craigdailypress.com

Warm hello to whoever may be reading. I'm Bryan McAnally, a Moffat County Native who has been transplanted to Dallas/Fort Worth.

I've been amazed to see the number of Bulldogs who are "out in the world." Social networks like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Plaxo (even MySpace, to a lesser degree if you're don't mind all the sparkles and the spam) are remarkable for their ability to get us all connected (and if you do a search for me on any of those, you'll find me. Add me to your friend list...I'm always interested in linking to other NW Colorado folks, even if that's all we have in common).

Technology is also what allows me to check in here at the Daily Press. I never know if I'm going to read about a family member, or an old classmate, or someone I just knew from the community. Sometimes the news is good...sometimes not so much. But it is nice to be able to be a few clicks away from a hometown connection, even though I'm separated by a thousand miles.

I'm excited to see about the future of Craig and Moffat County...the hospital, the college, the middle school additions. I also have the long-distance concern over city planning and community development...about whether our infrastructure is being cultivated in a way that prepares the community ahead of the time with ample primary education facilities with additional elementary schools as well as a plan to update/upgrade the high school eventually.

I know...I'm just being nosey, and there's almost certainly a lot going on that I'm not aware of.

The last time I was in Craig was two years ago, when my mom died unexpectedly (and thank you to all of you kind friends who continue to check in on us and encourage our healing hearts). Back then, the Wal-Mart was just the buzz of the community because of all the unknown potential that it brought along with its construction. Now it's been up for a while, and I hear nothing of it actually destroying everything we held dear. Maybe I'm not talking to the right people.

Well...I'll continue to check in from time to time...you're certainly invited to visit me over at my digs (bryanmcanally.com). I've been working intermittently on a project where I write 40 words on a person from my past each day for a year. (I've cheated a bit and I'm behind right now...other writing projects and the daily demands of work and family have trumped hobby projects). Craig friends often show up as I reminisce.

As I sign off, I'm heading back to the 812th consecutive day of 100+ degree heat here in Dallas/Fort Worth (I'm not sure if that's exactly right, but it feels that way). My electric bill will almost certainly trip four figures (I'll report later whether or not that's an exaggeration). Stay cool.