Intermission

 Sometimes things blow up in your face.

 Sometimes you feel overexposed.

  Sooner or later, you realize you can't be everyone's friend.

 Maybe after writing 542 entries, it's time  

To pause, take a break.

And consider the power of words.  

Comments

[Kelby]

Aaahhhh! Don't go away! I will miss my daily dose of Vgrrrl! I LOVE this blog! :)

[Peter]

V,

although I perfectly understand you might need a break,
why did you remove/delete
all your previous blog posts?

I mean, I was stunned - you love your writing.

Peter

[RD]

Oh, no! I hope everything's okay--we'll miss you. Do take care; you know how highly we think of you!

[Elisabeth]

To say the least, this really came as a shock.

Something must have happened. Not sure what. Interestingly, I occasionally toy with the idea of shutting my blog down, but I never do it, because I know that it's my only link so some relatives and friends who live far away. And I still find it therapeutic enough to continue blogging.

You write:
"Sooner or later, you realize you can't be everyone's friend."
Did someone write a nasty comment on your blog?
Believe me, there are a lot of lunatics in the blogosphere. I had very nasty dealings with a blogger, about two years ago, who must have sworn to be my nemesis. I even stopped reading a blog on which I would often comment, and where he would attack me and my comments. He eventually vanished (it seems...) from the blogosphere. I have not been attacked online since.

I fully understand, however, that you may need a break. But, perhaps, you could explain why you chose to delete your entire archives. Do they contain material for which you were put on the spot by someone?

[Ortizzle]

I am feeling much the same way myself lately, and also thinking there just isn't time for blogging and commenting and "being everyone's friend"... and it's not that I don't want to, but I have so much on my plate for the next two years.

You've gone a long way and many posts. And your voice will be missed. But I do so understand the need to "re-think" writing priorities as well as "blogging vs. the rest of your activities." I see this happening on a lot of blogs lately. There must be something about it after the novelty wears off and I think if it is more of a chore than a pleasure, however much we enjoy writing, commenting and getting comments... then it *is* time to exit stage right for a time.

From a purely selfish standpoint, I hope you do surface from time to time. :-)))

[V-Grrrl]

It's not a time issue. It's not that I've lost interest. It's rethinking the whole concept of what I share and how I share it.

I'm feeling very hurt and vulnerable, betrayed, and just blocked by things going on behind the scenes in my life (it's not something that involves my family). There's been a breach of trust that sent me into a retreat.

I'm not giving up my blog--just trying to sort through a situation that has me (and others) confused and upset. Can I open up again? Can I be myself if I don't?

[Nance]

"This above all, to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man."

I have complete confidence that you will ultimately decide what is best. In the meantime, I shall miss reading you online. Yours is a voice I admire and and enjoy, as you know.

[Justin's mom (from the bus stop)]

V-
I miss you already. I love your "take" on things and the depth and wide range of topics to your wonderful writing. I've smiled, laughed and cried with you. I love seeing the pictures from your walks since I can recognize where you were when I used to jog there. I am sorry you've been hurt and betrayed. I know you'll make the best choice for you, which is what matters most. In the meantime, please ENJOY your nearing final months in Belgium (as I know) they will move quickly and be gone before you know it. All the best to you and your family. PS Justin says "hi" to A.

[Elisabeth]

V - Take all the time you need to regroup. We miss you, but we'll be patient and will wait for you.

[Kate G]

Reading your blog has become part of my weekday routine since moving to Belgium. I'll miss it. Take good care of yourself.

[wendy]

sigh. another ending. I don't think I can take much more. But I will believe you when you say it's just a break.

I'm really sorry someone has hurt you.

Take good care of yourself.

I'll check back....hoping. I am always hopeful.

[Maryvonne]

I am so sorry you have been hurt. It's the first time I have written on this blog though I read it daily. I am a former English teacher, so not only was it a pleasure "to follow you" but I enjoyed reading good informal English as well. I copied and pasted the text about the death of your cat. So genuine, true and moving. Have a rest, sort your problem out if possible and come back to us when you are ready.Fingers crossed.You are stronger than you think.May you find Peace.

[mamatulip]

First of all, V, I'm sorry for whatever is going on that is stirring up these feelings for you.

I felt very similarly around this time last year, when I took my hiatus. I was gone for over two months and I gotta say, it was the most refreshing thing I could have done for myself and my blog at that time. I was burned out, I felt very exposed and vulnerable and I really wasn't sure if I wanted to continue. When I left the keyboard I thought it was for good...what I didn't expect from pulling back was to feel so renewed once I realized I wanted to be back.

Do what you need to do in order to work through your feelings...I mean, I'd totally miss you if you left but I completely understand your feelings and your decision to take a break, if that's what it takes.

[platypus]

Oh no, I am so sorry for whatever has happened that has hurt you so badly. I love your posts and your thoughts on Life, the Universe and Everything and would miss you horribly. I hope you can get through this. x

[wordgirl]

I really didn't see this one coming. For a moment I thought that, had I been around more lately, I'd know what this was about but everyone else seems equally puzzled. I do hope that someone hasn't been cruel for there is no reason to be. This blog has been such a safe haven for kindness and stimulating conversation. Please take care and think of this as a pause...rather than a full stop.

[Expat-CIT]

I'm sitting here knowing that whatever I write, it just won't express what I would like to say. I, too, retreat in the wake of a lost trust. You must do whatever your heart tells you. Just please know that you have touched the lives of so many people in a powerful, positive way. Your blog has left a legacy of which you can be proud. I will keep watch and hope you may once again bless us with your writing. Take care of you.

[Tonya]

I hope it all turns out all right. I will miss reading your blog - come back soon!