Findings of merit will continue to appear in the sidebar. Scroll down, dear reader, scroll down.
Around this date in 2003, this page was started. Since then:
Whew!5 years
3,806 Entries
15,148 Comments
4,664,000 Visits
From time to time, I'll be republishing a few essays below this entry that are not quite so topical. Small items and pictures of girls in hot pants and mini-skirts will appear from time to time in the sidebar. Mostly though I'm going to take a nap for about three months -- unless something or someone very rude wakes me. Scroll on.
Posted by Vanderleun at July 26, 2008 4:52 PM | TrackBackHappy Birthday! You are one of my favorites.
Posted by: Sara at June 19, 2008 5:31 PMHappy Anniversary, Gerard! I read your blog frequently even though I don't comment much.
I hope this doesn't mean you're going away for awhile, but if so, that's OK. As I said to Dr. Sanity when she went on hiatus, "Everybody needs a break now and then."
Posted by: rickl at June 19, 2008 5:51 PMROCK ON COLLEGE MAN! I'M SUPER GLAD I GOT TO KNOW YOU THIS YEAR. HAVE AN AWESOME SUMMER AND STAY AWAY FROM THE GIRLS (HA HA HA!). SERIOUSLY DUDE, BE SURE AND DO EVERYTHING I WOULDN'T DO HA HA HA! SEE YOU IN THE FALL!
Posted by: Gagdad Bob at June 19, 2008 6:17 PMWell done, Gerard. Your blog is a pleasant, stimulating and always entertaining part of my day. Happy Blogiversary.
Your blog is a pure delight. I'm grateful.
Posted by: happyacres at June 19, 2008 7:01 PMBorges eh? I prefer Gene Wolfe.
Congrats on your cyberdigs B-Day!
Are you aware of all internet traditions?
Posted by: Lol Gerard at June 19, 2008 9:47 PMHappy Birthday American Digest!
Posted by: Dennis at June 20, 2008 12:27 AMFive years and America has never been the same!
Posted by: Webutante at June 20, 2008 4:34 AMI looked at the trap, Ray.
Posted by: Chris at June 20, 2008 5:56 AMHappy Blog-i-Birthday!!
HaHa - Gagdad Bob signed your yearbook - wonder if it was on the picture of you two running out of the restroom after someone tossed a cherry-bomb in a toilet! I'll never tell.....
Posted by: Obi's Sister at June 20, 2008 6:46 AMThe whole frickin' summer?
NNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
I'll have to take up a seriously mind-numbing vice for the duration.
Or . . . HEY! I could take a nice, long nap too.
Posted by: Roderick Reilly at June 20, 2008 10:14 AMThanks for all your efforts. I know this must be a big job for you. I read your blog every day, sometimes twice. So hurry back!
Posted by: Susan James at June 20, 2008 11:12 AMHappy days...hope this doesn't mean you are meandering away for awhile. Your blog is one of the best and sanest reads around. Thanks
Posted by: Alexandra Greeley at June 20, 2008 1:13 PMHappy days...hope this doesn't mean you are meandering away for awhile. Your blog is one of the best and sanest reads around. Thanks
Posted by: Alexandra Greeley at June 20, 2008 1:13 PMWell that's it I guess. Success means you can take off three months. We love you man. You are an American treasure. Don't take any wooden nickels. And, er!, ah!, don't do anything I wouldn't do and if you do don't name it after me.
Posted by: John Hinds at June 20, 2008 1:37 PMHappy 5th blogiversary.
Funny, all this time I thought your blog was younger than mine.
Turns out it's one day older. My 5 is tomorrow.
Posted by: Harvey at June 20, 2008 4:12 PMThank you and Happy 5th...but please try and not leave us for too long...the blogosphere is a dangerous place.
Posted by: Barnabus at June 20, 2008 5:33 PMOh, sure, congrats and all that... but realize we will be leaderless, stumbling into walls, running with scissors and the like.
Posted by: Cynyr at June 20, 2008 6:04 PMOnly 5 years and you're going on hiatus? Hey, don't you know there are people out here in the ionosphere who need their American Digest fix?
Okay, okay, so you're weary. We'll just have to use some of the low grade fixes, er blogs.
We will undoubtedly be a bit stranger when you return. You'll have your work cut out for you, so get some rest.
Posted by: Jimmy J. at June 20, 2008 7:45 PMWow, Happy Anniversary!! You are absolutely the funniest guy in the blogosphere...in the most INTELLECTUAL way. Thank you!!
Posted by: Maggie45 at June 21, 2008 1:12 AMHappy anniversary, Gerard, and thank you for this little oasis of sanity. Go, rest, and recharge your batteries, but don't you dare not return!
Posted by: JBean at June 21, 2008 12:34 PMHappy anniversary, Gerard, and thank you for this little oasis of sanity. Go, rest, and recharge your batteries, but don't you dare not return!
Posted by: JBean at June 21, 2008 12:37 PM$10.00 says 15 days, any takers?
Posted by: Alan Kellogg at June 21, 2008 3:33 PMI say he's been bought off. Truth or dare, Gerard, how much "Moose Tracks" ice cream did the leftist swine offer you to lie low till the election? Or will you be back just in time to save us from the dreaded Olberman effect?
Snicker. Have a good rest, delirious writermost, and your loyal troops will see you in the fall.
Posted by: askmom at June 21, 2008 8:31 PMI say he's been bought off. Truth or dare, Gerard, how much "Moose Tracks" ice cream did the leftist swine offer you to lie low till the election? Or will you be back just in time to save us from the dreaded Olberman effect?
Snicker. Have a good rest, delirious writermost, and your loyal troops will see you in the fall.
Posted by: askmom at June 21, 2008 8:31 PMMozol Gerard!
Well deserved. Take a nip, then take a nap and then come back for five more years. We need you---I need you. All God's children need you.
As a collective, we come here to be entertained and informed, you Vanderlunatic!!
LK
Houston
You were one of the big boys in blogging when I first got started, and kindly linked to my site (now long gone). I haven't forgotten that kindness, and remain your devoted reader. Best wishes on catching your breath, and high hopes for a strong, triumphant return to the fray.
Posted by: quiller at June 22, 2008 6:11 AMI hope that you won't be able to resist the nonsense that will come from the campaigning for the presidential election and won't be gone the entire three months! Perish the thought!
Posted by: MarkH at June 22, 2008 8:15 AMThree months??? In this vital election year???
Smartest man on the web, that Van der Luen, he is!
Thank you for your time and observations, and your willingness to share your skill, experience, and interests with us. Happy birthday and well done, sir.
Posted by: TmjUtah at June 22, 2008 10:44 AMI tend to enjoy your comments that pop up on other sites...congrats.
Posted by: thud at June 23, 2008 11:43 AMHave a good one.
If you come back, be sure and say something that Glenn Reynolds notices so I'll know to put you back into the rotation.
Posted by: Larry Sheldon at June 23, 2008 1:58 PMCome three months and I'll be checking. And if you don't show, I'll drive the streets of Queen Anne with a loudspeaker atop my car, imploring you to come back.
Posted by: Skookumchuk at June 23, 2008 6:19 PMCongratulations on a job well done. The blogsphere with all of their combined opinions will definitely impact this year's election in November. Have a relaxing summer.
Posted by: sheri benge at June 26, 2008 9:03 PMHappy summer! a well deserved rest - impressive work here! You will be missed - but now I have something to look forward to! Your return! - Hey - don't forget the sunscreen!
Posted by: Mary at July 1, 2008 2:25 PMShane! Come back!
Posted by: Fontessa at July 2, 2008 4:05 PMEnjoy your vacation; you've earned it!
Posted by: Mr. Bingley at July 3, 2008 5:35 PMGet back to work, slacker!
As soon as you're ready, that is...
One ace blogger who told us he was going on a short sabbatical has not been seen or heard of in blogworld since. Some time after his 'hiatus' began, his blog disappeared too. That blogger was Scott Burgess of the Daily Ablution blog - an ex-pat from Louisiana, living in South London, England. His devoted followers and commenters have been in mourning ever since. Please do not follow his example (or fate), Gerard. And if anyone knows of the whereabouts of Scott, please let us know.
Have a great summer and a zestful autumn
return.
The Van-man (blessings be upon him) isn't gone...
His updated daily quote and right-column jewels
are reposted daily in the blogopolis.
Persevere, great one, and hurry back.
Robert
Posted by: Robert at July 17, 2008 10:43 AMHappy Blog-birthday! You've done a wonderful job thus far and I wish you many more successful years.
Now, where's our fucking third installment of The Sacrifice and the Reckoning? Damn you man... the suspense!
Posted by: Gaige Mosher at July 20, 2008 3:02 AM"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated to combat spam and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.