Behind Infinity

Every year since this blog has existed on the internetz, I’ve spent a portion of the day after Thanksgiving “decorating” it for Christmas. Because I like to, that’s why. It’s become a tradition…one of those things that I just can’t not do. Like putting my essays off until the last minute, or eating chocolate all day long. So, here it is: BehindInfinity Christmas 2007.

This year’s Christmas design kind of turns over a new leaf. Here’s the thing. Observant readers may have noticed that except for a very brief period in the first month or two of the blog’s existence (back during the “white text on black background is way cool, who cares if it’s hard to read?” days of the internet) I’ve always favored light to white designs for my blog. Mostly because I’m better at designing in lights and brights. But also, because I told myself that I wasn’t a dark person. I am bright and shiny, and so my blog’s design will reflect that.

However, over the past year I’ve found that life isn’t always so bright and shiny. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try and how vigorously you fight, things get downright dark and twisty. Sometimes, instead of running towards your bright and shiny future, you find yourself muddling around in the dark, hand held out front so that you don’t bump into anything, and you forget about the bright and shiny future because you’re concerned about merely surviving for the next few days or hours or moments.

The dark times are usually the farthest thing from fun or enjoyable. But at the same time, they can be very good. Good for realizing exactly how strong you are and how much more you can actually handle than you thought. Good for having survived. Good for growth. Good for growing deeper in trust and faith.

So what’s this have to do with design? Absolutely nothing, except that I have decided that it’s time to try my hand at the darker end of the spectrum. And as for the result, I prefer not to think of it as dark, but rather as deep, rich and warm. Frankly, I think it’s the best one yet.

Today is the 2-year anniversary of the day BehindInfinity hit the world wide web! Celebrate! I am!

This humble little brog has grown into quite the tempest in a teapot over the past year, especially when I decide to talk about controversial issues (how very surprising…except not). You people commented 637 times on my 305 posts, and believe it or not, webalyzer tells me that it gets an average of 512 unique visits every day. That’s crazy!

In addition to bringing a lot of my favorite people together under the same virtual roof for some great discussions (something which pleases me to no end!), this year my blog also proved itself to be another great way for my friends to ruthlessly pick on me. I love you too, guys.

In last year’s anniversary post, I gave myself awards for all of my favorite posts. However this year, because of the increased audience participation and my not having time tonight to go back and review this year’s highlights, I feel like it’s less self-centered and more appropriate to give the audience some awards instead. So, without further ado:

The BehindInfinity Best Commenters of the Year Awards

The award for Most Prolific Commenter was a landslide victory by

Prin (AKA Suzanne)

who posted 152 times this year! What’s humblingly humorous is that’s even more often I myself commented! (My comment count was 137).

Aaron

wins the second prize, with 75 comments, not bad considering he only found my address in February. And I also want to mention how un-surprised I am that the two biggest talkers I know took first and second place And in third,

Abby

made her $0.02 worth perfectly well known in her 35 comments.

Winners recieve a 0-way no-expenses-paid trip for as many people as they’d like to wherever they want to go. Think of it, people. Your horizions are endless.

Thanks for coming back, people. You make it fun. I’d probably do this anyway even if nobody ever read me (it’s called keeping a journal) but having a readership forces me to be more excellent and creative, and your comments and willingness to interact always brightens my day.

Yes, the site was down for a little under 24 hours due to a server upgrade by my hosting service. Then when the server came up earlier today it was sending behindinfinity.com’s visitors to a 14-year-old boy’s Gaming Newz!! site.

But then I complained and they fixed it (quite promptly I might add). Sorry, but there will be no more Gaming Newz!! here at Behind Infinity, but rather, my usual farmland “newz” and running “newz” and horse “newz”.

Speaking of horse news, a week from now I will be In Arkansas With My Horse. (And Aaron.)

Behind Infinity was featured on the 9rules network today. Paul Scrivens’ review:

Every once in a while I get questioned as to why we let Personal blogs into the Network and if Brittany Lynne Hunter’s Behind Infinity isn’t an indication as to why then I don’t know what else to say about the matter. Brittany’s insight into her life are not only a compelling read, but help to remind you that we are simply human. This is why blogging is fun.

The 9rules Network bills itself as “a community of the best weblogs in the world on a variety of topics [which] brings together the very best of the independent web all under one roof.”