If any of you are familiar with the book/movie High Fidelity, there is a little thing involving all time top 5, desert island favorites. Usually involving something like Side 1, Track 1's on albums, Monday Morning songs, etc. It's sort of a music thing, but I am sure you get the idea. Me and my buddy do that quite often, however, I wanted to post my first diary and figured it would be fitting if I did a All Time, Top 5 things I like about AN or reasons why AN is the best A's site out there. So, here goes:

#5. Pop-Culture References.
    I absolutley love how people always find applicable refrences that can be used in correlation with current A's events. I have seen everything from The Simpsons, to The Family Guy, and even The Big Lebowski a few days back. It takes some intelligence to properly pull off a good refrence and it's often quite hilarious as well.

#4. Knowledgeable Fans.
    What would a good sports site be with only opinions and speculaiton? Most of what is said around here can be backed up reasonably well, and very few people shoot off about topics when they  have no idea what they are talking about. This is certainly an undervalued commodity these day.

#3. The Ladies.
    Yep, the Ladies of AN. We are quite blessed to have Ladies here that don't just talk about how hot guys are. Sure, they do, and that's thier right. Yet, these Ladies have a love and respect for the game that can't be matched. Most chicks dig the long ball. AN Ladies dig the pitching, the defense, the front-office, and everything in between. Sure, they like a good HR too, but that's not all. These Ladies know thier baseball. I'd take them over most male fans of other teams anyday.

#2 Blez.
   Not sucking up here at all, as I am sure Blez is as infallible as the rest of us. This guy comes up with the greatest interviews. Slusser, Beane, Korach, an endless amount of players. He has enough respect within the A's organization that he can bring us that much closer to our beloved A's. Hat's off, and kudos to you Blez. Without you, there would be no AN.

#1. When You Are Here, You Are Family!
    Ok, I kinda stole that one from work, but it really fits. The thing I like most about this place is that it seems like a family more than just a community. I read here a lot (for over a year) before I started posting frequently. Mutual respect goes a long way, and you don't get that on many other boards/blogs. Unlike other A's sites (that shall remain nameless), it is rare here that people look down on one another. I post elsewhere, and as if I am surronded by politicians and media, my words get spun and twisted. It happens to a lot of people, I'm sure, making the family aspect of this site much more valuable. I can't stand attempting conversation with closed-minded people. You don't have to worry about that too much here.

Honorable Mention: "<Throws Chair>".
     Never has there been a more comical way to convey anger. Ever.

In short, thanks for bearing with me on my first diary. I hope to read anything anyone has to add to all this. If at least one person cracks a smile or gets a warm and fuzzy feeling reading this, my goal will have been accomplished. Thanks to all of you for making me feel like one of the family. You all deserve credit for making this place what it is. Go AN and go A's!

P.S. Unfortunately, my first attempt to post this was thwarted by my damn computer dis-connecting itself, and thus I lost my original posting. I hope I could convey the same ideas/feelings in this one than in my previous one. I feel my first one was better, but what can you do?