A bit over 2 years ago, I wrote up a couple of thoughts I had been kicking around for a while and submitted them to this web site where I had been regularly entering (and often winning) caption contests. I was curious to see if anything I had to say would be better received than my steady stream of fart jokes.
I was flabbergasted when the guy who ran the blog offered me a temporary gig as a "guest-poster" while he took some personal time off. I hesitated about accepting it, procrastinating until the opportunity nearly passed, but finally sent in my acceptance. At the time, I was unsure I could come up with more than one or two pieces a week, and didn't want to commit myself to something I was halfway certain to fail at.
Well, that "guest poster" title eventually morphed into "contributing editor," and then one day became "section editor." That little blog where I polished my fart jokes has evolved into a top-ten blog(according to TTLB's Ecosystem). I've found myself quoted by the BBC, CNN, Gary Trudeau of Doonesbury, and interviewed by a real-live columnist for a real-live newspaper.
All this for a self-described "nobody from nowhere with a nothing job and no life." If I submitted my resume' to those places, they wouldn't hire me as a janitor.
Well, some time in the last week or two, I wrote my 2,000th piece for Wizbang. (There have been a few pieces I've been reluctant to count, and a couple lost to the aether.) I've made some good friends, a few enemies (worthy and un-), and in general had one hell of a time.
It's been one amazing ride, and largely because of you readers. You're a huge part of why I keep plugging away here, and intend to keep on at it for the foreseeable future.
My sincerest thanks to all of you.
(Even you, mantis.)
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Comments (31)
Keep up the great work Jay ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by EdMcGon | July 21, 2006 11:03 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Keep up the great work Jay Tea!
I may not always comment on your work, but I do always read it and enjoy it.
1. Posted by EdMcGon | July 21, 2006 11:03 AM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 11:03
2. Posted by Heralder | July 21, 2006 11:09 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Happy 2000th Jay!
2. Posted by Heralder | July 21, 2006 11:09 AM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 11:09
3. Posted by ed | July 21, 2006 11:14 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hmmm.
Congrats!
I haven't agreed with you on every subject, but I can't say you haven't put forth a good argument each time.
3. Posted by ed | July 21, 2006 11:14 AM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 11:14
4. Posted by Starboard Attitude | July 21, 2006 11:22 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I can't be caught congratulating you in public, so I'll have to think up something insulting instead. But, first, the coffee needs to kick in.
4. Posted by Starboard Attitude | July 21, 2006 11:22 AM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 11:22
5. Posted by Robert | July 21, 2006 11:23 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Jay it has been a pleasure to read your work. :) Thanks for the hours of entertainment and thought.
5. Posted by Robert | July 21, 2006 11:23 AM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 11:23
6. Posted by Jay | July 21, 2006 11:23 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Much as I like Kevin, and as far as we go back in blogging history, I would probably not read Wizbang as avidly if you weren't here. Great job!
6. Posted by Jay | July 21, 2006 11:23 AM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 11:23
7. Posted by Zelsdorf Ragshaft III | July 21, 2006 11:32 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Since I discovered your blog after reading about you on Powerline, you have become the place I go first and last. This place seems to have the fewest moonbats (sorry Wee, jp2, Mantis et al) and very good responses to them. Even shutting them down from time to time. Please keep up the good work. I, for one, would miss you if you left.
7. Posted by Zelsdorf Ragshaft III | July 21, 2006 11:32 AM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 11:32
8. Posted by Phil | July 21, 2006 11:57 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Ditto that, great read, always fresh, and a fellow NH native to boot!!!
8. Posted by Phil | July 21, 2006 11:57 AM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 11:57
9. Posted by cmd | July 21, 2006 12:11 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Many congrats, Jay. That's a great milestone, and believe me, we're appreciative of you too.
If you indulge, have a nice, strong adult beverage and toast yourself. You deserve it.
9. Posted by cmd | July 21, 2006 12:11 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 12:11
10. Posted by Peter F. | July 21, 2006 12:20 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Congrats, Jay Tea! The pleasure is all ours, for sure.
P.S. You forgot to thank Lee. ;-)
10. Posted by Peter F. | July 21, 2006 12:20 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 12:20
11. Posted by lakestate | July 21, 2006 12:28 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Jay - After discovering Wizbang at work, I read it on a daily basis... even though I don't comment very often. You're one of my top three favorite bloggers. Keep up the great work.
11. Posted by lakestate | July 21, 2006 12:28 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 12:28
12. Posted by Rodney Dill | July 21, 2006 12:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Pull my finger
12. Posted by Rodney Dill | July 21, 2006 12:35 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 12:35
13. Posted by outpostking | July 21, 2006 12:43 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
From here in NW Ontario, Canada (eh) you are ALWAYS a great read. Congratulations on the 2000th posting. Here is hoping for 2000 more.
13. Posted by outpostking | July 21, 2006 12:43 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 12:43
14. Posted by mantis | July 21, 2006 12:50 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Congratulations Jay. Not bad for an anonymous commenter. Hmmmm....
14. Posted by mantis | July 21, 2006 12:50 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 12:50
15. Posted by bobdog | July 21, 2006 12:54 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Well, now you can honestly say that you've written a ton of articles.
Now get started on the next ton, will you? I haven't got all day, you know...
15. Posted by bobdog | July 21, 2006 12:54 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 12:54
16. Posted by Old Coot | July 21, 2006 1:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
You have a rare talent. Looking forward to the next 2000 interesting posts.
16. Posted by Old Coot | July 21, 2006 1:35 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 13:35
17. Posted by kevino | July 21, 2006 1:40 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Congratulations, Jay. We don't always agree, but I have really enjoyed reading your views. I hope that we'll meet some day. I owe you a beer.
17. Posted by kevino | July 21, 2006 1:40 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 13:40
18. Posted by Gmac | July 21, 2006 1:41 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Congratulations
18. Posted by Gmac | July 21, 2006 1:41 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 13:41
19. Posted by Regret | July 21, 2006 2:11 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I'm reading your post and thinking... he's quitting. Thanks for the pleasant surprise ending. Keep up the good work.
19. Posted by Regret | July 21, 2006 2:11 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 14:11
20. Posted by Mac Lorry | July 21, 2006 2:39 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Jay -- Fox news claims their success has a lot to do with entertainment value. Likely Wizbang has been successful for the same reason, so keep up the good work and don't be shy about cutting loose with more fart jokes.
20. Posted by Mac Lorry | July 21, 2006 2:39 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 14:39
21. Posted by Brent | July 21, 2006 2:44 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Keep up the great work, Jay.
21. Posted by Brent | July 21, 2006 2:44 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 14:44
22. Posted by Lee | July 21, 2006 2:48 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Congratulations on reaching this impressive milestone, Jay.
22. Posted by Lee | July 21, 2006 2:48 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 14:48
23. Posted by Steve Crickmore | July 21, 2006 4:02 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
You are a good man to disagree with.
23. Posted by Steve Crickmore | July 21, 2006 4:02 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 16:02
24. Posted by mesablue | July 21, 2006 4:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Bravo Zulu, Jay Tea.
24. Posted by mesablue | July 21, 2006 4:53 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 16:53
25. Posted by Henry | July 21, 2006 4:55 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
While this is a tooting your own horn piece, I'd have to allow you that. I tend to be of your mind (tho i've disagreed with you here and there), you've definitely written some of the most thought-provoking pieces here. And despite such extravaganzas, you still write the weird little small-town "cow hampshire" stories here and there, definitely enjoyable!
25. Posted by Henry | July 21, 2006 4:55 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 16:55
26. Posted by Henry | July 21, 2006 4:59 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
argh mesablue, please don't bravo zulu...when we (the MSC ships) come back from deployment, we get the "bravo zulu" messages from the navy commander...and they're all b.s.
bravo juliet tango instead ;-)
26. Posted by Henry | July 21, 2006 4:59 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 16:59
27. Posted by Winslow Burhoe | July 21, 2006 6:34 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
While I am not amused by your humor, your breezy style and profound world view bring me always to this blog first or second.
27. Posted by Winslow Burhoe | July 21, 2006 6:34 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 18:34
28. Posted by astigafa | July 21, 2006 7:03 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Dear Jay:
I cordially hate your guts -- and I know it's mutual, Jay my old -- but I'm not reading anybody else's stuff, and that's a fact. Stack 'em high, dude. Cash the checks.
And whatever you do, don't let money tempt you into actually becoming an "editor" in the print world -- that is, a "non-writer," a person responsible for the content and quality of other people's writing, plus headlineage (which you do very well), plus distribution, plus layout, plus cranky publishers et al -- that way lies madness.
If you're writing now -- and please forgive me just an little bit for busting your balls: you are definitely a writer-- keep writing. That whole assemblage/control model is for people who don't have an ear for writing -- which you obviously do, you asshole.
See you in hell, Granite boy.
28. Posted by astigafa | July 21, 2006 7:03 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 19:03
29. Posted by Candy | July 21, 2006 7:23 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I'm just so infuriated that Rodney Dill beat me to the punch I could spit! Pull MY finger.
Jay, you thanked Mantis - you forgot Lee but somebody brought that up - you REALLY outta thank the Boston Globe and all the Masshole Politicians, without whom you'd only be up to maybe your 1000th piece.
Rock on, Beano Boy.
29. Posted by Candy | July 21, 2006 7:23 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 19:23
30. Posted by Victor | July 21, 2006 7:30 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Congratulations!
30. Posted by Victor | July 21, 2006 7:30 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 19:30
31. Posted by James Cloninger | July 21, 2006 9:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Dear Jay:
I cordially hate your guts
Can you feel the love tonight?
31. Posted by James Cloninger | July 21, 2006 9:53 PM |
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Posted on July 21, 2006 21:53