50? Who woulda thunk it?
Several hours after finishing a lengthy telephone conversation with my son this morning, it hit me. He was talking about how much he, his cousin, and friends enjoyed the articles that regularly appear in The B2 Journal, and then he smirkingly reminded me that I had not provided an update in a while. Chastised for my sloth, I began this issue -- and what struck me was the fact that this is The B2 Journal's 50th Issue...
Now mind you, in the bigger scheme of things this minor milestone is insignificant. I mean let's get real; This paltry publication won't propel man to Mars, implement world peace, or cure cancer. But in the helter-skelter, stress-filled, stroke-inducing Maelstrom that is the world of B2, the journal's longevity is remarkable.
This is for me
What's even more remarkable is the fact that in a few more months, B2's Web presence will reach its ninth year of providing consistently-written public nuisance. The format has changed several times over the years, but the spirit and intent have always remained the same.
The primary goal of this endeavor was and still is to provide B2 with a place to vent. That's it. No grand vision, no altruistic principles, definitely no blogging, and no lofty purpose. If, however, along the way some of you gleaned a smidgen of entertainment or (gasp!) insight into any of the myriad topics that have been addressed during its lifetime, then so much the better.
Although not interactive or glitzy by today's slick Blog standards and certainly not to be confused with any Blog-like publication, The B2 Journal amazingly had one of its articles cited by not only Hannity but the great one himself, Limbaugh, on their respective radio programs last year. Not bad for a dime-a-dozen electronic rag that doesn't promote itself, bother with advertising, publish to search engines, or take itself seriously.
In fact, I find it fascinating that a search for B2 Journal or The B2 Journal on any major search engine routinely spits out a link at or near the top of the list. WTFO?
Hate springs eternal
At any rate, being relatively unknown is no guarantee that one will never receive hate email. Oh no -- on this you must trust me, folks. Let me assure you that there are many sick and twisted individuals out there. I could publish a book containing all of the hate-filled leftist and Islamist insults and threats I have received over the years, messages so vile that after reading them (and responding to a few of the saner perpetrators, at least those who could spell) you feel like sanitizing your monitor, keyboard, and hands with surgical soap and give your hard drive a vinegar douche.
But the flip side of the coin is that one also receives some truly pleasant missives from folks who appreciate my writing style or le sujet du jour. I've even gone so far as to meet a few who happen to reside locally in Little Martin.
So what's the purpose of relating all of this to you? Nothing. But it just goes to show that even when you indulge in something just for your benefit, something you think should have no bearing or consequence on anyone else, it always does.
For those of you who check in on The B2 Journal from time to time, occasionally gain a perspective you might have overlooked about a particular topic, or are happy to read that your own thoughts are shared by another, thanks for your interest.