Five years. I have been writing this blog for five freaking years.
Holy frejole.
So I wrote this post at this time last year. Below is one of the comments I received to said post:
MM,
Congrats on four years and eight hundred plus posts. Most blogs flame out within a year. You're a survivor.
Here's to another Olympiad for the Marshmallow Man!
-wb
I kind of recently realized that Dennis wasn't simply making a pithy comment about the longevity of this blog. He was talking about me. He was paying me a compliment. Dennis knew my life story (BTW, the small fact that I've been separated for over one year at the time, two years now, is a convenient factoid I left out of that post) and he knew that I've gone through a whole lot of crapola to become who I am. And he was giving me props for it. Thank you, sir, thank you. And huzzah!!!
Does five years feel much different than four? Not really. There have been changes in my life. I moved out of Dorsey's Search, was a nomad for a bit and came back to my house in Oakland Mills. Been one hell of a year at my work, with insane former employees who hold grudges and much, much more! Healthwise, I have stayed on the good side of my special condition, I completed my third half-marathon and broke my stupid ankle. My son started college, came home from college, and my daughter has kicked ass her freshman year of high school.
Is life perfect for good ol' MM? No!!! Does MM have everything he wants? Hell, No! But MM has everything he needs. And that is a wonderful thing.
And this blog has grown too. We have seen the election of ADL (unfortunately-- whoever said Howard County voters were smart?) the impeachment of Allen Dyer (hooray!!!), this blog brought to you the Governors' Series (critically acclaimed statewide for insightful analysis) and locally, we have seen the possible sunrise, and sunset (or at least delay) of the Ulman for Governor campaign, and the pieces start to fall into place for the 2014 state and local elections in Howard County.
And through it all, the zesty topicality of this ring-dang-doo has brought it all with its typical flair and singular style. Safe to say, there ain't a blog in the HoCo, I'd say at least the mid Atlantic, that looks at things like this one does.
This blog also looked at issues outside the HoCo, and on deeply personal issues. Lots of fun posts about our buds in AA County, especially since AA County said hello to Neuman. Would still like to write more about Baltimore County and Montgomery County, but those things have begun. And of course, many other issues as well. Some joyous, some sad. All deserving comment, reflection, and respect.
And this year, we saw the dawning of the age of Marshmallow Man TV! A YouTube channel unlike any other on the entire Internets.
So I thank you, gentle readers, for being along, jumping on, maybe even jumping off and jumping back on, this blog for the ride this year. A lot to come in this busy next twelve months. One year from now, when this blog's about to start it's first day of school, we will have the 2014 primary on our hands. That will be fun.
Looking forward to y'all joining me for more of this mess. Thank you for your support!