Ravenwood - 01/18/06 05:00 PM
This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end
Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end
No safety or surprise, the end
I'll never look into your eyes...again
For the past few months I've felt like I've been spinning my wheels with this weblog. I'm proud of the way it's taken off and settled into a groove. I never once expected to reach more than 2.3 million on the hit counter.
It's been a good run. As you may have noticed, I haven't had much to say in the past few weeks. In part, that's because I haven't exactly been home that often either. Work and social demands have kept me quite busy.
Someone recently asked me when was the last time I took a vacation. I thought about it a little bit and came to realize that not counting Christmas with the family or long weekends, the last real vacation I took was in 2001. It's been more than 5 years since I really just relaxed and enjoyed life; enjoyed the fruits of my labor.
That's why, after more than 44 months of official "weblogging", it is with great regret that I must walk away. I must take a vacation, at least for now. I know what you're thinking. He'll be back. It's too hard to stay away. Just like those that have quit before him, Ravenwood will eventually return. That may happen. But for now, I'm looking forward to the time off.
So what now? Well, the site will probably stay put, at least for a little while. But I may make it less public and more private. I still store photos online, and will continue to do so. But if the weblog content doesn't disappear completely, it will at least be archived.
To all my loyal readers and friends, I say goodbye at least for now. I may be back eventually, but for now I really need a vacation.
Very Respectfully,
Ravenwood.
Have a couple for me amigo; happy trails & come back soon.
Posted by: Mike at January 18, 2006 1:31 PMEnjoy some good cigars, women, liquor, ports-of-call, women, gun ranges, fast cars, old friends, new friends and women.
Yeah
Keep your eyes on the road,
your hands upon the wheel...
Damn. I just started reading your stuff a couple of days ago! Best of luck.
Posted by: Ed at January 18, 2006 2:47 PMAh, Steve! No!! Having been in your shoes before, and having been burned out on weblogging time and time again, I understand how you feel. But man, you've got a great readership and a great base here. I don't know what I'll do without daily updates of Ravenwood's. This is very disheartening for me personally, but I respect your needs and I hope your hiatus doesn't last too long. Good luck, and as others have stated, drink lots, smoke lots, shoot lots, and have fun! But don't forget about us, or I'll hunt you down and make you blog.
Posted by: Mays at January 18, 2006 4:01 PMI have appreciated and loved this place for the past 3 or so years. If you make a return than I'll be very happy. But if your mind or body tells you it is too much I won't hold it against you either. These things, to be truly succesful require too much time and effort for most persons to make them decent. Your writings, work, and formatting make this place a daily visit and for that I say thank you for your time and effort.
Steve,
Good luck and Godspeed!
Rhett
Have a good vacation, hope to read you again some time.
Posted by: Morenuancedthanyou at January 18, 2006 4:19 PMEnjoy your vacation, and I hope you do come back. This blog has been one of my many daily stops for a very long time and I'll miss it.
Posted by: Adam Lawson at January 18, 2006 4:58 PMBest wishes, hope to see your posts again in the future.
Posted by: BobG at January 18, 2006 5:26 PMI'll see you when you return.
Shoot me an email and we can grab a drink and hit the range again
Posted by: countertop at January 18, 2006 5:27 PMGood luck Steve. We'll miss you.
Posted by: MikeA at January 18, 2006 6:55 PMJust Damn!
Posted by: Dax Montana at January 18, 2006 7:06 PMDo come back. Muffin will miss you.
Posted by: Muffin the Cat at January 18, 2006 7:34 PMExcuse me, but isn't a vacation something where you go away for a few days or a week or so, party, have fun, etc.?
What makes you think you need a vacation from blogging rather than just a VACATION?
Okay, you may have family issues, money issues, or whatever issues that keep you from getting out of town to have a bit of fun, but does that mean you have to say goodbye to your readers?
What about "see ya in a week or two" or "I'm hanging it up for a month or so to chill, but I'll be back"?
Are you really burnt out on blogging?
Bummer.
Come back soon.
Posted by: Lornkanaga at January 18, 2006 8:20 PMDon't stay gone too long. You'll be missed.
Posted by: SayUncle at January 18, 2006 9:46 PMHAPPY TRAILS TO YOU UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN thats a great song from ROY RODGES and DALE EVENS
Posted by: sandpiper at January 18, 2006 10:10 PMyou'l be back. gar-on-teed.
so rest, relax, talk to people who don't even know what an IP is, have a nice time.
Posted by: Drew at January 18, 2006 10:56 PMSorry to see you leave. Hope it is only for a brief while. Do what you need to do. With luck we may cross paths at the NRA, or, if you ever get around Springfield way, Gilbert's.
Posted by: morsetaper at January 19, 2006 8:48 AMI just checked the calendar, and I noticed that it is not April 1st. Damn.
Having been a regular reader for probably well over a year by now, I can say with certainty that I will miss this blog. I understand why you feel the need to take a break, though - I'm not sure if I could even do this for 4 months, let alone 44.
Enjoy the time off, and whether or not you choose to resume weblogging (and I selfishly hope that you do), just know that many of us enjoyed reading your stuff on a daily basis.
Just in case, I'll be keeping Ravenwood's on my very short list of bookmarks...
Posted by: roger at January 19, 2006 9:32 AMarrgghh, what am I gonna do w/o "beltway road hazard of the day!" Your blog was a daily source for me and I sure will miss it. Hope to see it again sometime soon, but if not good luck in the awesome future!!! Look for me on the range, I will be the short fat dude with a 12ga.
Best of luck and thanks for the blog, advice, info, and all of that.
daltec
Posted by: daltec at January 19, 2006 9:39 AMARG!!!!! Time to start digging through the archives I guess. Enjoy your time off Rav!
Posted by: Publius II at January 19, 2006 10:24 AMAhhh, say it isn't so. What will I do without the Beltway Hazzard O the day? Many people here will miss you as well as the non readers that I send links to. I personally send links to at least 10 people when your comments are especially pithy.
I guess it is back to ":drudge report:" for me......
You will be missed and I hope to see you return soon..... Oklahoma Kemyst over and out......
Posted by: Kemyst at January 19, 2006 10:49 AMI'll be honest, I've come to count on you as a source of real news without having to sift through the crap. That said, you don't owe us anything. In fact, I'm indebted to you for the service you've provided thus far. Best wishes in whatever you decide to do in the future.
-Pasty
A vacation every five years is about right, too often and it becomes a chore and a repetition - I have a friend who goes to Vermont every year, to the same place each time - stays in the same inn and takes the same damn tour of Ben & Jerry's with his wife and kid - and he hates those (Ben & Jerry) hippy communists. Go off to Tahiti on a sailboat or something!
Posted by: -keith in mtn. view at January 19, 2006 11:10 AMDamn. Just damn.
Posted by: CAshane at January 19, 2006 11:40 AMThank you for your work. Your Universe has been a daily stop on my slog through the blogs, and I will miss both the articles you've brought to light, and the light you've brought to them. All of your effort has been quietly appreciated.
Good luck, best wishes, and keep your powder dry.
Posted by: Blackwing1 at January 19, 2006 2:01 PMAll this after the redesigned website?
A good run indeed, Thanks!
Enjoy blogging... LIVE LIFE!
You've been a great blogger/host. I have always been impressed by the principles with which you operate your blog and treat your guests. Always taking the high road even with angry commenters (occasionally, me). Real class. Real style.
You bloggers have made a world of difference in holding the media to account and you have much to be proud of, including your hit count (I had no idea, but in retrospect am not surprised.).
Best wishes to you and your's, Steve. And Thanks!
Ravenwood,
Thank you so much for running this blog. I found this not to long ago, but it quickly went into my daily reads.
Your wisdom, wit and personality will be mssed, and I hope you have a great time off.
God Speed, and GO HOKIES!
Steve
Good luck, I quit for about a month myself because of burnout. After about a month or so I was at it again though. Have fun
Posted by: Sgt Fluffy at January 19, 2006 5:31 PMGo. Enjoy. Refresh. If you do come back, we'll still be here, waiting...
Posted by: Winston at January 19, 2006 10:44 PMWell, CRAP.
Though I understand perfectly.
I hope you come back to it, Ravenwood. You're one of the best out there. I guess I'll move you to the "On Indefinite Hiatus" list of my blogroll for a while.
Enjoy you time off, and if you decide not to return to blogging, enjoy your life, and think of us occasionally.
Posted by: Kevin Baker at January 20, 2006 12:12 PMThis bites.
However, I completely understand and am glad that you're going to take some time for yourself.
Live long and prosper.
Posted by: Venomous Kate at January 21, 2006 12:35 AMgood luck have fun
Posted by: DaveJ at January 21, 2006 2:24 AMDamn!I'll miss your blog bro! It has been a daily read for me the last 2 1/2 years!
God bless,
Joseph
fairtaxrevolution.com
We'll miss you!
Posted by: bogie at January 22, 2006 8:13 AMI'm late to the party - hey, I've been busy. But, honestly, there will be a large void in the blogging universe without you.
However, since you're stepping away from blogging, you have time for a vacation, right? Come visit me!!!
Posted by: Da Goddess at January 24, 2006 6:19 AMcome back!!!!
please, this has gone on long enough.
Posted by: countertop at January 25, 2006 3:11 PM(c) Ravenwood and Associates, 1990 - 2014
