I have been active ( that means typing my heart out ) posting blogs for one year now and for those of you that are newcomers, please allow me to share with you why I love being a part of this wonderful online network.

I began my involvement with my first post on the last day of March in 2007. What I knew about blogging at that time I could write on my thumbnail and still have plenty of room for clipping it short.

My very first question to myself was, "what will I write about"? Being heavily involved the real estate industry for over 19 years, surely, there were things of my experience that I could share that others would find interesting. But having never really written down all those experiences, it was going to be a challenge of my memory to write them after the fact.

As I begun, my first post was about My Market Forecast for 2007. Needing to go back and attach the link here, I happened to notice I didn't get one comment, except my own comment about the post. What is interesting is that I actually thought I would. In hind site, that was to be an unfounded expectation.

What I would learn along the way was that there were points for just about everything you did. From posting blogs, to commenting, adding in photos, inviting people to join, even to entering contests. A special person comes to mind that shared with me in one oftmy earlier posts that I was welcome to ActiveRain. I had my first contact with Celeste Cheeseman- Woo Hoo Sally as I would come to know her very early on. I remember commenting to her that she had a great sense of humor and that I was looking forward to knowing her better. Over these many months, we have built a friendship that will endure a lifetime. She, her husband Gary and their spaniel, Shadow, have come to be a real treasure in my life. She has proven her writing prowess as well as the wonderful kindnesses to so many of us. If you don't yet know her, you don't yet know ActiveRain.

Active Rain is packed full of resources and many talented geniuses that provide it. When I started out, it became very obvious that there was going to be a lot to read. I couldn't comprehend it all fast enough. I wasn't always even sure what I needed to learn much less what to call it in a search for resources.  Slowly by reading others posts I got the right words to search. And I did learn, taking it one day at a time and I was sure to find my way through the incredible mass of information. I have said it all before but it certainly bears repeating that the amount of information available to all us here on ActiveRain, exceeds what a Master's Program would consist of. That includes Real Estate, Mortgage Information and Technology. Not to mention all the inspirational and just for fun stuff.

As the months proceeded. I was writing more and more, and discovering that I was loving building the many friendships and knew I was giving it my best and all the while being handsomely rewarded with higher and higher ranking on the member tote board. 

After a few months passed of being active on ActiveRain, I was invited to a soirée of locals and didn't know that it would cement a whole new chapter in my life. There I met a gentleman who had coordinated this effort to bring all of us together. Brian Brady. When it comes to the blogging world and the mortgage industry, there is no better. A dedicated professional and one that goes out of his way to help anyone along the way, Brian is generous, kind and a great friend always.

While there, I was learning how important blogging could be to your business and was listening to a great presentation by our own Blogging talents, Roberta Murphy and Jeff Brown of BloodHound fame. All the while I was sitting next to a lovely woman from Orange County, Marlene Bridges and feeling a real kinship. After the meeting, and talking up a storm with her, I knew we were destined for friendship, little did I know how I would come to simply adore her. This wonderful lady is another real treasure in my life.

We were told that the next soirée would be in Del Mar, at the Del Mar Racetrack, and we would have a chance to meet The guys from Sellsius , Joe and Rudy, as they made their way to San Diego on their national Blog Tour USA. What a day that was and I was introduced to some very special people that would also become a big part of my ActiveRain treasure of friends. Reflecting back, I met some extraordinary and talented people that day, all of which are in my treasury of friends. Kaye Thomas and Lynda Eisenmann , Laurie Manie and the incomparable, Jeff Dowler just to name a few. We all had so much fun at that event and these lasting friendships keep me energized with ActiveRain. I obviuosly have much to thankful for what this association has provided me.

The year was speeding past, my business production was plodding along but certainly not to the levels I had expected with the market slow down. I had recently launched my own blog site, The Real Estate Text Book, designed by Jim Cronin of the Real Estate Tomato. I heard about Jim right here on Active Rain and I was taken with his great knowledge of Blogging. Part of what Jim was offering was a 10 week course in blogging to go along with the design of the site. It was certainly fortuitous meeting Jim as I would learn so much from him. Shortly after the site was launched, the site was marketed as one of the more unusual Real Estate websites and from the reactions of many, that remains the case. Jim's genius was certainly reflected in the design and functionality of the site. 

I had posted a piece about Outlook and e-mail and Missy Caulk suggested that I start the Outlook Users Group. That seemed like a great idea and with talented tech friends like Ray Saenz, this seemed like a good idea. I launched the Outlook Users Group but the real inspiration really came from our friend Missy who has been and remains so supportive of the group. Another proud association and genuine friend.

It was now Fall already and the San Francisco event, The Inman Blogging Conference, was underway and I was so sorry that I was not able too attend. Just about anyone that was anyone in the blogging world was there and it was certainly well attended and lots of great information came down to all the rest of that stayed home. Thankfully Jeff Dowler went to the conference event and gave us all a great report. Jeff is such a great writer that when you read anything he writes, you feel like you are right there with him.

Look, this is where I will stop for the moment. With all the links in this post, it is just too long already. In my next post, Part II , I will introduce you to some more very special people that I met here first on Active Rain. I will carry on the sharing of all the many many reasons I love ActiveRain. Please come back for Part II.