One year ago, the hot topic on Limey in Bermuda was Phil's satirical piece Terror Alert.   At Politics.bm Christian asked the question, "Did the waiter - the only person who overheard the chef's arsenic joke - serve the Premier the food?"  And Sean was going on about how hosting the Poker Championship Games was compelety hypocritical - something he's an expert on.  It's too bad we never heard any more about his efforts to woo the Las Vegas Pole Dancing competition to the Island.

There were only a small handful of other blogs; Bermuda Sucks was the only forum.  Never being shy to talk about the underbelly of the Island, the members discussed school gangs, marijuana laws and Martian invasion.  One year ago Bermuda's Most Notorious Webmaster left the Island - for a better Reality!

The future of blogging looked bleak when in February; Phil announced his "sabbatical".  With his new baby and pressures of personally moderating the site that launched Bermuda's online community, he took a much deserved break. 

As Reality and I settled into our new life together in Australia last April, the idea of hosting Bermuda's first ever online award ceremony became, well, a reality.  The event was a lot of fun and helped the community remember we are here not just to set the world to rights, but to laugh at ourselves and enjoy each other's company. 

In June, Bermuda Sucks decided to keep the entire contents of the infamous Son of the Soil e-mail available on the forum.  While local websites were being pressured, the international nature of this site provided protection from those who might otherwise thwart freedom of information.  This e-mail went on to be viewed over 5,000 times and became the second most popular thread of all time.

The summer and fall saw an increase in the number of Bermuda blogs – by onions and forners.  The political parties experimented with an online presence and there were others that came and went without a whimper. 

While some Bermudians created an innovative ‘urban’ forum to showcase local musical talent, others showed that imitation is indeed the most sincere form of flattery.   Cartooning brought a new creative outlet to the Devil Island.  And Bermuda Rocks became the new unbrella site for Bermuda Sucks and Bermudapedia.

The December election was the busiest time ever for the online community in Bermuda.  Pre-election posturing reached new lows with mud slinging and name calling from both sides.  The huge emotional roller-coaster that was the election itself brought out the worst in many.  Tempers flared and nastiness was unleashed that hasn’t been seen since the first days of this site.

With the New Year upon us, let us take a moment to reflect on the year that was.  Let us all consider that each of us are more than some avatar on a computer.  We are people interested in Bermuda and her future, and our interaction is a part of how the Island is seen by the world.  In this modern medium, it is the old-school method of your written word that defines you.

Have a safe and joyous new year.  I wish you all the best for a great 2008.