Do you know what I miss?
I miss not blogging.
What I mean by that is that I miss the sense of possibility and expectancy and wonder that I felt when I was first studying up on blogging, back before I launched the Ominous Comma.
In those days I was reading lots of books on writing, and lots of blogs trying to figure things out.
I read Steve Pavlina because he was talking about making a living following your passion, and I read The Sneeze and Defective Yeti because they were the only funny blogs I could find at the time.
But once I launched, I discovered is that blogging is a lot of work. Consistently writing your best humor is even harder.
Over the last year and a half, discipline has replaced excitement and my sense of wonder his given way to a constant, annoying awareness of traffic and ranks and stats.
So I’m taking a break.
Looking back, I see that my whole life has been a constant process of self reinvention, with the last two stages being DangerCouch and The Ominous Comma.
But I’m not quitting, not by a long shot.
I’m plotting, I’m hoping.
I’m dreaming.
Be back soon
-Brent
P.S. Here are a few pieces that I am especially proud of, check them out if you like.
A Short Conversations with God
The Importance of Avoiding Hubris
(If you would like to be informed when I return, I would only too happy to do that either by email or in a feedreader.)
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Enjoy your break. I had to take a few days off myself just to regroup, recharge my batteries and feel passionate about my blog again.
Just like that…no chit chat…no..leaving drinks? Arg…a lost comma indeed. Hope you will be back soon. A story without a comma isn’t a story, right?
Well, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed by your absence. In fact, I’m down right bummed. Alas, I too took an extended vacation from Blogging. Mind you, it was a career move at the time. One I wish I would not have made. Nevertheless, the break from blogging proved to be one that I needed. I now feel invigorated and ready to return to semi-regular postings.
Something I learned (the hard way, of course) is that everyone has their own comfortable blogging pace. For some, it’s daily or every other day. For others, it might be just a couple times a week. A lot depends on what else you’ve got going on and how many sites you own.
For myself, I own several sites and am in the process of developing even more. So, my blogging pace will most likely be that of every few days on average. I’m on a comment and posting blitz right now to resuscitate my ailing blog, but once CPR has been successfully administered and it’s off life-support, I’ll slow down and spread my charm and wit out a bit so I don’t completely burn out again.
Perhaps you can gleen a little advice out of what I’ve shared here. If not, consider it my usual mindless ramblings and we’ll call it a day. ;-)
Take care, my friend. I miss reading your wonderfully witty posts, but I most certainly understand the need for a reprieve.
BTW… I know commas indicate a pause in thought, but dang it man! That’s the longest comma pause I’ve ever
I certainly have missed you from the blogosphere, but I certainly understand. Especially the way you write I know it’s like a full-time job for you.
Can’t wait to see you back and I also can’t wait to hear if you found Dr. T. I miss him like crazy!
Oh, and check out my blog when you get a second. I moved…I think you’ll remember me.
Do you miss blogging yet?
OMG He really is gone….
Does Dr. T. have you in his grips?
You gotta do what is right for you and darn the fallout
It would help to put my own URL in right? Sorry
Brent come back! We miss you and your witty humor…I will check back again in a few days. Hope your doing well.
Come back! You were my eye candy!
Is this a fake hang up? It’s a fake hang up, right??
And it to happen just after I found this blog :(
@Myron,
I had been thinking the exact same thing! I had just recently found this site when he decided to take his toys out of the sandbox and go home. :(
btw- you were the 69th comment. (Not sure *why* I noticed that, but I did!) ;)~~
~ZZ
Dr.T,
This has gone on long enough. Give him back. You have had him long enough.
if you want a break go for it, but dont give up completely. You will start to miss it after awhile!
I hear ya on the exhaustion phase man. Blogging starts off as just a simple…yeah, let me write and publish my stuff, but then quickly becomes as all encompassing position. Blogger, IT support, Marketer, PR watcher. It starts off as a hobby and can quickly become an obsession.
Take a well deserved break. We’ll be here when you’re ready. :)
And to think I just read the last 20 posts of yours, unfortunately in reverse order (Dr. Harold Tobaggans had me confused for a while)… but now that I have it, you’re gone. Woe is me!
It’s time to make your triumphant return so you can host a Dr. Toboggans look-a-like Halloween costume contest!
if you work or study or both, is complicated write a blog
at first is simple because you are excited like a child with new toy, but, a few month later, you are tired and busy, and already is not the same
I must agree with you. If I didn’t have to work and study I would spend far more time writing things for my blog. I guess there is only so many hours in a day..
I see where you’re coming from bro.
OK.
Don’t even try to tell me that was *your* Trick for Trick or Treat??!!
Or that you just decided to dress up as The Invisible Man for Halloween?
It’s been just about 3 months (will be in 3 days) since you’ve said later and rode off into the sunset. I was tickled pink when I saw your avatar in my blog catalog. It was almost like the Groundhog who didn’t see his shadow (or did see it) whichever one that is supposed to bring a shorter winter and more sunshine!! :)
I hadn’t been a longtime fan of yours before you needed the break, but I do know I enjoyed reading your material.
I really liked the one that was very serious and unlike your usual schtick. I think it showed a brief glimpse into another part of you and added depth to you. I thought it was good stuff!
I also know that if one feels they *have* to do something, *anything*, it usually takes some of the enjoyment out of it. Blogging included.
So, if you make the decision to return to this (and I hope you do), please do so, on your own terms, and throw the “Should, would, and Could” out the window and write *For YOU*. If you write to keep *us* happy, you’ll only burn yourself out again.
Anyway, didn’t plan on writing you a book. Ijust wanted to stop in and say Hi and that I was pleasantly surprised to see that you had stopped in.
I hope you and your family had a Spooktacular Halloween Brent.
Take care of yourself. *mwaw*
~ZZ
Btw – Out of Pure Defiance (And maybe just a smidgeon of laziness. But *only* a smidgeon!) I still have you on my feedreader!
Maybe one day……
;)
~ZZ
Enjoy your blog vacation! come back soon!
So, still not back yet. Does it really take that long to recharge your funny? Maybe you should look into getting a new battery…works for cell phones…who knows, it might work for the humor bit of your brain. ;) Hell, just come back, even if you’re not fully charged…we could do with a chuckle. :)
I am incredibly jealous that you have the ability to finish reading books. I have not finished a book in over a year. Gimme a short story, a controversial essay or a pamphlet and Im golden…Enjoy your time off while exploring.
It’s nice to see I’m not the only one still suffering withdrawals…
Thanks for the NOTE of humor on facebook.
I look forward to your next (AD) venture.
what the fruit – you still haven’t returned !?! You are sorely missed, you know…
Blogging day to day can be tough. So many topics have been done and the pressure to be fresh is always there. Hope you come back soon. Your blog is entertaining.
My gawd, you haven’t posted since August. I completely understand though…it can get tiring at times.
I miss you.
I miss Dr. T. as you know. Please give him a hug for me.
I hope that you are doing well and relaxing. You most certainly deserve it.
Brent, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your beautiful family!!
*hugs*
It IS work. I’m thinking of doing the same thing. Good luck, man.
I have no doubt that blogging is very, very unhealthy and bad for the soul.
A break is always good from blogging. As soon as I get tired I always take a break. Blogging to me is too much fun to just flat out quit from exhaustion.
Cool site, love the info.
I am looking forward for more humorous posts when you come back! :)
Having been sort of “in” on the discussion where this decision was made, I have to finally voice my agreement with EWBL here.
I regard this as a serious loss; the average mean of quality humor-blogging will go down a full 29% without you around.
:(
I’ve switched to sulking Chris and it’s not pretty.
He learned it from our Little Miss Comma.
My squirrel is threatening to jump from the tree. I’ve called the fire department, but they said they are busy with a tea-cup moose that is holding some guy with a mustache hostage with a sword. My blood pressure is through the roof! Thanks a lot Brent.
So that’s where my sword went. I’ve been trying to open this can of tuna for hours.
What is a scentence?
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