John Hargrave 128,123 71
02/23/2010 11:19 PM

One unifying theme throughout our history has been the great artwork of Al "Phuc" Natanagara, who IS the look and feel of our comedy community. Al continues to work to make this place awesome in so many ways that are never recognized, like doing two custom icons just this week (look for them soon). He is the wind beneath our meat.

But all this has just been the stage for YOU to exercise your comedy chops. Throughout our community history, we've been blessed with talented and hilarious people -- from the early comedy pioneers like Gabe, to the all-time great posters like Squeamish, to the comedy legends like BobJohnson, to the new breed of writer/poster like Randy Cleveland. And yes, we've had our share of troublemakers and controversial personalities, but they've usually been good for a laugh, too.

We've spawned three marriages, countless hookups, and at least one divorce. We've made friendships, we've helped each other out, and we've shared topless photos (fifty-four at last count, but who's counting).

And most of all, we've made each other laugh. And that, in the end, is the point of the whole thing.

Thanks to all of you for taking that initial idea and making it what it is today: the funniest comedy community on the Web.

Bonus ZUGZ to the first person who is able to tell us how old we are.

Midgets 93,936 47
02/23/2010 11:22 PM

Doesn't this belong in the "Stupid things you did as a child" thread.

Duke Ravos IV 62,361 20
02/23/2010 11:22 PM

I thought up a new slogan for this year, John. I hope you approve, and decide to post it for the world to see.

"ZUG: Now with 100% more Jenni Maier"

Frozen Chickens Section 282,028 58
02/23/2010 11:26 PM

2002?

Frozen Chickens Section 282,028 58
02/23/2010 11:27 PM

You left out the bit where I both earned then lost the tool award for being "helpful". Also, for being a tool.

Frozen Chickens Section 282,028 58
02/23/2010 11:30 PM

Actually, zugging since 2001 would be a dead giveaway.

Melancholia Heights 772 9
02/23/2010 11:31 PM

Yay ! Happy birthday to darling Zug but wait a second is this a prank Sir John Hargrave or as i like to call him most fondly Little John of Zugwood.I hope that whoever guesses the right age of Zug will get a copy of J.H's new book .( I guess we are 7 years old, lucky number 7 yay !).

Brad Poynter 35,418 48
02/23/2010 11:51 PM

Thanks for providng us a place for our different brands of crazy, John.

About those topless pics, you have my email.

Ceci n'est pas une Phla 130,632 34
02/23/2010 11:54 PM

15 is my guess because I thought ZUG10 was about 5 years ago? Which would mean the first few years of ZUG was John running around his basement in his underwear telling all of the dustbunnies that he was funnier than all of them.

And I'm sad for your definition of the dark ages, because they were pretty awesome.

Duke Ravos IV 62,361 20
02/23/2010 11:56 PM

They were called the dark ages because John couldn't get any advertising or afford to pay his hydro bill.

Big Irish Guy 203,777 21
02/24/2010 12:03 AM

You're not getting a present from me unless you bring back the maha. Two gifts if you bring back the maha and I am the only one who gets to use it.

Barefoot Chance 171,220 14
02/24/2010 12:14 AM

Happy Birthday to us! Happy Birthday to us! Happy Birthday dear uuuuuus! Happy Birthday toooooo usssssssssss!

annnd many more!

Big Irish Guy 203,777 21
02/24/2010 12:18 AM

Stop singing, John didn't bring any Twinkies.

Midgets 93,936 47
02/24/2010 12:19 AM

We've spawned three marriages, countless hookups, and at least one divorce


Don't forget the countless abortions!

SHP 181,276 70
02/24/2010 12:22 AM

For your birthday, I got you a 404 Error. I hope you like it!

Cyco Ivan 11,324 11
02/24/2010 12:25 AM

Happy Birthday

Under Under Duck 99,723 76
02/24/2010 12:28 AM

We've spawned three marriages, countless hookups, and at least one divorce.

I'm shamed by the fact that I fit into all 3 of these categories.

Big Irish Guy 203,777 21
02/24/2010 12:29 AM

Whose finger is in my ass?

Cyco Ivan 11,324 11
02/24/2010 12:30 AM

Looks like Phla's right. Of course that was an educated guess. I found the same answer through my extensive research (i.e. I looked it up on Wikipedia)

MungChamp 35,886 35
02/24/2010 12:32 AM

ZuG better be over 18, otherwise I am going away for a long, long time.

Mariah Carey's Talent 181,276 70
02/24/2010 12:34 AM

Happy Birthday, Zug!

orcgay atkay 41,132 12
02/24/2010 12:37 AM

Happy birthday, stranger!

Big Irish Guy 203,777 21
02/24/2010 12:37 AM

John shows his enthusiasm during a political conversation with one of the oldest GABbers at Zug 1.

The Mailman 174,473 52
02/24/2010 12:38 AM

ZUG is the German word for train, so I ordered a train-themed birthday cake for this special event. I'm sorry, they misspelled "GAB."

Bill the Squirrel 53,130 53
02/24/2010 12:43 AM

Bonus ZUGZ to the first person who is able to tell us how old we are.


Seeing as how none of you people existed before I started posting here, I'm going to say 2 years.

Melancholia Heights 772 9
02/24/2010 12:46 AM

There is going to be a birthday party in the basement .They are going to be your host for the eveningSee you at the Zug Birthday partaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy!!!

Hydrant-monkey 9,447 21
02/24/2010 12:46 AM

Today is also Abe Vigoda's birthday. Coincidence? I think not!

Melancholia Heights 772 9
02/24/2010 12:58 AM

image information not found

Melancholia Heights 772 9
02/24/2010 01:36 AM

Happy Birthday Zug !

Just Plain Jeeni 43,386 49
02/24/2010 02:47 AM

Happy birthday to Zug!

Thanks for everything, John! It's been a pleasure to be here. Zug has helped me to be quicker at dispensing comedy in person. (Though I'm still not a natural comic.)

The URL for Zug has existed since 1996, and pages started appearing in 1998. March 2001, the first GAB on Zug appeared!

If anyone is curious about how the site actually looked way back when, take a look for yourself! I've enjoyed many a visits to old Zug.com.

Cheers to many more years of Zug!

Just Plain Jeeni 43,386 49
02/24/2010 02:52 AM

So, uhm, GAB on Zug would be 9? Sounds like it's time for designer lingerie!

KChiki - Still not Chi Chi! 124,281 89
02/24/2010 03:14 AM

Jeeni, that is most geek-awesome link EVAR!!!

Whistler P. McManus 183,262 42
02/24/2010 03:26 AM

I'm counting four marriages: the Table-Top Donkeys, the Under-Haggi, Dianapop and the Creeples.

And let's not forget the GAB baby, Little Donk, and our adopted daughter, Michaela Michegan Millhouse McHaggis. Speaking of which, when are Froggie and Dianada going to make us all aunts and uncles? I'm not getting any younger.


Congratulations, John, and Happy Birthday to us!

MungChamp 35,886 35
02/24/2010 03:29 AM

Gab Photo Album!

FAQ

and the Gabtionary

A++ work Jeeni. Would recommend.

peoriagrace 6,153 11
02/24/2010 04:08 AM

He is the wind beneath our meat.

I don't know how Al would feel about being called a scrotal fart (fart that pushes forward to tickle the testicles), but I would take it as quite a cutting remark.

peoriagrace 6,153 11
02/24/2010 04:09 AM

I 5'd you Jenni.

dinesh 24,837 15
02/24/2010 05:33 AM

GAB started in 1998, iirc. so 12 years.

Who else remembers the pre-gab days of email pranks and the Sky section?



Or the year when GAB went dark.



Good times.

Brad Poynter 35,418 48
02/24/2010 05:34 AM

Thanks to Jeeni and Mung, I found boobies and that has made my day a little brighter.*


*Because I then had to clean off my monitor.

the fun in disfunctional 1,970 6
02/24/2010 05:55 AM

Happy Birthday ZUG!

This has been awesome...as a n00b, expert lurker, not so much writer, I have learned so much from the old stuff. I really feel as though I know some of you now.

Thanks to all and especially Jeeni and Mung!

Barefoot Chance 171,220 14
02/24/2010 06:16 AM

I joined the gab body in 2003, 2 years after the party had started. Just one more personality to the mix. Gab reminds me of a schizophrenic.

Dropkick Brody 43,075 12
02/24/2010 08:16 AM

That archive thing is amazing! Haha, I'm still top contributor to the GABtionary, awesome.

Dropkick Brody 43,075 12
02/24/2010 08:22 AM

I always found it funny how The Foye's pictures in the album all looked like they were nekkid shots that someone had cropped so they were decent enough for the album.

Dropkick Brody 43,075 12
02/24/2010 08:23 AM

Forgot: !

High Priestess sayth: GEAUX SAINTS! 58,196 29
02/24/2010 10:18 AM

I totally forgot all about the Gabtionary! I just reread it and had many a laugh. Donkey Calls, Brad Nails, Aroungry and of course GVG. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!


When are we going to Boston for another party?

Millie 116,854 28
02/24/2010 11:02 AM

Happy Birthday!

Let's have another party!

Dogs Akimbo 205,285 31
02/25/2010 12:23 AM

Happy Birthday, young feller.

Professor Nutbutter 181,220 34
02/25/2010 01:10 AM

I don't remember when I first posted. 1997 maybe? I think it was within a year after Gab first began. I posted as Tommy The Cat and I was insulted immediately after making that first post. I remember the folks from back then: Marvin The Robot, The Rockin' Donkey, Bonky, Miyu, Pooky, Galidriel, Shilantra, and a bunch of others. Good times.

I was married very shortly before I found this place. I posted here about buying a house, my wife getting pregnant, and having a baby. My wife mentioned a gabber in the operating room (Bonky, who else) within minutes of having a C-section. I have some very good friends I've made here and it's not an exaggeration to say that Gab and people I've met on Gab have had a profound effect on my life and my family's life. And I'm not just talking about the abduction and restraining order.

Professor Nutbutter 181,220 34
02/25/2010 01:10 AM

cont...

I first learned of the 9/11 attack from Gab.

I don't post here much any more. This is due to a combination of my work environment, my interests, other sites (Facebook, etc) filling my interaction needs, and my seething hatred of Whistler*, who just plain sucks and I hate him. But Gab/Zug/Live will always be special to me, as the first place on the internet that gave me a sense of community. It was the first time I ever crossed over from on-line interaction to real-life interaction. At last count I think I've met 40 or 50 people in real life.

I was there for the Stew TV Party.

Over the years Gab has given me the absolute best laughs of anywhere else in the universe. And that includes Pauly Shore movies.

Some of the names I have posted as:
Tommy the Cat (for one day)
Tommy the Dingleberry
Passing Wind (nicknamed P-Dub)
NOMFWIC
Heavy Metal Kid (this was an alter ego I used occasionally)
Lila / Audrey Farber
Professor Nutbutter
Nutbutter

Also, I am and will continue to be better than all of you. At everything.

Happy birthday, Zug Live. You'll always be Gab to me.


*I'm totally kidding. I love Whistler to death and would crawl naked through miles and miles of rattlesnake infested desert just to sniff the tire track of the truck that brought his dirty jockstrap to the laundry.

KChiki - Still not Chi Chi! 124,281 89 wipes away a tear.
02/25/2010 01:13 AM

That was beautiful!

Duke Ravos IV 62,361 20
02/25/2010 01:32 AM

Whistler*, who just plain sucks and I hate him.

So I guess you already got the news that he turned gay, right?

the fun in disfunctional 1,970 6
02/25/2010 01:33 AM

At least he sucks

TableTopJane 173,911 15
02/25/2010 02:11 AM

I joined ZuG during a dark period in my life. I was drinking a lot, and this seemed like a good place to spew my drunken thoughts. The drinking slowed down, but I stuck around. It now seemed like a good place to spew my meaningless, sober thoughts.

Then I met Donk. I went to a ZuG party in Boston and got married. Moved to God forsaken South Dakota and had a kid. Now I'm stuck in a marriage to 18 years, and my husband doesn't like drinking. But, oh, how I wish I could drink.

And now I'm going to stick around ZuG because it seems like a good place to spew my angry, disappointed-wtih-life thoughts.

Frozen Chickens Section 282,028 58
02/25/2010 03:36 AM

Nutter is one of the few who have been here longer than me.

Also, I made the very last post one the Computer Stew forum.

"Wait! I've got something to say! It's better to burn out, than...."

Jay Stephens confirmed it.

Pramable Lectern 78,178 40
02/25/2010 06:07 AM

Us Magazine had a birthday? How old are they now?

Pramable Lectern 78,178 40
02/25/2010 06:07 AM

...in people years.