Meeting the Neighbors: Christopher Robin

Adam Powell, a.k.a. Christopher Robin, has been blogging since long before there was even a word for the activity. I was shocked to learn that he even predates my long defunct Geocities webdiary from 1997 that existed primarily to obsess over the Pixies - "Gouging Away." This year Powell clocks 12 years as a blogger and is currently running at least two, Fresh Foods and his Vox blog simply called "Adam Powell's blog." Dane101 caught up with this elderstatesman of blogging for our weekly episode of "Meeting the Neighbors." Random pointless fact, he shares his name with the founder of cult internet sensation, NeoPets.

1. Where did the name of your blog originate from, and when did the blog start?

I picked a silly handle, christopher_robin, that evokes the wonder of childhood to reflect my exuberance at DJ’ing—wait, I just made that up. Actually, I was using a lot of Disney records in mixes. I found these great samples like “have you ever noticed that grown up people always ask questions like ‘how are you today?’ or, ‘how did you like the candy?’ but mostly, ‘how are you today?” Anyway, it’s a pretty good nom de guerre, so I used it for the Fresh Foods site, which I’ve been writing since October 2004.

2. What inspired you to start your blog?

There have been many, and I think there are 3 now. I’ve been “blogging” since 1995 and learned the art (well, that art form is dead now, it’s just posting your writing online these days) from working with Carl Steadman and Justin Hall at HotWired. The Fresh Foods thing is really an extension of something called Fillet I was messing around with on HotWired in 1996.

3. What is the most rewarding facet of writing on the internet?

The interactivity. In the past, writers couldn’t get direct, inline, public feedback on their work. That makes you tougher. These guys that won’t accept comments are missing the point. Write a book.

4. Describe the space you do your writing in.

It’s a tiny, cramped corner of a room painted electric blue. You can disappear there. Focus.

5. What do you do for kicks when you're not posting?

I do a fair amount of music—I play bass, guitar, drums, keyboards, lots of drum programming and loop manipulation, and I’m working on my trumpet technique. Lots of acoustic guitar these days. Then there’s the DJ gig, which is pretty regular and requires tons of skill. After many years, I still consider myself a neophyte even though I have a natural knack for mixing and scratching. I’m serious about writing music and words, the art of the studio, and vocal chops.

6. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Madison?

I think of looking West toward Picnic Point from the pier off Tenney Park.

7. Is there one thing about the city you wish was different or something the city is missing you wish it had?

The technology sector here is pretty limited in scope. I wish there were more start-ups outside the biotech industry — more media and pure play Internet entities.

8. Where do you enjoy eating the most in Madison (or Dane County)?

Lulu’s. I can’t wait for my next Laban there.

9. If you could replace the word "blogs" in the cultural lexicon, what would you replace it with?

“Flogs”

10. Finally, name one person you wish kept a blog and what you think they would title it (can be living or dead).

That’s easy. One of my favorite writers is Fyodor Dostoevsky, and he would likely be writing “Notes From The Underground.”