Go shorty it's your birthday
Yes, it's now been two years to the day since Dining@Large started with an exciting entry entitled Greetings. It's fun looking back at that first post now and thinking about how my life has changed because of this blog.
At the time I was mildly bored with my job simply because I had done everything I thought I wanted to at the Sun.
I had been the restaurant critic for almost 35 years, and written a restaurant news column off and on.
I had been a home and food writer and then the home and food editor (when the Sun had two food sections and two home and garden sections a week).
I had been the Sun Magazine editor (when the Sun had a magazine). I had edited and written for the twice-yearly dining guides. ...
I had even done some page design, of the magazine's special sections. I can't remember why, but it was when I fell in love with Macs. I had also been a special sections writer.
Two years ago my job description was restaurant critic/lifestyle writer, where I got to write a lot about pop culture. I also wrote stories for the health section, particularly about nutrition and fitness. I liked the variety. But writing stories of any kind was starting to get old; at that point I was churning out a lot of copy.
So one day at the end of March 2007 Kate the food editor sat me down and said with some hesitation that the higher ups wanted me to start a restaurant blog. She hurriedly assured me that she and Rob Kasper and others would contribute; it wouldn't be just my chore. I could tell that she thought I was going to make a fuss about yet more work.
But I felt like someone had given me a present. Something shiny, new and different to do with as I pleased.
I always regretted when I wrote a story for the print edition that I couldn't also choose the photos that went with it, write the headline and design the page. Now I could.
MINE. MINE. MINE.
Of course, I didn't say MINE. MINE. MINE. I calmly told her I appreciated the offer, thank you very much; but I'd rather do it all myself. (Little did she and Rob know that they would be dealing with their own blogs soon enough.)
To me, writing a blog is better than writing stories because there's instant feedback. I never knew if anyone was really reading my reviews and stories except people I met at cocktail parties. And maybe they were just being polite.
I love, love, love the interaction with readers on this blog; and I appreciate your checking in as often as you do. I've learned a lot from commenters, maybe more than you've learned from me.
I don't want to get too mushy here, so I'm going to link to last year's first anniversary celebration and mention a few highlights of the past year.
1) I notice last year I was bragging about getting 1,000 and then 3,000 comments. As of this morning, we're up to 41,321. This is the number I'm most proud of, although this is entry No. 2,361 and Dining@Large regularly gets around 50,000 page views a week.
2) I'm also proud of the fact that so far I haven't missed a day posting on Dining@Large, and it's never a chore. Sometimes I want to tell you about something that isn't remotely food-related, but there's never a shortage of topics that I can justify as belonging on a restaurant and food blog.
3) In June we had our second themed week, Crab Week. This would be a good place to suggest possibilities for this year's exciting themed week. Beef Week has a nice ring to it, but I'm open to other suggestions.
4) During our second year, Owl Meat Gravy, who with his other personae had always been a commanding presence on Dining@Large, started his regular guest post, Funtastic Thursdays.
5) We managed to get Bucky away from Reality Check, at least temporarily. (Thank you, Sarah KK, for having that baby.)
6) Our Shallow Thought Guru John Lindner took the buyout -- I still miss his presence at the Sun -- but kindly continued to contribute, both with his regular Wednesday guest post and as commenter jl.
7) This year I've had even more bloggy interaction with You Don't Say John and Midnight Sun Sam, two of my favorite people at the paper.
The lowlights are these:
1) We lost Robert (the Single One). I also mourn the other regular commenters who have disappeared since last April. When I go back to write a post like this, I see names that were familiar then that haven't been around for ages -- and not just Piano Rob and Rosebud. On the other hand, some great new voices have come on board like Laura Lee, RayRay, Sean and YumPorchetta. (And many others. Please forgive me if I didn't mention your name.)
At least I think the above four aren't Owl Meat in disguise.
2) The company I work for filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
3) And, of course, it's the economy, stupid. Which makes writing about restaurants a lot less fun.
Comments
Happy Birthday Sandbox!
I'm glad I found D@L, I've really enjoyed this community.
gotta run, early tee time.
Posted by: PCB Rob | April 18, 2009 7:17 AM
Thank you for pausing to reflect over the wild ride that the past two years have been, Elizabeth.
It was just my good fortune that two years ago (plus two weeks) we went to a restaurant that had taken our reservation for my birthday dinner, but had closed its doors by the time we showed. I was sufficiently miffed that I emailed you, Lady E., and you replied, "Why don't you post something on my new blog?" And so I've been here almost from the very beginning.
Posted by: Dahlink | April 18, 2009 7:52 AM
I don't usually comment on blogs that I read....but CONGRATS!!!! I read this religiously BUT I don't live in Baltimore anymore (OC gal since 1985) nor do I visit often. I find the blog and comments very entertaining. You go Elizabeth!!!!
Ooooh, an Ocean City correspondent. I hope you'll post any restaurant news from over that way, especially now that it's almost summer, OK, maybe an exaggeration. Or if you prefer, please e-mail me. Thanks! EL
Posted by: Vicki | April 18, 2009 7:52 AM
EL & Sandbox, happy birthday.
Of all my daily reading, online or otherwise, D@L is dessert: rich, addictive, and blessedly non-fattening.
As daring as foie gras, comforting as mac & cheese (from scratch with really good cheese), satisfying as a good wine pairing, D@L is a perpetual dinner party overseen by the perfect host.
Many, many happy returns.
Posted by: jl | April 18, 2009 7:57 AM
Congrats, Elizabeth, and Sandboxers. Happy blogiversary. :)
Posted by: Multimedia Editor Mary | April 18, 2009 7:59 AM
Happy blog-bday, EL.
Ho 'bout Ocean City week?
This would be a great idea if I knew more about OC. What features would you suggest? We could also have Beach Week, which would be a little broader. I like it! EL
Posted by: Joyce W. | April 18, 2009 8:12 AM
OK, that was suppossed to be "HOW" 'bout OC week. My keys are sticking. Must be the iced tea I spilled on the keyboard.
Posted by: Joyce W. | April 18, 2009 8:13 AM
I started blogging a little before you did and it has been an incredible adventure. I have had the chance to meet people that I'd never have known, both here in Baltimore and when I've been travelling.
Congratulations on your two years! You should be very happy with what you've created.
Posted by: Pigtown | April 18, 2009 8:25 AM
HBD to my favorite blog... if we must suffer new journalism then D@L should be one of the gold standards... nothing compares to it up here in Boston, though the Globe's commitment to food and drink is more significant than The Sun's.
Posted by: MacNcheese | April 18, 2009 9:07 AM
Congrats! You are the what we other food bloggers aspire to be. Having fun is what it is all about.
Posted by: Dara Bunjon (aka Dining Dish) | April 18, 2009 9:30 AM
It is wonderful to hear that you have gotten to the two year mark. Although I comment infrequently, I am a daily reader and D@L is always entertaining and informative. Congrats to the regular Sandboxers who help make this so interesting.
Posted by: carolb | April 18, 2009 9:42 AM
Yes, beach week is probably better. I'm thinking favorite beach junk food places, best beach "fine dining", best places for beach breakfast, but I'm sure there are so many ways you could go with this one.
Posted by: Joyce W. | April 18, 2009 9:55 AM
And generous of the proprietress of The Only Blog You'll Ever Need to point to the work of colleagues.
Posted by: John McIntyre | April 18, 2009 10:00 AM
Congrats, Elizabeth. I am exceedingly happy that I stumbled into the Sandbox last June. It is a special place you've created here and work hard to maintain.
(And I know I'll likely be the lone voice in the wilderness, but I got here after Crab Week last year and have been waiting patiently ever since for Crab Week, Part Deux. What can be said about beef that hasn't already been said?)
Posted by: Bucky | April 18, 2009 10:08 AM
I didn't post on the first entry, but it looks like I started participating within a week with my post on restaurant pet peeves.
I certainly didn't think I would end up spending so much time on this blog, nor did I think that this restaurant blog would also be an outlet for discussions on economics, old tv shows or poetry.
That being said, I'm glad that I'm here. I think it is really neat that people, who wouldn’t normally meet in the “real world", much less get along, have developed such chemistry on this board. Where else would someone like Lissa have regular contact with someone like me? Where else would anyone have contact with someone like Owlie?
I think part of this diverse community is because food can be such a unifier. My wife was telling me about some article in the NYT on how BBQ restaurants in the south were the first places where this country saw voluntary desegregation. People may not have wanted to learn together or worship together, but if they wanted good BBQ they had to eat together.
Now food may be the catalyst, but the vibe of this blog is more than that. After all, Chowhound is all about food, but there is no chemistry there.
Obviously EL has a lot to do with the success. First, she puts up interesting posts regularly and she gets our posts up quickly. Look at the other blogs on the Sun. They only post a few times a week, and you will probably not see your post approved on a Saturday night at 11 o'clock. The other thing is that she gives us a long leash. On Chowhound discussions about economics would be shut down quickly.
I also think that we are the reason this blog is successful. There are some very bright, interesting and funny people on this blog, who at the same time are very open and civil. You do not see that on most blogs or message boards.
Well, enough of my analyzing this blog. At some point it is best to just enjoy something, and this blog is something that I really enjoy.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | April 18, 2009 10:10 AM
Congratulations, EL! Great job and well done! Keep it up and we'll keep coming back to play in the Sandbox.
Posted by: mededitor | April 18, 2009 10:14 AM
But who is Shorty? I think I missed something here.
Posted by: Dahlink | April 18, 2009 10:34 AM
Most blogs run out of steam by now. But, not this one, and it isn't because of the topic, it is because of the tone you set, Elizabeth. You don't over-control the conversation, you respond but not obsessively, you don't fight topic drift and you let folks have a rollicking good time.
You've even got 23 members on the new D@L page on Facebook.
I'm a geek. I've MUDded, I'm always on IRC or some kind of IM (or both), I have accounts on friend's servers and they have accounts on mine. The absolutely last place (ok, except AOL and Tripod) I thought I'd ever hang out would be a newspaper restaurant blog.
But, dang, this place is fun!
Posted by: Lissa | April 18, 2009 10:39 AM
Hahaha awesome headline, Elizabeth! It's been a blast, these past couple years. Can't wait to see where we go from here!
Posted by: Sam Sessa | April 18, 2009 10:48 AM
Happy birthday to us all.
Now we enter the terrible twos. What kind of trouble can we get into this year?
Posted by: kimmer1850 | April 18, 2009 10:55 AM
Congratulations EL and D@L! Thank you, too, for the nice shout-out. Had I known, I would have saved one of my posts from yesterday to use as a birthday tribute today. As a lurker for most of the two years who only recently overcame my shyness, I second jl's comments. You've done a great job allowing the regulars plenty of creativity and encouraging newcomers to join in the fun, but also refusing comments that are solely personal attacks. Even though most everyone here keeps the conversation convivial and free-wheeling, there are times, I'm sure, when it could have degenerated into a free-for-all --which can be fascinating for a while, but if it becomes the norm, it would probably drive the best ones away, I think.
Here's to your good health and hoping you continue your zest for this blog!
Posted by: YumPorchetta | April 18, 2009 11:41 AM
Happy Happy
Been lurking and occasional posting
for about a year. This is a daily read and I enjoy the eclectic nature of the posters and the post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_Nz9B1XFio
Posted by: Hue | April 18, 2009 12:13 PM
Where else would anyone have contact with someone like Owlie?
Really?
Posted by: Anonymous | April 18, 2009 1:50 PM
My words are not eloquent, my insights sometimes naive, but I always feel welcome when I read or post on this blog.
Having left my beloved Balto 16 years ago (due to a promotion) for Florida, the one thing I have always missed in addition to long time friends, is the great food/restaurants that the "City That Reads" (that should tell how long I've been gone) has to offer.
I found this blog only 4 months ago, but PCB Rob was quite nice in welcoming me. Funny thing is it sounds like he was from the same area as me ("Blair Rd"/Overlea/Fullerton/Lauraville).
I wasn't here long before the unfortunate passing of RtSO, but somehow, I felt connected to him and felt a familial kind of loss at the bad news. Still, I am glad I got to know him and the people still here who cared about him.
I have had some bad days lately (looking for work) that have been cheered up by the mere mention of Springs I!
EL, I thank you for bringing us all together and to ALL of the posters for giving me a feeling of still being connected to my hometown. Happy 2nd Birthday to us and many more!
Posted by: Lone Lady | April 18, 2009 2:13 PM
Back from my golf outing, 27 holes. And I had my best round ever! Probably because its the two year anniversary of D@L.
EL,
I really was in a hurry this morning, or I would have also posted that you wrote an excellent recap of the blog so far. No, I'm not bummed that I wasn't included in your newbie list.
RoCK and jl nailed it, the gang here is so diverse yet unified. We may not share the same views, but we certainly get along well.
Thanks also to all of the Sun folks who keep our comments posted when EL is away or busy.
Truly The Only Blog You'll Ever Need.
Cheers!
Silly, you aren't a newbie. I looked back and you've been posting at least since last September. :-) EL
Posted by: PCB Rob | April 18, 2009 2:51 PM
Happy Birthday from one of the Irregulars. (-:
I'm having trouble finding the Facebook page...can anyone provide a link? Thanks in advance.
Posted by: Claude | April 18, 2009 2:57 PM
Thanks for many happy memories, with many more to come, I'm sure. Although I've been mostly lurking without commenting for a year or more, I have commented in the past and have made a resolution to comment more. To think, before your blog I wasn't even clear what a blog was!
Posted by: Betsy | April 18, 2009 3:01 PM
Congrats EL and fellow Sandboxers. Like many, I lurked for a long time, always hesitant in joining in...But I am so glad I made the leap! EL, you deserve so much credit for this blog's popularity. You have established an environment that encourage lively discussions, topic swerves, repectful debates, and just down right fun. You have also made it very clear that there is to be no sand throwing or hair pulling when joining in the sandbox. Thank you!!
Posted by: Trixie | April 18, 2009 3:13 PM
Thank you, El, for this blog and the tone you have both set and maintained. There have been long periods of the past year or so when this blog has been the only sanity in my life. (Serious smirking over that admission!)
A question: Did I understand you to say, EL, that before Sessa, YOU were the one hangin' out in Houkah joints?
Posted by: Eve | April 18, 2009 3:22 PM
Betsy and Claude,
I was way shy about posting here before, since I'm not really a gourmand in any sense. But all of us know what we like, and sharing that is part of what this is all about. And thanks to EL, this is a great place to do just that.
The D@L community is very welcoming and the free exchange of experiences (food related or not) are what makes this blog so great.
Hope you will return to the Sandbox!
Posted by: PCB Rob | April 18, 2009 4:36 PM
Happy Anniversary, EL. So many have already stated what I feel about the tremendous job you do in running this blog. I've already told the regulars on a few occasions how I feel about them, so I won't go into that here. I really want to encourage anyone who is lurking and hesitating about submitting comments: go for it! I read a long time before I commented and had no idea just how much fun it could be.
Posted by: Laura Lee | April 18, 2009 4:59 PM
Happy Anniversary Elizabeth! Thanks for all you do to make this such a wonderful community...and thanks to all the posters who contribute. I think I'll celebrate this milestone with some Bergers Cookies I had stashed away for a special occasion. That reminds me...I need to get to Baltimore soon to restock.
Posted by: Mary in York | April 18, 2009 6:28 PM
Claude, the Facebook page is at this page here, I hope. Not sure how direct links to FB work.
Anyone is welcome to join there. It isn't horribly busy, but it is a way for us to find each other and communicate one to one, if we wish, without bugging Elizabeth.
And we still need a good picture for the group.
Posted by: Lissa | April 18, 2009 6:38 PM
Lissa, I tried the link but your fears were correct -- I couldn't get it to work. Perhaps someone who is more computer-savvy than me (I remember OMG had to really dumb it down before I finally learned italics and bold) might take pity and provide "FB for Dummies" and the link.
Posted by: YumPorchetta | April 18, 2009 8:34 PM
EL: congrats on this wonderful anniversary! It is wonderful that D@L is soooo successful! I wish that I had been here from the beginning, but alas, it was not meant to be.
Bucky: to some people that "suffered" through last year's Crab Week, we had already said way more about crabs than we should have. I don't know how some of them ( I was not one of them) would survive if we had a Crab Week Part Deux.
Maybe we could have a Crabs And the Beach Week (and keep your thoughts clean, Sandboxers) since they are both such a part of summer.
Posted by: Cosmo Girls | April 18, 2009 9:37 PM
YP, do you have a Facebook account? I neglected to mention one was necessary.
When I click on that link, I do get to the D@L group page, but I'm also logged in to FB, so there may be login info encoded in the link. I'm not sure. I'm a FB newbie.
Posted by: Lissa | April 18, 2009 9:44 PM
What a great reflection on your writing career and your feelings about the blog. This should be printed and tucked in a scrap book for future Larges. ("What's a blog?")
Happy Birthday...
Posted by: Heather | April 18, 2009 9:51 PM
The Facebook thing is a group, not a page, so if you have a Facebook page, just search for D@L in groups and you'll find it.
Posted by: Bucky | April 18, 2009 9:54 PM
A-ha. Thanks, Lissa and Bucky. You see how naive I am about FB. No FB account for me yet. Maybe someday.
Posted by: YumPorchetta | April 18, 2009 10:33 PM
Well, I just joined both Facebook and the group; however, I'm not sure how long my membership will last. I used Robert of Cross Keys as my name, not my Christian name, which is apparently in violation of one of the 900 TOS rules of Facebook. Due to my wanton subterfuge, I expect to have membership to be deactivated by Monday.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | April 18, 2009 11:02 PM
Congrats, EL and Sandboxers. I really enjoy reading this blog every day.
I have a suggestion for a "week", following up on Joyce W.'s suggestion-- instead of (or along with) Beach Week, why not have a Vacation or Travel Week, where people can post eating adventures from whatever city, small town, country, beach, desert, or cruise ship they visited, for business or pleasure?
This is a good idea, but I've had a hard time getting people to post reviews of whatever in the past. There is nothing sadder than a post asking for responses that only gets two. Readers, I've found, can be a little shy. But maybe I'll try at least an entry or two this summer asking. EL
Posted by: Jules W. | April 18, 2009 11:08 PM
Happy Birthday to my morning cup of coffee, my after-lunch snack, and my dessert after dinner!
Posted by: mmmcorn | April 19, 2009 7:07 AM
Great and thoughtful analysis of what makes this the Only Blog You'll Ever Need from RoCK, PCB Rob, Trixie and others. I've decided that this is a blog for adults (no, I don't mean X-rated). It may also be the most fun you can have online.
Thanks for the shout out, EL, over at best comment. I'm blushing.
Posted by: Dahlink | April 19, 2009 7:22 AM
RoCK wrote:I used Robert of Cross Keys as my [Facebook] name...
Humpf. And it let you set it up? Uncle Larry tried to set up a Facebook page and it said "Uncle Larry" wasn't a real name and wouldn't let him do it.
Posted by: Bucky | April 19, 2009 9:01 AM
And it let you set it up? Uncle Larry tried to set up a Facebook page and it said "Uncle Larry" wasn't a real name
Uncle Larry sounds like a child molester. Robert of Cross Keys sounds like a Knight of the British Empire.
Posted by: Kai | April 19, 2009 9:43 AM
Bucky, RoCK tricked Facebook by making "of Cross Keys" into one word.
Posted by: Hal Laurent | April 19, 2009 9:59 AM
What I thorougly enjoy about this blog is forming a kind of virtual friendhsip with bright, lively, entertaining people I've never met -- and probably never will. But who keep contributing food for thought.
Posted by: Michael A. Gray | April 19, 2009 10:07 AM
RoCK, I doubt they'll notice. I've seen an obviously fake name or two over there.
I noticed, but I know who you are.
Posted by: Lissa | April 19, 2009 10:17 AM
Hey, dissing of Uncle Larry isn't allowed here, is it?
Posted by: Hal Laurent | April 19, 2009 7:38 PM
Hal - that was Mrs. Bucky (long story). She wasn't dissing Uncle Larry, she was dissing me.
Posted by: Bucky | April 19, 2009 10:45 PM
Hey, Kai--hello! Hope you post again!
Posted by: Dahlink | April 20, 2009 6:39 AM
Dahlink - Please don't encourage her. Owlie can explain what happens when George's worlds collide.
Posted by: Bucky | April 20, 2009 9:22 AM
This is where just saying "the hell with it" and using your real name comes in handy. I pity the poor SOB who steals my identity; they'll get exactly what they deserve.
Lissa: thanks for the link.
Posted by: Claude | April 20, 2009 9:59 AM
[belated] congratulations !!
I hope those brackets don't do something weird to the text.
Posted by: waddie | April 20, 2009 10:35 AM
There's so much that I love about this blog. The friendliness, diversity,entertainment,spirited discussion,bad puns (and good ones),information, civility, well you get the picture. The only blog you'll ever need. Well done EL.:-)
Posted by: RayRay | April 20, 2009 2:51 PM
Aw DANG, I missed the birthday! I don't log on as often as before I retired, but when I do, it's like picking up the conversation where it left off with your best friend. I LOVE this blog! Thanks, Elizabeth, for keeping us going.
Posted by: Dottie | April 22, 2009 11:45 PM