The problem with "special issues" (anniversary, disaster, memorial, whatever) is that people end up saving them. And, after a lifetime of collecting memorabilia, when you die your heirs have to hire a dumpster to haul it all away.

Happy 25th.
And about that note on hording:
I'll save it with the others.

There's The Stranger I know and love! Go, Dan!

Every party needs a pooper that's why we invited you, party pooper, Dan Savage! ;)

I remember Dan in that get-up - he pulled me onto his lap and felt me up! Well, just my chest...

As someone around for the first issue and a regular reader ever since, I agree completely.

I enjoyed reading this about as much as he enjoyed writing it. LOL!

So is that lady the legendary Helvtica Bold I've read so much about?

You just don't like milestones, Dan, because it reminds you of just how old you are getting...and yes, you are projecting, gurlfriend....glad to be of service...

FWIW, I feel -extremely- sentimental about The Stranger turning 25. I'm just young enough to have only vague child's memories about the environment this paper sprang out of, but it's always been a valuable window on worlds I'd only heard of. I learned more about music, art, and genitals in this paper than I did anywhere else in life, and it will always be my pole star of hedonism.

And so you've completed the transition into Andy Rooney. I wish you a sky full of clouds to yell at.

I read this whole article because I thought it was funny and a biting summary of what an anniversary issue is. ;)

Get off my lawn!

Come on Dan, were you ever *really* in your mid-20s? Seriously, I know you're just pulling our leg, right?

@11 care bear Yup. Every generation needs its Rooney.

Am I the only one that likes a creative retrospective issue of my favorite rags and mags? Been reading The Stranger from the beginning, and haven't been living on the continent for ten years, so yay internet. Shoot, my kids were raised with the Stranger and suffered a weekly routine of my checking out for an hour or two to suck up each new issue. Dan had a profound influence on how I raised my boys, since I grew up with religion and knew my kids wouldn't. Proud of their respect for other people and their commitment to live consciously, in awareness of their inherent privileges, deficits, and gifts.

A good retro issue brings on fond and other personal memories, and hopefully a long-forgotten story or two to amuse your kids or current everyday friends. It can fill in certain blanks for newer or younger readers. It can elicit a chuckle if not a belly laugh, and that's always welcome comic relief.

Gonna cruise Dan's actual assignment piece now. This one's a bust. Whiny little bitch.

Hey Faggot,

I don't care that you don't care, 25 years is petty aweome and spans the time from my adolescence to nearly 40 for me. You've expanded my horizons and it got better for a whole lot of people.

Dan, there is one big difference between anniversary issues and birthday parties.

Alcohol.

Dan the Man, you just plain continue to fucking rock the house!
Hope your recent birthday kicked serious ass, and Happy 25!