October 24, 2003

Previous: Happy 5th Birthday Open Diary

Happy Happy 5th Birthday

(continued from previous entry)

Anyways, I got up the next morning needing to go to work. Checked the OD front page, still (1). Went to work, did some work, checked the front page, still (1).

It was sometime in the afternoon of that first day, when I went to the front page for about the fortieth time, and saw “we are currently home to (2) online diaries”. Yikes. I quickly checked out the new diary, and was a little disappointed – the first entry was basically, “is there anybody else on here? what’s going on? etc.” Not enlightening or world-changing, but a start.

By the time I went home that night, two more people had joined – and I was interested to find that one was a college student in Singapore. From the beginning, OD has been an international endeavor. However, the entries were more of the same – one or two sentences, not journals, but more like writing from people expecting a chatroom. After dinner and children-time, I sat down at my PC to work and pulled up the front page. There was another new diary (#5), and there was a single entry in it, showing on the front page. The entry was titled “Video Chimney Inspections and the Swamp Thing” – and if I’m not mistaken, it can still be found somewhere in the electrons that are OD. I read this entry, and realized with pleasure that it was a real diary entry – it told about the author, simple details of a day in that person’s life – and made me want to read more. I think that was when I knew that Open Diary would work.

We’ve come a long way since then – over 1.5 million diaries created, over 20 million diary entries written, and nearly 200 million notes saved (here’s a funny one – notes weren’t even part of the original OD design, I added them as kind of an afterthought). It’s been a good five years, I think. There have certainly been highs and lows, and in that time Open Diary evolved from something I did part-time, to something that was (more than) a full-time job, to something that was a job for even more people, back to something I had to do while working on other things, and back again to a full-time (plus) occupation. In that time, our OD community has gone from a small family, to a little village, to a fair-sized town, to a place with more residents than many cities.

But the thing that always amazed me about OD was the people. Early on, one of our diarists sent me an e-mail that I think captured what OD is all about, better than I could ever express it. I can’t quote what she said exactly, so I paraphrase here:

“I live in Manhattan, and I ride the subway to work every day. Before I joined Open Diary, I would board the subway and take a seat, staring ahead and trying not to make eye contact. I ignored the other people on the train and they ignored me – for all I cared, none of them existed. Open Diary has made me realize that all of those people – every one – has feelings and a story of their own. Each of them has happiness and sadness and fears, just like me. Now I look at the people on the subway, and I know that they are people – and that we share more with each other than we know.”

The people here have always been what makes Open Diary special. If I had to give a birthday speech, I would spend most of it trying to thank all of the people that have chosen to make OD their home on the web. All of you – each and every one – have added your own unique imprint to what this community has become. For that I will always be grateful.

Finally, I would have to thank the DiaryMistress most of all. She believed in this idea from the beginning, she encouraged me to continue when I wanted to quit (there’s been more than a couple times), she always seemed proud to tell people about it (even when they made that face). She supported our family when the business of Open Diary wasn’t making enough to put food on the table. Without her, none of this would have been possible.

I’m looking forward to many more years of Open Diary. I’ve got several good years left in me, after all. However, as I said in that first entry, it’s late and my creativity is wearing thin. If you want to tell us your Open Diary story, please check out this week’s theme.

Good night, and thanks again to all of you.

The DiaryMaster

very cool sir..very cool

This entry is so very special, showing us that you care as deeply for the Open Diary as we do. We have had some growing pains, that is true, but for the most part, people are good here, with stories, like the letter to you said. Thank you for this entry. Love,

It’s all about the notes. Love the notes.

I’m thankful for OpenDiary, even though it’s been a bit frustrating at times, and at times I’ve not used it to it’s full advantage…it’s helped me out considerably. I first started it to help me deal with a problem, and now, even if I don’t write about it, I can still sort the problems (and joys) in my life with better ease. So thank you.

Congratulations. OD is a marvellous endeavour. It’s really nice to read the story behind it, thanks 🙂

So I’ll leave the same birthday message I always leave for birthdays… Hippo birdies two ewesHippo birdies two ewesHippo birdies deer eeeewwwweeesssssHippo birdies two ewes… And monkey moooooooooooooooose! heh heh

No, thank you! I’ve loved it here. 🙂

Awww… it’s the warm, gushy, cushy feeling. May decades follow the first five years!

And thank you, Mr. and Mrs. DM! Open Diary means a lot to me, too. It’s a big part of my life. I love reading about the people here, but more than that, connecting with them. Starting OD was a brilliant idea and you actually followed through and did it.

Happy Birthday! 🙂

Happy Birthday OD… and Congrats to you DM for giving birth to a brillant idea that has taken off and become what it is today. It has enriched not only your life but 1.5 million as well!! This was a very facinating read thanks so much for such a perfect birthday present! I am happy to be a guest at this “party” as well as the community!

This was wonderful to read! Thank You and the DMistress for all of it.

I am LOVING this entry! And by the way, thanks. 🙂 I have a feeling I’m going to enjoy doing this week’s theme.

That is so cool that od has been around for so long. I hope it stays another five years or more. Talk to you later.

*smiles* what a wonderful entry. You’ve given people the chance to put their hopes, dreams and thoughts in a place that only strangers (or an invited few) know. Unlike a paper diary, it’s hard to stumble across someone’s OD. Therefore a writer feels freer to write what they are feeling (unless they are writing for an audience). Right now i’m having a tough time, it’s through my friends at OD

that i have my “support network”. People here genuinely care about one another. There’s always someone here with a *hug*, someone willing to give advice without judging. I’ve gotten to know some of my friends better through their diaries. I’ve also gotten to know some really nice people who i now class as friends. The diary Mistress and yourself enabled that, for which i thank you,

from the bottom of my heart. Happy Birthday OD

i’ve been here since the summer of 2000. i can’t ever imagine leaving. thank you, dm. this was such a special entry.

that was a darn good story. hugs,

Hi DM. Just a question, for reader’s password am I supposed to see a little index of entries like I do normally (Diary start, last 30 entires, next 30 entries, etc)? Its hard to read older entries because it takes forever to get back to them using the links on the top of the entry pages.

can u get back to me about my entries please?! im very desperate, u don’t understand

this was a fabulous read. i especially liked what the woman you quoted (paraphrased?) had to say. i’m a new diarist, having recently discovered open diary–thanks for everything you put into it.

Very cool entry. I for one am beyond happy you’ve stuck in there for so long. Thank you for making all of this possible. <3

No, Thank YOU for making this possible. It has been an extremely valuable tool for me.

Happy birthday. 🙂

Thanks for creating OD. :o) Seriously, I cant even begin telling you what it has done for me and how important it has become. Been here for two years and with each day and each new friend I find here I thank you more and more for giving us this blessed place. Keep up the good work and I hope you’re proud of yourself.

Happy Birthday Open Diary. I’ve been with you for just over 3 years. (My OD birthday was August 25th – or there abouts.) Thank you for putting your dream into reality. This is a wonderful community. Hugs!

I happened to watch the news one day when they did a report about online diaries. I did a search and found Open Diary and this has been my refuge, my solace, my release ever since. (a little over two years now) Writing in OD and getting notes from wonderfully supportive people has helped me though incredibly difficult and totally amazing periods in my life. Thank you so much for your vision.

Wow! You have done a great job all of these years!

I’m proud to say that I was (and still am) one of the first 5000 diarists on the original Open Diary. My 5 year anniversary will be on March 22nd, 2004. You’ve come a long way, baby. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! 😀

I think it is so awesome that you used your knowlege to benifit someone else…it such a great way. Through OD I have learned so many things about myself that I would have otherwise never known; and to be apart of something so big kinda gives me that warm feeling inside. Thank you, and happy birthday

hmm.. im sorry. I left a note on Thursday or Friday, and you didn’t get back to me yet, so I have been trying to limit my note leavings.. anyways.. please get back to me and let me know. Thank you 🙂

YAY! Happy Birthday, OD! 🙂

Happy 5th B-Day OD!!! I discovered this place January 00. I kept a private diary for about 3 months then my husband encouraged me to make it public. I did in April 00 and have been here ever since. I love this site and pray it never goes away because I would seriously be lost without it. Thanks for making this place possible!!!

I don’t know if you’ll ever get around to reading this note, but I wanted to say something really quick. I’ve always been impressed, for the 2-3 years I’ve been here, at the layout you have chosen for the diary. I have surfed through every single other online diary/journal known to mankind and I still can’t find one that compares even close to OpenDiary. So thank you.

Hi my name is Tim I am 16 My dairy is with teen open diary I am here to ask you not to change teen open diary I KNOW if you ask all the kids they will all say not to We all love it the way it is I’d love to here what you have to say You can E-Mail me at mountainelk@hotmail.com

thank you so much for all you’ve given me. us. thank you for your hard work and determination. my life would be different without it.

well congrats i think there are lots more people now than then huh, well i’ve been part of this diary for i think at least one year i’ve changed my name from crazy4thisgirl then something or the other then i am who i am now thanx for creating this website.

i would just like to say thank you. thank you for this site. thank you for giving me the chance to keep up with my thoughts in such an amazing format. because of you i have made and met some amazing friends. keep up the good work.

congrats DM! You are inspiring. OD has done many things for me and is just an essential part of my life now.

I try to explain this website to my family and friends in my real life, and they don’t get how I can love so many people whom I’ve never met. But, I get it. And as I flit around random diaries, THEY all get it, too. It’s an amazing experience, and one that has brought me friends – real, true, amazing, incredible friends who know me better than most people in my real life. Simply – THANK YOU.

I’d always wondered about the beginnings of Open Diary. Thank you for this history – and heartfelt thanks for providing Open Diary. I find it a brilliant forum for building understanding. Why, through Open Diary I’ve discovered that, no matter what our Australian media says, not all Yanks are arrogant and ignorant! *grin* (Seriously, this place gives me some hope for our crazy planet!)

Thankyou for making open diary DM!. TOD was the first place I ever had an online journal. NO other sites compare to the od world! Sally-Anne

Open Diary has indeed been a cultural phenomenon. Who knew? LOL! Thanks.

The was a great! I feel really bad now for not actually treating this like a journal. I sometimes write pointless entries that just state some obnoxious detail and then I go one with my life. I am going to try to write a real entry soon. One that will make you proud! Thanks for creating O.D., Without it, I could have easily lost my mind to teenage years. 🙂 *Hug* Thanks again!

Congratulations! 🙂

I know you are busy, I just wanted to let you know that I have wrote an entry dedicated to you and this wonderful entry!

You talked about how brillant Open Diary is. I totally agree. I joined the family in July. I visit here everyday, but remember that when you are talking about The Open Diary Website, you are talking about YOUR ideas! You are brillant as well as the website. I was in a huge depressed stage and this (YOUR) website pretty much SAVED my LIFE!! Please know that you have worked MIRACLES for a lot of us.

This is fantastic. I have always loved open diary, especially after the subscription site was introduced. I was one of the bitchy ones (*blush*) when things went wrong with technology, but I was at a crappy point in life. Open Diary and my family here are what got me through. *huge hugs* Thanks so much for having a brilliant thought and acting on it.

I loved this entry. I never knew the history of OD before, and it is fascinating indeed to see what a little creativity (and a lot of sweat) has wrought. Congratulations, DM!!! 😀 *lifts glass in toast*

Cool stuff, man. Glad you started this place and are keepiong at it!

thank you for all you’ve done. it seems silly sometimes, but od has been a significant part of my life since august of 2000. i’ve met a great group of friends here that i am forever thankful for. they’ve provided support for me in times that i don’t think anyone else in my life could. along with that, i, like you, appreciate the fact that i have a record of the person i was three years ago…

and the abilty to see how much i’ve grown from a slightly oblivious and naive sixteen year old to a now almost-twenty college student. so, yes, again, thank you for all you’ve done, for all the ways you as a single person have inadvertently affected my life, and for all i’m sure you will continue to do.

THIS was a great read. 🙂

Yes happy bday to OD! 😀 Its come far and I love it!

This entry showed me what I’ve been wondering about for a while, which is: how did someone (you) get the idea to begin something like this? How long ago was it started? etc. I just want to thank you for coming up with this idea, that for me, too, it has broadened my understanding of, and respect for, people and their stories of life. Thank you. 🙂

this story sucks ass