So, yes I'm still alive. Sorry for being so inconstant.
I've been grappling with being incredibly uninspired by the political environment and bored with pretty much everyting I have to say.
I started blogging six years ago and was filled with ideas, energy, and anger, potent fuels for writing. I loved every minute of it -- the chance to vent, the satisfaction of expressing something aptly, and the solidarity and camaraderie of the community. I was obsessive about writing, posting as much as I could, checking in all the time, reading every comment, responding to as many as I could, especially points I liked or with which I disagreed, trying to facilitate dialogue. It completely captivated me for a good long while.
Since the 2012 election ended the state of politics has been pretty obvious and not much likely to change in any fundamental way for a really long time. At the same time, I've picked up a new client that has me traveling almost every week, I am assuming responsibility for another one (on top of my existing load), and undertaking more business and management tasks at my law firm. It's required a ton of energy, a commodity I find to be a bit scarcer than I'd like it to be. I've also been trying to take care of myself a bit -- two hospitalizations for chest pains in three and a half years was a little scary -- so I finally decided in the spring to get back in the gym and shed a few pounds. I've been very faithful for the last six months but that again too depletes the reserves of time and energy. (Okay, that's a lot of excuses.)
I've been contemplating going on formal hiatus for a period of time, but I hate like hell to desert this community. I kicked this around with a couple of you offline and decided that I am going to shoot to post at least once a week -- probably on Sunday. I appreciate your patience and hope you hang in there with me.
Oh, and consider this, and all subsequent posts, an open thread.