When I was in California in the Fall of 2006, each morning I would get up, quietly leave Bruno Serato's home with its magnificent ocean view, grab a coffee at a nearby service station and walk along the edge of the beach singing!

Now, even my faithful cat Buckwheat is prone to attack me when I sing aloud, so neither Bruno, nor Leighton Stultz nor Danie Yssel accompanied me on my morning sojourns, contenting themselves with nods of agreement that I must be  enjoying myself.

But you ask, what does singing on the beach have to do with the celebration of the seventh anniversary of Connex247,  launched on July 16, 2000, less than a  month after I retired from 40 years of doing and teaching journalism, communications and latterly new media communications.

It has everything to do with it really, beause I believe there must be music in you, or the dance will never begin, and my friends, that's all there is -- dancing to the music!

As I reflect on the past seven years, on a daily basis I have danced to the music created by Connex247 as it provided a rather eclectic mix of content until a year ago when we decided to primarily profile male models in First Person photo features.

In the past year, a quick look at the stats shows that we have run almost 200 different features on the new version of the site. We have added features on photographers and they have become very popular too.

Founding Connex247 has given me the opportunity to stay connected to the world that has been part of my life since at least Grade Four when I wrote, directed and acted in my first play. And in 1994 I was privileged to help launch a graduate program in new media communications -- one of the first internet based college programs in Canada.

And to see the site grow in popularity over the past year or so, has been so rewarding to me. Let me begin the rest of my story by saying thank you to all of you who have visited Connex247. So very much appreciated.

About a year and a half ago, I told our Edward Carl that the site needed a spokseperson, and he suggested a young model based in Savannah, Georgia. I took a look at his Myspace, and knew I need to look no more -- Leighton Stultz was the one we needed to help us get to the next level, and of course the rest is history.

Leighton agreed to join us, and not only did he start bringing an increase in traffic to the site, he became one of my best friends, and although he can be so exasperating when I want to reach him, and he doesn't pick up his phone, (he treats everyone the same though), he sure helps keep the music playing in my life, and is immensely popular on Connex247 day in and day out.

One of the most delightful things about having Leighton around is that you can expect the unexpected. Leighton asked me if we could run a story to see if anyone would like to buy his motorcycle. Nobody offered to buy it and our mail ran to the effect, "Leighton you look so hot on the bike. Don't sell it."  So we ran a second story about Leighton's hotness and the bike.

One of Leighton's most popular features was the one where he admitted that he was kind of a "dork" in high school -- (his words), and his admission that he likes "junk food" has attracted loads of comments.

When we were in California for the shoot for Bruno Serato's cookbook 'Temptation at the White House', the make up person, a very beautiful young lady, came over to speak to me as Leighton went off to the shoot. She told me that she had worked with many models, and Leighton was simply the best. "No attitude at all," she said, adding that the only way she would know he was a model is "he's so gorgeous."  On all counts,  Leighton, please don't change a thing.

Over the next couple of weeks we hope to make several major announcements about Leighton's career as model, actor and celebrity host so stay with us. These are exciting times for him, and for Connex247 as it moves forward bringing you the best of the very best.

Let me thank the incredible people we have featured on Connex247 for taking the time to share their lives with us.  You have answered the questions and placed your trust in us that we will let you be heard with a minmum of change to the voice you have chosen to use. I believe that differentiates Connex247 from most other publications.

I would be remiss on the occasion of the seventh anniversary if I did not thank Shawn Pritchard our technical director who has been with me since day one, and Edward Carl who brings you so many great features and invites all to become part of the Connex247 family.

And I must mention Buckwheat, my cat, who has been with me all these many  years, more than anyone else, living the Connex247 story and all the other parts of my life with me too.  My firends know my deep affection for Buckwheat with Shawn asking after him regularly and just tonight, while taking a break from writing, I spoke with Leighton on the phone, and he asked, "How is Buckwheat tonight?'  Thanks guys... and yes, Leighton picked up phone on second ring. Wow!

You might be interested to know the question I am most asked: "You are so lucky. You get to hang out with the hottest guys on earth. How do you like it?"

Simple. The music plays and the dance continues! 

And finally on a very personal note, I made the decision to launch Connex247 on July 16 to mark a very important date in my own story.  My father, a bomber pilot, in the Royal Canadian Air Force was killed on this date in 1943 while on active service during World War II. To all those who serve and their families and friends, God bless you.

The photos of Leighton Stultz are by Warren Shepell taken after Leighton won The Hottest Male Model Contest. Copyright 2007

PART TWO: A very special feature on my very good friend MIKEP who helps so much!!!