15 Years A Blogger

I started blogging with zero idea on where it would lead me but I loved that it was something that I could call my own.  I was intrigued by the medium of blogging and wanted to remain connected to the tech industry after it completely imploded alongside the subprime mortgage crisis.  I could write about anything I wanted to and I have.

These past 15 years have been my thoughts on investing, tech companies, the state of the union, recipes, raising kids, restaurants, theater, design, books, travel, art, women entrepreneurs, trends and pretty much everything that rattles around my head.

What came out of these 15 years are a few things that just evolved without much planning.  I reinvented my career although I admit I was hoping that blogging would take me down a new career path….and it did.  I became a voice for women and for that, I am incredibly grateful.  Times are changing for women and I feel very much a part of this movement.  I have been able to connect with people from all verticals of life.  I became a writer although my skills aren’t exactly buttoned up, the words flow through my head to my fingers to the keyboard and it works for me.

When I began blogging I had three kids who were 7, 9 and 11 and under our roof.  My life was in a very different stage than it is today.  15 years recorded through a blog that I have shared with anyone who would want to read about what I was thinking about.  Our kids are now all under their own roofs and that shifts everything.  It is a topic I have written about.

There are times when I can’t get enough of my thoughts out and others where I fear that there is no content left in me but it passes.  Blogging for me has been like life, it has its ups and downs but it moves forward.  What happens next?  More than likely the next 15 years will cover the same topics as the past but just with an older yet constantly changing set of eyes.

Comments (Archived):

  1. daryn

    Congrats! I’m so thankful for this medium.I’ve been reading for at least a dozen of those years, and it has been a wonderful ride following the family, construction projects, restaurants, recipes, and most of all, the writings in between. It’s hard to fathom that we’ve only met once (and that was 10 years ago!)

    1. Gotham Gal

      And I remember when and where!

      1. daryn

        Oysters @ Jeffrey’s!!

        1. Gotham Gal

          Yep

  2. Prathamesh Shanbhag

    Happy Birthday! — coming from the AVC community. Thankful for the podcast which you do with founders and the approach.

    1. Gotham Gal

      Thank you!

  3. William Mougayar

    Did you intentionally decide that you were going to start blogging on the exact day of your birthday? That’s definitely a very memorable and definitive way to kick something off with a strong linkage to who you really are.

    1. Gotham Gal

      I did

      1. William Mougayar

        what was the thinking behind it?

        1. Gotham Gal

          I was looking for the next thing. I wanted to stay connected to the tech community and wanted to do something that I could call my own.

  4. awaldstein

    I simply say thank you.You touch topics that no one else really does and quite a few of them, as you know, are my side hustles and passion points.Community of thoughts around things of interest make things richer.

    1. Gotham Gal

      Thanks Andy. You might be one of my biggest constant commenters and it is truly appreciated. I like how you think!

      1. jason wright

        oops.

  5. Susan Lyne

    Happy birthday, Joanne! Here’s to the next 15…

  6. Tracey Jackson

    Congratulations ??? you inspired me to start blogging. And gave me license tofree-form it. In your case from food to ideas, culture and investing you cover the waterfront. To fifteen more!!!!! ?

  7. Yb927

    Dear Fellow Libra! I’ve been reading your blog for almost as long as you’ve been writing – but this is my first comment!!! I can tell you that you really have impacted my life for the better. I’ve learned so much from your well thought out and meticulous approach to traveling and food; from your innate curiosity and joy of discovery and your fearlessness… A great hotel in Paris (Hotel Montlambert – remember that one?) a restaurant in the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo; a restaurant in Santa Monica, California, the first time I heard of a Flat White; The Wolesley…and much much more. Fred said on his blog that it’s a great case of how writing publicly can change your personal path and I responded how it’s also a great case study on how writing publicly to share your thoughts and adventures can also change OTHER people’s lives for the better. Without you and your writing there are many places and many experiences I wouldn’t have ever known about or discovered. Both directly and indirectly by learning from your approach. What a joy!!! So Happy Double Birthday Gotham Gal. Keep Sharing. Keep Writing! To 120!!!

    1. Gotham Gal

      Wow. I remember all those places. I love that you have been reading this long. Really fantastic to hear that you have enjoyed and an impact was made. Made my day!

      1. Yb927

        I can’t tell you how much it’s meant to me. I’m in awe of both ofyou. If not for anything else (and that’s an understatement) then for your discipline and love for life that emanates from every word. Thank you.

  8. Rohan

    “With an older yet constantly changing set of eyes”Older + wiser? :-)Thank you so much for sharing your notes, Joanne! We are very grateful.

  9. Anne Libby

    Congratulations!

  10. Pranay Srinivasan

    I love reading your blog and Frrd’s. Its part of my mornong. So much gratitude for what you do. Mazek Tov!Pranay

  11. jason wright

    Has it ever been a slog or a grind?

  12. Dan Wick

    The daily practice of writing is no small feat. I don’t know what I’d do without my daily hit of GG! Always thought provoking and insightful. The straight-talk and candidness has demystified so many things that may have seemed unapproachable in the city, culturally, politically and especially in business. It has encouraged me to get off the bench and get in the game. Thank you for it all!

    1. Gotham Gal

      ??

  13. didyouevernotice

    Wow, this means I’ve been using your latke recipe for almost 15 years. That’s a good thing. Happy Birthday

    1. Gotham Gal

      Nice!!

  14. Tom Labus

    Congrats on a great run with many more good years to come.

  15. Chia-Lin Simmons

    Congrats! Long time reader and admirer. As a first time female tech founder (AI for next gen apparel fit and discovery), 20+ year tech exec at tech corps, a busy mom, your blog has served as a place where topics of all ranges that resonate with women are shared and cover all facets for women from work to family. Thanks!

  16. mplsvbhvr

    Congrats and happy birthday 🙂

  17. Nicolas Dinatale

    Happy Birthday! I’ll just say thanks for the Shakshuka recipe, the awesome Paris itinerary recommendations and the great reading over the past 15 years.

  18. LE

    Really great and this could be multiple blogs actuallybecause of the range.My favorites topics that you write about:a) Human natureb) Businessc) Startupsd) Politicse) Stuff that ticks you off!! (Often, but not exclusively, a-d)

    1. Gotham Gal

      Thanks Larry. I like it.

  19. JLM

    .Peace be with you as you enter the next 15 years.JLMwww.themusingsofthebigredca…

  20. Kirsten Lambertsen

    Happy Birthday double dip! Can’t wait to see how you celebrated 😉

  21. Semil Shah

    Thanks for always sharing your thoughts online & offline. As a new family starting out, we have learned so much from you & Fred. Thank you.

  22. Alison Chace

    Huge fan and inspired by you on so many levels for past 7 years. Thank you!

  23. Bryce T.

    Congrats and thank you!

  24. Marjan Ghara

    Thank you for so candidly sharing your thoughts AND knowledge on so many topics. Love opening the email every day. Best Birthday wishes from a silent follower.

    1. Gotham Gal

      ?

  25. Shelly Lipton

    Happy Birthday Joanne! To many more years of interesting and inspiring content!Cheers!

  26. Jeremy Robinson

    Happy Birthday Joanne and also happy blog day! Please don’t take this the wrong way but you bring up memories of my Mom, an early feminist who got enraged at the real injustices that needed to be changed in the world. We used a line on her tombstone from Neruda. “Her heart was inexhaustible.” You have a huge heart too. Thank you for expressing it….it’s got a nice beat to it.

  27. Lawrence Brass

    Happy Birthday!.. and congratulations for never closing the doors of this place in cyberspace, no matter the weather. That is a record hard to break!For many more to come. Cheers!

  28. Pointsandfigures

    Congrats Now we need eyeglasses to blog

  29. Gary Chou

    Happy Birthday! Congrats on the past 15!

    1. Gotham Gal

      Thanks Gary

  30. Donna Brewington White

    Happy Birthday to you and the Gotham Gal blog. I’ve benefited much from what you’ve shared over the years. You have been a goldmine to me as a startup enthusiast and as a woman combining my roles as mother and entrepreneur while also reinventing my career. I enjoy your honesty; we don’t always agree which helps to stimulate my thinking and is one of the reasons I return.

    1. Gotham Gal

      Thanks Donna

  31. denmeade

    Congratulations and Happy Birthday! Thank you for sharing your take on the world, especially the book reviews 🙂

  32. TanyaMonteiro

    Happy Birthday Joanne, so grateful for so much of what you share and how you encourage me to think. Congratulations!