This post is for that precious, rarefied group of people who I call ‘my regular readers’. You’re awesome – both of you – and if we ever meet, I’m buying you cookies! Nice ones too!

While I know it’s only been a few months since my last ‘vacation’ from blogging, I’m sorry to say that I won’t be updating this blog until, oh, probably around Christmas. In fact, you’ve probably noticed that posting has slowed considerably over the past couple of months. The reason, if you’re curious, is that I have my second – and hopefully final – comprehensive exam coming up in December. And while it’s probably true, sad as this fact may be, that this blog will likely be more important to any future career than a PhD, I think I should put my head down and plow through things in order to, so to speak, get ‘er done. I need to ensure that I don’t fail and extend things by another few months. Hence, hiatus number 2.

In the meantime, if you’re really desperate for a dose of my self-important wanking thoughtful reflections, you can go here, which is the shared items from my Google Reader account. There, I’ll link to stories and sometimes offer a little commentary on them, largely because I think so highly of my own opinion, I can’t help but throw in my two cents. It’ll be more eclectic than the regular stuff on the blog though and, beyond the usual tech/’culture’ schtick, it will include things foodie, literary and Toronto-centric. For those of you who are already my ‘Google Reader friends’: my sincerest apologies.

Music-wise, since Muxtape is now toast (and yes, I’m still sorta’ pissed off about it), you can check out a mix here on 8Tracks which is just a collection of songs I’m listening to at the moment. I don’t think 8Tracks is as good as Muxtape, even though it’s more feature-rich – and legal – as Muxtape seemed more straightforward and intuitive to me, its plain aesthetic allowing it to become a bit of a ‘usefully blank signifier’ (I think). Anyway, I’ll save you from a long rant on intellectual property law and the way that it sometimes distorts and destroys cultural expression, and instead suggest you check out the Walkmen, Ólöf Arnalds, Marching Band and Kathleen Edwards.

Finally, tell me what you think of this: recently, I’ve been really curious about the relationship between contemporary ‘internet culture’ and its representation in art. So I’ve been kicking around the idea of putting an ‘internet-inspired’ short story or two up here. Would that be stupid? Or would it just be the wrong place for it? If you care either way, lemme know in the comments, email or in person etc etc.

Thank you so much for reading this blog. I do really appreciate it and, despite my protestations, I don’t even mind when it comes up at a bar. I know that both the pace and quality of posting here is erratic, but hopefully upon my return, my writing will have improved and I’ll have a lot to say. Hopefully. Oh, and the random picture? Those are from my family’s garden. We are completely awash in hot sauce, chillies, pears, gourds and tomatoes. It’s great! Have a lovely Autumn and I’ll return when it’s time to celebrate the birth of Jeebus.

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