Rumor has it, that today is my bloggin’ buddy John Erickson’s birthday. You know John, of Commentality. Approximately 60 seconds after I first “met” John, he became the top commenter on my blog. He is interested in a million things, particularly history, space travel and sci-fi movies, TV and likely books. John is quite well versed on stuff. All kinds of stuff. He is smart, funny, and sweet. Not necessarily all at the same time though. He spreads it out.
I will admit that John’s comments don’t necessarily make sense, but they are great for your statistics. So encourage John. Really. You’ll be glad you did.
Now Ill tell you a secret. Unlike most folks approaching the half-way mark, John has been a wee bit apprehensive about this birthday, because it is a biggie. The Big 5-0.
Fifty. Yup.
To welcome John into the Old-timers Blogging Group, I will play age appropriate music:
Still, I am pretty sure that John won’t go down without a fight. Not a guy who has spent nearly 50 years studying military history. He knows the details of every battle fought between 1412 and 1945, and just exactly how to load a flintlock. Nope, John will never give up; he’ll never surrender. (He could use a Coke and a couple of Advil, though.) Here is a clip of a younger John taken from some important “Historical Documents.” Only they couldn’t get the goat in the picture.
By Grapthar’s Hammer, John, I’m wishing you the Happiest of Birthdays. And I am wishing you health, wealth and good cheer for all the years to come.
But just like me, you ARE gettin’ gross. But I’m pretty sure you can deal with it! But to soften the blow, if it’s OK with Frank of AFrankAngle I will be happy to use my newly acquired Queenly powers to knight you.
Arise, Sir John. I command you to celebrate!
* * *
Other bloggers joining the love fest: Visit these other birthday tributes: Fasab, Frank, Gaupo, Weebs, Doggy, Jamie, Brainrants, Benzeknees, Archon
List cheerfully stolen from Frank.
FiftyFourandAHalf 
Pingback: Doodle Poetry: Fifty Four and a Half | rarasaur
Happy Birthday Sir John! Elyse certainly did an amazing job to bring us all together to celebrate. CHEERS!
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The real work organizing this was done by El Guapo (http://guapola.wordpress.com/) who masterminded the Word Press Coup. But it was fun harassing Sir John in public. Loads of fun! Thanks for joining in, Tops!
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Wait .. it was Guapo that organised it? I thought it was Brainrants! Crap! Where’s the Air Force’s phone number? I gotta call off that F-15 strike! 😉
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Well, Guap knew the date. Otherwise we would have conspired against you on some trumped up charge.
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Elyse, you nearly made me choke – “Galaxy Quest” was just wrapping up when I caught the “Never give up” line! As always, you are a master (mistress? Ooo, kinky! 😉 ) of great timing!
And yes, in a way, I am partying. I’m working my way through all this blog love, and am seriously and totally blown away. Really, short of an all-expenses paid trip back home to Chicago, I couldn’t think of a better present. No, scratch that – this IS way better! 😀
A thousand, million thanks to everyone!
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Well John I was wondering where you were through all this bloggy love. You’d think you have a life outside of the ‘sphere or something!
Seriously, I’m glad you liked our tribute. Guap organized it masterfully I might add. So he gets all the kudos that you don’t need/want to keep.
You’re a pal, Sir John. Live long and prosper (and I can’t believe I’m the only one who did sci-fi. OF course my mind is still reeling from that comment you left on one of my posts where you fed me more details about star trek than I will ever need to know …… maybe everybody else is smarter than me!
XX, Sir John. May the force be with you. (I will end this now as I am plumb out of sci-fi TV/movie quotes.)
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Naw, they’re not smarter, just less cultured. You show your OBVIOUS good taste! 😉
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Great post Elyse!
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Thanks, Benze. It was fun to write it and to try to think of things to say that were silly enough to say about John.
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“It was hard to think of weird things to write about John”? Really? REALLY?!? I would think you’d have an embarrassment of riches…. 😉
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Well, this is a family blog. Except when I say “fuck” then it’s not so family oriented.
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LMAO! 😀
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Aw, I’m feeling the love here, John! Happy birthday to you (again! I was just on Weeb’s blog…) And 50?! Whoa! I am RIGHT behind you. yikes! Hope you are enjoying the day.
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Fifty is great Darla. All the fun, the glamor the hoopla. It’s the next day that sucks. And the next. And the next …
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Good to know. I plan on really living it up in my 40s now!
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Have a blast. But not too much fun. We want to be able to abuse you in your 50s, too.
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Something to look forward to! I am brilliant on not having too much fun. Last night I had one glass of wine, then passed out on the couch at 8 pm. I am living on the edge, Elyse.
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I’m sure your dreams were wild, though Darla. Just wild!
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That they always are. So wild I couldn’t even talk about it here.
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welcome to the fifties! you too can now cease to give a rats ass about all that unimportant stuff that was so critical in the 20s 30s and 40s…it’s better this way :>)
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Much better. You don’t have to preen nearly so much!
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Absolutely!!!!
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But Cooper, I don’t give a rat’s ass and I’m only in my 40s. This doesn’t bode well for 50…
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no – it just means you are ahead of the curve and will enjoy your 40s more than some of us did!
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But your natural beauty still shines through Darla. Trust me!
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Great birthday tribute, Elyse! I think we should appoint John as the official Guru of WordPress.
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Will that mean all of us who posted birthday tributes get Freshly pressed weekly? Then I’m in!
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Somewhere, there is a very happy goat.
And an even happier John.
Happy birthday!
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Methinks John is actually celebrating. I hope so!
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Another opportunity to wish Sir John (love it) a Happy Birthday.
Thank you Queenie E. for making today’s Sir-John-Happy-Birthday-Day-Declaration. Well done….
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I send you a straight wristed, queenly wave in return, Jots.
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John, I have no idea who you are, but have a great birthday! (and BTW, 50 ain’t so bad.)
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John is the guy who comments all the time with the gravitar of a man doing something odd with a goat. I eventually enlarged the picture which reveals that it is simply a man petting a goat — but it looks like he’s doing something way different in the little versions of the picture you see in the gravitar!
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Ah, the goat man…
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Yes, the goat man. He is a hoot and a half, Lisa. Trust me!
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John’s senseless comments is what makes John! Meanwhile, he can be knighted … well, at least a knight for the day! Happy Birthday John … and well done Elyse!
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You are so generous, Frank. And I do love John. Sir John. Because you’re right — his comments are always fun. And often senseless!
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HBD John.
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I’ll pass that wish along!
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