WE HAVE ENOUGH – Thanks
I have been blogging mostly non-stop since I started this blog in November 2006, with a couple of breaks over weekends, illnesses, and during some travel. WUWT now has over 4700 stories, and half a million moderated comments. As my mom used to say, “that’s enough to choke a horse”.
With the Christmas holidays here, and because this has been an extraordinarily difficult year for my family with medical issues, economic woes, and general overwork, I’ve decided to take a blogging holiday for awhile. This probably starts midday Dec 24th, lasting until around January 2nd. I’m going to remove myself from my online habits to spend time away, time with my family, time not thinking about the issues, time playing with my kids who I’m guilty of neglecting attention to. Hell, I didn’t even get outdoor Christmas lights put up this year. On the plus side, I’m going to score some new cheap after xmas sale LED’s for next year.
I’m also mindful of the many, many, people who visit this blog every day, and I do feel some duty to you, my readers. This doesn’t mean a complete downtime for this blog, we have a few guest authors that will post regularly, I’ll have open threads, and I will from time to time post things. But the pace that I have been maintaining will be less.
As they say, all work and no play makes John a dull boy, and I’ve been feeling a bit overextended lately. I’m sure the moderation team feels the same way. My email is like a firehose, and I’m way behind in correspondence. I also notice I’ve been a bit snippy with some commenters, and that really is a sign that I need some R&R. To be more direct, I’m a bit burned out. Steve McIntyre recently went on hiatus while traveling for this holiday season, and he recognizes the need to step away for awhile. I need to also.
I’m fortunate to have a large worldwide readership and a fantastic team of volunteer moderators and guest authors, so there’s no reason for WUWT to stop while I recharge. The Huffington Post for example, goes on it’s merry way even though Arianna Huffington might be in Maui. There’s no reason WUWT has to rely solely on me with the community we have. The community continues to grow, so let’s capitalize on that.
Despite the projected angst of detractors, WUWT continues to dominate the climate rat pack with traffic, per Alexa’s traffic analyzer:
Rather than let that go into the tank while I’m on R&R, I’ve decided to open up WUWT a bit more. I think it will be a win all around for everyone.
Therefore, in addition to our regulars guest posters like Willis, Bob Tisdale, CTM, David Archibald, Paul Vaughn (who will have a post tonight) and many others, I thought I would extend this opportunity to people that would like to contribute to WUWT as a guest author.
There are a few, and necessary, caveats.
1. If I won’t be able to verify who you are, please don’t apply.
2. If you want to make political statements, please don’t apply
3. I’m looking for relevant material on climate, weather, forecasting, solar science, general science, technology, and relevant humor/satire. I’m not interested in the topics listed on the policy page. Opinions that differ from what I normally post are also welcome, provided they are respectfully presented. If you just want to write a rant about “deniers” like some people we know, then please don’t apply. If you have a point to make, and can do so conscientiously, such opposing views are welcome. A good example is how Ferdinand Englebeen conducted himself with this series on CO2 1 2 3 4
4. You must create an account in the WordPress system as a registered user. I’ll provide instructions on how to do so and get you linked in to WUWT. Read on.
If you are able to write an article, add graphics and references, and would like to get the exposure this blog offers for your ideas, and are willing to sign in to the WordPress system as a registered user, using its editor, then this opportunity is for you. Basically if you can run MS Word or Open Office writer, and can follow a few simple instructions, you can be publishing as a WUWT guest author.
For some of our existing guest authors, who might be signed up to Blogger or other publishing platforms, now is the time to signup to get a WordPress account. Drop me a note and I’ll send instructions.
For those interested, please use this form, all information submitted will be kept confidential (except your name, which will go on posts) and only used in verification of your signup. If you don’t know what your story idea might be, and you just want to help keep up with general climate news, simply elaborate on that.
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signup closed
Might this not be an opportunity for some specialists here in other (non-climate) fields, like biology, paleontology, geology, etc. to post on some of the “puzzling things” in their work? E.g. this story of a Neanderthal family apparently cannibalized, reported by Carl Zimmer in the NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/21/science/21neanderthal.html?_r=1&ref=science
or the ‘white-nose syndrome’ decimating cave bats, http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/white-nose_syndrome/
BTW, I first encountered these stories on John Bachelor’s terrific daily radio show (wherein John and Bob Zimmerman regularly discuss the climate follies reported on WUWT).
My wife regularly chastises me for “spending too much time on ‘the blogs’,” but truth be told, much of it these days it is consumed reading Comments threads on WUWT. That’s testament not only to the quality of the posts, but to intelligence (and civility, generally) of the WUWT community. WUWT has become an essential resource (and an education) for me, and I’m sure for a great many others.
I remember Rush Limbaugh saying that when he started his national show, his partners insisted that he take regular breaks off the air, to recharge his batteries. It’s a good plan, Anthony, and the way to avoid burn-out. They have to be scheduled, or they tend not to happen.
Merry Christmas, and let’s hope the New Year splashes the cold water of realism into the faces of the robotic ‘climate change’ crowd still infesting the halls of government and academe.
It really does “take a weatherman.”
/Mr Lynn
Merry Christmas to you, Anthony, and to your family!
Enjoy your well-deserved break, and if these two weeks work out well, perhaps you can take some more breaks in the future. None of us want you to burn out – we value your sterling work far too much!
Anthony,could you not extend another invitation to a “well known warmist” or even a member of the TEAM.
Consisder it a alternative Christmas message, abit like what happen’s in the UK. The BBC has the Queens message and Channel 4 do a alternative message from some well known public figure, it has included Ozzy Osbourne,Sharron Osbourne, you get the gist.
Could become a yearly Christmas feature and be most entertaining!!
Merry Christmas you and your family,keep up the good work
and lets hope the missing emails(CRU) come to light in 2011.
Mycroft
Far too many blogs have closed abruptly in recent months. You are wise to recognise the signs of burn out before it’s too late. You are also fortunate to have a great team helping out. I’ve been a daily visitor since the UEA “leaks” and have learned a hell of a lot.
Have your Christmas break with family and friends, and come back when ready. We’ll still be here!
Seasons greetings to all of you.
As a lurker and (sometime) ranter here on WUWT, I would not presume to fill anyone’s slippers here, but don’t think that means I will stop coming here to read what you are all writing!
Merry Christmas to everyone here – especially Anthony and family (I guess we could refer to a biological and an on-line family now!) you are doing a great job and long may it continue.
Anthony, your integrity and devotion to this site are an inspiration and example of what can be accomplished with the application of the same. The quality of what goes on here 24/7/365.25 is astounding. Thank you very much. Take all the time you need for R&R. Best wishes to you and yours for a healthy prosperous new year.
Merry Christmas to you and your family Anthony. No more sickness in 2011!
Yes indeed Anthony – enjoy your well-deserved break – even longer I would say …. The goal should be to reconnect, rest and recharge … Come back when you’ve accomplished those elements – and not a moment before. We will be fine in the interim.
I also think it important for us all to reflect on the year – perhaps nominating the Years Top Ten posts? It might be interesting reading for newbies …
Thanks again for your work Anthony, God bless you and yours.
Anthony, many thanks for all you’ve done from a loyal layman lurker. 😉 Take a break and be with your family — it’s the right thing to do for all involved. Lots of good football coming too; fire up some nachos and watch the bowl games while you relax! And have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Have a wonderful holiday, Anthony!
May you and your familly have a good Christmas, Anthony. Rest, relax and enjoy.
Wish you the best…though we all know you’ll be watching from time to time your WUWT.
I think you were chosen by the gods above to channel a force…..and this is hard to bear.
Unfortunately not by “Big Oil” 🙂
Good luck on finding any LED’s to buy after christmas.
Thanks for all your good work. A former commenter was correct in pointing out that bloggers like you are a crucial asset in informing the world that the science is far from “settled” enough to justify making an enormous economic bet on CO2 mitigation.
I’m not competent to post here on the science; but if you need moderators please feel free to contact me. And I do write the occasional thing which might amuse people, such as this poem about the NASA LCROSS mission – http://sullysside.blogspot.com/2009/10/with-apologies-to-samuel-taylor.html
Tale a well-deserved break Anthony and enjoy the company of your family.
I can recall the when a database I helped to build 12 years ago was about to hit the 2M th record. That was vindication for our team, especially when we were told it wouldn’t last. It has since gone on to do 5M !!!
So, here’s hoping I hit the 500k for you. In any case, have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year – in which we all hope the world’s politicians will open their eyes and see the AGW scam for what it is. We must have HOPE for 2011.
Guess my last post disappeared (craptop glitch?). Just wanted to join everyone else here to wish you a happy family Christmas and the best of New Years. You have slain a few dragons. You need rest.
Anthony & Family,
Take care and happy holiday downtime.
John
Enjoy your well deserved break. The issues that you and your family have had to deal with are physically, mentally and emotionally draining to say the least. You all need the time together to recharge.
We will still be here when you feel ready to return, and the mods, guest posters and commenters will continue to keep us all well informed.
As one of my favorite authors, Douglas Adams, said “It is a mistake to think that you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.” 🙂
BTW, this site is way beyond Huffpo.
Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year to you, your family and everyone here at WUWT, from your e-friend in the Great White North.
You’ve made some pretty BIG footpints. You’ve set the Bar Height pretty high too. Another metaphore, when you get to a turn in the road, turn; or you’ll run off the road;-) Merry Christmas to You & Yours! God Bless and Keep You All! Happy New Year,too!
Dear MODERATOR,
My comment of about 30 minutes ago has apparently been consigned to the nether gods in the nether regions of WUWT.
Note: Ahhhhh, for the past ~ 3 months this is a common phenomenon for me at WUWT; something changed but I do not have any idea what it was.
John
The DONATE button is too hard to find! But I did finally find it.
Merry Christmas Anthony. Enjoy your rest and your family.
Thomas
I could write a paper as scientific as your closest climate hippie research paper, but I’m afraid most people just don’t have it in themselves to read “those god damn hippies” fifty two thousand times in various letter sizes. Some have tried, don’t know really why, but ended up in the insane asylum (translation: the nuthouse.) But if anyone did complete the read and not go starch ravingly mental, at first glance, is that really a person one would want to be around for very long? :p
Happy X-mas and a merry new year too all.
I wonder though, how many CO2 neutralizers will the hippies slay this christmas alone and then to have the disgusting coal burners produce all that evil electricity they need to light all them trees up?
WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS AND WILL BE APPRECIATED. TOOK TWO YEARS FROM MY CAREER TO CARE GIVE. IT IS RIGHT AND NECESSARY.
BEST WISHES
Merry Christmas Anthony and I trust your and all your family have a very good New Year.
Merry Christmas, Anthony, and looking forward to the new year….