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Goodbye
By ELB | September 16, 2006
I’ve decided to put an end to the Sheets and Blankets portion of the Byrneunit. This decision was due in part to the fact that I have less and less to say these days. Amazing how once the crippiling depression goes away, I run out of things to talk about. In fact, I haven’t had anything to say in months. The other reason is professional.
I have made some terrible decisions regarding talking about work on this site and last week I made another one. I love my job so much and I’m so honored and flattered and privledged that I was invited to do the work I do, I could not even deal with making my boss angry at me or making my organization look bad. However, I apparently am 100% unable to edit myself. Normally this is fine, I surround myself with people who understand that I often belch forth magnificent nonsense on a daily basis. But when it comes to work, I don’t like the notion that I am being monitored. So I’ve finally decided to edit myself.
Brian thoughtfully pointed out that all I have to do is not talk about work, any aspect of work at all, on this site and my problem would be solved. He’s right, but the truth is that I don’t want to do this anymore. My career has gotten to the point where it just doesn’t jive with having a blog.
Aonther thing is that I’ve become a little freaked out by the thought of putting myself out there into the ether. Perhaps that’s due to the fact that I now fight to protect people’s privacy. It’s strange to meet people and have them recall bits of my past when I know nothing about them. This isn’t to say the people I’ve met have been stalkers or anything, everyone has been great. But my inner recluse has surfaced and since I can’t lock myself in my bedroom, I have to do the next best thing.
Ugh, did you read that shit? At this point I’d think you guys would be begging me to stop writing this crap. See, the sound of my own voice has driven me into hiding.
Stay gold.
Topics: Stuff | 35 Comments »
September 16th, 2006 at 11:00 pm
I’m just glad you waited until I met you in person. Bye.
see you later.
September 17th, 2006 at 4:12 am
Cruising Foundmagazine and saw your submission. It rocks. Keep in touch, cuz.
September 17th, 2006 at 8:26 am
man. I’m totally bummed. I’ve really enjoyed having both yours and brian’s voices in one place. I came late to the party, and now the beer’s run out. damn.
September 17th, 2006 at 10:04 am
I’m sorry to see you go, but it’s totally understandable. I live with some of that same pressure. Auf wiedersehn.
September 17th, 2006 at 11:54 am
So sad. Will HGB be subbing in for the unit?
September 17th, 2006 at 3:27 pm
Do what you need to — to fight the good fight.
September 17th, 2006 at 4:33 pm
Sorry to hear that. If you change your mind and think you can write about things other than work, we’ll be glad to have you back.
September 17th, 2006 at 5:23 pm
Hmph. I look forward to the occasional guest post.
September 17th, 2006 at 8:27 pm
When you start your new super secret Blog will you let me know?
missing you…
September 17th, 2006 at 9:42 pm
You will be missed. For me, my favorite post was the photo essay from ?, Oklahoma (sorry, can’t remember where exactly cause of the sometimers), where the Indian princess was buried and all the snakes were .. well, doing whatever a bunch of snakes do when they get together. A moment of brillance. Maybe you will find your muse again?
Sally
September 17th, 2006 at 10:06 pm
thanks for the reading ponyboy – i will miss you. (just delurking to say).
September 17th, 2006 at 11:20 pm
nuh-uh.
You’ll be back baby you know you will. Ain’t nobody can watch 90210 like you do.
September 18th, 2006 at 4:26 am
I came for the sheets and blankets and stayed for the briantologist (AND the sheets and blankets). Then when you merged it was an awesome 2 for 1. You write like I think and I’ll miss that. Goodbye.
September 18th, 2006 at 8:31 am
This was the second blog that I started reading (Dooce posted a link on her site). I will miss your words.
September 18th, 2006 at 9:17 am
And here I’ve only just got acquainted with your site in the last couple of months. What a shame, have you bookmarked and everything. Please reconsider, and if not, then then best of luck to everyone.
September 18th, 2006 at 9:39 am
I’m sure I won’t be able to stay away forever. Right now I need a break.
Watch, I’m sure I’ll be back next week to tell you how I’ve kind of become obsessed with high school football.
September 18th, 2006 at 9:45 am
I’m gonna miss you, ELB… I’m assuming, however, that I’ll still have your Flickr account to go to for my daily hilarity. xox
September 18th, 2006 at 9:52 am
I’ll miss your posts. Not many people can be funny, incisive and downright ridiculous all in one paragraph. Good luck with the fabulous new(ish) job.
September 18th, 2006 at 10:08 am
This is the only place on the Internet I can go to commiserate with someone about how awful/awesome 90210 is. You’re the only person I’ve ever met (cyber or in person) who is halfway as obsessed about it as I am. But I do understand. I have thoughts of quitting my own blog all the time for similar reasons. We’ll miss ya. Keep on truckin.’
September 18th, 2006 at 12:12 pm
Aw. I’m sad. And yet, I understand. You have fun in your new town and at your new job, ya’ hear?
September 18th, 2006 at 12:42 pm
Bummer… plus, loads of wishing you well. If you’re ever in Prague, look me up. Or, if you want to come to Prague, I’d be delighted to get you drunk on Becherovka and take you out dancing at the club where they play Europe’s “Final Countdown” Video projected onto a massive, movie-sized screen, and a whole packed housefull of totally unselfconsiously awful Czech dancers, featuring an awesomely high mullet quotient, goes absolutely bonkers.
You might like it, and you’re totally invited.
September 18th, 2006 at 1:59 pm
Jane, we’ll be there next week.
September 18th, 2006 at 7:17 pm
hello, what IS it with the high school football obsession? i’ve threatened james on several occasions to crash a local game.
he shaved the underside of his hair, wore silk shirts and wrote tortured poetry, so he’s understandably not interested.
September 19th, 2006 at 6:32 am
Beret said it best, “you write like I like think and I’ll miss that”
And save a seat on the flight to Prague. That sounds totally bitchin’.
September 19th, 2006 at 8:21 am
You and your writing will be missed.
September 19th, 2006 at 8:34 am
I think it would be funny if you put a cricket sound on your blog while you’re away (I’m speaking as if you’ll be back!). That’s the sound I hear when I come back to this site (& I’ve come back 5 times even though this is your swan song!!). I’m a dork.
September 19th, 2006 at 10:17 am
aw, man. best of luck.
September 19th, 2006 at 11:29 am
Shit. We never got to smoke Capris together. Shit.
I’m with you on the quitting thing.
Blogs are for A-holes, and I say that in jest.
You will be missed.
September 19th, 2006 at 2:58 pm
You’ve made me laugh, stranger.
September 20th, 2006 at 7:40 am
Hey ELB, as another working feminist mom I totally understand not be able to put your shit out there for everyone to read. That said, I will miss you. It was always fun to read your entries.
September 20th, 2006 at 3:40 pm
I could not be sadder about something interweb related. It’s been fun times I tell you, reading about our strangely somewhat parallel lives, the HGB, the cats, the move. Good luck little family. Come and play another day.
~k
September 20th, 2006 at 3:52 pm
well, that’s too bad that you can’t express your personal political views without work retribution.
But at least now I won’t lie awake at night worrying that you aren’t kidding that you drug your child to get him out of your hair.
September 20th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
I’m sad. I’ll miss you. Thanks for entertaining us for as long as you have. Chicago is so lucky.
September 21st, 2006 at 6:03 am
Yeah. What they said!
September 22nd, 2006 at 7:07 pm
Fuck this shit.
I’ll miss you, Ponyboy.