Babalu Blog: Thanks Dean

June 28, 2004

Thanks Dean

Over a year ago I was sitting at the office bored because we didnt have much work. I found myself reading MSNBC I think it was and found an article by some guy named Glenn Reynolds where he was talking about some things called "Blogs." I followed a link to a site called Instapundit and read through it. There was a link there to something called "Carnival of the Vanities" and the name sounded catchy so I checked out that link.

I found myself in a different world. Never had I seen anything like that which was on my screen. I remember I checked out a link to some site named "Dean's World" and I swear, I read almost the entire archives and comments. I was hooked. Dean's World has since been at the top of my Favorites folder ever since.

I liked these blog things.

One day, while at Dean's World I came upon a post titled "This Week in Cuba" and I was surprised. In the short weeks Id been reading blogs I'd never read anything about Cuba. But here was a compilation of news about the island where I was born in a gringos weblog. I posted my first ever comment at that post under a pseudonym.

I was hooked.

A few weeks later this Dean fellow offers to help anyone interested in setting up their own blog. I took him up on the offer and one year ago today, Babalu Blog was born.

I don't even know how to begin thanking Dean Esmay not only for his help in setting up Babalu and coming to the rescue when my MT crashed and all those numerous times when I didnt know what the hell I was doing and he, like the true BlogFather that he is, always took care of the problem, but for being the person who through his blog expanded my horizons. Opened up a new world and is still a part of my daily life.

Co�o Dean, gracias mi hermano. Te debo un mundo.

So, yes, today makes one year that I joined this fray. That I became part of the melee on the net. I have met some great people here and have made some excellent excellent friends.

You all that come by here and read my rantings and post comments and link to Babalu... you all have enriched my life.

And I thank each and every one of you because I am all the better for it. Gracias.

Posted by Val Prieto at June 28, 2004 02:48 PM

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.babalublog.com/cgi-bin/mt/hut.cgi/787

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Thanks Dean:

» Mi Cubano Hermano from Dean's World
My buddy Val's having his one-year blogiversary today, and says all sorts of nice things about his blogfather. I blush, but I'm proud. :-)... [Read More]

Tracked on June 28, 2004 02:54 PM

» �FELIZ CUMPLEA�OS! from HOG ON ICE
Blog Celebrates Birthday Val Prieto informs me that Babalublog is one year old today! And Castro is one year closer... [Read More]

Tracked on June 28, 2004 03:23 PM

» Congratulations, Val! from resurrectionsong
Val, one of the nicest guys in the 'sphere, and a man whom I consider a friend, is celebrating his... [Read More]

Tracked on June 28, 2004 03:23 PM

» Look who's one! from marcland
A big "Happy Blogiversary" to Babalu Blog, which has done a great deal to bring the plight of Cuba into my consciousness. In honor of Val and his achievement, let me try to use a Cubanism. Not being a... [Read More]

Tracked on June 28, 2004 03:47 PM

» Babalooooo!!!! from Brandon's Puppy
Happy Blogaversary, Tio. Let me know what time to come over for cake and ice cream!... [Read More]

Tracked on June 28, 2004 03:52 PM

» US: Congratulations! from CaribPundit
...Are in order for Val Prieto of Babalu Blog on the occasion of Val's one year Blogiversary. The Caribbean-centric corner of the sphere is a better place for Val's presence. [Read More]

Tracked on June 28, 2004 07:47 PM

» Coincidence? from Arguing with signposts...
Val Prieto starts a blog one year ago today, and soon, the Florida Marlins (NOT the New York Yankees!) win the world series. Some would call this coincidence. We know better. Castro quakes when Val begins to type.... [Read More]

Tracked on June 28, 2004 08:47 PM

» Whoop! Whoop! from Your Daily Prescott
Ok ya'll. Rae's been blogging for a year now! Why not stop by and say hi and say a quick congratulations on keeping it up for a year? Then there's that fella they call Val. What can I say? A... [Read More]

Tracked on June 29, 2004 01:15 AM

» Babalooooo!!!! from Brandon's Puppy
Happy Blogaversary, Tio. Let me know what time to come over for cake and ice cream!... [Read More]

Tracked on January 22, 2005 08:33 PM

Tracked on June 9, 2005 05:44 PM

Comments

I think when a blog has an anniversary, Rachel Lucas or Michele Catalano or someone should show up and give the webmaster a birthday spanking.

Posted by: Steve H. at June 28, 2004 03:24 PM

How very cool!

Congrats.... and get the spanking on a webcast ;-)

Posted by: The Other Mike S. at June 28, 2004 03:32 PM

Congrats!

Posted by: VHMPrincess at June 28, 2004 03:36 PM

Congratulations Val.
Happy Anniversary!
yamy choy

Posted by: yamy at June 28, 2004 03:36 PM

Congrats, and many more years of happy blogging to you!

Posted by: marc at June 28, 2004 03:37 PM

Vale pa'lante Val,
que lo que tu escribe es
"Mikinbin"
Yamy Choy

Posted by: yamy at June 28, 2004 03:43 PM

Congrats..WOW! 1 year already.Oh and btw just wanted to let you guys know any spanking will be done by the Mrs. and sorry no web cams.

Posted by: The Mrs. at June 28, 2004 03:43 PM

No, we should be saying Gracias to you!

Posted by: oceanguy at June 28, 2004 03:58 PM

Happy Blogiversary, Val! :)

Posted by: pam at June 28, 2004 04:05 PM

Happy is the day I found a very cool website of a sexy Latin man who, as it turns out, looks really HOT in "Passion Pink" lipstick.

Happy Blogiversary, Val. You rawk.

Posted by: Emma at June 28, 2004 04:21 PM

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to Val's Blog...
Happy Birthday to...no wait...stop.

I don't want to have to pay Birthday Song royalties to AOL Time Warner.

Bummer. And here I was going to sing you a celebratory Happy Birthday song, only to now worry that I'll be sued for copyright infringement.

Such is the world in which we live today.

Congrats, Val.

Posted by: WB at June 28, 2004 04:45 PM

Val,

I't's funny because my introduction to Blogging was very similar, except it started with Best of the Web, which led to Instapundit, which led to you. It was your blog that had me reading the archives all night long.

I agree, Blogging is pretty consuming once you get an idea of how relevant it can be. It is such a revolution in communication and information. Just think, even though the internet is limited in Cuba, I'll bet somebody has you bookmarked by now. You're helping to spread the good word, and Castro can't send MiGs after you like he did to the Hermanos al Rescate. Keep up the good work.

Posted by: Craig at June 28, 2004 04:51 PM

Fel�z Aniversario, Val. I enjoy your blog tremendously, you are the first thing I read every morning, followed by Lucianne.

Posted by: Mercedes at June 28, 2004 05:02 PM

Congrats Val!

Posted by: Ray Smith at June 28, 2004 05:03 PM

Val:

Congratulations, hermano. I have the feeling you're just getting started.

Jerome

Posted by: Jerome du Bois at June 28, 2004 05:56 PM

That Dean sure gets around doesn't he!?! My goodness my favorites list of bloggers is soooo filled with great loving people that love this land so very much!
You shaved your legs too showing your support of our beloved soldiers.

Keep writing and for sure I will be back. A most Happy First Anniversary!!!

Posted by: Janelle at June 28, 2004 06:31 PM

Happy Blogiversary, mi amigo! Here's to a few dozen more good ones! :-)

--TwoDragons

Posted by: Denita TwoDragons at June 28, 2004 06:43 PM

You do not lob the mango.

Happy Blogday.

Posted by: Aaron's Rantblog at June 28, 2004 07:24 PM

Happy Blogiversary, or something like that.

Posted by: Keith at June 28, 2004 07:28 PM

Happy Anniversary, and many more!

Posted by: Darmon Thornton at June 28, 2004 07:50 PM

Val--

Thanks for your blog. I haven't been reading for the whole year, but you're an artist as well as a journalist. Keep it up, friend...

Dale
mostly cajun

Posted by: mostly cajun at June 28, 2004 07:58 PM

Congratulations! And thank you.

Posted by: rita at June 28, 2004 08:10 PM

Congrats, Val! Here's to many more years of blogging excellence.

Posted by: Lachlan at June 28, 2004 09:48 PM

Felicidades Valent�n. Gracias a ti for publishing the best Cuban blog in blogosphere. De cubano a cubano, thanks for denouncing the dictator cada vez que pisotea a Cuba. Y ahora, the obligatory cliche amongst us Cubans que alg�n d�a tiene que hacerse realidad co�o: ojal� que Cuba sea libre para el pr�ximo aniversario de tu blog.

Posted by: Yoan Gustavo at June 28, 2004 09:58 PM

Happy happy Blogday!
Bend over show your tush,er, hits.
It might be hard and pointy (uh, it may be full and lofty); it might be full of cush (that's unique page views)
We are going to comment, no matter how it looks,
So, happy happy blogday
Bend over take your whops! Uh, comments of congratulations that is :)

Happy Day to you.

Posted by: Rae at June 28, 2004 10:31 PM

Awesome in every way, Val.

Not just a year of blogging, but a year of some of the very best writing on the net, bar none.

And somehow, I know the coming year will be all the better.

That sir, is truly something to look forward to.

Happy Blirthday. And many more to come.

Jim
Sloop New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at June 28, 2004 11:44 PM

Hey! A day late and a dollar short, but happy blogiversary, Val!! May you blog happily for many years to come.

Posted by: kelley at June 28, 2004 11:50 PM

Congratulations, Val!

Posted by: Patrick at June 29, 2004 01:12 AM

Happy anniversary!

Posted by: Da Goddess at June 29, 2004 01:18 AM

Congratulations and Happy Blogaversary! May you have many happy returns (and we many more good posts to read).

Posted by: Laughing Wolf at June 29, 2004 08:53 AM

Congratulations Val!

Posted by: cj at June 29, 2004 09:35 AM

Happy (belated) blogbirthday!

Posted by: Fausta at June 29, 2004 10:17 AM

Ah, sorry I'm late. Better late than never. Val, you've been an inspiration to many of us. Congratulations. I look forward to reading many more posts...and hopefully parking my motorcycle in ManCamp for an afternoon soon. Peace. --scott

Posted by: j.scott barnard at June 29, 2004 01:16 PM

Happy one year anniversary! Your blog has opened my eyes and I always look forward to reading it. :-)

Posted by: Donna at June 29, 2004 09:38 PM

Belated congrats, Val, and thanks for adding your voice to this great thing/place/whatever we call the blogosphere.

Posted by: Dave J at June 29, 2004 10:45 PM

Congrats Val! Thank you for everything.

Posted by: OF Jay at June 29, 2004 11:03 PM