July 12, 2021

My Eleven Year Blogiversary 👨🏻‍💻🥳

By Joe

My dearest readers,

I can’t believe the journey started 11 years ago today when I started my blog, The Closet Professor. During these 11 years, I’ve published 5,177 posts, had over 4.5 million views , over 20,000 comments, and around 600 followers.

My life has changed so much over the past 11 years. In July 2010, I had just finished my first-year teaching at a private school in Alabama. I was miserable working in a job that paid little, and with bills that continued to mount. Now, 11 years later, I’m living in Vermont, have a great job as a Museum Curator, hold the academic rank of Assistant Professor, and make a salary more than double what I was making then; plus, I have insurance and retirement. Eleven years ago, I couldn’t imagine any of this, especially living in Vermont of all places.

My health is also very different than it was 11 years ago. Back then, my migraines had started to become a daily occurrence. I’ve always had migraines, but they were episodic. It was during my years teaching in Alabama that they became chronic. I never went a moment without pain back then, and no doctors seemed to care enough to do much about it. Some days the pain would be bearable, but others I could barely function. My current doctor has worked with me and sent me to the right specialists to help get my migraines under control, and I do see hope.

During these 10 years, I’ve posted almost daily and since June 24, 2018, I’ve posted twice a day. The only times I didn’t post were when depression overtook me because of the deaths of loved ones. The best thing about this blog is I’ve made wonderful friends. When times have been the toughest, y’all have been here, and helped me get through so much. Your love and advice have gotten me through some of the darkest times in my life, especially you Susan. If it weren’t for my friends, and I consider all of you who read this a friend (even if we don’t always agree on things), I wouldn’t have kept this blog going all this time. I hope to continue writing this blog for many years to come. I can only wonder what the next 11 years will bring.

Thank you for these past amazing 11 years!

With love,

Joe

About Joe

I began my life in the South and for five years lived as a closeted teacher, but am now making a new life for myself as an oral historian in New England. I think my life will work out the way it was always meant to be. That doesn't mean there won't be ups and downs; that's all part of life. It means I just have to be patient. I feel like October 7, 2015 is my new birthday. It's a beginning filled with great hope. It's a second chance to live my life…not anyone else's. My profile picture is "David and Me," 2001 painting by artist Steve Walker. It happens to be one of my favorite modern gay art pieces. View all posts by Joe

This entry was posted on Monday, July 12th, 2021 at 6:00 am and posted in Miscellaneous. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

12 responses to “My Eleven Year Blogiversary 👨🏻‍💻🥳”

bookcris
July 12th, 2021 at 8:50 am

Congratulations. I really enjoy your blog and love that you reassure me that everything is ok. Thank you so much for all your hard work on this. Take care,
Cris

Reply
- Joe
  July 12th, 2021 at 11:45 am
  
  Thanks 🙏🏻
  
  Reply
Steve
July 12th, 2021 at 10:45 am

Congratulations! 🙌🏻❤️🏳️‍🌈🙌🏻❤️🏳️‍🌈
What an amazing journey you’ve had! I’ve been part of your following fan club for the past 7 years almost and can’t express strongly enough the great impact your blog has had for me. I’ve grown to look forward to your inspiration, the visual candy and the thoughts, even coming to feel like you are that distant friend I’ve wished I could see. I’ve enjoyed making comments, knowing you read them and it also helps you.

Congratulations again, and many more years of being an influence to so many with such great messages!

Your friend,
Steve

Reply
- Joe
  July 12th, 2021 at 11:44 am
  
  Thank you so much, Steve. That means a lot to me.
  
  Reply
Beau
July 12th, 2021 at 11:57 am

Congratulations! Thank you for bringing your thoughts, feelings, faith, and learning to us! Your blog is unlike anything else. I especially like your history postings!

Reply
- Joe
  July 12th, 2021 at 12:05 pm
  
  Thanks, Beau. ☺️
  
  Reply
Michael Anthony Cibulka
July 12th, 2021 at 2:21 pm

Thank you Joe for the 8 years that I have been following you. I look forward to reading your block every day. I of course enjoy the photos. It’s your take on politics, history, and just life in general that I enjoy. I am a Canadian who just has to scratch my head at the stuff going on in the US at times. But, you put it in perspective. Here is to another 11 years.

Reply
- Joe
  July 12th, 2021 at 2:24 pm
  
  Thanks 🙏🏻
  
  Reply
Adam
July 14th, 2021 at 6:59 am

Your blog is unique, Joe. I discovered it about 9 years ago when I was searching for my own identity online. You and others bloggers have helped me find my reality, and for that I’m grateful for your personal sharing.

I think of your blog as sometimes diary, sometimes sermon, and always visual stimulator! My, you do find the sexiest men–never too graphically displayed–that ease me into my day.

Carry on!

Reply
- Joe
  July 14th, 2021 at 7:02 am
  
  Thanks, Adam. Your words mean a lot to me.
  
  Reply
iameverywhere1
July 14th, 2021 at 8:13 pm

I’ve come to enjoy your blog so much. The pictures are marvelous. Another eleven years. Let’s not limit ourselves.

Reply
- Joe
  July 14th, 2021 at 9:58 pm
  
  Thanks 🙏🏻
  
  Reply