Happy birthday to us
One year ago today, I published my first entry on Dining@Large, entitled "Greetings."
Greetings. Good lord. Could I have thought of a more boring title? Did I want to actively discourage readers from checking me out? Couldn't I have called it "A Shout Out to Baltimore Foodies" or "Read Me! Read Me!" or anything but "Greetings"? I probably would have 100,000 page views a week by now if I had.
OK, highlights of my first year: ...
* No. 1 has to be getting the City Paper's Best Sun Blog Award.
As the World's Oldest Teenager, I can't tell you how much this meant to me. Also they gave me a great looking framed plaque that I kept on my desk for months to annoy other Sun bloggers.
* Being included in Gutter magazine's Lust issue was pretty cool, too, although I didn't get a plaque.
* I'm very proud of having sucked so many of you in as co-writers of this blog by getting you to comment so frequently and so amusingly. But I also appreciate the people who simply share their thoughts with us on a variety of subjects; that's what makes a blog worth hosting. As I've said before, one of my favorite comments was "Yay kettle corn."
Two noteworthy milestones: On Sept. 8 Hal Laurent VofR (although he wasn't the Voice of Reason yet) posted Dining@Large's 1,000th comment and Owl Meat Jerky posted No. 3,000 on Jan. 5.
* When my daughter suggested Dining@Large needed a regular feature, which she dubbed Top Ten Tuesday, I had no idea of the monster I would be creating. Although in general I think a blog works best if it's fluid and organic, those 5,000 to 10,000 page views the Top Ten generates are mighty hard to give up.
* What makes writing a blog fascinating to me is finding a balance between telling you more about my rather ordinary (but happy) life than you may want to know and writing a well-reported newspaper article. In the end, I think Dining@Large should be a community effort, which shocks the infrequent drop-in visitor, who is usually lured in by the Top Ten promo on The Sun's home page. Once again, I refer him or her to the Official Disclaimer.
* A major highlight of Dining@Large's first year was last August's Sugar Week, a celebration of all things, well, sugary. Check it out if you're a newbie. I hope you're all looking forward to the upcoming Crab Week as much as I am.
* One of the great things about blogging is that you get instant feedback on what you write, both through comments and page view numbers. Yes, each Monday I find out how many page views I had the previous week. My high was Feb. 18-24, when I got 42,225 hits. I have no idea why. The Top Ten was BYOB restaurants, so that wasn't it. I did, however, have a post on burgers; and, of course, I did get 72 vicious comments on Rachael Ray and 74 vicious comments when I suggested we do a Top Ten on chains the following week.
* I've learned that you have to be thick-skinned to be a blogger. I love the way people feel perfectly comfortable telling me how I should be doing my job. Do I tell you how to be a liquor store salesman or an accountant? I have to add that in general readers have been remarkably kind on this blog.
* So here we are, entering our second year. I don't want to you to get bored with Dining@Large, and -- just as important -- I don't want to get bored with it either, so what shall we do that's new and fun and crazy? Suggestions welcome.
Comments
This is a surprisingly fun place to hang out. As someone who's been on the net for longer than average, I never thought a silly newspaper could get anything electronic. Since the blog software seems to be utter crap and the other Sun blogs are rather different, I can only assume it is because Ms. Large approves comments so quickly, and responds to so many.
You could do a top 10 threads for the year, but that might be a tad recursive. Then again, if ST:TNG could do clip episodes, why not?
Posted by: Lissa | April 18, 2008 7:46 AM
What drew me to the blog was the post on the burger in a can. Yuck. And the responses to the Rachael Ray post. They were funny.
Happy Birthday, and here's to many more!
Hope you are feeling better today!
I am. Thank you very much. Drugs = good. EL
Posted by: Rob in the Redneck Riviera | April 18, 2008 8:17 AM
Happy Birthday indeed!
Can't really blame you for tentatively entering the water with "greetings". Back then, you were mild-mannered restaurant critic Elizabeth Large, not the feisty blogging machine Epicurious L.I.Z. we all know and love today! It takes time for these things to evolve, doncha know.
Posted by: Dr. Erlenmeyer Cantaloupe | April 18, 2008 8:26 AM
I've found this to be one of the things I really look forward to each day. And I can't wait for next Saturday to meet some of the wonderful people here.
I'm also hoping that some old friends like the feathered one and porky will return. I've missed their rather skewed vision of life, the universe, and everthing.
Speaking of the event, I'll post a separate entry if one of the coordinators e-mails me whatever details you have. EL
Posted by: Rosebud | April 18, 2008 8:32 AM
What sets this blog apart from so many others - and a lot of Sun blogs - is that you, EL do not whine. Cranky, yes. Clueless, sometimes. These are things we can all relate to and live with. Thanks for being an excellent blogmeister.
Thanks...I think :-) EL
Posted by: Eve | April 18, 2008 8:42 AM
Congratualtions! Happy Birthday! This blog made me appreciate blogs. It's always entertaining and brings a smile.
Thanks very much for all the kind words. I won't keep saying that because it will be boring, but I mean it. EL
Posted by: Desiree | April 18, 2008 8:46 AM
Epicurious L.I.Z. wrote: I have to add that in general readers have been remarkably kind on this blog.
Second the motion!
Even when there has been vehement disagreement about things food, the discussions have avoided the descent into name-calling I see elsewhere (yes, I've been called an old fart, but I brought it on myself).
Way to go, Sandboxers.
Posted by: Mr. Old Fart | April 18, 2008 9:17 AM
Truly an accomplishment -- D@L has lasted longer than some of the restaurants mentioned here.
The Sandbox is my first stop in the morning. Keep on truckin', Big Ace.
Posted by: bra1nchild | April 18, 2008 9:26 AM
WOO-HOO, happy birthday, Sandbox!! This blog is SO COOL! I learn from it and I've been allowed to "vent" at things that tick me off, but mostly I laugh. We're very lucky to have Elizabeth as the gracious hostess of this on-line party, and we owe her thanks. Keep up the good work, y'all...the Sandbox ROCKS!
Posted by: Dottie | April 18, 2008 9:54 AM
I'll happily tell a liquor store salesman how to do his job:
Slash prices, Open on Sunday, More free samples :)
Happy birthday, Blog!
Posted by: Mather | April 18, 2008 10:00 AM
I would like to think that one measure of the success of D@L is the fact that other staffers at the Sun regularly contribute, some more than others: Mr. Sessa and Mr. Lindner clearly hold full memberships in the Sandbox. The droll Mr. McIntyre has Honourary Member status (and the Select Sub-Committee on Membership would consider a change in status if he wandered in a bit more. I can also recall Mr. Gunts dropping by (although he left his building blocks at home.) Since I don't read other blogs (who has time?) I can't be certain, but I have to believe this is not happening elsewhere.
So, thank you Lady Elizabeth, the Big Ace, for providing days and days of enjoyment. I keep D@L open all the time and am constantly sneeking back to see what's new. (I keep telling myself that this is perfectly normal behaviour, and while I know that's not the case, I DON'T CARE.) [now to post this and then hit the refresh button to see what I've missed whilst writing this]
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | April 18, 2008 10:18 AM
I have been sitting here thinking of what to say and all I can come up with is, thank you. What a great experience this has been. There have been lots of laughs and lots of information shared. Sometimes I have had not a clue what people were saying, ala our feathered friend (whom I miss) but it was always entertaining.
Summer alert: Wegman's had some pretty good Florida corn this week.
Posted by: Regina | April 18, 2008 10:25 AM
Congratulations on a great first year! I'm looking forward to many more.
Posted by: Alyssa K | April 18, 2008 10:34 AM
Ooooooh
Happy birthday to us
Happy Birthday to us
Happy Birthday, Happy BIRTHDAY
HAPPY BIRRRRRRTHDAY TOOOOOOOO UUUUUUUSS
Hot pockets
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | April 18, 2008 11:01 AM
Congrats! Keep up the good work and fighting the good fight, EL! You are my one and only daily read.
Love that. Music to my ears. EL
Posted by: Bob DoubleU | April 18, 2008 11:04 AM
One year down, and only 29 more to go until I'm eligible for the pension.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | April 18, 2008 11:06 AM
Happy Birthday! Reading this blog has become a part of my daily work routine! A part that I enjoy!!
Congrats!
Thank you, and don't forget we're here weekends too. EL
Posted by: EG | April 18, 2008 11:22 AM
Congrats on 1 year Big Ace! I think a raise or at least some "comp days" are in order after all of the times you've posted when fighting a cold...not to mention a a few vacations and a cross-country drive! Keep on keeping on!!
Posted by: Greg S | April 18, 2008 11:50 AM
I'll echo everybody else and just say congrats and happy birthday! I have a feeling it's actually pretty unusual to develop such a strong and quirky - but civil - community. Especially online. But you do a good job with it!
Posted by: kitpollard | April 18, 2008 12:07 PM
A very Happy Birthday to the Blog. I have enjoyed my time here. At first I was a silent participant who got weird looks from co-workers for spontaneously laughing in her cube, to a sometimes poster. RtSO- I think it is normal behavior, however my husband, mother, and sisters do not especially when you quote the blog and they don’t know what you are talking about.
Posted by: Sarah G. | April 18, 2008 1:23 PM
My Dear Ms. G. think of the quotes as a secret handshake amongst members of the Sandbox. The obvious solution for your clueless family members is to have them become faithful readers of D@L. This will then qualify them for membership in the Sandbox and qualify your family for discounts on your D@L dues AND discounts on Velvetta and at Taste (opps, too late for that one, its closed.)
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | April 18, 2008 2:34 PM
RtSO wrote:Ooooooh
Happy birthday to us
Happy Birthday to us
Happy Birthday, Happy BIRTHDAY
HAPPY BIRRRRRRTHDAY TOOOOOOOO UUUUUUUSS
Hot pockets
Non Sequiter!
And Gack!
Posted by: Mr. Old Fart | April 18, 2008 2:58 PM
Happy birthday!!!
I think an honor is in order. I hereby anoint you Queen Elizabeth of the Sandbox. Your subjects are at your command.
Can't I be Queen Elizabeth of the Universe? EL
Posted by: Susan | April 18, 2008 3:02 PM
Happy blog birthday.
And best regards to the Elizabethans who make the sandbox a fun place to play.
I think a cool feature would be: Everybody wants to be a paid restaurant critic.
And what would that consist of, or dare I ask? EL
Posted by: jl | April 18, 2008 3:05 PM
Ok then. Your are hereby anointed as Queen Elizabeth of the Universe!
Now you have lots more subjects at your command...
Posted by: Susan | April 18, 2008 3:11 PM
God Save the Queen. The third Elizabethan age.
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | April 18, 2008 3:52 PM
I have to echo RtSO--may the third Elizabethan age be the best yet! God Save the Queen!
Posted by: Dahlink | April 18, 2008 5:42 PM
Thank you so much for all of the entertainment and education! It's such fun to be a part of this.
Posted by: fairfax | April 19, 2008 3:48 PM
Many years be unto you, EL
Posted by: PianoRob | April 19, 2008 8:11 PM
I began composing a tribute fanfare for Queen Elizabeth of the Universe. Dieci Milla Anni!
Posted by: Piano Rob | April 21, 2008 11:13 AM