Every year marks an Anniversary of blogging, mostly to remind others I’m still here.
I started this inauspicious blog in 2002, not knowing really why. I still don’t know why. In people years that’s Ten Years, in the Social Media world it’s a lifetime.
Friends are the biggest thing I’ve gotten out of it, and I thank all of you who’ve taking the time to comment and occasionally critique. I’ve been to BlogWorld and met some terrific med bloggers, and have had fun conversations with others who are only internet buddies. This has continued in the SoMe world, and I continue to enjoy the blog but also Twitter, where rapid-action snark is appreciated/derided in equal measure.
It’s always odd to me that anyone even mentions I’m a blogger and that I have a blog; it’s like people pointing out you have good penmanship or have perfect attendance: it’s just something I do. I enjoy this, I’ve enjoyed the time spent here, and plan to continue.
I’d be lying if I told you I’m the blogger I used to be: clearly not. Re-reading some of my posts makes me realize I used to be a lot angrier, and that’s a big motivator for a blogger. I’m older, more established and frankly happier, which is a nice realization but is kryptonite for the rant blogger.
Professionally I’m doing well, plenty of patients and challenges, and yet: there could be more. I’ve recently been named (surprising mostly me) Director of Medical Informatics (chief tech geek and data dude) for the consulting company to which 130+ of us Independently Contract for the ED’s of the Gigantic Hospital Corporation, which we all like and respect. It’s a terrific opportunity, and a challenge I’m not sure I’m up to. Here’s hoping.
At any rate, as I’ve said before I’m too lazy to quit, so I’ll keep blogging.
Thanks for coming!
Wow, 10 years is indeed a hell of a long time in the social media world. Congratulations!
And congrats on the geek gig — that’s pretty damned cool!
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Thanks!
Some years ago (2005? 2006?) your blog was mentioned in a magazine or newspaper article, and I was intrigued that anyone would write a blog about their job, let alone their job in medicine, so to my computer I went, to look you up and see for myself. From your sidebar, I wandered to MDOD (their politics disgust me now and I haven’t visited in years), from their comments I found Radioactive Girl, Guitar Girl RN, Scalpel or Sword (miss them), Doc 10/10 (miss him TERRIBLY), Nurse K, and eventually Dr. Whitecoat.
6 years later, I still live for the moment at the end of the day when I get in the door, turn on my computer, and check in with about 2 dozen other bloggers. I almost never comment, but I always visit. I can’t really tell you here how much this network of (often pissed off) doctor and nurse bloggers has changed my life, but I’m glad I found it, and that I found your blog first so that I was encouraged to look around.
Thanks for all you do. Here’s to 10 more years!
Wow – 10 years. Amazing how time flies. I’ve been reading you since around the time I started my blog now almost 6 years ago. It all still feels so new, even today.
Congrats and here’s to another 10!
Peggy
My medblogging career such as it was is well and truly dead. I have found twitter to be more suitable to my temperament.
I agree with you that friends are the best that I got out of blogging. And I’m fortunate that almost all those friends are still in contact via Social Media.
PS. I love Ann Ony’s comment. Readers (even lurkers) like her are the ones that warm the cockles of a blogger’s heart.
Happy Blogoversary.
“…and a challenge I’m not sure I’m up to. Here’s hoping.”
Don’t worry, doc. Challenges keep the mind sharp, the proverbial branch just out of reach. “If it don’t kill ya, it’ll make you stronger.”
Keep up the good work! The pholks are exceedingly proud of you.
WOW .. that’s a LONG TIME …well done!
Congrats, Alan. I have really enjoyed getting to know you through this crazy underworld of the blog-o-sphere. Your (mostly) upbeat posts help keep the craziness of medicine sane for many of us. You are an inspiration. Thank you.
Ten years? Dang. I think I was still in high school back then. Congrats.
Thanks for being one of the ones to inspire me to stick my toe in the blogging “pool,” then get pushed in and not want to come out.
As for Ann Ony – you lurkers are what keep all of us running back to our keyboards after our shift. Thanks for your support!
Congratulations from an occasional reader of your blog. I, on the other hand, have only just begun my blogging journey. You are an inspiration. Thank you!