DISQUS

Mario Sundar · 1 year ago

Well, I'm glad I'm up at 3:30 since I can now wish you first. Happy B'day, Chris! It's a pleasure getting to know you both online and offline. Have a great day! And, see you soon sometime this year :) Maybe web 2.0?

Noah David Simon · 1 year ago

not to debase your "value added" (I think your very important)
..but you spoke of weaknesses and from what I see your weakness is not your lack of execution, but your constant efforts to be self referential.

Obviously this is proportional and I follow you because I think your important enough to follow, but I do listen to your tweets and you spend an awful lot of time trying to tell people what you do. I understand this comes from our career oriented culture where a person's status is dependent on they're value to others (it seems less and important to produce and more important to define ourselves and make the sales pitch. I think this limits your ability to (1) market other ideas that could be profitable to others and yourself and (2) creates a clutter of information that really is promotion and also comes across as a bit greased.

I am very impressed that your not selling narcotics however.

Again... the fact that I am here criticizing you is testament to your relevance.
You are a person people can go to about information related to social networking. A hub or Oracle and I wish the economy were compatible with social mechanisms. I exist in the same wasteland.

Louis Gray · 1 year ago

Are you saying your birthday is April 8? Because... so is mine! Except I'm turning (Chris Brogan - 7). I had no idea!

john blue · 1 year ago

have a fun day! Thanks for the posts over past year(s), I enjoy reading/seeing what you are doing.
John

David · 1 year ago

Happy B-Day!

Mark Dykeman · 1 year ago

Happy birthday, Chris. Many happy returns!

Thank you for being a firestarter.

I envy your ability to connect with so many people!

Merlene Paynter · 1 year ago

Happy Birthday, Chris!
Posted a little something for you this morning. Have a great day and a great year, kiddo. I can say that. I'm older ;)

http://tinyurl.com/4qs3jg

Daz Cox · 1 year ago

happy b-day bro!

Peter O'Connell · 1 year ago

For a guy who loves his birthday and has all this passion, you look pretty pissed off in your pic.

Smile....life is a gift not a guarantee.

Best always,
- Peter

Robin · 1 year ago

Happy Birthday Chris, i've said that in 1st of April when you're stuck in traffic. I was like, it's not fair, it's his birthday and he's stuck on traffic :-D. But then i'm glad to see everything turns alright.

So now i'm saying it again, i'm wishing you a very good years ahead and thank you for your writings and beautiful thoughts.

Sameer Vasta · 1 year ago

Happy birthday Chris. Wanted to thank you for everything you do hear on this blog, because it keeps my inspired and gives me insight. Thank you again, and have a wonderful day.

KarenSwim · 1 year ago

Happy Birthday Chris! Thank you for all that you do to teach and inspire others. I hope your birthday is a blast!

steve Garfield · 1 year ago

Happy Birthday, Chris!

I HAD to be the 4th person in a row to say that. Ha ha.

I love looking towards the future. I look at things as they are and work towards getting them to the next level.

So far this year I've been involved in some exciting projects including live mobile broadcasting. I brought Qik together with both Seesmic and Mogulus to produce some groundbreaking election coverage. That excites me.

I'm exploring the differences between all the streaming services and am writing up a post about how they all compare to each other.

I'm also looking into the convergence of personal, mobile and broadcast video.

I'll be speaking at Streaming Media East and New Media Expo this. I lo
ve speaking at conferences and getting a chance to meet so many people that I only know online, and also love the opportunity to see people I only see once or twice a year.

I also enjoy getting people together to talk about what they are doing in the media space. Boston Media Makers is going strong and I'm happy to see it spread to other cities including Phoenix, Washington, D.C., Denver, Providence, R.I. and London.

I'm interested in the future of personal content and how we'll be able to share and keep track of it all.

Carol and I enjoy producing The Carol and Steve Show. As you know it enhances the experiences we have. Recent travel episodes have been very popular and we are working on development of that into something more.

I love how you have a book at the proposal stage... Ha ha. Me too. Doesn't everybody?

I like how you have identified three projects to focus on in 2008-2009. That's a good idea.

Hope to see you soon!

Go Sox!

--Steve

Melanie Notkin · 1 year ago

Happy Birthday, Chris!!! Thanks for sharing this with us.

Norman Huelsman · 1 year ago

Happy Birthday! Back on my birthday there was a little event going on, PodCamp Pittsburgh 2. It was a very special day for me when most of the PodCamp sang my happy birthday as well as made a short video. None of that would have happened if it wasn't for PodCamp and the communities and people you work to connect and inspire.

Thanks and I hope you have a great day.

Norm

annieh · 1 year ago

I feel a cheated. I rocked ur bday *last * week. Someone gave me some bad bday information! Well, enjoy your day. It's all yours, from start to finish..:)

Eden Spodek · 1 year ago

Happy Birthday, Chris!

For real this time. Just to let you know, I'm still celebrating mine from last Friday. Tonight I'm going out with the girls for a belated bash. We'll make sure to have a drink for you.

Have an amazing day and another great year.

Cheers,
Eden

Dan Schawbel · 1 year ago

Happy birthday and thanks for more transparency!

Jose Castillo · 1 year ago

Great people share and help others to share. Thanks for sharing and helping us to share our stories as well. You are the man, enjoy the day.

We are similar in a lot of ways. I am blessed with my Dad's side of the family from Mexico who are all artists/writers/visionary/and crazy people. My Mom's family are carpenters/railroad/ranchers/surfers/ and the most friendly people you will ever meet. My wife is super-smart, can handle any amount of details, and balances a professional sales career with my 2 beautiful, joy-filled daughters.

I love to share new ideas and concepts with others. Telling the story of how new media/technology can change the world is an honor. I am speaking about 10-12 times this year around the country and I am also working on an e-book (really a book proposal in disguise). The flavor of new ideas keeps me up late and in constant communication with my friends all over the place.

Life is good. Keep it spicy Chris and have a GREAT day!

AnnOhio · 1 year ago

You first crossed my path on Twitter on a Stripper Friday. I still have that first DM you sent to me after that add. I just somehow knew that you were a keeper. You nudged me pretty quickly with a question to put together an online bio. That prompted the creation of my Twitter blog. You're still nudging me to think.

Best wishes for a terrific *real birthday* today.

Jeff · 1 year ago

Wow. I will also say Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday Week, Happy Birthday Month.

It's also my birthday month and soon we'll enter the bliss of my birthday week. I am squarely on the line between presence and presents and it all depends on my perspective.

Here's my Back to the Future version of my world - only because you asked us for a recap/recount of ourselves and our activities/lives...

Was - an insecure guy who redefined himself in college to be a better student and person. A transformation into a man who seeks attention for his writing and likes to help change things with words.

Am - a secure and intelligent human who genuinely cares about other people as much as a single person can. A writer who is a book author, columnist, blogger, podcaster, poet, screenwriter, journalist and reporter. An accomplished networker who sometimes gets gnarled up in playing devil's advocate. A wondering wanderer who thinks that if none of this twittering and blogging is monetizable, then what's it all for? A contributor to various publications and communities and societies...through my actions and written materials. Happy.

Will be - a two-time, three-time, four-time and more author. A recognized columnist and blogger. A writing pro who enjoys the freedom to share ideas with a wide audience. Who also is able and willing to write from anywhere in the world and develop stories from these varied locales.

Find me at www.jeffcutler.com or read some random stuff at www.bowlofcheese.com or get scared by www.thingstoworryabout.com or just send me a tweet - use bowlofcheese or jeffcutler - I get both.

Later,

Jeff

Landon · 1 year ago

Happy B-Day man!

I don't usually do this, but I have to.

That is the best post I have read in months, thanks.

I would add perspective and reading between the lines to your "strengths". That is what sets people apart in the world of knowledge and experience transference and you have it.

Enjoy your day!

Nathan Burke · 1 year ago

Mr. Brogan, I wish you a very happy birthday. I sometimes wonder if you're actually a human being, or just a very well designed and engineered facsimile created in the future and sent back in time to make the rest of us seem lazy. Seriously, I have no idea how you're able to do all the things you do.

As for myself, this is going to be an incredible year. I kind of have a dream job right now, working for a company I truly believe in, getting to write and meet interesting people every day. My humble little blog turns one year old on Saturday- they grow up so fast, don't they- and I'm trying to find the right equation to bring it to the next level.

Finally, this year I hope to attend even more great events like podcamp, DEMO or TC50 this year to meet other rock stars like you, Mr. Brogan. Have a great birthday, my friend.

Keith Childs · 1 year ago

Chris,
It’s easy to take something for granted. You post something and it’s shared with your community around the globe, instantly. You connect with others near and far, different cultures, different continents, different points of view. Think about it. It’s pretty awesome. Thank you for openly sharing your knowledge, your views and insights. What goes around comes around- or in other words Many Happy Returns!
Keith Childs
Zurich, Switzerland

Mary Anne Davis · 1 year ago

It is nice to meet you on Twitter and read this revelatory and inspiring post. I look forward to keeping track of your thoughts and getting to know you better here.
Happy birthday!

Sue Murphy · 1 year ago

Happy actual birthday, Chris. Thanks for being such an inspiration!

Mark Krupinski · 1 year ago

I'm Mark Krupinski. I'm also 38 and the Community Manager for Rasmussen Inc. Basically I'm in charge of our online interactivity strategy. I love my job and am excited about the times we live in in terms of communication & tech.

BTW: I've only been doing this for about 3 years and its guys like you, Jeremiah Owyang and Josh Hallett who inspired me to become a Community Manger.

My weakness: I'm not as technical as I should be. I've only been playing with new media for about 3 years. Prior to that I was operations management for various companies within the travel industry. What this means is that I have 13 years experience in intense in & outbound call centers focused on either sales or customer service along with new product development.

My strengths: I get "social media" in terms of how it affects today's business, pros/cons of simple implementation, the reality of critical chains and capitalizing on existing bottlenecks.

My typical day: Spend as much time as I can with family as they come first. Work duties include the management/oversight of our employee portal, student portal, corporate site, leading/training an army of bloggers, nurturing a number of online social communities within the org, corporate communication, new media development and, oh yeah, our corporate strategy for harnessing social media while still producing a positive ROI.

Happy Birthday Chris and may you have many more...

Cheers,

Mark Krupinski

Jay Moonah from Wild Apricot · 1 year ago

Hey excellent, it's time for Brogan's weekly birthday! :-P ;-)

Seriously man, have a terrific day and a terrific year. Hope to see you again soon.

Cheers,
- J.

Corvida · 1 year ago

Happy birthday Brogan!!

I'll just say thank you for being one of the most sincere and humble people I've ever had the pleasure of Twittering! I hope the same love that you've shown myself and others will be returned 10-fold to you!

vicequeenmaria · 1 year ago

Chris, you make my online life a better place! I'm grateful for your presence. Happy Birthday ... no matter what day it is ;-) Be well and continue prospering ...

paul merrill · 1 year ago

Happy happy, Chris!!

Thanks for your heart of loving so many people. You connected Jon Swanson and me. You gave me so many good ideas for life and for blogging.

I hope you have a great day, year - and life!

Don Lafferty · 1 year ago

Happy Birthday, cowboy. I hope you get what you want.

Lucio Albenga · 1 year ago

Happy Birthday Chris,
probably I'm one of your most recent readers. I follow your blog from about three months now.

I'm a 30 years old programmer who loves open source software. As a non native English speaker one of my goals for this year is improving my English.

My strengths: learning fast everything about computers in general and software development in particular. I really love my career.

My weakness: I'm not a very good communicator.

Thank you very much for your interesting blog posts.

Cheers from Tenerife (Spain)

Ann Bernard · 1 year ago

Very beautifully expressed! I love what you wrote and who you are because you are a true and genuinely caring person. The world belongs to explorers and the real new world is exploring who we are as people, as the human race. Glad to be part of it without you and celebrating our birthday is about celebrating the opportunities we've been given through having been given life!!

glemak · 1 year ago

“Happy Birthday, Chris!” ;)

i love that you share posts like this w/ your wealth of friends - in fact i'd credit you (ok among some others) w/ blurring the line between meatspace and online friendships - your social media/networking chi is strong & always getting stronger, you work very hard at it too - many know of chris brogan & count him as a trusted friend and yet so many haven't met him in person yet but hope to one day (i'm one of them) - that is a gift my friend, one you should be very proud of - so again, enjoy your bday my friend :)

Easton Ellsworth · 1 year ago

Happy birthday, Chris.

Nico · 1 year ago

Happy birthday!!

Drew Beatty · 1 year ago

Hey Chris, happy birthday, and many happy returns. I hope you can celebrate it in whatever manner you see fit.

I really have to thnk you, in reading your blog for the past little while, it has really made me see the value of blogging to start conversations and build community, instead of simple as a platform for my pithy thoughts. I can see noticible differences in the way my blog is working, and in my success as a blogger. That was the game changer for me. So thanks!

Thejesh GN · 1 year ago

Happy Birthday Chris

Myrna · 1 year ago

Guess you're an aries besides being a brilliant story teller, writer, social media maven, dear heart, people lover and what else?

Everytime I read one of your posts, I relate and connect with your words.

This is what popped out at me and love love love it! "I’m a bit fleeting in what I find fascinating, which is a strength, but a weakness if you’re the something that I find fascinating."

Happy April 8th!

Look forward to more of you.

Kat · 1 year ago

happy bday my man
thanks for sharing another year with me
*smooch*

Jacob Morgan · 1 year ago

Hey Chris,

Great post. We have only connected through twitter but I feel like I know you a little bit better than chat buddy. I share similar passions that YOU do and really hope to connect with you in person in the near future. Have a fantastic birthday Chris.

Jacob

BarbaraKB · 1 year ago

Go look @ that Facebook page you love so much.

Present for you there... again!

LinksMonkey · 1 year ago

So far you've had two birthdays this month & not one slice of cake has passed by me. That's just shabby. Happy birthday anyways!

Right now I'm dusting off my Web presence, so I owe you some bio bits of tid. Sorry if that sounds dirty.

Beth Dunn · 1 year ago

Happy birthday, Chris. Thank you for sharing who you actually are with us every day.

I'll blog a response re: who I am later tonight, but in short: a peripatetic homebody, an outgoing hermit, a talkative listener...

a Yankee fan in Red Sox Nation...

And now I've said too much. :-)

Happy birthday. For you, today, I will say Go Sox.

Dale Cruse · 1 year ago

Chris,

Happy birthday, buddy.

And I think it's okay to "decloak" me as your co-author. And feel free to talk about the comic book we're writing tentatively called, "The Adventures of Social Media Man."

Ria Kennedy · 1 year ago

Wonderful post, thank you for sharing such wonderful insights into yourself, your family, your mindset and your life. It makes you more you, y'know? You are a shining example of trust in action.

Thank you for going the extra mile, for being present on this Earth and for just being you. Happy Birthday!

Karen Putz / DeafMom · 1 year ago

A simple "Happy Birthday and enjoy your day to the fullest" will have to do, as I'm running out the door and have a presentation tonight. May you have a memorable, awesome birthday!

mack collier · 1 year ago

Chris a VERY Happy Birthday my man! Hopefully this day you'll receive back just a fraction of the gifts you've given so many others!

Matt McGee · 1 year ago

Happy birthday, Chris. Reading your blog has been a pleasure since I found it (within the last year). Be well!

Julie Anderson · 1 year ago

I'll add to the birthday blessings, and my little extra information is we're the same age, and I *believe* in the Internet :o)

Diane Brogan · 1 year ago

The best thing about your birthday is that you "share well with others." Your birthday is lots of fun for all of us. Have a great year,
Mom & Dad

Wendi Kelly · 1 year ago

Happy Birthday Chris,

I am glad that good things happened for you today.
I am also an April Birthday and from one Creative Aries to another, I found it interesting that some of the things you see as weaknesses are rally our strengths, it just depends what area you plug them into.

For me, my strengths are being intuitive,creative, empathic, which can also be painful and dangerous when not managed well, and filled with an abundance of energy and love. My weaknesses...I run out of time before my projects are done, I can get so hyper-focused that I don't see people standing in front of me, or hear them either, I can become ditracted, messy and live inside my own head for long periods of time.
Friends have been known to send in search parties.

I also get people over-load and need LOTS of solitude. That is a strength AND a weakness.
Thank you for providing a way to get to know you and each other a little better.
I am eating cake and ice cream in your honor right now.

Osita · 1 year ago

Happy Birthday Chris. It is interesting that I met you today and I am hooked. I guess it's my birthday here today too. Send me a chunk of the cake. I am sure you will figure out how to do that via the web! See you around.

glemak · 1 year ago

the fact that your mom & dad wished you happy birthday via a comment on this thread is pretty awesome chris - just say'n :)

Lara Kretler · 1 year ago

Happy birthday, Chris. I'm turning 38 in a few weeks myself. Glad to have found your blog!

Julia · 1 year ago

Happy Birthday, Chris! You've inspired me in many ways, that's why I keep you on my feed reader! I hope you have a fantastic birthday - it looks like it's been full of "presence" already! Your posts are very valuable and so are you.
Thanks again!

Dan York · 1 year ago

Chris,

Happy Birthday again! Reading your post is a bit scary as I could pretty much take your "Strengths and Weaknesses" paragraph and apply it verbatim to myself. :-)

Best wishes as you start your new year!

See you around,
Dan

rads · 1 year ago

WOW! Happy Birthday Chris.
I have always looked at myself as a multi-tasker and prided in the fact that I do juggle a few things around and for the most part not mess anything up big time. I read you, everyday, and I marvel at how much of an inspiration you are. The best part about it? Knowing that people have discovered this aspect of you.
Thanks!..and have a wonderful day. :-)

Jason Keeling · 1 year ago

Blazing the Trail

It's a great skill to post in a manner that elicits significant commenting. I've not been reading here long, but have noticed Mr. Brogan offers excellent information, nudges the reader to contemplate, and then skillfully asks them to add relevance. Giving before receiving.

A certain critic up the page fails to realize that successful bloggers, the one's who are working like hell to get worthwhile content out there, they have the right to promote themselves, their ideas, and their networks. In the realm of new and social media, I don't see how else one can succeed.

So Chris, thanks for putting yourself out there, sharing useful information, and blazing the trail.

francine hardaway · 1 year ago

Happy Birthday, Chris. You asked us to share something of ourselves with you, and I noticed few people did. Here's my sharing: I have been a foster mom for about twelve years. My foster kids are grown, but I stay in their lives because the term "foster" doesn't end when a child is 18. In fact, they need me more now that they have "aged out" of the system than they ever did, because they have no one else.

This is the most difficult and important thing I ever did. I even wrote a book about it, "Foster Mom," and self-published it. One day I will update it with the situation of the men and women these kids have become.

There, you know something about me that most of my online friends don't. I'm an inveterate mother. Again, Happy Birthday. I'm so glad I met you!

Laura C. · 1 year ago

Many of my favorite people were born this week, so maybe you'll become one of my favorite people. I definitely appreciate you sharing something of yourself. I am something of a liaison myself - between regular people and the people who know more than they can communicate about technology - so I appreciate your insight into doing that.

Amy · 1 year ago

I'm late to the party (but under the wire) but just as happy to attend.

Share some of myself - ok.. I shall

I am in my 40s and I enjoy that the best thing about being a quasi adult is that I get to be me, all the time, without apology or fear of where I fit. My tastes, how I spend my time, are all about who I am and not about what other people will think.For that - I wouldn't go back to below 30 for anything.Except maybe the ability to stay up all night without being exhausted.

Sometimes I feel happier when people dissapoint me than when they don't.

I'm uncomfortable when people are either too happy for me or feeling too sorry for me.

I like the music I made fun of as a teenager, and feel good about that.

Being a friend is more important to me than having one. And I mean it.

Happy Birthday - and thank you for sharing yourself with us!

Brad Warren · 1 year ago

Well, I'll start by saying Happy Birthday! I've only recently started following your blog (and twitter, friendfeed, etc.. hehe), but I just wanted to say thanks for sharing what you do. I find your writing engaging and informative and continue to learn a lot from you.

I've become quite passionate lately about social media and what it means for our culture and how we connect with people. The old friends I've reconnected with and all the amazing new connections that continue to form inspire me and encourage me to get more involved. You are definitely on the list of people that I have come across that inspire me, so keep it coming Chris!

chrisbrogan · 1 year ago

Thanks to everyone who contributed. I've been away from my computer for most of today, but I'm so very grateful that you all took time to write and share a bit about yourself, or your thoughts about what I do here. I'm grateful for your attention in any format.

You're all a great part of what I'm doing here. Without you, I'd be writing for myself, and frankly, I *know* what *I'm* going to say. If you weren't giving your thoughts and feedback, it'd be a pretty bland site. Truly.

So thank you for giving. It means more than you probably realize, and so many more people deserve great folks like you commenting on their work, too. But don't run away! You can visit them, and then come back to our community. Fair? : )

--Chris...

Jared Goralnick · 1 year ago

It may not be your birthday now, but people are still celebrating your great work. I don't really want to share about me here, since I do that enough everywhere else, but I'm glad to have gotten to know you a little better...and to be able to read your writing every day.

Thanks for that and happy Chris Brogan day + 1.

Drew Bernard · 1 year ago

A day late, sure... But your gift is just the same; thank you. I hope your year is wonderful and that you receive from others as much as you give of yourself.

Sanjay Choudhary · 1 year ago

Dear Chris,
Belated Happy B'day .Hope you had a great time.I am bit late in reading your blog feed as I was away. It was so nice to read your this blog for 2 reasons. First to understand you as a person and relate it to my own. I am not as popular and as sucessful as you are . But definatley I can quite relate the attitude we both have and the way to solve the problems. I also see how much relation matters to you and how much care and respect you have for others.
Secondly, My b'day is also a day before i.e. 7th April . I turned 27 . I really want myself to see the way you are when I turn you age. And as i mentioned earlier in the email we exchanged earlier that I would really like to meet you whenever I come to states.( we are connnected on twitter too)

I have also started writing being motivated from you especially and few other bloggers in past months . http://blogtrepreneurs.blogspot.com

Best Regards
Sanjay Choudhary
sanny22@rediffmail.com

" Things can only get better "

Chris · 1 year ago

A belated happy birthday.

A great post from a blog I've just recently began following.
Doesn't take long to work out you're a "giver" not a "taker".

Have a great year and best wishes.

Patrick Sullivan Jr. · 1 year ago

Happy Birthday (4 days late) Chris! Hard to believe Health Hacks was just 2 years ago. Feels more like a million. But that's only because each day is more richer than the last. Best Wishes in the coming year for you and your family!

Douglas Arrison · 1 year ago

Happy Birthday Chris, glad you're doing well. Cheers.

Noah David Simon · 1 year ago

happy birthday... by the way. sorry for the shit kicking comment....

I didn't mean it. I was sincerely trying to be funny

JohnAtkinson · 1 year ago

I think I said "happy birthday" a couple weeks ago when you were kind enough to spend a half hour on the phone with me.

I really just wanted to say...man I wish I had your hair!

joaquin · 1 year ago

I just stumble here and turns out it was your b'day. Also will start following you, seems like you have good things to say.

Noah David Simon · 1 year ago

ha so... all that talking to Amanda Chapel and she turns on you again? Stop trying to be a ladies man... for one thing. She ain't a lady.

S K Jan · 1 year ago

Thanks for tit bits of your life & what you do & don't. The way you have unwrapped yourelf, love it.

Sean · 1 year ago

I really liked what you wrote under "Who Am I Really". I'm almost 38 and I have a son who's 11 and a daughter who's 8. I am married.

But I more have a kind of I guess you would say identity crisis as far as knowing what I want to do for a career. I've been to college for nursing & psychology but not finished with degrees yet. Anyway I don't want to bore you with me.

I really like what you wrote.

Sean

Jodi · 10 months ago

I agree Sean...I am still searching for what I am wanting to do.... My search was for "Who am I.." and I stumbled here..... who are any of us... forgive the grammer! You are not a boar Sean.... we are all struggling! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Jodi · 10 months ago

please forgive the mis-spelling.... bore..... so sorry!