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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Samwise Open Thread / An Introduction, for the Unfamiliar

Samwise Open Thread / An Introduction, for the Unfamiliar

by Major Major Major Major|  July 27, 201812:45 am| 122 Comments

This post is in: Cat Blogging, First Posts, Gamer Dork, Open Threads, The Gay Enemy Within, Blogospheric Navel-Gazing, General Stupidity, Go Fuck Yourself

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Hello, my pseudonym is Major Major Major Major, and I am, apparently, a blogger.

As many of you already know, I’m a prolific commenter here. (For those who didn’t know that, now you do.) Recent-ish-ly, I’ve been working with Alain on various improvements to the site. These efforts kept hitting the same snag: developing anything for a system you don’t have access to is terrible. So Alain gave me the keys to the production server. Somebody had the bright idea to give me the keys to WordPress too, so here we are.

I know I’m supposed to say something snarky here, but I really do think it’s kind of an honor, so hey, thanks!

Now. Before you complain about the site in the comments, let me say that we are aware there are many issues. We might even be aware of yours! But BJ is nobody’s full-time job, so, well, you know how triage works.

As for posting, I’m going to keep that light. As Alain mentioned, I’d like to start a twice-monthly series where we can all talk about good books to read. I may do the first one on Sunday. If there’s interest, I may also start a feature where we can talk about video games. Let me know. Finally, I may jump in with a west coast late night open thread on evenings where there’s a need.

Bio and pet pics below the fold…

I’m a web developer in San Francisco with an enormous cat named Samwise and a husband named something else. Generationally, I’m an early millennial, which basically means I’m a digital native but I don’t understand Snapchat. I am on Twitter though, so if that’s your thing, feel free to follow me. It’s mostly art and nerd humor, programming stuff, and the expected politics of a neoliberal shill.

(Speaking of my Twitter account, my identity is obviously not a secret, but my name is very rare and I ask that you not use it here in text.)

I am also apparently a writer, in the sense that somebody recently paid me for a short story, which comes out next Friday. I’m also working on my third novel, which is the first good one I’ve written.

Without further ado: Samwise!

Open thread.

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Previous Post: « Late Night Open Thread: ‘Owning the Libs’ By Shooting Themselves
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Reader Interactions

122Comments

  1. 1.

    Roger Moore

    July 27, 2018 at 12:54 am

    What an adorable bow tie!

  2. 2.

    West of the Rockies

    July 27, 2018 at 12:58 am

    Handsome fellow! Samwise, not you, 4M…*

    I look forward to the book chat. Is Tamara still running the Writer’s Chat? I haven’t seen one in a while.

    *jesting only

  3. 3.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 27, 2018 at 12:58 am

    @Roger Moore: thanks! We picked it up in Tokyo in April.

  4. 4.

    John Cole

    July 27, 2018 at 12:59 am

    How the fuck did this happen you were supposed to just be fixing shit

  5. 5.

    Another lurker

    July 27, 2018 at 12:59 am

    I have always enjoyed your comments and I’m looking forward to your upcoming posts.
    I am an avid reader so book discussions would catch my eye. How about one centering on the genre of historical mysteries? Barbara Hambley, Lindsey Davis and Josephine Tay are 3 authors every reader should know about.
    Anyway, welcome to the front page.

  6. 6.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 27, 2018 at 1:02 am

    @John Cole: news to me. However, if you’re being serious, plz email

  7. 7.

    Msb

    July 27, 2018 at 1:02 am

    Agree with another lurker. Bring on the book chat!
    And what a gorgeous cat!

  8. 8.

    jl

    July 27, 2018 at 1:02 am

    @John Cole: Someone took down the rotating head ‘unread by John G Cole since 2002’ How did that happen?

    Edit: and I think a regular book post is a great idea. Cole or another front pager will volunteer for that? MMM will have it on lockdown. Believe me.

    Edit: Is the a Big Book of Enormous and Beautiful Cats? That could the first book.

  9. 9.

    Amir Khalid

    July 27, 2018 at 1:04 am

    @John Cole:
    I think they decided to pick him because I kept saying no.

  10. 10.

    Amir Khalid

    July 27, 2018 at 1:05 am

    Samwise looks like a handsome and dignified fellow.

  11. 11.

    Neldob

    July 27, 2018 at 1:09 am

    Ooooh, those green eyes are killer!

  12. 12.

    Yarrow

    July 27, 2018 at 1:10 am

    Samwise is gorgeous. That second photo is too much. He looks a little put out the bartender is being so slow with his tuna and tonic.

  13. 13.

    seaboogie

    July 27, 2018 at 1:10 am

    Welcome, M4 – and fuck you! Samwise is gorgeous, dapper and perfect. Huzzahs!!!

  14. 14.

    Anne Laurie

    July 27, 2018 at 1:11 am

    Welcome to the front page, MajorMajorMajorMajor! Looking forward to your further contributions!

    (Yes, I’d say that even if I wasn’t so pleased to have another warm body on late-night-righthand-Coast-time duty… at least for the present.)

  15. 15.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 27, 2018 at 1:12 am

    Now I’m worried Cole is mad.

    More than usual, and at me, that is.

  16. 16.

    jl

    July 27, 2018 at 1:13 am

    ‘Sposed to a full service blog, but no book chat. Someone tries to fix that up and Cole gets cranky.

    I remember Cole promised a WV Road Kill Cuisine Korner years ago, but that never happened.

  17. 17.

    YetAnotherJay formerly (Jay S)

    July 27, 2018 at 1:14 am

    If there’s interest, I may also start a feature where we can talk about video games.

    OMG gamergate comes to BJ. Say it isn’t so.

  18. 18.

    weasel

    July 27, 2018 at 1:15 am

    Welcome to the front page! Am such a lurker I’m just guessing at my ‘nym, but books and video games are among my favorite things so I’ll do my best to pop into the comments and am looking forward to reading your posts.

  19. 19.

    jl

    July 27, 2018 at 1:15 am

    @Major Major Major Major: Whatever it is, it’s not your fault. Apparently Cole is ‘extremely reticent’ and how would it be unusual if you didn’t hear anything directly from him? And he may be joking. Who knows? Don’t worry about it. What’l happen will happen.

    If you get kicked off, but you want to do a book chat, just announce a regular day and time you’ll post comments on a book you want to discuss or take suggestions. I’ll check in.

    @weasel: Any idea that prompts a lurker named ‘weasel’ to show up, is obviously a great idea, at least for BJ blog.

  20. 20.

    Achrachno

    July 27, 2018 at 1:18 am

    @Yarrow: And looks like a cat one does not want to get crossways with.

    I’m pleased at your promotion MMMM, both because it will benefit us average commenters, and because it may lighten the load for Alain.

  21. 21.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    July 27, 2018 at 1:19 am

    @Major Major Major Major: hey, if he don’t like it, he can get his own fucking blog

  22. 22.

    Mnemosyne

    July 27, 2018 at 1:19 am

    @Major Major Major Major:

    Oh, c’mon, we all know that Cole’s way of giving someone a warm welcome is telling them to go fuck themselves.

  23. 23.

    Achrachno

    July 27, 2018 at 1:23 am

    @Major Major Major Major: I doubt he is: just playing cranky old git I think. Isn’t that a major theme around here?

  24. 24.

    Mnemosyne

    July 27, 2018 at 1:23 am

    Also, I saw a sneak preview tonight of a new Howard Ashman documentary that should be coming out later this year once it has a distribution deal. If you like animation, movies, musicals, or storytelling, you will love the movie. And it will make you cry.

    (There is a very slight possibility that VFX Lurker may have been there as well since it was a screening for an organization she is familiar with, but I didn’t spot her.)

  25. 25.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 27, 2018 at 1:24 am

    @Mnemosyne: @Achrachno: well it sure is giving the ol impostor syndrome a good workout!

  26. 26.

    MisterForkbeard

    July 27, 2018 at 1:26 am

    @Major Major Major Major: Look, in the worst case you can still put “Front page blogger on a top 10,000 political and pets blog” on your resume while interviewing. It’s all gonna work out great. :)

    Also, I’d love a video game post every once in a while. Cole’s occasional comments on those in his OTs are usually great for discussion. Also too, I need more people to talk about Switch games with. :P

  27. 27.

    NotMax

    July 27, 2018 at 1:28 am

    A late night thread for all of of in the wrong time zone? Me likely.

    Play seen tonight was top notch; pure theater. Even nudity. Interesting incorporation of a person onstage wielding a Steadicam, projected on a huge screen at rear of stage platform.

    Lastly, CORRECTION re: NY meet-up. As am a doofus, forgot what had e-mziled Adam and made reservations under NotMax. Tried for tables upstairs, but those already reserved for a large function, so asked for somewhere removed from the loudest of the bar noise.

  28. 28.

    NotMax

    July 27, 2018 at 1:31 am

    Still struggling with unfamiliar tablet,.

    Likey, not likely. Of us, not of of.

  29. 29.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?

    July 27, 2018 at 1:31 am

    Generationally, I’m an early millennial, which basically means I’m a digital native but I don’t understand Snapchat

    I’m a late millennial and I don’t understand Snapchat. Or Facebook. Or Twitter (though I enjoy reading the tweets posted here.) I do like YouTube.

  30. 30.

    Platonailedit

    July 27, 2018 at 1:32 am

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    Exactly. FO, Cole.

  31. 31.

    jl

    July 27, 2018 at 1:35 am

    @MisterForkbeard: Good point, At least it will be a nice item on a resume, but didn’t have to put in a lot of effort.

  32. 32.

    NotMax

    July 27, 2018 at 1:38 am

    @Goku (aka AmerikanBaka):

    I’m still trying to grok Space Aliens.

    :)

  33. 33.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?

    July 27, 2018 at 1:40 am

    If there’s interest, I may also start a feature where we can talk about video games.

    That sounds like fun. Speaking of which, everyone needs to know about Doki Doki Literature Club and how through being a psychological horror game disguised as a dating sim it cleverly deconstructs the tropes and character archetypes often found within such games and creates a deeper story and characters as a result.

  34. 34.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 27, 2018 at 1:40 am

    @jl: plus I got two new Twitter followers.

    @? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?: I literally can’t figure out how to use Snapchat.

  35. 35.

    jl

    July 27, 2018 at 1:43 am

    @Major Major Major Major: Oh man, you used BJ as a stepping stone to break into the big time. Use ’em lose ’em. You’re ready to move up to an almost top 9,000 blog anyway.

  36. 36.

    NotMax

    July 27, 2018 at 1:46 am

    @Major Major Major Major:

    Hey, took a picture of the essentially open air stage tonight. In true Cole fashion, out of focus, and one of these days after return home, will figure out how to share it.

    :)

  37. 37.

    MisterForkbeard

    July 27, 2018 at 1:46 am

    @Major Major Major Major: I think it involves phones somehow? And adds dog ears to people.

  38. 38.

    The Dangerman

    July 27, 2018 at 1:48 am

    Holy Hell, Redding, CA. I was just there and loved the Sundial Bridge area. This might top Santa Rosa by the time this is done.

  39. 39.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 27, 2018 at 1:49 am

    Redding got caught by the wildfires.

  40. 40.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?

    July 27, 2018 at 1:49 am

    @Major Major Major Major:
    I could figure out how to use it but choose not to. I don’t have the energy to be that social and keep that up for extended periods of time. I’m also not that much of a narcissist to believe that people give a shit what I look like with emoji dog ears pasted over head or something stupid like that.

  41. 41.

    divF

    July 27, 2018 at 1:49 am

    M^4 : What, no link to your comic book ?

    @? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?:
    I’m an old guy, and like some of the other old guys/gals here, I’ve been on the internet since before any of the Millennials were born. And I still am not a social media person. I strongly prefer meatspace, as well as having a certain wariness (well-founded, it would seem) about putting my personal details out there for all the world to see. /grumpy old guy

  42. 42.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 27, 2018 at 1:51 am

    @The Dangerman: Redding is not looking great right now! Stay safe, Shasta.

    LATEST: Explosive wildfire in Northern California has burned dozens of homes, injured firefighters and civilians, and reached the city of Redding, officials say. https://t.co/8TPBY72Rec pic.twitter.com/cHat4HxJ1n

    — ABC News (@ABC) July 27, 2018

  43. 43.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 27, 2018 at 1:53 am

    @divF: I’m not publicizing it while it’s on burnout-preventing hiatus.

  44. 44.

    NotMax

    July 27, 2018 at 1:53 am

    @divF:

    Put most simply, social media is neither.

    /close curmudgeon

  45. 45.

    The Dangerman

    July 27, 2018 at 1:54 am

    @HumboldtBlue:
    @Major Major Major Major:

    I watched KRCR (Redding ABC affiliate) live streaming as they got evacuated. What they were reporting when they were reporting was so not good. I mean ugly, ugly shit.

  46. 46.

    Mike J

    July 27, 2018 at 1:56 am

    @Major Major Major Major: Last I heard they’ve given up on structure defense and are in full blown grab every person you can find and run mode. 100′ wall of flame roaring through town.

  47. 47.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?

    July 27, 2018 at 1:58 am

    @divF:
    I honestly miss the internet of 2000ish-2010. Maybe not the performance speeds but I do miss when the social networks like Facebook didn’t exist (or at least weren’t as ubiquitous) and anonymous forums ruled the internet. Those were the days.

  48. 48.

    J R in WV

    July 27, 2018 at 1:58 am

    Major Major Major Major, aka Major^4 to me.

    Looking forward to late night threads, as I am somewhat of an insomniac these days. Sometimes I have trouble falling asleep, other times I wake up 3 hours in and need to get up for a couple of hours. So west coast night owls can help me out with this.

    I have the best of big pharma’s products prescribed, and they help some nights. There is also herbal remedies usually available and they sometimes help. But nothing is as good as guessing who will be arrested or indicted next with friends late at night. Right now I have some Weller bourbon with a tiny splash of well water in it. That also helps some nights.

    John, if being a front pager is what it takes to keep Major^4 involved with the code base, just accept the inevitable. Let him fix things with Alain. He’s not bad, and he wants to talk about books and games. I move books, and have suddenly acquired a serious novels downloaded to my tablet habit. Science Fiction mostly, a little fantasy. And international political skulldugery coverage provided by Adam and Chery most every day – what more could a stressed out political observer want?

    Last election the last week or so of October I had this terrible premonition. Then it came true. Horrible. Rule by morony. By idiocy crossed with larceny. Disregard for international accords. Now it appears to be unraveling, and the people have woken up and are angry. I’m still stressed, such that I suspect I have cracked a molar in my sleep a couple of months ago. But it doesn’t show up in the x-rays… so OK. Sort of.

    Hi Major. Welcome to the front page.

    Are you going to bring our graphic novel guy in Denver back to live with us again? I miss that story. Are you still tuning up the Sushi novel? I hope my comments were helpful, I intended them to be.

    Also, please feel free to provide us with graphic looks at the B-J data stored in all those comments. Maybe graph the links embedded in the comments to other online data stores.

    In any case, keep up the good work, best of luck getting to work in NYC.

  49. 49.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?

    July 27, 2018 at 1:59 am

    @Major Major Major Major:
    My god that looks terrifying. I hope Redding is evacuated safely and everyone gets out safely.

  50. 50.

    NotMax

    July 27, 2018 at 2:00 am

    Unusual thing about the play attended tonight was that the dressing rooms were all on stage, with no intervening walls.

  51. 51.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 27, 2018 at 2:04 am

    @J R in WV: “John, if being a front pager is what it takes to keep Major^4 involved with the code base, just accept the inevitable.”

    I didn’t even ask to post. When Alain encouraged me to, I assumed that meant I had Cole’s blessing. Regardless, I now haz a discouraged. Feel pretty crappy actually.

    @? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?: some things are worse, but some things are much better! Not sure how I’d quantify it overall.

    @NotMax: that is unusual.

  52. 52.

    Ninedragonspot

    July 27, 2018 at 2:08 am

    @NotMax: Am hoping the bathrooms were still kept discreetly offstage, though one never knows these days.

    Welcome to the front page, MMMM

  53. 53.

    seaboogie

    July 27, 2018 at 2:10 am

    @The Dangerman: The folks in Redding need to grab their kids and critters and GTFO Dodge immediately. I am hard by Glen Ellen, CA, and the devastation of the October fires clearly in evidence. The Redding folks are in Santa Rosa level conditions, but not asleep in their beds. They need to evacuate – NOW!

  54. 54.

    The Dangerman

    July 27, 2018 at 2:10 am

    @Major Major Major Major:

    Feel pretty crappy actually.

    I wouldn’t; troll on his Willow and all will be well.

  55. 55.

    NotMax

    July 27, 2018 at 2:11 am

    @Major Major Major Major

    And there were a lot of costume changes during thr performance.

  56. 56.

    The Dangerman

    July 27, 2018 at 2:13 am

    @seaboogie:

    The folks in Redding need to grab their kids and critters and GTFO Dodge immediately.

    Yeah, I’m hearing the fire is spotting everywhere and jumped the Sacramento; is that’s true, that’s all kinds of bad news and it’s time to GTFO.

  57. 57.

    NotMax

    July 27, 2018 at 2:14 am

    @Ninedragonspot

    No worries on that score.

    :)

    Tougher for the audience – 2 hours and 10 minutes with no intermission.

  58. 58.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 27, 2018 at 2:16 am

    @J R in WV: and yes I’m still working on the comic but it’s back burnered, and I’ll pick up the book again when I’m done with my current short story.

  59. 59.

    jl

    July 27, 2018 at 2:16 am

    @Major Major Major Major: You’ve also broken into on-the-spot news reporting. If Cole is not on board, too bad for him.

    IIRC, Cole promised a climate science front pager a few years ago. What happened to that? When Cole gets that done, then he will have some spare time to snoop around into what is happening on the blog.

  60. 60.

    seaboogie

    July 27, 2018 at 2:18 am

    @Major Major Major Major: I think that was Cole’s gruff way of welcoming you. Honestly. Feel better, my friend. Why I offered you a hearty and traditional FU. Not my actual sentiment – sincerely glad to have you as a FPer. ? Mwah!

  61. 61.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?

    July 27, 2018 at 2:18 am

    @Major Major Major Major:
    You can’t really quantify nostalgia. Which is what I’m feeling I guess. Trolling hasn’t gotten any better that’s for sure!

  62. 62.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 27, 2018 at 2:25 am

    @seaboogie: maybe. And yeah, sure, I tagged this post Go Fuck Yourself for a reason!

  63. 63.

    seaboogie

    July 27, 2018 at 2:26 am

    @The Dangerman: vid I saw of a giant ember flying by told me what was up. What happened here in the big winds of weather, exacerbated by the weather of the fires that create their own. Looks pretty scary, and I am surrounded by evidence of what happened here, and what could happen again – everything is very dry and crispy and its hot – and only July.

  64. 64.

    MisterForkbeard

    July 27, 2018 at 2:28 am

    @Major Major Major Major: Ah, don’t worry. It’s great that you got the keys, and Cole is just being his old ornery bastard self. avatar

    Really, I’m excited you’re around here. Perk up.

  65. 65.

    seaboogie

    July 27, 2018 at 2:32 am

    @Major Major Major Major: Not maybe. For sure.

  66. 66.

    NotMax

    July 27, 2018 at 2:32 am

    @Major Major Major Major

    You broke it, you bought it.

    :)

  67. 67.

    sgrAstar

    July 27, 2018 at 2:35 am

    @Major Major Major Major: you have had such a warm welcome from everyone, M^4. Well…almost everyone. Except for the Crab. Don’t pay that crab any mind, as my sainted grandmother would have said.

  68. 68.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 27, 2018 at 2:41 am

    @sgrAstar: the important thing is, people think my cat is cute.

  69. 69.

    Origuy

    July 27, 2018 at 2:42 am

    @Major Major Major Major: Neither can I. 45 years programming computers and Snapchat makes no sense to me.

  70. 70.

    JGabriel

    July 27, 2018 at 2:43 am

    Major Major Major Major:

    Now I’m worried Cole is mad.

    I wouldn’t worry too much if I were you. “How the fuck did this happen” is Cole’s reaction to, uh … well, to pretty much everything.

    Also, I’m pretty sure “How the fuck did this happen” is his standard greeting to all the new front-pagers.

    Anyway, if Cole is serious, you can always give back the keys and say, “Fine, fix it yourself. Go ahead. I’m waiting …” You’ll have the keys back quicker than Trump dropping trou for a Moscow hooker.

  71. 71.

    jl

    July 27, 2018 at 2:45 am

    !Save MMMM Book Chat!

    We can show our support for MMM in various ways.
    Before I go to sleep I’ve been chuckling over articles about what the Trumpster revelations this week mean. I don’t read them, the very idea is funny.
    All you need is ‘Trump is a lying crook, but we knew that.” Nice short article, don’t need more than that

    !Save MMMM Book Chat!

    Edit: thank you Mike J

  72. 72.

    Platonailedit

    July 27, 2018 at 2:45 am

    Read on bbc.

    Until very recently Michael Cohen had said he would take a bullet for the president. He now seems to be pointing a gun at Mr Trump’s head.

  73. 73.

    Mike J

    July 27, 2018 at 2:46 am

    @jl: You’ve left out an M. And the most important one too!

  74. 74.

    jl

    July 27, 2018 at 2:46 am

    @JGabriel: If Cole backs out of the deal, we’ll ask Yutsano to work up what Cole will owe to the IRS for all the free labor with no consideration in return. And demand Cole post regular kittypix of the gorgeous Samwise.

  75. 75.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 27, 2018 at 2:51 am

    @Origuy: It’s almost like they’re trying out the principle of most surprise.

  76. 76.

    Gaffa

    July 27, 2018 at 2:53 am

    This long-time lurker (I think I’ve posted five times in ten years) will greet the Major’s first major post with a hi!

    And if gaming is now on the table, plus books, I will now say…

    Books: Bridge of Birds, by Barry Hughart
    Games: I’m going to GenCon next week, so hello to all jackals there! If any.

  77. 77.

    Jay

    July 27, 2018 at 2:57 am

    @Major Major Major Major:

    The cat that owns you is cute,

    No “think” involved.

  78. 78.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 27, 2018 at 2:57 am

    Well, I’m off to bed. Night all.

  79. 79.

    Mart

    July 27, 2018 at 2:59 am

    @Major Major Major Major: It’s all good.

  80. 80.

    rikyrah

    July 27, 2018 at 3:09 am

    Welcome to BJ???????

  81. 81.

    Yutsano

    July 27, 2018 at 3:14 am

    @jl: Heh. Nice thought but they’re volunteers. Basically independent contractors who get no compensation for their work.

    Now if Cole had actually hired them…941 forms going back to 2003 would be a revenue officer’s nightmare. And the government would end up owning Steve at the end.

  82. 82.

    Dan B

    July 27, 2018 at 3:36 am

    @The Dangerman: Scary because global warming promises more and worse. Orehon is in Severe Drought and Seattle is on the verge. The difference betwee California and the PNW is we’ve got some of the most dense forests in the world. I’ve had nightmarish visions of a firestorm engulfing this city. Four million people with no clue.

  83. 83.

    Ladyraxterinok

    July 27, 2018 at 4:15 am

    @Another lurker: Agree re authors. Love Tey’s Daughter of Time.

  84. 84.

    TriassicSands

    July 27, 2018 at 4:25 am

    @Major Major Major Major:

    Don’t worry, 4M, Cole’s people skills are kind of like my cat’s bird skills. Both mean well, but…

  85. 85.

    suezboo

    July 27, 2018 at 4:54 am

    Hi, 4M. Little-known African Night Owl here. Some Cat ! (cit. Charlotte’s Web) I usually enjoy your comments – concise and pithy. Also smart. If Alain needs you in his team, Cole is welcoming you with his customary charm and sweetness.

    Also, a West Coast IT person being diffident ? This is a first.

  86. 86.

    Dan B

    July 27, 2018 at 5:01 am

    @Major Major Major Major: It’s great to have a gay guy married to a guy (of course, one would think). As a gay guy sorta married to a gay guy for 25 years it still stuns me every time we get to be visible.

    I came out when gay men were married to a woman and had to figure out how to satisfy their need to have sex that affirmed their deepest romantic fantasies, even when those were not possible.

    I was befriended by a good looking guy my first year in college. He stuck on me like bees on honey. I didn’t know any gay people. I wanted to fall in love and he wanted to spend all his time with me and sat on our dorm beds fused together. I got told some friends in the dorm I was gay believing some of them must be. They dropped me. “John” found out because it leaked, told me he couldn’t “be friends”. Went from being hugged close to him on his bed one day to being pushed away forever the next. He transferred to a school in a different state to get away from me. I lost it, attempted to end it all, got booted out of college. I still have trauma from that to this day.

    I’m still amazed that an openly gau man can be a front pager on a wonderfully beguiling blog. I lived through being worse than invisible: pervert, mentally ill, disgusting, dangerous around children.

    It rocks my boat and melts my heart to have a gay guy be a front pager. Little victories still break me up.

  87. 87.

    OzarkHillbilly

    July 27, 2018 at 5:51 am

    What a sweet Kitty.

    @Major Major Major Major: You must have been a very bad boy in a previous life to be so cursed with the keys to BJ.

  88. 88.

    different-church-lady

    July 27, 2018 at 6:27 am

    As many of you already know, I’m a prolific commenter here.

    This is a cry for help, isn’t it?

  89. 89.

    debbie

    July 27, 2018 at 7:17 am

    I am psyched for a reading thread and hoping it won’t be limited to a single genre. That seems very anti-BJ, at least spirit-wise.

  90. 90.

    AnderJ

    July 27, 2018 at 7:21 am

    @Major Major Major Major: No proper introduction without a quote from Catch-22

    Maj. Major Major Major: Sergeant, from now on, I don’t want anyone to come in and see me while I’m in my office. Is that clear?

    First Sgt. Towser: Yes, sir. What do I say to people who want to come in and see you while you’re in your office?

    Maj. Major Major Major: Tell them I’m in and ask them to wait.

    First Sgt. Towser: For how long?

    Maj. Major Major Major: Until I’ve left.

    First Sgt. Towser: And then what do I do with them?

    Maj. Major Major Major: I don’t care.

    First Sgt. Towser: May I send people in to see you after you’ve left?

    Maj. Major Major Major: Yes.

    First Sgt. Towser: You won’t be here then, will you?

    Maj. Major Major Major: No.

    First Sgt. Towser: I see, sir. Will that be all?

    Maj. Major Major Major: Also, Sergeant, I don’t want you coming in while I’m in my office asking me if there’s anything you can do for me. Is that clear?

    First Sgt. Towser: Yes, sir. When should I come in your office and ask if there’s anything I can do for you?

    Maj. Major Major Major: When I’m not there.

    First Sgt. Towser: What do I do then?

    Maj. Major Major Major: Whatever has to be done.

    First Sgt. Towser: Yes, sir.

  91. 91.

    Howard Appel

    July 27, 2018 at 7:30 am

    I have a couple of comments. First, love Samwise. Second, I want to let you know that there are a significant number of women/men who have spouses named “Something Else.” Does your husband capitalize or have a middle initial, e.g., “F.” Thirdly, I look forward to the book club and I would ask that you consider book genres that normally don’t get a lot of attention on sites similar to BJ, i.e., Sci-Fi, UK crime drama, etc. I ask because a lot of the time I am looking for escape from the current BS and I don’t have the energy to read a serious tome. And lastly, welcome to your new position and I hope that we all don’t abuse you too much.

  92. 92.

    Howard Appel

    July 27, 2018 at 7:34 am

    And now I have to admit that I didn’t know you were gay. So what. I only care that you love Samwise and Something Else, that you vote the straight (no pun intended) Democratic ticket and that neither you nor Something Else attended USC undergrad. I am negotiable on the first two, but I draw the line at USC (I assume Samwise knew better than to attend USC).

  93. 93.

    MomSense

    July 27, 2018 at 7:44 am

    Samwise is beautiful. Looking forward to the book chats.

  94. 94.

    J.

    July 27, 2018 at 7:45 am

    It’s about time this blog had a Major Major Major Major contributor. Welcome. I have enjoyed your comments over the years — and I love your cat (cats in general) and am the author of a new mystery book series (click on my name). So bring on the book blogs (it’s about time) and keep posting pet pics!

    And Jesus, John Cole, stop being so grumpy and let the man blog a couple times a week.

  95. 95.

    Dorothy A. Winsor

    July 27, 2018 at 7:51 am

    I look forward to your book posts. Also thanks for the work on the blog that you and Alain and others do.

  96. 96.

    kate p

    July 27, 2018 at 8:15 am

    Books, books, my true steadfast love. I seriously worry about dying before I have read everything I want to read. Pay no attention to the naysayers and move forward with this idea. Just not focused on all of the excellent political books that have recently been published. Life is depressing enough.

  97. 97.

    Tarragon

    July 27, 2018 at 8:20 am

    an enormous cat named Samwise and a husband named something else

    That’s probably for the best. Naming your husband after your cat could get confusing.

  98. 98.

    Steve in the ATL

    July 27, 2018 at 8:33 am

    @Howard Appel: OMG he’s FLAMING!

    Do you I need to send you the link and password to the extensive dossiers I keep on all posters?

    Note: the entirety of this comment is facetious.

  99. 99.

    zhena gogolia

    July 27, 2018 at 8:33 am

    @Major Major Major Major:

    When I read that comment I thought it was definitely a joke. If he were really pissed, he’d tell you privately. Welcome! Everyone’s very happy about this.

  100. 100.

    Brinks Truck Driver

    July 27, 2018 at 8:45 am

    Who promoted Major Major Major Major?

  101. 101.

    CCL

    July 27, 2018 at 9:20 am

    another lurker saying: YAY, MMMM.

    Re: Gaffe at #76, Books: Bridge of Birds, by Barry Hughart

    Seconded.

  102. 102.

    ET

    July 27, 2018 at 9:41 am

    Pretty kitty.

  103. 103.

    Miss Bianca

    July 27, 2018 at 9:45 am

    M4!!

    Welcome to the driver’s seat! And Samwise’s little dapper bow tie is too much.

  104. 104.

    mags1587

    July 27, 2018 at 9:47 am

    Books and video games? Crap, I might actually have to stop lurking and start posting.

  105. 105.

    Josie

    July 27, 2018 at 9:48 am

    Love books and beautiful kitties. Welcome to the blog.

  106. 106.

    chopper

    July 27, 2018 at 9:54 am

    @Brinks Truck Driver:

    i assume it would have been somebody above him, like general general general general.

  107. 107.

    Steeplejack

    July 27, 2018 at 10:10 am

    @Brinks Truck Driver:

    Alain did, apparently unilaterally.

  108. 108.

    Gex

    July 27, 2018 at 10:18 am

    Samwise is magnificent.

  109. 109.

    LAO

    July 27, 2018 at 10:28 am

    I’m late to the party but welcome to the front page Major Major Major Major!

  110. 110.

    Elizabelle

    July 27, 2018 at 10:43 am

    Yea Major Major Major Major. Good news. Good on Alain for suggesting this, and will help the late night crew especially.

  111. 111.

    ??

    July 27, 2018 at 10:48 am

    Cole gets pissed at officers, and anyone who outranks him, which is not hard.

  112. 112.

    Haroldo

    July 27, 2018 at 10:54 am

    Howdy,

    Good to see you on the Front Page. I look forward to your musings.

  113. 113.

    feebog

    July 27, 2018 at 10:58 am

    As many of you already know, I’m a prolific commenter here.

    We won’t hold that against you. Seriously, I like your idea of a bi-monthly book post. Also, since I am on the left coast the idea of an evening post on PST sounds good too. Welcome aboard and don’t hoard the popcorn.

  114. 114.

    Manyakitty

    July 27, 2018 at 10:58 am

    Throwing my congrats in here, too. Also, that dang Samwise, man. I’m so jealous he’ll tolerate a collar. Mine get depressed and sit sadly in a corner, plucking at everything I try to make them wear.

  115. 115.

    Heidi Mom

    July 27, 2018 at 11:23 am

    Welcome! I love the idea of regular book discussions.

  116. 116.

    Aardvark Cheeselog

    July 27, 2018 at 12:11 pm

    Scanning through that twitter feed, I see

    my kingdom for a “paste but remove smart quotes, em-dashes, and single-character ellipses” keyboard shortcut

    emacs?

  117. 117.

    John Cole

    July 27, 2018 at 12:24 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: It was a joke

  118. 118.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 27, 2018 at 12:40 pm

    @John Cole: Woohoo

  119. 119.

    Carol Van Natta

    July 27, 2018 at 12:50 pm

    Longtime lurker, extremely lazy commenter here, welcoming you, Samwise, and by proxy, Something Else, to the front page. I like books (I’d better, since I write them), and know nothing of games, because see lazy comment above, but would be interested in learning about them without having to actually play them.

    I looked for @Mnemosyne at the Romance Writers of America (RWA) conference, but it was a huge fucking hotel with 2,000 people rushing from one venue to another for four days. Also, too, I never wrote to her to try to figure out where she’d be, so my slacker nature wins again. Sigh.

  120. 120.

    Jay C

    July 27, 2018 at 1:47 pm

    Welcome to the FP, Major (we can call you “Major”, right? It’s not being too familiar??)

    And Samwise is wonderfully handsome: you must be lucky to be owned by him.

  121. 121.

    terry chay

    July 27, 2018 at 3:08 pm

    Welcome Major^4!

  122. 122.

    BruceFromOhio

    July 27, 2018 at 3:41 pm

    Late to the game, sorry! Samwise, you pretty kitty! Welcome 4M, don’t let ’em see you sweat!

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