Personally, I look forward to welcoming our lurker overlords :)

Greetings from the Land of Cheese!

Bob is a prick, and I'm a lurker.

WELCOME LURKERS!

Howdy lurkers. Greetings from the land of lobsters and Stephen King.

Slublog,

Was that fuckin' sarcastic, you asshole?

just kidding. Bob seems to think I'm overreacting.

Oh, goody. Now Bob is stealing Ace's identity.

Or maybe it's PLV.

no, it was me, but I was kidding.

Just kidding about Bob. Back to lurking...

I like comments, too, but...can't people just READ? Why is that "lurking"?

Good Lord....

Hi. I lurk. Then I hope today's the day there's more pictures of bbeck. Then I read. Sometimes I comment.

Heh. I don't think you're overreacting too much. There's a time and place for flame wars. You've got to ease the new people into this blog's culture.

Plus, I can't be sarcastic. It's illegal in Maine.

Plus, I can't be sarcastic. It's illegal in Maine.

It'll come back in full force once your child can talk. Parents get a sarcasm waiver, even in Maine.

Will there be a week when people who comment too much take a breather?

I like comments, too, but...can't people just READ? Why is that "lurking"?

Good Lord....

Good point. They can just read. I don't know why readers are called "lurkers." I first saw the term back on Salon.

Who knows why things are called why they are? Why is a rose called a "rose"? Why is the dead hitchhiker in my crawlspace called "Sharon Myrowitz"?

It's all a mystery.

What the hell did I do now?

Will there be a week when people who comment too much take a breather?

Like an intervention/12-step type week? That'd be pretty ugly.

CY (Bob): I don't think it was you. It was me. Or, not.

I don't know why readers are called "lurkers." I first saw the term back on Salon.

I saw this expression used back in the CompuServe chat room days.

Speaking of "people who comment too much".

Ace, why the hell did you lump me in with Michael and Bart when you came up with you list of people who make up your only visitors to this site?

Do you know how much that hurts?

I mean, I could have lived with being lumped in with Dave in Texas or LauraW or Sobek.

And probably even could have dealt with being lumped in with BrewFan and Lipstick and Old Dave @ Old Ridge.

But Michael???

There isn't enough val-u-rite vodka and klonopin in the world that can erase that stain, pal.

My only consolation is that you didn't lump me in with Ardolino.

A non-commenting week would be ugly. I'd have to talk to actual, live people. Do you know how hard it is for an introvert with frickin' seasonal affective disorder in winter in Maine to actually carry on a conversation?

Makes me shudder just thinking about it.

Sorry about the assholishness exhibited by some. Well, one. Well, actually, I mean Bob.

Awesome, front page coverage for me, ME, ME! That's all I ever really wanted.

I guess I sort of thought this was implied, but perhaps not. This isn't a flame war thread or an argument thread. This is an invitation for delurkers, if they like, to say hello, and other people to say hello to them.

Hello, lurkers! Sorry I insulted you in the other comments section! It was all meant in good fun!

No f'n' insults, please.

I doubt anyone will delurk now thanks to somone who won't be named -- but his name is "Bob," if you must know -- but if you feel like delurking in a Bob-free zone, you may.

Awesome...am I actually banned? I guess I'll find out when I try to post this, eh!

I'm sorry to those who chose to say hello only to be insulted for no good reason.

As am I. Oh, wait, you're talking about me again, aren't you? Awesome! Ha ha.

Seriously, I was just kidding (and wasn't really trying to get on the front page). I welcome all lurkers that think they have something to say, though I suspect most of the interesting ones aren't quite as fragile as Ace suspects (come on, like I really have to power to stop "anyone" from delurking).

You think insults are bad, kiddies? Here's how one of your elders (me) had to delurk. I went to Purdue University starting in 1988. We had limited Internet access then, and in 1989 the computer science department got newsgroup access. We got hauled into a big conference haul and told that we were given global posting rights but we had better not do anything to embarrass the university. We were further informed that each post cost an ungodly amount to send all around the world (the amount wasn't specified, but we could only assume it was in the millions of dollars). We got a big lecture on "bandwidth", which nobody completely understood, but we sure were informed that wasting it was the worst sin in the entire history of the universe. At the end of the lecture the point was driven home: "Everyone here is free to send a post all around the world...once." If I could survive that guilt trip and the (serious) insults hurled my way when I started posting, I'm sure all of Ace's fans, who are used to a bit of joking, swearing, etc., from Ace's posts, can withstand a little good-natured kidding.

If not, welcome anyway. Have fun here, and don't take things so seriously. And Ace, come on, you're going to jump the shark if you don't stop acting so bleeding-heart sensitive...

As a semi-regular who's barely a step above "lurker" myself at the AoSHQ, I think the "de-lurking" thread was a great idea, Ace. After all, lurkers are just commenters who haven't come out of their shells yet.

Look on the bright side........at least being pissed on by "Bob" is preferable to PLV or Jersey moving into the "de-lurking" topic and sharing their particular brand of love with all the newbies. It's all a matter of perspective, right?

I would still be alive today, if I hadn't commented on Ace's blog.

Not that this should discourage the new blood from doing so.

After all, as Ace explained it to me, he needs to bathe in the blood of 3 posters a week in order to sustain his "creative energies".

O.T.: They made Mrs. Alito cry! Bastards!

Bob,

I really don't think you're an asshole. I just think that was a little assholish.

There's a time and place for insults. When I put up a big welcome mat for new commenters, well, that's not the time or place.

Let's just all be cool and we can get through this in one piece.

Iran's going to blow us all to fuck in three months anyway, so there's no need for ill feelings.

This word lurker you keep using... I do not think it means what you think it means.

And Ace, come on, you're going to jump the shark if you don't stop acting so bleeding-heart sensitive...

This may surprise you, but I am bleeding-heart sensitive about stuff like this.

Furthermore, I jumped the shark back in December '04, so, no worries anymore on that account.

Thank you for the kind words, Ace. Bob sucketh. I had a blog once upon a time, and loved, loved, loved commenters. But I don't often comment on other people's blogs, mainly because of folks like Bob.

On behalf of all lurkers everywhere, I apologize for the lonliness that comes with seeing your traffic meter stats and then comparing that with the tiny number of people who talk back. I always wondered what the heck all those readers were thinking. Why won't they comment?? Don't ya hate that?

Slublog, I feel your pain. Haven't been out of the house in---oh, several days, anyway. Happy hibernating!

Look on the bright side........at least being pissed on by "Bob" is preferable to PLV or Jersey moving into the "de-lurking" topic and sharing their particular brand of love with all the newbies. It's all a matter of perspective, right?

Right! Especially since the "pissing" was just a joke! It was just water with yellow food-coloring in it! It will wash out of your clothes easily! No harm, no foul!

I know Ace promised all of your a "Bob-free zone", but I'm here to one-up his offer: This is now a kindler, gentler Bob zone. Delurk, and Bob will not only welcome you but will defend you against your first flamer for free!

Oh, and sorry, Bob. You don't actually sucketh. I'm just having winter grumpiness at the mo.

But what if two de-lurkers flame each other?

Hibernating would actually be a welcome change. The absolute best thing about winter depression just has to be the insomnia.

It's fantastic!

I remember the first time I posted a comment here. I asked Ace a question about some current political thing or other(Rathergate?) and Ace immediatly labeled me a troll.

Thats when my deep and abiding hatred for Ace was born.

Fuckin tool.

Two de-lurkers flaming each other? Hmmmm. Probably not going to happen, but if it does, I'm going to do the same thing I would do if two hot NFL cheerleaders start a naked catfight while I'm sitting at the bar.

Sit back, have another beer, and enjoy the show baby. Enjoy the show!

I think if Ace had started off by designating the original thread as a "Placating Zone," no blood would have been spilt.

Hey, I've been lurking here for almost two years, and I'm proud of it, and no one named "B*B" can tell me otherwise!

I'd like to thank Ace and his merry band of regulars (they should all get shirts) for many LOL moments.

This thread, and the previous thread, should be all about the lurkers, not me. It saddens me that people keep trying to steal the lurkers' thunder. Having said that, however, I must respond:

Ace wrote:

Bob,

I really don't think you're an asshole. I just think that was a little assholish.

It was faux assholish, which is totally different from actual assholish.

There's a time and place for insults. When I put up a big welcome mat for new commenters, well, that's not the time or place.

In theory, that's true. But in practice what better way is there for new commenters to get together than to rally around a common enemy?

Especially one that's a faux enemy, and therefore not too threatening.

Speaking of threatening:

Let's just all be cool and we can get through this in one piece.

Iran's going to blow us all to fuck in three months anyway, so there's no need for ill feelings.

Yeah, that does suck, doesn't it? At least they can't hit us with missiles (yet), so they'd have to sneak a nuke in, which could be difficult. But then, on the plus side, I think that would snap this country out of the silly attitude of seeing "Chimpy McHitler" as the enemy and the gloves would truly be off.

Of course, you're near New York, and I'm near Chicago, so we don't have have fantastic odds for surviving this reawakening. Ugh.

Ace wrote:

And Ace, come on, you're going to jump the shark if you don't stop acting so bleeding-heart sensitive...

This may surprise you, but I am bleeding-heart sensitive about stuff like this.

It does surprise me, to the extent that I refuse to believe it or discuss it any further.

Ace further wrote:

Furthermore, I jumped the shark back in December '04, so, no worries anymore on that account.

You did no such thing. You wish you were as cool as Fonzie...

Daisy wrote:

Thank you for the kind words, Ace. Bob sucketh. I had a blog once upon a time, and loved, loved, loved commenters. But I don't often comment on other people's blogs, mainly because of folks like Bob.

Oh, come on, I wasn't that bad. I think I was only 0.3 on the Cedarford scale, and that was a tongue-in-cheek 0.3...

Hey, I delurked *before* the first delurking thread (I've been a regular reader for nearly a year). So if I flame a new delurker, does it still count as two delurkers flaming each other?

Or...what if I flame PLV?

I lurk because I am generally at work, and can't imagine my company being thrilled with me posting. Ah well, back into the shadows with me then.

Tig

Or...what if I flame PLV?

That's kind of pointless, as his responses are so predictable. Might as well flame yourself. But if you want the practice, he's flailing about on 802.

Left a comment on your blog, BTW.

i've been trying to drop a few comments here and there lately, but i really don't have all that much to add. usually i think of a real good comment the next day after i read something, when the post has already been burried. maybe i'll keep throwing shit out there though, so that you can have the impressive atrios-like comment numbers

That's kind of pointless, as his responses are so predictable.

Well, can he call me a "fag"? Isn't that term reserved for males? "Republidyke" doesn't have quite the same ring to it.

AOSHQ could use some trolls who can actually flame effectively. Although I do enjoy watching them flail helplessly in the face of the superior flaming delivered by the regulars here.

And thanks for the comment!

Bob: And Ace, come on, you're going to jump the shark if you don't stop acting so bleeding-heart sensitive...

Ace: This may surprise you, but I am bleeding-heart sensitive about stuff like this.
---
I've noticed for awhile that aceypoo is good with playing fair and respecting people. Totally cute feature at Ace 'o Spades HQ. Respectful and hilarious flamewars. Hard to pull off, but it works.

Comment away lurkers. Acey's got yo back if someone goes all buckwild mean and crazy. He don't put up with that shizzle.

"Republidyke"? Why does that bring up an image of a smokin hottie wearing a red leather catsuit, stilletto heels and a "Democrats suck" tee-shirt?

Oh yeah, because I'm a sick fuck, that's why.

danno68 wrote:

Hey, I've been lurking here for almost two years, and I'm proud of it, and no one named "B*B" can tell me otherwise!

You're not proud of it; in fact, you're quite ashamed.

I'd like to thank Ace and his merry band of regulars (they should all get shirts) for many LOL moments.

I have a shirt. It's four feet to the right of me, crumpled up, in the plastic bag in which in was delivered.

Don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of Ace. I just haven't had a good opportunity to wear it yet, and I heard it wears out quickly, so I don't want to waste it.

By the way, Ace, did Rock'n Clothing ever fork up any dough?

Oh, yeah, lurkers are like totally cool and stuff. Yay, lurkers!

I don't appreciate being asociated with Michael so closley. JackM has a lot more to woory about than being "lumped in" with me as a regular.

The suggestion of a moratorium for commenters who comment too much was rich. I know y'all were thinking of me when those little words dance around in your heads. The frequent commenters are the lifeblood of this fecking blog -- or any popular blog.

Without comments, this blog would be a lifeless website occasionally updated by a lonely little sitting in his kitchen in his underwear eating Pop Tarts. With comments, AoS is a microcosm of all walks of life. You want to talk about diversity?

At AoS, we have Christians and Jews. Former Muslims and soul-less atheists. Crazy scientists who stay up all night seeking Leftists to slap around. Libertarians and Liberals. Conservatives and evolutionists. Pro-lifers and Pro-baby killers. Homophiles and homophobes. Communists and Reaganites. Lawyers who are one step away from Interent sexual harrassment. Men pretending to be women. And let's not forget the homos; we have lots and lots of homos.

I was a lurker for a while. It never occured to me to comment on blogs. Reading the various content on blogs was enough for me. I never even read the comments. That was for losers, I thought.

The only reason I commented on this blog the first time was to protest Ace's announcement of retirement. If it wasn't for Ace's stupid and unfunny practical joke, I would never have commented.

Cheers to Ace's stupid sense of humor.

By the way, off topic, but apparently Israel is having nothin' to do with Pat Robertson after his Sharon comment. Found that story via Mere Rhetoric.

(remove * from j*post)

Russ, my catsuit is black. Didn't you ever watch The Avengers, dude?

Of course, I just wanted to avoid calling you a dyke. That would just be RUDE. Plus the fact that I've got to save SOME material for the next flamewar thread.

I've been lurking for 197 years.

Allright, allright, you flushed me out.
My first post.
Now back to lurking

Mrs. Peel, you should put a picture of yourself in the profile section of your blog.

Am I considered a lurker if no one on this cliquey blog ever responds to my occasional comments?

Thanks for ignoring me in advance,

Fugazi

Otho, yeah, I'm looking into it. I don't really have a catsuit, though. Alas!

I should never have stopped lurking. Lurking worked for me.

Cool. Way down here no one will ever see me.

For I'm not a placating lurker.
-Thomas Jefferson

I'm a delurker, and I'd like to say one thing:

If you've never ordered a pizza, sans sauce, and then slathered it with mayonnaise you haven't lived.

Yummy.

I remember the first time I posted a comment here. I asked Ace a question about some current political thing or other(Rathergate?) and Ace immediatly labeled me a troll.

See, you just asked the wrong question. The first question I asked Ace in a comment thread is what is a "squeekhole."

I got a very civil answer, complete with link to a picture.

I "came out" early today on an important topic.

I'll say hello this time.

While I officially de-lurked a while back (the Colt Python thread) I haven't posted all that much. So I may as well go ahead and de-lurk all over again, what with this being a dedicated thread for it and all.

De-lurking, catch the feevah!

"Am I considered a lurker if no one on this cliquey blog ever responds to my occasional comments?"

Fugazi.

Hello.

Hey Otho, I think I got it to work...looks sort of grainy, though. Probably got compressed a bit too much.

Aye and you're just a slip of a girl, aren't ya? Nice pic, Mrs. P.

But if Sharon Myrowitz is in Ace's crawlspace, then who is the dead hitchhiker in my crawlpace????

The awful truth behind the delurking campaign:

We're on the hunt for an enemy that still lurks. I know, because I'm briefed on a daily basis about the threats that face the United States of America. And my duty is to assess this world the way it is, not the way we'd like it to be. And there's a danger that lurks -- and there's a danger that lurks because we face an enemy which cannot stand freedom.

"Am I considered a lurker if no one on this cliquey blog ever responds to my occasional comments?"

What? I'm sorry, I don't speak Spanish.

Glad to delurk on a blog that embraces role playing, although I'd love to see more coverage of MMORPGs.

Oh, geoff. It was the elbows, wasn't it, geoff?

You have a lovely smile, Mrs. P.

yeah. lurk. whatever.

with apologies to goldstein:

first in a series of conceptual lurkings:

.....

(yeah, I lurk around your place too, yah magnificent fegger.)

now. back to sweet tenebrae.

jdub

geoff, how do you think I know so much about what Kim Jong Il does to look taller?

And for the record, I'm considerably older than I look. I'm not giving any numbers, but I'm definitely past my salad days as defined by a certain Mr. Derbyshire.

Oh, geoff. It was the elbows, wasn't it, geoff?

She kind of looks like she's doing Kancho.

Some times you feel like a lurker, sometimes you don't. Personally, I am lurking for the most part today as my spelling gets worse the later it gets.

Is that cool?

I just realized that I have plagarised a commercial from the seventies.

woe is me.

so to finish it...

ACE has lurkers,Bob don't.

holy crap this sucks so bad.

I'm definitely past my salad days as defined by a certain Mr. Derbyshire

Hell that just means older than 23.

Nice blog, Mrs. Peel. A post discussing spurwing plover, the Borg, Chris Klein, and David Caruso in CSI:Miami? GENIUS!

I'm going to bookmark your blog. You definitely understand the concept of "bringing something to the table".

Being past your prime in Derbyshire terms could mean that you just became legal to drink.

and just in case he reads this:

yeah, i know there's some metatextual fuzziness going on with that last bit... but then, i'm drunk.. one o these days, tho... one of these days, you'll taste derridean steel!
(seriously, we should talk.) (and no, not a lefty.)

and how spooky retreating-center/avant garde that while *materially* delurking on ace's blog, said *material* delurking is really only the trace of the delurking, or rather, the lurking-against-which defines the absent lurking, which i do on his blog.

so which is it? materially delurking here or semantically, through the trace, delurking there?

woooo-eeee-oooo....
either way, je suis un dinosaur.

jdub (and to think I never made it in academia...)

I lurk, but only to catch D & D references. And to watch the Lightning Bolt video every so often.

I lurk now because my online time is limited thanks to all my geeky hobbies.

I keep forgetting I'm not talking to fellow Texans (except Dave. hi Dave!). My pose is the traditional whoop, which may be performed only by seniors at Texas A&M, or juniors, who are immediately required to do push-ups as punishment. (Yes, we're very weird.) The arrangement of the fingers is designed to show off one's Aggie ring. In this case, the whoop also showcases one's ability to balance on one leg while wearing high heels.

And I could have done without that link, geoff.

Thanks Russ! I was proud of that post myself.

By the way, that picture is 2 years old.

Hi Russ.

Thanks Russ.

'Night Russ.

And I could have done without that link, geoff.

Sorry - it just came to mind what with the pose and all. That fellow's oeuvre is pretty amusing, though. So what was your major at A&M?

Russ was right - the Spurwing post was inspired (as Spurwing himself has been of late).

I lurk now because my online time is limited thanks to all my geeky hobbies.

C'mon, bbeck, it's not the same without you.

Mrs. Peel looks hot.

If that is ok to say.

If not, my doesn't Mrs. Peel look fetching.

You discuss Spurwing? Hmmm.
I consider myself an expert on the eccentric behavior of the Spurwing Plover.

Hey bbeck!

We've missed you.

You guys are sweet and I've missed you, too, but unfortunately that doesn't affect the space-time contiuum enough to allow me to post regularly.

I've started reading here again, tho, so keep being witty.

im a professional lurker... but im also an OLD school professional lurker..

geoff - Engineering, of course!

bbeck, you should definitely stick around and contribute to making the male:female ratio less horribly uneven.

Yeah, bbeck, come back.

It's not nearly as much fun for the guys to make fun of my big feet as it is for them to talk about your big boobs.

What I really miss is your spot-on flames of the deserving.

I've been lurking for a little over two years and this is the first site I visit on most days. Thanks to ace and the regulars for many laughs and sometimes more information than I expected.

geoff - Engineering, of course!

Yeah, I suspected that. But what sort?

It's not nearly as much fun for the guys to make fun of my big feet as it is for them to talk about your big boobs.

Thanks for speaking up for us, Lipstick. I, for one, did not want to be the first to mention those bodacious hooters.

It's not nearly as much fun for the guys to make fun of my big feet as it is for them to talk about your big boobs.

I dunno, those are some funny feet.

I'm paranoid and don't want to enable stalkers. Feel free to email, though.

But it's the best damn sort of engineering there is!

I'm paranoid and don't want to enable stalkers. Feel free to email, though.

Sorry, didn't mean to pry. Should have taken the hint when you didn't reveal it earlier. Anyway, I'm glad you've finally started announcing your presence with authority. Now I'm off to finish revolutionizing reverse osmosis desalination, where "revolutionizing" is rapidly becoming "incrementally improving."

Welcome to all the delurkers, and welcome back bbeck!

reverse osmosis desalination

I'm no genius, but I think you just told us you were going to take a leak.

I've commented a few times before, but never really used a consistant name. Just wanted to say I enjoy your writing Ace, your commenters are a bunch of crazy people, and I hope that my stupid comments can fit in with the moron blog.

Well, I mostly lurk, but I've been known to make the occassional unnecessary comment from time to time.

Most of the time I just laugh, nod, and agree with Ace.

I would comment more but I get enough grief from Michael elsewhere. I'll stick to lurking thanks.

Bob, youre a bigger douchebag than Chris Klein.

I don't know whether to be touched by ace's benevolent care for us delurkers or fucking terrified that I'm going to be the next Sharon Myrowitz. I'm guessing this protection isn't coming without a price.

Ace, I read your site regularly... quietly, to myself. I find you amusing and informative.

No, I am not trying to get in your pants. ;)

I suppose a fellow needs to hear now and then from people who read. The last time I commented (I think) was when I was afraid you were going to retire from your blog. I'm so glad you didn't.

Carry on.

I lurk a lot here. Occasionally, I post.

A few months ago, I got my name mentioned in one of Ace's posts. It was my personal highlight for 2005.

Cool. Off work-- finally-- poised to kill off another, already dead thread. Timing, Baby, it's all in the timing.

Sorry myself, for going off so. Usually I am not so volatile, but he who shall not be named, you know, Bob, somehow just hit a nerve.

I'm a regular, helping to keep that old netmeter spinnin & my minor altercation with a commenter won't change that.

Can take it as well as dish it out.

I do my posting elsewhere, but you do have a lively bunch, here.

We have our Bob, too.

Um...the epitome of insults is not getting ones comments posted by Ace. Maybe he won't post this...but I can still lurk!

TexasAC

Lurking is Cool! Posting occasionally is fun! I do both but want to know what level or frequency of posting removes you from the rolls of the lurkers? And, if a lurker never posts does he/she really exist?

I don't Lurk damn it! I only speak when I have something to say... (something I wish people in DC did. hihi Joe Biden and shmucky shoomer and Ted (I can not Pronounce words right) Kenndy)

That being said HIHI from the city with Big shoulders.

Lurking, and loving it!
d;o)

I've been lurking for months because I'm in love with Ace. It's a secret.

I'm also having a thing for Dave in Garfield Ridge.

I've also learned how to slice like an f'n hammer.

My life is complete.

KevlarChick, I think you're going to have to bring something to the table. (you were here during the Chris Klein stuff, right?)

I think Ace's most interesting quality is the fact that he manages to make vulgarity f'n hilarious. I'm pretty prudish, but I laughed out loud at the sex-for-money skankathon. I want to know how he manages that, because I would have said there was no way I would laugh at the "Nasty Adolf." But I did.

If a delurker delurks in the woods, does it get read?

surf-actant

I am not a lurkaholic! I lurk because I like to. I can quit lurking anytime that I want! No, I don't need an intervention. Stop trying to expose me.

P.S.
I am familiar with the writings of Spurwing Plover, but can anyone tell me, what is a Spurwing Plover?

Yes, the Sex For Money Skankathon threw me into a paroxysm of lust for Ace. Any man with such a "pen" is mine. Let it also be known that I am a prude on the outside, but the AOS lifestyle is a closet addiction.

And I don't placate.

I've been lurking for a little over two years and this is the first site I visit on most days. Thanks to ace and the regulars for many laughs and sometimes more information than I expected.

Posted by expatlurker at January 12, 2006 12:20 AM

Hey, Expatlurker! I can flamewar on you! All the way from the other side of the world!

Sleep well, sister!

I had to respond to Expat, she's my sister--sorry for using the post for personal communicado!

I lurk for the cowbell.

Real Steve, it's a bird...dude has a bird fetish, with the exception (as has been noted) of CHIKWINS. Apparently, it's also called the masked lapwing and has Linnaean name Vanellus miles novaehollandiae. Appears to live mostly in Australia. I had to google "spurwing plover bird" to get results that weren't the poster...and even then, the 5th and 6th results were him (talking about Big Bird).

Kevlar, sounds like Ace has this thing going that's working for him. Just a flash of a Nasty Adolf and a little nice posting, and at the end of the day, we're giving him shirts.

Mrs. P,
Thanks for the explanation.

Ace,
I have a suggestion for next years de-lurking thread.
Try to find a link to a video of Bob getting a "Dirty Sanchez", I'm sure that the lurkers would enjoy that very much.

Its nice to hear from all these people.

Such a good idea to roll out the red carpet. I would encourage more of you to pop in and say hi from time to time. Don't forget to include your email address.

Lowers the odds of me being the one in Ace's crawlspace someday.

Howdy back at ya Mrs. Peel.

I didn't make the Texan connection, must have missed that in your earlier posts, or I would have recognized the whoop pose right away.

For those of you unfamiliar with Aggies, they're mostly harmless critters, with some of the most interesting (and really cute) mating and social rituals.

Smile at them, but don't offer food. Remember they are attracted to bright shiny objects, they'll run right up and snatch them out of your hand and run away chattering.

(all in good fun Mrs. Peel, all in good fun. nice to meet you).

oh, and Hook em Horns.

-- Thomas Jefferson, Stuff Jefferson Said, Weehawken NJ, 1797

Around here, we're more about James Madison than Thomas Jefferson. TJ was a Democrat, after all, and had some interesting ideas about the expansion of presidential power.

Anyway, did you see any of the maroon Aggie shirts that said "Gig 'em Horns...for one day only" and had the longhorn symbol on the back with its horns attached with band-aids?

I've been reading Ace's blog for over a year. Often I read the comments, too, but not always. If all 'lurkers' started commenting, I would read the comments even less frequently. I mean, who's got the time and interest to wade through 387 comments for each and every post?! Anyway, thanks Ace (and some of the commenters).

Does this now mean a kinder, gentler comments section? Perish the thought - like Val Kilmer says, "You guys are dangerous!"

Love your stuff, Ace - so what is the formal intro here, something lame, like "Hi, everyone - long - time reader, first - time commenter? "

The local environs here are Chicago - and the topic is not Bush, since I'm surrounded in a Blue State quarantine.

It may perhaps be thought superfluous to offer arguments to prove the utility of the BIG TWELVE CONFERENCE, a point, no doubt, deeply engraved on the hearts of the great body of the people in every State, even OKLAHOMA and NEBRASKA, and one, which it may be imagined, has no adversaries. Not even in COLLEGE STATION.

When the big game is on the line, we pull together.

-- Publius

And for the record, I'm considerably older than I look. I'm not giving any numbers, but I'm definitely past my salad days as defined by a certain Mr. Derbyshire.

Lose no sleep, is what I'd say. Derbyshire's the only idiot in the world that apparently doesn't realize the best parts of any meal are the entree and dessert.

I missed those shirts Mrs. P, but I'll bet someone around here has one. I live about an hour and a half west of College Station and A&M is pretty darn popular here

You fools!!! This de-lurking campaign is sponsored by the NSA. They want you to post comments to the blogs you read so that they can track your browsing habits in the future.

If you value your privacy and freedom, do not visit this site again for two weeks (by then, the NSA node will expire). And for heaven's sake, don't ever comment again!

See y'all again in 2.

Hi, I'm Hort and I'm a lurker...

It's nice to hear from all these new people Lowers the odds of me being the one in Ace's crawlspace someday.

Not as much as you might expect, actually.

I figured Ace was doing this to collect black market kidneys. Look out for that bathtub full of ice.

Just. run. away.

I'm not lurking, I just don't say anything when I have nothing to add.

I lurk, you lurk. Everybody lurks! What's the big lurkin' deal? Lurk lurkity lurk lurk!

Ladies, when Ace says 'Come in,' and then whispers 'said the spider to the fly,' under his breath, he's just kidding.

I'm sure it will be fine.

Yeah, it will be fine, I know.

Do you think he can loosen the handcuffs a little?

As always, I'm late to the scene. I've been reading Ace for, oh, a year and a half, and I've posted three or four times -- largely, because I use a work laptop and live in constant fear that "they" are watching.

But this remains my favorite blog in the world!

So, once again, hi everybody!

Mmmm Hmmm.

Look at all these women lurkers.

There won't be any room left in the crawlspace.

Ace is gonna have to rent a storage pod.

There won't be any room left in the crawlspace.

I thought that's why he bought a freezer and a beer fridge.

Good morning Gail. Figures you'd be handcuffed already. Mom always said you were trouble.

Do I lurk? Absolutely. Do I comment? No.

Expat,
I'd write more, but the handcuffs make it awkward, otherwise you'd be in deep lurker flamewar!

Your Baby Sis

woot, 140th!

hello all. former lurker, current commenter!

bout time i broke the ice, eh?

Long time lurker, first time poster. Ace used to want to hear that, I think. Hello? Is this thing on? Hello?

Testing...1...2...3...

hello, nice ta meetcha phoenix, moonbat monitor, NotBob, Gwazoo, and everybody

Yep, we're still checkin' for newbies. Thanks for joining us at AOSHQ.