Exactly six years ago, I wrote the first post on this blog. Since then, I've written more than 7,300 additional posts, drafted and then deleted hundreds of others, drawn more than 2.4 million unique visits (by SiteMeter's count), been graced by more than 66,000 online comments, and had a heck of a lot of fun.
Among many other things that have come with the blog, I've met all sorts of people whom I never would have known, been reunited with friends and family from more than half a lifetime ago, had various new and enriching experiences, gotten an occasional good deal, blown off a lot of steam, played some games, gotten answers to a bunch of questions, learned new skills, had quite a few belly laughs, cried a little, and gotten to where I've nearly broken even on the thing in money terms.
This seems as good a time as any to express my gratitude to my beautiful bride and our wonderful daughters, who cheerfully put up with this endeavor as well as with my many other quirks. I also owe a real debt to my cyberfriend Jake Ortman, who has masterfully guided the technical side of this site through all sorts of gnarly transitions.
I suppose this is the time that I'm supposed to say something like, "Readers, this blog wouldn't exist without you." But as most of you know, that would be a lie. Even when my readership was in the single digits and my old Blogger site didn't have comments (they didn't arrive until I jumped ship to my own domain in August '03), a blog fit me like a glove.
Of course, readers do play an important part in what goes on here. The other night, a fellow I was introduced to asked me, "What's your blog about?" I mumbled something about "local politics," but I should have a better answer than that ready. It's really more just what's running around my brain at any given time. Fortunately, that content is greatly expanded by tons of interesting leads sent to me by readers every single day. A lot of professional pundits wish they were so lucky.
Anyway, so much for the blogiversary observation, and on with year 7.
Comments (20)
As a new regular reader of your blog I congratulate your unembroidered pugilistic efforts to keep our local hacks on the up and up. The breadth of your curiosity results in bringing information both entertaining and engaging. Your reader’s comments add flavor and perspectives that enrich this site. Keep up the good work.
Happy Blogiversary, Cousin Jack! A small thing I always meant to share with you, and this seems like a fitting occasion to do so: It was so exciting for me, when Jimbo & Kenny drove our friend T & me through Newark a few months ago, to see all those places in person that you had so nicely, and lovingly, written about. Those are my favorite posts of yours. In the coming years, I wish you more readers, more friends, more learning experiences, and many more happy blogiversaries.
Congrats Jack! You have a great blog here. The first thing I check every morning is my Jack Bog feed! Thanks for all the great info you provide. Keep it up!
I don't know how you make the time for the blog, Jack. But I'm glad you do.
I would say "local politics" -- especially government's inevitable failure when they overreach -- is only half the story; the other half are the stories and memories that catch your eye and warm your heart.
The blog is a window into your life experience and your joie de vivre.
I think I've been checking-in daily since 2003 when I moved back to Portland after college in the Bay Area. I've been in Bend now for almost 3 years, and your blog - more than any other source - keeps me abreast of what's happening in Portland.
I probably disagree with your take on things 25% of the time, but I sure appreciate what you do.
Jack,
The birth of your blog almost precisely coincides with my political activism, which only came about when I questioned why the city couldn't get the water bills right. I've enjoyed reading and weighing in on your blog ever since, but I have to say... I used to have a happy life.
Charamba, Douro 2008
Horse Heaven Hills, Cabernet 2010
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills Pinot Grigio 2011
Avignonesi, Montepulciano 2004
Lorelle, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011
Villa Antinori, Toscana 2007
Mercedes Eguren, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Lorelle, Columbia Valley Cabernet 2011
Purple Moon, Merlot 2011
Purple Moon, Chardonnnay 2011
Abacela, Vintner's Blend No. 12
Opula Red Blend 2010
Liberte, Pinot Noir 2010
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Indian Wells Red Blend 2010
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2011
King Estate, Pinot Noir 2011
Famille Perrin, Cotes du Rhone Villages 2010
Columbia Crest, Les Chevaux Red 2010
14 Hands, Hot to Trot White Blend
Familia Bianchi, Malbec 2009
Terrapin Cellars, Pinot Gris 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2009
Campo Viejo, Rioja, Termpranillo 2010
Ravenswood, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2010
Waterbrook, Reserve Merlot 2009
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills, Pinot Grigio 2011
Tarantas, Rose
Chateau Lajarre, Bordeaux 2009
La Vielle Ferme, Rose 2011
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio 2011
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir 2009
Lello, Douro Tinto 2009
Quinson Fils, Cotes de Provence Rose 2011
Anindor, Pinot Gris 2010
Buenas Ondas, Syrah Rose 2010
Les Fiefs d'Anglars, Malbec 2009
14 Hands, Pinot Gris 2011
Conundrum 2012
Condes de Albarei, Albariño 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2007
Penelope Sanchez, Garnacha Syrah 2010
Canoe Ridge, Merlot 2007
Atalaya do Mar, Godello 2010
Vega Montan, Mencia
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2009
Portuga, Rose 2011
Revelation, Chardonnay, Pays d'Oc 2010
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 2005
Monte Alto, Tinto Reserva 2005
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cabernet, Indian Wells 2009
Espiral, Vinho Rose
Vin-Koru, Pinot Gris 2011
14 Hands, Hot to Trot Red 2009
Rodney Strong, Cabernet, Sonoma 2009
Abacela, Vintner's Blend #11
Portuga, White 2010
La Bourgeoisie, Red 2009
Januik, Red 2009
Three Rivers, River's Red 2008
Kirkland, Alexander Valley Merlot 2008
Muga, Rioja Rose 2010
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2009
Mauro Molino, Barbera d'Alba 2009
Garda Chiaretto Rose
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Vineyard 10 White
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley 2009
L'Hortus, Rose de Saignee 2010
Maculan, Pino & Toi 2008
McKinley Springs, Bombing Range Red 2008
Trader Joe's Pinot Gris 2009
Montes Alpha, Cabernet 2007
Gran Sasso, Sangiovese, Terre di Chieti 2009
Garda, Classico Chiaretto Rose
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1999
Picos del Montgo, Tempranillo 2008
Chateau de Montmirail, Vacqueyras 2008
La Granja 360, Syrah 2009
Montgras, Carmenere Reserva 2009
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet 2008
Kirkland, Pinot Grigio 2010
Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2008
Trader Joe's Coastal Chardonnay 2009
Vieux Papes Red
Domaine de l'Aujardiere, Chardonnay 2009
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Medalla Real 2007
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Guild, Red, Lot #02 2008
Dievole, Dievolino Sangiovese 2008
Laforet, Burgogne Chardonnay 2009
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2007
Bonterra, Cabernet 2008
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2009
Maquis Lien 2006
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, Le Paulee 2007
The Occasional Book
Neil Young - Waging Heavy Peace
Mark Bego - Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul (2012 ed.)
Jenny Lawson - Let's Pretend This Never Happened
J.D. Salinger - Franny and Zooey
Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol
Timothy Egan - The Big Burn
Deborah Eisenberg - Transactions in a Foreign Currency
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. - Slaughterhouse Five
Kathryn Lance - Pandora's Genes
Cheryl Strayed - Wild
Fyodor Dostoyevsky - The Brothers Karamazov
Jack London - The House of Pride, and Other Tales of Hawaii
Jack Walker - The Extraordinary Rendition of Vincent Dellamaria
Colum McCann - Let the Great World Spin
Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince
Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus - The Nanny Diaries
Brian Selznick - The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
F. Sionil Jose - Dusk
Natalie Babbitt - Tuck Everlasting
Justin Halpern - S#*t My Dad Says
Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
Barry Glassner - The Gospel of Food
Phil Stanford - The Peyton-Allan Files
Jesse Katz - The Opposite Field
Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
David Sedaris - Holidays on Ice
Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
C.S. Lewis - The Magician's Nephew
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
William Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Ivan Doig - Bucking the Sun
Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt
Road Work
Miles run year to date: 21
At this date last year: 52
Total run in 2012: 129
In 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269
Comments (20)
As a new regular reader of your blog I congratulate your unembroidered pugilistic efforts to keep our local hacks on the up and up. The breadth of your curiosity results in bringing information both entertaining and engaging. Your reader’s comments add flavor and perspectives that enrich this site. Keep up the good work.
Posted by John Benton | July 6, 2008 5:53 AM
Happy Anniversary.
Your blog fulfills a crucial need. Let us hope more voters learn of your blog and vote with more scrutiny.
Posted by KISS | July 6, 2008 6:05 AM
Happy Blogiversary, Cousin Jack! A small thing I always meant to share with you, and this seems like a fitting occasion to do so: It was so exciting for me, when Jimbo & Kenny drove our friend T & me through Newark a few months ago, to see all those places in person that you had so nicely, and lovingly, written about. Those are my favorite posts of yours. In the coming years, I wish you more readers, more friends, more learning experiences, and many more happy blogiversaries.
Posted by Erica | July 6, 2008 6:23 AM
Congrats Jack! You have a great blog here. The first thing I check every morning is my Jack Bog feed! Thanks for all the great info you provide. Keep it up!
Posted by Jon | July 6, 2008 9:04 AM
I don't know how you make the time for the blog, Jack. But I'm glad you do.
I would say "local politics" -- especially government's inevitable failure when they overreach -- is only half the story; the other half are the stories and memories that catch your eye and warm your heart.
The blog is a window into your life experience and your joie de vivre.
Congrats on 6 years.
Posted by Mister Tee | July 6, 2008 9:13 AM
Congrats Jack! I am a bojack addict...my wife knows who you are now. I am always talking about what you are saying.
Posted by Troy | July 6, 2008 9:32 AM
Jack,
I think I've been checking-in daily since 2003 when I moved back to Portland after college in the Bay Area. I've been in Bend now for almost 3 years, and your blog - more than any other source - keeps me abreast of what's happening in Portland.
I probably disagree with your take on things 25% of the time, but I sure appreciate what you do.
To the future...
Posted by Joey | July 6, 2008 12:23 PM
My kids say there is a six in that mess of dot's. I will take their word.
Posted by meg | July 6, 2008 3:02 PM
That's in honor of my late dad, who never could see the number, either.
Posted by Jack Bog | July 6, 2008 3:11 PM
Many congrats to you!! I enjoy reading and learning from your blog every day.
Posted by laurelann | July 6, 2008 6:23 PM
I didn't know what blogs were until 2 yrs ago. A good friend of mine turned me on to this one--now I'm a junkie. Happy B-day bog blog.
Posted by jimbo | July 6, 2008 8:06 PM
You enlighten and inform more than local politics. Thank you.
Posted by Jerry | July 6, 2008 9:43 PM
When I grow up, I want to be just like you! Coongrats Jack!
Posted by Fred Stewart | July 6, 2008 11:09 PM
Congrats, Jack! I'm glad you decided to do this 6 years ago. Thank you!
Posted by edison | July 7, 2008 12:58 AM
My pleasure. Thank you all for the kind words.
Posted by Jack Bog | July 7, 2008 1:19 AM
Jack,
The birth of your blog almost precisely coincides with my political activism, which only came about when I questioned why the city couldn't get the water bills right. I've enjoyed reading and weighing in on your blog ever since, but I have to say... I used to have a happy life.
Ignorance really is bliss, you know?
Posted by Dave Lister | July 7, 2008 8:14 AM
Congrats, Cuz.
Posted by Cousin Jim | July 7, 2008 12:16 PM
Jack, may you have many more years to come!
As a red-green colorblind man, I will assume there is a number 6 there. I'm part of that 10% that can't see it there. D'oh!
Posted by Moses Ross | July 7, 2008 12:23 PM
After reading the comments, I see you did that for your dad! Very cool, Jack.
Posted by Moses Ross | July 7, 2008 12:26 PM
What is this 'meanderings' you speak of?
Congratulations, Jack. 6 down, 3 to go, (it seems), make 'em count, slugger. Be a hitter. It only takes 1.
Posted by Tenskwatawa | July 7, 2008 10:54 PM