Wishing You a Very Happy Birthday, Darcy!
Some of you know her as EB, some of you know her as Darcy, and most of you know she’s a very special lady. She is the one who makes sure that everyone every order gets filled, and everyone with a computer problem who has a Cloudeight Direct service key gets scheduled. And she makes sure that we answer every single email we receive.
Without her, I doubt Cloudeight would be around anymore.
She’s a fighter and she really cares. She’s the one who takes the ideas I come up with and makes them work. My head’s always in the clouds — which is why we are called Cloudeight…not really. She makes this our business and our site work. And she comes up with some great ideas too – like Cloudeight Direct, just to mention one.
Her birthday is on Saturday, July 30th. What I wish most for her birthday is good health and happiness.
You don’t know this, but she used to own a bar, and that’s where I met her – in a bar. The bar was called Michigan^Tavern. Honest! I stumbled into her bar and started fighting with her right way (and that is the TRUTH!). Of all the gin joints, in all the world, I stumbled into hers.
For some reason, despite my arrogance and contentiousness, she became my friend. I was a helpless nerd who knew almost nothing about computers back then. My son was in a rock and roll band — and I made him the world’s worst website, but I was proud of it.
I showed it to Darcy. Rather than telling me that it looked like a pile of garbage she redid the entire site for me— she took the time to make the first website I ever made look great! This was back when she barely knew me and didn’t know my son at all. What she did with the junky-looking website was amazing — yet she never took any credit for re-doing it and making it look nice.
The year was 1997 and the bar Michigan^Tavern was virtual — it was a chatroom that EB and some of her friends had created. So, we met in a virtual saloon, and it was there that Cloudeight was born.
In 1998, after she took me under her wing and taught me a lot about making websites and creating graphics… we collaborated on and created the first Cloudeight site. It was called “Thundercloud and Eightball’s Christmas Graphics and you can still see it here.
Above: A screenshot of Eightball & Thundercloud’s Christmas Graphics created Autumn 1998. This was the beginning of Cloudeight
We both worked other jobs back then. Every day whoever got home first would check the visitor counter on the website to see how many people had visited that day. I can remember the day we got fifty visits and we were sure we were on our way to Web stardom — ha! But there’s something beautiful about naivete. The excitement of having fifty visitors encouraged us, kept us going, and we kept us working together.
Then one fateful day, Darcy sent me an email with a scrolling background — and it had music playing. I thought she was magic! “How did you do that?”, I asked.
It did not take long, and we figured it out and we started designing and making stationery. It was then we created Cloudeight Stationery and it became wildly popular — at our peak, we were getting three million visitors a year and our stationery became the most famous stationery on the Web.
Above… a screenshot of Cloudeight Stationery, May 8, 1999.
Above: The Cloudeight Stationery “Visions” Stationery Collection for Outlook Express – October 18, 1999.
We loved our new business, and we were so excited when we were working together on a new stationery collection. We’d show each other what we had designed and couldn’t wait to release it to our subscribers and website visitors. Cloudeight Stationery grew and grew – and Cloudeight became a business and our life’s work too.
In 2002 we started Information Avenue and later InfoAve Premium to pass along some of the computer tricks and tips we learned over the years. It’s a good thing we did because when Microsoft introduced Windows 7, it had no email program and therefore Windows 7 users couldn’t use our scrolling-musical stationery. We could see the future and it didn’t look bright. Scrolling, musical stationery was our bread and butter. We had to completely reinvent Cloudeight and trying to keep our small business afloat became (and still is) a continuous struggle.
I do not doubt that if it weren’t for Darcy’s kindness and caring, we’d have gone belly-up many years ago. But she never gave up and we came up with some other ideas and. as you can see, we’re still around.
Cloudeight Direct Computer Care was her idea, not mine, and it really has helped us keep our small business going. And just as importantly it has helped us get to know many of the folks who helped us through some very dark days.
Whether you know her as Darcy or EB, she’s quite a lady and I’ve always felt lucky that, despite my cantankerous, contentious, and sometimes belligerent nature, she has always been able to see beyond all of that and saw a different part of me — the part I never show the world — the compassionate, generous, gentle part.
We’ve been friends since I walked into her virtual saloon twenty-four years ago, and I’m a better person for it. And any of you who have had the chance to know her are blessed too. She’s one in a billion.
Darcy and I have had our difficulties and disagreements like everyone else. But we’ve been partners now for over two decades. She’s always been the one I’ve counted on when things weren’t going so well.
She is my partner, she is my friend – and if you’ve ever had any dealings with Darcy, then, no doubt, she’s your friend too.
She’s the best partner and friend anyone could have. I poke fun at her in many of our newsletters, and she laughs along with everyone else. I am incredibly lucky to have her as my partner, but I’m even luckier to have her as my friend. And I hope you feel lucky that you know her too!
Help me wish Darcy a very Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Darcy! May you have many, many more!
Happy Birthday Darcy. Have a beautiful day that day and always.
Happy birthday Darcy.
Have a great birthday and a wonderful year, Darcy. You have been my saviour many a time.
OMG! Time flies faster with every year that passes. Seems like only yesterday that TC was singing your praises on last year’s birthday. What a memory he has even though he’s much older than you. Right? The very best of Birthdays, Darcy.
Happy Birthday Darcy and may you have many more.
May you have a birthday (and every other day) surrounded by well wishers, love and health! Thanks for keeping that cantankerous old guy in line and Thundercloud on line. I’d be lost without you.
Happy Birthday to Wonderful Darcy!
Can still remember in the year 2000 when discovered you and TC and your terrific website, with all its wonders.
Have sung your praises as far and wide as can beee!!
You are so loved and appreciated all over this country and beyond!
Have a beautiful, joyful birthday, Darcy!
With much love and appreciation always,
Johanna in Galesburg IL
Dear Darcy.
Wishing you a very happy birthday and thanks for the number of times you have helped me in the past.
I don’t know what I would do without the knowledge of the help I would receive from you and TC.
Regards
Margaret
Have a great birthday, Darcy! I hope your entire day will be special.
I’ve learned a great deal about computing from you and TC and very much appreciate that.
I am sending a contribution to thank you both and to honor your birthday.
All the best,
Brenda
Happy Birthday Darcey! Thank you for all your help over the years.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear Friend!!!🎂
Enjoy your Birthday Darcy. Many thanks for your friendship and service over the many years we have been communicating with each other.
Trust that you will continue to provide such great knowledge to us in the future.
Have a great day.
A very Happy Birthday Wish to you Darcy, we are all blessed to have you in our life. I so remember all the stationery and the little smiley graphics and how I waited anxiously for the next creation to arrive. I had saved every single one of them on my computer and backed up on an external hard drive along with all my family photos. And one morning I turned my computer on and I had been hit with what they told me was called ‘encryptowall’ wanting a ransom to get them back. There would have been no problem except when I shut down the night before I accidentally left the external plugged in and it was hit as well. I was so disappointed because I loved using the stationery and graphics. Besides all the help you have given us over the years, you are both so creative with all you do. Have a wonderful birthday.
Wishing you all the joy that your birthday brings, every day of the year.
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DARCY!
Luv and best wishes forever from me, PamelaD.,
Dear Darcy,
Thank you so much for all the excelleent you have given us all over the years.
I hope you have a wonderful birthday with your family and friends.
Love and hugs,
Glenys. (Geejay)
Happy Birthday Darcy, may you be blessed with all the love and joy you can possibly have! Thank you so much for all the hard work you put in to make Cloudeight the best it can be and keeping TC on his toes! 😃 Hugs and love, Vicki
Happy Birthday Darcy ,
Many thanks for all of the years i have been following Cloudeight !
way back since i found it on OVER THE HILL in 99 i think ?
best wish’s for a wonderful Birthday and all the days to come !
Debbie Radice
Happy Birthday Darcy, wish I could think of something different to say than all these other nice people have. But I’m not the writer TC is. Never the less, though we have never met, you definitely have been a friend. I would have given up way long ago on computers if not for both of you. Living on a limited income, you can’t afford to take a computer in for repairs too often without it costing lots of money. So I will always be in your debt for always coming through to fix me up and keep me going on this crazy world of internet. So today I am wishing you the Happiest Birthday from the heart, that it be filled with love and laughter, health and Blessings! Thank you will NEVER convey it enough!
Good point Judy. Your comment about never having met Darcy, reminded me of a chat room from year’s ago when things on line were safer and kinder. A small group from many different places, sometimes helping someone facing hard times or a problem. We called ourselves “Friends without faces”. I think we could include Darcy in that category, don’t you? Of course TC, too.
Happy Birthday, Darcy!!!!
And many more, too.
I pray that you have a very Happy Birthday, Darcy. Your loving kindness deserves lots of love and kindness in return. Happy Birthday with my love and appreciation,
(Chase)
Happy Birthday, Darcy, and thank you for sharing all of your knowledge over the years. Although not as tech knowledgeable as you, I have been a loyal follower since your beginning and you are responsible for the many new wrinkles in my brain. Hope your day is a very special one.
Happy Birthday Darcy.
I have been with you and TC since you began with the stationery back in the 90’s. You both have helped me many times with problems, and I really appreciate all your efforts. I miss the scrolling and musical stationeries but since I’m not sending many emails anymore, I’ve been content without them. I look forward to the emails from Cloudeight and continue to learn more all the time from them. Wishing you many more Happier and Healthy Birthdays.
Blessings, Luana
Happy birthday Darcy and THANKS for your guidance over the years.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Darcy! and many more. You have helped me many times . I have learned a lot from you and appreciate all you do for us computer nerds! Have a great day!
Dear Sweet Darcy, may I wish you nothing but all good things on your birthday. You have taken a very special gift given to you and have shared it with countless others who undoubtedly benefited by it. You and TC can comfortably lay your head down on your pillow each night & be assured that you have indeed helped so many of us less computer-knowledgeable people resolve a problem. So I suggest you take the day off on your birthday and whoop it up! Birthday hugs to you! 🎁
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday. May you have a great day. Thanks for all you do.
Hope your birthday is a special one.
Happy Birthday Darcy! TY for everything you do & may your year be the best one yet!
Happy Birthday Darcy! There aren’t enough words and compliments to bestow upon you in the whole world. Wishing you another super year of health, happiness, peace and love. Thanks for all you do for us!!
I used to drool over the stationery!
Happy Birthday Darcy
Happy birthday, Darcy! I hope you have the most amazing day, and year ahead!!
Thank you for your dedication to Cloudeight and your multitude of friends and fans in our virtual world. Please don’t ever stop loving what you do for all of us who count on you daily!
Happy birthday, Darcy! You deserve the best. I love that you and TC are here for all of us when we need you. I became acquainted through your stationery which I still love. Then I started getting your newsletters and I have used your Cloudeight Direct Computer Care several times and have never been disappointed by either one of you. I pray that you will be around to help us all for a very long time to come. I just read a happy birthday note to you from my great-niece which thrills me to know that the younger generation is also taking advantage of your knowledge.
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Darcy and many more.
P. S. I love having access to symbols and such again. I used to have a list of how to make some of them with the numerical keys but lost it. Now I have it again! ❤
From the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand it is with heartfelt thankfulness that I wish you a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DARCY. You and TC have been my lifeline so many times over a good many years now and, along with all your readers, just want you to know how much you are appreciated. In this ever changing world, it is good to know there are still some caring and sharing people out there and you are one of the best!!! Thank you and God Bless You on this special day.
Happy Birthday, Darcy! May you have many, many more!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARCY 🤠🤠🎂🎂
Wishing you a wonderful day.
You and TC have been a great support to all of us ‘novices’ in the on-line would.
All the best from “Down Under”.
Happy Birthday Darcy! 🎂 sorry if it is a day late! Thanks for everything that you do to keep us safe !
Happy Birthday, Darcy!! And thank you for making it possible for this old lady to enjoy her computer. You have always gotten me back on track when I did something really stupid and I am soooo grateful.
Happy Birthday, Darcy! You are the best (ummm, along with TC, shhhhhh, it is’t his birthday) You have helped me in so many ways. You are wonderful. I count on you (shhh, both) to keep me sane and running smoothly!
Many blessings, good health, and much joy are wished for you today and the whole year through!!
Happy Birthday Darcy with many more yet to come! Hope you are having an enjoyable day and I also thank you for all the great things you do for all of us too.
July 30, 2022 Happy, happy Birthday Ms. Darcy. I hope all your wishes come true and you have the most fantabulous (yes, I made that word up) birthday ever!! Many, many happy years to come.
Happy Birthday Darcy,
Wishing you health and happiness.
Sorry this birthday wish is late. Happy birthday Darcy! May you have many more!
Belated Happy Birthday, Darcy ! I hope you have many, many more and all Happy ones, too. Thank you TC for that wonderful biography about the beginnings of Cloudeight. Wonderful reading that makes me even prouder to be a Cloudeight follower. I can’t remember just how (or when) I found you two and your stationary, I used it for several years – before all my email buddies died off! Still have a bunch of it on my External Hard Drive. Can’t bear to part with it. I appreciate both of you and the help you provide along with your daily emails. SO thankful I found you years ago. Keep up the good work, you are both sorely needed in this messed-up world.
Happy Birthday, Darcy! Thank you for all the time, patience and caring you’ve invested in us and here’s to many more years of life, wisdom and laughter.