Here is Teri Lussier’s first post at BloodhoundBlog: Hi. I’m Teri…And I’m aghast.
Teri had to tell me that today is the first day of her sixth year writing with us. I’m not a birthdays and anniversaries kind of guy. But I am nothing but proud of the dawg she has turned out to be, and it’s fun to herald the event.
I didn’t know it at the time, but I met Teri just at the beginning of the end of the golden age of the RE.net. The Project Blogger contest was the first little bit of orchestrated hoke in the real estate weblogging world, and I had just told the mob of cliquey mediocrities the first of many truths they did not want to hear, inciting the first of many failed mass sneerspasms.
In each one of those mob actions, writers at BloodhoundBlog were assailed with entreaties to stop writing here. I think the theory was that depriving BloodhoundBlog of their voices would somehow silence my voice. These campaigns were initiated by Joe Ferrara; all of this mob-maniacal horse-shit originated with Joe Ferrara. It all came to nothing, of course, at least on my end. But a lot of agents and lenders screwed up their careers trying to recreate a kindergarten playground — Lord of the Flies with no points off for spelling errors.
This was evil, awful and wrong — not that I’ve ever made a secret of my opinion of social media and the mobs it engenders. But the whole phenomenon is interesting to me, because my thinking runs entirely the other way.
Teri Lussier has written great essays on BloodhoundBlog, and I’m very grateful for that. But I’m also very grateful to call her my friend. I don’t make friends quickly or easily, and I am very, very quick to push people away from me as soon as I realize they are not friends to me.
But I am a friend to Teri not out of loyalty to her, but out of my indivertible loyalty to principle. Teri lives up to values I admire, revere and worship, and that is the source of my devotion to her as my friend. If I should discover some hidden corruption in her, that would change everything for me — and I would expect her to take the same position with regard to me.
To the other BloodhoundBlog writers: If you are being pressured to pull out, and if you are staying out of a personal loyalty to me — in betrayal of your own beliefs and principles — please go with my blessing. I hate mobs, and that is what a mob is: A collection of people who betray the highest of values for the sake of friendship or collective rent-seeking or simply a jovial mutual absolution of vice. I want no part of anything like that.
Meanwhile: Congratulate Teri as suits your sensibility. Almost every post in our archives is worth reading, but Teri’s contributions — in posts and in comments — are among the very best. I say that not in loyalty to her but out of love for the very best values to be found in each one of us.
Teri Lussier says:
Very sweet, thanks.
My tweet.
The email I sent you said this:
BHB is not always the easiest place to hang my hat, but as I’ve told you before, I don’t belong anywhere else. I remember our first phone conversation. You told me that you were ready to post about me being your apprentice, and then you paused and said “and it’s going to be okay,” and laughed. I had no clue what you were talking about, but I took you at your word and you were right.
I’m always willing, and usually happy, to go it alone, but it’s nice to belong somewhere as well. Thank you for creating a home unlike any other, and for welcoming me in.
March 21, 2012 — 5:47 am
Scott Cowan says:
Teri-
I have always enjoyed reading your posts and your comments. Through the past five years I have learned a great deal simply by reading what you and others say here. Sometimes I’ve learned more by what other do not say here.
I always start my day by looking at BHB. There are special days here especially when you have shared something with all of us. I am looking forward to five more years of you sharing your thoughts and comments.
Best wishes
March 21, 2012 — 6:25 am
Jim Klein says:
In that first post, Cathleen wrote this…
“You may be green, Teri, but you are a natural.”
That’s precisely my sentiment, though you’re hardly green any more, and I knew it right away. Good and honorable people have this way of spotting other good and honorable people instantly. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack, but without searching at all.
It’s a joy to know you, Teri, and thanks for that. Happy “birth day” to you!
March 21, 2012 — 7:34 am
Jeff Brown says:
Wow — five years! Congrats, Teri. The only criticism I have is that you don’t write often enough. Love ya
March 21, 2012 — 10:01 am
Tom Johnson says:
Congratulations, Teri! Keep rocking that Rust Belt can do vibe and take a break here when you can.
March 21, 2012 — 10:06 pm
Doug Quance says:
You don’t look a day older!
Always good to feast my eyes on your prose.
March 22, 2012 — 7:53 pm
Don Reedy says:
I repeat (mostly for myself as I love it when the clearest of examples comes to mind to close an otherwise ubiquitous concept)…
“A single raindrop seldom thinks itself the cause of the flood.”
Teri, you have rained and reigned on our world, and with a flood of ideas, honesty and introspection that have made me wonder out loud at your gifts.
Thanks for becoming our friend, colleague and raindrop.
March 22, 2012 — 8:36 pm
Teri Lussier says:
My heart is filled with love for you all. Thanks, guys. 🙂
March 23, 2012 — 8:21 am
Judy Orr says:
Teri, congratulations! I don’t comment here a lot but I’m always excited to read a post made by you.
March 25, 2012 — 11:40 am
Angele Moyseos says:
Teri, you always have great things to say!
I hope to be reading great things from you for another five years. Congrats!
April 6, 2012 — 3:42 pm