Once upon a time (2002) in a land far, far away (the Texas Gulf Coast), I met someone online who changed my life…or at least the way I blog. I started my blog, The People’s Republic of Seabrook, on 9.3.11, and until Brian Kane came along, I’d hand-coded everything (crudely) in HTML. Though he had no compelling reason to offer assistance, Brian became my initial tech guru. I’m a writer, not a techie; I couldn’t code my way out of a paper sack. From the mothership in Boston, Brian set up TPRS in Movable Type, the blogging software I used to this day. Hey, if it ain’t broke….
Brian is one of the few bloggers who’ve been at it (12 years) longer than I have (10+). We’ve remained fans of each other’s work, probably because each of us has a very different focus. I’ve enjoyed Brian Kane Online because it’s topical, well-written, and fun to read. Brian has an eye for the offbeat, which is something I’ve always enjoyed.
The reason for this homage is that Brian’s decided to hang up his keyboard. His domain registration expires on 5.16, and he’s decided not to renew it. I, for one, am saddened by this news, though I certainly understand. You don’t stick with something for so long without occasionally questioning the necessity and utility of it. I’ve asked myself the same questions on many occasions, and the answer has remained the same. I’ve learned and adapted and changed things up as I’ve felt necessary, if for no other reasons than to keep myself interested and engaged. Brian seems to have reached what for him feels like the end of the road. I’m certainly going to miss BKO, but I respect his decision and his reasons for making it. Nothing lasts forever, eh?
I’ve never met Brian; he lives in Boston, MA, and I’m in Portland, OR. That’s too bad; I think we’d be good friends if we weren’t separated by three times zones. Which reminds me; I think I still owe him some maple bacon bars from Voodoo Donuts.
Da Interwebs will be a much poorer place when BKO goes dark, but, as a very wise entertainer once said,
“Always leave ‘em wanting more.”
