My blogging career has been going for just longer than one year in planetary time. I have this sense that, as with dogs who are counted in fractions of real years – I was taught one actual year is 7 dog years but that might have changed – blogging years are longer than real years. It’s because it has become so much a part of my routine that I must have been participating forever. And that word ‘routine’ fails to do justice to what I mean. It suggests commonplace, humdrum whereas (what’s with ‘whereas’ – you can take the boy out of the law but not the law out of the boy, I suppose) I’m still enjoying myself immensely.
I’ve found flash fiction for a start. I’ve embraced challenges and prompts and the competitive streak in me has been quietly pleased (YESSSS. EAT THAT SUCKERS) with the occasional highly commended.
My writing has undoubtedly improved.
I’ve found beta readers (and learnt what a beta reader is) and specialist help for my novel writing. I’ve found people willing to buy and review my book.
I’ve followed other bloggers who write on a whole host of subjects. I’ve learnt a lot about a lot.
Most of all I’ve been introduced to nice people. My English master, circa 1972, deplored ‘nice’ as an adjective. Too bland. No contours or depths. It is a shallow sort of compliment, floating on the surface of praise. But I think nice is apt. It is difficult in the flat relationships of the Internet to experience depths. It is easy to go missing if the subject in discussion is a bit awkward, a bit embarrassing, unlike in real time, real life.
And then I’ve met some real people behind the blogs and ‘nice’ no longer does justice to the charming, erudite, compassionate, passionate, funny, droll, downright lovely people who have emerged into my little four dimensions.
There must be a few class A wankers out there, of course, waiting to make a fool out of my on line judgements but they have eluded me so far. I have read a few posts and comments, on subjects as diverse as the UK election, religion, gun control, gay marriage, cricket and marmite that have made me pause, made me question my engagement in a particular debate but that is as bad as it has got.
Therefore, my current plan to take a little blogging break will be tough. I know I won’t lose my new found friends and that you will be very understanding and welcome me back, as back I will come. It’s not only Douglas MacArthur who will return.
And I know you will wish me well. I’m off walking and then holidaying in Scotland until 3rd July and it is the Textiliste’s challenge to stop blogging until I come home.
In truth, I may make a cameo appearance or two to keep up with the regular flash prompts and challenges. I may comment a little. But blogging will dwindle. Have fun without me!
TanGental 
Blogging breaks are good. Go for it. We all take them. Well, most of us. I’m on ‘summer hours’ …
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Have a wonderful time. I can’t think of anything better to do for a vacation!
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I feel bereft. Now what am I meant to read?! Of course this is completely unacceptable, you can’t just ‘take a break’ I mean no one said this was about fun. ITS A LIFE CHOICE, and once you start you’re committed for life, didn’t you get the memo?
In other news, have fun! :p
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Taking a break is important, but more so to know when to take a break. I’ll miss you, but I completely understand. 🙂
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From one challenge to another. How could you resist the one from the Textiliste? You weren’t able to resist before were you? Have a wonderful time. You know we’ll be right here waiting for your return. 🙂
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Enjoy your trip. I look forward to your return.
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Your post has, completely inadvertently, set me a challenge. or at least reminded me of something I have long wanted to discover, and never got around to finding out. That is, when did some educated people begin to dislike the use of nice as an adjective. There is an attack on the use of nice in Northanger Abbey, which takes the attitude back to the beginning of the nineteenth century, but was it earlier? What did Dr Johnson say? Any other possible writers? I will now have to find out – if I do perhaps I will blog about it.
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Look at the sky for me, when you’re in Scotland. And don’t forget your midge repellent… 🙂
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Have fun 🙂 You’ll miss us… your fingers will itch… you’ll think in your writing voice… But have a great time.
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Have fun. We’ll be here when you return 🙂
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Enjoy your break. Make sure you let me know if you come to Aberdeen 🙂
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Enjoy! But be sure to come back. Your voice is one that has stood out for me over the weeks since I was introduced to your blog.
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Have a wonderful holiday. This is the best reason to take a break from blogging so enjoy! See you on the other side.
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I did not want to click like because we will all miss you ! But even so I really hope you have a great time and do not suffer withdrawal symptoms! I have been issued with a similar challenge from time to time and I find it hard with a capital H! Have fun enjoy and give my love to the Textiliste, the Lawyer and Vet! xxxx
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Oooo, I’ve been on a recent blogging break due to the wonderful British Telecom letting me down on connecting our home landline and broadband when we moved house last week. I’ve had a wonderful time away but have missed everyone on here. I’m currently using a mobile broadband device which does not always work and, when it does, is very slow!!
I hope you enjoy your break Geoff and look forwrad to catching up with you upon your return (providing BT can get me back online that is!)
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Enjoy your blogcation, Geoff! I know I’m liking mine 🙂
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Have a marvelous time! We will still be here when you get back. 🙂
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Wondered where you’d got to so enjoy your wanderings and I look forward to some great new stories along with matching photos when you return. By the way, not that I’m gloating, but I hit 20,000 views yesterday morning. I was so stoked. There I was watching the counter seemingly stuck on 19,999 for an hour and then it went express through to 20,002. I’ve reached the last 10,000 in the last 6 months. Take care xx Rowena
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Get you 20 k. In what period?. Are you spiking or is this gradual growth? And I will be back
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Hi Geoff, wish my stats could match your enthusiasm. This is an all-time reading and I’ve pulled off the last 10,000 in the last 6 months. Actually, the log has had a big leap forward in the last 6 months so hopefully this is the beginning of even better things! Hope you’ve enjoyed your walk and survived being away from all things blog and wifi related xx Ro
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Hi, enjoy your pause we all need to take time out sometimes.
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