Five Years Of Sub-Blogging Goodness
Five years ago today, when I was on terminal leave from the Navy, I started The Stupid Shall Be Punished with this post. Now, 2350 posts and over 2.5 million page views later, I celebrate my five year blogiversary. Thanks to all my readers and commenters for making this blog what it is.
This blog has definitely changed in character over the years. As I've run out of non-classified sea stories I can tell, it's become more of a forum where I provide a general topic and the commenters generate most of the interesting content. I'm generally happy with this new direction, but feel somewhat saddened when I think that my best writing is probably behind me. Still, I'll keep plugging along, providing insight into submarine news that happens to make it into the mainstream media, occasional political opinions, and hopefully get back to doing some more movie reviews. I can't promise anything, but I'm certainly hoping to keep this thing going as long as anyone is interested in what I have to say. As I've frequently said, this blog provides a forum for me to keep my foot in the door of the Submarine Force that I love. {/navel gazing}
Thanks again for reading and commenting; I couldn't do it without you.
posted by Bubblehead at 11:41 AM
32 Comments:
Keep up the good work! It's become part of my daily reading the last two years.
9/17/2009 12:29 PM
Joel, Happy 5 years! keep it up. Reid
9/17/2009 1:05 PM
You're in my RSS ticker Joel. Keep up the good work!
9/17/2009 2:14 PM
Joel,
Just went back to your first few months of posting and read some interesting writings from way back when. I noticed that there were very few comments to your posts back then, which makes sense since not many were yet aware.
Some of those old posts may be relevant today, may be worth revisiting, and may also generate comments from your current stable of habitual and sometimes pompus readers.
Since you've admitted to running out of un-classified stories, I for one would welcome a re-hashing of some of your older stuff. Oldies but goodies....
9/17/2009 2:26 PM
No fear Joel, your writing is only part of what makes this site so valuable. Relevance is even better. You provide an excellent outlet for discussion and have a knack for relevance.
9/17/2009 3:48 PM
This is the only public blog that I actually post my thoughts on. It's the familiarity of this site that allows me to feel safe in speaking out occasionally. I'm also aware that quite a few other guys feel the same way.
Joel, some of the topics and even the news you post is most profound and surprising at times. More than once, I've found a topic on here that we've been told to keep quiet about, or can you say, (Rig For Silent Running?) Yet, a few days later, You post it like it just came off CNN. I absolutely love that.
I also like the fact that there are guys on here who've served on a Balao class, Tench, Tang, or Skate class and on from there. Hearing from the guys who've been there done that, way before my time is both an entertaining read and it's actually possible that I might learn a thing or two along the way. Plus, I'm a history buff too, so that tends to help with my attention span.
Joel, congrats on your 5 year anniversary. You've got a Kick-Ass blog going here. Maintain course & flank speed.
9/17/2009 4:04 PM
This blog is interesting and relevant. Also for me personally it has given me a chance to reconnect with the culture I left long ago. Thank you.
9/17/2009 5:52 PM
Joel:
Most 1120 1 stars and above read your blog, especially, those in the direct TYCOM and NR CoC. You can gain unique insight to the problems in the fleet from some of the postings! Great job trying to enforce and police the classification issues
9/17/2009 6:03 PM
Joel...
Congratulations on having the best blog in town! I am humbled to be in the company some truly brilliant thinkers. Here's to the next 5 years!
9/17/2009 6:09 PM
I have tried to read alot of blogs. The one I continue to come back to is yours! I enjoy your articles and the interaction with other. I am more of a reader than a poster, but I enjoy yours.
STSCS(SS/SW) USN RET
I am 17040 days old today!
9/17/2009 6:30 PM
I rarely ever comment since I'd rather just read. Been around since nearly the beginning, Joel. Hope you have another five more great years!
Byron
9/17/2009 6:31 PM
Congrats Joel! Don't ever think that your best is behind you. Just keep going as long as you enjoy it.
9/17/2009 6:33 PM
TSSBP is a must read for me in the morning, and after work. The conversations that blossom from your posts are always interesting, often spririted, and sometimes downright controversial. Overall, it's a valuable service for active duty and former submariners alike. Thanks for doing what you do!
9/17/2009 7:23 PM
It's become a daily read for me. My 8 YO daughter will walk by and ask, "Readin' Rubber Ducky again?"
(She got a kick out of RD's choice of handles. 8-)
9/17/2009 7:40 PM
There's nothing worse than writer's block, blogger. But there's always a book you can write.
9/17/2009 7:50 PM
Congratulations on the anniversary.
I'd also appreciate a "best of the beginning" re-hash series of your posts. I went through some of the ones before I started reading this regularly (still interrupted by work all too often of late) & keeping up, but I know there were a whole lot that I missed that frankly I don't have the time to wade through to look for nuggets.
Keep up the good work! BZ
9/17/2009 7:53 PM
Joel
I've enjoyed reading your blog and disagree that your best writing days are behind you. Keep up the good work.
9/18/2009 5:03 AM
Always good to read. Keep up the good work.
9/18/2009 6:41 AM
Big congrats, Joel. In good times and bad, in sickness and health, you've been among the Idaho blogosphere's most consistent - and consistently entertaining voices. Even if I still think the name is mean. :)
Here's to as many more years as you like ...
9/18/2009 7:10 AM
Thanks for the hard work Joel!!
9/18/2009 8:24 AM
Joel,
Thanks for for your resolve to endlessly continue to post on your blog. Even when life was dealing you some rough times, you persevered. I tried one and failed miserably, but I have this blog to go to daily. It truly keeps me connected to my best years.
As far as the "best writing behind me". I really doubt it. Keep coming on with the latest and greatest news about submarines. I have really enjoyed your political perspective as well. As with all things in life, we are on a journey and the journey continues to get better when we are guided by our faith. One thing I see in your writing and how you have handled life.
Thanks for the last 5 years and I am looking forward to many more to come.
CWO3 (Ret)
9/18/2009 9:18 AM
Joel - BZ for five years in the blogosphere. You provide a great forum for multi generations of submariners to discuss, argue, explain, and otherwise discourse about the 'silent service.' It is a great service and I hope you are able to maintain the enthusiasm for the task. Thanks for the great reads day to day. Bill Sheehan
9/18/2009 9:18 AM
I extend my sincere thanks as well. I enjoy reading the original articles as much as the comments. While I don't always agree, the conversations are spirited and lively and I always learn something.
I also enjoy seeing the viewpoint from those who rode the subs before me. Seeing where we were makes it a lot easier to understand where we are.
Hope to read your thoughts for the next 5 years and beyond, Joel.
9/18/2009 3:00 PM
Congrats ENG!
9/18/2009 3:15 PM
Keep up the good work!!
I only found the blog about a year ago, so feel free to "rehash" the oldies . . .
I think I will still have to call you "Eng"
22 EDMC
9/18/2009 5:10 PM
wow, 5 years. doesn't seem that long since i found this garden spot in the blogosphere, populated with bubbleheads and skimmer pukes alike. one thing we all in common is an interest in the Navy, past and present.
keep up the good work nuke.
bo
9/18/2009 10:20 PM
Congratulations and may you have many more. Keep the ideas coming.
9/19/2009 5:37 AM
If you all really enjoy this blog keep sending him things to write about. Keeps him out of my hair and things that I am doing.LOL Love him enough to say there has to be some Submarine(hint: ssn-22 or ssn-23 not to far from here) that needs an old fart Eng to build or re-build some reactor some where.LOL There is were the love is for him.
9/19/2009 7:08 AM
Keep maintaining "way-on in the ahead direction" Your blog is a daily must read. I've turned my daughter (married to an SSN nuke) on to this site, who is now also a daily reader. Thanks.
9/21/2009 4:55 AM
Just checking in to say I hope you keep the updates coming. As an engineer working to keep the old boats in service, I look forward to reading about your experiences at sea and even the occasional rant.
9/21/2009 7:18 PM
It's understandable that you're running light on experiences and stories that you can discuss in open forum.
Really, if you've noticed that when you post a news story or some satire off the Navy Enquirer, you do tend to get a shit load of responses. Everyone has an opinion and a point of view to express. Joel all you gotta do is to continue to light the fuse. There are enough of us that you'll always have a few responses. On average, you seem to get at least 20 to 25 responses per post that you create.
So keep it up and if you wanna bring up some old sea stories and other fun shit that's been posted in years past here, then go for it. I highly doubt anyone is gonna bitch about it.
This is a great blog and a helluva' good resource for many.
9/21/2009 10:08 PM
Happy (belated) bloggiversary!
9/24/2009 6:07 AM
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