This post marks the third year of this blog. It’s my blogoversary.
Next year will be my tenth year in DC — a city known for transience. I have seen many people come with lofty local aspirations but go and others insist the grass is greener elsewhere but stay (*ahem* myself *ahem*).
I have never felt more at home than now.
I started this blog, back in August 2006 on Opera, because I thought I had something to say. I needed a way to remain expressive during law school which succeeds brilliantly at stifling you. Over the next two years, I moved to Blogger and on rare occasions I’d write some words no one would read.
That all changed last November. I learned that I’d failed the NY bar exam, after years of convincing myself I was destined to be the first lawyer in a black family whose patriarch was not allowed to go past the fifth grade. When I picked myself up off the floor, I found each of you.
It shouldn’t be a secret: I write in this space because you read it. Everyday, I try to find something to say that you’ll want to hear. I don’t get it right all of the time, obviously. Sometimes I post things that are so bad they embarrass me. But I hope that by the time this space goes still, whenever that is, that something here mattered to you. For me, it’s not exaggeration to say that this place has been life-changing. It’s an understatement. I have always hoped this blog would help me find people and I have found great ones.
I know this probably has a more reserved tone than it should. Where are the confetti, the dancing girls and poo-flinging monkeys? I don’t know; maybe on Monday. I’ve got the monkeys on lease from the National Zoo and they do have to go back next week, whether they’ve flung poo or not, so I might as well get my money’s worth… or at least not return 4 constipated monkeys.
But celebrating me isn’t really my style. So I’m celebrating you. And I’m doing a giveaway; the first I’ve ever done.
Anyone who comments today gets her/his name placed in a drawing (so if you normally lurk behind the curtain, today’s the day to say “hello”). And because you know I love Disney animated movies like a fat kid loves cake or a black kid loves orange drink (not juice; DRINK) and red Kool-Aid, the drawing is for an animated Disney DVD of your choice. That’s right: of your choice. This is a “name your prize” giveaway.
Anyway… It’s Friday and since this post has taken longer to get through than a stutterer reading an unabridged dictionary aloud,¹ I’ll wrap.
Happy Friday. And, as always, thanks for stopping by.
_________
¹What? I can be reflective and inappropriate.
Aww, that was such a sweet post. You are amazing, I love your writing and I’m so glad you feel at home in DC now.
Happy Blogoversary
You were the first DC Blogger I began to read when I started my site and I am so glad I did.
Here’s to many many more.
I remember reading through so many of your pages the first time I stopped there. The bio, the explanation for the name… I think the first post I read was one about you and your mom. I can hardly believe it’s only really been since last fall.
And happy blogoversary to you, too!
Not only do I enjoy your writing, but you are also a stand up guy! You bring the grape drink and I will bring the home brew for our next outing. Keep up the strong work bro!
It’s a deal. Grape drink is the classiest of the drinks.
New York MY ASS.
Mostly because I don’t know we’d do without you guys.
Also? I think my comment is pretty much the equivalent of a poo-flinging. How do I make that my avatar?
<3
Mostly because I don’t know we’d do without you guys.
No, you.
And you fling poo like a superstar.
no FVF?
Congrats on the three years man, thats a long time.
I was gonna drop some old sucker free Sunday rhymes. But I sat down to write and forgot. And thanks.
Any advice for a homesick girl who wants to enjoy her time in DC but sees the grass in MN as glowing Kryptonite green?
I’m glad i stumbled across your blog. It’s almost a given that it will be read on the bus ride to work.
People. People are my advice. Find the right people, the ones you’d love to know anywhere in the world, and location is a little less important.
Your blog kicks ass. Every post makes me crack a smile, no matter what. So, bravo. Braaaaaavo.
And, um, I have a crush on your footnoting abilities. What? Is that weird?
Nope. Footnotes change lives.
(The above statement is not one that has been verified scientifically but we should just stick with it.)
Cccooonnngggrrraaatttsss!!! ooonnn yyyeeeaaarrr ttthhhrrreee…
I just blew up the spell check, but there’s method to my madness!
The spell check is overrated anyway. With as many words as we all just make up… I’m glad you gave it the boot.
Happy Blogoversary! I just recently discovered you and love your writing (and your excellent pop culture references!)
Haha. I do love a random pop culture memory. Weird? Maybe. Fun? No question.
I am so glad I have met you adn Miss Bianca as a direct result of this blog. Really.
I kinda love orange drink…I was also poor a poor, black child. (The jerk anyone?)
*raises hand* Orange drink is so teeth-stainingly delicious.
And we are so glad, too. So so glad.
I enjoy your writing. And I’m glad I found you on your slice of the internet. Keep on writing! I too, starting writing because I felt stifled. It’s become one of my favorite outlets. Congratulations on year three!
Blogging reminds me of “Shout Out Loud” by Amos Lee: I wanna shout out; shout out loud…
You are awesome, and I’m so glad you stayed. Do you remember that time that we both realized that we weren’t reading each other’s blogs, but that we so should be? Aww, it was kismet. (I was totally just looking for an excuse to use that word
. Congrats, kiddo 
I absolutely remember. And “kismet” is perfect (and underused).
Happy blogoversary! I don’t live in DC, so I can’t make you a cake, but here’s a picture of a monkey cake:
http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/tv/martha_stewart_show/show_photos/1151_2000/1153_recipe_monkeycake_l.jpg
Unfortunately, he won’t be throwing any poo anytime soon. What with the candles jammed in his brain and all! (Martha doesn’t seem as fond of monkeys) LOL
Thank you for the cake. I think Martha would love monkeys if we set her up with the right ones.
So glad you’re here and that I’ve gotten to know, through the writing and in real life.
Me, too. Your adventures and the way you light up when talking about them is absolutely inspiration for me to be a little less conservative when it comes to finding the unknown.
Gotten to know *you* through writing and real life. (Apparently, I’m so moved that I’m leaving out words.)
Haha. The words will forgive you.
Happy Blog Birthday f.B- all the more reason to celebrate tonight!
Thanks, man. Appreciate it.
Wow congrats on 3 years.
I’ve been blogging somewhere for about 9 years!
9 years? Wow. That is incredible.
Happy Blogaversary!!! *throwing confetti and making soap bubbles*
Hooray! There is confetti after all!
Congrats! Three years is a huge accomplishment and you have a lot to be proud of here. You’ve created quite the space and I’m proud to say that you’re in my top favorites when I check blogs. I’m always wondering what FrancoBeans has to say.
Keep writing and we’ll keep reading.
Thank you so much. And as for continuing to write, you better do the same.
NY is stupid anyway. Eff those effers. Also, I’m white white (like translucent) but may I still have some orange drink please?
Of course. Orange drink: it’s not just for black kids anymore.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
I am going to bring one of those freeze pops to make you an orange drink shot tonight.
3 years? Wow. I’m impressed. (And also really glad you stayed in DC!)
Now, about this giveaway…don’t tease…*any* Disney movie?
God I hope I win…
Any animated Disney movie. Yep. Any.
Happy Blogoversary!
Wow…that looks like Blago for a sec there. Totally 2 different things
I’m glad you found us too. You make me smile.
ps- what the fuck is orange DRINK? Is it what cheese whiz is to cheese?
Happy Blogaversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
holyMOTHERofallthatisholy! TODAY IS MY 3rd year BLOGOVERSARY TOO! And I fully intended on writing something about it then totally forgot. Oh well, maybe Monday. You bring the hookers, I’ll bring the blow. It will be a combined blogoversary party! WOOT!!!!!!
LEMMONEX…. LOVE Steve Martin in The Jerk… hahahaha… that was when he was still a genius, way before the Pink Panther ruined him.
Thanks for saying that. It’s probably unfair of me, but I hate when people say they just write to write and don’t care who reads. For me, the people reading are 90% of it. Happy Blogoversary!!
The people reading are easily 90% of it. I already have a private journal.
Happy blogoversary!
Thank you!
I’m so glad I found your blog, I love it. Some are funny, some are thoughtful, it’s all in one and I’m up for the party with orange drinks. -’ll bring…( What’s stereotypical asian foods? Duck noodle? Sushi? Padthai? ).
Happy 3rd blogiversary!
Padthai would be great, but so would duck noodle… and sushi. Now I’m hungry.
congrats!! this is very exciting.
and, also, i love me some disney. consider this my entry!
You’re so entered.
Happy blogaversary! Keep writing!