Why the Silence

At this time, after a rather long absence, I feel the need to explain why I sometimes disappear from the blogosphere. In addition to starting a new job and moving to a new place, which has kept me busy the past few weeks, this is what usually leads me to go quiet:
1. I try to avoid unfiltered drivel. There are plenty of times I have thoughts that I think might be blog-worthy, but sometimes those thoughts are never written because they don't make it through the filter. One example is the list of status updates I never want to read on Facebook (but so often do). It would probably offend too many people, and I would come off looking quite negative and judgmental. So, don't ask for the list; you're not going to get it.
2. I try to present fully formed thoughts. I am an introvert, which means I don't work out ideas by talking/writing about them. I like to think things through before presenting things—in a blog as well as in a work meeting and other situations. Sometimes an idea just doesn't get fully developed before I decide it's not worth posting, and I don't think you want to read my half-formed ideas or mindless ramblings.
3. This is not a journal. Many people use their blogs as journals, but I don't share every emotion or every fact of my life in the public sphere. I have no problem with those who do, but it's not for me. (See comment above about being an introvert.) I could share exciting events or facts about my life, but by it's very nature, this blog contains musings. I try not to share pictures of a family vacation without some sort of thoughtful or amusing commentary or daily anecdotes without some pithy response. (At least that's my attempt.)
4. Too many words. I work with words professionally, and sometimes it's hard to deal with more words at the end of the day after coming home from a day's work. The video here is exactly how I feel sometimes—"Never ever do I want to hear another word. There isn't one I haven't heard." In saying so, let me be clear—I love being an editor, and I love working with words, but an occasional break is always nice.
5. Sincerity. Because I don't blog for a living, I don't blog when I'm not in the mood. I feel sincerity is the key to good writing, and if I'm not feeling it, I'm not going to write it.

So, I hope to finish up some past drafts and post on the blog in the next little while. Thanks for coming back (those that still do) despite my irregular posting habits!