Happy twitter-verdant (that was supposed to be -versary but I like it) to me. I joined & left Twitter a little earlier but rejoined with this account in 2009. Recently, someone asked if anyone had ever met anyone IRL that they’d met on twitter first & I scoffed. Here’s why:

First, my profound objection to the separation of ‘real life’ from digital spaces. This really gets up my nose but it’s a Saturday morning & I can’t be bothered to philosophise about it when I’m not paid to.

But mostly because I have met people from all over the world, been schooled on all sorts of important issues by people who’ve pointed out my privileges, been able to amplify voices not like mine, and generally had my understanding of the world disrupted. This is a gift.

I’ve made lots of friends, acquaintances, and developed some enormous long-term (and fleeting) crushes (though my No 1 crush remains my beloved Doc who is not internet-compliant). I’ve made professional connections across fields. Once I even got a job through someone I met here.

I’ve gone to parties, and drinks, and coffees, and dinners and all sorts of events. Some of you have been cheerleaders in my pocket since the darkest days of my PhD, through the postdoctoral hunger games, cancelled contracts & projects. You’ve been there during my insomnia

You’ve sent kind words & thoughts & presents when I’ve been properly ill, and when Blossom was ill. I’ve had letters and surprises and books and Christmas exchanges. There’s been a lot of academic solidarity too. You’ve given me a place to whine incessantly, and think

About language, which might be my favourite material, and to play. I’ve not had a lot of quarrels, sometimes I’ve spoken hastily & been called out, and I hope behaved properly. I’m not here to quarrel (and women in the internet etc)- I’m much more argumentative in person .

Though I do like to tease/troll the art historians quite hard. (*misery at the Courtauld face*)

I’m not here to build a brand, or a career (dying of laughter now) but I’ve enjoyed the opportunities that have come my way bc of twitter (like GardenLust) and the tempting-but-undeveloped things (the wonderful but short lived porky pies account for example).

I’ve loved so many things that you’ve shared: your work, your view, your photos of kids/pets/gardens/dresses/kitchens/weird veg/glorious errors. I’ve fallen down too many twitter rabbit holes to count, and that is also a gift.

Anyway, I regret nothing, you’ve been a better water-cooler than any other I have encountered. (And yes, I know all about Evil Twitter, I spend many a happy hour reporting).

One last thing: thanks for all the GIFs. I can never get enough of them. Here’s my favourite. One day, this will be me leaving academia.