Monday, October 12, 2015

Going dark


It is with much disappointment that I announce the following:

For the first time in its history, "Dime Boxes" will be going dark for an extended period of time. This decision was made for a few reasons.

1) Time. Time. Time. Between a new job and a new semester at school, my free time for blogging has been whittled down to a nearly nonexistent minimum. I wouldn't call my posts long, but they're definitely not short, and they do take a fair amount of time to compose. I simply haven't had time to write the type of posts I enjoy writing as of late.

2) Motivation. Over the past month or so, there have been a few instances I've sat at the computer with the intent of writing a post, only to have nothing spew from my brain into my fingertips. I'm a believer that blogging should never be forced, but that's where I've been headed lately. That was a big red flag.

3) Other general goings-on. With extracurriculars and all, school has become a bigger factor in my life now than it ever has been in the past. I really enjoy my coursework, and have found myself becoming more and more engrossed with it as the semesters have rolled on. Coupling that with the stress/joy of my graduation this coming December has made school into a big chunk of my life.

On top of that, the postseason is well upon us, and, in the rare case I do get some free time, I'd much rather watch a baseball game than craft a blog post, if I'm being honest. Scanning and cropping can be quite tedious, as any blogger will tell you.

So, all things considered, I think it's best that I take a step back and shut down the blog for a little while. I may still check in here and there, but I'll be going dark for at least the near future. It may be two weeks, two months, perhaps longer. I just don't know at this point. Only time will tell.

Keep in mind that this does not mean that I'm taking a break from collecting. Quite the contrary, actually. I currently have the contents of two different Just Commons orders sitting on my living room table waiting to be filed, and, as usual, I'm chomping at the bit for Topps Update to hit the shelves. The collecting motivation has been there, the blogging motivation has not.

I will still be reading and commenting on all the other great blogs out there when I can, and I'll do my best to keep my local postal workers busy with a steady stream of outgoing PWEs to my various blogger buddies.

To close, and I really can't say this enough, I thank everyone who has read this blog in the past. I've met a lot of great people who have dramatically reshaped my understanding of this crazy little baseball card world. It's been nothing short of a blast.

Wait, is this sounding too much like a goodbye? Because I promise you, it's not. It's more of a I'll see you when I see you.

So I'll see you when I see you.

(And...Go Cubs!)

22 comments:

Tim B. said...

The blogosphere won't be the same while you're away. I hope you soak up everything else going on and best of luck this semester! Looking forward to the time you dust off the blog and come back refreshed. See you when we see you!

Tony L. said...

I know where you're coming from here, Nick. Your posts take a lot of work and originality and thoughtfulness, so when time is at a premium, you have to prioritize.

I do hope you'll check out my contest that I just posted for a possible quick post to highlight your favorite ever card show purchase, though!

Nachos Grande said...

Never let the blog consume you, that's what I say. Of course, I need to learn to practice what I preach!

Go Cubs!

Zippy Zappy said...

As someone who took off the month of April for pretty much the same reasons, I wish you luck and hope your blogging batteries can be recharged these next few weeks.

Now, to get to work on your graduation Zapping ;).

Marcus said...

Best of luck w/school and life man! Don't let the hobby become a job, because who wants that much work? I'll be (sorta) rooting for the Cubbies as well, at least to beat the Cardinals. Seriously, anybody but them or the Dodgers.

Adam Kaningher said...

Your most prolific months might exceed my entire post count. I don't know how you kept that volume up. But it's been a blast up to now! Enjoy your break!

Brian said...

Enjoy your time away. I always look forward to reading your posts, so as much as I'd like for you to never take a day off, there are many good reasons to take breaks now and then. You made a very good point that blogging should never feel forced. Doing something because you feel obligated to do it is never as much fun.

BobWalkthePlank said...

Everyone needs a break at some point. Enjoy your time off and recharge the batteries. See you soon!

Unknown said...

Love the blog and sorry to see you go. Hope you recharge the batteries and can come back and blog again.

William Regenthal said...

We all need to step away at different points. I hope you enjoy your time off and come back recharged.

Reds Card Collector said...

See you back soon Nick! Go Cubbies!!!!

Big Tone said...

Do what ya gotta do,bro ;)I too have been transfixed on playoff baseball and have found It difficult to focus on much of anything else.Good luck to your Cubbies and see ya when you get back!

Anonymous said...

Sorry to see you take the break, but it's probably good thing to do so every now and then. I was kind of forced into going dark about a year and a half ago; that 2 months off ended up being helpful to the total 5 years of blogging I've done.

Mark Hoyle said...

Life always comes first. Goodluck with the graduation

Adam said...

Best of luck on your studies Nick. Hope to see you come back refreshed and blogging again soon.

My Best Friend Collects Chipper Jones said...

Nick:
Sorry to see you go. I've enjoyed reading your Dime Boxes blog. However,there are many things much more important than writing a blog. Get a great education and work hard and the rest of the time do those things you enjoy most. If you have time to write a blog, I look forward to your return.

Xavier Higgins said...

Say it ain't so Preacher Nick?
If the Cubs win the series I expect a post.
Until then, God bless & peace be with you.

CaptKirk42 said...

ACK!
A Dark Dime Box is like a locked cabinet or something. Oh well take care of the things in the "normal" life. Lately I've had the same kind of blogging downtime and yeah scanning and cropping often takes too much time away from the fun part of blogging.

beefman said...

Nick,

I have been reading your incredible Blog for around 3 years, and I can honestly say that it is and will always be my favorite. And while I'm sad to see you take a break, I can understand your reasons behind doing it.

I'll still check back a couple times a week, just incase you decide to post again!

All the best, mate!

Nick from Australia

Anonymous said...

"Going dark"? He can't mean that, it must be some new theme he's collecting, like nighttime shots or dark parallels or... Oh. He does mean "going dark" in the colloquial sense. Damn.

I'm just barely keeping on top of my "posting every other day and catching up on reading over the weekend" M.O., so I can certainly understand your reasons. You do what you gotta do, we'll be here.

acrackedbat said...

Nick, your writing has been entertaining and educational. Follow your bliss my friend and do what makes you happy. There is only so much time in a day so live it! Your posts WILL no doubt be missed. Glad to know though, you'll be dropping in to say hello. Have a great Fall and we'll see you when we see you!

Drew said...

I totally can relate to what you're saying, being a college student myself. Take all the time you need, we'll be here when you're back and ready to go!