In Depth: Dan Nation

DanNation - the very GAY blog from San Francisco - the gayest city in the world

How old are you and what is your relationship status?

I am 41 and partnered for 1 1/2 years with Donnan - many of my readers now the ins and outs of our relationship at my blog.

What kind of work do you do?

I work at a large land and biodiversity non-profit but looking to make a change back to the start-up world.

What are your hobbies?

Biking, writing, photography and videography, and of course, blogging and podcasting

Do you have any special skills?

I make a mean lasagna and have excellent recall of television and films, especially sitcoms and '70s disaster films.

What turns you on? What is your "type"?

My "type" is varied — I adore all types of guys. As I've gotten older, I appreciate guys my age since we have much more in common. However, I have not been locked into single types or looks.

Anything interesting about you that your readers wouldn't know?

Since I put a lot of my personal life on DanNation, there isn't much readers don't know about me. If one thing comes to mind, it would be that I have always wanted to be a talk show host. I serve my dream with frequent podcasts on my blog.

Tell us about your blog:

DanNation is part personal journal and part observations of the world around me. I frequently cover my wild and crazy life recently relocated to San Francisco. I have many blogger friends and our tales show up frequently on the blog. I occasionally rant about news items, politics, and other issues that matter to me.

Tell us about it's birth?

My blog was born as "Turning Forty" in October 2005 as a forum to track my transition into my 40s. I assumed that friends and family might use it to keep up with party logistics. Since that time, it has taken on an entire audience and life of its own.

Who is it's intended audience?

In the past year, it's been gay men and close friends, although I do get my share of "wanderers" including Burners (those who attend Burning Man) — I am an avid Burner and have been just about every year since 1995.

How many daily visitors does it get?

About 500 or so per day.

If you could sum up your blog in one sentence, what would it be?

What you see is what you get!

If you had unlimited time, budget and staff, how would you change your blog?

I would blog more often but probably wouldn't change too much at all. Since my blog is my therapy and outlet, it would lose its purpose if I expanded it very much.

How much time a week do you spend on your blog?

Weeks without podcasts - about 1 hour/day. Weeks that I record "The Jimmi and Dan Variety Cast" add on about 5 additional hours.

How many blogs do you read weekly? What are your favorites?

Thanks to bloglines.com, I ready about 50 per day. My favorites remain the blogs of my closest blogging allies: Chad Fox; The Jimmi Chronicles; All Prep and No H; Nathan Exposed; The Writing is on the Wall; This Boy Elroy; and Ready, Reset, Go. However, I adore many new blogs including Angel City Devils and many others.

Tell us about your future:

Give us some coming attractions on your blog:

More videocasts including coverage of the upcoming Gay Blogger Summit II in San Francisco on June 22. > What do you see different in your life two years from now?

Who knows? Probably relishing in a great life with a great husband (yep - we'll probably be married by then). I know that I will still be blogging, too.