Wade on Birmingham

High 5: Wade on Birmingham’s fifth anniversary

By

Wade Kwon

Blogging takes you places. This blog has taken me to places around the state and around the country. That may sound odd for a news site focused on Birmingham, but that’s how blogging works. It opens the door to places beyond your tiny domain.

Wade on Birmingham celebrates its fifth anniversary today. Let us look at the places charted and uncharted on the journey to date.

The blog of 2010 is not too different from the 2005 model. I still write a majority of posts, including a daily haiku. I still focus on Birmingham with occasional glances at the newsworthy in Alabama, too.

But looking closer, the evolution of this news site becomes more apparent. Nearly 3,000 posts have made this into a unique resource for the metro area, with 20 guest bloggers to date. I’ve had countless scoops and exclusives, plus special reports on everything from politics to crime to food to pop culture.

Why? Why invest so much time and effort and even a little money into this humble enterprise?

Because the opportunities continue to pour in for this online journalist.

I talked about blogging last week in Baton Rouge and will discuss it again next week in Las Vegas. I’ve already booked a speaking gig for 2011 here in town. So working on this site contributes directly to my expertise in this niche area.

Wade on Birmingham also gives me the opportunity to talk about this community: its challenges, its successes, its future. One reason why I believe many residents have become apathetic about the state of the city — and the city is in bad shape — is because they aren’t aware of the alternatives.

When you travel, you see amazing things and meet amazing people. You see how other cities have reliable and affordable buses and trains, or attractions where vacant buildings once stood. You see thoughtful development and invading tourists and hometown pride.

In short, you see the things Birmingham is not. Or the Birmingham that could be.

(I wish more of you would slip the surly bonds of Jones Valley to voyage to other places. Travel broadens the mind and ignites the soul.)

A few would prefer that Birmingham’s problems remain unnamed and unpublicized, that it creates an air of discontent. I respectfully disagree. If you want people to stop talking about the numerous long-term problems of this city, let’s solve them once and for all.

Ideas are fine. But actually working together to put those ideas in place? More of that, please.

I don’t have all the answers. But many of you do. This site is built not on one individual’s efforts, but on the collective efforts of too many people to name here. I’m eternally grateful to the readers, who never hesitate to give praise or criticism when needed.

I’m also grateful to tipsters, fellow bloggers, interview subjects, sponsors, photographers, rabble rousers and developers who had a hand in what you see before you. It really took a village.

Blogs come and go, many during these past 5 years. But this blog will be around for awhile. As blogging here has taken me places, let it carry you to the undiscovered corners of our fair city. Let it showcase the heroic efforts of everyday people. And yes, let it also continue to bring persistent problems to the forefront, so that we may defeat them rather than defer them.

Whether you came in on Day 1 or Day 1,827, welcome to Wade on Birmingham. We have a lot to talk about.

Wade Kwon is a Birmingham native and publisher of Wade on Birmingham.

• • •

First, second, third and fourth anniversary posts.

Photo: Jelani Newton, J&M Photography and Design

8 Yips for “High 5: Wade on Birmingham’s fifth anniversary”

  1. Erin
    Wednesday, October 6, 2010, 9:11 am
    1

    Congratulations! Here’s to helping introduce Birmingham to blogging and for sharing your knowledge of the Magic City and the Interwebs with the world!

  2. Tweets that mention Wade on Birmingham » High 5: Wade on Birmingham’s fifth anniversary -- Topsy.com
    Wednesday, October 6, 2010, 9:16 am
    2

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Wade Kwon, Tiffany S. Adams, Fayanne Thorngate, Rebecca & Bob Moody, Keith Higginbotham and others. Keith Higginbotham said: @WadeOnTweets Congrats on the 5th anniversary! Wade on Birmingham http://itswa.de/wadeonbham-5 […]

  3. Wade
    Wednesday, October 6, 2010, 6:34 pm
    3

    Thank you, Erin! It’s too much fun not to share.

  4. Kathy
    Saturday, October 9, 2010, 7:53 am
    4

    Happy Anniversary.

  5. c.a. Marks
    Sunday, October 10, 2010, 7:12 am
    5

    WOW. Happy Blogiversary Wade! I remember, although I may not have been checking on you every day, but I remember. Congratulations!

  6. Wade
    Sunday, October 10, 2010, 11:10 pm
    6

    Thanks, C.A. and Kathy! Glad you could stop by.

  7. Rachel @ Grasping for Objectivity
    Sunday, October 17, 2010, 4:40 pm
    7

    Happy anniversary! And what a great summary of why to blog. I do sit back and wonder at the illogical amount of time I spend doing it sometimes, but it all is worth it, one way or the other.

  8. Wade on Birmingham » Wade’s 3,000th on Birmingham
    Wednesday, April 24, 2013, 2:51 pm
    8

    […] High 5: Wade on Birmingham’s fifth anniversary […]

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