I passed a pretty cool milestone last week. Four years ago last week I began writing for WSO. As near as I can tell (this was before we started using the blog format) this was my first post. As you can see, the financial crisis was in full throttle and it was an exciting (and somewhat disconcerting) time to be involved in finance - even as a blogger.
The past four years with WSO have been great, and I have you guys to thank for that. I'm trying to remember back then, but I think we had around 8,000 registered users at the time. Now I think we're over 70,000, and the growth has gone hockey stick. My posts have appeared nearly every day the market has been open, which means I've written over 500,000 words or the equivalent of seven non-fiction books. And I've had a blast doing it.
The most surreal aspect of it all has been the pseudonym. I hadn't originally planned on using a pen name, but Patrick thought it would be a good idea. So we were setting everything up and he asked me what I wanted to call myself. I thought about it a second and told him "Eddie Braverman" because that was the nickname given to me by my buddies when I was in equities, thanks to The Money Culture. I had no idea at the time what a bizarre double-life I was embarking on with that decision.
I was already an established (albeit boringly mainstream) writer at the time, but Eddie gave me an outlet to say the things I really thought and WSO gave me a receptive audience looking for the unvarnished truth. I have to admit that I was hooked immediately. The funny thing is that Eddie is closer to the real me than the other guy.
I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank all of you for the past four years and for what you provide me every day. The insight, the humor, even the hate mail makes this one of the best jobs in the world. There are precious few journalists who enjoy the latitude I do, and you shouldn't think for a moment that I take it for granted.
Here's to a "Four More Years!" you can actually get behind...
Good stuff man. I really appreciate your content and commentary. Keep 'er goin bud!
Keep it coming!
Wow, feels like yesterday when I first started seeing Eddie's posts.
Been an entertaining run - thanks and keep it up!
Eddie, any update on your 8th (printed) book?
Good job, dude. I want to hear more about the crazy '90s...SB !!
Keep it coming, very much enjoy your posts.
Love the posts, especially hearing about the "glory days" of finance
Looking forward to the book
Thanks Eddie - you have been an incredible constant over the years but I can't believe it'd been 4! wow, that is insane.
Anyway, thanks for giving all of us some much needed perspective over the years. One day soon (WSO Con 2013??, New Orleans over Christmas??) we will actually meet in person.
Keep fighting the good fight, old man.
I may one of the few who had a beer with this guy. Good times
The list is short, but distinguished. Kinda like your junk.
Eddie, your presence is requested in the "What's your (chemical) vice/crutch" thread.
oh, and for got to say, we're over 97,000 registered users closing in on 100,000 FAST....your # is about right for users that actually logged in (~70k) :-)
Think we'll be hitting 100,000 before year end which is an exciting milestone. I think my favorite series of Eddie's (besides the obvious How to Kill a Bank that was featured in Playboy) is the Sell Your Options Dearly series and the post he did ranking Rums.
You can tell when someone knows what they are talking about and marriage and rum are in your wheelhouse ;-)
Glad to have you, WSO wouldn't be the same!
I have greatly enjoyed your posts over the years, keep them coming!
You complete me, Eddie! No homo.
Eddie, thanks for all the great posts over the years. I've enjoyed the every one that i've read since I started on this site. I think you've provided some serious perspective on blending work, alcohol, women, kids, money, and more into a sweet (and sour) cocktail of success. Looking forward to more great posts. Cheers!
Thanks Eddie - As I've gotten older, the "analyst advice" threads are less useful, and I find myself coming back for market commentary/bonus bananas/etc
Braverman/Magoo 2012!
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