Somewhat ironically, my book reading has also taken a hit in the years since I started following many lefty blogs (though the Kindle has been helping with that a bit recently, flawed as it is). I don’t regret it for a bit because the lefty blogs have provided me with a huge amount of comfort through the Bush years, and continue to be an incomparable source of information and analysis. The high quality snark doesn’t suck either. Thanks as always, TBogg.

Hounds are seldom “trusty.” Well, maybe Satchmo. At least he looked trustworthy.

Your opening re blogging made me nervous you were considering giving it up. I don’t know where you guys find the time to do what you do but boy am I grateful clever people are keeping an eye on the lowlifes. I was hoping they’d go away after the election, but no such luck.

A friend who doesn’t read blogs and spends very little time on the Internet, said tonight that wingnuts are like car alarms. They make a loud annoying noise but nobody pays any attention to them. I don’t know if he’s right. I only know it’s better to pay attention than not because those bastards can sneak up on you and before you know it, a guy like George Bush is running your country for 8 years.

In any case, life is too short to waste on the Ericks full time, so kick your shoes off, settle down with the hounds, and read those books.

P.S. So Erick is polishing his gun over dish detergent, eh? Though I wouldn’t want to see anyone harmed, I almost wish the idiot would go postal so he can be locked up in the looney bin with a haldol drip and no access to the Internet for the rest of his unnatural life.

oh yeah, and who else comes up with phrases like “Full Metal Spic & Span.”

Straight wingnut is impossible to digest without the laughs.

Ah, nothing like a five hour train ride contemplating “hot monkey love” awating you, and then five hours back to recall the same.

If there were world enough, and time . . .

You’re going Galt, aren’t you?

Here I am 3,000 miles away and you consistently cause me to laugh my ass off (“Full Metal Spic & Span,” indeed!). Apart from the health benefits of laughter, I thank you for the ass loss (though somehow it always seems to re-attach, usually right after I read the front page of the Globe. hmmmm) — TBogg, a great weight loss system and blog all in one!

I just want Erick to know that the furor over the dishwasher regulations has made me actually discover that there are phosphate free detergents out there and start using them.

That said, I have soft water and the luxury of choice until next year (I’m in Washington state), and I understand that non-phosphate detergent is an inconvenience for people with hard water. But the only reason the cleanser companies haven’t bothered to come up with decent eco-friendly alternatives is that there was no money in it–until now. Surprise, surprise, they suddenly seem to be scrambling to do some research. And that’s just to save profits in one state. Imagine what would happen if it was outlawed across the country.

Next step, let’s outlaw toilet paper from non-recycled sources. Then we can watch the companies go sky-is-falling crazy for the six months it takes them to figure out how to make fluffy stuff with recycled fibers. The thing is, they’ll do it, both halves. It’s almost enough to make me think regulation works, even if the transitional periods are sub-optimal.

But look, assholes, if I have to wait out the stretch while CFL technology still gives me ER-caliber migraines and incandescents will no longer be available to me, you can temporarily live with rinsing your fucking plates before you put them in the machine, okay? Since there are more people with hard water than CFL migraines, I’m betting your opportunity to take one for the team will be shorter than mine.

and, no, I refuse to use the abbreviation for ‘laughing out loud’, the use of which annoys the shit out of me

With you all the way, brother. Perhaps we should organize a protest about the bastardisation of the English language – we could call it a “gag party” or a “gagging.”

I dare anybody to read anything perverse into that…

Take heart. You could be the service of a vast, vulgar, and meretricious empire, like any number of retarded fucking fucks I could easily cite, instaed of contemplating the exhausted fun bags and ruined dugs of the Bitch Goddess of Reichwing Liberty. Feel better now? Just a few days ago I heard someone say of a hated rival “he thinks he’s smart because he read a book. See? It’s overrated.

You could always blog less and read more. Long-time readers like me (all the way back to the beginning of America’s Worst Mother) will understand. We appreciate that genius needs some free time.

LOL!

Oh shit, I’m sorry. Please don’t stop blogging.

TB,

You realize that what you’re actually envying is a bad case of insomnia?

Thanks for the kind words. And, seriously, one of the things that keeps me going is reading your blog every day. It’s heartening, therapeutic, low in calories, and has a great beat you can dance to. I depend on your sense of humor and righteous and witty fury.

I’m either reading books or Better Blogs. When people ask me why I don’t I have a blog, I reply that SOMEONE has to read the best ones that already exist. And that’s yours, Tbogg my man. If you post less frequently in order to read, do fill us in on what you’re reading. We know you are a man of impeccable taste and snark, although clearly not all tastes shared by the manly Mr. Biscuitbarrel. “Hot monkey love,” yes. Dogs, no.

Thanks for all you do for us, Tbogg.

According to the google, I’m only 2907 miles away, but still appreciate the fine snark. I can empathize, as I’m sure all do here, on the lack of time for quality reading. Don’t listen to Neil Young, it’s not better to burn out than fade away. Cut back if you must, but please don’t leave us snarkless.

This past weekend, while wandering through the house, I came to the conclusion that I now have more books that I have yet to read than I could possibly finish before taking the expressway to Dirtnapville.

Tbogg, your house must look like our house. Condolences.

Next step, let’s outlaw toilet paper from non-recycled sources. Then we can watch the companies go sky-is-falling crazy for the six months it takes them to figure out how to make fluffy stuff with recycled fibers.

Heavens to shredsy, I hope they figure that out soon! I purchased some made from entirely recycled paper, and suboptimal doesn’t begin to describe it.

Without you poking the chimps through the bars with a sharp stick, they may retire to the corner of their echo chamber cage and quietly groom one another. What fun would that be? I would have to get my giggles from old Green Acres reruns, laugh out loud.

Thanks for the h/t on the Lance Mannion post.

I notice that blogging has gotten me reading many more explicitly political books than I used to. I like to think that I would have read The Dark Side anyway. So in general I am tormented by the idea that I am reading the wrong books and am in a dead zone of respectability most of the time. “Rip It Up and Start Again” was a great release from that and many flashes of instant nostalgia. (hums “Twist and Crawl”)

And since it’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, I will add one more to TBogg’s pile. “Words on Fire: The Unfinished Story Of Yiddish”. Dovid Katz. Outstanding enough that even EW might like it.

Bush did that to me. I was alarmed at my bookcase looking like a research arm for the trial of bush/cheney. I am determined to read literature again. Good post, thanks for the inspiration. Trollope, I’m actually reading Trollope.

(((hug)))

I don’t know why you don’t pursue the obvious course. What is it that takes up at least 40 and probably more like 60 hours of valuable time each and every week? Quit work! Duh! Oh, and do read USA. It’s fabulous stuff.

Sign up for the Evelyn Woods speed reading course and you can do both.

More reading, less blogging? DAMN YOU. You got us hooked, you can’t cut us off.

If if makes ya feel better, you always make me LOL. Course, so does Shemp Howard, but you know what I mean.

Your opening re blogging made me nervous you were considering giving it up

me too. immediately started a quick scan (as the cortisol surged) only (and thankfully) to be relieved

that’s right Mr TBogg, Don’t Go !!!

I’m up to 37 unread books, with 4 more on order. Funny – most of these were recommended by the proprietor and/or readers of this blog.

I’ve no Ding-Dong-snatching dogs, but one of my cats is an incurable food thief; he will jump on the stove and eat out of a pot/pan. Last night, he ate a scallion. Freak.

But it’s a great book-reading night if Michael’s sleeping, Cuddy’s curled up behind my knees and Stella’s snoozing draped over my shoulder. And a Jameson’s at hand. Good times.

so, tbogg, what’s your point here? You’re going to start twittering at us instead, using the 140 character limit on your snark to get in more reading time? From 3000 miles away I implore you: please don’t! I’ll gladly chip in and hire you a ghost reader if necessary (reads the book, then gives you the 30 second summary — sort of the way Tom Friedman can get a handle on the solutions to all mankind’s ills by speaking to some random cabbie in Cairo…).

But puh-lease don’t go!

I am incapable of using any text message abbreviations. I hate them. Maybe it’s because I’m 61.

I presume you’ll be setting some time aside for the new Pynchon novel coming out this summer. At 384pp, it’s a mere wisp of a book. And with a name like this, it’s gotta be good.

Wow. He’s just turned into Joyce Carol Oates in the past few years, hasn’t he?

Added to my list. Sigh.

If this is your two weeks’ notice, TBogg, thank you for the memories.

If it’s not, thank you anyway.

Do what you need to.

Breaking:

“WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is leaving the door to open to possible prosecution of Bush administration officials who devised harsh terrorism-era interrogation tactics.”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200…..on_memos_2

Unhelpful suggestion: Perhaps Mrs. TBogg could move back to SB?

Seriously, thanks for your blog, which cheers me no end. Skip reading nitwits like Erick, and tell us about real writers.

Do not think that your sacrifices go unappreciated. I, myself, have eschewed the higher levels of Katamari Damacy to read this and other blogs of interest.

Like others I had to sit up and take notice as I too thought you were hanging it up.

You will have to do what you feel is right, and I can’t help feel like you are setting us up for a hiatus or worse. But let it be known that I, for one, will sorely miss teh snark.

I’ve been reading TBogg for just about as long as I’ve been reading anything online, and I always wonder how one person can constantly churn out four or five posts a day when certain other sites I like (sadlyno) sometimes can’t get any of their several contributors to say anything on a daily basis.

Take a break if you need it, and don’t apologize for it. There’s something wrong with anyone who would hold that against you. You’ve been doing this practically nonstop for years.

Incessant barking would tire you out more than blogging, surely. Stick with blogging.

I’ve got a tall stack of books calling, too. There’s a saying that when we buy books, we imagine we are buying the time to read them, too. Quite true.

I have a chronic illness which limits my time and ability to read literature due to its sometimes cognitive craziness. However, I try to make time to read here every day…sometimes I even send the words and comments to others (try finding people who’ll stick around when you’ll never be better.) From 3000 miles away, all of the laughter and joy at reading your perceptiveness and that of your commenters is a delight. Thank you. I could deal with every other day, if that needs be…no pressure!

Adding my dismay to the others above that you may deprive us of your inimitable insights on the fetid minds of rightwingtards, but on the other hand, understanding the lure of delicious unread lit. And yeah, I hate that LOL, ROTFLMAO, FWIW, OTOH crapola too.

Moondancer @ 21:

Trollope, I’m actually reading Trollope

Ah, the best. What are you reading? The Way We Live Now is my all-time favorite, but of course the Palliser novels and The Barchester Chronicles require frequent re-reading.

Sheer joy.

If you throttle-back on the blogging, most of us will understand. Hell, I don’t see how Jane, Christie, EW or the like find time to sleep and assume that you all can research/analyze/inform every waking moment. But, if you think I can face the weekend without BassetBlogging You sir, are Wrong! If there was a way to make that magic, or “voodoo” that you do so well, I’d be interested.

The reason that I still blog is that it gives me the opportunity to mock the mockable, poke the pokeable, and occasionally get off a little bon mot that makes people I have never met and who live 3000 miles or so away either smile or laugh out loud (and, no, I refuse to use the abbreviation for ‘laughing out loud’, the use of which annoys the shit out of me)

I live about half that distance and trust me, this:

*This would never happen by the way, as I have no trusty hound. Just, you know, Beckham and Fenway who will snatch a Ding Dong off of your desk the moment you turn your back. Little Ding-Dong-snatching bastards…

Made me LOL!!!!!11eleventy!!1one!1!!!

shut up shut up SHUT UP!!!

This gives me hope.

Americans need to keep pressing Obama to prosecute at least the authors. Someone in the press called this Obama’s version of Truth and Reconciliation but so far that’s a misnomer. Beyond prosecuting the policy-makers, perpetrators need to be made to account for their actions. At the very least they should not continue to be employed in the so-called intelligence service.

Just a note of appreciation. Love your wit and hounds (food sluts)… and the soccer dad humanity of it all! You just wrote that post fishing for compliments or trying to make us feel guilty, right??? Take care and DO get in a little more reading. We can wait….(whistling)…okay, finished? Now get back to teh keyboard, dang it all.

please please please don’t stop blogging!

and

what everybody else said. I too have lots of books I bought and haven’t found time to read in the last, oh, 25 years. The up side of that is, you always have something to look forward to.

No phone. No TV. No crazy dogs storming up and down the stairs. Only time for getting lost in a book. Awesome.

every single blogger that has ever been worth a damn has made some similar statement. When you have the courage to write a post like this, you have the courage to say, waidaminuteheah. If there’s a life off the screen/page that beckons, go fucking live it already. How many slobs will take the freeway ramp for Dirtnapville wishing they had blogged more?

Anyone as prolific needs the occasional vacation, sabbatical, recharge, downtime, call whatever you wish. It’s the recharge that keeps you fresh. I remember the old daze when you bantered about making the move to save you the train ride. OK, so you and the mrs are spared the distance now, this means you can’t punch the clock and do what you enjoy?

Do what Atrios does – unplug and go live your life. Do you think the fucking world is going to flying off its orbit because you decide, fuck it, I’m gonna walk the dogs and then go read a book? Go read a book already. Read what you want. Write when you feel like it. Or don’t. Your call, mate.

You’re the business. You are an excellent clear-thinking writer with a sense of humour and you give your stuff away for free. Incredible.

The Poor Man used to be great, but (i think) he got sick of blogging and doesn’t do so much of it now. The world didn’t fall off its axis, but I lost a lot of quality original writing and laffs when he did. It’s his right, of course, but it hurt me.

You have no duty to your readers, yet you still keep producing. Why ? I don’t know. But thank god you do. You are doing something which no-one else can do.

I can’t persuade you to keep blogging, but know that when you do, you are appreciated. I start with your page every day, even before the six-hour porn marathon. If that doesn’t impress upon you how valuable you are, well, I don’t know what to say.

chin chin.

I don’t know if you are a writer in your “real life” job, but you rank with James Wolcott, Bob Harris and Roy Edroso as one of the funniest writers on the Internets. Very few writers make me laugh out loud but you most certainly do. It sounds like you would benefit by taking a break and I think you need to read more if that is what you want to do. I would miss your posts tremendously but you have to do what you want. I would also suggest you consider writing a book, play, webisode at some point. You are very gifted.

Yes, and lately our man Tbogg hasn’t even been kicking around America’s Worst Mother (TM). By the way, AWM now writes for a Washington, D.C., neighborhood throwaway that is thrown on the steps without a wrapper, so it’s always wet and the pages tear and I give up rather than look for one of her freakish appearances.