A year ago today I bought my original Sidekick after avidly reading a beta blog by some guy named MikePop at a domain named BEDOPE. I was first in line at the Towson, MD store and by 10:45, I was out the door to start my mobile lifestyle. I went directly to Penn Station and hopped on an Amtrak train to NYC. I charged the Sidekick in the cafe car while playing with the features. After a very positive job interview, which led to working and living in NYC for seven months, I walked out to South Street Seaport by the Brooklyn Bridge and excitedly sent IM messages and photos to my wife in Washington, D.C. About the interview and the Sidekick.

If you had asked me then, I would have guessed that I would have become bored with the device in a few weeks to crave the next gadget. A year later, despite many flaws in the B&W and color models I've owned, I am moblogging and communicating with the Sidekick as much as ever.

The key catalyst for my sustained enthusiasm was this hiptop Nation community and it's unique communal structure. I care more about the interaction opportunities afforded by the Sidekick as is than the details of the hardware and software improvements to come. Thanks to MikePop and everyone here for sharing.

- mike lee - baltimore