FanNation - The Republic of Sport

It was exactly one year ago today when I became a member of FanNation.  It was very new to me, and was a respite from the busy life of a computer programmer. Now that I have been here a year, I would like to reflect on some memories of my first year.

My first and lasting memory is of my very first TD. I wasn't exactly sure or even creative about what topic I wanted, s I just threw one out there: "The Texas Rangers will win their division."  Soon after, a fellow named Porkins swooped in and was going to teach the newbie a lesson.

Sure enough, he taught me that lesson, officially spanking me as my welcome to FanNation. But, I also tend to think that I gained his respect.

http://www.fannation.com/throwdowns/show/128837-the-texas-rangers-will-win-their-division?category_id=2

Then over time, my friends list grew: from Porkins to rstowe, to Nickb23, PhillyEagles, NCshvDavid and many many others.  Then one day I stumbled upon a TD from someone named Cassidy, and was introduced to the fiery personality. Soon enough, Cassidy became a friend as well. For me, all of these friends have been trustworthy, and have stuck by me when they believed I was right, and straightened me out when they believed I was wrong.  The most prominent example of this is when I made a comment that Barry Sanders was better than Jim Brown, and NC challenged me to a TD and took me to the woodshed on it. Lol. Good times.

But regardless of the TDs, the blogs (this is my 20th), and the friends, the best experience for me has been the ability to debate and talk sports with reasonable and knowledgeable people. I used to debate sports with my sisters, whom I also got interested in sports. but then they moved out and I was left to look here. And boy has it been great.

It has had its lows too. When the site changed and the mass exodus happened, I was part of that. But I couldnt stay away for too long and there I was right back here again. There was also the turbulent 3 month period when I lost my job and I lost all hope. yet I was able to turn to my friends on here and they helped me pull through it.

I know my speech hasn't been eloquent. I never really have been any good at these kinds of things, but overall I can be extremely grateful and blessed to have fund a site like this and to have found the people that make this site worth coming to day after day.

Thank you all for making Year 1 awesome for me. I look forward to an outstanding Year 2. And in the words of the iron Horse,"I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth."