From all of us at the Smoking Musket to all of you, we wish you the Merriest Christmas and a Let's Goooo Mountaineers!!

Since it's the annual time of year that we pause to give thanks, we thought it would be nice to list some of the things that we here at the Smoking Musket are thankful for (in no particular order).  I know I've overlooked MANY, so please add to the list in the comments section.

We're Mountaineers

via bloguin.com

We're bound by a bond not completely understood by those outside, try as we might to explain it to them.  Whether born here or simply attended school here...Once a Mountaineer, ALWAYS A MOUNTAINEER!!!

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West Virginia isn't any old state.

Any old state wouldn't have a legion of birthday wishes to it starting very early this morning.  Any old state wouldn't inspire the same amount of passion and allegiance.  Any old state wouldn't shape the identity of so many of its residents.

No, this is West Virginia, and for better or worse, this state is who we are and always will be.  You can meet someone halfway across the world, and if by happenstance you're both from West Virginia, you've just met a friend.  That just doesn't happen with other parts of the country.

So today, on our great state's 148th birthday, remember the things that make West Virginia so special.  It's singing Country Roads at weddings as loud as you can.  It's our motto, "Montani Semper Liberi," a phrase that seems to place West Virginia as a higher cause.  It's the topography, as wild and wonderful as it was back in 1863 (OK, well, almost).

And, most of all, it's the people.  Because, without the people, West Virginia might just be another state in the Union.  Instead, it's the best.

SBNation is rolling out a lot of very complex, in depth statistics this year, 99% of which you couldn't care less about.  One that might interest you, however, is the top ten users with the most comments.  We're always trying to foster more user discussion here at Smoking Musket because, let's be honest, our mothers don't even care what we have to say.  It's you guys that make this site great (except The 25314, of course).

So, as you look at this, be thinking of two things:

1) If you're not on it, why don't you love Mountaineer sports?; or

2) If you are on it, look how much time you wasted in 2010.

If you were ever to make a top 10 list, this would have to be it, right?

The Smoking Musket will not become a free-for-all, regardless of what happens on or off the field.  Please read the rules below to understand exactly what is expected as a member and commenter on this site.

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If you're new to The Smoking Musket, you're probably so blown away and impressed by the content that you're looking for more ways to easily follow the site.  Well, you're in luck.  Thanks to the miracle that is technology, we're able to provide updates on the website via Facebook, Twitter, and Western Union Telex.  Plus, by following us on Facebook and Twitter, you'll get these gems (posted just today) that aren't available on the website:

Dear WVU football players: I know he probably drives a mid-90s Buick, but Bill Stewart will totally be your sober driver on weekends.

WARNING: this is the coolest link you will click on today. Properly prepare yourself as such. http://suckitvt.com/

And if you subscribe to our Telex feed, WVUIE97 will describe, via dots and dashes, each week's Hump Day.  You know how hot Hump Day is normally, just think of the possibilities as you sit in your bloomers trying to imagine those beautiful ladies. Ay dios mio!

So, again, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain (except for lost productivity at work).  You can follow us at:

Facebook: The Smoking Musket

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SmokingMusket

Telex: Listen, I have to end this joke sometime.  This is that point.

Just as a reminder, The Smoking Musket Xperience (yes, you heard me) doesn't just end with this website.  Also included in the Xperience (trademark pending) are Twitter and Facebook.  Also, we'll be your pen pal.

With Twitter, you'll get an updated feed when stories are posted, along with links to the stories, which makes following us on the go that much easier.  As for Facebook, you'll get the same story feed and links, in case you're frightened by Twitter and only use Facebook.  Either way, it's a great way to keep up with the site if you can't necessarily actually get to the site.

Plus, if you connect with us via Twitter or Facebook, it will make all of us look a lot cooler (sex with a woman can't be too far behind).

• @smokingmusket (TSM's Twitter Account)
• The Smoking Musket on Facebook
• Charley West on Facebook (be my friend, yay!)

Contrary to popular belief, the authors of this site don't sit around in our mother's basements combing the internet for information on WVU and college sports en masse.  We have lives.  They're not good lives, mind you, but lives they are nonetheless.  That's where you guys come in.

Without you, the loyal reader, this site isn't anything.  First off, if I noticed no one was visiting the site, I would probably stop writing.  But beyond that, your comments and contributions make this a vibrant community.  By submitting tips to your authors (charleywest@gmail.com) or submitting Fan Posts and Fan Shots, you can greatly increase the experience at The Smoking Musket.  This will inspire better stories, increased community activity, and overall, just a better damn website.

So, please, I beg you, help us out.  By doing so, you'll only make the site better for you and your fellow Mountaineer fans.  And also, if you don't, the terrorists win and 5th Year Senior will start killing puppies.  And you don't want that on your conscience, do you?