My 500th Blog Post

A small town in Belgium, October 2013

“Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.”
― E.L. Doctorow

Today marks my 500th blog post.

What began 16 months ago as a half-crazed idea to blast off a few impromptu thoughts every now and then and vent like a motherfucker, has become a daily routine.  A philosophical playground.

When I began writing this blog, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Would anyone care?  Might I get fired?  Who out there in a world full of so many distractions would care about the political and religious views of an extremist?  Who would be interested in reading the restaurant opinions of a lunatic?  Stream of conscious thoughts doesn’t suit everyone.

If you’ve been around for a while, you already know the shtick.  There have been reviews and rants.  Essays and commentaries.  Photos and videos.  Last summer, I even organized a boycott (never mind how it went).  A few expletives were thrown in to spice things up, every now and then.  As for regrets, I’ve had more than a few.  But then again — too few to mention.

Why do this?  Why take the time?

Well, I believe in the power of the written word.  I believe in ideas.  Not just mine, but the ideas of others.  I also believe in imaginative evolution.  We aren’t born with our ideas and beliefs.  We grow into them.  We acquire them.  I believe in the wonder of curiosity and the awesome beauty of discovery.

But critical thought and contemplation is being seriously threatened today by 140-character Twitter posts and five-second attention spans.  Fewer people, it seems, do something that’s been essential to learning for centuries — and that’s to read.  We want the world and we want it all now, but we don’t want to go through the trouble to really and try and understand it.  In my own manner, this blog is a sort of daily protest in favor of free-thinking — even when it’s terribly mischievous.

On this occasion of my 500th blog post, there are a number of people I wish to thank.  Foremost among them is Ernst-Dieter Martin, a web designer who helps to maintain this site.  Without Dieter, I wouldn’t be doing this.  So, blame him.

I also wish to thank those who have made donations.  All money raised goes to maintain the website.  Thanks to all those who have sent a contribution.

My “Supporters Emeritus” is a special category of confidants.  They have provided guidance and support, and most of all — encouragement when it was needed the most.  Most of us rely on trusted friends we can call upon for advice, and each of these people has given way beyond what I deserve and can possibly reciprocate.

To all those who have posted their comments at the site — thank you.  I’ve learned things from the feedback I’ve received, most notably when I make an error.  Watchful eyes are always a good thing.

Two organizations deserve my deepest gratitude.  The World Series of Poker (Caesars Entertainment) and Poker Night in America (Rush Street Gaming) have been wonderful to me for allowing total creative freedom.  Neither company has ever in the least expressed dissatisfaction or made any suggestion that I tone down my commentary.  That’s remarkable given some of the outlandish things I’ve written, and people I’ve attacked, especially in poker and the gambling industry.  That they’ve allowed me to write and say what I want without fear of getting reprimanded or fired is a remarkable gift.

Finally, I’d like to express my deepest appreciation to all the readers who visit here each and every day and check out what I have to say.  You could be doing and reading other things.  I hope that I can continue to deliver enough entertainment and creative thoughts to make you return again and again.

May the next 500 posts be even more fun.