sexy today! Did you lose some weight? Is that a new haircut?)
What the hell was I talking about again? Ah yes, mommy blogs as 800-lb gorillas. Well, if that's the case, then daddy blogs are like the tiny gnat on the gorilla’s ass. Although our numbers are growing larger by the day, in all honesty, most people don’t even know we exist.
That's why I was so surprised to learn that Guy Kawasaki's amazing new site aggregator, ALLTOP, now has a channel featuring just Dads!
Alltop is an amazing, new kind of site. If you are interested in celeb gossip or politics or gaming or fashion or geeky stuff, the top posts in a wide variety of different genres are covered all in one place, without you having to load anything into a feed reader. It's absolutely brilliant.
The fact that there are now enough dad bloggers out there to justify their own channel on Alltop is amazing to me and warms the cockles of my soul. At last count, Alltop listed 81 different daddy blogs! How cool is that? I can't wait to see more and more added to the list.
Thanks to Guy and AllTop for recognizing the growing popularity of Dad bloggers. Now, go check them out here.
And if any of you know some other dad bloggers out there who either aren't on the list or I've never mentioned before, leave their URLs in the comments below.
Speaking of fathers...Al Copeland (the mack daddy of fried chicken and legendary founder of the Popeyes restaurant chain) passed away this week. I was so upset that I poured out some cajun gravy and dirty rice for my homie last night. Rest in peace, Al. Thanks for making the world a better place than it was before you entered it.
Why, Yes I did lose some weight but no, the hair cut isn't new. I washed it this morning though. =P
Posted by: Mary | March 28, 2008 at 01:36 PM
I've always appreciated it when you've introduced new daddy bloggers on your site. Glad to see that there are so many now, all aggregated in one place!
Posted by: bradley | March 28, 2008 at 01:40 PM
This is truly awesome. Now, if I could only get on it...
(And it's nice to recognized as someone who helped start the revolution! Viva Los Padres!)
Posted by: Childsplayx2 | March 28, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Happy bloggin' anniversary, and welcome new dads.
Mommy blogs didn't do much for me but raise my blood pressure, so daddy blogs have kept me sane and made me laugh till I snort during my parallel journey through parenthood.
Posted by: JJ Daddy's Baby Momma | March 28, 2008 at 03:20 PM
That's awesome! I really enjoy reading the Daddy blogs. I like to see the parenting perspective from the other side of the gender debate just because I *do* think there are some fundamental differences in how women and men tend to approach parenting.
Posted by: sugarplumsmom | March 28, 2008 at 03:31 PM
Honestly I had no idea there were so many daddy blogs. I only read you and Greg. Thanks for providing links to others. I can't wait to check them out.
Posted by: kyle | March 28, 2008 at 03:37 PM
This daddyblogger Just found this blog, and the resources Metrodad mentions. Good to meet you all.
Untie! I mean... Unite!
Father of 3 under 3.5
Posted by: bill | March 28, 2008 at 04:09 PM
I love reading daddy blogs. The mommy ones are a little too cliquish for me. Besides, it's always refreshing hearing the opposite sex's take on parenting.
Posted by: janet b. | March 28, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Great post! I love the lead up and Alltop is definitely a blessing for us all. Congrats on sticking with the blog for so long, it's definitely inspirational to hear it. -Jeremy @ Discovering Dad
Posted by: Jeremy Neal | March 28, 2008 at 06:07 PM
Congrats on being the #1 dad blog on AllTop, MD. Well deserved honor. Meanwhile, I've been checking out that site all afternoon. The aggregator is a great idea. Surprised nobody thought of it earlier.
Posted by: Malcolm | March 28, 2008 at 06:42 PM
I think you know this guy from Rice Daddies, but my favorite local guy is F-Bomb (http://www.fbomb.us/).
Posted by: Lunasea | March 28, 2008 at 07:58 PM
Go Dads!
Posted by: Jo | March 29, 2008 at 05:29 AM
I've tried to penetrate mom blogs clique now for a year, even been kicked out of one. Glad to see dad blogs getting some respect! Thanks for teh find and congrats on the blogiversary.
Posted by: Justin | March 29, 2008 at 09:08 AM
What do you mean, I look sexy today? Are you being sarcastic? What haircut? Now you're just mocking me, aren't you? OH, the weight loss... yeah, that's it. Hmmm, still not convinced... you ARE mocking me...
I do love daddy blogs. I remember when I first discovered this blog and Daddy in a Strange Land, I was so excited to have found role models, great ones!, for PN and encouraged him to check you guys out. Funny story - one of the posts that made me laugh out loud was the one in which you talked about feeding Peanut out of MetroDog's bowl... PN didn't get it and was quite sure HE was a better dad for condemning the act of feeding one's child out of the canine family member's bowl. Oh, the irony.
Thank goodness daddy bloggers are sticking around... otherwise I may still be clueless about the good dads out there!
Posted by: Mama Nabi | March 29, 2008 at 10:06 AM
It's nice to see a Dad blog out here! I'm new to the blog thing, but not new to the dad thing. I've just started my blog and am still trying to get the hang of it. It's kinda hard to know what to write when nobody vists. Anyway, thank you for allowing my url. Please feel free to give advice.
Thanks
Posted by: Tim | March 29, 2008 at 04:59 PM
As I said, I'm new. Here's my url:
http://mrmomsunite.blogspot.com
Posted by: Tim | March 29, 2008 at 05:02 PM
Well, since you asked, you've never mentioned me before...
http://talesfromthedadside.blogspot.com/
I actually went through the list, and it's pretty good, except that it's got (what I consider at least) some pretty obscure ones and is missing Chag (Cynical Dad) and William (Poop and Boogies).
I already emailed them about those two; you can't have a list of dad blogs without them, IMHO.
Posted by: SciFi Dad | March 29, 2008 at 08:01 PM
because you asked...
http://backpackingdad.blogspot.com
Posted by: Backpacking Dad | March 29, 2008 at 11:50 PM
One of my fav daddy blogs is http://www.poopandboogies.blogspot.com/
Congrats on post #337!
Posted by: Sandy | March 30, 2008 at 02:27 AM
My current obsession is Jeff Vogel, who creates video games and maintains this website on which he devotes a portion of the space to chronicling his fatherhood experiences.
www.ironycentral.com
Check out links to "The Story About the Baby" and "The Story About the Toddler."
Maybe if enough of us start writing him, we can convince him to get an rss feed!
Posted by: NG | March 30, 2008 at 09:05 AM
When I started 3 years ago I thought I was the only one. It took me a year to realize that I wasn't. That's how long it took someone to find me I guess.
Hey, I was one of a handful of people that contacted Guy prior to the dad listing to get one started. You're welcome.
I love Popeye's biscuits.
Posted by: Whit | March 30, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Congrats on your posts! I have really appreciated reading a father's point of view as my husband is typical in his inability to express himself. You even noticed that I've lost 10 pounds AND got my haircut on Tuesday. My husband has not. Well done, MetroDad. Well done.
Posted by: misfithausfrau | March 30, 2008 at 09:56 PM
I met Guy Kawasaki at a conference in Cabo a few years ago. Great guy. Very approachable. Let him tell you the story about how he turned down the offer to be the CEO of Yahoo because it was an hour drive each way from his house.
He says it's the "second billion dollars" he missed that really pisses him off though.
If he likes you - you're definitely in. Nicely done, MD.
Posted by: MetroDude | March 31, 2008 at 12:44 AM
I'm finally delurking to say Bravo Good Job. Yours was the first daddy blog I read & still do. You're one funny dude.
Here's to another 337 entries...and more...
Posted by: Mei | March 31, 2008 at 03:08 AM
MD, you're definitely the Manny Pacquiao of the daddy blogging world, a compliment I don't drop lightly.
Posted by: ka_jun | March 31, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Keep groovin MD. I couldn't agree more about the fine balance about writing about fatherhood. Though no matter what you write someone will call you a wuss, and then three minutes later another person will call you a mommy basher.
Posted by: Working Dad | March 31, 2008 at 04:54 PM
simon metz would like a little metrolove, if you would.
http://simonmetz.blogspot.com
keep up the stellar output!
Posted by: moe berg | April 01, 2008 at 12:10 AM
Hi, glad to have found your blog and post! I have a blog Dad's House - Dating & Parenting by a Single Dad. http://dadshouseblog.com
Thanks for looking out for other dads!
Posted by: dadshouse | April 01, 2008 at 01:36 AM
Happy Anniversary, MD.
Your's is the dad blog that reaffirmed my energies in maintaining my own, so much so that I just got a book published out of it!
(Read more: http://www.naveenbachwani.com/dad/)
Thanks for every thing...
Naveen
Posted by: Naveen Bachwani | April 01, 2008 at 03:13 AM
Happy Anniversary, MD.
Your's is the dad blog that helped reaffirm my efforts in maintaining my own, so much so that I just got a book published out of it!
(Read more: http://www.naveenbachwani.com/dad/)
Thanks for every thing...
Naveen
Posted by: Naveen Bachwani | April 01, 2008 at 03:15 AM
Whenever I a feeling a bit down, a bit like a crappy rubbish mum, I come here and read your stories and laugh and feel good. Not because you make me feel like I am better - but because you make me feel like I am normal!! thanks METRODAD and PEANUT and BOSSLADY. You lot rock.
Posted by: Vicki | April 01, 2008 at 05:44 AM
You don't look a day over 336, really.
How do you stay so young?
I'm gonna tell my clique all about you!
(Keep up the good work)
Posted by: Busy Mom | April 01, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Bloggers with testicles are bad ass.
Posted by: Dad Gone Mad | April 01, 2008 at 10:57 PM
can I pimp my husband's blog?
www.justinrummel.com
also, I don't recall seeing Looky Daddy (might've scrolled on past) at www.lookydaddy.com
Posted by: Colleen | April 02, 2008 at 05:15 PM
Sorry to tell you this, but "whatever" is just around the corner. My daughter pulled that about 2 weeks after she turned 4.
Posted by: Aimee | April 03, 2008 at 12:33 PM
I'll have a 3pc and two biscuits for my homie next time. I just had some Popeye's a few weeks ago. I had not been inside one for almost 5 years. It smelled so good, so, so, good.
Posted by: Jrock | April 04, 2008 at 05:09 PM
Since you opened the flood gates...
www.tapirspoop.blogspot.com
and that's "tapirs poop" as in the observation of my toddler of a stinky animal's favorite activity, not tapir's poop as in the product of said activity.
Yeah, I should have come up with a better name but Metrodad was taken.
Posted by: DK | April 08, 2008 at 08:36 AM
The reason you are still here is because you're an excellent writer. Period.
Well, and you're funny as hell.
Thanks for the shout out to the dads. I have revived my dad blog. There's much better dad blogs out there but as long as we're sharing!
kwaichangcaine.blogspot.com
Posted by: Charlie | April 17, 2008 at 09:39 AM
I rarely venture into the world of mom blogs. Those women can be scary! Actually, I do have a few favorites, but mostly I read dad blogs.
My own is celebrating its 4th anniversary this month. It's a fun hobby. I just enjoy learning from other dads, hearing the latest parenting news, and reaffirming my belief that this is the greatest job in the world.
Posted by: Phil | April 19, 2008 at 01:34 AM
Found your blog through Alltop and loving the stories. Hoping to soon make the Alltop list at Next Gen Dads.
www.nextgendads.blogspot.com
Here's to being a dad always trying to figure it out.
Posted by: Kevin Sturm | April 30, 2008 at 05:24 PM
MetroDad: Patria Potestas (Daddy Power!)
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