Just over a year ago*, a few of us stumbled out from the wings and onto the stage — we were the proverbial kids in the barn, putting on a show for y’all as Portland’s latest group blog. And it seems appropriate that I commandeer the 1000th post on OurPDX to make a celebratory speech of sorts because I’m just bossy like that — but you all knew that already, right?
Last year at this time, I was pouring my all into getting the baby born (the ten-day birth story is chronicled here) while rounding up a kick-ass band of cohorts and — oh, yeah — fueling the whole thing with equal parts moxie and Maker’s Mark.
Once the site was live, the band hit the road as OurPDX — although we haven’t yet been assimilated as One Borgian Entity, thankfully. Instead I’d call us a loosely federated hydra-headed beast of not-always-quite-harmonizing voices (you should see the internal never-ending debates on just where to have our monthly meetups, for starters!) We live, work or play in all parts of the greater PDX metropolitan area — yes, that includes our Vancouverian neighbor to the north, home of legal meth. Our only mandate? Write about Portland, for a Portland audience. (Bonus points if you can do it with style, wit, smarts, or passion, of course.)
Over the last year, we’ve picked up an entire supporting cast of authors. Roped in more than a few loyal supporters; landed in the media spotlight from time to time (KGW’s Live@7, we love you too!) And managed to harness our energy, enthusiasm, and just plain chutzpah in ways that alternately delight and/or dismay you.
Nearly a quarter of a million visitors later, well — we’ve had to seriously learn more about site optimization. Extended our vaunted ‘cashflow-negative’ reputation by upgrading to a more powerful hosting environment (not to mention sponsoring events like this one or that one.) In the next year? We’re going to bite the bullet and figure out how to at least break even; do expect to see advertising on the site sometime soon.
But that’s for another day. Here’s an imperfect sampling of what’s lured you in this year:
- The post that garners the steadiest inbound traffic from search engines? (Aside from any search term containing the word ‘porn’, that is!) This one — people do love that Bonneville Fish Cam!
- The most popular post? This one, by a landslide (thanks to Stumbleupon and a quiet network of local musicians): The Band: Local Songwriters on “The Well Crafted Song”
- The plethora of resident twisted souls among our author community (or, alternately, those with an, er, healthy appetite for the wild side.) Want a sampling? Try this. Or this. Or maybe this instant classic that kick-started the genre…
- Speaking of indulgences — lordy, do we love our food and drink! From locavores to farmer’s markets to Burgerville to food carts to beer (our most frequently-used tag, no less) — to shamelessly steal from Food Dude, well we believe in indulging, then reporting!
- Pie — whether it’s the Portland Pie-Off or @Whiffies, we’ve managed to ride the wave of a love that will never die (plus, it netted 450.00 for Free Geek!)
- We don’t often break news here — but when we do, it’s interesting to see just how far it travels (and how infrequently we’re credited…!) From the Floyd’s saga to Ted Wheeler’s social media hire to (my personal favorite) our wall-to-wall PDX Monkey on the loose (including bonus round-the-clock Twitter coverage!)
- We’ve always supported local musicians & managed to land a few interesting interviews or insights: The Dimes, Greg Glover and Spun Academy, to name a few.
- Smart-asses and/or highly opinionated posts? We’ve got plenty of those: See this, or this, or this historical reminiscence or this recent post or an earlier post that started a lively conversation, back in the day…
- Speaking of comments — who can forget the first comment firestorm? Breeders vs. Non-Breeders in a steel cage death match!
- For that matter — all of our commenters, and their just under 3,000 comments total. We love it when you talk back to us!
This tribute wouldn’t be complete without thanking everyone who’s supported us along the way (I’ll try to keep it brief before the orchestra gets the cue to play over me….) First, I have to thank our partners-in-negative-cashflow crime: Cami Kaos & Dr. Normal, who graciously share their Strange Love Live material with us each and every week.
To all the folks who link to us or send traffic our way: Jack Bog, Dave from Dave Knows: Portland, the kids at the Merc (as long as they keep their hands off {unauthorized use} of our photos, that is…!), everyone’s favorite cheerleader Rick Turoczy, and our special BFFs, our Twitter pals who keep retweeting our stuff & garnering us new followers — just to name a few!
Okay, enough of the schmaltz and/or the trip down memory lane (I know, I know – I’m starting to burble): who’s ready for a beer?
We are! And while we’d love to buy you one at Beer & Blog this Friday, well – we can’t. (Did we mention the whole ‘flat broke’ thing yet?)
But we’d love to drink with you. And hey — we’ll have some birthday cake there as well, thanks to our fine friends at Thatch Tiki Bar (more news about their special event next Wednesday soonish…!)
Join us this Friday starting at 4 pm at Beer & Blog, won’t you?
* 6/23/08, to be exact
{ 14 comments }
Getting up early has its privileges – I get the first Happy Birthday comment! Congratulations to Betsy and to the authors who make the site go. I’ve really enjoyed watching OurPDX evolve this year. I can’t wait to see what happens in year two!
– John
It’s been an interesting year and I’m glad that I’ve been able to contribute in some small way. Here’s to another few thousand posts…
It’s an honor to be along for the ride. Now let’s just hope we can both change the “Negative” part of that statement… Can anyone say “self sustaining”
Congrats on a great year!
Congratulations to the whole OurPDX many headed hydra on making it to your first birthday! It’s great to have this amazing blog covering our community.
I’m so glad you and Brett asked me to join the impressive list of Portland-passionate authors. Here’s to getting OurPDX into the black!
Its been such a great year. Thank you everyone who has supported us along the way. Especially the authors. Bravo to you! Now let’s go drink some beer.
Kudos to Betsy and all the authors who have diligently been posting all year – I can’t believe it’s been that long since the site started! I hope to see all of you at the birthday party!
Love being a part of this outfit! Here’s to many many more post milestones in our future
Congrats on this cool milestone! Betsy: I had no idea you were the bossy type
I’ve totally enjoyed being an author here and I really can’t wait to see what the next year brings. Thankfully I’ll be at both events on Friday (parking be damned!). I’m super-duper looking forward to SLL!
Congratulations! Glad I could help make your first year a little more interesting…Here’s to many more.
Thanks, Betsy, for inviting me to be a part of OurPDX gang. *SO* looking forward to year two, and my fledgling sports writing career
Sadly, I’m not going to make the celebratory Beer & Blog in person so just wanted to leave word here: Y’all rock. Thanks to Betsy and everyone for making OurPDX what it is.
Happy Birthday OurPDX! I’ve only recently gotten “hip” to it, but it’s AWESOME! Good luck in year 2! BTW, what do you get the coolest Portland blog for it’s birthday? Oh, I know, something viral…..
Comments on this entry are closed.