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So long, farewell

Posted by Lakshmi Chaudhry at 5:29 AM on January 9, 2006.


Sadly, it's time to say goodbye to this blog.

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This always happens. That temporary break turns into a permanent separation, and before you know it, you're saying lame things like, "It's not the blog, it's me."

It is me. I decided to shut down this blog to fulfill a promise I made to myself last June when I quit my job as editor at AlterNet. After three eventful years that included a war and a presidential election, I was pretty much burned out on online journalism. It was time to wean myself off the pressure of daily, many times hourly deadlines; the need to say important things about the way too many important things; the constant fear of missing out, falling behind that drives the internet news cycle; the need to surf that information tsunami ...

No wonder then that the first thing I did after quitting is start my own blog. My name is Lakshmi. And I am an information addict.

So I need to stop doing this to myself, at least for now.

While I surely will be posting stuff on occasion on other blogs, it won't, however, compensate for the bit about this blogging business that I'll really miss: i.e. you, dear reader. Despite all those jokes about my traffic numbers, I've been continually amazed by all people who've taken the time to read this blog, and those who've made the added effort to respond to it and me. My days will be a little more lonelier without you.

In any case, this is not a goodbye but more of an au revoir to blogging. To quote that awful man, I will indeed be baack -- on AlterNet, In These Times or perhaps with a small blog of my own.

Let me know if you want to be notified of my return to the blogosphere. I promise not to sell your email address to support my crack habit -- though I don't quite understand why folks get so worked up about spam. I personally find it quite touching that so many people are this worried about the size of my penis.

Now that I've reminded you of all the reasons why you're going to miss this blog ... Time to stop. Now.

Digg!

Lakshmi Chaudhry is a senior editor at In These Times, and the former senior editor of AlterNet. You can write to her at lakshmi@alternet.org.


Happy holidays
Lakshmi Chaudhry is taking a much-needed computer-free vacation. She'll resume blogging sex, life and politics when the new year rolls around.
Post by Lakshmi Chaudhry. December 16, 2005.
Jimmy Carter goes X-Files
The former prez offers up tales of the bizarre.
Post by Lakshmi Chaudhry. December 16, 2005.
How not to catch a terrorist
Iraqi security forces reveal stellar aptitude for incompetence -- no doubt thanks to their excellent training by the Pentagon.
Post by Lakshmi Chaudhry. December 16, 2005.

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Say it isn't so!
Posted by: Vyking on Jan 9, 2006 6:45 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Lakshmi, you have been my absolute favorite blogger on the Internet. I'm soooo sorry to see you leave! Best wishes to you, but know that you'll be sorely missed by your readers!

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We'll miss you
Posted by: Playful Zephyr on Jan 9, 2006 10:08 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I've been an alternet reader for almost a year and have never posted a comment before this. But I wanted to make sure that you know how much you're appreciated. I've generally agreed with most of the content of the various articles and blogs I've read on this site - however, reading your articles always brings an extra level of insight and a real getting to the heart of the matter. Thanks for sharing this side of yourself, and congratulations on taking this step away from the unceasing information flow. Namaste.

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Fare thee well
Posted by: Lara on Jan 9, 2006 11:44 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Lakshmi, you will be missed. Every day I looked forward to reading your posts on Alternet. I'm so sorry to see you go. I look forward to any guest posts, since I can no longer get my fix from the L-Files.

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Bye, Lakshmi!
Posted by: mr. joshua on Jan 9, 2006 11:44 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
And best of luck on your road to recovery from information addiction. Now, if only all of the other bloggers, journalists, and opinion-mongers whose work I read would take a cue from you and step away from their keyboards, then I might finally begin to overcome my own information addiction. ;)

It's been fun, but I'm sure your dog is happy to know that you'll be spending less time in front of the computer screen and more with him.

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we have to say adieu
Posted by: liberalibrarian on Jan 9, 2006 12:03 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Good luck in all you do. We will miss you. Will you be writing for "In These Times"? However you choose to pursue your activism, know that you are making a big difference--best wishes to you from a UU liberalibrarian. Give 'em hell!

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It has been a pleasure.
Posted by: Xynyx on Jan 9, 2006 12:35 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Thank you for your efforts. I will definitely miss you.
I look forward to reading whatever you publish in the future!

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Best of Luck
Posted by: oakbog on Jan 9, 2006 12:44 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Professional blogging must be exhausting, it's an even more difficult schedule than being a columnist. Your insights and perspectives will be missed on AlterNet. I look forward to reading future pieces when available. -Adam

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blogging....this is a dark set-back...for a while
Posted by: articul8 on Jan 9, 2006 1:30 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Lakshmi,
The L-Files was THE REASON i started reading alternet (and got hooked). Its time for your NYT Bestseller....unplug and start writing...i'll buy it. Your wit and humane insights will be sorely missed....until the book comes out at least.

ps-i thought the green towel really set off your skin tone

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the picture
Posted by: vespasian01 on Jan 9, 2006 3:08 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Laks..just looked over the December post re a comment made about your photo. the guy who was so picky about your expression was zeroed-out on impure compounds. your pic is lovely. your little international face is comely, cute and worthy of happy thoughts. the pic with the doggie is delightful.

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Thank you
Posted by: Lakshmi Chaudhry on Jan 9, 2006 4:30 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
For all the kind words -- though it makes saying goodbye just that bit harder. It's been my pleasure entirely.

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Good luck and keep me posted
Posted by: siobhank on Jan 9, 2006 5:48 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I have enjoyed your writing and have enjoyed sparring a couple times on issues close to my heart when I didn't think you totally got it. I appreciated the fact you read and responded to those who read you! Thanks for your hard work, your perspective and your healthy decision to take a break-it will enable you to rejoin the conversation from a better place later!! More progressives need to rejuvenate once in a while. Take care and keep me posted on your return.

Siobhan Kolar
Geneva, IL

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My Title
Posted by: snefct85 on Jan 9, 2006 6:15 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Thanks for all the great work. I've been waiting impatiently for your return, but I certainly understand the desire to actually have a life. So long, and thanks for all the fish. Don

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More appreciation
Posted by: antoniomo on Jan 9, 2006 7:16 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I also want to thank you for the quality of your blog. I'll miss it, but also appreciate the wisdom of slowing down.

In your last post you mentioned giving our emails so that we can be notified if and when you return. I'd like to provide my email address, but not on a public posting like this. Does this post provide you with my email address from registering? If not, how do I do this?

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» RE: More appreciation Posted by: Lakshmi Chaudhry
Just another admirer
Posted by: Plexius on Jan 10, 2006 12:00 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Although I only caught the tailend of your blogging efforts, because I only discovered this world recently, I really enjoyed your writings. They showed me what quality writing unrestricted by corporate control can be. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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Come back and visit us when you can!
Posted by: BobS on Jan 10, 2006 1:26 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Your wise-ass writing was just the thing to get a sleepy cartoonist/web production guy up in the morning. Now I may have to take up coffee again.

Keep on keepin' on,

Bob Simpson
Carol Simpson Labor Cartoons

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Best wishes
Posted by: ankhet on Jan 10, 2006 3:32 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Thank you, and best wishes!
I enjoyed your blog most of all of them and will miss it.

You'll be back - in one manifestation or another . I'll look for you.

Blessings.

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Oh Nooo...
Posted by: jem on Jan 10, 2006 10:31 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As we have "conversed" before, and you had the good graces to call me eloquent even while disagreeing with my comments, I will certainly miss you.....you should check out JoeScott3.com, for a style of blog that might appeal to you should you decide to resurface from your self-imposed communication breakdown. I hope you will occasionally pop in from a secure bunker in an undisclosed location?

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auf Wiedersehen, goodbye
Posted by: Artkansas on Jan 10, 2006 3:05 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Sorry, just had to finish the "Sound of Music" lyrics.

We will miss you. Enjoy.

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Namaste
Posted by: aonghus36 on Jan 10, 2006 5:08 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It was good to read your words, Lakshmi. I think you wore your name well, because you have an abundance of knowledge.

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Le sigh...
Posted by: Mark_in_AZ on Jan 11, 2006 6:14 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Such is life that once I find an interesting blogger, she stops blogging. :-D Ah, well, I loved your blogs and loved your responses to your reader's comments even more so. Thank you for being such a wonderful writer and political advocate. I will miss your wit and style while you are gone and hope you return soon.

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Take care...
Posted by: Ben Furman on Jan 12, 2006 10:56 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
we'll miss ya!

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Lakshmi you're the reason I started reading Alternet
Posted by: stage-left on Jan 13, 2006 11:35 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
and I will sure miss you!! I understand all too well why you are doing this though, and wish you well.

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Sad to see you go
Posted by: StoneRiley on Jan 14, 2006 2:01 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Very sad to see you go. Best wishes indeed.

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Lakshmi
Posted by: gerireig on Jan 16, 2006 4:28 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You were always the first person I checked on Alternet, to see what you were up to, and you never disappointed. Your perceptivity and piercing wit will be missed. Yes, send me a head's up on your next endeavor.

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Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!
Posted by: saretto on Jan 17, 2006 7:39 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Yea, just when i find something i like reading and enjoy it gets stopped, taken down or disbasnded. Sh@t!! Take care. Thanks for the clarity.

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I've been waiting
Posted by: oceanye on Jan 28, 2006 6:24 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I'll miss you.

My favorite writers are you, Frank Rich and Paul Krugman - you see I'm an information addict too.

I can't read either Rich or Krugman anymore as the NYT has sold out to the Bush Gang, and I REFUSE to give the NYT my money.

Now I can't read you because you are gone.

Alternet doesn't have my current email address, as I have moved at least 3 times and have changed my address several times.

Please keep me informed - I can now be reached at oceanye@comcast.net

oceanye

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