TOP has been publishing online for 3,375 days and counting, and along the way I've written, by rough but conservative estimate, approximately the word count of 12 100,000-word novels.
It's a hard job, but somebody's gotta be lucky enough to do it. (Photo of me by Zander, who just made the Honor Roll at the University of Wisconsin.)
If you don't contribute any other way and would like to, you can use PayPal to mcjohnston at mac.com...or do some shopping at Amazon, Amazon UK, or B&H Photo for yourself.
I have to be off tomorrow (Wednesday), but I'll post more covers on Thursday morning (that was fun, too—thanks to all concerned. Check the comments if you haven't yet).
—Mike J., Chief Scribe and All-Purpose Factotum
(And thank you for reading)
(P.S. Only a relatively small percentage of any website's readers ever make any sort of monetary contribution (not including commenting). I don't know the exact percentage here, but it's between .5 and 4 percent. So if you chip in anything, in any way, you're helping out to a disproportionate extent. Even if you don't do your online shopping through this site's links, you should consider doing it through someone's. I can tell you it really does help.)
Original contents copyright 2015 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site.
(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:
Byron Annis:"Hey Mike, I read your entertaining blog often and certainly feel that it would be appropriate to make a contribution as a token of appreciation. However, I did send you $50 to help with the purchase of your new house and never received anything resembling a thank-you. As far as I am concerned this was a breach of civility. I'm not going to repeat the mistake."
Mike replies: Byron, I apologize for any breach of civility! I hope you simply missed the thank-you, and that you didn't feel it didn't resemble the grateful response you would have appreciated. Here it is again: "Finally, I Get To Say THANK YOU." I assure you it was heartfelt and very sincere!
Thank you again. And thank you for the opportunity to re-post the thank-you post!
Byron replies to Mike: "Thanks for your response to my comment. No good will be served by any back and forth. I really do admire TOP and visit frequently. To confirm my good faith I've subcribed and hope that your blog will continue to thrive for a very long time."
Hi Mike,
This note is timely. Like many people who shop at B&H, I don't remember to do so through the links on my favorite blogs. We do want to support you, and other bloggers, but sometimes we need a reminder.
With a newborn on the way, the Fuji 60mm 2.4 looks like the lens to purchase.
Thanks for TOP
Posted by: Ash | Tuesday, 24 March 2015 at 10:42 PM
Mike, thanks for the reminder. I have used Amazon UK but for another couple of items they were out of stock and I had to use WEX (Warehouse Express) and Park Cameras. Could they be added to your affiliates list?
I usually start the day with a look at TOP so it is essential that we readers support your efforts!
Posted by: PhilipL | Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at 03:17 AM
Love ya Mikey! Keep up the good work. Excuse the Aussie slang.
Posted by: Tony Ayling | Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at 08:17 AM
Congrats to you and Zander. Makes a parent proud.
Posted by: Duncan | Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at 09:30 AM
Thanks for the reminder.
Hey, there, you are looking good - and healthy. True love will do that it seems. "-)
TOP is one of the saner spots in the universe - a welcome refuge from politics and screamer headlines and ranty comments. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Andrea B. | Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at 09:53 AM
Hi Mike!
This note got me thinking that I haven't seen any TOP transactions on my credit card bill for some time.
The PayPal subscription for the recurring contributions was active, but no payments had happened for some time now (only one or two skipped, don't worry (too much)).
It's renewed now, but I wonder if this kind of a quiet petering out might have happened to others as well.
Thanks for all the words!
Posted by: Otto | Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at 10:56 AM
Twelve novels' worth! Impressive.
My own blog has run since 2005, updated on the average twice a day I guess, though usually quite short posts, I wonder what my wordage is.
Writing a blog instead of a novel speaks to one of my weaknesses: ADD. I lose interest in a story after writing two pages. On the blog I just write a post about something new.
But I don't have to like it, I would really love to write a novel, and I've worked up so many ideas it's ridiculous.
Posted by: Eolake Stobblehouse | Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at 11:02 AM
congrats to Zander, and keep up the good work, Mike.
Posted by: Steven Ralser | Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at 11:09 AM
I use the TOP links when I can, but I'm never sure that they've actually worked. Is there a way to view ones' own purchases on Amazon and see what affiliate has benefited?
Posted by: Eoin | Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at 12:28 PM
When I can I do. The fact that I live partly in Italy and partly in France, and for both you did not manage to have the affiliation does not help, but I understand you tried.
Posted by: Roberto | Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at 03:08 PM
As you know Mike have contributed directly to your home address in the past. However with the Canadian dollar at 20 cents less in value than the US greenback, and it is my time to pay Revenue Canada their yearly dues, money shall not be forthcoming for a bit.
Please grow back your beard; you look naked.
Posted by: Bryce Lee | Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at 03:21 PM
Congrats dad & Zander! (big smile = had he just told you?)
Mike, you're an inspiration to me (and you keep me kosher). Also, the readers / followers of your blog are a very fine bunch indeed.
mike c
Posted by: Mike Cytrynowicz | Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at 03:32 PM
Using your Amazon link is the least I can do to help you and this site. Adding a single step to making purchases is insignificant compared to how much I learn about diverse subjects from your blog. I have decided I can spare the additional cost of a cheap meal per month by subscribing via PayPal to help out. Thanks!
Posted by: Michael | Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at 03:51 PM
I'm pretty sure Amazon wouldn't recognize me if I showed up from a non-TOP link, nor would B&H.
Posted by: Ruby | Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at 03:54 PM
Hey, Mike,
Your novel has a lot of loose narrative threads I've been wondering about:
-Did you sell your old house?
-How do you like your new place?
-Has your pool table been re-installed?
-How did Zander fare making money with YouTube videos?
-What kind of car are you driving now?
-Any news on diets and dieting philosophy?
-You had a sleep study some time ago. Using a CPAP now? (16 years for me)
-There was a teaser from Ctein around the time of the Lincoln Memorial print. I think it was about NOT using custom profiles. Will Ctein follow up and provide more information?
-Are you close to doing an essay on your new love (photographic), the Fuji?
-Does your SO "do photography?"
There were more, but these are the ones on the top of my head.
Thanks for your good writing.
Posted by: Mike R | Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at 07:52 PM
Thanks for all the good words, Mike.
And please add Amazon Australia to your "Purchases through TOP" links: I purchase books and ebooks from them often, and might as well do it through your links.
Posted by: Noons | Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at 07:54 PM
Thanks for the reminder. A modest contribution is a bargain for the nearly daily enlightenment and entertainment provided by TOP.
Posted by: Victor Bloomfield | Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at 11:41 PM
If you could find a way to add Amazon Japan, then I would be sure to order using your link.
Posted by: D. Hufford. | Thursday, 26 March 2015 at 01:32 AM
Congratulations. I continue to happily funnel all Amazon purchases thru TOP. I think it was nice of Zander to get a decent shot of you while you were in lockdown.
Posted by: Bob Burnett | Thursday, 26 March 2015 at 06:40 AM
Good for Zander and for you, Dad!
With best regards,
Stephen
Posted by: Stephen S. Mack | Thursday, 26 March 2015 at 04:15 PM
I second Mike R in his wish to tie up loose ends. You're almost family after all these years, Mike (but no pressure to reveal more about "S"). Can't get Ricky Gervais out of my head after seeing Zander's portrait. Why's that?
Posted by: El Inglés | Thursday, 26 March 2015 at 05:29 PM
I promise, promise that I will buy my Leica lens through you!
Posted by: Christopher Lane | Friday, 27 March 2015 at 05:57 PM
Your son took a pretty good photo of you. Congrats on his academic success!
Posted by: Dillan | Saturday, 28 March 2015 at 02:20 PM