Man, it's been a long time since i opened this up and began typing. Oh, the days, weeks, and months that have passed. The exact duration is lost in the mists of the past ... no wait, i can look at the time stamp. 11 months, 27 days, 7 hours, and 22 minutes. There is no single reason for my absence, just the usual explanation of having too much to do. Aka, being all grown up. I think at 35 there is no way i can rationalize considering myself a "youth" anymore, and that pains me. For god's sake, i'm being referred to as "senior faculty" in my division at Stanford. How the hell did that happen?

But i digress ... the neglect for fac13 actually quite pained me, as relating my experiences and ponderings here has been a treasured and valuable means of self-analysis and reflection over the six years and eight months this site was functionally active. And beyond, as in the 11 months, 27 days, blah blah blah since 10:34am, 2/23/2009, i've read and reread portions of my ramblings. Therefore, here i am again. And, in all honesty, i'm hoping to return to my posting frequency of yore.

I've tried to fill the fac13 void via Twitter and Facebook, and in some ways they have sufficed. Certainly, the imposed brevity of postings there makes it easier to keep up. But therein lies my problem ... how much wisdom can you cram into 140 characters? Elitist, perhaps, but i find Twitter culture exceedingly shallow and lacking wit. Facebook is marginally better, but my antisocial streak causes a problem there. You see, some things i want to record in print not to start a water cooler conversation but just to expose myself. There the possibility of one of my jackass friends (apologies) cracking wise after i've let my guard down has poisoned Facebook for me to an extent. And each time i've stared at the Twitter or Facebook posting form lamenting their shortcomings, i've thought of my beloved fac13.

And so here i am. And there you are. Or not. Either way, i'm smiling.