Prince Of Petworth » Blog Archive » Well, I Pulled the Trigger

Well, I Pulled the Trigger – PoP Goes Pro Today

10 September 2009 11:06 PM | By Prince Of Petworth in admin

IMG_7356, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

I’ve been thinking long and hard about this. In the worst economy since the Great Depression do I really want to quit my well paid day job? Yes I do. Yes I did. I was recently rereading an old James Michener book and this quote jumped out at me:

“The permanent temptation of life is to confuse dreams with reality. The permanent defeat of life comes when dreams are surrendered to reality.”

I come from the generation where my parents encouraged me to find a job that I truly love. In my professional career I have been a paralegal, reporter, Air Force analyst, reporter again, congressional liaison, and finally a Homeland Security analyst. I’ve gained much from each of these experiences but I’ve never really loved them as a long term full time job. It was on a lark that I started neighborhood blogging in Nov. 2006 and it has become a true passion. When you find your passion sometimes you just have to pull the trigger. Thanks to the support of advertisers, investors and the incredible growth the site has achieved, I am now able to make it a full time job. And for that I am most grateful to you guys who make the site what it is today through your comments and tips.

So mark your calendars, on Nov. 5th I’ll be throwing a big 3 year anniversary party and re-launch. Nothing is really going to change between now and November. However, in November I’ll be re-releasing the site with many upgrades that make the site easier to navigate. Part of that redesign will incorporate neighborhood specific pages. I have described my vision of PoPville here. In addition my goal is to bring the attention I give to Petworth and Columbia Heights to most of DC’s neighborhoods. I will never sacrifice my coverage of Petworth, Columbia Heights and my love of the Beautiful Life, but with more time I only hope to bring equal coverage to nearly all of DC’s neighborhoods. But more on that in the coming months.

I have one small request from you guys. For my neighborhood specific pages I’m looking for new banner photos that captures each neighborhood. I have chosen the tree from Grant Circle to represent Petworth. I’m looking for photos from you guys to represent – Columbia Heights, Mt. Pleasant, U Street, Shaw, Mt. Vernon Square, H Street, NE, Foggy Bottom, Bloomingdale, Georgetown, etc. really any neighborhood you’d like to see covered. Please send me your photos representing these neighborhoods to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com.

In the meantime I’m just gonna try to make my dreams a reality.

10 September 2009 11:11 PM | hipchickindc Said:

This is so awesome! Congratulations and thanks for all of your hard work!

10 September 2009 11:13 PM | Matt G Said:

All the best to you Pop. You are one of the good guys…

10 September 2009 11:16 PM | Nichole Said:

Congrats!

10 September 2009 11:21 PM | Phillip Said:

Giddy up. Congrats and good luck!

10 September 2009 11:26 PM | Dirty Said:

As you become a conglomerate, I think you should have a segment dedicated to lobbying the ANC’s and Council Members of the neighborhoods. You provide a great service, enhancing the neighborhood’s ability to promote ideas/concerns/problems will truly enhance the residents ability to contribute to our unrepresented democracy.

I believe taxation without representation was intentional and well thought out by the ‘Framers’/Fore Father’s, the voice you create for the people of this blog is more profound than any vote in either House.

This neighborhood should continue to stand up to injustices and those behaviors/environments that promote less than desirable outcomes!

10 September 2009 11:28 PM | SG Said:

Congrats man!!

10 September 2009 11:31 PM | Kalorini Said:

Congrats PoP! How exciting

Similar to Dirty’s post above, will there be any local non-profit spotlights?

10 September 2009 11:34 PM | Prince Of Petworth Said:

There will def. be non-profit spotlights! If anyone has suggestions just shoot me an email.

10 September 2009 11:46 PM | occupant Said:

good job, Prince. your hard work and dedication is paying off.

10 September 2009 11:49 PM | Patrick Said:

Good luck! Let me know if I can help with graphics or anything!

11 September 2009 12:00 AM | Nick Said:

This is great news.

Who are your investors?

11 September 2009 12:09 AM | Prince Of Petworth Said:

My investors are friends of mine that are fortunate enough to be successful lawyers.

11 September 2009 12:25 AM | RD Said:

Can we get a picture of Red Derby for the Tivoli North page. Or Rib Pit?

11 September 2009 12:29 AM | inmtpl Said:

good luck its really funn and informative over here thanks!

11 September 2009 12:51 AM | MPinDC Said:

Follow your bliss!

Along with “I heard on NPR…” my friends and family often hear “I read on PoP…”

Congrats Dan and yay PoP~

11 September 2009 7:22 AM | James in Washington Said:

Exciting!! Please, just no pics of Target to represent Columbia Heights. I vote for the Joan of Arc statue in Malcom X Park for CH. I can dig up some pics if you want.

11 September 2009 8:32 AM | Richard, 13th bet. Spring & Otis Said:

I am really glad for you but also a little worried.
I know you already cover other parts of the city but you are the P of P after all.
Who will you be next, Emperor of Districtopolis?
Being a resident of Columbia Heights I have felt a special connection to this page that I fear I will not when you try to give equal time to the other lesser neighborhoods.

The only image of Columbia Heights is the Tivoli. The Tivoli symbolizes Columbia Heights as the phoenix come out of the ashes. It was a bone of contention in development schemes for 40 years before its rebirth in latter days, coming close to the wrecking ball a number of times. Tivoli Tivoli Tivoli. In fact I think that part of Columbia Heights should separate and be called Tivoli.

Tivoli resident.

11 September 2009 8:36 AM | Jay'O Said:

Great News PoP! It seems like you ALREADY work full time on the blog, so I’m super interested in what you can do with even more dedication!?!

Btw, what’s your business plan for making $$$ on this? Has advertising been enough? If not, is that why you’re going full time – to dedicate more time to the business side too?

Again – Congratulations and thanks for PoP!!!

11 September 2009 8:36 AM | DLP Said:

Congrats Dannygirl! Keep lifting the salt my man.

11 September 2009 8:36 AM | Eva G Said:

Congratulations and good luck!!!!

11 September 2009 8:43 AM | Jay'O Said:

As for a Photo of Columbia Heights – what couldn’t be better than a stately row of… rowhouses? Isn’t this where most of us live and even if not, it’s what we see out the window. I’d vote for maybe the somewhere on 13th street, or the 1100 block of Fairmont. If we have to go with a landmark, how about… the new park at 14th & Park rd (depending how it actually looks when it’s unveiled). The Tivoli has a lot of historic and symbolic points going for it, but it seems like an awfully hard subject to photograph with out coming out kinda ugly.

11 September 2009 8:48 AM | Anonymous Said:

PoP – You are the American Dream. Setting out on your own to forge your own way. You are an incredible asset to this great city. Best of luck!

11 September 2009 8:51 AM | Kalia Said:

Good luck! Looking forward to the 3 year party and the new upgrades

11 September 2009 8:57 AM | Shannon Said:

Congratulations and best of luck! This site is amazing and you do a phenomenal job of keeping us well-informed.

11 September 2009 9:01 AM | eva Said:

Congratulations PoP! I’ve been reading you since almost the beginning and really appreciate the service you provide for your readers. Best of luck in this new adventure!

11 September 2009 9:10 AM | Anonymous Said:

your site is nothing but pictures; why the need to leech the talent of others?

11 September 2009 9:14 AM | Eric B Said:

Congrats, PoP. Thanks for the great DC blog!

11 September 2009 9:15 AM | jbird Said:

A year ago your site only had 3 or 4advertisers. Now there’s 7-10. Does this mean your site will be clogged ads in the columns and between the stories? no thanks.

11 September 2009 9:16 AM | E Said:

Congrats! Hey, where where you a reporter, if you don’t mind me asking? (Don’t make me use my reporter skills to find out myself…)

11 September 2009 9:18 AM | Hoodrat Said:

Congrats! And good luck!

11 September 2009 9:27 AM | Martin Said:

Holy Cow POP! AWESOME!! Good luck.

11 September 2009 9:27 AM | Mal Said:

Congrats! I’m looking forward to seeing how things pan out! Love the last line – “In the meantime I’m just gonna try to make my dreams a reality.” I think that’s what we’re all trying to do

Will def be at the anniv/relaunch party – it’s a day after my 25th birthday! Can’t wait to meet everyone!

11 September 2009 9:31 AM | New2CH Said:

Congrats and good luck!

11 September 2009 9:32 AM | okienoodler Said:

Congrats PoP. I find your website an extremely useful outlet for all things neighborhood related. I especially enjoy how you blend a variety of neighborhood interests into one blog: local events and issues, architecture, crime reports, property values, art and photography, and most importanly, a sense of community. I only hope in expanding, you remain true to this vision- I really don’t want to see another dcist. Kudos and keep up up the good work.

(As you expand, I also hope you strongly consider forcing people to register for the site. I have found the trolls pretty intolerable the last few weeks and think that while it won’t solve the problem, it will definitely curtail it somehwat.)

11 September 2009 9:38 AM | Ross Said:

Congrats PoP.

This is truly exciting. Just don’t forget where you come from (and where your most loyal reader base is from [and will always be from.])

11 September 2009 9:41 AM | Mal Said:

My communication skills are terrible today.. I wanted to say things along the lines of okienoodler – totally agree that I don’t want another dcist, although I do enjoy it, but I like that PoP is different. Also agree on the registering. These past few weeks the trolls have just been MEAN!

11 September 2009 9:45 AM | Eat Fresh Said:

Dude, you are probably #(*@ed, but good luck still the same.

11 September 2009 9:46 AM | ex rowhouse condo dweller Said:

Congrats, POP.

11 September 2009 9:55 AM | Mr. T in DC Said:

Congratulations, and good luck, Dan!

As for Columbia Heights photos, I’d like to submit these:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_t_in_dc/3380504257
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_t_in_dc/1349046908/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_t_in_dc/495114192/

11 September 2009 10:06 AM | u street girl Said:

Congratulations, this is every blogger’s dream. Enjoy, and best of luck.

11 September 2009 10:15 AM | Melanie Said:

This is great. Congratulations!

11 September 2009 10:16 AM | Jill Said:

Congrats PoP! Best of luck!

11 September 2009 10:26 AM | anonymous Said:

The image of Mt Pleasant should be taken from the video to Velocity Girl’s “Crazy Town.”

11 September 2009 10:34 AM | The Centzon Totochtin Said:

Congrats PoP! Build the empire!

11 September 2009 10:35 AM | Divine Said:

Yay! Way to go POP!

11 September 2009 10:40 AM | elizqueenmama Said:

CONGRATS!!!

And I agree with @dirty on devoting some more space to ANC and Council business. . .

And don’t forget about Eckington! I’ll find and submit some pics, so we don’t get totally subsumed under the Bloomingdale banner!

11 September 2009 10:40 AM | Sammy Said:

Just want to add my congrats to the chorus here, PoP! Your persistence in focusing on the Beautiful Life in DC is a breath of fresh air. Can’t wait to see where the blog goes as you embark on this new chapter!

11 September 2009 10:41 AM | Megan Said:

This is very cool.

11 September 2009 10:48 AM | voiceofreason Said:

Congratulations and best of luck. Leaps of faith are always rewarding in some way, shape or form.

11 September 2009 10:49 AM | rg Said:

Congrats pop

11 September 2009 10:59 AM | victoria Said:

Big congrats and thanks. I suspect you have changed and enhanced the way many of us walk around the city, encouraging us to really notice things and that does in fact, make life more beautiul.

Hope you get gobs of new advertisers, but can I please put in a vote for no moving, flickering, video, pop-ups etc. I quit reading dcist because the American apparel ads are so annoying.

11 September 2009 11:03 AM | Lauren from ColHeights Said:

11 September 2009 11:14 AM | Happy Dude Said:

The permanent defeat of life is death. The transitory support of life are good blogs! Keep it up!

11 September 2009 11:25 AM | Enviro Said:

One thing you might consider doing in your new expanded blog is help the larger community figure out a way to become more sustainable and meet some of our goals to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, support local ag, install on-site renewables, improve energy efficincy and the like, feeding into the Green DC Agenda, Cool Capitol Challenge, and others. Perhaps a monthly spotlight on someone or some organization in the community making a difference in that regard (like the PoP clean up days). Start with PoP lights out challenge, drinking local brew by candlelight is always fun….

11 September 2009 11:37 AM | Ninjaclectic Said:

Congrats on the transition. Looking forward to the new web site functionality!

11 September 2009 11:38 AM | Nate Said:

Congrats PoP! Take solace that some of the best businesses are born during economic down cycles. Good luck to you.

11 September 2009 11:39 AM | not so new girl Said:

Congratulations ….. don’t forget Park View!

11 September 2009 11:49 AM | colelady Said:

11 September 2009 11:56 AM | Mal Said:

props abound! http://dcist.com/2009/09/prince_of_petworth_to_blog_full-tim.php

11 September 2009 12:16 PM | Joe Said:

Congrats, this is amazing! best blog in the city for sure!

11 September 2009 12:22 PM | Eric in Ledroit Said:

here’s hoping this leads to a career in politics.

11 September 2009 12:28 PM | andy Said:

i promise to post more inflammatory comments to draw pageviews.

Let’s begin: who thinks PoP will make more money doing this blog then they do at their current jobs?

11 September 2009 12:31 PM | LJG Said:

Congrats PoP! If I’ve said it once I’ve said it many times…PoP is the reason I know DC, explore DC, and love DC! Can’t wait to see what’s next. Good luck.

11 September 2009 12:32 PM | ShermanCircle Said:

Felicidades! All the hard work and dedication paying off.

11 September 2009 12:45 PM | Toby Said:

Mazel tov. From this Jewish mother, so what about your health? Are you having to buy your own health insurance now, that you don’t have any through your employer? You know I love this blog, have been reading it almost since the beginning and start my day checking it out.

11 September 2009 12:48 PM | Jimmy D Said:

This is great news, though probably not the best for my personal productivity here at work – I’m bad enough with you doing this part time.

More ideas: maybe a page for your comings and goings column?

Also, I never have much luck using the search function on this site. Any way to add a search function that won’t grab words from comments too, but is limited to just your posts?

Can’t wait to see PoP expand. Very cool.

11 September 2009 12:49 PM | tohellandback1st Said:

PoP, as a relatively new reader, I want to add my congrats. Reading your blog is like taking a walk in the city. Definitely refreshing. It’s also nice that there don’t seem to be too many commenters just trying to entertain themselves. I don’t know if DCists registration policy helps or hinders that, as their comments are dominated by a few that really belong in a chatroom somewhere…

11 September 2009 12:49 PM | Prince Of Petworth Said:

@Toby hahaha that is the first question my Mom asked me. I’ll be doing Cobra which continues my current health insurance for 16 months. It is $400 a month.

To the person who asked where I was a reporter – Asahi Shimbun – a Japanese newspaper. I covered the Pentagon and the Middle East Peace Process (which existed at the time).

And thanks to all for your kind words. It helps reaffirm that I’ve made the right decision.

11 September 2009 12:56 PM | Néstor Sánchez Cordero Said:

Felicitaciones Dan!!! Much@s latin@s leemos el blog frecuentemente.

Abrazos,

NSC, el Ojo Latino…

11 September 2009 1:20 PM | Monkey Daddy Said:

Congratulations PoP! Thanks for your many contributions to the Beautiful Life.

11 September 2009 1:30 PM | Cardozomite Said:

Congrats! I, like the many other above, look at this city a lot differently after reading this blog. I notice more, appreciate the little things (especially doors), and gain a greater perspective of where I live.

Don’t forget where your bread was first baked though… Keep CH, Petworth, MtP, etc in the front of your mind.

Trolls or not, I think the lack of proper registration is good for the sight… It allows this to get stirred up a bit.

11 September 2009 1:37 PM | Petworth Newbie Said:

Pic for Adams Morgan: The Madams Organ or Toulouse LeTrec mural, natch.
For Mt. Pleasant: guy pissing against the wall of Julio’s while bus stop patrons avert their eyes in disgust.
For Columbia Heights: Hipster parents pushing a $600 stroller past the Tivoli.
For Dupont Circle: The fireplace at the Fireplace?

11 September 2009 1:37 PM | Cardozomite Said:

*site

11 September 2009 1:55 PM | Anonymous Said:

I quit my day job to read your blog full time.

11 September 2009 1:57 PM | Missy Frederick Said:

Congrats! A gutsy move, and I’m sure you’ll be very successful.

11 September 2009 2:05 PM | Marco Said:

Congratulations! Looking forward to the next three decades

11 September 2009 2:13 PM | Jakho19 Said:

Well done PoP! Keep up the great work. I support the suggestion of making the Tivoli the symbol of Columbia Hts and the metaphor of a phoenix. Word.

Again, a hearty congrats to you for following your dreams and making this forum possible for us all!

11 September 2009 2:20 PM | Petworth Guy Said:

Good luck, POP. You run a damn fine blog. I wish you great success!

11 September 2009 2:22 PM | Christina Said:

Wonderful news, Dan — congrats on reaching for that dream!

11 September 2009 2:31 PM | Jimmy D Said:

Also, how about putting the dates of each post somewhere at the top or bottom of the individual post pages?

11 September 2009 3:04 PM | bogfrog Said:

Bring back the interviews with owners of new and old businesses. Bring back the interviews with councilmembers and candidates.

11 September 2009 3:06 PM | MK Said:

PoP, I’m so happy for you! You’ve cost me many a productive hour at work and I’ve loved every minute of it. More, more, more!

11 September 2009 4:48 PM | quigley Said:

Congrats! Glad to have contributed with photos…although I can’t anymore… : (

11 September 2009 5:25 PM | SingLikeSassy Said:

Been here since the beginning (not always posting but definitely reading) and wish you much luck with the expansion.

I think applying your template to other communities is smart. For those areas I’m not interested in, I’ll click on past just as I do now, but I’m excited to learn more about areas of town I’m unfamiliar with the way I’ve learned about CH/Petworth here.

Please include Takoma/Lamond/Riggs Park in the mix as I see someone is doing some digging near the Ft. Totten Metro and I’d like to know more about the growth in that area.

11 September 2009 5:32 PM | sean Said:

good luck man

11 September 2009 6:57 PM | E Said:

Congrats! Seeing the beautiful life through your lenses is great.

12 September 2009 10:51 AM | Nikki Said:

Congrats PoP…longtime reader, and I have always appreciated the perspective you bring from the CH/PW community, as well as the surrounding neighborhoods. I’ve learned more about this city from reading your blog than from anywhere else, and it’s certainly given me a greater appreciation of the amazing place that we live in. I’ll start looking for a good Brookland pic!

12 September 2009 11:44 AM | El Gringo Said:

Congratulations!!! Well-deserved!

12 September 2009 5:38 PM | Nichole Said:

I’ve been thinking about the new format. The way you have it now, at least people might see a headline about a neighborhood that’s not theirs and be drawn in and learn something new. If there are tabs, I wonder how many people will simply select to read about their own neighborhoods and continue to miss out on other parts of the city.

12 September 2009 5:43 PM | DC_Chica Said:

Congrats PoP — in your effort to celebrate the beautiful life, you’ve inadvertently become an essential part of it! I second the suggestion for more interviews of local leaders and business people, and I’d love to see another service project this fall like the neighborhood cleanup back in the spring.

14 September 2009 11:23 AM | rdonna Said:

Congratulations!!!!! I love the “do what you love and the money will follow” idea. Keep up the good work.

15 September 2009 10:30 AM | Constermash Said:

Congrats to you PoP! You are an inspiration and thank you for following what brings you joy. Your blog is something I look forward to every day and your hard work is much appreciated! Keep up the good work!