Ten days ago marked the second birthday of this blog. Two years, 621 posts, 360,687 words, and as that pink box was proudly announcing, 4004 comments. But much, much more important and meaningful are all the friends that this space has introduced me to. With them I have grown, changed, matured, and chuckled at my computer screen many many times. In fact, I would be a sucka if I admitted just how meaningful this community of friends has become to me in such a short period of time. In a way, it’s been intense. And I have to step back and really reflect on just how well I’ve gotten to know the thoughts of Cindy, Elena Mary, Gustavo, and Alfonso (just to name a few) in such a short amount of time.
I remember throwing up on the side of Cindy‘s car in LA. I remember the first time I met Derek and thought he was HP, then the three of us all snacking on chicken wings and talking shit at TGIF. I remember the first time I met Karen and her husband Jake. Or having drinks at Joe‘s place before he moved to L.A. The couple times I bumped into Al at TNT. Busting a move to 80’s music with Chris. Or Myke‘s version of the taco – a hard shell with meat and cheese – while we philosophized around town in La Jolla. I can still hear him saying in his southern drawl to HP, “if you don’t shut up, I’m gonna woop your ass so bad you’re gonna have to run back to your momma and tell her you got beat up by a fag.” Good ol’ Myke.
I remember a glorious week of sunshine, Old Town, ocean swimming, and Pokez with Elenita. And speaking of Pokez, I had gas in a major way after beans and beers with Xolo there. I remember rapping about Marxism and parenting with Liza in Boston. Getting to meet Mitch – in his suspenders and hat – was a treat. It felt like just a few weeks ago that I was drinking Indios with Rolando, Hipocratico, Candy, and Moi in Monterrey. Or just a couple weeks ago, when I finally got to meet Georgia, who Ethan has dubbed the “other half of the Americas dream team.” I hope she’ll be my partner in crime for a long time. Not only Georgia, but I also got to meet Boris, Neha, Haitham, Sokari, Iria, and many more for the first time after having communicated online for months. In Barcelona, Jennifer and I stumbling around town looking for an open bar on Wendesday night around 3 a.m. and talking to each other as if we had been friends for years. It was HP who picked me up from the airport and treated me to Denny’s when I got back in town.
I wouldn’t have any of these friends were it not for this weblog. Which is a strange realization. How do I break this to a new girlfriend? How do I tell her that there is a large community – most of whom I have never met – that plays a very important part in my life and who know me much better than she ever could for quite a while. It’s all a little bizarre.
Anyway, I do have one request to celebrate the start of year number three. Remember that map I used to have of “the community” of bloggers? Well, now there’s a “web 2.0” solution called Frappr. Once you create an account, you can add yourself to whatever community(ies) you belong to online. For example, I’m on the maps of Caribbean Free Radio, Global Voices, and a couple more. My obvious request is that you put yourself on the map for this weblog. You don’t need to have your own weblog or to even have commented on here. In fact, if you’re a casual reader who rarely or never speaks up, this would be a great way to say hello. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and that you’re resting up for a wild New Year’s Eve.
Update: I’m such a sucker. I can’t believe I forgot the best (or at least tastiest) blogger lunch I had all year – Bolivian food with Eddie. Too much good food, to many good friends.
We love you, too, amigo. Best wishes for the new year, and I can’t wait to see what you come up with in 2006. Maybe you’ll even come out to New York?
Beans+Beer+Me=Gas
Yes, that’s about right. Here’s to hopefully stirring up many more farts in the future.
A todo pedo! Happy New Year, Oso!
Oso,
Congratulations on your 2nd blog-o-versary. I agree with you that one of the best things about blogging is the friends you make. I’ve made connections with people I’ve never met personally, and also I’ve been able to meet a bunch of people in person – all because of my blog.
Anyway, keep up the good work. It’s nice to read about your insights and travels as I am keeping on in Bombay.
Cheers,
Vikrum
Happy Blog Birthday Oso – You are now in the Terrible Two’s! 🙂 I have never commented before but have stopped by several times before and found your comments on my other list of blogs. Keep the posts coming! -Kelly
Congrats, Oso. I think of you as my blog-big brother–having given me a hand up into the blogosphere not long ago. Thanks, and keep the poetry flowing.
Congrats dawg!!! Wow, two years means you’re a blog veterano. I agree, blogging has been fun, it certainly has helped my writing skills, what with all the writing I do and all. 🙂
Btw, just as a side note, Myke didn’t make that ‘beat up by a fag’ comment to me, he made it to those who would dare talk about his mama. Something I would never do…Anyway, say hi to your mama for me, hope to chat more later.
I greatly identify with this thought:
I just talked with The Krza about this and she said she thinks I “broke the news” about my weblog a month or so into the relationship… It must have begun: “Have you heard of ‘weblogs’?” (She hadn’t.)
HOLA !… SALUDOS =)
Congrats bro on the two years. I didn’t find your site until this year and I’m glad I found it. I was looking for directions on anal bleaching and I found your site. I kid, I kid…actually I still remember…I was looking for an article by Steve Lopez of the LA Times and I came upon your site. Ever since I’ve been coming back for more.
It’s weird how it works but if it hadn’t been for your site I don’t think I would’ve found Cindy, HP, EMC, Elena, Myke and numerous more…it’s kinda funny how we just branch out like that.
Anyhow, one of these days alla te caigo en San Diego para hecharnos unas cheves. Let’s see how well you can sing rancheras! 🙂
Cool beans! Congrats! 😛
Thanks for linking us to your map ideas! I wanna play! Take care and Happy New Year, Oso. 😉
I’ve always said you’ve got something special here. Keep spearheading el movement. 🙂
feliz sapoverde a tu blog oso. wishing you lots of inspiration from the blog muses in the year ahead.
Yeah … it’s been a rollercoaster ride for sure. Happy blogiversary and it came so soon after Christmahunakwanzaa. I’m personally happy to be a part of the little slice of the blogosphere where I’m known here and there. Made some really good friends regardless of having met many of them in person … though it is remarkable that after 2 years I’ve also met nearly as many as not. Including HP … who I will beat the shit out of if he ever talks about my mama. Though he’d never do that as he admires my philosophical debating prowess way to much.
Hey, Oso … I’ll be happy to zip on over and sign in to Frappr (wasn’t the name of the it crowd in urban America circa the 1920s???) and hit your community up. You know I love to try out and tinker with new technology. This ubuntu (african for ‘human’) linux system has had my mind wrapped for a few weeks but it’s going so smooth now, it’s lettin’ up. I even managed to get my new ipod Shuffle all synced with it sans itunes! Yes … I finally came into the ipod world man … I shuffled on in.
Long time, indeed. Not too long ago in our heads, though.
I bet the ‘telling your new girlfriend part’ can be revealed just in time after getting engaged… I’m betting that what will be said goes along the lines of: “Watch out girl, cuz by getting married with me, you’re marrying me, my family and my blogger friends.”
Y’know, your comment endind (‘un abrazo oso’) just triggered this happy childhood memory: I used to hug the doctor that came to my house when I was sick, that he told me I hugged him like a bear. So… Oso, you see… you are not the only one that can hug like an Oso!!! LOL. Oh well…
I can’t type much at 4:30 am. Don’t ask. I just hope you get better too (for I am also sick). Un abrazo de oso para ti, mi amigo bloggero.
You know rolandog, I stil haven’t gone out to La Jolla but I betcha if Oso gets married out there I would fly out for the wedding, that would be a collection of bloggers!
We are an odd big family aren’t we. Have you ever read Urban Tribe ? I think we are a version of the Urban Tribe.
besos
Someone has to spearhead the Austin thing…but March is too soon…but I guess who ever spearheads gets to pick the date
Damn, I’m way late to your blog birthday party, but I have a good excuse. Really, I do.
I don’t know what brought me here. I think it was a link at some other site and the name. I’ve always liked Osos and Ozos too, but there was just something about the way you can go from writing about seeminly unconnected topics and mastering transitions. Plus, you made me laugh and were not a fascist, so it was all good.
I may blame you for some things — and it has nothing to do with vomit on my passenger side door) — but that will remain unsaid.
Maybe that potential new girlfriend will already know about the time and energy you put into blogging, all she has to do is google you. Perhaps it will scare her, but on the other hand it may intrigue her. You have to be pretty cool to be able to attract so many different types of people.
Ah Cindy, you’re making me all nostalgic. My two years is nothing compared to your 20 or so years of blogging, but still, small steps, ya know.
And the way that you found my blog was that I found yours. I remember that Julio’s was the first weblog I ever read and he linked to you and Elena Mary. Julio, the blog daddy.
Hmmmm. 😕
I’m going to have to probably rethink this frapper thingy. I’m getting ‘chat’ requests. And these people are from Wichita! Question is……….what ‘kind’ of chatting do they want to do? 😆
congrats on the blog anniversary. definitely the food in bolivia is even better, if you can imagine!
DD,
If I lived in Wichita, I would definitely be trying to chat with you as well. You should come out to Cali, beautiful girls are a dime a dozen out here.
Eddie,
I can’t wait to try the real thing.
Hmmm. 😕
Well if they come a dime a dozen…….it sounds like I need to tell the Wichita Male Species to go to Cali, que si? je je! 😛
No, no, no!!!! Even mister free-market himself, HP would agree that – in this instance – competition would be very very bad.
LOL! Even free markets aren’t perfect!
So you are saying that beautiful women come a dime a dozen in Cali, but men don’t? You’re funny OSO!