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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Happy Birthday, Blogmaster!

Happy Birthday, Blogmaster!

by Anne Laurie|  June 22, 20254:31 pm| 86 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Readership Capture

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it's my birthday and as a treat I turned the AC down to 70 from 78

— Cake or Death (@johngcole.bsky.social) June 22, 2025 at 1:36 PM

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    86Comments

    1. 1.

      cope

      June 22, 2025 at 4:36 pm

      Happy Natal Day.  I hope the coils on your AC unit don’t freeze up.

      Reply
    2. 2.

      VeniceRiley

      June 22, 2025 at 4:36 pm

      78?! Gosh.

      Happy birthday Cole.

      Reply
    3. 3.

      Baud

      June 22, 2025 at 4:38 pm

      🥳🧁🍰🎁🎂🎈

      Reply
    4. 4.

      WaterGirl

      June 22, 2025 at 4:38 pm

      I thought after Cole turned 50 we weren” marking these anymore. :-)

      Reply
    5. 5.

      Steve LaBonne

      June 22, 2025 at 4:40 pm

      Best wishes for your next trip around the sun!

      Reply
    6. 6.

      Professor Bigfoot

      June 22, 2025 at 4:41 pm

      Congratulations on surviving another lap around Old Sol, Blogfather! Celebrate!

      Reply
    7. 7.

      They Call Me Noni

      June 22, 2025 at 4:42 pm

      Happy Birthday!!  May all your weeds be wildflowers and all your birds be singing. Pet the sweet kitties for me.

      Reply
    8. 8.

      Tehanu

      June 22, 2025 at 4:44 pm

      Happy birthday, John, and many more!

      Reply
    9. 9.

      NotMax

      June 22, 2025 at 4:45 pm

      Have a happy!

      Reply
    10. 10.

      O. Felix Culpa

      June 22, 2025 at 4:45 pm

      So the fireworks were for you! Happy birthday! 🎉

      Reply
    11. 11.

      WTFGhost

      June 22, 2025 at 4:47 pm

      Aw, man, did your parents forget your Sweet 16, because your sister was getting married to a greasy bohunk – whatever the eff a “bohunk” is – and school, and that bo… uh, that *person*, yes, person,  you were hoping would notice you, and, and, and… wow.

      I’ve never had a sweet 16 birthday in my life, and now, you’ve had one that reminds me of Molly Ringwald!

      ETA: finally looked up “bohunk” – Used as a disparaging term for a person from east-central Europe, especially a laborer. Eww. The movie suddenly makes me feel a lot more cringy than it used to.

      Reply
    12. 12.

      trollhattan

      June 22, 2025 at 4:49 pm

      My best ever birthday greeting was my toddler’s “Happy boodday” and so I offer you a heartfelt Happy boodday.

      And many more, just don’t be in a hurry and make each last.

      Reply
    13. 13.

      Anne Laurie

      June 22, 2025 at 4:49 pm

      @WaterGirl: I thought after Cole turned 50 we weren” marking these anymore. :-)

      Well, he put up that BlueSky note, so I figured: Why not share?

      Reply
    14. 14.

      Greg Ferguson

      June 22, 2025 at 4:50 pm

      🎉🎂🎉❤️🤠|
      Happy Birthday, Cole!

      Reply
    15. 15.

      O. Felix Culpa

      June 22, 2025 at 4:50 pm

      @Anne Laurie: Sharing is caring.

      Reply
    16. 16.

      Tony Jay

      June 22, 2025 at 4:50 pm

      Really? I thought all Americans were required to forego their birthday celebrations in solidarity with President Pustule, who had his unpatriotically ruined by an ungrateful soldiery and five million radical leftist rioters?

      Will no one think of the King in Orange?

      Reply
    17. 17.

      storm777

      June 22, 2025 at 4:52 pm

      Happy Birthday from a lurker! Thank you for everything you do!

      Reply
    18. 18.

      Suzanne

      June 22, 2025 at 4:52 pm

      HBD, Cole. In my house, we believe in the Birthday Squid. May the Birthday Squid deliver many gifts, balloons, cake, and debauchery.

      Reply
    19. 19.

      WTFGhost

      June 22, 2025 at 4:53 pm

      @They Call Me Noni: He has *sweet* kitties?

      @WaterGirl: We tell him that, to make him feel good, 364/365 is leap years. On the birthday itself, we get to hammer him as hard as we like, so long as the hammer is not actually a physical hammer, and also doesn’t refer to the use of alcohol on his part, and also doesn’t… man, our blogfather’s life has gotten complicated!

      Reply
    20. 20.

      WTFGhost

      June 22, 2025 at 4:55 pm

      Also: John Cole, happy birthday; the world is better with you in it, and I hope you feel a touch of that happiness, and yes, even joy, today, just for you, in return for the good you spread.

      If for no other reason, you’re a constant reminder that people can change their minds for the better.

      Reply
    21. 21.

      zhena gogolia

      June 22, 2025 at 4:56 pm

      Happy birthday!

      Reply
    22. 22.

      japa21

      June 22, 2025 at 4:58 pm

      How could I have forgotten your natal day was one day after mine. I know how, I have had far more of those.

      Reply
    23. 23.

      Betty

      June 22, 2025 at 5:01 pm

      Happy birthday, John! And don’t those years just flying by?

      Reply
    24. 24.

      They Call Me Noni

      June 22, 2025 at 5:04 pm

      @WTFGhost: All the kitties are sweet and you shall not convince me otherwise!

      Reply
    25. 25.

      MagdaInBlack

      June 22, 2025 at 5:05 pm

      Happy Birthday !

      Reply
    26. 26.

      HeleninEire

      June 22, 2025 at 5:06 pm

      HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈

      Reply
    27. 27.

      eclare

      June 22, 2025 at 5:09 pm

      Happy birthday!

      Reply
    28. 28.

      Harrison Wesley

      June 22, 2025 at 5:10 pm

      @WTFGhost: “bohunk” also “hunkies” evolving to “honkies.” Similar to “polack” (ref. Spiro Agnew).

      Reply
    29. 29.

      Ohio Mom

      June 22, 2025 at 5:11 pm

      Happy Birthday, and many more!

      Reply
    30. 30.

      comrade scotts agenda of rage

      June 22, 2025 at 5:14 pm

      Santa Claus’s birfday!

      Reply
    31. 31.

      AnthroBabe

      June 22, 2025 at 5:14 pm

      Happy Birthday, John, from a lurker. Glad that you and this community are here.

      Reply
    32. 32.

      prostratedragon

      June 22, 2025 at 5:15 pm

      Happy Birthday!

      Have some drums!

      Reply
    33. 33.

      Jackie

      June 22, 2025 at 5:16 pm

      Happy Birthday, JC! Enjoy the 70 degrees AC, and don’t forget WHY your electrical bill is ⬆️ when you receive it! LOL

      Reply
    34. 34.

      Ann Marie

      June 22, 2025 at 5:17 pm

      Happy Birthday! Have a lovely, COOL, day.

      Reply
    35. 35.

      Omnes Omnibus

      June 22, 2025 at 5:18 pm

      HBD, John.

      Reply
    36. 36.

      Josie

      June 22, 2025 at 5:18 pm

      Happy Birthday, John. Can we have a birthday photo to commemorate the day?

      Reply
    37. 37.

      Currants

      June 22, 2025 at 5:18 pm

      Happy Birthday, JC! Hats off to you. I can’t handle 78 (my Swedish mother said to me less than a month ago that I should have been Icelandic).

      Hope you’re having a great day! When does Joelle arrive, by the way?

      Reply
    38. 38.

      espierce

      June 22, 2025 at 5:21 pm

      Happy Birthday, John!

      I celebrated my 72nd (yesterday) with my grandchildren and it doesn’t get much better then that!

      Reply
    39. 39.

      Nix Besser

      June 22, 2025 at 5:24 pm

      Wishing you many happy returns of the day. I may be just an infrequent commenter, but I am a devoted Balloon Juice reader. This blog and your leadership of it mean a lot to me.

      Reply
    40. 40.

      Mai Naem mobile

      June 22, 2025 at 5:25 pm

      Happy Birthday John! Have some cake! And ice cream!

      Reply
    41. 41.

      bbleh

      June 22, 2025 at 5:25 pm

      OMG happy birthday!

      A solstice baby — what does it MEAN?  Help, is there an astrologer in the house?

      Reply
    42. 42.

      Shalimar

      June 22, 2025 at 5:26 pm

      I sweat at 75.  No way will I ever leave the AC at 78 while i am home.  Also, too, living in Florida when you sweat at 75 degrees sucks.

      Reply
    43. 43.

      Fair Economist

      June 22, 2025 at 5:34 pm

      Happy Birthday, John! 70 sounds like a real treat with the heat wave.

      Reply
    44. 44.

      frosty

      June 22, 2025 at 5:34 pm

      Happy Birthday John! Thanks for the blog, the front pagers, and everything. Especially the night time posts, it’s good to hear from you.

      Reply
    45. 45.

      Nukular Biskits

      June 22, 2025 at 5:38 pm

      Happy 25th b’day.

      Reply
    46. 46.

      Layer8Problem

      June 22, 2025 at 5:39 pm

      Happy birthday!!

      Reply
    47. 47.

      sab

      June 22, 2025 at 5:42 pm

      Happy birthday!

      Reply
    48. 48.

      M31

      June 22, 2025 at 5:45 pm

      another loop-di-loop around the sun
      fuck yeah
      thanks for bloggin’ dude

      Reply
    49. 49.

      Juju

      June 22, 2025 at 5:51 pm

      Happy Birthday!!  Are you having some hot flashes?

      Reply
    50. 50.

      H.E.Wolf

      June 22, 2025 at 5:55 pm

      Menny Hapy Returns.

      (Hat tip to Frances Hodgson Burnett)

      Reply
    51. 51.

      eclare

      June 22, 2025 at 5:56 pm

      @Shalimar:

      If I am even moderately active, like putting groceries in my car, I sweat at 70.  As it is, even with the A/C on, I have a frozen washcloth around my neck.  This next week is going to be tough in Memphis.

      Reply
    52. 52.

      WTFGhost

      June 22, 2025 at 6:00 pm

      @They Call Me Noni: Well, I kid, mostly. I’m struggling with being the substitute human for two kitties while my wife is rehabbing after a broken hip. Sometimes, they’re very sweet, and sometimes, they let me know I am not my wife, and *not* an adequate substitute.

      Reply
    53. 53.

      MazeDancer

      June 22, 2025 at 6:02 pm

      May all your sweetest wishes come true!

      Happy Birthday, John

      Reply
    54. 54.

      A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan)

      June 22, 2025 at 6:07 pm

      Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 John! Enjoy the A/C!! I hate humid myself.

      Reply
    55. 55.

      bjacques

      June 22, 2025 at 6:07 pm

      Happy birthday bro!

      Reply
    56. 56.

      NotMax

      June 22, 2025 at 6:10 pm

      Alcohol-free champagne wishes and caviar dreams.
      :)

      Reply
    57. 57.

      satby

      June 22, 2025 at 6:13 pm

      From one crazy cat person to another, HBD🎂

      Reply
    58. 58.

      raven

      June 22, 2025 at 6:15 pm

      Happy Birthday Babysan

      Reply
    59. 59.

      WaterGirl

      June 22, 2025 at 6:19 pm

      @Anne Laurie: Absolutely!

      That was a friendly jab at Cole.

      Apparently even old dogs like Cole can learn new tricks change their minds.

      Reply
    60. 60.

      Dan B

      June 22, 2025 at 6:20 pm

      Happy B-day JC!  You young un.

      Reply
    61. 61.

      rikyrah

      June 22, 2025 at 6:32 pm

      Happy Birthday, Cole 🎉 🎉 🎈

      Reply
    62. 62.

      LAC

      June 22, 2025 at 6:39 pm

      Happy Birthday!

      Reply
    63. 63.

      Jeffro

      June 22, 2025 at 6:45 pm

      I can never remember if Cole is a half year older than me, or a half year younger…anyway…happy 55th or 56th, JC!

      Crank some ELECTRIC later (or tomorrow, if it’s already past your bedtime this evening =P  )

      Reply
    64. 64.

      stinger

      June 22, 2025 at 6:50 pm

      Hipy Papy Bthuthdth Thuthda Bthuthdy!

      Reply
    65. 65.

      They Call Me Noni

      June 22, 2025 at 6:51 pm

      @WTFGhost: how is your wife doing?  I’m sure the kitties miss her but, in their own way, appreciate your efforts and view you as a fine dispenser of food and treats until Mummy comes home. I know that’s how Gizzy and Tootsie felt when I was gone for a short spell and Mr. Noni was the available lap.

      Reply
    66. 66.

      Enhanced Voting Techniques

      June 22, 2025 at 7:09 pm

      Meanwhile in San Diego….

      But on World Refugee Day, masked immigration agents weren’t leaning against the off-white walls, waiting to grab people. They scattered Friday after seeing a clergy delegation led by Bishop-elect Michael Pham.

      “Like the story of Moses and Exodus, the Red Sea parted,” said observer Scott Reid of the immigrant-aiding San Diego Organizing Project.

      Said another: “We’ve never seen the hallways cleared out so quickly.”

      The result: Nobody was detained as immigration lawyers said would happen.

      So, much my cynical Atheist soul’s  shock, these evil bastard can’t stand the presence of a genuine Christian.

      Maybe that performative strike in Iran, you know they that they told Iran was coming so all nuclear material was evacuated and by Iran’s own account no one died, was really about how TACO dick is getting his ass kicked on immigration?

      Reply
    67. 67.

      Enhanced Voting Techniques

      June 22, 2025 at 7:12 pm

      By the way, one of the reasons it’s terrible all of these people lie all of the time about meaningless things is it makes it impossible to believe them when they’re talking about incredibly consequential things.

      ’cause right now this Iran War is looking like utter bullshit.

      Reply
    68. 68.

      NeenerNeener

      June 22, 2025 at 7:25 pm

      Happy Birthday, Blogfather!

      Reply
    69. 69.

      Westyny

      June 22, 2025 at 7:27 pm

      Happy Birthday, Cole!  Thank you for this place!

      Reply
    70. 70.

      BellaPea

      June 22, 2025 at 7:34 pm

      Happy birthday John Cole! Bless you for providing this space that gives us all sanity in these insane times we live in. My hubby is a former Marine, he said to tell you Semper Fi and Big Birthday Wishes!

      Reply
    71. 71.

      Citizen_X

      June 22, 2025 at 7:47 pm

      Happy Birthday Cole, you old so-and-so!

      Reply
    72. 72.

      Rob

      June 22, 2025 at 8:08 pm

      Happy Birthday, John! Thank you for providing this space!

      Reply
    73. 73.

      Manuel Sander

      June 22, 2025 at 8:22 pm

      Happy Birthday. It’s a good date, right after the longest day of light.

      Reply
    74. 74.

      cain

      June 22, 2025 at 8:25 pm

      Happy same birthday age as me ! We have cookies 🍪

      Reply
    75. 75.

      bluefoot

      June 22, 2025 at 8:30 pm

      Happy birthday! May the day be filled with fun and joy!

      Reply
    76. 76.

      Barbarai

      June 22, 2025 at 8:39 pm

      Happy Birthday, John! What did Max and Steve give you for your b-day?😹

      Reply
    77. 77.

      Soprano2

      June 22, 2025 at 9:09 pm

      Happy birthday 🎂! I hope you don’t melt from the heat! Stay inside.

      Reply
    78. 78.

      Glidwrith

      June 22, 2025 at 9:29 pm

      May the Hippo Birdies sing you sweet songs and shade your brow with their wings!

      Reply
    79. 79.

      Elizabelle

      June 22, 2025 at 9:30 pm

      Happy birthday, John.  This next trip around the sun will be even better because Joelle is in it.

      Reply
    80. 80.

      Madeleine

      June 22, 2025 at 10:00 pm

      Happy birthday, John, and best wishes for your new year!

      Reply
    81. 81.

      YY_Sima Qian

      June 22, 2025 at 10:41 pm

      Happy birthday JC!

      Reply
    82. 82.

      Shalimar

      June 22, 2025 at 11:32 pm

      @Shalimar: Also, I hope you had a happy birthday, Cole.  I’m just a random nobody who doesn’t post that much so I don’t know if it means anything to say it, but I do mean it.  So there is that.

      Reply
    83. 83.

      Cowgirl in the Sandi

      June 23, 2025 at 12:56 am

      Happy Birthday John.  Thanks for giving us this place!

      Reply
    84. 84.

      Gregory

      June 23, 2025 at 8:54 am

      Happy birthday! 🎂

      Reply
    85. 85.

      Chat Noir

      June 23, 2025 at 10:09 am

      Happy birthday, John, a day late!

      Reply
    86. 86.

      sherparick

      June 23, 2025 at 11:23 am

      Happy Birthday John!  Better late than never.  Congratulations on being 39+!

      Reply

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