Et Tu, Arlee?
I'm soon going to do that which I never thought I'd do regarding this blog. I'm going to take a break. Seems like a lot of bloggers have done this or will be taking breaks for the summer. And now me.
No big deal really because I guess it's not really that much of a break. After all I'll still post for #IWSG on July 5th and August 2nd. And in July and August on the 15th I'll still take part in Battle of the Bands with results posts for each posting a week after each Battle. So it's not like I'll be disappearing and actually I'll be posting pretty much as I have in the past month or so. However I will presumably be back in some expanded form by September and hopefully that will be my blog and not my waistline.
So I guess I'm not really going to be all that inactive on this blog. But I will be offline a lot more than I have been. After all, it's summer.
What kinds of things are you doing this summer? What is the longest complete blog break that you've ever taken? When it's raining where you are, does it feel like it's raining all over the world?
Battle of the Bands Results
Last week's Battle was Aretha Franklin versus Barbra Streisand singing their renditions of "Lover, Come Back to Me". I've grown to dislike Streisand in recent decades, but not because of her singing. Listening to her version of this old standard I recalled how much I used to like her singing. On the other hand, I've never been a big fan of Aretha Franklin. I had no idea that she sang more in a jazzy style before she started singing soul.
Like some voters also expressed, Aretha's delivery of "Lover" was a pleasant surprise. Although I liked both versions a great deal, I thought Aretha edged out Barbra for my vote. The total vote outcome came out much the same way with Aretha taking a few more votes than Barbra.
Final Vote Tally
Aretha Franklin 13
Barbra Streisand 10
I'll Be Back
My next appearance here will likely be Wednesday July 5th with a post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. That's my plan at least.
It's good to take a break even if only for a shoprt while. Enjoy yourself.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Yvonne, maybe sometime I need to take a real blogging break.
DeleteLee
I took an extended break in 2009 which was one of the worst years of my life. Not doing much this summer...hiding from the humidity probably!
ReplyDeleteJoJo, so was it one of the worst because you took a blogging break or was the break due to things being so bad for you. I'll probably be heading into the humidity for a while this summer unless weather becomes drastically different.
DeleteLee
Hi Lee - makes sense ... enjoy the time away, such as it is ... take care and have fun - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary, thank you--I'm hoping to have a good time.
DeleteLee
Great Battle, LEE -- two really good versions of a really good song -- and the results reflected that. A three point margin of victory is a nice, tight race, just as this one should have been.
ReplyDeleteAs I said when I voted, I've really enjoyed your song selections recently and look forward to your new Battles.
So, looks like you've changed your mind about posting "First-of-the-Battles", eh? Gonna follow the new trend of "Fifteenth-of-the-month" only Battles? Know that I still would have supported Battles occurring on the 1st, should you change your mind back to that idea.
Well, as noted previously, I took a year-and-a-half blogging break due to depression and it's not been the same since. However, as I cut back on BOTB installments, I intend to now increase my postings on 'FERRET-FACED...' and my 'REVIEWS...' blog, as I feel I have much more I want to say there, with some detailed blog bit ideas that are more in line with how I used to post when at my peak. And hopefully those blogs will again start to reach more people.
I feel more inspired to blog now because I know "the time is short" and I want to reach as many people as I can while they still have a choice to choose the Light over the darkness that's coming.
See ya on 7/15, Brother!
~ D-FensDogG
[Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
STMcC, glad you enjoyed this Battle. It ended nicely.
DeleteI'll will likely start posting BOTB twice a month in September. I decided not to do the first of month Battles for the next couple months since we'll be having company in July and then traveling on the first of August. I'll probably have a tough enough time doing the Battles on July 15th but I'll manage I guess.
Hopefully I'll get a blogging recharge after I return from vacation.
Lee
I hope your break is effective!
ReplyDeleteLoni, hope it's also fun. I look forward to seeing family.
DeleteLee
I've taken many breaks over the years. Summer is a good time to do so.
ReplyDeleteL.Diane, I always tried to maintain a consistency of posting at my site, but now it doesn't matter quite as much to me. Still it's difficult for me to totally walk away from the blog for more than a week or two.
DeleteLee
Have a nice break, Arlee. I am too new to take a break. I need to increase my posting in fact. Will definitely look for your return!
ReplyDeleteJanet, in my first few years of blogging I was adamant about not taking any blog breaks.
DeleteLee
No idea how long our "break" from the Crypt will last... too many "miseries" to deal with for now. .... our best wishes to you and yours, good Sir Arlee... Stacey
ReplyDeleteStacey, hope better things are coming your way or at least some respite from misery.
DeleteLee
Longest I took was about a week and a half in 2008 and about the same thing last year.
ReplyDeleteThis year we're not doing much in the way of vacations. Just taken partial days off the last week of June to do house sitting and the first week of August to do house sitting again (both of which are my own house).
GB, doing nothing to little can be mighty fine and relaxing. If I didn't have to travel to see my kids and grandkids I might do something similar.
DeleteLee
You're right, Arlee. Many bloggers back off during the summer. I'll be taking a break in July for a bit. I usually do. It allows me time to enjoy the warm weather and family. Hope you do the same.
ReplyDeleteElsie
Elsie, gonna try to make this another great summer. I wish the same for everyone.
DeleteLee
I definitely would love to do that. I schedule most of my posts so the only challenge is responding to comments. I seem active even when I'm on a trip.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your break! I'll see you for #IWSG.
Jacqui, I've always done the scheduling like you've described, but making the comment rounds is always a bit of a challenge. Still I've always found time to do it all. I need to back off a bit more than in the past.
DeleteLee
If or when we do get rain out here in the tinderbox I'm so grateful I wish the same for everyone!
ReplyDeleteDo enjoy a nice break this summer ;-)
My blogging breaks (gaps) have all been entirely involuntary. Such is life.
Great battle, Aretha is good too.
Diedre, I'd rather volunteer for blog breaks than have them thrust upon me. Enjoy your summer as well.
DeleteLee
I hope you do something memorable and fun while you're on break. Have a great summer!
ReplyDeleteJ, gonna try to do what you've described. You have a great summer as well.
DeleteLee
Maybe there will be pictures of some of those memorable fun times? Or, even better, stories? :)
DeleteHope it's going well.
Taking a break is indeed necessary at times and surely with summer upon us, its even more likely for others too. Have a nice time away and best wishes!
ReplyDeleteBlogoratti, my mind is never on break so in a way this is all symbolic in a sense.
DeleteLee
I can't recall the longest break I've taken since starting my current blog in March 2011, though I've had more breaks on my secondary blog than my main blog. There have been times I went a month or more (sometimes much more) between posts on my secondary blog, though that was more from not having any gripping ideas about post topics than taking an altogether blogging break.
ReplyDeleteI hate being stuck in SC this summer instead of allowed to move back to Pittsburgh, though maybe I'll be able to visit some of the historic places during my few months in this state. My long-hiatused 18th century characters lived at least half of their lives in Colonial SC, so I could get some research done.
Carrie-Anne, make the best of where you are. You never know if it could be the last time you go there. Do that research while you have the opportunity!
DeleteLee
That wasn't a surprising outcome. It could've gone either way in my opinion as both versions were strong and enjoyable. I voted for Barbra but I could've just as easily voted for Aretha.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear you're "taking a break"....although it doesn't really sound like a break. :) You're presence will still very much be here and that's great.
When I took my break it was for about 6 weeks and I didn't do one bit of blogging. I may have commented on a few blogs here and there but even that was very minimal. I just needed a total break from it.
I know you're looking forward to your summer travels and all the time spent with family. You guys all have a good time and be safe out there!
Michele at Angels Bark
Michele, the more I think about it like you said it's not much of a break. I guess to a certain extent my blogging commitment and dedication will be on break. My travel stuff will come first.
DeleteLee
Wish you a good summer break! I am sure that it will bring you back with more warmth and sunshine in the heart! Rest a while and run a mile!
ReplyDelete---------------
Anagha From Team MocktailMommies
Rewind
Anagha, rest I do well, however I'd better walk rather than run.
DeleteLee