"I can't deny the fact that you like me! You like me!"

I've never been good at responding to people who compliment my work here at the site. I don't know, I just feel strange when someone I don't know say "hey, I love your stuff on that blog" or something like that.

With that being said, I really love it when fellow reporters give me props for my work because they, more than anyone else, knows how hard it is to keep a site like this going.

Recently, Danbury's AMAZING art, news and entertainment site "The Mercurial" added your truly in their 325 project, a year-long compilation of 325 "things" that are great about the Greater Danbury area.

Here's the write-up:

#28 Al Robinson

Al Robinson, a.k.a. the Hat City Blogger, has been Danbury's tireless watchdog for nearly six years. He's unafraid of making enemies, saying what he thinks or stating the facts. He rides Mayor Boughton like a seasoned cowboy and regularly reams out City Clerk Jean Natale for reported incompetence and racism. Robinson also consistently points out subpar reporting in the mainstream media and has a camera at all the right moments.

He knows how to have fun too – his harsh criticisms are often paired with hilarious quips – and his design work will make you laugh out loud. He also posted video footage of one of the recent snowstorms hour by hour, straight through the wee hours of the morning. Check out his Star Wars-themed ode to the Jets, too.

Some may call him renegade, but the Hat City Blogger is a crucial community voice. Robinson can be found at most city meetings, local events, filming an episode of locally broadcasted "Progressive Soup" or refueling at Nico's with his daughter, video camera in tow.

A REALLY big thanks goes out to The Mercurial's incredible Founder/Publisher/Editor Amanda Bloom. If you haven't already, show Amanda some love by visiting The Mercurial website OFTEN, it's truly a rare gem to have a such a great source of media in Danbury!

For a bonus, can anyone break down the degrees of separation between the now defunct Hat City Press and The Mercurial? For those in the know, the answer is a no-brainier.