First Gather cash out ever!

It's like that Pointer Sisters song says, "I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it." You see, I joined Gather back on Feb. 18, 2007 with the intent of regularly blogging on a number of subjects dear to me. Note the word intent. Oh, and regularly turned out to be once a month, if I was lucky to find time for that. But today, after nearly a year and a half of membership, I logged in to see that I'd surpassed the 625 points mark, thereby earning the opportunity of my first cash out.

As I've always said they would, my points went to a bookstore card (Borders). I've also always said the proceeds of my Gather earnings would go to more books on natural hazards (my research area IRL). I'm making an exception with this first one, though. I've decided to spend it on one of my Gather friends instead.

You see, I've met some cool people here on Gather, and one of them, DeLaune Michel has just had a new book come out. In fact, she just embarked on a book tour in support of "The Safety of Secrets," so the timing of the impending gift card could not be more perfect. And what a lovely Memorial Day surprise for me, right up there with actually being able to take today off.

 Now, if things go according to plan, I should get time to read my new book on my next day off... Labor Day.