Today's my birthday. It's also the first full day of Chanukah (Jewish holidays start at sundown. There, this has now ceased to be a self-serving, self-indulgent bit of tripe since I threw in what might be an informational tidbit to some readers). Since my birthday and Chanukah are on the same day, I will hear all day how each of my presents are really 2 presents in one (note to anyone who knows anyone who has a bday near a holiday--we don't buy that 2 gifts in one bullshit. We know we are getting bilked, so drop the charade). Sorry, I'm a little cranky. It's really not about the gifts.
It also happens to be my one-year anniversary at dKos. I was tidying up one of my e-mail accounts (I am a packrat in my virtual as well as my actual life), when I came upon my Welcome to Daily Kos message. I noticed that the date matched that of the anniversary of the day I came kicking and screaming into this world. I honestly don't remember if I joined immediately (dKos, not the world) after first reading or if I read for a while before taking the official plunge. However, I will consider that e-mail my dKos birth certificate, as we all know that it's what's on the piece of paper that counts. Well, no, my e-mail is not on actual paper, but you know what I mean.
Yeah, December 16th, 2005. I bet all the Kossacks with uid#74081 and lower noticed a seismic change in the dKos atmosphere that day, but could not quite figure out what was different. Now you know. And you're welcome.
Anyway, as with all anniversaries, this one has made me a bit nostalgic. I thought I would take some time to look back at my year here. While I joined officially a year ago today, I guess I was kinda shy, as I didn't actually post my first comment until January 28th. Since then, I've added 5,616 comments. Of course, there were all those accidental duplicate posts due to those fun system glitches, so the actual number is probably closer to 378.
I have learned many things in this past year. There are lots of smart Kossacks, and they taught me about history, politics, technology, and a host of other subjects, big and small. I also learned some personal lessons. I learned that in the blogoshere, a thick skin is important, and during this year I developed exactly that. It's on my elbow, and I think it's from rubbing against my computer desk when I click the mouse as I sit for hours on end reading diary after diary. If it ever falls off, I'm going to make a purse out of it. I also learned that you cannot be too sensitive around here. Fortunately, after accidentally backing into the conflagration of birthday candles today, I have discovered that my ass has become flame-retardant.
Let's see. What else have I learned) Oh yeah! Don't mix up UID (user identification number, for you newbies) with IUD or DUI, because it just makes you feel silly when someone inevitably points it out. Ditto for diary and dairy.
Well, now that we have covered lessons learned, let's have some fun. I thought a musical look back at my first year at dKos would be swell. My diaries might not be everybody's cup of tea, and I might not be proud of everything I might have said during my time here, but just like Paul Anka, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis (except for the talent, fame, fortune, gender, and sparkly jumpsuits), I did it...
My Way:
I found this blog one day,
And it was free, hey, what a bargain!
I lurked behind the scenes,
I read a lot and learned the jargon.
I peeked from 'neath my rock,
Delved into fields I was once dense in,
I studied up, I found my voice,
Put my two cents in.
Self-doubt? I had a bit,
Just who would want to hear my story?
But then I took a chance,
It's like they say--no guts, no glory.
I started with a song,
It's kinda long, and about Scotty,
Guess you'd agree, I'll never be,
A literati.
I wrote of books, a baseball park,
Go check my tags, there's always snark,
I hit the mall, I did my best,
While planning meals, or baring breasts,
From access ramp, I went to camp,
And did it my way!
And now, it's been a year,
So it is time for some reflection,
I'll check what I've done here,
Oy vey iz mir, that's some collection!
At times, my words fell flat,
No shoe for this poor Cinderella,
But, then, I did play,
Emily Litella!
Why do I blog, what is the sense?
Merely to scoff or to incense?
I'll post a pic, 'cause that's my schtick,
I'm just a low-brow kind of chick,
But through it all, I've had a ball,
And did it my way,
Sometimes I've hit, sometimes I've missed,
And made the rec list!!!!