A delayed note of thanks to the tens of thousands of commentators, readers and blurkers who came to visit and join the party over the past two and one-half years. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here. For the most part.

I am sorry I exited without warning (June 2008): it was necessary for deeply personal reasons. Though this type of action is outside my usual modus operandi, it stands as a reminder of the impossibility to predict human behavior with any degree of utmost certainty when life's winds blow. And blow they did, hard, for months.

Now, if you will excuse me, my virtual dog is in need of a quiet walk.

It was real.