I’ve got an idea, I’ll start a parenting blog. I bet nobody is doing that.
Those are the words I launched Blogger Dad with exactly one year ago today. I was an out-of-work newspaper reporter, hardly a rare commodity these days, and had the high hopes of turning this blog into a launching pad for a syndicated column, a book deal, and who knows what else?
Even though I didn’t realize it at the time, I knew next to nothing about blogging when I started. Which was a good thing. If I knew how competitive the arena is and how many other people – many of them writing awesome stuff, I probably wouldn’t have bothered to start my own site.
While I am relatively new to the blogosphere, I am not new to the Internet.
I spent the last nine years drawing a few different successful comic strips for a decent sized readership. I love drawing comics and love the feedback that comics get. That I had a small cult following of readers who regularly emailed me was really awesome. However, comics are extremely time consuming. Each strip takes between three to four hours to produce and provides little more than pocket change in income.
Being a new dad, it was hard to justify three to four hours a day on comics, in addition to writing.
Drawing comics was a luxury that time would not allow.
And while Blogger Dad doesn’t bring me an income either, it does allow me to keep my writing skills sharp and it has opened the door to several relationships which will pave the way for my next career move. (I will post more on this on Thursday).
During my three years as a reporter, I’d written nearly eight million stories, give or take 7 million plus, so writing is hardwired into my system. I can knock out all sorts of copy. However, writing for this blog allows me a freedom that writing for a newspaper didn’t. For one, you can’t just make up words for a newspaper, which if you ask me, is pretty flarpin’ stupid. For two, since I primarily covered the city government beat, I didn’t usually get a chance to sprinkle humor into news stories, though they often begged for it.
Blogger Dad allows me to write the kind of stuff I enjoy, stories with humor and heart. And oh yeah, the occasional angst and sarcasm.
So, there I was, a year ago. Young-ish and out of work wondering what the hell I was going to do next. I’ve followed a few blogs and even written posts for my comics, but I didn’t know a whole lot about blogging. Thankfully, I fell in with a decent crowd who inspired me, educated me and most importantly, supported my efforts.
That crowd is you all.
I would name you all by name, but frankly, I’m writing this during E’s nap and I’m pressed for time. And I know I will forget someone who will be all, “that jerk, I‘ve been there from day one” and then I‘ll have to say, “sorry, mom, I really meant to mention you” and, well… you get the idea. Besides, it’s not like this is an Oscar speech or some grand achievement. I have blogged for a full year, whoopee.
Yes, I realize that 99.8923132% of new blogs don’t last more than six months, but there’s still eight bazillion flarpin’ blogs that DO make the one year mark (even if most of them are all written by spammers).
The point is, I’m not celebrating just yet.
I still don’t have a book deal or an island named after me. Hell, Sony won’t even send me a PlayStation 3, so I’m not yet ‘that kind of success.’
I am, however, happy.
I get to write funny stuff (results may vary) and I get to write touching stuff about my family. Most importantly, I get to share the joy (and trials) of raising my two year old son, E. Without him, there would be no Blogger Dad, there would just be some angry young-ish man writing angry posts about what idiots most of the rest of the world are.
During the rest of the week, I’m going to write about some of the people who touched me (no, not in a ‘show me on the doll where the bad man touched you, Davey’ sort of way), educated me or helped me. I’ll also post some lists of the funniest, most heartfelt posts I’ve done – and some which I wish I’d not hit the publish button on.
Lastly, thanks to all of you who show up and read what I have to say and still comment even though I rarely comment in any of your blogs because I’m a big fat flarpin’ jerk head. Thank you, I really do appreciate each and every one of you.
See you tomorrow with some lists and stuff.
As always, thank you for reading,
David
Like this post? Please consider tweeting it.
Want BloggerDad delivered to your email every time I post? Well, you’re not alone. Join the literally tens of others who have already subscribed for free! Email not your thing? That’s okay, you can also subscribe via RSS.
Content is copyright 2009 BloggerDad.com. If you are reading this on any site other than www.Bloggerdad.com or your personal RSS reader, then you may be reading it on a site which steals content. And a site like that is probably up to all kinds of no good.
Congrats on the Blogaversary, making up words is fun.
.-= PJ Mullen´s last blog ..RMDM on Daddy Yak IV =-.
I’m glad I found your blog. Congratulations on a year! I am hoping I will make it. It is certainly harder than it seems. The writing and the designing. Thanks for the help! I will keep reading your words!
.-= Brittany at Mommy Words´s last blog ..Gender Question: Boy or Girl? =-.
I’m glad you *did* bother to start your blog! I never considered blogging competitive, but that’s because I blog mostly for myself.
Congrats! My 1-year anniversary was Jan 1!
.-= Square Peg Guy´s last blog ..Glad I Didn’t Open That Swiss Bank Account =-.
I find it harder and harder to keep doing the things that I loved to do before the babies. Like you said it’s hard to justify blogging or drawing like I used too..
Congrats on the anniversary..
.-= Eric´s last blog ..The Weekend Wrap-Up – August 17th, 2009 =-.
Bells, Whistles, Streamers, Fireworks and Balloons galore to you Dave! You definitely offer up a terrific blend of wit and ponderance.
Secretly, I am glad you have yet to attained the coveted PS3, you may not be here as often if you do
Keep at it Blogger Dad. It’s a great way, as you said, to keep the skills sharpened. I enjoy reading your stuff.
Chris
.-= Chris@Maugeritaville´s last blog ..Parent Letters From the Edge, Episode 1 =-.
your blog is amazing… certainly an inspiration for me… and it really is a major achievement to blog for an year and have the readership like you do. As a perspective, I’ve also been blogging for an year or so and only been able to write around25 posts so far. So good job and keep up the great work!
.-= a father’s diary´s last blog ..The Quinny Effect =-.
Congratulations, David. Your blog is already a year old to the day. You have not yet been gifted with a PS3, but don’t you think you deserve to revise this invitation to subscribe and be a part of tens of followers?
I bet you’ve eight million readers now minus one million – ok, I’d allow that. And stalkers, too. Your awesomeness wouldn’t be complete without you having your share of stalkers, right?
.-= jan geronimo´s last blog ..Avoiding Scams Aimed at Writers =-.
Congratulations! I enjoy reading your posts!
.-= Bubbles n’ cups´s last blog ..Special Feature: Frank Pepe Pizzeria in Fairfield =-.
I’m guessing you love that photo of yourself with E cause it’s the ONLY GODDAM ONE WE GET TO SEE.
I think as a 1 year birthday present to all of us you need to give us a little, a new picture of you with your (not such a baby any more) son.
That out of the way, it’s been a blast ‘meeting’ you and ‘working’ with you and ‘playing’ with you. Ok, I’ll get my coat . . .
.-= Tara@Sticky Fingers´s last blog ..Why did you call your blog that? =-.
Happy Blogversary!
I agree with Tara re the photo – we want to see an updated photo for flarp sake! 
.-= Marylin´s last blog ..Chain Letters =-.
Happy flarpin’ Birthday Blogger Dad!
I know what your new job is. You’ve actually convinced those darn publishers to let you write those rejected children’s books
Woot!
.-= Marc´s last blog ..Where’s (the) Wally? =-.
PJ – thanks! And yes, it flarpin is.
Brittany – Thank you.And best of luck to you.
Square Peg Guy – Well, not competitive in the traditional sense of the one blogger vs. another term, not at all in my experience, simply competing to be heard among a sea of others is really what I meant. Meaning, there’s a lot more quality blogs online than there is time to enjoy them all.
Eric – Sometimes I wonder if I’d started blogging nine years ago rather than drawing comics, how much ahead of the game I would be.
Trina – Thank you! Ah-ha! You’ve been writing Sony to counter my efforts. I KNEW it.
a father’s diary – Thank you for the nice words. And 25 is probably 20 more posts than most bloggers churn out in their first year. Quality over quantity is what matters, anyway. Keep up the great work!
jan geronimo – Thank you. As for the tens of followers, I should probably update that. I think I have something like five now. So, what would that be, the ones of followers? A handful of followers? As for stalkers, I’m probably too boring and not nearly sexy enough to attract all but the most bored of stalkers.
Bubbles n cups – Thank you for the nice words and for stopping by.
Tara – tsk, tsk. When I take another photo that doesn’t make me look like the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man, I’ll post it. By the way, didn’t you say you’d put a photo of yourself, all Fowlered up, at BlogToFit if you didn’t lose so many pounds by a certain date?
Marylin – Thank you. And what’s with all the made up words in your comment? Sheesh, flarpin people these days!
Marc – Thank you. Yeah, I wish. Those publishers have sent me cease and desist orders to stop sending them my genius book ideas.
Congratulations! There’s quite a bunch of us yearlings around, isn’t there? As you already may have guessed, I’m a big – if not always vocal – fan. Can’t wait to see what you’ve decided is a good retrospective. Thanks.
.-= Betsy Wuebker´s last blog ..A MEAL COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE =-.
Congrats on the anniversary. The blogosphere is a better place with you. Here’s to another enjoyable 12 months for Blogger Dad.
.-= CK Lunchbox´s last blog ..Why I "Hate" Danny Evans =-.
Kudos! Thanks for letting us celebrate with you. While you may think it’s just a year of blogging. Based on the comments it seems like everyone appreciates just how hard it is to make it to that 1 year mark! Congrats!
.-= Scott (simplefather)´s last blog ..Who Is Raising Your Children? =-.
Congratulations, and happy birthday! I, too, am a former newspaperman now in a second career. I just started writing a blog so moms can see things from a dad’s perspective. I hope it’s as interesting and successful as yours — tens of others? wow, i’m jealous!!
.-= HybridDad´s last blog ..Back to school: An introspective =-.
Congratulations, I think you are great.
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..Eww, did you see that train wreck? =-.
I look forward to your posts. Your humor and sarcasm are just my type. A year of fun, interesting posts is quite an accomplishment. Can’t wait to see what year 2 brings. Congratulations and keep up the good work!
I’m a new “Blogger Dad” convert – and I’m kind of surprised to learn that your blog is a baby as well!!! You’re lucky that you don’t have to overcome the whole “learning to write engaging copy” burden most beginning bloggers face.
Congrats on the first year – and remember, when a major syndicate launches a blog – they wait until they have 700 blog posts before they launch. That’s over 2 years of daily blogging for a single author blog. No wonder it takes most blogs years to hit their stride.
Again – congrats and keep up the entertaining good work!
.-= Kathy | Virtual Impax´s last blog ..What Michael Jackson can teach business about social media… =-.
Happy Birthday, Blogger Dad! It should come as no surprise that you are my favorite blogger. Your perfect blend of heart and sarcasm are my cream and coffee.
You are flarpin’ awesome.
.-= Writer Dad´s last blog ..10 Years Later: The Unforgivable Sins of Episode One =-.
Happy Blog Birthday! Glad you “fell in with a decent crowd who inspired me, educated me and most importantly, supported my efforts.” They are good people and so are you!
.-= Lori Hoeck´s last blog ..What you can do about a shooter in the building, part 2 =-.
I LOVE the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man, he almost steals the show right from under Bill Murray’s magnificent feet. Re photo, I think you’ve been dreaming. I would never ever say something like that.
.-= Tara@Sticky Fingers´s last blog ..Why did you call your blog that? =-.
Not even a giant man made of marshmallow could steal Bill Murray’s magnificence.
Nuh-uh. No flarpin’ way Tara.
Betsy – Thank you. Retrospective? This isn’t the waning years of Johnny Carson.
CK Lunchbox – Thank you!
Danielle – Thank you. Could you write that every day until I believe it?
Susan – Thank you. Year 2 will likely bring some crazy story of a mad blogger storming his local McDonald’s demanding that they actually GIVE YOU A FREAKING NAPKIN OR TWO with your meal!
Writer Dad – Thank you. And you are my second favorite blogger. The first being your sister. But that’s just because she and I are likely twins.
Lori – Thank you!
Tara – Yes, you DID say that about the photo. Here, I will cut and paste from the email. “Dave, if I don’t lose the weight I say I will, I will totally post a picture of myself in boxers, like uber hunk Dave Fowler did. Man, is he hot. Like Hugh Jackman, but even hotter. By the way, you are the coolest dude I’ve ever known. All other men want to be you and all women can only dream to have you. Love, Tara.”
Cut AND pasted! See, I wouldn’t make up a quote.
Marc – Is that a pro-Bill Murray comment or are you saying Tara is out of her mind?
Dave – Yes.
Happy Blog Birthday – it is rather an awesome experience to hit the year mark and know you are keeping at it.
Love your funnies and that you make me laugh so often.
Thank you for all your help on my blog and with Biking Architect…
One awesome blog by one awesome dude…Thank you
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..No Reversing Without Rear End Supervision =-.
Congrats! Hope year 2 brings you a book deal and a PS3
.-= Nicki at Domestic Cents´s last blog ..Letting Things Slip =-.
Who’d have thought it – first time here and I’m crashing the party. I like it, I like it. Over here from Tara’s and am feeling a bit freaked out because my last boss was also called David Wright. Please may you not be one and the same…
my congratulations to you! though we may not be earning tons of cash from our blogs, at the end of the day, what counts most importantly is if we are happy…
more power!
.-= elmot´s last blog ..P1 Pork Barrel for Congressmen, Should I Sing Hallelujah? =-.
Happy Birthday to your blog!
Keep up the good work.
.-= Val´s last blog ..Crumlin Cutbacks =-.