AAAAND... I'm back.

I actually took some time off on purpose, but I didn't announce it because I hate those drama-filled "I'm going to have to take care of myself now and can't do this" messages.  I fufill enough sterotypes, I didn't want to fulfill that one.

So what has happened?  A lot.  Nothing.

There were no major life changes like a new house, new car, new job or new love.  But there was mucho stress as my agency underwent a drastic change: a migration to computer charting.  We put laptops in the hands of a clinical staff that largely had never used a computer, ever.  And I'm the agency's IS guy, after all.  So anything that went wrong?  My fault.  At least that's what SOME people thought.

So work was/is stressy.  I didn't mention it, but despite all the work stress, I had a very nice holiday season.  Lots of family time and the like.

One very, very sad thing: in mid-December, one of my dogs passed away.  Bailey was 11.  One day she was running around, and the next day, she couldn't breathe.  The vet said her heart was enlarged.  She died peacefully in her sleep.  I haven't been able to talk about it much, because I still cry.  I miss her very much, as does my entire family (including Sasha, her best friend and my other dog).  Sasha howled the night she died, I think she knew.  She's lost weight since then and once ran away, presumably to look for Bailey.  Sad stuff.  I think I'm getting a puppy in the next couple of months, and then I'm sure you'll be sick of hearing me talk about it.  I want a silver poodle, and plan to name her Mokey (as in... Smokey.)  So my gay card is safe: a poodle and a shih tzu.  Not very butch, huh?

Because of work and the holidays, I have sort of fallen off the Earth, I guess, as far as some of my friends are concerned.  I haven't been to an Austin Journaler's gathering since November and many of my other friends have wondered what has happened to me.  I plan to rectify that very soon, and will be my usual social butterfly very soon.  I have that big gay party to attend at the end of this month, so that'll be some good social time.  I have another on a month later, so I should be both broke and social. 

As for my plans for writing here: I don't know, honestly.  I like to do it, I just need to make the time.  Bear with me, and I'll still be around.  Thanks to all the people who emailed me and asked me if I was okay.  That was awesome.  Here I am.  I'm okay.  And the beat goes on, dah de dum de dum dum...

Glad to hear you're back and OK, Tim. All my sympathies for the loss of Bailey - she must have had a wonderful life with you.

It's good to be back, isn't it, you gorgeous thing?

Hey handsome--I was thinking about you the other day and wondering if you'd update soon. Glad to see you back.

Glad to have you back, though I'm very sorry to hear about Bailey. I hope you'll continue to update; you're a good read!

Yay! You're back! Smoochies!!!!!! I missed you!

You sweetie, it's wonderful to read your words again. So sorry for your loss of Bailey. Hope to see you at a gathering soon

I am sad to hear about the loss of your dog. I am happy happy happy happy happy to see you back, though. Are you going to DC this year?