You'll consider the idea of a photoblog of sorts next...

Just a guess, based on my experience and that of other people who've been through this phase you've just been through. Hope you don't disappear completely though.

Cheers.

Bummer. I like your site and check it regularly. But I can see myself hitting this stage at some point. Totally understandable. Do keep us posted on what's next.

-systemsboy

Whether you intended an audience or not, you do have it...

But it's not all bloodthirstily craving your soul. :)

That's your perfectionism, not the audience.

Non-artistic people often don't feel in their bones the creative drain. Tense concentration and feeling as you try to divine the "right" thing to add or remove... Feeling all the while that it's some personal reflection of who you are, and how much... or how little. It's nerve-wracking. It takes its toll in a way number crunching just doesn't. It's not a physical exhaustion. It's spiritual.

You might as well carve out a piece of your own dear flesh and plop it on the page. At some point, it can feel like life is less beneath the ribs and cranium, and more out there, in things you make. It's disembodying and exhausting. And yes, the pressure is paralyzing.

At least, I get that sensation. Mileage may vary. :)

But you burning out is not what we want.

Just because we may not grok it in our pith doesn't mean we don't get the point. :)

Take a break. Don't make anything for a while. Go do something you like for its own sake, and not on the web. Walk puppies. Pet kitties. Chat with friends over a nice iced tea. Don't do it for any reason but your own consumption. Go view others' works. Don't do it with the assumption that you will pick this back up, because you may not.

Just keep the energy and restore yourself.

If in the end you do come back, we'll feel loved. :)

BTW, What's wrong with photoblogs??? I view your photos for motivation when I'm looking for reinforcement in the move to Québec from Florida. Very cool. :)

Quite a few people are experiencing blogger burn-out, myself included. We reach a point where we wonder what the heck we're doing it all for because, truth be told, we're beginning to get snowed under by the ceaseless demands of life and blogging becomes just one more hassle to get done everyday. But really, there is no law that dictates that we HAVE to blog every day. I blog whenever I'm in the mood and I think that is a better way because it takes the pressure off and makes blogging a pleasurable pursuit. So keep on blogging! I visit your site every now and then and I sure get a kick out of your writing and your insights and I don't get turned off if there is nothing new. It's just another good reason to come back later....

Well Neil, for what it's worth I really enjoy reading your blog, seeing the pictures you've taken and doing it all on your Intel 'Deerpark' builds. I'm a travel writer and trust me, I know what it's like to be subsumed by the minutia of daily life to the point where it no longer seems interesting enough to share with strangers. But trust me, what's everyday for you is extraordinary for others.

I've no idea what working for Yahoo must be like and the only way I'll ever get a glimpse is through people like you sharing their experiences. Being able to do this is probably my favourite thing about the Internet (after music, films and po...pictures!)

Having said all of that, I respect your decision - you seem like a nice guy and I hope all turns out very well for you. Thank you for all the builds et al, much appreciated and good luck!

hey dude, just do what i do and put youtube videos on your blog. saves all the bother trying to think of something to write. i too have run out of blogging steam after 7 years of blogging. mind you, i spend most days immersed in the 'social software' world, so last thing i want to do in my spare time is blog. instead, i sleep.