I think it's something to do with the season. I've been feeling the same way.

Okay, that was scary.

Bryan, you could be right. Little things seem to get magnified this time of year, with all the busyness that comes with the season.

Jim, I didn't mean to scare you. Next time I'll give fair warning before including the word "meme" in a post. I always forget how many people are actually afraid of memes. <badda bing>

Where's the petition? Maybe you just need a breather for the holidays, then we can all meet back here on Groundhog Day (they're closely related to the baby squirrels).

Gwynne, I'm afraid that if I took off that long, I'd never start it back up. But thanks for the thought.

One of the reasons I started blogging was the discipline required to write something every day, even when I felt uninspired. I still think there's value in that, although I don't always achieve that goal.

I agree with Jim -- that was scary..

breaks are a good thing... I've been on one since October for a good reason. But at the same time I have run across numerous things in the news or on the web that I wanted to share but with no vehicle to share them with.

Eric, my recommendation, set a mental limit to 5 posts a week. This way a 10 post week feels good but a 5 post week doesnt' feel bad. This works for me. Gets the guilt posey out of the way.

You had me worried for a moment! You've saved me the trouble of trying to talk you out of it!!! Where else would I go for my daily dose of Midland, Texas?

Aw, you guys are just scared that if I go away, that will be one less blog to which you can be superior! ;-)

Still, I appreciate the sentiment. Ya'll really are the reason I'm sticking around...you know that, don't you?

Shannon, I realized for a long time that I'm a streak blogger. When I get rolling, I may do 10 posts in a day. I just have to learn to live with the roller coaster that that entails. I think your idea of setting a mental limit is a good one; I'm just not sure it works for my personal style (whatever that is!).

Rachel, we've got a number of good bloggers in Midland, and some of them even have cute dogs. But, thanks just the same. Oh, and you can start watching your mailbox in about a week or so. ;-)

Eric, I do think it's the season. I know that I'm not blogging as much as I used to for several reasons. I'm hoping that the new year and the return to normal (albiet a new normal) will help fire up the creativity and inspiration again.

... albeit, that is.

*sigh*

You had me worried, there is too much content in the world today. Following the daily adventures of Eric and HLB and watching his mind wander through the ether brings comfort in a time of chaos.

Jen, it's pronounced the same, either way. ;-) You've got a great excuse for not blogging more, though. Do you ever have one of those days where your overriding thought is "what was I thinking, scheduling a wedding so close to Christmas?!"?

Gregg, that's the first time I've ever been accused of bringing comfort. I'm usually the causer of chaos. Are you sure you don't have it backwards?

Do you ever have one of those days where your overriding thought is "what was I thinking, scheduling a wedding so close to Christmas?!"?

Um. YES!

It's madness and I am insane. However, it's going to be beautiful and fun and so worth it.

However, it's going to be beautiful and fun and so worth it.

There's absolutely no doubt in my mind about that.

It's just part of the creative nature to experience such feelings. The amazing thing is the amount of true discipline you have to express yourself so much and so regularly. You comfort, bless, encourage, amuse, stimulate, entertain, and even sometimes irritate or aggravate by your output. The constancy of your offerings provides a small anchor of stability in your readers' world that we appreciate as you can see from all these posts!

Just do it. :)

...sometimes irritate or aggravate...

Why, I'm stunned that you would say such a thing. I mean, only sometimes? I gotta practice my irritating aggravation routine. ;-)

But, thanks for the encouragement. If anyone knows about the ups and downs of the "creative nature," it's you! (Off topic...I'll bet you're feeling pretty smug about the fact that you knew the words to the song Sunday morning. We had a good laugh about that. Now...is there any chance of your hiring out as a tuning consultant to some certain unnamed violinists?)

Well, when youthful, less experienced instrumentalists receive their music literally hours before a performance, you can't expect much better. I particularly felt for the cellist! That player had virtually no practice time. Many of the folks who would have been hired were already committed elsewhere. (Not smug! GRATEFUL! You weren't the only ones laughing! It amazes me how many folks notice those things!)

Dude...not funny.

Eric, your blog is probably one of the top 3 reasons I made the switch to Firefox. My old browser suddenly wouldn't read the Gazette anymore.

As a number of other commentors have already pointed out, part of the reason your blog is so demanding for you is your discipline in posting, but your insistence in making those posts worthwhile.

I've seen this happen to a number of webmasters. The ones who burn out the quickest are the ones who care the most about their content.

Denise, would I try to joke with you? ;-)

Mr. Freen...where're ya been, amigo? I was beginning to fear that you'd met with foul play or retired to the Cayman Islands where you have better things to do than surf the Gazette! Anyway, it's good to hear from you again, and especially with such kind words. I'm sorry you felt compelled to switch browsers; consider it a working example of "tough love." ;-)

As far as burning out, that's something I can only aspire to do. Mine was more of a sissified fizzle. But I'm back on my meds and feeling much better...the voices are coming in clearer than ever, and I'll just type what they tell me to.

Eric, it's part of the creative process to feel this way from time to time--some of us go through it every day! Good content, done well, can be hard work. The very fact that you're questioning your own process tells me you care very much about the quality of your blog. I hope you'll stay with us for some time to come. If you have to take a break to renew yourself, I hope you'll treat it like a timed vacation and then come back to us very soon!

Deb, I find that lousy content can also be hard work. ;-)

But, I think I'm over my malaise and will be working hard to reduce the s/n ratio of the blogosphere. Thanks for the encouragement!