11 Monumental Blog Entries

This is my 361st blog entry I have written since I started doing this back in Fall 2006. I started this just as a way to stay in touch with people, to continue writing once I was done with writing papers for class, and maybe just to have a cheap hobby. There have been lulls in writing where I take months off, and times when I crank out more than ten in a month. It's fun for me. I'm a nerd when checking how many people read it with the little ticker on the bottom, but love when I hear that someone reads who I didn't know about.

For some reason the other night, I started going back and reading old blog entries just for the hell of it. Then I thought it would be fun (and a real easy entry) to re-visit 11 (because I can't stick with a top ten list ever) old blog entries from monumental points in my life since I started blogging. Here they are in chronological order. Read whichever ones you'd like.

1st Blog Entry
November 2006
I mentioned before the reasons I started this blog. This kinda explains it, as well as the title. I don't really like the title anymore, but I'm sticking with it for now. I saw Katie Baker on Grantland calls her column 'The Bake Shop', and I wish I had thought of that first.

Getting our cat Duncan
January 2007
We got him when I lived in Alabama for a year while working at Samford. I wanted a dog, but couldn't have one. My cat is FAT right now, so it's crazy to see skinny pictures of him. As well as one of my thinning hair from 5 years ago.

On-Campus Interview at CMU
May 2007
I re-read this the other night, and it was an interesting read now that my tenure at Central is up. I took notes before and after the interview, along with the travel. Heck of a process, but glad it worked out.

Getting Engaged
August 2007
I proposed to my wife at an airport. Maybe not the most romantic place, but it makes for a good story!

Getting our dog Toby
May 2009
Our pets are awesome. Sometimes they are a pain in the arse, but we lucked out with two animals with pretty awesome personalities. Here's our story of getting our pup from the shelter.

The Day I thought I was going to die
December 2009
Two years ago I was traveling alone from NJ back to MI after Christmas, when my old Malibu decided to break down in the snow in Western PA. Scary, but another fun read AFTER the fact.

Ireland to get Married
October 2010
Getting married in Ireland is the highlight of my life. For now. If I win my fantasy football league Monday night, then the wedding is number 2. I wrote a few blog entries about the trip to Ireland, this one in October, and at least another one in January 2011.

Smitty
November 2010
Back in May 2008, a CMU student named LaMott Smith passed away. I've mentioned Smitty on here numerous times, but this is the most in depth entry I can find about a great young man who we lost too soon.

Turning 30
June 2011
These last three are pretty recent, but I guess 2011 has been a big year!

Taking the Rowan Job
August 2011
Hardest decision I ever made. And maybe the most-read blog entry, with an awesome title.

Running the Marathon
October 2011
I wrote a few entries about running the marathon right after this as well. Awesome experience. Never want to do it again.

Hope you enjoyed at least glancing through these. I'm planning on writing a lot over the next week or so, and not just linking to old posts. Until then, have a Merry Christmas everyone!
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Another good video from Tex, and a rare appearance on this blog that involves hockey. Skip to the 1-minute mark.



Merry Christmas,
Gary