Hili announces my 10,000th post (and a further announcement)

March 19, 2015 • 1:40 pm

First, to prove it: here’s a screenshot of the data from the last post:

Screen Shot 2015-03-19 at 1.17.24 PM

And, the Big Announcement, which has to come from Hili, of course (I’m told she had to be dragged inside to perform her duty):

A: Hili, in a moment there will be 10,000th post on Jerry’s website.
Hili: 10,000 is less important than 10,001.

Hili 10,000

 

At any rate, I read the readers’ suggestions for what to do on this post, and I appreciated them all, but in the end they were either too much work or didn’t strike me as just right.  So what I’ll do is say one thing and announce another.

I’ve been writing on this site (NOT A BLOG) since January of 2009, when WEIT came out, and it’s hard to believe that it’s been six years. I originally planned this, on my editor’s advice, to just be a site where people could come to learn about the book. My idea was that every couple of weeks or so I’d add a new post about the evidence for evolution.

Well, that didn’t work so well.  The site grew—I won’t say “out of control”, but into into a collection of things that I like to write about, including science, boots, food, travels, philosophy—and of course, cats. I don’t plan any big changes, but I have to say that I love writing on the site, even when I drag myself to work wondering what in the deuce I have to say. And I especially love the faithful readers who follow the site and make good comments. I think you’ll know that this site is known for its civil and thoughtful commentary (as well as puns!), and I’m proud of that; but it wouldn’t have happened without the readership. As you’ll see when you read Faith vs. Fact—you have ordered it, haven’t you?—that one of my acknowledgments is to all the reader whose comments helped educate me about the fraught relationship between science and religion.  So thank you all, and, as Maru says, we do our best.

My announcement is this: I’m planning a Big Road Trip this summer, something I’ve always wanted to do. That would involve taking off a month or more and driving across the country, avoiding interstates, visiting my friends, and, of course, investigating regional noms. I’d like to include in the trip brief visits to some of the readers on the route—a route that will be partly determined by who wants a visit.

I’ll probably circle south from Chicago, go across the southern US, and then up through the West Coast heading back east through the Big Empty States. I also want to visit Anthony Hutcherson in Maryland to look at some Bengal kittens.

I’d love to document the trip not only with descriptions and photos of what I see and do, but with information about and pictures of readers and their animals (preferably cats, of course). If you want to say “hi” on this trip, shoot me an email with your location. I already know many of you through either your comments or your emails, and think it would be fun to meet readers in person along with the several friends I haven’t visited in a while.

By “visit,” I don’t mean that people should feed me or put me up: I’m just looking for a brief peek into the lives of some of the readers. I can’t visit everyone, of course, but I’ll try to see some of the people I’ve gotten to know on this site.

So. . . that’s it. As the Furry Princess of Poland says, it’s time to move on to the next post.

135 thoughts on “Hili announces my 10,000th post (and a further announcement)”

  2. We don’t know each other but feel free to come visit me and my physician wife in Charleston, SC. You can probably get in a debate or lecture at the College of Charleston, but you can definitely get in some premium noms at the site of the commencement of the Civil War.

      1. …and while you’re in the Charleston, SC, neighborhood swing on by Aiken, SC, (about 2 hours or so northwest of Charleston) for some genuine pulled pork BBQ! I have a guest room here that has served a number of famous scientists, so you will fit right in!

  4. I for one haven’t figured out how to email you personally, so if you could let me, or us, know, that’d be great. N.B. my e-address on the tab above has a typo: it’s goodenough@wustl.edu

    1. You can find Jerry’s eddress by clicking on the “Research Interests” at the top of this page; or by Googling. And yes, he does use his work email address for WEIT submissions as well. 🙂

  5. Don’t go south from Chicago! Go north!

    Your first stop can be for a classic Milwaukee fish fry with some fine craft beer!

    1. I would head to New Glarus for the craft beer. Great craft beer throughout Wisconsin but not that much actually brewed in Milwaukee. Would love to be corrected and given some recommendations.

      1. Now George, I like Spotted Cow as much as the next fellow. But I can’t let that anti-Milwaukee slur pass without response. Seriously!

        1. But you offered no recommendations. And do you take affront to the fact that the best craft beer in the area comes from Munster, IN? (3Floyds). And the best “big” craft brewer in the area is Bell’s in Kalamazoo, MI.

          1. Three Floyds is fine stuff. I didn’t dis anyone’s microbrewery. What I responded to was: “not that much actually brewed in Milwaukee“. That simply isn’t true.

          2. A bit of an exaggeration by me perhaps. Here is a list from the Beer Advocate (which includes the big breweries) –
            http://www.beeradvocate.com/place/city/34/

            I just do not think Milwaukee has responded to the craft beer revolution (for lack of a better term) with as much gusto and quality as other places. Maybe its history is a bit stifling.

          3. I’ll simply note that there are thirty something breweries listed at that URL (granted… it is for SE Wisconsin, not just Milwaukee, but most are greater-Milwaukee area). New Glarus has one brewery. A good one, that all Wisconsinites (except perhaps the Republican ones) are proud of. But one.

  6. If it is noms you search for, then consider New Mexico. I have not followed this site for long and don’t comment a lot, but I know where good green chile burritos can be found.

    1. And, of course, Baihu’s door is always open!

      …well, to be fair, he does still have a tendency to teleport himself under the bed when invaders invade, but that’s his problem….

      b&

      1. You’re going to make Jerry use Baihu’s cat door? That will make a good picture! 😉

        1. Erp — that came out worng, didn’t it?

          His cat door only goes to the laundry room where his litterbox is.

          The front door to the whole house (which, of course, belongs to him) is the one I had in mind as far as openness….

          b&

  8. Like most of your readers, I was holding my breath, worried about the impending announcement. Glad to hear you are heading towards your second 10,000. Your ‘vacation’ plan sounds terrific and I’m looking forward to reading your adventures. And you’d be welcome for a spot of tea at my home any time. Do you do Canada, Jerry?

    1. Jerry plans to come Canada this year. Word is that he might come to Montreal in September. (I don’t know about him going to other places in Canada.) His trip(s) will be coordinated through the Center for Inquiry. If you want to help make his stay hospitable up North, you may contact the Center for Inquiry. Contact info can be found at http://centreforinquiry.ca/

      Congratulations Professor Ceiling Cat on post # 10,000!

      2. Really? That would be fantastic! (I was just about to post a comment asking when Prof. CC would make a Canadian roadtrip).

        I might even be in Montréal in September. (At present, I am in Ottawa, but I aim to commence my Ph.D. that month, & McGill is one of the schools to which I applied).

  9. If you happen to pass through the Bay area, I would be happy to show you the best Ethiopian restaurant I know of. Or there’s really good Indian pizza in SF. Maybe Bruce Lyon would come too.

  10. It’s been great to see the boots posts back. I missed those over the winter.

    I’m not sure what to recommend while you’re in Maryland. Perhaps Ben’s Chilli Bowl in DC?

    1. I also live near DC (Northern VA for me). Maybe a group of us could gather someplace with great noms.

      This would fulfill one of my life goals, which is to get Jerry’s autograph on my copy of WEIT.

      I’ll send you my email.

  12. Happy 10,000 Jerry! I appreciate all the hard work (labor of love) that you put into your site. Thanks for all the learnings and laughs and cats and photos and insights. You also have the smartest readers around which makes for a great cyber place to spend as much time as I can.
    It will be fun tagging along on your road trip!

    1. Why not old England?! Maybe you can do a Grand Tour another year.

      But if you’re ever over here again, Jerry, I can take you to an “all you care to eat” buffet. 😁

      /@

  15. Congratulations on the 10,000! And what a great road-trip plan. I have a hunch one summer won’t be long enough to fit in all the invitations!

  16. I hope, probably forlornly, that your big circular road trip includes the M25 … 🙂

    I would be honoured to buy you a congratulatory beer for this milestone

  17. Congratulations on 10,000 posts Jerry. I’m a fairly recent addition to your commemters, and have loved every minute of it. I appreciate the atmosphere of your website particularly.

    Your trip sounds like great fun and a great idea. How about doing the South Pacific next northern winter? We have cats and great noms here too!

  18. Jerry, if you can make it to beautiful (and beautifully-restauranted) Charleston, SC, over Memorial Day weekend, dinner’s on me. All I ask is that you sign my book.

  19. Congrats on making it to 10,000 posts and counting. I really enjoy reading your thoughts on issues I find of interest and importance. So here’s to your next 10,000!

    A road trip to explore new places is an exciting event. If you happen to travel into the Deep South and come through New Orleans, please get in touch. We know how to be hospitable down here in the Big Easy. You can even meet the Cat of our House, his Lordship and Divine Eminence, Fuzzy.

    1. And then, come through Houston to San Antonio, on up through Austin to Dallas/Fort Worth, and shop for plenty of boots along the way.

      That way, I could catch up with you, too. Stop by here, and you’ll get to meet 11 cats plus one large lizard who thinks he’s the 12th. After all, he is black and white, like three of the cats, and has a very long tail, like ten of them.

      1. And who must be at that sweet spot of being too big to be eaten by a cat and too small to eat a cat. 😀

        (Though I suspect he’s a vegetarian.)

        1. LOL! Perhaps so. He’s a 3 ft long, black and white Argentinian tegu, something I’d never heard of, before he arrived at my door for fostering. Oh, he’s not a vegetarian, though. He eats ground turkey, sharing it with Michael, who, though a cat and a Maine coon mix at that, rather fancies himself an opossum. Talk about strange bedfellows!

  21. I like this road trip idea — very exciting!

    I hope you can come to lovely Boulder, CO.

    1. Jeff – we need to put together a Boulder lobby for Jerry’s visit 🙂 The noms are certainly outstanding, and we can hoist a local craft brew or two in honor of Vic Stenger.

      1. For sure – I’ve already sent an email. You should do the same!

        The question is – which of the awesome local craft beers?!

        1. I will indeed send along an email to Jerry. [I routinely bug him about attending the CWA]. And, no need to limit ourselves to one craft brew!! So many to choose from – we could hit Upslope on the way to Oskar Blues in Lyons, then back to JAX or the Kitchen or…. 🙂

      1. Boulder!? If Jerry swings through Colorado I think it would be more fitting for him to meet up with everyone in Denver at the cat cafe.

        1. Denver – where’s that? 🙂 A different planet no doubt. Maybe we can compare how many folks you can round up in Denver vs the numbers in Boulder; or maybe Jerry will grace both places with his presence! Or Broomfield – probably not….

  22. This road trip is a fabulous idea!

    I’m honored that you’ll be visiting Snowball and me in April. Many are excited to hear your presentations and rub elbows with you at the Meet & Greet. You ROCK!

  23. Hearty congratulations on reaching the 10,000 post milestone! WEIT is such an interesting and entertaining place to hang out. Thanks Jerry!
    (Gus would love a visit!)

  24. I have a spare bedroom (two, actually), my daughter has cats (4) and goats (lost count), I have two d*gs, and I think I can promise some wildlife sightings. I’m not a big nom connoisseur, but Ketchum has some fine restaurants.

      1. A ride in the Cobra would be mandatory. I have a dead straight, lightly patrolled road going by my place where you can see for miles.

  25. I live in Kalispell, MT (near Glacier National Park.) If you have never been to this area, it is very beautiful and well worth a visit.

  26. Congratulations! That’s a lot of work — but it’s all work that you love. So is that really work? Probably not.

    10,000/6/365 = about 4 or 5 posts per day for 6 years straight. Wow. And many of your posts are long and clearly were a lot of work.

    And we really appreciate the roolz in your living room! An oasis of civility in a desert of internets nonsense.

    On the road again, I can’t wait to get on the road again …

  27. I got a little choked up reading this post….but then I remembered what a hard ass I am and stopped. 🙂

  28. Love to share a meal in Minneapolis. You could visit PZ & Mary Myers in Morris, MN on your way here.

    If you’re here on August 8, you can attend the St. Paul Saints minor league baseball game, where Minnesota Atheists has sponsored the game and changed the team name to Mr. Paul Aints. Let us know and I’ll comp you a ticket.

    Then visit FFRF’s new digs in Madison on your way home. Also check out the Mitchell Domes in Milwaukee, if you’ve never been there.

    1. I gather there are at least a handful of readers located in the Twin Cities (including me). If others feel so inclined perhaps they could comment here and we can email Jerry in the hopes of organizing a meet-and-greet?

  29. My announcement is this: I’m planning a Big Road Trip this summer, something I’ve always wanted to do. That would involve taking off a month or more and driving across the country, avoiding interstates, visiting my friends, and, of course, investigating regional noms. I’d like to include in the trip brief visits to some of the readers on the route—a route that will be partly determined by who wants a visit.

    How perfect! What could be more Jerry? I’m really looking forward to vicariously tagging along on this.

    And many congrats on the 10,000–a most impressive milestone!

  30. Not many travelers across America make it ll the way down to the end of the horse’s nose in South Florida, but should you feel the urge to visit the land of the Everglades, the only living coral barrier reef in North America and the home of most of the bets Cuban restaurants this side of Havana, I’d be honored to be your host for some noms and libations. I’ll send an e-mail to your UChicago address in case you plan to be in the area.

  31. It’s never about the destination…may the journey go on…alas, there are no hurdles when critical thought is applied to life’s experiences.

    Hopefully New Mexico will be on your list of exotic places to visit; you are always welcome and you could give a talk at the Santa Fe Institute (though there is Templeton money there now) or Los Alamos, both welcome topics on determinism, complex systems, evolution, etc.

        1. Amen! Having lived in Northern New Mexico for a number of years, Taos, the gorge and the ‘high road’ are among our favorite destinations.

  32. Get your motor running, head out on the highway
    looking for adventure, whatever comes my zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzppp oops, wrong record. Wrong animal. Steppenwolf.
    Congratulations professor and all at WEIT for the work you do. Long may it continue!

    1. Damn, I missed your post before putting up #33. So we agree he should take out the twowheeler? 🙂

    1. Born to be wiiiiiiiiiild…

      That page made me long to see the film again, but I’m almost afraid to; wondering what my reaction would be after so much water under the bridge…

      1. If you are talking about Easy Rider, I’m afraid it doesn’t stand up too well (IMO). Too artsy, too stoner. Good music though!

        1. That’s what I was afraid of. I guess some things have to stay in one’s youth…and memories.

  34. I’m not sure if I should be happy or sad that I have read nearly 10K posts on a single website in the past 6 years… but thank you for writing them.

    A month+ to tour the US by car might be too little time. After my bachelor’s degree I took a full month to drive from Seattle to San Diego (mostly Pacific Coast Highway). Although, I was camping with my girlfriend and sometimes we would drive only 5 or 10 miles and find a site so beautiful we stopped and pitched the tent again.

    Finally, you might be about to get an influx of new readers from a MOOC I am in. On a complaint thread about a badly constructed Lab exercise, someone said, “Don’t micturate on my leg and tell me it is raining.” Someone responded that they had recently learned that word on Jerry Coyne’s website and several of us readers added that we too were Coyne website followers. All publicity is supposed to be good publicity…

  35. Your web site has been an important part of my life since it started. Met you in Eugene and enjoyed your debate with Wray on the genetics of adaptation. If you happen to to pass through OPort Angeles, WA. would be happy to treat you at Colonel Hudsons hamburger joint, which serves terrific burgers and fries. It is right next door to a marijuana store, so you could see what the groweing weed culture in bringing forth.

    3. “… so you could see what the groweing weed culture in bringing forth.”

      And the weed growing culture.

      And compare it to the old weed culture. 😀

  36. Congratulations on 10,000 posts it’s amazing.
    Jerry ,
    I am a physician who lives in Henderson Nevada area.
    If your fantastic vacation brings you nearby to my area I would be honored to meet you at my office for a handshake,
    or at my home.
    If you have time I would be also honored to treat you and your group to a dinner at the best restaurant in Henderson Nevada.
    My college roommate is a young earth creationist and I would love to buy him a copy of your books. After many years of debate I have been unable to change his mind.
    I will send you an email when I get home from work
    congratulations again.
    LAS VEGAS/Henderson, NV

  37. I must say that I read your book when it first came out even though it was not my subject as I generally stick to American History. Your book was special because it did as the title advertised and not many do that.

    Even with only basic college and high school courses in biology and zoology any person can read Why Evolution Is True and get every word, and every evidence. That is the type of book that has impact and will be remembered. Also, maybe being a life long atheist makes it that much better.

  38. Mr. Coyne,
    I (51) live in Los Angeles with my wife, and I have been a reader of your site ever since you were key in transforming my life when I found your book Why Evolution is True. Since then I have become an avid reader of science and I thank you for it. If you come to LA, we would be delighted and honor to have you visit us.
    AD

  39. I usually don’t comment on this site, although I do check it every day and I very much enjoy reading many of the posts. I don’t often say flattering things about people, but Jerry Coyne is one of my favourite people. I appreciate his work and I hope he continues what he’s doing for many years. my name is Andrew and I am a Canadian reader.

  40. Congratulations. I’m sure there will be plenty of invites. I’d suggest grouping the invitations by town. Once you know your rout. Then you can have dinner out with a group in addition to any lingering with specific individuals. Unfortunately I’m on the right coast so I’ll be looking forward to the 20,000th.

  42. Congratulations! I am an occasional commenter only, but have been following this site for over four years, and enjoyed every single post. Thank you for all your work.

    Enjoy your trip through the across the beautiful Western US. And in case you ever decide to celebrate your 15,000th post or some other future milestone with a Big Road Trip through Europe, I’d be more than happy to offer some southern Swiss/northern Italian food, wine and hospitality!

  44. Congratulations with your 10.000th post, professor! I’ll drink to that. Good luck on your trip and I hope the CeilingCatMobile will stand up to the task. Good luck!

  45. Road trips are one of the great American experiences of the 20th century, IMHO. Maybe something more awesome will replace them in the 21st century, but I doubt it. Yeah I know that they’re petrochemical and decadent and all, but there’s just nothing like driving across big open spaces, taking in the sights, meeting all kinds of characters, eating at amazing unique local restaurants, having picnic lunches (or breakfasts) at mid-century roadside parks and rest areas, and listening to every single CD and Grateful Dead bootleg tape that you own. I almost feel sorry for people too young or sophisticated to have ever taken a real road trip, and for future generations who might only take them on a holodeck. I’d suggest reading Steinbeck’s “Travels with Charley” on your trip, but it features a d*g of course. 😉

    Congratulations on your 10,000th post, Jerry!

      1. I thought about (old) Route 66 too, but then (selfishly) remembered it cut through my state too far north for PCC to pay a visit here.

    2. Grateful Dead bootleg tape

      Now you’re talking – What better music for a road trip than the ‘Dead!

      On my last trip to SW Utah, I took a very nice selection of ’73 shows with me. And occasionally listened to the ‘Dead’s satellite radio station.

      1. Utah is awesome. A fantastic drive, and even better for the passenger who can look around.

        1. You’ve got to go through Moab and Torrey if you do Utah – also hwy 24, I believe it is…

      3. My (driving) recommendations in Utah are:

        Utah Route 128, east of Moab

        Utah Route 261, north to south across Cedar Mesa (lots of great hiking all along it, in the little canyons) and then descending the Moki Dugway.

        1. Most def 128 down from 70 so you can drive along the Colorado into Moab ( and not miss beautiful downtown Cisco;-). If you do go through Moab you’ve got to eat at Miguel’s Baja Grill and say hello to owner Dave from me (we’re regulars). Also Desert Bistro!

  48. The Furry Princess of Poland would say “dziesięć tysięcy!” Or in ordinal terms – “dziesięciotysięczną.”

      1. Highway 10? Are you kidding me? If Jerry had an atheist bumper sticker he’d never make it back home alive.

  51. Thank you, Jerry, for 10,000 posts from you and your back-up team, for mind boggling photos of reality naturally at work, for brain stretches beyond normal reach, and for the fun of it all. Wherever you go, we’re staying here with you, for this is a ride well worth taking.

  52. Wouldn’t mind a visit down here in Kansas city, Mo, but I wouldn’t blame you for passing it by, hell, I’ve been trying to get out of here for years!

    I’ll send and email just in case you need some KC-style BBQ and a pint of Boulevard ale…

  53. If you need a point of contact for Alaska, I can help there. I would recommend boarding the state ferry in Bellingham, WA and experiencing the Inside Passage, terminating in Juneau our lovely capital and where I live, ha.

    It would be a road trip within a road trip however and I’m not sure you’d have the extra time for it. Of course you could drive the route through Canada into Alaska, a spectacular drive, but that could potentially be even longer and lands you into the interior rather than the SE coast for which I am partial to.

    It didn’t sound (understandably) like Alaska was on your radar, but if it is…feel free to ask. At any rate, have a marvelous time touring!

    Mike

  54. Well, if you come through Seattle, which is usually very nice in the summer, I’d suggest planning a big meal with all the Seattle eaters, err, readers. I’m sure there are enough to make it festive…

  55. Congratulations for the 10,000th post.
    I love your site. I don’t respond often, and sometimes disagree, but it’s always a pleasure to read what you write (more science and readers’ beef posts, please 😉 ). Checking for new posts on WEIT has been a part of my daily routine for a long time.
    Thank you

  56. Writing ten thousand posts is an impressive achievement, even if you had no choice but to write them.

    Kudos to the commenters as well. This is not the only website on which I comment, but it is the only one on which I read nearly all of the comments. The civility and thoughtfulness you elicit is rare on these Internets, and it’s all because your posts exhibit those same qualities. In spades!

    Concatulations!

  58. Congratulations! I have been following this website for only a little more than one year. I appreciated this post, which explained how it began and how it evolved.

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