Back
There are two types of people who are afraid to drink tequila: those who got sick on it and those haven’t taken a shot in years. (Margarita’s don’t count because they are colorful and come in a glass the size of your head with a bendy straw. That’s not liquor, that’s a theme park ride).
I’m feeling like the person who hasn’t had a shot in a long time.
For those of you who havn’t noticed, I haven’t posted much this summer, and not at all in the last half a month. There were any number of reasons for my absence: my work schedule has been real heavy; I was spending more time with the attorney (operative word, “was”); the heatwave was making me lazy; there have been a couple of challenges with Granny (but everything seems to be okay); and I just wasn’t feeling motivated to write.
But now that the motivation, desire, or whatever you want to call it, is coming back again I’m feeling a little paralyzed.
It’s really hard to write that first post after you have been away for a while. People have been waiting for your return (at least I hope some of you have) so you make yourself think that the first post back has to be a really good one. The one that was worth the wait. The one that’s as good as anything in the past but sets a tone for what’s to come. The one that satisfies old readers and excites new ones.
Well, folks, this ain’t it.
Yeah, it’s the first post back, but it’s not the one you’ll press in a book or tie up in a ribbon for your hope chest. It’s just the one where I get back on the bike. After all, they say you never forget how to ride a bike.
They also say you can’t go home again.
So you look forward.
Looking forward, the blog is on track for a convergence of elements so great that my obsession with order tingles to the point of my nut hairs practically standing on end. There’s a strong possibility that my blogiversary (on September 1) could coincide with my 400th post and my 5000th reader comment. Just the thought of the possibility was enough to make me get my blogging back in gear.
It may happen. Or it may not. But either way, September 1 is the beginning of my fourth year of the blog and the beginning of the Vols football season. That alone is enough to make you want to blog, no? 
Even though you can’t go home again, you can come back. Again and again. Just ask Cher.
August 23rd, 2007 at 7:22 am
welcome “back”. You have been misssed.
August 23rd, 2007 at 7:52 am
I’m assuming (hopefully) you’re just spending less time together, not no time together at all…
August 23rd, 2007 at 7:54 am
Glad to see you return. A little vacation is well deserved. I’m sure you’ll provide some details soon, somewhere between the 30 and 50-yards lines.
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:27 am
Count me as one of those waiting for your return. It sounds like it’s been quite a summer (or at least the last few weeks) for you. I know you’ll share what you can or need to. Whether we get a new Tony or the old Tony, I’m glad you’re back.
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:40 am
We all have missed you, I imagine. At least I have but just thought you were busy or just didn’t feel like writing. This is quite an effort (if not a compulsion). I have no expectations; whatever you write is interesting because it’s you expressing yourself and sharing something of yourself. It is a gift.
‘was’?
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:55 am
Welcome back Tony. I look forward to reading what’s been going on in your life. What happened with the Attorney?
GO VOLS!!!! My LSU Tigers kickoff SEC football in just SEVEN DAYS against that periennel sucky MISS STATE team! GEAUX TIGERS!
Glad you are back. I missed you.
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:05 am
I’m just so glad to have you back. Hell you could have written an entry about how your breath smells when you first wake up and I would be happy. You’re one of the first things I look for when I log on in the morning and when you’re not there it seems something is missing from my day. The mere fact that you posted makes it an important post.
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:50 am
Welcome back my friend….. Glad to hear that all is okay with you… some of us do worry you know…. So I see the operative word with the “attorney” is “was”
Whats that all about? Enquiring minds want to know please…
Thanks for the post… I join the ranks of “rayrayj”
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:23 am
I’ll add my response to those posted by others who really enjoy your blog. What and when you post is secondary to the fact that four years ago you chose to share your words and continue to do so. I’m fortunate to have had the sheer luck to stumble upon your writing, and I feel sorry for those poor wretched souls still stumbling around the internet who haven’t discovered what your readers never take for granted.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:29 am
Welcome back. It’s been a long, hot, interesting summer, hasn’t it?
What do you mean “was”?
August 23rd, 2007 at 2:39 pm
When the heat wave descended, I wondered about Granny.Glad to hear she’s OK. This summer has zipped by so fast , I can’t believe we’re talking about Sept.1 already. I imagine in your line of work you have to take advantage of the good weather while it’s around. After last season I’m reluctant to say it but . ” Go Buckeyes!”
August 23rd, 2007 at 3:58 pm
I was wondering about you when I heard that Tennessee was awash in a heatwave. Hope Granny is faring ok!
by the way….
have you stocked the free toaster oven for the 5000th commenter yet?
August 23rd, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Hey welcome back.
You are all right, except for when Tennessee plays Georgia.
August 23rd, 2007 at 4:31 pm
So what’s the “in” color in houses nowadays?
August 23rd, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Oh T, you could write about paint drying and we would read. You are loved and adored by many (and lusted for by many more I’m sure).
Welcome back and write what feels natural.
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Congrats on the upcoming fourth anniversary! I just passed my first one.
I rarely worry too much about “giving the people what they want” in a blog post. Sometimes it’s just good enough to be writing. So, no worries, okay?
We’ll keep coming back.
August 24th, 2007 at 12:01 am
I hope that you are ok and that the attorney isn’t a archived post in your life.
Welcome back. I drop back regularly to make sure all is well in your tall, three-legged world.
August 24th, 2007 at 1:20 am
I think Moby said it best… write about what you want, when you want, and people will read it. It’s good enough to wait for.
August 24th, 2007 at 1:21 am
Upcoming blogiversary! Great! And you have the attorney to celebrate with!
August 24th, 2007 at 2:56 am
Welcome back! You ride your bike well…
August 24th, 2007 at 9:22 am
Welcome home, Tony! As Moby said, you could write about drying paint and we would read.
I guess I’ll feel like a football widower for the next three-four months?
August 24th, 2007 at 10:25 am
Spill it. Why the “was” in regards to the attorney??? Now we’re expecting lots of posts to make up for all of the teasers that you managed to pack into such a small post.
August 24th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
As hot as you are, a little more work on the back would be ok. Not that anyone really gets to see it!
Go Bulldogs>>>>
August 25th, 2007 at 6:25 am
All that matters is that you’re well.
We’re still here… No getting rid of us…
August 25th, 2007 at 8:47 am
Mararitas count!
Coming from someone who drank some huge killer ones two decades ago and heaved all over a subway platform later (and haven’t touched tequila since) - trust me, they count!
But welcome back anyway
August 25th, 2007 at 10:37 am
I’m glad you’re back. I’m glad granny is okay. …and I think it was a good I’m back post.
August 25th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Past experiences and letting others choose my poison led to bad happenings, so I stay cleaS of the Devil Spirit.
Glad your back to posting. Hope all are wrong about the ‘was’, if not; you’ll heal and move-on. It’s what we do.
NY owes the Vols a whoop-pin’! this could be the year.
Happy 9-1.
August 25th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Welcome back. I’m sorry the attorney is in the “was” category; I know how that hurts. Glad the Granny isues are better; I’m going through my own with my mother at the moment (healthissues– not mother issues).
As I recalll from your description of what tequila does to you, PLEASE calllme if you decide to imbibe. I’ll fly to you anyday for that ride!
August 25th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Hmmm. I’m glad to hear Granny is okay. So the attorney is in the “was” category. WTF does that mean anyhow? It can’t be good, that is for sure. Safe to say that the honey moon is over? I too look forward to more frequent LT posts.
August 25th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
Was? You sure know how to write teasers. You should do that for a living.
Glad you’re back. Admittedly, I’m just getting caught up. I might also have my own “was” soon from what I e-mailed you before. I’m glad things are coming back into an “okay” state. Looking forward to more.
August 27th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
This post made my heart sing.
August 27th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Was? I like everyone else want to know what you mean by that………. JUst because the guy had a wear a diaper after you had your way with him..LOL
Glad to see you’ll be back to writing.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:33 am
WOW! You’re working on heading into year #4 Blogging. How can you manage. I’m 18 months into it and I’m feeling like it’s time to bow out, and for other good reasons too. *wink* Hope all is well. Miss those occasional emails tossed my way.
August 30th, 2007 at 1:06 am
T
GLAD U R BACK
& IT IS ASGOOD AS THE FRONT !!
ANY PART OF U BUTTERED WOULD BE SCRUMPTIOUS!
THANKS 4 LETTING US BE A PART OF YOUR LIFE THRU WORDS & PICS U R GENIOUS JUST LIKE STRIESAND & PARTON &YOUR BEAUTY IS BEYOND ALL!!!
JUST JAKK