Is it possible to feel proud of someone you’ve never met? That you only know through their blog?
Well call me crazy but I’m feeling all warm, fuzzy and maternal for Dan Reed of Just Up The Pike. For three years he’s been blogging–passionately, single-mindedly, intelligently–about land use issues, politics and more in the oft-overlooked eastern part of Montgomery County, a place he obviously knows intimately and holds with great affection.
Oh and by the way, during that time, he’s been a student at the University of Maryland.
Worked in an ice cream shop on the side.
He just recently turned 21.
This spring Dan graduated, and lo, he’s been offered a job (in this economy!) to work for County Council member George Leventhal, a long time reader. Dan will be doing the usual first job stuff, but he’s also being hired precisely because of his extensive knowledge of the community and the experience he’s gained through his blogging.
As a person interested in both writing and how the talents of bright young people are developed, I just think this is so cool. The first rule for writers is “write what you know.” The second is “write what you love.” Just Up The Pike shows that those rules produce good results in more ways than one.
Dan is curious. Has a passion for a topic. When he started blogging he had no idea if anyone else cared or shared his passion. But he was curious enough, and dedicated enough, and–yes–brave enough to share that passion with the world regardless. He has used blogging to create his own opportunity, a laboratory to explore ideas and to connect with others. And now (yay!) someone has had the great good sense to hire him in a position where he’ll be able to further deepen his expertise and perhaps even make a difference. (Sounds like Dan is well on his way to his 10,000 hours. 
)
Well done, Dan.
P.S.: If you’re near a radio on Monday around 12pm, he will be on the Kojo Nnamdi show (WAMU 88.5 FM) with some other local bloggers. Have a listen.
