Tribute to Opendiary in A New Chapter

It is very bittersweet to have to write this entry..but also..exciting. like hundreds, maybe thousands of others, I am coming in from Opendiary. I was a member for over 10 years. It is funny, but a diary web site, a diary itself, something which I mocked and laughed at as a child, became so important to me. Opendiary affected my life in so many ways. For starters, I met my first "serious" girlfriend over that Web page. We are now friends but we dated for several years. I met many friends, some in person, some just virtually, that helped me through some events. At one point, I even kept a second diary. I used it with a girlfriend to exchange feelings, notes, etc. Over the years, Opendiary became a friend. My diary became that friend that is always there for you..ready to listen, regardless of how much you want to bitch. If you want to talk about problems with your family? sure. Feel like switching gears to Italian cinema? no problem. Consistency was never a requirement. When I first started keeping a diary..I was a middle schooler. I hung out with Daryl, Carly, Nina and Paul everyday. We use to trade burned CD's, 9/11 had just changed our lives and we had just gotten PS2's for Christmas. Now, I am in my 20's, have my own house, only speak to Daryl from the middle school group, work often, have a million projects running through my head, hate the government and listen to weird music. The transition period between middle school and now, was recorded using Opendiary. I still hold on to a copy of that diary, I see it as a documentary of my life. More importantly, a trace of my emotions through the years. Towards the end, the Web page had changed radically. It was hard to load, service was often down, etc.

Well, Opendiary, tonight I had a drink. I had a bad night but I had a good drink none the less. Looking back, I should have dedicated that drink to you. I am going to do it now. Here is to you, old friend. Thank you for listening over the years and the great friends you introduced me to. Sleep well sweet prince!