Taking a Break

There are several reasons for this. One is simply that I have a lot to do. I’m behind and I’m tired. Second is that I have had some rough encounters in blogworld that both shook me and angered me. I am still coming down (or is it up?) from those.

Third, and most important, the encounters caused me to look back at my own work on line and my comments on the work of others. I think I see in it a decline in quality and, for lack of a better word, of thoughtfulness.

That does not mean that I want to junk the posts. Some in the last few months were strong, and even in the others I stand by my basic positions as either being right—or as Hillary might put it—as being logical based on the information I had at that moment. However, I have strived to be not simply accurate—or probing, when I question—but within the limits of sharp debate, civil. In retrospect I see that I have crossed that line more, not grossly but carelessly and sometimes even slyly, which in the end is not that much better. In short, I cannot say that the encounters that I mentioned above were entirely unprovoked.

So I pause to regroup, to catch up, to refresh and to rebalance myself. Beginning tonight, for the next few days (part of my Spring Break) I am even resolved not to touch a computer. (Is there a patch for that sort of withdrawal?)

Something that I just must share may come along to disturb my retreat. Otherwise, I plan to return when I feel that I can contribute in a steadier, stronger, more balanced fashion.

Enjoy Spring!