I’d intended on taking the time to say thanks when I hit 1,000 posts – I still have 18 to go – but a comment that came in today reminded me that it is never too early to express gratitude, nor can you say thanks too often. That I needed a subject to post about today just made it that much more convenient. A momentary lapse in judgement resulted in me starting this blog a year ago in February. I thought it might be fun and I’d play with it for a year and then find something else to interest me. That deadline passed; I’m still having fun and that is in a large part thanks to those of you who post comments and drop the occasional email.

Mouthing off, telling a few tales, and ridiculing those who seemed to be asking for it was, for me, the initial allure. But then damned if y’all didn’t happen. I ended up finding an on-line community when I didn’t even know I was looking for one. I’d call you my wolf pack, but then the plot requires me to surreptitiously slip y’all some drugs. And I’m not real good at that sharing thingy.

I’ve been corrected, I’ve been educated, and I’ve been frequently entertained. I get agreed with far too often, but it’s been nice that some of you have called me on my shit occasionally too. And at least one of you gives me a laugh every day. The advice, comments, and outpouring about my relationship with Noom has meant more than you probably realize; it’s been an integral part of building that relationship and if for nothing else, for that alone I thank you for.

Dancing with the Devil in the City of Angels is averaging just under 5,000 page hits and 1,500 unique visitors a day now. That, I’m sure, is largely due to the power of male flesh. There are new people popping up and making themselves known all the time, and even more gratifying, there is a strong cadre of you who have been around for quite some time and just keep coming back. There is probably a 12-Step program somewhere out there that would be a more productive use of your time, but I’m glad you’ve stuck around.

And while I’m on the subject of me, thanks for putting up with my Olympic posts. It’s not the content most of you come here for, but has done wonders for adding new readers to my blog. So I apologize. But not too sincerely. In fact you’d be wise to take that apology as a warning because I’m sure to ramp up my efforts when the Games actually begin. Huh. Guess I’m not real good at that apologizing thingy either.

Like many of you, my initial foray online – in an attempt to stay in touch with Thailand when I’m not there – was with the message boards. They still serve a purpose, but have become a shadow of what they once were. Too many posters have been banned or left, many of whom’s participation I always enjoyed. Some of you still post to them, and I’m always glad to see that ‘cuz I know there will be something worth reading. I still visit most of them, but mostly because of my need to have someone to pick on. The warm fuzzies that I get don’t come from that community; strangely enough that comes from a blog, which by its definition is not a vehicle for two-way communication. Go figure.

So thanks. To all of you. I hope I’ve occasionally been able to entertain and amuse you. I never expected that you would entertain and amuse me in turn, but you have. Mahalos for that.