June the 2nd, 2008, we pulled the plug on this blog.
The lights dimmed, the music slowly died and the curtains closed. Only lingering echoes remained, ghosts that carried on in our absence… but not for long.
We’re back.
We’re supposed to announce the feverish laboratory experiments we’ve been cooking and the secret plans for exciting events to come. Sorry, but there are none.
That’s right. We did exactly what we said we would. We cleaned up our desks (and filled it with new work), we finalized some projects, and we hung out over at Escaping Reality. We Twittered in the mornings (and nights) and we wasted time having a few good laughs with Rhodester. (It was worth it.)
Guess what? The sky didn’t fall. Lightening didn’t strike us dead. Our feed subscriber numbers stayed stable (and even grew). Our traffic didn’t shrivel up and die. We didn’t lose any friends, we gained some new ones and we even got love in a big way.
(Tei: Je me presse de rire de tout, de peur d’être obligé d’en pleurer. Thank you. For everything.)
We’re glad to be back. Thank you for your patience and for being readers who support a healthy, balanced life.
Beginning tomorrow (or today if you count this post), we’ll be back to our regular blogging schedule – with one minor change. Saturdays will now be a day of rest. (Seriously. Everyone needs that. I don’t care who you are.)
But today is not Saturday, alas, and so we’ll leave you with something special. We were asked what music we’d be playing on our return considering we chose Haydn’s Farewell Symphony for our departure.
With an arched eyebrow, we replied, “Need you ask?”
Listen Here to the Pen Men’s Welcome Home Song: watch?v=tXaZmY52gHM
The Men with Pens are back! About time
And thank you for the link love – glad to have made some new friends here, myself!
Joel Falconer’s last blog post..How to Stop Wasting Time at Twitter Without Giving it Up
Welcome back, boys. We’ve missed your wit and wisdom.
Bob Younce at the Writing Journey’s last blog post..My Blogging Journey
OH MY GOD, A VIDEO. Now I’ve just about seen it all (except I haven’t–because it’s no longer available and doesn’t play)
In any case, welcome back.
Michael Martine | Remarkablogger’s last blog post..Make Money with a Real Business – Create One from Your Blog
@ Michael – This is why I hate video. It just took me 15 (*^$$&**I minutes to try and fix that, and all I can get is a text link. Funny because the video plays on You Tube but the minute I put it on the blog, it goes unavailable. (That’s why we should test before assuming something works!)
Well… it’ll have to do.
@ Bob – We’ve missed your insight and fandoration. Fawn on.
@ Joel – Hey, firsts! And it’s a pleasure to join you into our little gang. Be forewarned
James and Harry,
Broken link? I’ll guess “The Boys Are Back in Town.”
I’m very glad you rested, darlings. The sky did not fall.
Little Pen rubs eyes, stretches arms *big stretch* and stands up straight and tall. He’s ready for whatever you throw out, and I’ve bought new pins.
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..CLOSED, and Wondering Where the Dollars Are
Fixed it while I was typing, and I got it wrong. Boo.
Kelly’s last blog post..CLOSED, and Wondering Where the Dollars Are
@ Kelly – Link works. And nope. “Boys are back in town,” but that truly does remind me of golf-carts, beer and getting into trouble. Very James. Definitely not Harry.
There’s no accounting for Sagittarians.
Kelly’s last blog post..CLOSED, and Wondering Where the Dollars Are
Welcome back brothers.
(don’t feel bad, I’ve had lots of video link issues as well, but you’ve got it sorted out)
Looking forward to what is in store from you guys…
Brett Legree’s last blog post..just the way you are.
I’ve got only one word on this, this morning: HURRAY!! For me, it says it all.
steph’s last blog post..to my husband, on the occasion of our sixth wedding anniversary
Woohoo! Of course, you’re ubiquitous, so you haven’t really been gone, but I’m glad to see you back here.
Sharon Hurley Hall’s last blog post..Promotion Is Free – Joining The Blogosphere
Whee, I’m excited! I’m glad that you guys took a well-deserved break, but it’ll be nice to read your posts again over my morning coffee
r.l.david02 – TKD Happiness’s last blog post..Whoops!
Welcome back! Your break helped me explore my own balance and reexamine my choices. Thank you. You were definitely missed!
Karen Swim’s last blog post..Achieve A Lot with Just A Little
WHAT? You’re taking Saturdays off!
That’s it – I’m unsubscribing!
Welcome back guys!
John Hoff – eVentureBiz’s last blog post..Reading Between The Lines
Back in Black. Kick ass back anthem. Can I tell you how much more work I got done while you were away? Ahh, guilty pleasures….those Men With Pens. Now AC/DC won’t stop playing in my head. Guess I’ll have to kick a little ass myself today with that going on.
Janice Cartier’s last blog post..4 Questions To Get a Clue
I see your tastes are greatly varied: you went from Haydn to AC/DC. It looks like I’m going to enjoy this blog
.
Marelisa’s last blog post..A Guide for Creating New Habits
I’m on board; I can’t wait to see what kind of gems you guys dig up for me in your future posts.
Oh, could you please alter my screen name, it’s suppose to be: Bamboo Forest. I spelled it wrong in the comment I JUST made (damn)
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..(Mis)Fortune Cookie
@ Bamboo (not to be confused with Babmoo) – Heh, I’m leaving it, only because it matches the title of your last blog post – (Mis)Fortune Cookie
@ Marelisa – Oh yes. We’re quite eclectic and whatever tickles our fancy is the selection for the moment
@ Janice – Yessir! Kick butt, baby! Glad to see you back too.
@ John – Yes, but we thought of you and kept Sunday drive-bys…
@ Everyone – Man, it feels good to be back. Thanks!
Ok, I’ll stay then. hehe.
John Hoff – eVentureBiz’s last blog post..Reading Between The Lines
Well, now I’m just going to make a joke, so that I won’t cry.
Biscuit monkey.
BWAAAAHAAHAA!
I love you guys. I’m glad you’re back in action.
Tei – Rogue Ink’s last blog post..eBooks and How to Shun Them
lol, at least my name was clarified. That’s all that matters
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..(Mis)Fortune Cookie
YAY! You’re back! *skips around with joy*
Okay, FINE. We’ll let you take Saturdays off. But only because we adore you both so much.
Allison’s last blog post..Pepper Tuna Roll
Crap. Stupid You Tube tripping us up….
Anyway, thank you all for the warm welcome.
PS: “Babmoo” made me laugh. That’s as fun to say as monkey biscuit.
It would seem strange to say I missed you, since I’ve been more *with* you since you left then I was when you were here. But I am going to be glad to have you back for morning coffee time…that I DID miss.
Welcome back Pen Men.
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..CAN and WILL?and BELIEVE
Welcome back, MWP.
Glad to see you taking a weekly blogging sabbath. You’re right–everyone does need that. Mine’s on Sundays–basically no blogging activities whatever.
Also, you’ve proved the “experts” wrong–you can take an extended break and your subscribers won’t necessarily leave you. As you noted, they actually increased.
Welcome back, guys! James, are you going to start wearing a hat like Brian Johnson?
Jamie Grove – How Not To Write’s last blog post..Writers Behaving Badly: An American Scoundrel’s Success
@Jamie G: I think he wants a parrot hat like yours
My hats tend to look like this: Best Hat in the World. She’s Nice Looking Too.
Oh, yum. For him I could forgive a baseball cap. Maybe.
Too busy to get distracted tonight…
Kelly’s last blog post..CLOSED, and Wondering Where the Dollars Are
@Harry I’m afraid he can’t have the parrot hat. My boys are too attached to it. Besides, if I give it away, what will I wear when I pick up my Pulitzer?
@James You’re getting Kelly all hot and bothered with your ballcap when I know this is your real hat.
Jamie Grove – How Not To Write’s last blog post..Writers Behaving Badly: An American Scoundrel’s Success
Jamie, you rock.
Kelly’s last blog post..CLOSED, and Wondering Where the Dollars Are
@Jamie G: “I am Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!”
@Harry – I gave my dad a mug with that on it for Christmas.
Allison’s last blog post..Pepper Tuna Roll
Hey, we had fun on the vidcast too, and I pointed out to Harry that you’ve been on practically every one while he’s.. not been on practically every one.. or any one.
He made some lame excuse concerning his cats or something.
**sigh** That’s okay. I have a cat. I understand.
RhodesTer’s last blog post..A total eclipse of SANITY
Okay. I will drag Harry to the chat. He can bring his cats. We had so much fun that he can’t miss it.
And everyone knows I *hate* videos.
LOL – I guessed the song as soon as I saw the little AC/DC badge – great chice. I’m glad you’re not gone for good.
Cath Lawson’s last blog post..You Can Profit From Something You Suck At