I’m not so good with remembering things. Like dates, for instance! And so it came to pass that I was sitting here this morning thinking about the list of things I need to get done today, all of which involve expanding Skepchick into a bigger, better site, and I thought about how this blog started as a silly side project with just me posting once a day about whatever popped into my head. And then I realized that it was in the winter when I started it . . . the winter of, what was it? 2005? No, the Skepchick monthly zine started in 2005, so 2006 maybe? Oh screw it, I logged in and checked the archives.
Oh! It was February 12, 2006. Darwin Day, though I hadn’t realized it at the time. So really, we’ve been celebrating the anniversary every year with awesome contests. By accident.
So I realized that this blog has been regularly updated (nearly daily) for five years. Five years! That’s like fifty years in Internet time.
Apparently 5-year anniversaries are traditionally honored with the gift of wood, which just makes the jokes way too easy, so let’s not go there. The modern gift is silverware, which is appropriate for our baking contest this year but still, unnecessary. Instead, please save your gifts for when we launch our redesigned site in the next month or so, when I think I’ll put out a tip jar for those who want to show their appreciation and help pay our hard-working designer a little something.
In the meanwhile, thanks to all of you who have been reading this site all that time, and thanks to all of you who have found us since and stuck around. And especially thanks to the now-dozens of writers who have helped me make the site better, because I never would have been able to keep up that post-a-day pace without going crazy. -Er. Crazier.
Wow. And to think we decided to launch Skepchick Sweden on the same date, for the express purpose of making it easier to remember … :D
Congratulations!
I saw this post and I thought the blog was glitchy again. I almost emailed you to tell you all the blog posts were gone except your first one.
Because I remember that post.
Because you’re awesome.
Thanks for making all this happen. Being a part of it has been the most amazing experience of my life.
No, thank you for providing a fun and informative thing to read and respond to during the day that doesn’t make me feel TOO guilty about doing something other than the work for which I am paid.
So, a 12-piece set of sporfs, then?
….runs off to add Feb 12, 2006 to the Skeptic History database.
I’m all warm and fuzzy now. :) Yay for Skepchick!
5 years, man I was in a stable relationship, lived in a nice place, had a cat. I started reading this site, and let me tell you… I still have the cat.
I’m not placing blame, I mean I’m sure it’s coincidence, what would this site have against my life, right?
This isn’t about me this is about celebrating the 5 year aniversary of this wonderful site and all its great contributors! Here’s to many more years.
After all I’m sure there be another girl, and let me tell you my cat’s pretty damn cool, he’s cute too…
Yep any time now…
YAY SKEPCHICK!!!!
@Steve D: In the interest of minority outreach, do they make left-handed ones? Ned Flanders wants to know. (No, I’m not mocking minorities or minority outreach, nor am I left-handed. It’s just one of those little things that can affect some people much more than others.)
What a great True Fact to know! Congrats to Rebecca and all of the Skepchicks as well as all of the commenters who make this such a great place.
@Buzz Parsec: Not that I’ve seen but “Left-Handed Sporf” would make a good name for a band …or deviant sex act.
Congratulations to you and the blog!
Skepchick is one of the first places I made any connections in the skeptical community, or realized there was much of a skeptical community beyond publications and discussion forums when I started to identify myself as a skeptic. I’ve made friends, met some great people, learned a few things, and had some good times as a result of Skepchick. So thanks, and congratulations to Rebecca and the whole crew!!
I’ll bet you saw this day coming, Rebecca. ;-) At least we now have another reason to look forward to February. Congratulations!
I remember stumbling upon this blog, and wondering when the next issue of Skepchick would come out.
Skepchick is a great resource, and I feel fortunate to have met and worked with some of the members. Thank you, Rebecca, for all the work you’ve put into Skepchick. Can’t forget all the bloggers who have and are contributing to Skepchick.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to read your tenth anniversary post.
The modern gift is silverware
OK, fork you!
Sorry, just had to. :)
Skol, here’s to 5+ more.
@mrmisconception: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
@Brian G: I’m with you, BOOOOOO!
I only found out about skepchick last year, but since then it has become a crucial point of entry into the net every day (almost).
Other blogs in the skeptic milieu have important things to say, but this is a lot livelier and more inclusive than the rest.
Thank you Rebecca and all skepchiks and contributors!