Happy John Day! (and what hank learned)

[Hank Green]

First, let me tell you what John told me on the phone today. I quote him directly, because I took a mental note. He said that this video was "Literally the nicest thing I think anyone has ever done for me."

Of course, what he means is that it's the nicest thing that any GROUP has ever done for him...but I think we all recognize that.

While I did have to kick my computer's (and my own) ass a little bit to get this to work (I was editing at 4:30 AM last night) I couldn't help but be inspired. In the end, I kinda have to apologize for the video. There were some people who submitted things who didn't get in. Not because their stuff wasn't good, occasionally even because it was too good, and I couldn't cut it down enough to make it fit.

But what I realized as I tried to blink away the exhaustion last night was that I was having a REALLY great time. And that wasn't just because the content of the video was hilarious or touching or adorable, it was because I was inspired. Inspired by nerdfighteria.

Honestly, that happens to me every single day, but it doesn't become really obvious until something like this (biggest, best-ever collab) comes together in a matter of days.

I honestly believe that more has never been done for anyone's birthday than we did for John's birthday. The amount of time and planning and love that went into this...it's impossible to measure. And that's just one reason why it's inspiring.

On another level, we have the ease with which it happened. Aside from the actual manual labor of gathering and importing all of the images and clips, the only other thing I did was sent out two emails.

Literally MINUTES after I sent the first email, submissions were rolling in. Not for a prize, but for fun and just to be nice to someone you like.

The fact that this community can cooperate so fully, so fast, and in such an exciting and fun way is, in the true sense of the word, unique. The way this community operates is different than any other community has operated ever, and I'm extremely proud to be a part of it. Thank you all so much for this opportunity, I hope we deserve it, and if we do, that we continue to deserve it for a long time.

- Hank

[Rachel Perry]

It is very true. I find myself amazed by Nerdfighteria and I can't even imagine what it feels like from your position.

[Xethian]

Happy Birthday John!
Best Wishes

[Annie/Face/Angel/Ghost/Duck]

Yay for all nerdfighters who helped make this video, it really hit hard what an amazing community this is. Hope your birthday was as amazing as it looked, John!! Best Wishes, and DFTBA!

[Zachary]

OOH! I FOUND IT, YouTube let me down but Google found it secretly hidden some place at the back; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySZdO3GT6M8

[Zachary]

I REALLY. REALLY, REALLY WANT THE PUT STUFF ON YOUR HEAD SONG!!! Where the hell is it... not on youtube...

[Lo]

That was such a sweet blog post. I love being part of this community, it makes me feel so good with myself and we know we can trust each other and make very good friendships, which is already my case. I've met three wonderful people BECAUSE of you and John. Thank you so, so much from the bottom of my heart, you guys made my world suck less and be more awesome.
I love you. Long live Nerdfighteria <3

[Linorien]

Hope your birthday was the best yet.
DFTBA

[Emma Chupein]

that was beutiful, hank :]
seriously, teary-eyed right now
thanks for it all Hank and John
and the video was nothing, absolutely NOTHING compared to what you have given us ^_^ least we could (help) do
Nerdfighteria, here for eachother for good and bad :]
Happy Birhday J. Scribble

[Emma Burn]

That's lovely Hank. :)
Happy birthday John! So jealous that Ze Frank was part of it! Gaaah! One day I hope he wishes me happy birthday.

[Kate]

Best birthday EVAH John :) we at Nerdfighteria Salute u... this would be a moment for the "Oh captain speech" b alas, I can never remember i