I'm not actually a reader but love your books and even remember you mostly from the fun times before Java was finally released. (no you don't know me)

Just wanted to say grats on the 'thine own self be true' realization. You're awesome. You do not want to be Scoble.

Darn to your FAQ though. I can't have a crush on you? Alrighty then, I'll just respect you from afar, that's more true to me anyway:)

Posted May 6, 2008 7:39 AM by JayDee

Typekey, Grrr! You could write a few volumes on that subject I am sure.

Welcome back!

Posted January 17, 2008 9:14 AM by Nez

I found your blog right before you disappeared and went back and read the entire archive. Good stuff. I was sad when you dropped out of sight, but mostly I was concerned. Whether you're blogging or not, I'm glad you're OK.

Posted January 14, 2008 9:05 PM by michelle

Add one more to your list of readers.

It's interesting, regarding a New Year, I find that I'm more organized than I have been, in all of my life. I see 2008 as the year I learn programming. As for your long posts, we'll see...

I missed posting to your turning 40 article, but, that as well ties in to resolutions. Our perspectives change with each passing year, enter 2008, goodbye 2007.

As for rebooting, I believe we all long for routine, but in our fast paced lives, we forget that routine is what helps us to "return, resolve, reflect, reboot".

I don't blog, and this is actually the first personal post I've ever made. It's refreshing to actually read about "real people, doing real things, in the real world" in the Information Age. Cat's and all.

At the end of the day, what's it all for but to revel in the simple pleasures of life; family, good friends and friendly (sometimes scathing, almost always sarcastic) banter?. Maybe even reading a long post about someone you've never met.

As for me, I enjoy the times with my kids and my wife and our life of learning together, working together, and playing together. I don't find that I am on the computer too much, however, ironically, I need to spend more time, improving my skillset on the computer. Everything is getting automated, which means fewer folks doing more things. In order to make myself more marketable and to ensure I stay employed, I need to learn programming.

Laura, I envy your career accomplishments. I've always been the slow, methodical learner and people of your skill have always amazed me. I guess it's kept me humble, because programming didn't seem to be in my future, I just didn't get it. At 30, I just wasn't mature enough to resolve that I can actually overcome my programming phobia. You already had the T-shirt at 30.

So, for me, I still see my best years ahead of me. I'm confident I can be a proficient programmer now that I have the courage to tackle it. I'm more organized nearing my next 40 years, which, theoretically, should help me have more time to do all the things I've dreamed of doing. I'm still breathing, there's still time - when I'm not, I won't care.

Considering the length of this post, I now know why I don't "blog". It's time consuming. As are most "worthwhile" pursuits in life... Keep up the good fight Laura.

Posted January 10, 2008 5:29 PM by Daniel

I for one am looking forward to some cat pictures without captions. :-D Happy New year and welcome back.

Posted January 8, 2008 2:01 PM by Enno

10 hours of sleep a night? 10????

Posted January 8, 2008 5:23 AM by Martin Kelly

Haha, there's more than 4 of us. Thanks for saying something. Glad to hear all is well.

Posted January 7, 2008 7:05 AM by Dan

It's nice to see you back!

I'm one of those folks who would much rather hear you talk about your life and thoughts instead of reading those "A-list" blogs. And please to be posting pics of the kitties!

Posted January 6, 2008 4:40 PM by Gina

Good to have you back. More stories about plumbing and fungus, please.

Posted January 3, 2008 12:53 PM by George

I'm happy with my unpopular blog, but I have this horrible little Cluster Map thing down in the corner, that apparently lies and tells me that people ACTUALLY VISIT MY WEBSITE. Of course, half of them did it because you posted a link to it.

I use Wordpress. As you can see, it's easy to switch themes whenever you want. I'm sure it has a whole bunch of other features I don't actually use.

Posted January 2, 2008 12:32 AM by Sharon

Do the cats get to play with the chickens?

Posted January 1, 2008 10:05 PM by epc

Was concerned, but didn't want to be a nuisance.

Been a fan of your writing since the "Learn (whatever) in (however many) Days" books...

Posted January 1, 2008 9:53 PM by BobP

Hi. Just wanted to say that I'm glad to see you back. I've liked your writing and stories ever since the days when we were on the old Primitives mailing list back in '91 or '92.

Posted January 1, 2008 7:15 PM by Stan

Laura, thank you. This kind of blog is *exactly* the kind of blog I stumbled across, the kind of blog I want to read and the kind of blog I am *so* glad you're going back to.

Real blogging. Not mind-numbing, spirit-crushing get-lots-of-hits blogging.

Thank you, and Happy New Year.

Posted January 1, 2008 6:43 PM by David Peacock

So glad you are back. Missed your blog. My wife and I were both concerned about you. I have never been one of those readers who thought the person blogging exists solely to entertain me on a daily basis so I was not upset that you took time off but am so happy you are back. I think you are absolutely right about just being yourself and doing the kind of writing you want to do. I think that is what makes your blog special. Thanks for sharing all of that with us.

Posted January 1, 2008 5:21 PM by Dale