My name is HughBeaumont. I now have 7,000. And so do I.

[HughBeaumont]

I'd like to take this opportunity to bring to light a very . . . special occasion. This, DU Lounge, is my 7000th post.



Thank you. And thank you. And you also.

I like movies about oddball characters, misunderstood visionaries and microcephalics. I like music that's either unlistenable, sounds like Motorhead on puree, 20 minutes in length, film soundtracks, riffs that make you cry in your Wheaties and with not one vocalist that sounds like your neighbor's angsty 20-year old college kid. I like books about Chuck Schultz, bad sports moments, trivial pieces of history and dictionaries. I like my TV British. I like my women with business suits, eyeglasses, sleeve tattoos, dyed hair, curvy figures, roller skates and a brain. I like my politicians to stand for the rights and needs of people and not corporations. I like you.



These are my dogs. The one on the left is deceased. His name was Hoss. The one on the right is Bennie. Although he has an annoying habit of tilting his head like my old boss did, he's loveable and a good friend in his own emptyheaded fashion.



This is our rabbit. His name is Hobbes. We also have a tarantula named Itsy-Bitsy. No more pets for now.



I Roller Derby. Roller Derby = great. This is my wife's roller derby team, the Hard Knockers. They're part of the Burning River Rollergirls in Cleveland. The wife is the one in the front with the pink tights and the dog collar.



Two pumpkins I carved this year. They're Michaels craft pumpkins, so I get to keep them.



The man. The myth. The legend. We're all moving as one towards Hugh-ness.



He who runneth this palace. Skinner will soon become like



and grace thee and thine where the situation demands it. Usually, involving people giving a voice to what they feel needs corrected. In DC.

With my seven thousandth of posts, I wish to announce as well that The Lounge may become my semi-permanent home on this; the only site I donate to. I think the world of my online home away from home, and to those that make the place worthwhile, I raise a glass of the finest vintage Red Bull to you.

All the Boston people (janesez, sniffa, bi_baby, Pitt, etc). Enjoy that title. Enjoy the next two. Enjoy the Murphys on St Patty's day. Cleveland will have it's day. May not be in my lifetime, but we will have our elusive sports title. And while I'm still dreaming, I'd like to visit Italy, win $2 million tax-free dollars and see the entire Bewsh administration boil slowly in a cauldron of liquid bison shit.

MHC - Oh how do you do . . . that thing you do . . . you extra-hawt woman, you? Thinking of you while you are far away, fer sure, my online crush of crushes.

Octafish/reprehensor/TimeForChange/Dr Debug/seemslikeadream/DavidSwanson - they're rarely seen in the lounge, but man these are some of the greatest posts you'll read on here. Truth is a precious commodity nowadays. Here's to always trying to find it. You are my heroes.

ava - Thank you for your films. I would love to one day contribute music to them. When you become Michael Moore-famous, don't forget us. Now GET OFF MY LAWN! :)

asthmaticeog - We still need to hook up IRL. We live in the same damned city. I read your paper. Whut gives? Cheers!

LynneSin - MY song for you is "Friends". No cowbell. :hug:

WCGreen/lizziegrace/OhioChick/OzarkDem - it's all about OHIO. All of you and I know that conventional wisdom doesn't necessarily work in a state such as this, but with time and patience, it will be ours again. Here's to alla you as well.

RetroLounge - bookstore owners should be lauded as society's most revered citizens. The service you bring in the face of all the drama in your life . . . I gots to hand it to you. Just . . . don't move that stuffed animal please . . .

Scorpio - thank you for the music. Bring more of it. I need more underground.

SharonRB/Livy/Blitz/FogerRox/Cat_girl/EarlG/Skinnner! - The first IRL DUers I met, and at a protest, nonetheless! Great working with you, the GW College Dems, IWVFP, Code Pink, Cindy, the Gold Star parents and everyone else who still cares about this country. Til next time -

LostInVA - Happiness to you and yours. Give your SO a hug from me. We all miss her here.

flvegan and LeftyMom - A big Kucinich salute to both of you. He's proud and happy you're on board with him, and someday people will catch on that he was right all along.

NewWaveChick1981 - you're still . . . On Notice. Really, how can you not be? Damn.

SwampRat - I take that art and put up on my cube walls. Make more of it. These slimy people deserve to be ridiculed to the highest extent for all of the harm they're accomplishing to this great country of ours.

NanceGreggs - I've forwarded at least six of your rants to people who care. You need to stick these in a book. I'd buy it. It's important stuff. Cheers.

Lerkfish/lynyrd_skynyrd/jgraz/babylonsister/John Q Citizen/Mythsaje/Armstead/Judi Lynn/sabra/kpete - Thank you for the news, the concern and the caring. Keep posting the wisdom.

And to anyone else I forgot -



MILK AND COOKIES FOR ALL!! IT'S ALL ABOUT PEACE LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJkOyc_phy4



I'm HughBeaumont. Happy 7000 to me. And me too.