Today is not only the one year anniversary of Barack Obama being elected President of the United States, but the one year anniversary of my blog.

Last year’s first post: Nov 4th 2008.

Time flies huh?

Its no coincidence I decided to launch this blog the same day as his victory. If anyone exhibits the mantra ‘Live Above Mediocrity’ its President Obama.

But instead of reviewing the first year of Barry or asking you if I have a higher approval rating, ill focus on who this blog is about – me.

At times, I remember this blog was so unfocused. All over the place. Sometimes I would just post to post and do so with misspellings and punctuation errors I should have looked out for as a so-called ‘writer.’

I’ve had people correct me on those mistakes. I’ve had folk’s fact check me on what I thought were facts. I’ve had visitors pin me to the mat in debates.

But I’ve also had people email me to speak at their schools and at conferences. I’ve received coverage in the local paper, made new friends through the blog, and had people say I inspire them.

Most importantly, I found a place where I can let everything out.

I never wrote this for anybody but myself, but as time went on, people really started visiting the blog so I felt a responsibility to keep it updated.

Unlike other blogs, I may not have a thousand people visiting me daily. I may barely crack a hundred on some days. But all the positive emails and feedback I’ve gotten from folks in the Dominican Republic, Texas, Seattle, Virginia and my hometown of New York amongst others is enough for me.

So as we continue, Live Above Mediocrity’s focus will narrow to me and individuals who I feel embody the title. It may not be updated as often as most of you’re used to, but you can rest assured that when I post it’s because I really have something to say.

I also plan on taking the blog’s name to create ‘something’ in 2010 to help out people of all ages and races in the NY City area.

In final, I thank you all for visiting the blog. When I wrote that ‘I used to’ post the other day, I wasn’t the only one responsible for the changes; you guys deserve credit as well.

All of you have really changed my life for the better.

A toast to a better future for all of us…

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