My Opening Salvo

So begins a new chapter in the Hackie saga . . .

Ten years ago, this month, the first Hackie column was published. The column was sparked by the notion that my life - the day-to-day world of a Burlington cab driver - might provide fertile ground for an ongoing series of stories. How long would it run for? I had no idea. But before I knew it, the months turned into years, and now I've lasted longer than the Beatles. And there's no end in sight! Sheeeesh . . . .

Through the years I've received so many notes and emails from readers of these stories. My experience is that the typical Hackie fan is a pretty thoughtful soul with a lot of valuable insight into the collective work-in-progress known as life.

Hence, this new blog: "Yo, Hackie!." I conceive of it as a place where Hackie fans can interact with me and one another. For my part, I look forward to a venue where I can share things in a more free-wheeling form than occurs in the column. Every Hackie story is painstakingly crafted over a two-week period into a complete self-contained little epic. (Like what the famous record producer Phil Spector called his "wall of sound" productions: "Little symphonies for the kids.") I actually have a lot more to say than comes out in the columns, and I think this more informal setting might be just the ticket.

Because the Hackie columns condense sometimes a whole life into about 1,000 words, readers are often curious about the "before and after" of the story. The "Yo, Hackie!" blog might be a good spot for me to get into that.

The 7D website editor - the glorious Cathy Resmer - has suggested that I carry around a camera and snap away during my cab shifts. Then, through the miracle of modern technology (which she promises to reveal to me), I can post cool photos on the blog. Imagine that . . .

It is my hope that the discussions that evolve around this blog will be open-minded and open-hearted, non-partisan and kind. With the best of my ability, that's what I try to bring to the columns, and I hope that spirit will find its way into the blog.

On a closing note, I want to invite and encourage those folks who have not before participated in the on-line community. Please share your wisdom, whimsy and delights:  we're all on this boat together!