As some of you might have noticed, my posting dropped off of a cliff a few years ago and has since been relegated to bursts around new albums/tours. But I'll always be fond of this place and there was a good stretch of time where the sheer volume of musical recommendations, film recommendations, TV recommendations, discussions about all of those, discussions about books, discussions about sports, not to mention the hilarity of many a thread, was colossal and something to actually look forward to, no matter how robust/busy my life might have been at any given time. I shut Facebook down a few months ago and I don't miss it one iota; there's no impulse to use it - but I do miss this place sometimes and I am genuinely glad and grateful that I talk to some of you offsite and have met a good number of you (Axver we'll always have Paris).
When I signed up to use the site it was right after seeing the Vertigo tour open in San Diego (Which Joyful hated, if I recollect, but I love it because dropping Electric Co/An Cat Dubh/Into the Heart into a setlist, plus Zoo Station, was unfuckingexpected) and I was hyped and just wanted to hear more about the tour as I planned to attend more and more shows. I had never been on any web site of this variety prior to (and have not since, actually). I couldn't name a Steeler or Yankee or Gene Wolfe (Laz, come on already) or you name it fan site if you put a gun to my head. Anyway, point is, I was here strictly for information, I didn't know what a thread or forum was, etc....so if you told me that I'd make friends via a web site I'd have laughed at the notion. Hard. For many reasons. But I have, and it's been a wonderful surprise, even all these years later.
And it's funny, a lot of friends, some very close to me, have asked me about the Rose Bowl shows and if I wanted to go with them, or if they could come with me, or if I'd be coming to NYC or Chicago to see shows with them there, etc. They know how much I love the band and I've actually been to shows with some of them in the past. But for this, I'd much rather see a show with any number of you. It's just one of those things.
Anyway, I guess this is a long thank you to you guys for not just sharing a great passion with me but for all the other things you collectively have brought to the table here on this site.
. Really hoping that I see you at the Rose Bowl. 
