On this day in 2004, I wrote my very first blog post. It was a very simple post introducing myself to the world. I had no idea what I was going to do with this blog. I had vague notions I would use it to journal my year in France, but that was it. I certainly didn’t think I’d still be blogging two decades later.

What a long, strange trip it has been.

There have been many changes over those years. I’m certainly a different man than I was when I started writing The Midnight Cafe (which was called Brewster’s Millions way back then).

I had hoped to write something a little more celebratory. I had hoped to link to some of my favorite writings and shows. But the storm put enough trouble in my way to keep that from materializing (we have power now, but no internet – I’m using my phone’s wi-fi hotspot to write this). I may do a nostalgic tour when everything comes back.

I do want to say a great big thank you to all of those who have been around for a long time. No one was here from the beginning as I was too shy to tell anyone about it for a few weeks, and when I did start to open up about it only friends and family had access for a while.

People come and go from these things and while that is perfectly understandable, it is wonderful to see some of you coming back day after day, year after year. It is wonderful to see new faces, too. I’m really just surprised and amazed anyone comes around so thank you to all who do and for the support you have given this little site.

It has been a real treat and an honor to run The Midnight Cafe for these past twenty years, I hope I get to do it for twenty more.

PS: That top picture was taken not long after we moved to Strasbourg. The bottom one was taken a few minutes ago. What a difference twenty years makes!

A massive thunderstorm rolled through my little town late Saturday night. It brought with it extremely high winds and tornadoes.

My family is safe. The storm blew over a tree in my backyard and smashed up my fence. Lots of shingles came off my roof.

Power has been down across the town including at my house. They originally said it might take a week to get power back but some places already have it. My parents got it back last night so we stayed with them.

I’m writing this on my phone. I’ll try to put some pictures up later. I won’t be able to do any real blogging until we have power.

Stay safe out there friends.