10:34am CST
This is the first time I have told thousands (potentially millions) of people that it’s my birthday.  Having a winter birthday in a cold climate normally sucks but since I found out about Twitter, today is gonna be different!

Today is also the birthday of the following software apps:
37Signals’ Basecamp turns 5
Facebook turns 5

Update 5:14pm CST

Wow!  I came back from my meeting today and found a TON of well wishings on my Twitter and Facebook account!  Taking a deep breath, I’m going to try something different today…

Photo Credit: nutmeg

My Social Networking “Thank You” Process for Birthday Congratulations

I went through and personally thanked each person on Facebook.  On Twitter, I did a mass “Thank You” for open congratulations and sent specific thanks for Twitter direct messages.

“Getting Real” on the Internet

Yesterday, I did something out of the ordinary.  I filled out a “25 Things About Me” form that had become viral and was making the rounds on Facebook.  3 people I knew had “tagged” me in Facebook since this email requires you to, “25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you”.  I realized this was a perfect opportunity to reach out to people and allow for more transparency between my real and “internet” life.  The three people who tagged me knew me in real life so all the better to share!

One person has already tagged me back and I was blown away by the depth and scope of his list.  It was inspiring, reflective, funny and helped me to better understand him as a person.

I finally get social networking.