Friday
I’ve thought about this place for a long time.
Had dreams about it actually.
When I began blogging back in February of 2005, I remember wanting to create a place of safe harbour for my words and thoughts; such delicate things.
I wanted it to be a place like no other.
I eventually realized that would be hard to do because of the limiting nature of platforms like Blogspot and WordPress.com.
While they were good in their own right, my options were a bit limited.
I look at my blog tonight and to be honest, I am gobsmacked.
It’s so damn beautiful.
My life has had many wonderful twists and turns since that tentative first post way back when.
I thank God I found the intestinal fortitude to finally hit the ‘publish’ button.
My life hasn’t been quite the same since.
What you see before you is the culmination of a writer’s dream, a place I can call my own.
The writing won’t change but the walls are much prettier to look at, don’t you think?
I thank you for visiting and hope you’ve changed that URL on your blogroll.
There’s more work to be done here but I believe this is a respectable start.
Before I let you cruise around the joint, some thank you’s are in order.
I’ll try not to make this sound like I’m accepting an Academy Award but . . .
My deepest thanks and gratitude to Moe, she wanted this for me as much as I did for myself.
She is singlehandedly responsible for installing the WordPress.org software (on a server somewhere in Arizona), uploading countless themes, plugins and all the bells and whistles that make this blog sing.
The webhosting and my own domain were an early Christmas present from her and Mark, Anonypop.
(thanks, mate)
Maureen, you are a beautiful and brilliant star that was destined to find your way into my night sky.
I’ll never be able to thank you enough.
Maybe someday while drinking beer and eating lobster on Cape Cod. 
Thanks to Kelly, for helping to render the CSS code in order to make this blog look the way it does.
To me, reading CSS is like Chinese Arithmetic, it just doesn’t make any sense.
But Kel knows her stuff. Brilliant.
And, she is the sole reason Amum and I met.
I call meeting Kel a Godwink.
I call knowing Kel a Godsend.
Thanks, kiddo.
Bloody good job.
Thanks to Annie for believing in me even when I stopped believing in myself.
You are a true friend, a great poet, writer and an absolute sweetheart to boot.
Evyl, for being there.
You have been with me from the very beginning of this blogging thing.
You have taught me that as bad as life can get, you still have to laugh.
You rock Mr. Mac
To my wife, Pamela, who gives me the time and space I need to write and maintain a site such as this.
It’s time consuming as any decent blogger knows.
Her patience is a virtue, her encouragement and love are virtually endless.
Am I lucky or what?
And lastly to my mother, the reason I began writing in the first place.
This one’s for you, Mom.
Welcome to the new Smoke and Mirrors, folks.
Don’t forget to change that URL . . .
And thanks for the visit.
Looks like I’ll be around for a little while . . .
I did get a bit of a shock when I saw the “Farewell” sign but what a wonderful change. It is important that good writing be seen in a good context. Now we can see, in advance, just what a book of your poetry may look like. [hint][hint]
(oh yes – off to change URL’s)
You done good, kind Sir.
Congrats on the new turf!
Yes, I think I might like it here. Although I’m slow with change at times (so my URL change might be delayed) but I have a memory of a kid remembering Christmas promises and so I will come by ‘directly’
Well done, Mr. Murphy, well done.
It’s gorgeous!!! And definitely worth waiting for.
Be back later…
Okay, I had to try out the “edit comment” feature.
Fancy schmancy!
You know what I first thought, when I saw the title of “Farewell?” After the thought of you quitting blogging, I thought, “Is he moving to Australia?” ; )
It is beautiful here. Congratulations! Looking forward to many more reads.
~m, you made me cry, you know that don’t you?
Know i am thrilled to the back teeth for you, and look forward to much more from your magical kingdom..i have no doubt in my mind that the best is yet to come now you have the room and options to do what you’ve always wanted to do….grow
like a baby! this has been an absolute pleasure to do, and i’m quite humbled that you allowed me to help.
you are indeed as lucky as i am, having a spouse who gives you the time and space this takes, which is not small as we all know.
i didn’t log out of the admin and into my a-mum user just to see it happen…just this once!
Cheers
Maureen
{sharp intake of breath!}
m squared, this is beautiful! absolutely wonderful; i love the background and new format. and the signature! outstanding…
it is so you, so blue,
just right, nice and tight.
i brought you a housewarming candle; where shall i place it? how about next to your favourite fountain pen?
color me envious…looks like you have a lot more control here than at w.p.
you are rocking this place, dude!
Welcome to your new home. It looks lovely. And Anonymum is wonderful isn’t she.
Hope you enjoy your new place. I’ll be back soon
Welcome to the world of domain ownership! Bitchin, ain’t it?
Love the new look; it suits you.
But where’s the blow? You promised me there’d be blow!
Iz ok acshully. I stay for teh hummingbirds.
This new look is great. Anonymum has done a miraculous job. The color scheme is brilliant. Your new home is very welcoming and I look forward to returning here.
ALL THESE WORLDS ARE YOURS EXCEPT EUROPA. ATTEMPT NO LANDINGS THERE
I am thoroughly impressed, but where’s the monolith?
Almost forgot, here’s a housewarming present:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65ruXryKPTA&feature=related
Sweet looking digs. Now get off your laurels and enter my damn contest, you freak.
On the serious side (and I am sure that most would be damned surprised that I have one), we do go a long way back on this blogging thing. And it doesn’t really matter who found who first. The important thing is that we did find one another. Your honesty, integrity, and friendship bowls me over. It has been a great ride. Keep it up buddy.
With mad respect,
Mac
Your most welcome buddy, your the best damn virtual shoulder I’ve ever cried on, vented to, leant on, etc etc etc. that I’ve ever had
Looking forward to you, and your blog growing up together
Luv, Kell
Very Nice!
CONGRAT’s!
Very nice, very nice indeed.
With plenty of room to grow too! Congrats on fulfilling your dream.
Mrs. V
I just about fell over when I saw your farewell post. Very nice layout, Michael.
Congrats on settling into your new virtual home.
It’s amazingly beautiful…like your work. What a great team you make with your friends. I’m so darn jealous and excited all at the same time for you.
What a lovely place to read, to write, to dream …
Wonderful change indeed! I wish you the best in your new writing home.
Found you through Writer Chick and just had to say what a beautiful post this is at your beautiful new spot. A very happy blogwarming to you! I also just recently got a hosted site after having a free one for almost a year.
This is awesome! Don’t be a stranger, stranger!
Ah, your own clean url. It’s an exciting thing… congrats and have a happy blogwarming!
Fantastic! You, ~m, you have style! But of course we always knew that, I just wanted to say it.
Lovin’ the new digs.
The new place looks great!!!
Congrats on the new digs!! Best of luck!
URL – changed!
Beautiful! A little late to the party, but i’ve been distracted with life and all that… link is updated and now i’ll get the feeds again!
Nice duds my friend. The look is fantastic! I am hoping somewhere, sometime down the line I will have the time and effort to do something like this.
This is something you have deserved for a long time. Kudos to you!
This was a great post! You are lucky as are we…