Post Number Three Thousand!

Yes, Dear Readers, today marks my three thousandth post, so I hope you'll pardon me if I engage in a bit of self-congratulatory boasting.

I thought I'd celebrate this milestone by talking a little bit about the history of my blog, and putting up links to what I think are some of my better posts ... some of which are a bit older and you may not have seen if you're relatively new to my little corner of the blogosphere.

It all began on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 with my first post. It wasn't much, but it was my first attempt, and things sort of grew from there. I actually started the blog because I'd gotten into an online discussion group with my friend Jake and his friends ... but it soon became obvious that I was not nearly conservative enough for them, and it was gently suggested* that I might be happier going off on my own. And so I did.

As you know, I'm interested in lots of different things, so I've never found myself in danger of not having something to write about. I knew from the start that I'd probably piss off everybody at one time or another, but I also knew that this was my chance to say what I think ... and there are about feensky-zillion other blogs out there for those who decide I'm not their cup of tea. I've bounced from politics to photography to language to satire to books and music to ... well ... whatever. And I'm glad you've decided to come along for the ride.

I don't remember when the first official Cartoon Saturday appeared, but it quickly became one of my most popular recurring topics. I have a collection of cartoons numbering in the thousands, so I figured I might as well put them to use. And thanks to all of you who have e-mailed me great cartoons you've found.

The Poetry Sunday theme is a fairly recent addition ... I enjoy poetry, and this gave me an opportunity to seek out new poems, remember old ones, and share them with you.

I love reading and writing, words and language, and so my biweekly theme of Great Moments in Editing was a natural addition. I've collected many hundreds of them on my own, and many of you have also sent me some ones that you've seen ... additions to the collection are always welcome.

Probably my most popular feature after Cartoon Saturday has been my Ass Clown award series. It started out as an occasional award back in 2011 at the suggestion of Faithful Reader Chrissy (whose own blog has since gone dark, sadly), then went to monthly, and has now settled on a biweekly schedule, alternating on Fridays with Great Moments in Editing. It was my friend and fellow blogger John who suggested the name that now graces the awards: "Left Cheek" and "Right Cheek." In the event of a month with enough Fridays for a third award, we'll punt. You can read my first Ass Clown Award, presented to Donald Trump, here (scroll to the end of the post to find it).

I also (pats self on back) developed my proposal for the five-level National Stupidity Condition, or DUMBCON, modeled on the military's system of "defense conditions." I first published it in 2009 and have since revised it twice, adding a sixth and a seventh level to accommodate the ever-rising level of national stupidity. We are now at DUMBCON Minus One ("Forget It ... Just Hide Under Your Bed"), and have been there since October 15th, 2013.

Here are a few more of my personal favorite posts ...

Don't Dig Here! (September 1, 2007)

The Ways We'll Be Remembered (November 15, 2009)

The Things We Leave Behind (August 2, 2012)

What If Nobody Ever Forgets? (December 17, 2006)

My Title's Better Than Your Title (March 15, 2008)

Coats of Arms (March 23, 2009).

A Parable About a Parking Space (September 28, 2007)

I'm glad that you've decided to visit me, and that so many of you have stuck with reading my random thoughts for so long. There are, after all, millions of other blogs out there you can choose to read (some of my favorites are linked over on the right of this page), and I'm grateful you've chosen to come here. I'm pleased to have actually met some of you - such as Mike, Peggy, and Buggie, and have exchanged letters (real, actual, ink-on paper letters!) with Amanda, alanwoodhaven, Andrea, Fiona, and Linda Kay, among many others**. One of these days, Andrea and I will meet for coffee on one of our trips up to Pittsburgh ... the previous attempt fell through, but we'll make it happen before long!

And so, Dear Readers, thanks again for helping me make it to post number 3,000. I hope I can keep it interesting enough that you'll still be with me when we hit 4,000 and beyond!

Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.

Bilbo

* I seem to remember that the words "Get lost!!" were involved.

** Not including Mike, who has made it a point of honor to not write back.