06.11.08
Blogoversary: Fataculture Turns One!
Today is Fataculture’s birthday, it is turning one, yay. The only thing is, when Fataculture was born on June 11th 2007, it has been said that it was born prematurely. It was not ready for the world, the crazy, busy, overpopulated world of blogging. So, it was incubated – and a date was set for its release into the wild, sometime in November of ‘07. There were test runnings, in August, and September, but alas, Fataculture just was not ready. Can you blame it? I mean, its father was pretty young and it has no mother.
Well, a lot has happened since then, and hopefully, a lot more is to come. I think I started the blog out of boredom in the school holidays, and then it just got out of control. As usual, I am trying to figure out where I actually want to go with this blog, and I can never come up with a finite answer. That would just create pressure, and who needs that? Anyone who followed Fataculture from the start {meaning absolutely no one}, would know just how far it has come. I started it as an awards blog, but that got boring. It was only when I started reviewing films that I found pleasure in doing this gig. Needless to say, I really am trying to focus on film criticism and reviews more than anything else. I really need to focus on more in the vast spectrum of cinema, and I shall get there. I just don’t want to end up like every other blog, all covering the same news, the same stories, just with different titles. That is so boring, and completely not my style.
One of the weirdest things about this blog is that barely any South Africans visit, or they do but hardly ever comment. And my amazing friends, I refuse to call you readers or whatever, what would this place be without you all and your amazing opinions? Nothing. Most of you have your own blogs too, which I love to no end. Fataculture is indeed a part of a unique cinematic appreciation society, and as an independent commodity, it is not much. However, it’s all I have, and I have learnt to love it. I started it for myself and to curb my boredom, which I still sometimes do, but I keep everyone else in mind too. I sill feel almost entirely lost every day, which is actually all part of the thrill of being a film blogger. I have big dreams, bigger than Fataculture, but I think I am on the right path to getting there. Or not, time will tell.
Fataculture is finally learning to walk a bit, it will always remain independent in spirit, and it is still trying to find a obstacle-less path. Sometimes it falls, sometime it runs, but none of it would matter if no one were paying attention. I have thought about buying it some new clothes and toys and getting rid of its middle name, but all that will happen when the time is right. For now, we are just going to take one day at a time and try to remain as unique and, I hope, readable as possible.
So here is to hoping that you all stick around for as long as Fataculture exists, which I hope to be years, and I just want to say a huge “thank you” to you all, you know who you all are, for making me want to do this everyday.
Matthew Lucas said,
June 11, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Happy blogaversary Nicky! You’ve come a long way in a year.
From the Front Row started out as an awards blog too, but I couldn’t stick with just that. So I know how you feel. There’s so much out there to cover!
You’re on your way to great things! Here’s to another year, and many more after that! :-)
Marilyn said,
June 11, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Congratulations, Nick. A year is a great landmark. Personally, I’d love to know more about the S.A. film scene and hope you can enlighten us. Enjoy your continued blogging and soul searching (which I’m in the midst of, too, by the way – it happens all your life!).
Nick Plowman said,
June 11, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Thanks both of you!
Marilyn, I am totally going to do my best to up the SA factor over here, I spend so much time talking about international film and I often ignore what is going on in my own back yard. Thanks for the suggestion.
Nayana Anthony said,
June 11, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Happy anniversary, Nick! You are so deserving of success, and I’m glad you’re enjoying this blogging thing as much as I am. Good on ya!
J.D. said,
June 11, 2008 at 9:39 pm
HAPPY BITRTHDAY FATACULTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHOO!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :) :)
Nick Plowman said,
June 11, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Thanks! I am loving it Nayana – and I am still totally a fan of your blog, I really need to comment more. And I will make it a birthday resolution.
Thanks J.D. – you know I would not be here if it were not for you.
Daniel said,
June 11, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Hope I’m not late to the party. Congrats!
It doesn’t even need a fake ID, Nick. Fataculture appears WAY older than it is. I’m sure you’ll raise it right…
Nick Plowman said,
June 11, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Well, late entrances are always awesome.
Thanks man, I will try my best to raise it right. Sometimes I will need help, and that is where all you fine folk come in.
Fletch said,
June 12, 2008 at 12:31 am
Congrats, Nick. Just think – now your blog is older than JD’s!
Nick Plowman said,
June 12, 2008 at 12:33 am
Thank Fletch!
Come to think of it, that is totally true.
Valley Dreamin‘ all – J.D’s new blog…it is awesome
J.D. said,
June 12, 2008 at 12:49 am
:(
*kicks dirt, pouts*
:P – GO FATACULTURE!
Brandon Tysinger said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:23 am
Congrats. Excellent work!
Marcy said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:57 am
Happy birthday to Fataculture! Nick, you’re an amazing writer and I can’t wait to read more from you.
Congratulations!
Miranda Wilding said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:25 am
I guess I’m late. But I didn’t mean to be. It’s still the 11th where I am.
Nicky, FATACULTURE rocks!!!!!
I am so pleased and proud to be celebrating its first anniversary here with you! Don’t you DARE say that FATACULTURE isn’t enough on its own. Sure, it’s part of a fabulous film appreciation society. But your inestimable talent and your extensive knowledge and passion for this art form raises your site far, far above the norm.
Happy birthday to FATACULTURE, lil brother – and here’s to many, many more!!!!!
From your big sis M….
Alison Flynn said,
June 12, 2008 at 6:16 am
Congratulations, Nick! Sorry I’m late in commenting – the family has been in for the past week so I’ve been involved with them and haven’t been on the computer as much. Happy blogoversary. :)
Nick Plowman said,
June 12, 2008 at 10:08 am
Thanks all, no worries about being late, the party didn’t really start until you all showed up anyways ;)
*Here’s to many more years with people as fabulous as you all!
Ibetolis said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Happy Birthday!!
Congratulations on a great blog, I can only hope that I’m still going this strong in a years time.
Nick Plowman said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Thanks, I am sure you will do great.
Craig Kennedy said,
June 12, 2008 at 9:57 pm
I’m a little late as usual Nick, but congratulations. Hard to believe you’ve only been doing this a year ’cause you’re so freakin’ SUAVE.
Glad to be a friend, more than a reader…even a late one.
I like your idea about being more reviewy. That’s my dream too, but damnit it takes so much consistent work. You crank them out much more consistently than I ever could so I’m sure you’ll be able to pull it off.
Best of luck in year #2, sir. Keep up the fantastic work. Yes, there are a billion movie blogs, but you’ve got something you can be very proud of here and you just keep getting better.
Nick Plowman said,
June 12, 2008 at 10:26 pm
No worries at all man! Thanks a lot, for ALL the support and 24/7 help, you know you should start charging me.
Of course you are all friends, no doubt about that one.
Remember my plan about focusing on school? Yeah, well, that just is not happening, and I am fine with that. I enjoy reviewing movies and talking about movies more than I do math, and I only live once. That is why I am super glad to a part of this “gang” we got going on, don’t know if I would feel good about doing this at all if I didn’t know you all were dropping by every once and a while. You guys are what make it all worth it.
I am glad I will be sharing my year # 2 with LiC {sort of}, and thank you for being a great mentor and confidant these past few months, it is much appreciated.
That goes for ALL of you. You have rocked my life, in the words of Marion Cotillard, and I wish you all the best in your endeavours too.
Craig Kennedy said,
June 13, 2008 at 1:04 am
Mentor shmentor. You’ve done all this yourself. I’m just glad I know it’s here so I can pop in and see what’s doing in South Africa. The competition keeps me inspired.
As for school, all I can say is that you’ll never regret trying too hard so don’t give up on it completely. Do your best to at least keep the losers in charge happy, but don’t hesitate to make time for your writing too. It’s not like just sitting around playing videogames. You’re doing stuff that could lead to big things in the future. Even if you don’t fancy a career as a film critic, writing is a lost art but there are still many uses for it. Those who can do it are getting fewer and fewer.
Nick Plowman said,
June 13, 2008 at 2:58 pm
You have totally helped me every time I have needed it.
Competition? Puh-lease!
I am doing okay in school, could be doing way better, but then what? So I can leave school someday and then do what I love? I’m already doing it, so all is good.
I will try my best to be my best, and we’ll see what happens from there ;)
Mike M said,
June 14, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Wow, happy Bday Fataculture!!!, ;)
Geez Nick I can’t believe you’ve only been blogging for a year. Its would seem like you’ve been dong this for yers as your reviews are always of top quality and your insightfulness is always greatly appreciated.
anyways, keep up the top notch work and never give up. :)