The Command Post
Iraq
« 2003: The Year of The Command Post | Main | Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) is a RINO and a coward... »
December 31, 2003
Alan Weighs In On 2003
Welcome to the Warblog Corner of the blog circle. If you'd like to be added to those with posting rights, email me at avocare at comcast dot net. Tip to Michele for the idea ...
With those words, our little experiment began. After reading Michele’s post below, I don’t have much new to add … she has a wonderful gift of essay, one I admire and try not to top … but things being what they are, I will toss a few shabby thoughts in the hat.

First, I echo Michele’s observations on what a long, strange trip it’s been. Things I did not expect to have happen to me in 2003:

* Being interviewed by the Baltimore Sun and L. A. Times.

* Having a colleague call to say “I just read about you in USAToday.”

* Being fed a major news story by the executive director of one of the “Big Four” networks before it broke elsewhere.

* Seeing a screenshot of my website on the NewsHour.

* Getting added to the editorial pre-release list of the Christian Science Monitor.

* Being approached by WGBH and Frontline to feature their work.

* Having major news organizations redirect visitors to a website I’d created (during the 2003 power outage).

* Having a website I created added to the permanent historical record of the Library of Congress.

So, yeah … it’s been an interesting year. And again, like Michele, I say thank you to everyone who visits, comments, and in particular, contributes. During the 2003 NE Blackout I noted in an email to Glenn Reynolds that Command Post had become, in essence, a distributed and redundant news service. And it has, but only because we have contributors all over the world, who post what they see, when they see it.

And for that, I’m especially thankful.

While in the thanks-giving mode, I’ll extend three other bits of thanks. The first is to my wife, who has demonstrated grace, patience, and love without peer throughout this entire bizarre ride. Sweetie, thank you. I love you. Second, I say thanks to my colleagues, who let me run with TCP without concern of it being an undue distraction to my greater obligations. You know who you are, you rock, and the champagne (as usual), is on me.

And finally, I thank Michele.

Let me tell you a little bit about Michele. Michele is a lesson in assumptions. She is, at first blush, a middle-class woman, in a typical job, in a typical neighborhood, in a typical American city. City servant. Divorced and remarried. Couple of kids. Lives in the old neighborhood. Family always nearby. Terrible / wonderful Long Island accent.

At second glance, however, Michele is actually quite extraordinary. First, she’s a hell of a blogger … A Small Victory is a wonderful site, one of the busiest on the web, and always on the leading edge of commentary and design … varied, eclectic, personal, and fun. It is the pure form of blogging … a personal journal that does so much more than personal revelation. As if ASV isn’t enough, she also co-created Command Post, Four Color Hell, Raising Hell, Retrovertigo, and the extraordinary Voices: Stories from 9/11 and beyond. James Lileks has described her as “prolific,” which is an understatement.

Second, Michele is a wonderful mother. Her kids seem smart, happy, and grounded … raising kids post-divorce while working full-time is a challenge many women face, and she meets that challenge in wonderful form. She must be a hell of a wife, too. After all, she’s 40 and her husband is nearly 20 years younger than she … so she must know something about that, too, eh?

Third, Michele is a “connector.” In addition to Command Post and A Small Victory and all the other blogs she’s taken part in, she started TroopTRAX, and drives thousands of people to Operation Give, HeroMiles, and at the moment, Mercy Corps.

Finally, Michele is a hell of a writer, and in particular, essayist. The blogosphere is replete with essayists. Most are, at best, average. Lileks and some of the others are particularly good … and I’ll tell you what, I’ll put Michele up against any of them. Different voice, different style, but she has a singular ability to personalize and connect in her writing. Spend some time at Raising Hell, ASV, or Retrovertigo and you’ll see … not every piece is a gem (nobody as prolific as Michele produces all gems) … but when she hits the sweet spot, you know it, and it’s wonderful. She’d make a damn fine personal interest columnist, and an even better sportswriter, and if some editor out there doesn’t snap up her talent, well, they’re missing the boat.

How many Micheles are out there? In my life, there’s only one. But she’s proof that sometimes the most extraordinary people can appear quite nondescript, and are lurking just under your nose. The lesson in assumptions: Look closer.

Which takes me to the last thing I did not expect in 2003: To forge a new friendship with such a remarkable person as Michele. So thanks, M … you rock. Who knows, this weekend, we may even meet face-to-face. If we do, I’m buying.

So that’s it … a hell of a year. Thanks again, readers. We appreciate your loyalty. 2004 will come and go, but know this: If you keep reading, we’ll keep posting, and I in particular will try to improve some things. So stick around, keep participating in this great experiment of journalism for the people, and as always, thank you for reading the Post.

Posted By Alan at December 31, 2003 01:20 PM | TrackBack
Comments

Alan Special thanks to you for - well, for being you and being honest and being vigilant when those things were required. You admitted awhile back that you folks have only banned 11 IPs over the course of what? 10 months? How many discreet hits? I've visited a few blogs but not many. This is THE BEST there is, my friend.

HAPPY NEW YEAR. The very Best to You and Yours from Me and Mine.

Posted by: Cap'n SPIN at December 31, 2003 01:33 PM

Thanks, Cap'n. I also want to say thank you for serving 35 years ago. You rushed into the gap, and I appreciate it. If it's OK with you, I'll tilt one back in your honor a bit later tonight ...

Posted by: Alan at December 31, 2003 01:45 PM

Alan This site is by far the biggest payback I've ever received. You've given us all a voice beyond my wildest dreams.

PS. I'd still like a snail mail address, Alan. You won't be sorry.

Posted by: Cap'n SPIN at December 31, 2003 02:25 PM

My sincere gratitude to Alan and Michele for putting your inspiration into practice. As is said, “Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” That truly is the case with TCP. Inspiration does come in a moment, but commitment in making that inspiration into reality does take a lot of hard work. I really appreciate the time and effort you all put into making TCP the best forum I’ve ever had the pleasure of participating in. My thanks to all the contributors on TCP Team for the awesome selection of information they bring to the readers, as well as the thought provoking narratives on the Op-Ed page. I confess, I’ve become quite addicted to sitting down to read the TCP each morning with my coffee and wrapping up each evening before bed with my glass of wine.. ;-).

I’d also like to thank all the commenters here who make TCP such a wonderful forum for the exchange of ideas and points of view. Some of you have often made me laugh out loud and actually caused me on occasion to spew coffee! Some of you have made tears run down my cheeks as I’ve read your touching words. I’ve learned quite a bit from several of you. There are so many intelligent and articulate people on this forum that there are days that I am filled to overflowing with awe, it’s quite inspiring. I’ve formed some friendships with a few of you. And I thank you for your kindness, your encouragement and your willingness to allow me to unknowingly bump into your toes and not take offense to it. And I’ve learned that there are just flat out some people in the world who make it their business to be idiots no matter what reasonable argument is put before them. But my dedication to their conversion is solid! ;-D.

I send my well wishes and prayers to all our service members, military and otherwise, out there around the world, especially those in harm’s way. You make me very proud to be an American and a caring citizen of the world. Godspeed to all our US/Coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, may HE bring you home safely to your families and your countries.

2004 is surely going to be an interesting year.

Happy New Year to you all.

Let freedom reign.

Posted by: TexasGal at December 31, 2003 03:37 PM

Alan & Michele,

My heartfelt thanks for your insight, your diligence, AND your patience on occasion!:) As I have been here too since the beginning, AND I too have found this site captivating & more than a little addictive, 2003 would NOT have been the same without you! In fact, I am not sure that I

would be the same person without you! You have my eternal respect and admiration. May you both reap the blessings that you sow ten fold! God bless you AND yours and keep you safe!!!

To all:

I am not sure what, if ANYTHING I could add to the sentiment already espoused by TexasGal. I too have learned much, laughed much, and cried on occasion. You all have made difficult times bearable, and life in general more enjoyable. At the bewitching hour, I will drink a toast of fine single barrel to you all! I wish you all a Happy New Year and God bless and protect you and yours!

AD03

Posted by: American_defender at December 31, 2003 05:45 PM

I liked the list of things that happened to you. Ya'll deserve the attention and the credit. This is a first rate site.

I hope all of you at CoPo enjoy the New Year. I lift my San Pelligrino to one and all.

Posted by: jones at December 31, 2003 07:15 PM

Thanks for the good words, everyone. Happy New Year to you all.

Alan, I don't know what to say except thank you.

Posted by: michele at December 31, 2003 08:40 PM

Alan and Michele,
I tried to post a few hours back when we had our new year over here, all our systems crashed, (So what's new). I have very little to post that is new but the good news needs repeating and I have no shame in repeating the comments of my, yes, there is no other word for it, friends. In fact I will wax Shakesperean, "we band of brothers" for he who shares his thoughts with me be,he ere so humble..
will be my brother.
I can only repeat the good words of that well known sniper the Texas Lady, as posted above.
Thank you.For supplying this forum.
Ladies and gentlemen, in your own time zones I would invite you all to raise a glass, the toast is
"OUR HOSTS, GOD BLESS THEM".

Secondly, on a personal note I would like to thank
SETH and PTG who took me by the hand and introduced me to the protocols of Blogging, my errors reflect a poor student and not their kind tutoring.

Thirdly, to the rest of the CP team, from Alan in Australia to Texas Lady, in the deepest south to Bubba in the frozen North and to all of you (you know where you are), you can all feel pretty good, you contribute to a lively, witty, pithy and sharp forum. The boys and girls behind the Hesco Bastion, know what you say and think. And on behalf of at least one of us (actually we are legion)
THANK YOU TOO.

God bless us all in this venture, you are playing a big part. Thank you my friends. Happy New Year.

Posted by: Ubique at December 31, 2003 09:22 PM

To all at CP,

I just looked at the old watch and saw that it is close to midnight EST. A splendid new year to all. I hope 2 double naught 4 is kind to each and every one that reads this blog. Michele, Alan, good on you. Seth, Wolf, if you guys still read this site, a wee dram of Glen Morangie 18 year old is hoisted to you. Pass the Gas, as always, bite me (I mean that in the most respectful way ;-). Doobie Dave, keep on chooglin' (obscure CCR reference). I still occasionally lurk the building.

Elvis

Posted by: Elvis at December 31, 2003 11:59 PM

Is it 2004 yet?

Posted by: Elvis at January 1, 2004 12:00 AM

It is ... and God bless us, everyone.

Posted by: Alan at January 1, 2004 01:56 AM

    Having a website I created added to the permanent historical record of the Library of Congress.

    Immortality rules!
    Well done.

Posted by: chinditz at January 1, 2004 11:44 AM

I must echo the thanks to Alan and Michele. I'd never blogged or contributed in any way before TCP, and the help they both gave made it as painless as possible.
Only the contributors know just how hard they both worked at times to make things happen, despite Outrageous Fortune's Scuds and Clusterbombs (Slings and Arrows are so passe).

Finally, it's nice to have two good and trusted friends on the other side of the planet, even though I've never met them.

Regards, AEB (the other Alan)

Posted by: Alan E Brain at January 2, 2004 08:12 AM

Post a comment

Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (Click here should you choose to sign out.)

As you post your comment, please mind our simple comment policy: we welcome all perspectives, but require that comments be both civil and respectful. We also ask that you avoid the extensive use of profanity, racist terms (neither of which we consider civil or respectful), and other boorish language.

We reserve the right to delete any comment, and to prohibit you from commenting on this site, if we feel you have broached this policy. As a courtesy, we will first send you an email noting a violation so you understand the boundaries. This will occur only once, however, and should we ban you from our comment forums we expect that ban to be permanent.

We also will frown upon those who suggest that we ban other individuals for voicing unpopular opinions, should those opinions be voiced in a civil and respectful manner. The point of our comment threads is to provide a forum for spirited though civil and respectful discourse … it is not to provide a forum in which everyone will agree with your point of view.

If you can live by these rules, welcome aboard. If not, then we’re sorry it didn’t work out, and thanks for visiting The Command Post.


Remember me?