Wow! This crept up on me quietly (although I wonder how anything could creep up on you noisily…)
It was five years ago today that I started this blogging lark. Don’t worry, I’ve promised my wife it’s just a fad and that it won’t last.
My inspiration for blogging came from interacting with Shel Holtz, who led me on to other marcomms bloggers like Neville Hobson and Allan Jenkins (a chap with whom a lifelong friendship has developed).
It has also led to mutual respect, friendships and collaborations with colleagues such as the mighty Trevor Cook, the erudite Laurel Papworth, the inspirational Stephen Collins, the wonderful Jenni Beattie, the fabulous team at Melcrum and the always-there-for-me Ben Hamilton.
Now that the Adelaide social media scene is proving itself a lively and healthy one (in no small part due to @monnie’s and @tarale’s pioneering work with the atub, and the newly-formed but ‘going gangbusters’ socadl) I am blessed to have the friendships and collegiality of such wonderful folks as Tarale, Prakky and the uber-compassionate @AndreaMatthews.
Along the way in the past five years I’ve made mistakes, have been admonished for them, and have let great things slide (for example, not continuing the foreign correspondent role in FIR because I believed at the time I had nothing of value to say; these days I’m too busy to block out the three-four hours of my time that it took to put one five-six minute article together, plus I still believe I have nothing of value to add).
On the down side I have let my exuberance for this new communication landscape bite into my marriage and my health – both for which I have paid a high (but thankfully not ultimate) price.
But to everyone along the way – friends, clients, colleagues, detractors – I have learned so much about myself and about this amazing world we live in, thank you. It has been my honour to be in your presence and long may that continue.
