Monday, November 12, 2007

Self-Imposed Deadlines

It has been a long time since I have written anything for this blog. Although it is true that I have been busy and also true that I recently dealt with illness that kept me down for a few days, these are not good excuses. I have been meaning to write here almost everyday and I have even had some compelling words swirling in my head. I just have not felt sufficiently motivated of late to commit them to paper (or its electronic equivalent). I have even given myself personal “deadlines” and what I have re-learned is as simple as it ever was: Without consequences, a deadline is nothing more than a good intention.

And I am not happy to say that for the first time in many months, I have missed a deadline. During my recent bout with bronchitis, I simply didn’t have it in me to get a column written by its due date. I had the assignment before I got sick and if I had written it right away, I would have met the deadline, but I don’t work that way. This one instance isn’t likely to change that either. In this case, since it was a school assignment and not for a publication, the consequences are not nearly as dire. If more was on the line, who knows? Maybe I would have found the energy to drag my butt out of bed and write it.

That assignment is for my latest blog, “Home of the Free.” It has become a more regular source of publication for me and it has truly been my saving grace. Although significantly more structured than what I write here, it has also been a great source of pride for me. I really like what I have come up with, how I have presented my arguments and what it has allowed me to do while staying within the confines of the assignments. The missed deadline probably won’t affect my grade much, if at all, as it is an isolated instance in an otherwise perfect record.

But I still miss writing here and more so, the visits from my regular readers. I also miss visiting all those blogs on my link list as well as a few others. I know how the blog world is and I have seen blogs come and I have seen them go in my nearly two years blogging. Rest assured, I am not going anywhere, but I have been silent and derelict in my reciprocation. Those who do not travel do not get visited. I will be making my rounds soon enough, but for now I can only leave this brief, rambling and sincere post.

Right now, it's all I’ve got.

11 comments:

Jennifer said...

It's good to see you again. I must not have your other blog in my Google Reader...I didn't know you were still writing anywhere!
Hope you're feeling better...being under the weather definitely slows productivity!

michelle said...

I'm glad your doing better and I will definitely update my links to your other blog!

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

I've been lurking between the two blogs, so I've been keeping an eye on you. But I know how you feel about letting your blog languish.

Hope to see you around more. You HAVE been missed, you know!

kenju said...

You have been missed, Mike. Welcome back.

I love this quote:"Without consequences, a deadline is nothing more than a good intention." How right you are!!

awareness said...

Hi Mike...

glad you're feeling better and getting back on track. Like you, I'm in for the long haul....:)

I look forward to your future posts as always.

muskie

CyberKitten said...

Good to see you back on-line.

Snaggle Tooth said...

I hate when I break self-imposed time-goals too. It doesn't feel good-
Today was a warm sunny time for the normal cold we've been having. I tried to sleep earlier n wake earlier, but it just didn't jel n barely got outside for the last half-hour of daylight again (4:30 EDT). I missed the dump, barely made the PO window, didn't get the yard done yet from past storm branches. Next deadline on all that, up again ASAP-
Actually, I noticed your classmates posted before you, n I'm glad you're alright after all- Not being able to stand up is the only good excuse to allow!

flleenie said...

An obligation is an obligation, I also hate to be late. But if you're really sick, then you're really sick. It happens.

I know you haven't posted here regularly, but I always make sure to visit "Home of the Free".

The Harbour of Ourselves said...

have been touched with this emotion - almost given up of late but reading blogs like yours somehow keeps me in....lie i mused somewhere else, sometimes the void speaks, the breaks build and inform and so take us forward

the languish can lead...

hope you're well

Lady Prism said...

ey'....

Be well and happy Mr. Althouse....enjoy life..

I have been away for sometime too ( work is to blame arg!)..but have just recently returned so me' knows what you mean..

Take care of yourself though...

Belizegial said...

Michael, it's good to know that I'm not the only one caught in a meat grinder lately.

I've been out of blogging recently as I'm fighting with deadlines myself. Mainly from the two MBA classes I undertook in September of this year. The semester ends December 15th and then I'm home free. Until then, I'm doing sporadic rounds myself on the blogs.

Enjoy your day,
Enid