Two Years of Exit133.com ( 9. May 2007, 11:37 by Derek Young) ~ Can You Believe It?
Exit133.com – at least the Exit133 most of you know – is two years old today. Both online and offline, Exit133 has grown into something I never would’ve imagined when it started. It’s you, our community, that enables us to be strong and relevant. We’ve come a long way. Thank you.
I think it’s time to mix things up a bit…
Commenting Is Closed
Comments are allowed for two weeks from the posted date. If you want to make a comment or reopen this discussion, please contact us with your request. Thank you for visiting.
Both online and offline, Exit133 has grown into something I never would’ve imagined when it started
Great work Derek.
However, the graph needs to have units on the y-axis to have any meaning. Do the marks represent 10, 100 or a million visits during each quarter?
I can believe it. More than a blog, you have enabled a true community. It is outstanding throughout, from its strong editorial guidance to its active, globally dispersed, locally minded citizenry of users who contribute, debate and enhance both the site and the South Sound community.
Well done. I look forward to reading and participating for many more years.
Mix things up a bit, eh? Is someone getting spring fever? Summer fever? :)
Congratulations!
3 | Posted by tacomachickadee | May 9, 11:54 AM
Cogratulations. Your web page was a major influence in my decision to return to Tacoma after my retirement in June and after 51 years.
Thanks. I look forward to being part of our great city’s growth and development
4 | Posted by michael | May 9, 12:03 PM
Good work. It’s been fun to get to know this and all the other local blog voices over the last couple years.
Could there be a new design a-coming? My opinion: it’s definitely time. Likewise with my own site. Any designers out there want to help?
5 | Posted by KevinFreitas | May 9, 01:09 PM
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Exiiiitt…
Happy Birthday to you!
Keep the goodness going—
Patrick
6 | Posted by UPSpatrick | May 9, 01:22 PM
Derek is one of Tacoma’s brightest digital stars. May your light shine, guiding us through these lonely times. Happy Trails sir!
7 | Posted by RR Anderson | May 9, 01:29 PM
Whoo hooo! Two years old, a mention in a book, and most of all the fame.
8 | Posted by NEAL | May 9, 02:14 PM
Derek is one of Tacoma’s brightest digital stars.
One of the brightest LEDs in a city full of them.
Congratulations.
9 | Posted by DavidS | May 9, 02:33 PM
It was great to find this site about a year ago. I couldn’t find another site with people interested in all of the old buildings and the other goings-on that fascinate me, and I’m only 25!
I have really grown to appreciate Tacoma’s history, something that began with the influence of my Mom and Grandma who used to always take me by the Elks building and imagine how cool it used to be.
Thanks for all of your posts and information, I check the site many times daily!
11 | Posted by Sarah | May 9, 03:54 PM
Congratulations and well done. I am a newcomer to this city and you have led me to some wonderful discoveries and to a growing feeling of home.
12 | Posted by Sharon Styer | May 9, 04:07 PM
Alright people, only two more days to nominate people for 40 Under Forty...
Just sayin…
13 | Posted by jamie from thriceallamerican | May 9, 04:14 PM
First off, this is an awesome achievement both for the site and for Tacoma. Second, there was a huge jump over the last year. I’m in UWT’s Urban Studies program, and the site is increasingly mentioned in class. This may be one of many reasons for the growth “boom”, or perhaps just a reflection.
15 | Posted by James M | May 9, 05:36 PM
Rock on and pile-on congratulations! You’ve taken your passion, grown it and added lots of value to your community. Thomas Paine would be proud. Note: Be sure to include us rss aggregators in your “human” count for content I can read from the feed and not have to link back into the site! Your numbers could be a little higher?
16 | Posted by bob | May 9, 06:19 PM
This site has definitely eased the transition during my first eight months as a Tacoman — it’s a great resource. BTW, like Eric B. I’m curious about the y axis #s.
17 | Posted by michael g. | May 9, 09:31 PM
Congrats, Happy Birthday, All that good stuff. It has been fun to be a part of something that has been such a community resource. To many more years!
If he gave out those numbers he could have some big tech company knocking on his door wanting to buy him out. Derek would then be what Tom is to Myspace.com
We wouldn’t want that would we???
Two years already? They grow up so quickly don’t they? Happy anniversary. Curious to see how you will “mix things up a bit”.
19 | Posted by Mike H | May 9, 11:27 PM
An LED? I don’t know what to say. Thank you, I think.
As far as the numbers go – I like to look at trends rather than numbers. The trend appears to be upward… The bottom line – I want to see a lot more bocce players this year.
Thank you for all your support.
p.s. - once the mixing is over we'll get back to updating the 365 Days photos. We've been busy.
If exit133 were a work of art, it would be a masterpiece. Tacoma is just the place to hang it! Here’s to the bright Tacoma days just around the corner!!!
21 | Posted by kc | May 9, 11:44 PM
Good work. It’s been fun to get to know this and all the other local blog voices over the last couple years.
Yes, we all can agree that Exit 133 and other Tacoma blogs have been entertaining. Perhaps that is enough.
One question is : have they made a positive difference in Tacoma? Has there been any lasting effects?
Everyone is going to have their own opinions. I answer yes for the following:
First, highlighting Tacoma events and happenings, primarily downtown has created a “buzz” about downtown, ie, To know Tacoma, is to love Tacoma. In past years, downtown appears to have fallen in disrepair largely through avoidance and indifference.
Second, it has helped alot of small businesses downtown get that first push through essentially referral advertising through the blogs. St. Helens Cafe, Stadium Bistro, Blackwater, Infinite Soup are just a few businesses which were visited heavily by “bloggers” when they opened.
Third, it has had some effect on local political issues: Tollefson Plaza, WSHM issue, Winthrop Hotel, Bridge Lighting are just a few where public policy was changed even if in a minor way.
Perhaps the largest impact the blogs have had is to change the expectation for downtown as well as for the city itself in a positive manner. Tacomans simply want (and expect) something better for downtown than they did 2 years ago. Many more of us also feel like they have a stake in downtown and want the best for it.
As an example, the city considered opening up a regional garage burning facility on the tideflats a couple of years ago. Hopefully, such a proposal now would not even see the light of day.
Congrats! I read this before the newspaper every morning. It’s relevant and has people asking how I know all the ‘in’ topics. Thanks to all the little birds flying through the office windows. Great job, Derek!
23 | Posted by MW | May 10, 06:42 AM
Congratulations! For the past year or so, many of my conversations have started with “Did you read on exit133…”
24 | Posted by Rachel | May 10, 08:10 AM
Is it bad that I spend more time reading Exit133 than I spend making dinner?
Thank you Derek
25 | Posted by Marty | May 10, 09:52 AM
Great job Derek! You’ve set the bar pretty high. I look forward to your “mixing.”
The above curve reminds me of what property values have done recently in Tacoma. Could there be a positive correlation?
27 | Posted by morgan | May 10, 03:13 PM
I can’t tell you how much of an impact Exit133 has made on my family and our enjoyment of Tacoma.
I too was new to Tacoma and had kind of floundered around liking the town but having a hard time expressing and sharing what I saw. Then I found Exit133.
Derek, I hope you realize how cohesive a factor this blog is and how inclusive it is. It is special and you should be very proud.
28 | Posted by heather | May 11, 10:09 AM
You, mr. exit 133…you know I love ya lots…..and your blog has truly become a great thing…..and I don’t often give Young Turks praise highly…just because….I set the bar high myself for what is good for Tacoma and what is going on…..So hooray for you!! I toss my hat high in the air for you….but you will still buy the drinks! ;-)
and clarify the ‘mix it up a bit’ Please…...
29 | Posted by Violet Vodka | May 11, 10:06 PM
Indeed, one of the things great about Tacoma has to be Exit133.com. I am not certain if there is an award for surviving for two years, but I suspect if there were one it would be made of granite and stainless steel.
30 | Posted by Crenshaw Sepulveda | May 14, 09:46 AM
Commenting is closed for this article.
