So…one year ago today, I was on winter break from college, and decided “screw it, I’m going to start my own blog.” I had no idea what I was getting myself into. NO IDEA.
But before I get into that, I’d like to wish the most important birthday wish of all to my girlfriend, Alison (her actual birthday…she doesn’t blog). She’s an amazing girl who supports me every step of the way, regardless of how much of a geek I can be at times ^_^. She’s also always begging me to talk about her on my blog…so here it is.
Happy Birthday Alison, I love you!
annnnnd back to the boring stuff. One year ago I wrote “The Dreaded First Post“. I said,
I am extremely excited to grow as a professional and learn new things from those that I work with. I have found my passion in social media and when you love something, it’s almost too easy to learn more and more about it every day.
Now here I am, working full time for a website for bloggers, part of countless communities, and still learning every day. I know so much more than I did that day, but still have so much to learn on the grand scale.
I never thought I’d connect with so many amazing people. I’m so thankful for the people in my community that I consider to be friends, mentors and more.
Lauren Fernandez has become an amazing friend, colleague, and more. Working with her on #u30pro has been one of the most inspiring and rewarding experiences of my life. For all of you that join us every week for u30pro and have helped us build such a great community, thank you. She motivates me to be better every day, and I’m extremely grateful to have her in my life.
You’ve seen all of them at some point in my Mentor Monday series or just around my blog, but they’re also amazing friends, without whom, I wouldn’t be where I am today…
Arik Hanson, Chuck Hemann, Sonny Gill, Danny Brown, Beth Harte, Gloria Bell, Stuart Foster, Keith Burtis … (I know I’m forgetting a lot more, and I’m sorry). I can’t begin to tell you how much your support and friendship means to me. It’s been a crazy year for me, and knowing that you guys have my back keeps me going. Thank you, really.
So here’s to second year of blogging, connecting, debating and growing. If things move as fast as they did in 2009, I better get my seatbelt on.
Congrats on your year of blogging! You have come an AMAZING way.
I take credit.
Kidding. 😉
Haha…well we both know that you were one of my biggest inspirations to get into blogging 😉
Congrats David! It has been very nice getting to know you through your blog this year and meeting you at Blogworld back in October. Your contributions (blog, Scribnia, U30Pro) and general musings and conversation are inspirational and so useful to the rest of us. Happy Birthday to Alison:-)
Lisa, you’re amazing. I loved hanging out with you at blogworld and we absolutely have to hang out again soon. Glad we got to connect this year and next year, when I’m writing this post, we better still be friends…or else. 😉
WOOT WOOT! Awesome post, David. It’s always great to reflect on what made you who you are! I enjoy #u30pro as well — A community that has helped me grow as a young PR professional too. I wish you continued success in your professional journey. Keep on, keepin’ on blogging!! @trishskram
Hey Trish,
Thats one amazing thing about a blog is you can really go back and look at how things have changed over time. I love referring to my professional career as a journey, because that’s exactly what it is. The second year looks like it will be even more action packed than the first.
Really glad you’re enjoying u30pro, that’s what makes it worth it for us (=
I’m lovin’ every minute of it!!! 🙂 Talk, tweet soon!!
David, congrats on making it a whole year with your blog. I’ve definitely enjoyed keeping up with it once I discovered it and learning from your thoughts and ideas. Keep up all the great work here, at Scribnia, and with #u30pro, and I’m looking forward to what’s in store for 2010!
Thanks Jackie, it’s been a pleasure for me as well. Really glad we got to meet at blogworld. Looking forward to hanging out a lot more in 2010 (=
Fo sho, man. I also enjoyed having you whoop up on me in MW2, before I switched over to the dark side, haha.
Dark side? Watchu talkin bout Jackie?
I done made the switch to the PS3. Now i have 0 friends on the PSN (never realized how many i knew on XBOX Live until i switched).
You’re dead to me.
jk.
but seriously.
jk. again.
HAppy birthday Alison, and congratulations on your blogiversary David!
Like I told you before, I truly respect your work, so here’s to a whole new year of The Spinks Blog! Keep ’em coming, buddy.
Cheers!
hehe Alison will be very happy to hear that ^_^
All the same to you my man. I know we’ll be seeing some great things from you in 2010. Keep up the great work and lets make things happen.
Congrats, buddy. You came a long way this year. And you worked your ass off. And I think the results speak for themselves. Plus, as an added bonus, it was great to meet you at BlogWorld this year. Hopefully, we can meet up again in 2010.
Keep thinking, writing and challenging the status quo in the year ahead. And I hope you’ll also continue to push and stretch yourself when it comes to all things digital, PR and marketing. After all, that’s how we all grow.
Cheers!
@arikhanson
Thanks a lot Arik, it was awesome hanging out with you at blogworld, and I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other this year.
The first year is done, but I still have a long way to go in my journey. I’m excited to face new challenges, and as I said, with the support of friends and mentors like yourself, I feel that much more confident.
Thank you for everything and let’s crush it in 2010. I know you will.
Happy Birthday to your girlfriend, and to your blog! You’ve done an awesome job with it, can’t wait to see what 2010 brings!
Thanks Sheema! Let’s meet up sometime this year, k?
Congrats David and what a huge year it’s been for you! Really great to see where you are today from that ‘dreadful’ first day – but it’s even more exciting to be a part of the ride and to see where YOU take 2010.
Keep rocking it, buddy!
It’s been a pretty crazy year for you too eh Sonny? Well we’re both finishing it off strong, and I know I don’t have to worry about you doing big things in 2010. I just hope I can keep up 😉
Congrats on your one year! Sounds like you’ve gone further than most 😉
Oh I don’t know about that. There are a lot of great folks that did amazing things this year. Certainly farther than I imagined I would though (=
Yay for Alison’s birthday and blog day!
There’s a reason I asked you to help me out with the crazy spark of an idea that u30pro used to be. YOU ARE AWESOME. I’m so glad we are close friends – and yeah, you’re the shit too.
yay! Alison says thanks (=
You too, are the shit.
Congratulations! And Happy birthday to Alison and your blog. Good combo 🙂
It’s always exciting to really sit down and look at the last year, to see where you’ve come from. I’m happy we’ve been able to connect and I look forward to 2010! Cheers!
Thanks Grace! It took us way too long to connect this past year, but we finally did…and this year, we’ll have to step up our game 😉
Hey there frat boy!! (I know you’re not, just always wanted to say that!)
It’s been an absolute delight watching you grow in 2009. Your blog is one of the ones on my always visit list, and you never disappoint.
Scribnia have got one of the best (I know, they kept you from my grasp earlier this year, hehe) and you do an amazing job there, and with Flerdy in the U30pro chat.
Look forward to seeing you continue to shine, my friend.
And I agree, Adkins is off the list now that he’s a Sony dude… 😉
haha once a frat boy always a frat boy ^_^
Danny, that really means a lot coming from you but you already know that. I wouldn’t have done half the things I did this past year without your support and inspiration. You’re an amazing friend, mentor, and all around person, and I look forward to being able to work together in the future.
Congrats on both fronts David! And happy birthday to your girlfriend.
Great to get to know you this past year and looking forward to 2010. I should really make a trip down to Geneseo to grab lunch sometime soon. Whatcha think?
Thanks a lot Ryan. I’m actually in Rochester right now, and going to Geneseo for New Years. I’ll be back in Long Island though for a while. We’re going to have to catch each other soon. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you. Let’s do it up even bigger this year (=
Spinks –
You’ll have to forgive the fact that I am JUST NOW commenting here. My Google Alerts obviously leave a lot to be desired. Congrats to you on the blog birthday. I know I’ve personally received tremendous value in reading your posts here and elsewhere, but also interacting with you on various channels throughout the year.
Here’s to many more blog birthdays!
Chuck