by von
I haven't posted in a while -- for various boring professional reasons -- but I wanted to comment on Hilzoy's decision to leave the blog.
I am last remaining original member of ObWi (Moe Lane and Katherine were the other original members, and have since departed). I write "original member", not "founding member", for a reason. There's a crucial distinction between the two. Hilzoy is the founding member of ObWi as it exists today: she created ObWi's voice, generated most of its content, and earned the respect and praises of her co-bloggers and the readership. Those were enormous tasks (among other things, we have some of the best and toughest commentators out there). That she succeeded in making ObWi what it is today is a credit not only to Hilzoy's talent, but also to her seriousness of purpose. ObWi wasn't a diversion for Hilzoy: it was work, and Hilzoy worked hard to give her readers the best.
Although I have had my share of disagreements with Hilzoy, I can't dispute that her success here was in the every sense of the word: not only in crafting good posts, but in maintaining her humanity and sincerity throughout. It was always a pleasure working with her -- even when she wrote something that made me want to pull my hair out. I wish her only (and all) the best for her retirement.
All the best, Hilzoy. I'll miss you.
And if I harbor secret hopes that Hilzoy reconsiders and comes back, who would know of them? (Except y'all, of course.)
Here here!
Posted by: Ugh | July 16, 2009 at 02:23 PM
Hear, hear, even! :)
Posted by: tgirsch | July 16, 2009 at 02:34 PM
hear, hear, here, too.
Posted by: Warren Terra | July 16, 2009 at 02:42 PM
hair hair!
Posted by: Eric Martin | July 16, 2009 at 02:43 PM
Oops, sorry, that was my daily mantra to my scalp who is being most uncooperative these days...
Posted by: Eric Martin | July 16, 2009 at 02:44 PM
I just want to say that I agree with everything you say. In addition, I, for one, have been glad to see you do more front page posting of late, even when you say things which make me want to pull my few remaining hairs out.
Please continue to do so. Pretty soon I won't need a comb at all.
Posted by: John Miller | July 16, 2009 at 03:00 PM
Hear, hear, even! :)
Gah!
Posted by: Ugh | July 16, 2009 at 03:08 PM
"I can't dispute that her success here was in the every sense of the word"
did a word fall out of that line? e.g.
"that her success here was [well-deserved] in every sense of the word"?
or was it originally, e.g.,
"that her [time] here was a [success] in every sense of the word"?
or maybe the syntax is fine and i'm just having trouble reading. again.
Posted by: kid bitzer | July 16, 2009 at 03:09 PM
Kid -
It's a little awkward as I phrase it, perhaps. I'm using "success" in the second sense: That is, "her [time] here was a [success] in every sense of the word."
Posted by: von | July 16, 2009 at 03:19 PM
thanks, that helps me to understand.
and there's a fair chance that no one else had my problem anyhow.
Posted by: kid bitzer | July 16, 2009 at 03:25 PM
I had it too fwiw
Posted by: Eric Martin | July 16, 2009 at 03:45 PM
yeah, but i had it *bad*. real bad.
you just got a light case.
see, the difference is: i've got a *right* to sing the blues.
Posted by: kid bitzer | July 16, 2009 at 04:02 PM
I hate it when the posters leave but I even miss regular commenters when they disappear, and usually without so much as a 'bye'. Though she won't be posting anymore, I will still be happy to have Hilzoy's comments which I think she said she would continue.
Posted by: rdldot | July 16, 2009 at 04:07 PM
Hear here here!
Posted by: Anarch | July 16, 2009 at 04:10 PM
The queen recedes.ObWi hasn't always been my favorite blog, but it has always been the one that I respect the most. I know little of Holzoy beyond her writing and bio, but have to say that on some level, I've always had a crush on the woman.
Good luck!
Posted by: kreb | July 16, 2009 at 04:25 PM
von: thanks. ;)
Posted by: hilzoy | July 16, 2009 at 07:57 PM
"I hate it when the posters leave but I even miss regular commenters when they disappear, and usually without so much as a 'bye'."
I believe there's a fine for not filing Form 37B-12: "Leaving ObWi As A Commenter For An Unspecified Amount Of Time Without A Reason Validated By ObWi Authorities."
We've got to make a greater investment in the Enforcement Bureau. Get some Blade Runners on it.
Posted by: Gary Farber | July 16, 2009 at 08:29 PM
Speaking of Form 37B-12:
1) I haven't been reading every thread, but I haven't seen anything from bedtimeforbonzo lately. BTFB -- if you're out there, wave, would you?
2) Gary, your comment on the other thread about trying not to let the community dissolve was compelling. I am one of those who has been contemplating withdrawing (at least for a while), because I am also one of those who can't seem to take just one drink (whether it's sudoku, freecell, or blog-reading: 1-a-day, for instance, has never worked, I have to go cold turkey and stay away or I'm back in the soup)....
We'll see, I guess. Maybe I can figure out a rationing system that I will actualy then follow. ;)
Posted by: JanieM | July 16, 2009 at 08:45 PM
"Gary, your comment on the other thread about trying not to let the community dissolve was compelling."
Thanks mostly kindly.
Since I'd selfishly like people to read it, and that thread is receding into the past, I'll point out that the comment JanieM refers to is here.
BedtimeForBonzo posted here at July 08, 2009 at 04:07 PM, if not subsequently.
Posted by: Gary Farber | July 16, 2009 at 08:57 PM
Hear him, hear him!
Posted by: Jesurgislac | July 17, 2009 at 04:17 AM