Somehow, we got here. There’s the old phrase that as one door closes, another one opens.
A year ago, on a bus journey home from work, after certain issues were raised, and reasons I still can’t go fully into, I decided to close down How Did We Lose In Adelaide. It was never meant to be a permanent closure of cricket blogging on my behalf, but the preceding year had been, to be truthful, absolutely knackering, both physically and mentally. I thought of that bus journey today and thought, we’re probably in a much better place now. I know I am.
The year we’ve had here has been incredible. Those who were with me on HDWLIA largely came over and joined in the discussions. It picked up from HDLWIA and in my mind improved out of all recognition for the addition of The Leg Glance, who is not only a bloody talented writer, a master of argument and a teller of stories, is also a cracking good bloke and a top friend. Without him, no way do we get here. He stepped in at the right time, when I was struggling with a change of role and pressured stuff in the real world, and written great pieces throughout the year. He’s probably embarrassed about me writing this stuff, but I’d place on record my huge thanks. This is not my blog, it’s our blog.
There’s been ups and downs. I was close to jacking it in after the Ashes. I had, frankly, had enough. But then I realised that I do enjoy doing this and despite some nonsense from people who think nothing of denigrating the sheer effort that goes into this with their 140 character sniping, the fact we still drum up the amount of comments we do is astounding and certainly keeps me going. It’s not an echo chamber, no matter how much people think it is. It’s two cricket lovers talking with loads of other cricket lovers and that’s how it will stay.
As I say on numerous occasions, I never take your support for granted, I still get a buzz when a post hits the spot, and we’ll keep on until we stop. Judging by our recent hit and visitor rates, there’s no sign of a decrease in interest. We had over 22000 comments this year. I’m not sure there’s another cricket blog in England pulling that amount in.
So one year in, and more (hopefully) to come. It has been a year.
Please continue to comment on today’s ODI in the post below.
Being Outside Cricket 
If I’m going to have to read that, then I’m retaliating by pointing out that Dmitri is an inspiration.
Have loved every minute. Happy birthday to us all, for it is participants who make a blog.
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I have just seen that if you press the live feed button it is being manned. By bad!
Although in my defense you don’t nornally have to do that. Any way apologies.
Man City 0 Leicester 3 if anyone is interested.
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Mark,
I have taken it down!
🙂
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Dmitri, Chris – Happy 1st Anniversary. You each complement one another extremely well and the blog, like HDWLIA before it, is a high-octane engine for alternative and interesting thought. All power to your respective elbows for the coming year. Top stuff.
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Congratulations and thank you for the fantastic work, and giving so many excellent BTL’s a home that turns this into my essential cricket site.
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Thanks to both of you. I remember how gutted I was to read a post on TFT from the Bogfather that “Hadoolia” had disappeared, and how relieved I was that you hadn’t jacked it all in. For this last fear alone I welcomed the load-bearing presence of TLG. That he writes so well and knowledgeably too is the icing on the cake. (BTW, how many other writers can give the wickie’s perspective? I don’t see too many)
Pat yourselves on the back, as a lot of us really appreciate (and need) the space you provide. I learn more here, both from posts and commenters, than I do at the Graun. This week especially.
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Thanks Dmitri and Chris for your good work and your extensive and amazing output. Always well written. Enjoy reading you both. Happy anniversary to you. xx
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I almost never comment but always read. I imagine there are legions of similar people.
You’re highly appreciated. That’s all I want to say.
Happy birthday.
D
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David,
Thanks for the kind remarks. I am sure any comments you might wish to make will be more than welcome, but understand people are more than happy to just read our jolly old rantings.
Cheers!
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Congrats indeed and that’s a top drawer cake. However I ain’t coming to your birthday party if I’m only getting half a bloody cup of tea.
#afullmugplease
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Well, Krusovice tends to be the beverage of choice for our parties…
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Fella, I ain’t even gonna begin to Google that! Is it posh booze?
I’m just going on what that photo’s offering. That must be very expensive tea / the last tea bag, or else it’s evaporated.
Wonder what plan Giles is currently concocting. What’s his exit strategy? He must be on the way out now.
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It says 12 comments but only ten are visible. Something weird going on?
Oh, and for MM: Krusovice is one of many extremely good Czech beers that I always enjoy when in Prague. I have never attended one of these blogger parties, but always feel slightly envious when I see pictures of the beer.
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Saving Mark’s blushes…….
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Thanks Dmitri.
I kind of guessed that’s what you had done. Cheers!
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Can you get Czech cider?
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I honestly don’t know. I doubt it. I think the Czechs would look at you funny if you asked for it. In all honesty, if you have a pint of, say, Velkopopovicky Kozel at U Cerneho Vola, near the castle, and still fancy cider rather than another one/two/seven, you’re probably in the wrong city.
🙂
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Congratulations! It’s a considerable achievement when you both have other lives to lead, and the quality of the posts just keeps on getting better.
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PS. Nice cake.
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Echo Rooto’s comments Happy anniversary to BOC – I wonder if I’ll die not knowing why HDWLIA got closed down – but thanks to TFT I found BOC. Anyway, huge, huge, thanks to both its authors for BOC.
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Happy anniversary BOC, it’s been a great year and I thank you both for both providing a forum for some great discussion and most of all for some fantastic pieces. Long may it continue..
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Congratulations on a most enjoyable year. I’m a regular visitor firstly because this blog is honest and secondly because I learn stuff, from our noble hosts and from other commenters too.
I had the honour of spending a few pleasant hours at the Oval with Dmitri last summer. He doesn’t walk round armed to the teeth and spitting fire; he’s a normal guy. Look forward to doing it again.
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Thanks Benny. You got to meet an MP, though!
Armed with my camera though. Hope people are noticing the new header photographs one by one (a few of the old ones have been phased out).
We certainly will at some point. I do need to get down to Hove for a game.
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Happy 1st anniversary to Being Outside Cricket. I never cease to be astonished by both the quality and quantity of output from this site. Many thanks to you both and all the regulars BTL.
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