Well this is the final post of Annika's Journal. Thank you to all you faithful readers, from those who were here in the days I used to not capitalize the "I" to those of you who recently discovered this blog. Thank you to every single one of you, the commenters, lurkers, stalkers, trolls and even you Lindsay Logan fans. You all made it fun, and you were the reason I checked my e-mail ten million times a day for the last four years.

Now it's time to close up shop. Will asked whether I think I have grown from the experience of blogging. It's a difficult question to answer, and not only because I haven't given it much thought. You see my blog persona is so different from the real Annika, it's almost like Jekyll and Hyde (confession: Annika isn't even my real name!). The Annika you know is so much funnier, sexier, friendlier, smarter and cooler than I could ever hope to be in real life. If anything, what I take away from this experience is a desire to be more like her.

Before I go, I want to especially thank everybody who purchased things off my wishlist. I used to send thank you cards, until I realized that a cryptic perfume scented note from a strange Scandinavian girl might not be the easiest thing to explain to someone's wife or girlfriend. "I swear, she's just a blogger." And to those of you who never got a thank you, it might also be because somebody stole the gift off of my front porch, as often happens. I still appreciate your thoughtfulness. I'm truly amazed at people's generosity to someone they don't know, whose only public virtues seem to be a wide array of interests and a fair ability to string words together.

For those of you who will suffer withdrawal for the various rubrics I've written under, here are some suggestions for future reading:

American Skankwomen and Celebrity Watch: Your best source for celebrity gossip and snark will always be Agent Bedhead, my Cotillion sister.

annik-dotes: I stopped writing personal anecdotes the way I used to in the beginning. Mainly because they were never as interesting or brilliantly written as the stuff Dawn Summers writes. Someday she's going to write a book that will outsell David Sedaris, because she's funnier.

annikapunditry: You're on your own for political stuff. So much of the conservative blogosphere fails in the "keeping it real" department, I don't know what to tell you. But you can always rely on Michael Yon to be honest with you regarding Iraq and Afghanistan, and he knows what he's talking about. Another guy who knows his shit is Wretchard, but I suspect you've already heard of him. And the geniuses at Gates of Vienna never disappoint when it comes to the Global War on Terror. And Sarah has a great eye for what's important, whether in the world of politics, policy or purling. In addition, I may do more stuff for A Western Heart in the future.

Arts, Let's Go To Hollywood and Poetry: The amazing and prolific Sheila O'Malley is the first place you need to go. When she writes about poetry it makes my old Poetry Day posts seem like they were written by a third grader. Sheila has so much God-honest love for the movies, theater, and all the arts it's infectuous. Plus, in addition to his great blogging on feminism, life, chinchillas and a host of other subjects, Thursday poetry continues as always at Hugo Schwyzer's blog. Thank you, Hugo for all your support and love. Ccwbass is the blogger I once called "the Mark Russell of the blogosphere" for his poetry. And for food and wine, I dubbed Pursuit the unofficial sommelier of Annika's Journal.

C.T.O.T.I.O.T.D.: I always count on Beth to find the strangest, funniest, and coolest shit on the internets before anyone else does. And she's absolutely fearless, too.

Dumb-Ass Quizzes: The funnest things I ever did on this blog were the Jeopardy tournaments and the haiku contests. I don't know of anyone who wants to put in the work to organize those things, as they were time intensive. But if anyone does, I'd love to try participating as a contestant someday.

Faith: I could suggest The American Princess for half a dozen of these rubrics. But everytime the Pope speaks, I want to know what E.M. has to say about it. And from the non-Catholic perspective, the Midwest Conservative Journal is your best source. MCJ is also the very first blog to put Annika's Journal on its blogroll!

Fash-ism: When Candied Ginger went away, so did the best fashion blogging. I'm a big fan of Shoewawa instead of the other more annoying pajama-wearing shoe blogger. And although it's not a blog, Diva Village has everything you need to know in one fun place. I can't tell you how many fashion ideas I've gotten from them.

History: Obviously, Llama Butchers. Okay, not so obvious. But despite the name, Robert does a lot of excellent history related posts, and his interests are very similar to mine. Good sci-fi blogging too.

Hot Tub Friends and Peter Pumpkin Comics: Peter Pumpkin will return, after my hiatus, at Six Meat Buffet. I recently reviewed some of my HTF posts and decided that their comedy to amount of time it takes to make them ratio was not very high. Thus HTF may or may not return when I do.

Legal Mumbo Jumbo: E.M. being an expert in constitutional law among many other things, The American Princess wins again.

New Gun Nut Stuff: Publicola, who else? He's also one of the oldest and dearest supporters of Annika's Journal. Plus, he's smarter than a boatload of appellate judges, which ain't much of a compliment but trust me. The guy has forgotten more history and conlaw than most lawyers and journalists will ever know.

photoshopaholic: Rodger of Curmudgeonly & Skeptical puts out more photoshopped comedy than anyone in the blogosphere, and he's always spot-on. And "ROTFL" is normally just a figure of speech, but Jim Treacher has done some photoshopped shit that had me literally crying with laughter. Jim just might be the very first person ever to comment at my blog so he'll always have a special place in my heart, no matter where he's blogging.

Pithy and/or Lame Thoughts and The Huh? Files: For these Rubrics, it's Dawn Summers again. Mistress of the one-liner. Dawn, I bequeath to you my flashing Drudge style gif. Use it in good health.

Science & Technology: I like TechEBlog for product reviews, robot blogging and/or weird inventions. You never know what you'll find there.

Sex Please: No one did it better than Wegglywoo, and now that she's gone, nobody else is worth reading.

Sports: Humbug is my baseball muse, and the only blogger ever to give Annika's Journal a square on the periodic table. Besides having his picture in the dictionary under the entry for "blogger," Tony Pierce deserves to be hired by the L.A. Times sports desk, and sit in Jim Murray's chair. Ontario Emperor is the coach I wished I'd had when I was a kid. And Greg Cotharn won the A's J Fantasy Baseball league a few years ago. I owe Greg an apology for never giving him the trophy I promised. I think he's got one of my coffee mugs though!

I'd also like to thank my wonderful co-bloggers throughout the years: my oldest friend Franci; the lovely Ginger working hard at some fancy law firm I'm sure; James Finch and Coyote, wherever you guys are; the late Lynn Carrier; my smoking buddy Matt Scofield, a real man of genius; and especially Victor who is a dear friend, a fellow Seventies movie and Eighties music junkie, and who carried the tradition of Poetry Day so long and faithfully.

And to those who hooked me up to Munuviana: the aforementioned Victor; Susie who's still blogging strong; Ted, the Elder Statesman of Munuviana; and especially to Pixy Misa, the wizard behind our Oz, to whom I am indebted forever for this great platform to spout off and make nonsense, a very very sincere thank you.

I actually didn't plan to mention anybody by name in this final post because I didn't want to leave anyone out. I said it before, so forgive me if it's starting to sound trite. But I do have the best commenters in the blogosphere. My fellow Sacramentan Blu and Reagan80 and ElMondoHummus who each had my back always; the incredible Col. Steve who is way too smart to have been reading this thing; Strawman, who taught me the virtue of civility; and Will who's also got too much brains to come here; Radical Redneck, who kept me laughing and on my toes with all his NSFW shit; not to mention Kevin Kim; and Kyle and Amy and Mark Nicodemo and Joules and Spanky and Roach and Robbie and Calvin and Physics Geek and Otto and Matt Rustler and Law Fairy, and D-Rod and Mike C and Spork and Dave J and Zomby whose great comments were never often enough for my tastes.

Well now I've named lots of names, and no doubt I've left somebody out. But I can't not acknowledge the friendship and love of my two greatest blog benefactors, Casca and Shelly. Your friendship and encouragement has meant the world to me, even though we've never met. I may someday meet Shelly in a courtroom, and truth be told, I may meet Casca there too either as a client or a defendant — who knows? What else can I say about the two of you, except God bless you both — because He has blessed me with your friendship.

Well, if this were the Oscars, the music would be playing by now, so I better go because I'm getting all ferklempt.

Posted by: annika at 11:22 PM | Comments (73) | Add Comment
Post contains 1663 words, total size 13 kb.

1 I'm going to be low for a while. You see, my heart is still aching to seek, but my fingers will question "whither"? I'm a little misty writing this, since few days in the past five or six years have not had Annika as part of them. Today we have to kiss you goodbye, because time and tide won't wait, and you are young, smart, and beautiful with the main course of life before you. One day, you'll kiss your child goodbye, and understand how I feel today. Reluctance OUT through the fields and the woods And over the walls I have wended; I have climbed the hills of view And looked at the world, and descended; I have come by the highway home, 5 And lo, it is ended. The leaves are all dead on the ground, Save those that the oak is keeping To ravel them one by one And let them go scraping and creeping 10 Out over the crusted snow, When others are sleeping. And the dead leaves lie huddled and still, No longer blown hither and thither; The last lone aster is gone; 15 The flowers of the witch-hazel wither; The heart is still aching to seek, But the feet question ‘Whither?’ Ah, when to the heart of man Was it ever less than treason 20 To go with the drift of things, To yield with grace to reason, And bow and accept the end Of a love or a season? -Frost

Posted by: Casca at May 20, 2007 11:46 PM (2gORp)

2 Well, it was fun while it lasted. Thanks for the memorable experience you provided us here. I wish you the best of luck. Farewell, Annika.

Posted by: reagan80 at May 21, 2007 12:06 AM (8/tWk)

3 Audio of Bob Hope and Shirley Ross singing "Thanks for the Memory" Thanks for the memory Of sentimental verse, nothing in my purse And chuckles when the preacher said "For better or for worse" How lovely it was [...] We said goodbye with a highball Then I got as "high" as a steeple But we were intelligent people No tears, no fuss, Hooray! For us So, thanks for the memory And strictly entre-nous, darling how are you? And how are all the little dreams that never did come true? Aw'flly glad I met you, cheerio, and toodle-oo And thank you so much.

Posted by: gcotharn at May 21, 2007 12:30 AM (Ucsqp)

4 Sublime You Tube of Hope and Ross. The comments thingy remembered my name and email address! Wow and farewell!

Posted by: gcotharn at May 21, 2007 12:56 AM (Ucsqp)

5 You're the best. Take care and good luck in everything you do!

Posted by: Mike C. at May 21, 2007 02:32 AM (2nDll)

6 You have broken my heart funny girl. Please drop by to my little site from time to time so I don't feel so lonely. Thanks for all the laughs and good fortune to you in all your endeavors.

Posted by: kyle N at May 21, 2007 03:41 AM (FGS1L)

7 You do know that you'll be back, don't you? You have been a joy.

Posted by: Rodger Schultz at May 21, 2007 04:38 AM (GG5st)

8 Well, if you HAVE to end this, at least you're shutting down on a high note. All the best to you in your real life.

Posted by: Gordon at May 21, 2007 04:50 AM (rPX2a)

9 Best to you, Annika, and thank you.

Posted by: DBrooks at May 21, 2007 05:31 AM (fE/DD)

10 I don't want to say goodbye, so I'll just say See ya at the Buffet...

Posted by: Sarah at May 21, 2007 05:34 AM (vrR+j)

11 I'd like to think that if you post again under a different name, I would know right away who you are. Whether you are being Jekyll or Hyde at the time there's a lovable core to your personality.

Posted by: Mark W at May 21, 2007 06:08 AM (4x8W0)

12 An excerpt from mourning poem from Stephen R. Donaldson: Be still, heart: Make no expostulation. Hold peace and grief and be still. _____________________ I appreciate the final shout-out and all the good times, A. Have a great life! No goodbyes here: we mourn, yes, but the story never ends. Kisses, tongue, and blind, clumsy groping, Kevin PS: You'll remain forever on my sidebar, of course. May the light of Eärendil never fade!

Posted by: Kevin Kim at May 21, 2007 06:08 AM (VhMXe)

13 And I see that I have bequeathed you a typo as well. Ha ha! As I said-- the story never ends. And now: onward! Kevin

Posted by: Kevin Kim at May 21, 2007 06:12 AM (VhMXe)

14 Oh, and one more link for blu.

Posted by: will at May 21, 2007 06:21 AM (z62e3)

15 "confession: Annika isn't even my real name!"\ NO! Say it isn't so! OK, actually know that "she's" finished with this blog, I can let the secret out: "Annika" is actually a CalTrans road worker named Bubba who used this blog to let out his intellectual and feminine side without letting his drinking buddies know. They just wouldn't understand... Farewell Bubb...er...Annika! And seriously...we will miss you. See you on the other side...

Posted by: Billy at May 21, 2007 07:05 AM (JQe3J)

16 Later, kid. I'm sure I'll find you commenting on a poetry blog somewhere, and I'll be sure to say, "hi!"

Posted by: Victor at May 21, 2007 07:18 AM (1oGDT)

17 Annika, Looks like your Lebanese fans are so pissed they have broken out fighting! The best of luck to you, thanks for the ride, it was fun!

Posted by: Otto at May 21, 2007 07:45 AM (czVLs)

18 Right now, I kinda feel like I did when I was watching Carson for the very last time: Sad. Thanks for keeping it real and interesting, Annika. You had so many loyal readers because you were loyal to us. We could count on you for consistent thoughtfulness and entertainment. You've been the ideal hostess. Best of luck, amiga. Along with Ms. Annika, I'm going to miss all the amazing personalities that also made this site special. Thanks for the post that made it worth coming here day-after-day. There are too many brilliant people to name. Casca, you are a funny mother f*cker. Straw, thanks for the passion and the courage it took to show up knowing you were going to get hammered from all sides. Will, you are wrong but undeniably bright. (BTW, thanks for the final link - I'm sooooo in your head, dude! Reagan80, nearly every time you wrote something, I wish it had been me. And The Law Fairy, you didn't write a lot, but when you did, I always read it. A smart young attorney you are;-) Rock on, Annika!

Posted by: blu at May 21, 2007 08:09 AM (YIU3p)

19 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Posted by: dawn summers at May 21, 2007 08:14 AM (SOf9N)

20 Blu, you were an immense help to me when it came to dealing with the interlopers. Thanks for your support. After the diaspora, I guess we'll rally at 6MB.

Posted by: reagan80 at May 21, 2007 08:39 AM (bSS5O)

21 The best of luck to you. You'll be missed.

Posted by: Mark at May 21, 2007 08:44 AM (2MrBP)

22 Damn... the good ones all go away... and the bad ones just continue to despoil the ground they occupy. Farewell, Anni. One enjoyable stop on the blogosphere just disappeared for me. Sail forth! steer for the deep waters only! Reckless, O soul, exploring, I with thee, and thou with me; For we are bound where mariner has not yet dared to go, And we will risk the ship, ourselves and all.

Posted by: ElMondoHummus at May 21, 2007 08:57 AM (xHyDY)

23 You were the very first blogger to ever link to me, back in August 2003. I haven't forgotten, and I won't forget you. All the best, and I'll see you at a Cal game... Much love.

Posted by: Hugo Schwyzer at May 21, 2007 09:50 AM (yLeev)

24 Wow. I'm sad to see such a good thing come to the end. In a way, ending a blog is sort of weird; what becomes of those strange meta-relationships we form with bloggers who we never know personally, yet with whom we have constructed a sense of association and camaraderie? The "relationship" is suddenly ended, and the blogger returns to the background, not to be seen or "heard" from again (like the character of Roy in 'Blade Runner' who, as he lays dying, says to Harrison Ford "All those moments will be lost in time....like tears in rain.") A bit melodramatic for a blog that's come to an end, I suppose, but the sentiment is sort of the same. I'll miss the Wednesday poetry, and secretly will never forgive Annika for not having included one of my favorites, the following gem from Edgar Allen Poe. It seems somewhat apropos, so I'll part with a "kiss upon the brow," and say thanks, Annika, for having shared so much with all of us! A Dream Within A Dream Take this kiss upon the brow! And, in parting from you now, Thus much let me avow- You are not wrong, who deem That my days have been a dream; Yet if hope has flown away In a night, or in a day, In a vision, or in none, Is it therefore the less gone? All that we see or seem Is but a dream within a dream. I stand amid the roar Of a surf-tormented shore, And I hold within my hand Grains of the golden sand- How few! yet how they creep Through my fingers to the deep, While I weep- while I weep! O God! can I not grasp Them with a tighter clasp? O God! can I not save One from the pitiless wave? Is all that we see or seem But a dream within a dream?

Posted by: Dan-O at May 21, 2007 10:15 AM (yMnY4)

25 \"The Annika you know is so much funnier, sexier, friendlier, smarter and cooler than I could ever hope to be in real life.\" Wow. The Annika I know is none of those things, so God help the person behind Annika.

Posted by: Sporty at May 21, 2007 10:35 AM (0Xdf/)

26 You are what you post baby.

Posted by: Casca at May 21, 2007 11:37 AM (Y7t14)

27 This'd suck a lot more if you weren't headed to 6MB in the near future. So I'll just say see you there and leave it at that.

Posted by: Matt at May 21, 2007 11:46 AM (10G2T)

28 I'm glad the smell of turkey soup simmering on the stove is filling my house right now because it's comforting. Say good-bye to Annika's Journal and then overdose on turkey soup, falling into a turkey coma. Sounds like a plan. I'll pray that you ace the law exam. After watching "Bleak House" on PBS recently, I want to stay out of courtrooms, especially Victorian ones, forever--good old Charles Dickens--but I believe you'd be the anti-Evil-Victorian-Lawyer whose long name I can't remember.

Posted by: Joules at May 21, 2007 12:35 PM (u4CYb)

29 So long, Annie. I remember at your blog's one year anniversary when you hinted that you'd thought about ending your blog then. I consider the last 3 years as bonus time, all of which I enjoyed. Take care, and see you around the Intertubes.

Posted by: physics geek at May 21, 2007 01:20 PM (MT22W)

30 Annika, we'll miss you. You're the greatest. Good luck on the bar, in life, and in love. You really were one of my favorite blogs, one of four or five I checked daily after I paired down my selection to the best of the best. Seriously, take care.

Posted by: Roach at May 21, 2007 02:31 PM (1BjlW)

31 You'll be back. They always come back!

Posted by: Jim Treacher at May 21, 2007 04:06 PM (0jtcT)

32 I'm so bummed you're leaving. I really am. But selfish thoughts aside: I wish you the best of luck. You're terrific!!

Posted by: sheila at May 21, 2007 05:13 PM (J1ELb)

33 In the immortal words of Webb Wilder: Work hard, rock hard, sleep hard, eat hard, grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em. Don't be gone too long whoever you are. Some of us still need to be disabused of our notions about Fred Thompson.

Posted by: smantix at May 21, 2007 05:50 PM (1SFdZ)

34 You were one of the very first bloggers I ever read, so I suppose I just assumed annika's journal would ALWAYS be here. I'm sad to see this place go, but I know we all take comfort in knowing we're not seeing YOU go. Not by a long shot: you're going to take the world by storm. Good luck on the Bar, Annie. You know there's this teensy 95% of the profession that make the rest of us look so bad: you'll not be a part of it. And best wishes in everything you do. "May the light of Eärendil never fade!" I so wish I'd been the one to say that, Kevin. To be outdone in one's Tolkien geekery...it's devastating. :-p

Posted by: Dave J at May 21, 2007 05:57 PM (PEbS4)

35 Thank you for sharing yourself with readers like me. As a recent visitor to your journal and one-time commenter, I enjoyed thoroughly your efforts. Best wishes and God Bless You (whoever you really are), Annika.

Posted by: RobS at May 21, 2007 06:18 PM (vkrRz)

36 Annie, Sorry to see you close shop, but quitting at the top is always the best way out. Your blog was one of the inspirations for my humble effort, and always a terrific read. Good luck to you, and good bye. Best regards, Pursuit

Posted by: Pursuit at May 21, 2007 06:54 PM (N155d)

37 Heh, this is/was one helluva party, only I'm sure we're all a lot uglier in person. Speaking of ugly, there's someone who is conspicuous in their absence, and I'm not talking about that supercilious dipshit LF. Considering that he usually sends me fifty-five emails a day, and today I only got two can only mean one thing. He's at a place where we hardboiled assholes hate to be; i.e. moved beyond words. He's probably sitting in his car down the block waiting for the right moment to make his entrance.

Posted by: Casca at May 21, 2007 07:51 PM (2gORp)

38 :-(

Posted by: Radical Redneck at May 21, 2007 07:55 PM (cOyko)

39 "He's at a place where we hardboiled assholes hate to be; i.e. moved beyond words." You speak of Clint Eastwood, of course. Kevin

Posted by: Kevin Kim at May 21, 2007 07:59 PM (1PcL3)

40 Y'know, Cas, for a trained killer you are really pretty much of a blubbering pussy. But I have to say, the Frost piece was right on the clit. Sorry I'm late, but I had a long day today, won a long motion for summary judgment that took three hours and then an indeterminate Airport meeting that kept me until now. Annie, I hope we never meet in a courtroom, because that means I'll be trying a case next year, and my plans are to do nothing but lobby from now on. It's already 90% of my practice so I'm making it 100%. I will be a fully recovering lawyer. But I am going to watch for you. I have my spies, and the rules are over since you are no longer a blogger, so you know where to find me when you need some help with the bureaucracy that is the Bar. I may even visit the exam in July and tap you on the back or something (naw, just kidding, I wouldn't do that). Seriously, I envy you. You are a young, bright lawyer about to enter into the world's second oldest profession, and you have the world by the tail. Just hold on tight, because it is a great ride, really. Just never, I mean NEVER, sell your integrity for any client, no matter how important or how much money. Those that do, never sleep well again. We all wish you well on the exam, but I'm not worried, even a little bit. I'd bet the farm on you.

Posted by: shelly at May 21, 2007 08:27 PM (JQe3J)

41 Annie, we're having a party in your honor! Come and join us! :-p

Posted by: Radical Redneck at May 21, 2007 09:20 PM (cOyko)

42 Thanks much, you are kind and fun. this has been going on for more than a bit now hasn't it? makes me jealous for somethin new for me as well seeing you actually do it. Whatever has happened here, annie has revealed that she is well put in being "sin egen kvinde". My best for you going forward, do hope to c ya around

Posted by: Scof at May 21, 2007 11:37 PM (nE8Mg)

43 LMAO, nothing but love from a homo-erotic Trojan fan.

Posted by: Casca at May 22, 2007 12:25 AM (2gORp)

44 Just never, I mean NEVER, sell your integrity for any client, no matter how important or how much money. Those that do, never sleep well again. Wise words, I will vouch for them. Odd, though, that they come from someone who is becoming 100% lobbyist. Yep, we Americans are proud of the fact we get to vote, though the real corridors of power are patrolled by those who seek to redirect the attention of our representives to the vested interests of their corporate sponsors (unless the lobbyist is working for a non-profit). Of course, there will be a stout defense of this short circuit of American liberty and democracy; odd that we are focused on spreading democracy around the globe when it is slipping from our hands here.

Posted by: will at May 22, 2007 04:16 AM (z62e3)

45 Will: Knowing what you can change and what you can't is simply part of growing up. Don't worry too much, not much important gets changed; just a few contracts, etc. people chasing after the mighty buckaroo. I've changed a lot of things in my day; I like to think I made a lot of changes for the good. But, yes, they were for clients for pay. I don't take on issues with which I disagree anymore, a luxury that comes later in life, after you've succeeded and everyone wants your help. But in my earlier days, it was not so easy, and once in a while I was not 100% on board with my cause. That is a lawyer's plight, to be sure, and because everyone is entitled to a defense or a lawyer, we defend it as being a part of the advocacy system. But for the lawyer with morality, it can be trying. Annie will not have to face this too often, and I am confident that when she does, she'll make the right decisions. She has a true moral compass.

Posted by: shely at May 22, 2007 06:55 AM (JQe3J)

46 I will miss you. I probably shouldn't blog, either, as I don't have time to do it well or often. Good luck in your career. I guess my dream of someday seeing you in your clown costume and your cute little clown nose will never happen. I wish you the best of everything.

Posted by: Joints at May 22, 2007 06:56 AM (Dh/a/)

47 Annika, Your blog was the ONLY blog a visited religiously, and even though I didn't comment all that frequently, I want you to know I enjoyed it each time I surfed your way. You inspired me to give bloggin a whirl, and are probably the only blog out there that links to mine. Maybe your leaving will spur me to continue my blog in a new light... My most sincere wishes for luck and success in your future... Take care, Rob

Posted by: Rob at May 22, 2007 08:28 AM (wJxri)

48 I don't know about the Carson comparison above. I don't want Bette Midler to come out and start singing. But the Eagles comparison may be appropriate. Or the Sugar Ray Leonard, or Michael Jordan, or any comparison of someone who emphatically quit, and just emphatically came back. We can only hope. "Coach" (heh)

Posted by: Ontario Emperor at May 22, 2007 01:06 PM (BSx9z)

49 Shelly demanded that I come say a proper goodbye. And you know how I love being bossed around by women. You will be sorely missed, young lady.

Posted by: Preston Taylor Holmes at May 22, 2007 01:14 PM (/aK2z)

50 Annika recommended me to the Munuvia universe and to www.stripcreator.com, which gave birth to Peter Pumpkin and my Pierre the Peacemonger. Thanks!

Posted by: Mark at May 22, 2007 02:19 PM (2MrBP)

51 Although you certainly won't need it, good luck on the dreaded bar exam! Thanks for having such a great blog... I'm sorry to see you go (even though I don't comment as often as I used to, I still enjoy your blog very much). I wish you the best in your life, career, etc. -- and while I would love the challenge, I'm a little nervous at the thought of ever being up against you in court

Posted by: The Law Fairy at May 22, 2007 03:05 PM (XUsiG)

52 Good Bye Annika (or whatever your name is) Sorry I'm late, was in College park MD Monday. My son graduated (aero space engineering) and is on to a GE internship and U of Cin. for an advance degree. I am a proud dad. On to the matter at hand! I will miss you and your sneering harpies. Some of them are good natured and others less so. Blu Ray gun and I have a nice understanding. Shelly and Kascha less so. RR is obviously out of his gourd but friendly in a shit kicker way, LF and Mondo, and many others I am glad to have met. I am grateful to you for providing the forum and the always thoughtful and sincere ruminations on things important and sometimes not so important. I appreciate you letting me say my piece and ruffle a few feathers. I think, like most institutions, this place was a tad better for the diversity of opinion. Imagine if you all just sat around rehashing your constricted views of reality patting each other on the back. Some fun that! I will take the civility remark at face value, dismiss the irony and say it was my pleasure. I wish you well and I know you understand that BMWÂ’s and F-18Â’s are just different kinds of transport. Knowing where you want to be and what you want to do when you get there is what matters. Good Luck. Strawman Ps: And if you come to the Big Apple give us a call and let us take you out for a fine meal.

Posted by: Strawman at May 22, 2007 04:52 PM (et8nf)

53 For posterity's sake, one should note that no individual was more loathed, or loathsome than this ass. Don't be fooled by his momentary guise of civility. His vile comments about my son, and our men in uniform are out there in the archives. He, and no doubt his progeny, if he truly has any, are the kind of parasites who feed off the good in this country made possible by better men, much as he did on this blog. To quote Kirk Douglas in In Harms Way, "Bums like him are with us always."

Posted by: Casca at May 22, 2007 05:39 PM (2gORp)

54 Now that you mention it Cas, the very tone is reminiscent of Commander Neal Owynn, about whom the remark was made. This is the only part of this blog I really won't miss. In fact, I'm sorry I came back to check out of habit. With any luck at all, he won't find the new blog we settle on.

Posted by: shelly at May 22, 2007 06:15 PM (JQe3J)

55 Finis!

Posted by: strawman at May 22, 2007 08:16 PM (et8nf)

56 Annika: To quote from my alma mater And when our work is done Our course on Earth is run May it be said "Well done, Be thou at peace." And though your course is not done, as you start another chapter, may I simply add "Well done." And having grown up near Robert Frost's home, let me add that "knowing how way leads on to way/I doubted if I should ever come back" -- I hope you consider coming back at some point. Thanks for an always interesting diversion from the campaign of life.

Posted by: Col Steve at May 22, 2007 09:49 PM (gh4H5)

57 Damn, I'm going to miss you.

Posted by: zombyboy at May 23, 2007 10:40 AM (5eHst)

58 Goodbye, Godspeed, and good luck. And let us know (say, via Skippy) when you come back, wherever that might be.

Posted by: Sigivald at May 23, 2007 11:53 AM (4JnZM)

59 I'm so bummed! Your blog was often where I came for an insightful look into what "the other side" (heh) was saying/thinking about current events (the games and pop culture stuff was fun too); and I must say it's been very helpful in broadening my personal point(s) of view and understanding from where others were coming. You completely RAWK and I'm sure you'll be met with great success in all that you do. Best wishes!!

Posted by: Amy Bo Bamy at May 23, 2007 01:32 PM (+MIbX)

60 This is the only part of this blog I really won't miss. In fact, I'm sorry I came back to check out of habit. Me, too! So much of it is posturing, anyway, and really unworthy of our best selves. My 10 year old autistic son just began reading last week. Now there's something to get worked up about.

Posted by: Joules at May 23, 2007 01:52 PM (u4CYb)

61 like george bush regarding Iraq, im in denial about your retirement. email me and lets do a farewell im interview

Posted by: tony pierce at May 24, 2007 10:41 PM (vpBPb)

62 My son graduated (aero space engineering) and is on to a GE internship and U of Cin. for an advance degree. I am a proud dad. Straw, stop lying about your offspring! WE know the REAL story!

Posted by: Radical Redneck at May 25, 2007 01:05 AM (A5rvF)

63 Ah, Tony Pierce takes time out from the intellectual rigor of the LA echo chamber to leave a turd on Annika's doorstep. Wonder what he'll blog about about when Aquavelvajad and Osama pop the nuke at Long Beach. Oh yeah, "George Bush is an idiot", brilliant stuff that.

Posted by: Casca at May 25, 2007 07:52 AM (2gORp)

64 RR, You let me down, I was expecting to see that parthenogenetic shark! Next time.

Posted by: Spawnman at May 25, 2007 09:39 AM (Vt2oz)

65 Gee RR, I though for sure you would go for the parthenogenetic shark! You are so unpredictable.

Posted by: Spawnman at May 25, 2007 09:49 AM (Vt2oz)

66 delete either one....

Posted by: Strawman at May 25, 2007 09:51 AM (Vt2oz)

67 Always nice to hear from the lunatic fringe.

Posted by: Casca at May 25, 2007 11:13 PM (2gORp)

68 Hey I just discoverd you blog today and I am sad your finishing it up.

Posted by: Nola at May 26, 2007 07:49 AM (ARw8X)

69 Here's an old saw: "If you love something wild, let it go free; if it comes back to you, it will love you forever." So folks, it is time to let go of Annie. If she comes back, we'll have her forever.

Posted by: shelly at May 26, 2007 08:51 AM (JQe3J)

70 So, you wait until now to come out of the closet?

Posted by: Casca at May 30, 2007 09:08 PM (2gORp)

71 Casca, pleez come to 6 Meat Buffet. We miss you.

Posted by: Joules at May 30, 2007 09:48 PM (u4CYb)

72 Spam & cockroaches, both go on forever.

Posted by: Casca at June 05, 2007 07:24 PM (2gORp)

73 I figured "annika" would like this: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=459729&in_page_id=1773 check out that ass! and those thighs! yummy cottage cheese!

Posted by: Scof at June 06, 2007 08:45 AM (a3fqn)

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