Dan in the Desert (DiTD) was originally suggested by my friend, Beau Haugh, back in San Diego. Beau thought that I should keep a journal of my experiences, along with photos and information, since nobody we knew had ever been to Iraq.

What was originally just a personal project has now become a regular stop for lots of web-goers.

I have gotten over a million visitors since the site came online, April 2004. Most of these people found my site through google.com, or other search engines. Others told their friends, who told friends, and word eventually got out about my blog. Some people found my site because they know somebody currently deployed out here, and they wanted to find out more on Iraq. They said they were glad to see something other than the terror on CNN, or the hype on Fox News.

Another reason for DiTD is it gives me something to do out here. I can now work on my amateur journalism and photography, while also learning about new web technologies (like Movable Type and XML). I sometimes feel like I am bragging too much, because I can show off all the cool things I've done, people I've met, and places I've been. But I'm excited because I've never done something like this before: a journal of my travels. I am just as fascinated by the site as some viewers are!

Dan in the Desert is an ongoing process, just like growing up. I'm not trying to sell you on it. It is whatever you want it to be: some cheesy site, or the personal account of a misguided American trying to grow up in the Middle East.

I won't always be out here.  I may find a new opportunity, in another country, and could just as easily jump into that.  Regardless of where I go, I will keep this site up, and I'll keep working on it.  So you keep checking in. Thanks for stopping by.

     Cheers,

     Dan