Peace, Love and Happiness to all.

Hey, I totally get it. I've been in an ebb tide as well, for a couplea months. Ebb, flow, ebb, flow. Roll on.

Balance is good, Greg. I expect that you, of all the people I know, understand and subscribe to that! It's good to take a break.

That addiction thing is strong, isn't it? But I know what you mean about feeling a bit more relaxed and productive when OS isn't such a major draw. I guess it's all about balance. But as you say, it's easy to feel like an outsider when you just pop by infrequently. We're all in different stages of working it out, huh?

Better to take a sabbatical then burn out.

Wondered where you were kiddo......good to hear you're taking care of yourself. I'm about ready to go up on the roof and do a goat dance......that always relaxes me. (scares the dogs, but they get over it!)

Rejuvenate!

I think some people have gotten the flu so bad, it's been natural for them to reassess what's important in their lives...so I totally get it. And I was wondering what was up for you and this makes total sense. I hope everyone in your family is finally well. Halloween pictures of your beautiful little boy?

Greg, we all know you care. Good for you for branching out!

I think that it is good to take time off. This can become all-encompassing.

"I have had a few people disappoint me on here" :-( I'm sorry, but I thought the world needed to know about that damn catfish!!!! PLEASE FORGIVE ME AND COME BACK!!

;)

We understand my friend, sometimes we all have to back away. IT's all good.

Now record yourself on the bongos so we can sing along...;)

Greg, thanks for your post. It made me realize that I need to take a step back in order to get a better balance as well!

Sometimes we need to walk instead of run. Reassessment is a good thing. We all need to find some balance in our lives. Stay well my friend.

Makes sense and me too. It's hard to get balance. No worries. You're a good guy and I'm sure everyone understands. I do.

Do what you do, Bro. Nobody can be everywhere. Variety is the spice that makes the soup, so don't be feeling guilty. Live, man! That's what it's about.

We'll miss you. And look forward to your occasional visits. Peace.

I'm glad you're happy, relaxed and feeling better.

Take care of yourself... and life. Time away sometimes is a good thing... and necessary. Peace :)

I'm o.k. with you workin' on the trumpet. Did you notice when you got back to it more that the things that had you stalled before were gone? And the simpler groove seemed right? It's the space between the notes that makes it music. Otherwise it's noise. It's all like that.You know what I mean.

Greg glad everything is ok.

I cleaned my microwave. With a paintbrush to get into all the little corners. Next, I'm going to straighten up my bookcase....

Enjoy.

It's sort of like not eating sugar - you lose the taste. But beware, you can get hooked again very easily...

(Meanwhile, keeping up with - or, in my case, learning - music takes a LOT of time....which a person just doesn't have if they're on the computer for hours...)

Denise, of ALL the people to post on this first I couldn't have asked for anyone else! I didn't even throw in or mention that "F" word. :-)
I get it now. We don't have to stay and we don't have to leave. We can come and go. Kind of like college. (rim shot!)

Absolutely Coyote. Part of finding balance is actually instituting balance. (It made sense in my brain.)

Very true Lainey. My problem is I have tremendous Catholic guilt, and I'm not even Catholic... I feel like if I'm not giving I don't deserve to receive. But I'll be popping in and out with less pressure. It feels good.

Very true O.N. I'm not burned out on writing, just burned out on writing the same shit. :-) I wish, oh how I wish I could get people to read stuff on music, sports and film... My passions. I'm keeping up with politics, but need a definite break from it.

Haha Ginny!!!!!! Can I join ya?!

We're all well Mary. I've never been better and I PROMISE it's not some kind of "I'm pissed at OS" thing. Not at all. I just need smaller portions. I will always love this place. I truly will. It's about the people, not the place. I'm interested to see who the new Editor is anyway... I hope it's someone from on here.

Thanks VG. I think you sort of subscribe to this as well. In order not to hate the place, I have to let it go a little bit."Free, free, set them free."

So true Delia. I wasn't neglecting anything or anyone important in my life, other than myself...

Tink, I'm smoking on some bongos. I thank God (the one I talk to at least) for my "His" given talent with rhythm. (My wife does too.) Percussion and drums have always been where the talent was given. The rest was earned. I 'll be busting out a video on my Congas too. They are SUWEEEEEEEEEET!

Donna, this place can overwhelm you and really monopolize you. I mean that in the best way. I enjoy it so much that I let it encompass me. It's a great forum and it needs to flourish. I couldn't say that a couple of months ago.

Chuck, it's not great secret that YOU are one of those people of whom I spoke of in the post. It's GREAT that you are on facebook so we can stay in touch. Of course, I'll still be on here. I don't even have any animosity toward Ed Eye Tore anymore. Yes, they miss out on my music and sports posts, but then I see all the other great work that gets passed over and I know it's not about me.

Thanks Steph, and I'll be seeing you and keeping up with you on facebook too. :-)

Michael. My brother. My man. MY FRIEND. Are you on facebook? I usually keep a window open to it to keep in touch with people. If you are, I haven't found you. Let me know via PM.
I simply can't NOT talk to brothers Michael, Gary, Monte and some of my other brethren/sistren (is that a word?)...

M.P. I'm like Arnold, "I'll be back." At least I won't draw attention to the Gordon Osmond's anymore. :-D I think he kinda likes me or has the hots for me one.

Thanks Marcelle. You know I won't lose touch with you.

Mama that's so true. Prioritize. My family has always come first and everything and everyone else second. It's time to put me somewhere up there...

Oh AKA, how well I know what you mean. I've been listening almost exclusively lately to minimalist trumpeters like Erik Truffaz. I will never be Freddie Hubbard or a post bop virtuoso. I can only admire their work. But where I'm creative is in a new genre of fusion trumpet. Smooth, but not Kenny G smooth/schmaltz. I hear ya loud and clear...As Miles said, "Don't play what's there, play what's not there." That space, in between...

Everything is great Sheep Dog. You're my boy. Just keep doing what you do...You know I read you.

Zuma, isn't it amazing the things we find that need done? I need you to find me on facebook too. I don't ever want to lose touch with you or Bill. Where the hell is Beck anyway? He gone missing?

It's so funny Myriad, I have zero addictive personality. I wouldn't call what I have/had/have/had/have/... here an addiction. I just enjoy it a lot when it's good. It's outgrown me. It's time was served well, but that time has passed. :-)

Hey love, just roll with it. Popping out of OS is good thing once in a while, no biggie. I'm kinda on a mini burnout myself: writers block :)

Big hugs and pawed!

There must be something going around. I just posted something similar a few minutes ago. Either way, we know you love us.

Hell, and I was just starting to get to know you. It wasn't me was it? Be honest.
Take care. Come back and visit.

Miko, Aaron, you two know I love you guys. :-) One is a bit more attractive to me than the other. :-D Aaron, I see you every day man.
Miko, you need to look me up on facebook.

JB, you're a breath of pure fresh air. No one has made me laugh more consistently in such a short period of time. Hell, I bookmarked your posts and I just don't do that.

Music is the best medicine, therapy and god given talent. You are very blessed to have this amazing gift. You absolutely should be using it to your full advantage. Sure, it's theraputic to write, be read and appreciated. You know that all that is under your roof without even turning on your computer. Do what is authentic for you and do it with all the passion we have come to know about you here. Your time is your most precious choice. What you do with it is yours alone. Have a great time doing it and we will love seeing you when we see you. xo

Hey.....

OS is there for you. When you need it and when you need less of it and when you find something better for you. Or if you want to come back.

It's like the (theoretical) perfect neighborhood bar. Always there when you want a drink and some companionship, but never an obligation when you have more pressing matters or something else to attend to in your life.

Congratulations.

Rock on dude, you're a swine flu survivor and you have to do what's right! ;

Dude! Relax; once da man, always da man.

Rated.

Although it's only been a recent connection, I've enjoyed your posts and look forward to reading more no matter how infrequent.

Greg first I"m glad you are recov ered from the flu. I miss you but understand about trying to find balance in one's life.

I think eveyone who has been here for a while needs to step back occasionally. I've been on less lately, too. As Verbal says, it's ebb and flow, and it's natural.

You’ve been away? (Just kidding ;~)

It’s important to do the things you love, and to love the things you do.

We get it!

Peace, Love & Understanding

I totally understand. We all have lives outside of OS. It is wonderful to connect with people that you haven't actually met. I always love your posts and I'm so thankful that you're feeling better. I hope your father is too.

There's life beyond OS?

Why was I not told? =o)

This means I may actually be able to keep up with your rate of posting, (Those three posts a day times--I was hopeless..)
and me already in the throes of Nanowrimo.

Namaste, backatcha, but you'd better not disappear completely. And if you're channelling Bush (please no!), mind you don't absent-mindedly go invade another country.
Rated.

I totally get it too. PM me when you post stuff because I always miss them. You are one of my favs on here. RF

I'm just glad it's not due to continued illness! Stay well and stay happy!

That's OK, Blue. Soon you'll get pissed about something and start ranting away! We'll just hang in until then. Peace.

Okay Greg, we all do what we need to. Me? I'm trapped here. I've made it my duty to hammer little Gordon every chance I get. He preaches conservatism yet hides from his obligation to this country in BraZil. You go on and banf on those Bongo's. I'll be here if you want and you've got my contact otherwise.

I feel the same. I have not been able to dedicate the time I would like in Rating / Commenting some the truly excellent work here on OS.

I try my best to spread the OS Community into the larger Internet Community, in my small part.

I just put nanatehay's "The Taliban" post on my Facebook Wall.

Certain people here (some which have commented here) are doing high-quality blogging that should not be disregarded.